A Book of Narrative Verse - compiled by V. H. Collins
The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith
Racing Through the Dark - The Fall and Rise of David Millar
A Life's Ambition - Alexandre Dumas
The Journal of Madame Giovanni - Alexandre Dumas
The Prince of Thieves - Alexandre Dumas
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Sweet Poison - David Gillespie
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz
Time Warped - Claudia Hammond
The Neapolitan Lovers - Alexandre Dumas
How to find Fulfilling Work - Roman Krznaric
Intuition Pumps and Other Think Tools - Daniel C. Dennett
Mastermind - Maria Konnikova
How Children Succeed - Paul Tough
Thinking - edited by John Brockman
Manage Your Day-to Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
Give and Take - Adam Grant
Possession - A. S. Byatt
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Saturday, 30 August 2014
A Spineless Thing to do!
This week I have been reading Tom Brown's Schooldays. My version is from the 1930s and its spine was a little worse for wear. Well now, thanks to some train journeys and me generally not helping its cause, it is spineless. The end came when I was trying to wield the book in one hand and prove to the train conductor that I did have a ticket, with the other. The spine saw its chance, took it and made a bid for freedom. Having shown my ticket I then had to retrieve the spine which is now held in place by a rubber band. Sorry book.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Sofa Spotlight - Tom Brown's Schooldays, Thomas Hughes
What's it about?
As the name suggests it is about the schooldays of Tom Brown. Tom Brown is the son of a squire in the 19th century and manages to persuade his parents to send him to public school. He ends up at Rugby under Dr Arnold who has begun to reform the school. Brown has many adventures with his friend East as they make their way up the school. Together they stand up to bullies, such as Flashman, and spend plenty of time causing chaos for the masters. It's like looking back at another world, and it's hard to imagine that that is what schools were like. Hughes writes it well, and it isn't harder to imagine the world that he is portraying. It's hard to imagine that the same values that boys at Rugby had would be held by children at school now. They certainly play a lot less cricket.
What was good?
Hughes brought the whole scene to life. If ever I got lost in a book, it was this one. I nearly forgot to get off the train at times. My favorite character has to be Tom Brown, but East is a close second. They are lovable characters because they seem to have no problem getting into trouble, but have some sense of doing the right thing. Which worked out well for Arthur, and all the other boys that enjoyed the spoils of their campaigns.
What was bad?
Although I didn't mind it too much, Hughes offered his opinion and advice too often. He isn't hard to read so it wasn't too bad but sometimes it got in the way of the narrative.
Who is for?
I think Hughes had in mind boys about to go to or already at public school. If you enjoy a good story that isn't too taxing then this could be for you. It does take a bit of work to get through the opening chapters but it is worth it, although be warned about the ending. I was close to tears.
As the name suggests it is about the schooldays of Tom Brown. Tom Brown is the son of a squire in the 19th century and manages to persuade his parents to send him to public school. He ends up at Rugby under Dr Arnold who has begun to reform the school. Brown has many adventures with his friend East as they make their way up the school. Together they stand up to bullies, such as Flashman, and spend plenty of time causing chaos for the masters. It's like looking back at another world, and it's hard to imagine that that is what schools were like. Hughes writes it well, and it isn't harder to imagine the world that he is portraying. It's hard to imagine that the same values that boys at Rugby had would be held by children at school now. They certainly play a lot less cricket.
What was good?
Hughes brought the whole scene to life. If ever I got lost in a book, it was this one. I nearly forgot to get off the train at times. My favorite character has to be Tom Brown, but East is a close second. They are lovable characters because they seem to have no problem getting into trouble, but have some sense of doing the right thing. Which worked out well for Arthur, and all the other boys that enjoyed the spoils of their campaigns.
What was bad?
Although I didn't mind it too much, Hughes offered his opinion and advice too often. He isn't hard to read so it wasn't too bad but sometimes it got in the way of the narrative.
Who is for?
I think Hughes had in mind boys about to go to or already at public school. If you enjoy a good story that isn't too taxing then this could be for you. It does take a bit of work to get through the opening chapters but it is worth it, although be warned about the ending. I was close to tears.
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Sofa Spotlight - Marks of the Messenger, J. Mack Stiles
What is it about?
This isn't a book about evangelism as such. It is about what how you should be thinking and living so that you don't miss the obvious. It is about preparing ourselves to be better messengers of God's good news. The content of the book is about the gospel, and the mistakes that can be made when we share it with others. It looks at what happens when we add things to the gospel or take things away from it. At the end of the book the last chapter has a list of bullet points that provide a summary of what the book covers. If you can't read the entire book you should read the last chapter with that list. I never thought I would recommend just reading the last chapter of a book. But make sure you read the whole book at some point, to understand what Stiles means in those bullet points.
What was good?
Stiles is a good concise writer. He is straightforward and to the point, which I think is why each chapter is easy to digest. It was easy to work out what his point was in each section and see where it could be applied. I'm surprised to say that it was a hard book to put down, I only ever feel that way about novels, so there must be something good about it. You will have to read it to find out what it is.
What was bad?
I don't like pointing out was bad about a book unless it is obvious and I had a problem with it. I didn't have any massive problems with this book. Not a huge fan of the cover, but I will cope.
Who is for?
All Christians should read this. The chapter on guarding the gospel is essential reading for all Christians.
This isn't a book about evangelism as such. It is about what how you should be thinking and living so that you don't miss the obvious. It is about preparing ourselves to be better messengers of God's good news. The content of the book is about the gospel, and the mistakes that can be made when we share it with others. It looks at what happens when we add things to the gospel or take things away from it. At the end of the book the last chapter has a list of bullet points that provide a summary of what the book covers. If you can't read the entire book you should read the last chapter with that list. I never thought I would recommend just reading the last chapter of a book. But make sure you read the whole book at some point, to understand what Stiles means in those bullet points.
What was good?
Stiles is a good concise writer. He is straightforward and to the point, which I think is why each chapter is easy to digest. It was easy to work out what his point was in each section and see where it could be applied. I'm surprised to say that it was a hard book to put down, I only ever feel that way about novels, so there must be something good about it. You will have to read it to find out what it is.
What was bad?
I don't like pointing out was bad about a book unless it is obvious and I had a problem with it. I didn't have any massive problems with this book. Not a huge fan of the cover, but I will cope.
Who is for?
All Christians should read this. The chapter on guarding the gospel is essential reading for all Christians.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Sofa Shelf
Manage Your Day-To-Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
This is a book about putting creative ideas into action. It has a very nice cover, both to look at and to touch. The contributors to this book look about how everyday decisions and routines can help or hinder the way that a creative idea can be accomplished. I think. Will let you know if I am right.
Give and Take - Adam Grant
A book that isn't a compilation. Feels like the first time in a while. This one talks about why giving may help you to be more successful even though it is counter intuitive. I've started it and it is very readable. Of all the books that I have started recently this is the one that I am most excited about, I'm looking forward to finding out what it has to say.
Marks of the Messenger - J. Mack Stiles
This is the second or third time that I've read this book. From what I remember it is worth another read, and because I can't remember much it is definitely one that I should read again. It is about how in order to tell others the gospel we need to know it ourselves and not assume that we or others know it.
Possession - A. S. Byatt
I've heard really good things about this book, but also really bad things. I'm worried that I will hate it and will spend the next year trying to get my through it, but I don't want to risk missing out on something that I might enjoy. Anyway it opens with lines from Nathaniel Hawthorne, so I am intrigued enough to read on.
This is a book about putting creative ideas into action. It has a very nice cover, both to look at and to touch. The contributors to this book look about how everyday decisions and routines can help or hinder the way that a creative idea can be accomplished. I think. Will let you know if I am right.
Give and Take - Adam Grant
A book that isn't a compilation. Feels like the first time in a while. This one talks about why giving may help you to be more successful even though it is counter intuitive. I've started it and it is very readable. Of all the books that I have started recently this is the one that I am most excited about, I'm looking forward to finding out what it has to say.
Marks of the Messenger - J. Mack Stiles
This is the second or third time that I've read this book. From what I remember it is worth another read, and because I can't remember much it is definitely one that I should read again. It is about how in order to tell others the gospel we need to know it ourselves and not assume that we or others know it.
Possession - A. S. Byatt
I've heard really good things about this book, but also really bad things. I'm worried that I will hate it and will spend the next year trying to get my through it, but I don't want to risk missing out on something that I might enjoy. Anyway it opens with lines from Nathaniel Hawthorne, so I am intrigued enough to read on.
Monday, 25 August 2014
Reading on the Shelf
A Book of Narrative Verse - compiled by V. H. Collins
Been reading this one again. Well I managed half a poem. I still don't like it. The poem was about someone from Cyprus, and having said that I don't like it, I do want to find out what happens at the end.
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
This book has sections that are about the regions of France, and this week I read the one on Gascony. It probably had more interest for me than most because D' Artagnan from The Three Musketeers is from there.
Sweet Poison - David Gillespie
Very nearly finished and definitely not having sugar ever again. Although I am skeptical about books like this I think Gillespie has a point, and it wouldn't be a bad thing to be more aware of what is in what I eat or drink.
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz
This week they have looked at letters. What impresses me about this book is that sometimes I'm worried that I'm going to be bored, but then I get drawn in. I love the gentle humour that is in this book.
Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Finished this one, here is what I thought.
Tom Brown's Schooldays - Thomas Hughes
Near finishing this one too. Brown and East are always getting themselves into scrapes and now they have a new boy to look after. What I like is that there is more to this book than just a story, it has moments where it makes you think.
No Guts No Glory - edited by Alan Stewart
Finished this, here is what I thought.
Thinking - edited by John Brockman
Read a bit more but still don't really understand it. It might be a bit over my head. I'm three essays in and all I can remember is that one was about political forecasting, I think!
Manage Your Day-to Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
This is easy to read. Some bits are not relevant to me, but the principles, although simple, are useful to be either be made aware of, or reminded of.
Been reading this one again. Well I managed half a poem. I still don't like it. The poem was about someone from Cyprus, and having said that I don't like it, I do want to find out what happens at the end.
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
This book has sections that are about the regions of France, and this week I read the one on Gascony. It probably had more interest for me than most because D' Artagnan from The Three Musketeers is from there.
Sweet Poison - David Gillespie
Very nearly finished and definitely not having sugar ever again. Although I am skeptical about books like this I think Gillespie has a point, and it wouldn't be a bad thing to be more aware of what is in what I eat or drink.
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz
This week they have looked at letters. What impresses me about this book is that sometimes I'm worried that I'm going to be bored, but then I get drawn in. I love the gentle humour that is in this book.
Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
Finished this one, here is what I thought.
Tom Brown's Schooldays - Thomas Hughes
Near finishing this one too. Brown and East are always getting themselves into scrapes and now they have a new boy to look after. What I like is that there is more to this book than just a story, it has moments where it makes you think.
No Guts No Glory - edited by Alan Stewart
Finished this, here is what I thought.
Thinking - edited by John Brockman
Read a bit more but still don't really understand it. It might be a bit over my head. I'm three essays in and all I can remember is that one was about political forecasting, I think!
Manage Your Day-to Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
This is easy to read. Some bits are not relevant to me, but the principles, although simple, are useful to be either be made aware of, or reminded of.
Sunday, 24 August 2014
What's on the Shelf?
A Book of Narrative Verse - compiled by V. H. Collins
The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith
Racing Through the Dark - The Fall and Rise of David Millar
A Life's Ambition - Alexandre Dumas
The Journal of Madame Giovanni - Alexandre Dumas
The Prince of Thieves - Alexandre Dumas
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Sweet Poison - David Gillespie
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz
Time Warped - Claudia Hammond
The Neapolitan Lovers - Alexandre Dumas
How to find Fulfilling Work - Roman Krznaric
Intuition Pumps and Other Think Tools - Daniel C. Dennett
Mastermind - Maria Konnikova
How Children Succeed - Paul Tough
Tom Brown's Schooldays - Thomas Hughes
Thinking - edited by John Brockman
Manage Your Day-to Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith
Racing Through the Dark - The Fall and Rise of David Millar
A Life's Ambition - Alexandre Dumas
The Journal of Madame Giovanni - Alexandre Dumas
The Prince of Thieves - Alexandre Dumas
Le Tour - Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Sweet Poison - David Gillespie
On Looking - Alexandra Horowitz
Time Warped - Claudia Hammond
The Neapolitan Lovers - Alexandre Dumas
How to find Fulfilling Work - Roman Krznaric
Intuition Pumps and Other Think Tools - Daniel C. Dennett
Mastermind - Maria Konnikova
How Children Succeed - Paul Tough
Tom Brown's Schooldays - Thomas Hughes
Thinking - edited by John Brockman
Manage Your Day-to Day - edited by Jocelyn K. Glei
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