Everyone Prays, and other book reviews
As I worked on more stories for Galilee's Gift, tidying up characters, arranging events to make a continuous plot, and adding suitable prayers to the ends of each story, it seemed appropriate that I'd been asked to review a lovely picture book called "Everyone Prays." So that's where I'll start today's list of book reviews. So many books... so little time... and so many more stories to write (Jerusalem Journey, coming soon!)
Everyone Prays: Celebrating Faith Around the World, by Alexis York Lumbard, is truly a celebration, which bright pictures, simple text, and a wealth of information crammed into short one-page appendices. I found myself asking questions as I enjoyed the images, then being delighted to find the answers. A perfect nighttime read to encourage prayer and thought and faithfulness, this is a rich, elegant picture-book to enjoy with a rich, elegant 4-star coffee.
For slightly older children, Tina Marie Kaht's Dress Up Day is a bright picture book with simple images and unobtrusive rhymes, depicting imagination at play as children enjoy a day of "dressing up." Enjoy a bright easy drinking 2-star coffee with this easy reading book.
Moving on to teen readers, Living with Your Past Selves, by Bill Hiatt, is a mid-grade/young adult novel, perfect for adults who remember being young, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Okay, I don't like the title much, but the premise, blending realistic teens with King Arthur, Merlin, parallel universes and more, is really well-executed. The characters are enjoyably believable; the dialog's great; and the mystery and world are enjoyably absorbing. If you ever enjoyed Harry Potter, prepare for something completely different and just as intriguing, and brew yourself a bold dark, intense 5-star coffee.
And so to books for adults, starting with Rome for Beginners: the semifictional misadventures of four women, by Fiona Coughlin. The women in question range from 20 something to 50 something, but their facility with text messaging makes them all seem somewhat younger. Rome is very convincingly portrayed as boy-friends betray, girl-friends annoy, pickpockets prey, and Rome's ever-crazy traffic damages an accidental limb.Enjoy this light, rather lengthy light read with several 2-star lively easy-drinking coffees.
If you're looking for a faster, and possibly more male view of romance, Peter in Flight, by Paul Michael Peters should fit the bill. A story that starts like a primer in advertizing bends, with perfect timing, into recognition of how reading body language of strangers doesn't convert to reading one's own. Peter's in love, flying from love, and just might find his way home. Enjoy this elegant tale with a 4-star elegant coffee.
And finally, for exciting adventure, touches of romance, danger, mystery and more, enjoy Quinn checks in, by L. H. Thomson, and wonder why this series isn't on the shelves of all the stores. Think Dennis LeHane's Kenzie and Gennaro, set in Philadelphia--great flawed characters, wonderful Irish American voice, mobsters, art theft, hopeless cases and more, and you'll get the idea. Enjoy with a well-balanced smooth full-flavored 3-star coffee.
Everyone Prays: Celebrating Faith Around the World, by Alexis York Lumbard, is truly a celebration, which bright pictures, simple text, and a wealth of information crammed into short one-page appendices. I found myself asking questions as I enjoyed the images, then being delighted to find the answers. A perfect nighttime read to encourage prayer and thought and faithfulness, this is a rich, elegant picture-book to enjoy with a rich, elegant 4-star coffee.
For slightly older children, Tina Marie Kaht's Dress Up Day is a bright picture book with simple images and unobtrusive rhymes, depicting imagination at play as children enjoy a day of "dressing up." Enjoy a bright easy drinking 2-star coffee with this easy reading book.
Moving on to teen readers, Living with Your Past Selves, by Bill Hiatt, is a mid-grade/young adult novel, perfect for adults who remember being young, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Okay, I don't like the title much, but the premise, blending realistic teens with King Arthur, Merlin, parallel universes and more, is really well-executed. The characters are enjoyably believable; the dialog's great; and the mystery and world are enjoyably absorbing. If you ever enjoyed Harry Potter, prepare for something completely different and just as intriguing, and brew yourself a bold dark, intense 5-star coffee.
And so to books for adults, starting with Rome for Beginners: the semifictional misadventures of four women, by Fiona Coughlin. The women in question range from 20 something to 50 something, but their facility with text messaging makes them all seem somewhat younger. Rome is very convincingly portrayed as boy-friends betray, girl-friends annoy, pickpockets prey, and Rome's ever-crazy traffic damages an accidental limb.Enjoy this light, rather lengthy light read with several 2-star lively easy-drinking coffees.
If you're looking for a faster, and possibly more male view of romance, Peter in Flight, by Paul Michael Peters should fit the bill. A story that starts like a primer in advertizing bends, with perfect timing, into recognition of how reading body language of strangers doesn't convert to reading one's own. Peter's in love, flying from love, and just might find his way home. Enjoy this elegant tale with a 4-star elegant coffee.
And finally, for exciting adventure, touches of romance, danger, mystery and more, enjoy Quinn checks in, by L. H. Thomson, and wonder why this series isn't on the shelves of all the stores. Think Dennis LeHane's Kenzie and Gennaro, set in Philadelphia--great flawed characters, wonderful Irish American voice, mobsters, art theft, hopeless cases and more, and you'll get the idea. Enjoy with a well-balanced smooth full-flavored 3-star coffee.
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