Colby

Wonderful addition to the world of St. Mary’s

Revisado: 09-15-24

Smallhope and Pennyroyal have always been a delight, but this gave them more depth, and made them more complete characters. I hope all is well with them and there is a future for this storyline. Jodi does it again!!

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At least there were no zombies.

Revisado: 03-14-24

Not a horrible story but not my favorite apocalyptic fiction series. At least there were no zombies. The first book had WAY TOO MANY people in it. I couldn’t keep track of who was supposed to be important and who was just a random side story that was only going to last for a couple of minutes. But then it started to settle in and the recurring characters became more clear, but I wasn’t entirely happy with them either. This book is Australian, so I think the one Australian character was designed to be what Australians think Americans think Australians are like. Yes, I know that that sounded convoluted, but so is much of this story. 
My biggest complaint is the lack of character depth or evolution. The good guys are all pure good, and the bad guys are not only pure evil, but the author felt the need to describe the activities of the purely evil in graphic sexual detail. As for the women, if this is not what the author thinks of women, it’s a very good impersonation of a complete disregard for women in general. The female characters are either dumb as dirt, (the Dollar Store sisters), hard cases, lesbians, or c?!-dumpster sluts. It really gets gross on more than one occasion.
There is only just enough storyline, that I would like to know the resolution to to cause me to finish this series. But I can tell you, I have no intention of reading anything else from this author.
The only other comment I have is that next time, if you want to portray Americans, higher an American to read the book. I cannot tell you how many mispronounced cities, towns, and basic misunderstandings of what Americans are like run through this book. It is clear that the author and Australians in general clearly think we are all complete morons. I’m not saying they are wrong, I’m just saying that they did not even bother to try and hide it.

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TV Series dreams for this series

Revisado: 07-15-23

If I win the lottery, I’m going to pour it into BBC shows. This will be one of them!!

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A worthy successor to A.D. 30

Revisado: 01-01-23

I was surprised by A.D. 30, pleasantly so, as a very unique take on the ministry of Jesus. It was not a book about religion, but rather a view of faith, forgiveness, and earthly peace through the eyes of a woman who knew nothing of the Jewish faith of the time, and who was not looking for anything other than some peace in a turbulent life. A.D. 30 showed us a glimpse of what it might have been like to encounter Jesus during his 3-year ministry, in a historical fiction format. We don't follow Him around, and He is not the focus of the story. He is a very important factor, of course, but we get to see His impact on one life, and on those in her immediate circle.
A.D. 33 picks up a couple of years later, in the lead-up to Jesus' crucifixion and death, but again, we do not focus on that week from inside the inner circle, and we do not see every event in His week. Instead, our leading lady shows us glimpses of what a contemporary would have seen, experienced, and felt in that week. The greatest reality was that followers really believed He would figure out a way to escape the Romans and Jewish leaders of the time, and the impact on those followers when Christ was crucified was very intense. But this story is written in a way where you want her to succeed in her attempts to save Him, even though I clearly know what happens.
This writing was excellence itself, primarily because the author never lost track of who the story was about - but also never let us forget the ultimate purpose of her story - her faith journey to God. It could have easily rabbit-holed in either direction.
Believer or not, this story is worth reading, but if you are also a person of faith, it will feed your soul in unique ways.

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A truly unique story and faith journey WELL told!

Revisado: 12-21-22

This was a delightful surprise, and I plan to share this book with many others. Imagine explaining not just Christian beliefs, but even the basic concept of FAITH To someone who had no knowledge of that word? Now imagine the effect Jesus could have on that person, and the changes that He could have in their life. Now, bring that into your own heart.
God brought me to this book, but it's not a book about religion! It's a look at Jesus' impact on someone in his own time who knows nothing before she meets Him, and who isn't even looking for Him.
I was struggling with anger, fear, and uncertainty when I started this book. Although within the Advent season, Christmas was a list of things to do, and I was tired. The conversion story in this book fed my soul, quieted my anger, fueled my ability to forgive, (even myself), and left me refired in my faith and my trust in God. His words come to us in different ways and through different channels, but if we open our eyes, ears, and hearts, he is there for us every time. Thank you, Father.

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Better than many - PLEASE READ IN ORDER!!

Revisado: 07-15-22

I loved the concept - a set of characters set in different end-of-the-world scenarios, and they can be read in any order. Some characters you like may die in any scenario, but the next one starts all over and they face a new armageddon. And at first, this was true, but then an overarching storyline begins to emerge, so while you DO NEED TO READ THEM IN ORDER, they are worth the time to read, and the overarching storyline that connects all of the stories is pretty good. In fact, it's a great value for one credit.
Having said that, there might be a few too many characters to keep track of, but that's likely my issue with ADHD.
I might even listen to them again, that that will let me catch stuff I didn't get the first time.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Good tools, if I can manage to use them. No tricks.

Revisado: 02-21-21

I love he’s not gentle. I love he’s yelling at me, and from page one he doesn’t let us forget that the problem is us, and so is the solution. I listened the first time through, and will listen again while using the workbook I ordered that goes with it. Baby steps.

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Unexpected Favorite

Revisado: 11-11-18

I was assigned this book for a writing class, and somehow, reading a book you HAVE to read is never as much fun as the one you choose. Yet, I fell in love with this book. The detail was sometimes too good, the pain she endures is often heartbreaking, even if only because you see everything through the lens of the training of her hawk.
I knew nothing of falconry, and after learning how you feed them I will likely never delve into it again. However, I now feel somehow more educated on this subject as well as better educated on how to write in layers.
Each part of this story is a woman coming to grips with a great loss. Even as she trains her hawk, she knows she is going to have to part with her. The emotion is rarely an open wound we see, however. There is no ugly crying. This is a quiet, dignified and understated story of true grief and its effects on us.
This one is worth your time, perhaps more than once. This is one of those rare books you can pull out in a time of need and it will understand, comfort you and leave you with the knowledge that you are strong enough to make it.
#grief #nature #inspiring #british #beautiful #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

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The Best, and Only Steinbeck I Ever Read, YET

Revisado: 11-11-18

I do not typically read - THE CLASSICS - just as I also rarely watch the great movies of our time or any time. I discovered early in life that when you hate something everyone is supposed to love en masse, you are written off as tasteless and devoid of any discernment at all. When I told people I had nightmares with both The Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka, I was accused of being afraid of Little People. Not true. I was terrified of the adults who seemed determined to kill the children in those movies.
As a result, I have never read Steinbeck's famous works, but I am about to. This introduction to his work made me fall in love with his storytelling. I had to read it for school, but since I had no preconceived notions, I went in open-minded. I fell in love with Charlie and the United States all over again.
The road trip reminded me of several I took with my father as a child, and I only wish we had been able to take Steinbeck's trailer. We slept in the car most of the time.
I loved the way he described the scenes, showed us the people he met and made us love his dog. When you think of this rough-and-tumble war correspondent and 50s era man's man, you see a certain kind of dog. I had to keep reminding myself it was not a Lab or even a Spaniel, but a Poodle. I know they are supposed to be hunting dogs, but the teacup versions have ruined their reputations completely.
He loved Montana enough I now feel the need to go through there on a trip I have planned for next fall. I was going to fly to my destination, but now I think I will drive from Nebraska to Utah, and take a few detours along the way, just for fun. The descriptions of the South were sad but true, even when I lived there 50 years after Steinbeck's trip. And like him, I was ready to go home by then.
#betterthanaclassic #midcentury #travelwriting #1960s #Americana #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

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Sedaris Doesn't Need Me to Tell You to Buy This

Revisado: 11-11-18

David Sedaris needs no introduction, unless like me about a year ago, you had never heard of him. Now I want to be him when I grow up.
As a middle-aged, straight, Nebraska mom, I am not sure how I can grow into a short, gay, internationally known humorist, but by God, I am gonna try.
You can get this book first, or get his books randomly, it doesn't matter. Each of his books travels up and down the timeline of his life, picking tiny pieces and giant events and dissecting them for their importance and ways to find their humor.
As a writing student, I learn from him with every sentence and have been known to laugh out loud so hard while listening in the car with the windows open that I have frightened other drivers.
Under the humor are stories with real pathos and sometimes tragedy. Ultimately, Sedaris is a great storyteller, and we are lucky he chose to share his stories with us. #childhood #funny #quirky #darkhumor #family #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

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