Evan Plante

Strong medicine for both the author and the reader

Revisado: 11-19-22

The author gave us a shockingly honest account of her emotional, spiritual and physical life. I see where it was necessary for her healing, but the straightforward sharing of her failures, failed cures and lessons is not for the fainthearted. I cringed and I wept. I was robbed and I was edified. But Kerri was the hero of her own life... which is, of course, the lesson. We can be the heroes of our lives, too, through honest and diligent spiritual introspection.

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Marginalized people suffer in a corrupt parish

Revisado: 08-24-22

This is an investigative report, not a novel... so don't expect fiction's accouterments... and although there are victims, don't expect complete individual stories. That being said, the victims (the so-called "Jeff Davis 8") are collectively the protagonist, and the inept (on a good day) and corrupt (on a bad day... which is more the normal day) parish law enforcement is the antagonist. Whether or not people become marginalized through their own choices is a discussion for another day. But I don't think that the death of sex workers -- who are also often drug addicts -- should be investigated with less vigor than the rest of us. Brown implies that we can do better.

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Bell's news is better than The Good News

Revisado: 07-23-22

The typical American Christian throws his or her life away waiting for future rewards and worrying about hell. But heaven and hell are not only future. They are here on earth. Jesus' gospel -- the gospel of the kingdom -- emphasized just that, Heaven is here for the taking, Love God, love yourselves, and love your neighbors. We determine how much heaven or hell we live with by how we respond to the information and challenges in front of us.

Since Jesus has already reconciled everything and everybody to God, our eternal destinies are not on the table. Optimizing our lives is... and that's the only game in town. The version of the gospel that is based on the unworthiness of humankind, penal substitution, repentance, and receiving Christ is a man-based algorithm supported by doctrines that are neither biblical nor Christlike. Rob Bell's work will bring you peace... if you are ready to receive it.

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80% sex. 10% plot. 10% characters.

Revisado: 02-16-22

Knowing what I know now, I'd give this one a hard pass. It was not horrible... but life is too short. I get it that people have sex — and that the occasional exchange of body fluids can make a story real. But do the math: assess the plot and the characters in this book — and hold those up against its length. I'm sorry. It's all sex. Again, I like sex! I just don't like it instead of an interesting plot and well-developed characters.

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Giles helps you deconstruct your dispensationalism

Revisado: 11-10-21

The best reason to ditch your dispensationalist template before reading the Bible is that the Bible will make more sense afterward. I had a "crisis of faith" years ago, but it turned out to be a crisis of hermeneutics, not faith. So, I determined to read the Bible as it was written -- with no agenda. And if you will allow me the pun, what a revelation! Giles will help you deconstruct your dispensationalism. I'm telling you, you need to. Give Giles a hearing. The kingdom of God will make more sense if you do.

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People are wonderful... even when they are aliens!

Revisado: 10-09-21

Let me begin by commending Ray Porter on a wonderful narration. He is naturally easy to listen to, but -- by using wit and a keen sense for how things must have been -- he infused our hero with a self-deprecating charm that belaid his imminent doom. Andy Weir set him up for this, of course. Even if you are not a rabid Sci-Fi fan, this is a satisfying listen. Well worth the time.

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A satisfying story with a credible lead character

Revisado: 10-02-21

Ali Hazelwood taught me a lot about academia in The Love Hypothesis. Even though she (and the lead character, Olive) generally love it, if I had a life do-over, I'd certainly dodge it! That being said, I loved Olive's self-deprecating ramblings. I think we all are insecure on some level, and Olive, who had so much to offer, had trouble escaping the gravity of her self doubts. Even though i am demographically miles away from Olive, I can relate... and that's what books are for.

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King gave us stories within stories

Revisado: 08-23-21

This is a long book. In fact, you could create four enjoyable books out of this one! But it's not too long, of course... this is Steven King.

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A romantic island in a mundane world

Revisado: 08-14-21

Even though I'm an elderly man, I enjoy listening to a YA romance every so often to cleanse the palette. This one did the job. There were several narrators, but the omniscient voice stood out so objectively against such potentially warm characters that it was occasionally overtly comical. The result is that occasionally it took their warmth away. Nevertheless, I have no regrets.

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I was really invested, then it turned preachy.

Revisado: 08-10-21

Despite being an elderly white male, I identified with Lily (the protagonist) and hated the brutal men in her life. I also kept changing sides about which lover she should keep... so, good job! In the last quarter or so, the story turned preachy... and I was wondering when it was going to end. I hate brutality -- and stories that prick our consciences like that must be told. But not at the expense of the story... which, unfortunately, happened to this one in late innings. It was a pleasure to listen to Olivia Song read this, though.

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