The Inklings

'A Dog Named Christmas' - Greg Kincaid

2009-12-23T17:44:29Z

Todd McCray is a developmentally challenged young man, but he has a happy life with his loving parents, George and Mary Anne, on a farm in rural Kansas. When Todd hears about the local animal shelter campaign to adopt a dog for Christmas, he pesters his parents to adopt a new pet for the yuletide period. It's not long before Todd starts getting other residents interested in the scheme, and soon the whole community learns a few lessons about giving and sharing.

I loved this book, which I would describe as a fable of sorts. It is short (176 pages) and a very easy read, which would be suitable for people of all ages. For the Christmas period, it is a lovely festive read which made me feel all warm and mushy!

In his acknowledgements, Greg Kincaid describes himself as a novice to the trade of writing. If this shows in this book, it is only to good effect. Rather than wasting time with theatrical and overly dramatic writing, he simply gets on and tells the story. No spare words are used and none are needed - the story tells itself.

For a comforting read guaranteed to make you smile, this book is ideal - at any time of year. (There is a film adaptation being made, which I will be watching with interest!)

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 - not for the writing itself, but for the sheer enjoyment of the story.

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Christmas Message & Actor Patrick Stewart

2009-12-22T03:22:13Z

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Sci-Fi Wire is reporting that actor Patrick Stewart - of Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men fame - may well be Knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on New Year's Eve. That is so damned cool! (Btw, Christmas Message is at the bottom of this blog post.)

I've been a huge fan of Patrick Stewart's since I watched the 1980's movie, Dune and then on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The latter is where I truly saw him in action for a lengthy period and saw the range and talent he had.

His version of The Christmas Carol was a hoot to watch, and is one of my favorites. I try to watch it every Christmas, but, sometimes it isn't on. Maybe Netflix will have it available to watch on it's Instant Play. Then I can watch it on my PC with the ol' headphones on while folks are in the other room doing their talkin'. *snicker* Not that I'm a 'Scrooge', or anything. *whistles innocently*

All joking aside - I know, it's so difficult for me to do =P - he is definitely one of my top actors. Coming only after John Wayne, Charlten Heston, Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper, and Cary Grant. Can you tell I watch really old movies? lol... *facepalm* Not that I don't watch a crap load of new stuff though. There are many actors and actresses I enjoy watching nowadays, but my memory sucks when it comes to names and it takes years for me to finally go, "hey! I know that actor's name!"

Anywho, here's the article:

Patrick Stewart—Star Trek's Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and X-Men's Charles Xavier—will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, according to a report in the British newspaper the Mirror.

In addition to appearing in films, Stewart has been spending much of the last decade performing on the British stage. He is to be knighted by the queen on this year's New Year's Honours list. (The news isn't official yet; the newspaper bases its report on anonymous sources.)
Palace sources said the Queen is a huge fan of the 69-year-old, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
If he is knighted, Stewart will join fellow X-Men star Ian McKellen

Thought some of you may also be a fan, and might think this was cool as well.

On a more seasonal note, I want to thank those of you who actually read my blog. I truly do appreciate the fact that you find the stuff I post interesting enough, that you are willing to come here to read and participate. And I thank you.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas - or, if you are of a different faith, whatever the equivalent is to you - and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May your Christmas be white, and your beverage warm.

May your God(s) - and Goddesses - be with you this season. And if you don't have a god, then may you be plentiful with family, and gifts. But most importantly, love.

Merry Christmas. Until next time...

-Wil

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'Raven Black' - Ann Cleeves

2009-12-20T16:00:46Z

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When teenage girl Catherine Ross is found murdered in Shetland, suspicion immediately falls upon loner Magnus Tait. Residents of the secluded village of Ravenswick have not forgotten another young girl who disappeared eight years earlier and who was never found. Magnus had been arrested - although never charged - for that crime. In this instance, the dead girl had only moved to Shetland six months earlier and was considered something of an outsider. Inspector Jimmy Perez is the Officer assigned to the case, together with a team from Inverness. Perez, who is also considered an outsider of sorts, due to his name and swarthy appearance is determined to get to the bottom of the matter, and doesn't want to simply blame the most obvious suspect without proper proof.

As he digs deeper into the lives of the residents and starts to uncover secrets, it soon becomes clear that there are several people who may have had the motive and opportunity to kill Catherine...

This is the first in a series of four books set in Shetland and featuring Inspector Perez. I enjoyed it greatly and will definitely be reading the three further books. The writing flowed easily and I did genuinely find the book hard to put down.

There were several characters who I felt could have been the prospective murderer, but it did keep me guessing until the very end. As one would expect there were red herrings and a few subtle clues thrown in along the way - but knowing which was which was not easy!

I have not been Shetland so couldn't say how accurate the portrayal of life there was. However, the book certainly created an atmosphere of isolation and mistrust, and painted a picture of a place where everyone thought they knew everyone else's business.

I have to say that the characterisation was not brilliant. Perez is well drawn and a very likeable character, but apart from that the character who was brought most vividly to life was ironically, Catherine Ross. Most of the other characters were rather stereotyped, especially the males. However, this is definitely a plot driven, rather than character driven book, and the plot was enough to keep me hooked! I did not predict the ending at all, although I thought I had on a number of occasions!

Despite the subject, this was an absorbing read and one that it would be easy to lose yourself in for a few hours. Recommended, especially to fans of crime fiction.

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Like Father Like Son: Tiger's Father Was On The Prowl

2009-12-19T01:00:09Z

http://www.yardbarker.com/Golf/article_external/Teary_Tiger_Cried_8216My_dad_is_with_another_woman_8217/1756638

I know that people say it's wrong to slander the dead. But as a lawyer I know that a dead person can't be defamed. Earl Woods was a philandering caddie and the media kept it secret. Tiger Wood's highschool girlfriend claims that Tiger cried his eyes out when he discovered that his daddy was cheating on his momma. Even she finds it ironic that Tiger would became infamous for being an world class infidel.

Tiger and Dad

However, Tiger didn't just have one side woman or two small indescretions. He messed with porno stars and prostitutes and he posed for the camera like he was a model citizen. Enough already I'll stop talking about it because I still respect his accomplishments in the field of golf. I just want him to be honest with the public that patronizes the products he sells. I don't judge Tiger for his sexcapades. That's between him, his family and God. What I critque him on is his failure to come clean. Say you've made some mistakes, you're human and quote a bible verse, "whose ever without sin cast the first stone." And honestly Tiger, we would all have to sit down and shut up...Including Me!

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#71 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

2009-12-18T18:18:54Z

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)

J.K. Rowling

Read because: I'm listening to all the HP books on CD

Borrowed from: the Sacramento Library

Rating: 8 out of 10

Synopsis: Harry is back and in fine form in the third installment of his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His summer with the hideous Dursley family is cut short when, during a fit of quite understandable rage, he turns his Aunt Marge into an enormous balloon and then runs away. Soon, it becomes quite apparent that someone is trying to kill him; even after Harry is ensconed in the safety of fall term at Hogwarts, the attacks continue. Myriad subplots involving a new teacher with a secret, Hermione's strangely heavy class schedule, and enmity between Ron's old rat, Scabbers, and Hermione's new cat, Crookshanks, all mesh to create a stunning climax. The pace is nonstop, with thrilling games of Quidditch, terrifying Omens of Death, some skillful time travel, and lots of slimy Slytherins sneaking about causing trouble.

My review: I really like book 3 of the series. Things get really dark, with omens of death for Harry, a mass murderer on the loose, and some really close calls for the three wizards. I also love the introduction of Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman in my head), who is one of my favorite characters in the entire series. He's extra crazy in this book, and it's really fun to watch Rowling develop his character, not to mention the characters of other adults in the book -- Snape, James Potter, Pettigrew, and Lupin. I also really like Lupin in this book, and how he gives support to Harry when most others write him off. And once again, Jim Dale is the best audio book reader out there. (Finished 11/23/09)

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#70 - Sex God by Rob Bell

2009-12-18T17:51:04Z

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality

Rob Bell

Recommended by: a bunch of people. Plus I'd read other books by Bell.

Purchased from: A Borders going-out-of-business sale, at 80% off. Woot.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Synopsis: "Is sex a picture of heaven?" Bell wonders. It's all about God and sex and heaven, he says: "...they're connected. And they can't be separated. Where the one is you will always find the other." It's the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God and love made manifest in the chaos of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell's spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance and more. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind.

My Review: I feel like I should have read this a long time ago. I've had it for a while and I read it in less than twenty-four hours. It was a wonderful picture of what God has set out marriage and sex to be. Bell really delves into how the spiritual and the physical come together and how our relationships here are a picture of God's relationship with us. It's fascinating, really. Bell's style takes a little getting used to -- it's sparse and really uses the white space on a page. This book, though, was probably the least-difficult to handle visually (compared to his other books). I wish I had it with me so I could quote from it a bit. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially to high schoolers and people who work with them. I could have used some of this information back in my youth-leading days.

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The Memory of Running - Ron McLarty

2009-12-18T00:28:37Z

An obese man who is a heavy drinker and smokes often. He is not really happy with his life, but is heading to his family's summer vacation spot,planning to meet his parents when they arrive.

He is instead located by a local patrolman who notifies him that his parents have been in an accident and are in the hospital. Soon after his parents pass away and he finds a letter that his sister, who has been missing for over 20 years has been found and her body needs to be claimed.

He travels, on a bike, across the country, building relationships as he goes.

This is a wonderfully enveloping novel.

The Memory of Running

Ron McLarty

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Supermom saves the World -

2009-12-18T00:22:40Z

This was really cute. A mother is changed in a 'freak Swiffer accident' into a superhero.
She is raising her children, dating, trying to avoid her ex,all while saving the world from an evil force set to explode her town.

Confessions of a Super Mom + SuperMom Saves the World (2 Book Gift Set)

Melanie Lynne Hauser

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The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway

2009-12-18T00:19:48Z

So I finally read this book. On a cruise ship while at sea if you can believe it.
I really enjoyed it but was a bit put off by the ending.

It is a classic though...

The Old Man and The Sea

Ernest Hemingway

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'The Rice Mother' - Rani Manicka

2009-12-13T22:25:19Z

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This is the story of Lakshmi, a young Ceylonese girl brought to Malaya in 1930, as the young bride of an older man, and her children and grandchildren.

Lakshmi narrates the first part of the book, where she explains about her childhood and how she is tricked into marriage, but then goes on to have six children. The baton is then passed between various characters as we witness events from their individual points of view and learn how the tragedy that befell Lakshmi’s family haunted the further generations. The book ends up in the current day, and as a result the reader is presented with details of the a changing country, and learns how WWII shaped and changed the lives of so many.

To give away much more of the plot would be to start revealing spoilers, but suffice to say that this is an enchanting and moving read. The narrators all have their own distinct personalities and perceptions of various events and each other. Some parts were harrowing to read as people struggled with the effects of the war, made wrong decisions and lived with regret. Lakshmi is the matriarch of this family and her strength, intelligence and determination are clear for all to see.

Malay(si)a is brought to vivid life, and I felt able to really imagine the place with all it’s vibrancy and energy. Towards the end, the language did become a little bit ‘flowery’ and I felt that the book was perhaps slightly too long, although it packed a lot into it’s pages and certainly never got boring.

This was the debut novel by this author and very impressive it is too. I will be seeking out further work by Rani Manicka.

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