The Evolution of God

2010-07-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading Robert Wright's The Evolution of God. I've already written a very long review at my main blog. Here's the beginning of that review.

It is hard to put concisely just what it is Robert Wright sets out to do in The Evolution of God. It is not that there’s no clear agenda — because agenda has its fingerprints all over this book — but more that the book is a little too ambitious in how it tries to carry out that agenda. Put in simplest terms, the book’s agenda is to urge the Abrahamic faiths toward tolerance, in order that the whole world can receive salvation. (And in case there’s any ambiguity here, this term “salvation” is used in a very un-Abrahamic-faith way, to mean strictly a social salvation in completely material terms.)

Go to my main blog to read the rest of the review.

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Yesterday's Promise

2010-07-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

I recently finished Delia Latham's novel Yesterday's Promise. You can find my review of it at Christian Fiction Online.

I should have some more reviews to point you to in the next few weeks. I've been a little behind schedule, but it looks like I should be able to get caught up before too long.

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Leviathan Who?

2010-07-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

It's kind of nice to see Herman Melville remembered in the naming of the creature recently found in fossil form and dubbed Leviathan melvillei. It looks like a pretty ferocious beast, one who does Moby Dick's heritage proud.

Or, wait... who exactly is of whose heritage here?
This is confusing....

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Suzhou Basics

2010-06-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

My first book-length travel guide is out in Shanghai bookstores now. Entitled Suzhou Basics, it gives a pretty thorough introduction to the city of Suzhou.

Suzhou is one of China's most historic, and most beautiful, cities. It is well worth a visit for travelers to China.

It was a lot of fun writing the travel guide, and I am pleased to see the finish product out in stores now. If you happen to travel to China, you can look for your copy in English language bookstores there.

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The Broken Sword

2010-06-24T17:39:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword. Sad to say, this is the first of Anderson's books I've ever read — and yes... I do find that hard to believe myself!

I really enjoyed the book, for the most part. The fantasy world really sucks you in, the battle scenes are intense, and the book is generally well-written. I found some awkwardness in the dialogue between Freda and the men who wooed her, but other than that, thought the book quite masterfully written.

It took me a while to get into the book — more to do with my schedule than the book — but once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down. It is very enjoyable, and very worth the time.

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Richard H. Fay — poems and pictures

2010-06-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

I recently did an interview with Richard H. Fay that will be coming out soon. I was pleased, then, tonight when I was reading the most recent issue of Illumen and came across a poem and picture of Fay's. My youngest godson (2 years) was very pleased too. He crawled up onto my lap, and "read" the picture to me, pointing here and there and letting me know what it was all about with an enthusiastic "Wheel!!!" here and a gleeful "mop!" there. We both had lots of fun.

If you haven't come across any of Fay's work before, I highly recommend it. And don't be stingy, because it's even better when shared.

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Home Lighting

2010-06-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Home lighting is one of the most important parts of any house. If it is done just right, it creates the perfect effect, without ever calling attention to itself.

At Lighting the web, you can find whatever you need to address your home lighting needs, whether you are looking for Hunter ceiling fans, or any of a wide range of lights, lamps, and ceiling fans.

Stop by today, and get your house lit just the way you want it.

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Not So Bad After All

2010-06-09T17:10:00.001-07:00

May started out really slow for my reading, but turned out to be alright at the end of it all. You can see my May reading list at my main blog.

June is again, off to a slow start, but not as bad as May was. I've been rereading several plays, and enjoying that. And, I just started on a Poul Anderson novel. So far, it's pretty fun.

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A Slow Month So Far

2010-05-09T08:27:00.001-07:00

It's been a very hectic month of May for me, with no promise of slowing down in the next couple of weeks.

A hectic schedule means little reading time. I've hardly completed any reading this month, mostly just catching up on short pieces here and there.

It may continue at this slow reading, fast-paced life throughout the summer. We'll see how it goes....

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Malice

2010-05-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

A friend recently loaned me a translation into Chinese of Higashino Keigo's Malice. I am a slow reader in Chinese, so took quite some time with the novel, but was really quite absorbed in it all.

The story of Malice is intriguing not for its unraveling of who committed the murder in question — that is made obvious fairly early in the narrative. It is more interesting for its investigation into why the crime was committed, and what that all says about the human psyche.

I've not read anything else by Higashino Keigo, but have heard that all of his works are similarly intriguing detective tales. I would be more than happy to read any others I happen across. His work definitely makes for a pleasant way to pass the time.

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What is Peace?

2010-04-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

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Famous First Lines: The Canterbury Tales

2010-04-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

I just came across a very nicely written hub that fans of The Canterbury Tales might like to read. Stop by and have a look at Teresa McGurk's entry, Famous First Lines: The Canterbury Tales.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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Morality for Dummies

2010-04-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading "Everyman" again, and it inspired me to post this hub, Morality for Dummies.

I hope you'll pop in to read it. It was kind of fun writing it.

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Quickly Becoming a Favorite Reading Spot

2010-04-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

I've been following the blog of former Major League Baseball player Morgan Ensberg since he began blogging. I liked Ensberg when he played for the Astros, despite his struggles towards the end there, because he is a smart player. In fact, some think it might be his head that got in the way of his ability toward the end. Whether that is the case or not, I don't know. But I do know that his smarts on the field, and his ability to put it all into words, make for a really good blog to read.

If you're much of a baseball fan, I think you'll really like Ensberg's blog. I know I do.

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Poetry Month!

2010-04-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, did you know that April is Poetry Month???

Do you have plans to read any poetry collections in April, in honor of Poetry Month?

I actually thought of reading nothing but poetry in April, but then was halfway through something when the month started, and felt like I really want/need to finish it. But I will definitely read plenty of poetry throughout April.

How about you? Do you plan to read more verse, in honor of Poetry Month?

Or will you maybe write some to share with the rest of us?

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Thoreau and the Hero

2010-04-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

I've recently reposted some thoughts from a blog post I'd put up many years ago at a site that is now defunct. You can find the thoughts about Thoreau, civil disobedience, and the figure of the hero on the hub where I reposted it.

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A Pair of Plays

2010-03-31T05:16:00.000-07:00

I recently finished a couple of plays, both written in the 1970s — John Guare's Marco Polo Sings a Solo and David Rabe's Streamers. I am a big fan of the theatre, preferring to see a play performed than just reading it, but I love getting my hands on any good text to read, whether drama, poem, prose, or whatever.

Like any other texts, both of the plays are, to a degree, a product of their time. It was fun reading both, and I imagine either would be fun to watch in performance.

Rabe's play centers on two main issues, racism and homophobia. I was thinking as I read it that it reflects a shift at that time in history in which racism was being joined by other forms of prejudice in the national consciousness in the US. Seeing the two issues juxtaposed as they are in this place makes for an interesting study, and I would think that one could spend a good deal of time exploring the connection between the two forms of prejudice during that particular period in history. And, of course, neither has really gone away now, though I would like to think some progress has been made over the past 30-40 years since the play was written.

I actually liked Marco Polo Sings a Solo even better than Streamers. It is a quirky, oddly perceptive play. It shares some concerns with Streamers, though it approaches them all quite differently. Whereas Rabe's cast is pretty small and all takes place in an army barracks, Guare stretches the mind to the future, and into the far reaches of space. The future of the play, 1999, is today's past, but that does not really diminish the intriguing nature of the work.

I would recommend these plays to anyone who likes to read thought-provoking texts, and I would happily pay to see either play if it were staged in my area.

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March Reading

2010-03-28T03:06:00.001-07:00

My March Hit (or Miss) List is up at my main blog. A little early, I know, but there it is.

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Catch Me if You Can

2010-03-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

Reading Catch Me if You Can was probably even more fun than watching the movie (and isn't the book always better than the movie?). Frank Abagnale Jr. is a charming character, although, at the same time, he's the sort you would really love to hate. But somehow, the man who comes across on the pages isn't really worthy of hate. He's a fun-loving guy who seemingly struck on a scheme that worked, and then just ran with it. That just sounds like the great American dream, really.

While reading the book, I couldn't help but think "how gullible" over and over, but then again, I believe that it probably really is that easy to cheat people, if you go about it with a little panache. Most people are basically fairly trusting — or at least, don't believe anyone would try to pull something so audacious over on the rest of us. And it is that sense of security in the minds of those around him that helped Abagnale become such a successful thief.

The life Abagnale led seems quite appealing, the way it is presented in the book. I believe there must be a whole lot of poetic license involved, as I cannot believe it was quite so easy, or quite so outlandish as presented in the book. But then again, I do believe that the true story of his life must have been pretty out there all the same.

Reading about Abagnale's life — how he posed as a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, a promotional director, and even an FBI man — makes me think of just how easy it is for us to convince others of the roles we want to play. If you want to live the life, then just walk the walk and talk the talk. Whether you actually do the job you say you do is entirely another matter.

That all seems so incredible, and yet, the book claims to be based on a true story. Apparently it really is that easy to pull the wool over people's eyes.

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Economics and Physics

2010-03-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

It was kind of a weird reading week for me, last week. I finished a book on economics and a book on physics. I hardly know what possessed me to read these two titles at the same time, as neither is something I read very often. I've written a bit of a reflection about the whole process over at my main blog.

Relativity is one of the titles on my Fill in the Gaps list, and I've posted thoughts on that book over at that site too, alongside the post at my main blog. I am really impressed with the accessibility of the book. I expected it to be much harder than it is, but it turned out to be something fun to read, and not hard to follow. You have to pay attention, but it is really very nice reading.

The economics book was another that was actually easier than I expected. I am not at all interested in economic theory, and generally would not even pick up something dealing with it. But I liked the writing style of Paul Krugman in The Accidental Theorist, and the book was cheap, and so I picked it up and took it home to read. The whole idea of trying to write about economic theory in such a way as to make it accessible to a popular audience appealed to me, and I think Krugman did a nice job of it. He says in his introduction that this type of writing is more difficult than writing academic papers filled with technical jargon, and I know that to be true. I have to say, he did a nice job of it all. After all, I had no problem following his thinking, and if you can explain economic theory to me, you've explained it to an audience that is decidedly lacking in knowledge and experience of the field. So, kudos to Krugman.

One of the things I was reading "for" over the past week was to get into the mode of nonfiction writing about specialized topics written for nonspecialists. I am thinking of doing some more serious nonfiction writing in the upcoming months, and wanted to think more about how others manage to do so well. I noticed that Krugman and Einstein both do a nice job of writing for people outside their area of specialization. While both obviously have expansive knowledge in their own fields, they also manage to do a nice job of connecting it to every day life with simple illustrations. As Krugman says, the story comes first, then the theory can be extrapolated from it. That's a great way to approach theorizing in the first place, and so is obviously the best way to go about writing about specialized topics for a general audience.

The writing skills evident in these two volumes is impressive. I think I will remember the ideas discussed in both books for some time, not because the topics are terribly interesting to me, but because they are told in such an interesting way, with easy-to-grasp illustrations. I'll ponder that some more too, as I begin working on some nonfiction pieces of my own.

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My Agenda...

2010-03-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

I don't usually read with an agenda. I just pick up whatever strikes me at the moment. I usually have 4-5 things going at the same time too, so that I can have something on hand that suits my mood for the day.

I decided at the beginning of this year to map out a bit of a reading plan specifically designed to help me as a speculative poet. I've posted the list at my main blog, and have been striking off the titles I've read as I complete them. I have a couple more going that will probably be finished pretty soon, making the list almost half completed, and here it is only March.

I thought, when I posted the list, that it was a bit ambitious. I know that a good chunk of the reading I've done so far includes poetry collections, which are shorter than a lot of the other things on the list, but still... this is going by rather quickly.

A few of the longer titles are in Singapore, while I am presently in Shanghai, so I know I won't get to those until June, earliest, but if things keep on as they have so far this year, I will probably be finished with this list by July or August. Wow! Who knew it could fly by so quickly?

Best of all, the reading I am doing here, though all leisure reading, is geared toward shaping me as a writer. I am excited to see how well it is going, and am enjoying seeing the impact it has been having on my poetry so far.

Now let's just see if I can keep on track....

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Cyborg Chimera, the Singapore launch

2010-03-12T22:23:00.000-08:00

A little late, but here's some pictures from the Feb 27 event.

Signing a copy of Cyborg Chimera for a guest at the event

Loh Nyuk Fong makes the introductions...

Shelly Bryant reading from Cyborg Chimera

Shelly Bryant with Christina Sng, Singapore's pioneer speculative poet

Lots of supportive friends turned up for the event

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February Reading List

2010-03-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

My February Hit (or Miss) List is up at my main blog.

Enjoy!

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Cyborg Chimera — in Singapore

2010-02-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend marks the launch of my first poetry collection, Cyborg Chimera, in Singapore. We'll be hosting an event on Saturday to launch the book, with a buffet, poetry reading, and lots of fun.

I'll post some pictures after the event. Exciting stuff!

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The War Prayer

2010-02-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

I finished Mark Twain's The War Prayer earlier this week. Anyone who is troubled by people who use religion (especially Christianity) as a reason for war will find that this book really resonates. It is easy to read, but there is nothing at all simple about it.

The book was rejected for publication in 1905, and only published after Twain's death. He said this was because he told the whole truth in the poem. I tend to agree with him.

The drawings by John Groth in the version I read add a nice touch. It's a good book, one that really packs a punch in a small space.

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The Poetry of the Old Testament

2010-02-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

I was asked to write a little background information on The Poetry of the Old Testament, especially focusing on poetic forms and literary devices used there. You can find the write up at the Hub linked above.

Enjoy!!

Exciting!

2010-02-05T05:37:00.000-08:00

I got some exciting news earlier this week. My poem "Manipulation," first published in the May 2009 online edition of Scifaikuest, was nominated for a 2010 Rhysling Award in the long poem category. This is my first Rhysling nomination, and I'm pretty excited about it.

The Rhysling is awarded by the Science Fiction Poetry Association each year for best poem (as voted by members) published the previous year. There are two categories, short (under 50 lines) and long (over 50 lines). It is the biggest award for speculative poetry.

You can read the full text of my poem at the readers' page, where it was generously showcased by Malcolm Deeley. (You'll have to scroll down to find it.)

Check out the The 2009 Rhysling Anthology at Amazon

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January's reading posted

2010-02-02T05:30:00.001-08:00

I keep a "hit or miss" list for my month's reading and viewing over at my main blog each month. My January Hit (or Miss) List is up now, posted over the weekend.

It's been fun catching up on some reading the past couple of months.

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A Freed Woman's Dance

2010-01-29T06:59:00.000-08:00

A friend loaned me her copy of Doris Copes A Freed Woman's Dance. She knows a number of the people who appeared in the book, and so when she read it, it seemed to really resonate for her. I found myself, not surprisingly, a little more distant from the narrative than she did (as I don't know the characters personally), but overall still found it a pretty good read. Cope put the story together well, and tells it in a nice enough way.

The story is one of abuse and healing, of learning what Cope calls the Freed Woman's Dance, no matter how bad the events of the past has been. It is a book of strength in the face of the worst kinds of adversity.

For me, I most enjoyed the essay at the end of the book, though I know the story told before it really set the essay up to work well in this format. I believe Cope has a valuable, viable ministry going on (and lying ahead of her) because of the things she's learned and overcome. She is admirable for where she has been, where she is, and where she intends to go. Amazing stuff.

As with a lot of books that are self-published or published by houses like Bennett & Hastings, the publishers of A Freed Woman's Dance, who have a self-publishing aspect to the business, I found more typos in the book than I like to see. One or two I can overlook, but this one has quite a number. A skillful editor's hand is needed, or at the very least a proofreader's. It's just one of those things that I wish would be given more careful attention by self-published authors. The story is too much needed to let things like this become a distraction, and I think giving attention to brushing them up would help a lot.

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Directed Verdict

2010-01-26T04:51:00.000-08:00

I recently finished Randy Singer's Directed Verdict. It wasn't something I loved or hated, but it did definitely keep me turning the pages.

I've posted a fuller review of it at the Christian fiction site, if you'd like to have a look. If you have read it and would like to have your comments or reviews posted at that site, let me know and I can make arrangements.

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I Guess Dante's REALLY Hit it Big Now...

2010-01-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

Huh. Who'd've thought?

Looks like it will be coming out very soon now!

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Speculative Poet John J. Dunphy, an interview

2010-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

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Coaching Service for Writers and Poets

2010-01-17T05:37:00.000-08:00

I've recently begun offering a new coaching service for writers and poets.

You can have a look at my website to see how it works and what services are offered. I hope to add a series of online poetry courses in the next few weeks as well.

And now I'll let this particular blog go back to its normal work of discussing what I've been reading lately.....

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Mental Fight

2010-01-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

Mental Fight is Ben Okri's collection of poetry, written to greet the turn from the 1900s to the year 2000. All of the poems in the collection are heavily political, quite direct, and written with a punch.

While the work takes a more direct approach than what I usually prefer in poetry, it does so in compelling terms. The language packs a punch, and the ideas have teeth. There's plenty to think about and challenge the reader in the poems on the pages there.

Though I prefer a more subtle style in poetry, there's plenty to engage the mind in the collection.

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The Book of Salt

2010-01-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Kitchen, sweat, tears, or the sea?

In The Book of Salt, the answer to that question is simply "yes."

The novel tells the story of a Vietnamese cook in Paris, employed by Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas. It is a wonderful way of telling a story — the story of a household, the story of an era, the story of a race, and the story of a man. Stories, like salt, come in so many distinct kinds, and The Book of Salt blends them all in.

The book is poignant and thoughtful. It pushes the reader to think about a part of the world we like to neglect — the downtrodden, I am tempted to say, but that doesn't do justice to the character portrayed on this book's pages. True, his life is a hard one, but he never strikes me as truly downtrodden. He is too self-aware for "downtrodden." He knows who he is, even when he doesn't quite know he knows it.

The Book of Salt was recommended to me by a friend several years ago. I let it sit on my shelf longer than I intended, which seems to be the norm these days. All the same, I am glad I got to it now. It's an enjoyable, thought-provoking read.

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Intrinsic Night

2010-01-08T02:42:00.000-08:00

I finished reading J. E. Stanley and Joshua Gage's poetry collection, Intrinsic Night, a couple of nights ago. It was a great read. I was impressed by the range displayed in the collection of cinquains offered by this pair of amazing poets.

Intrinsic Night explores a variety of themes, all while experimenting with this form. It is a spectacular display of skill, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

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Brighton Rock

2010-01-05T16:59:00.000-08:00

I have had Brighton Rock on my shelf for years, always meaning to get around to it. I knew that, eventually, I would, especially since it's a book that practically everyone I know has read and enjoyed.

Well, I finally got around to it, thanks in large part to the Fill in the Gaps 100 Book list. When I made up my list, I knew I wanted Brighton Rock on it, partly as a way to make me finally get started on it and get it read.

I am glad I did. While I can't say that it is going to crack my list of 100 favorite books of all time or anything, I can say that I enjoyed the read. It's a quick-moving tale, and it makes you want to keep going on to see how it all turns out.

None of the characters in the book were likable, for me, but I did feel they were sympathetic in that they draw you into their story. You want to read along and see what they will do next, and how they will settle all the messes they've gotten themselves into. The Boy, Pinkie, is loathsome and yet pathetic, and seeing him move about the scene that Greene has set for him at Brighton makes one aware of just how good a writer Greene is. Those of his novels that I have read always seem to work this way for me — there are characters that I don't quite like (though I somehow care about them) moving about in these finely developed worlds at a pace that keeps me wanting to move forward. The story opens up, the end comes, and I end up feeling just a little stunned by how quickly it is over, and by the way the story has finally come to its inevitable conclusions. That's how it always seems to work with a Greene novel, at least for me, and it is enough to keep me coming back to read more of his work.

The world depicted in Brighton Rock is the rough arena of gangsterism, gambling, and murder. Pinkie is overmatched. You just know from early on that the guy doesn't stand a chance. And seeing his drama unfold, you can't help but care.

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Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys

2010-01-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

I recently finished Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, and posted a little review over at HubPages.

As with all of Gaiman's work, it is a really fun read. Hope you enjoy the review, and the novel.

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Happy New Year

2009-12-31T03:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all!

May 2010 be filled with good things for you and your loved ones!

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Virginia Woolf's Night and Day

2009-12-28T03:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago, I finished Virginia Woolf's Night and Day as a part of my reading in the Fill in the Gaps challenge. I really got into the book, and enjoyed Woolf's writing immensely. She is always good, and I love the way her stories let us inside the minds of the various characters we read about.

I still have a ways to go on my Fill in the Gaps list, but so far Night and Day has been one of my favorites (along with Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha and G. O. Clark's Mortician's Tea.

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William Tyndale and the Tyndale Bible

2009-12-27T02:22:00.000-08:00

I've recently added a hub on William Tyndale and the Tyndale Bible, for those who are interested in the history of the English translation of the Bible.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all readers of the Recommended Reading blog!
I hope you have a good holiday season with your family and friends!

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Edwin Morgan

2009-12-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

Edwin Morgan is one of my 3 favorite poets of all time, alongside John Donne and W. H. Auden. His work is always quite clever, with loads of twists and turns, and playful uses of language.

Before I even knew there was such a vast field of poetry catering to those of us who are interested in speculative poetry, the science fiction elements of Morgan's work impressed me, and allowed me to be a little more daring in including more science fiction in my own writing. I'm glad I did, as it really opened up a way for me to explore ideas in poetry that I love dealing with. In that, I have to credit Edwin Morgan for the influence his has been on my own writing.

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The Mutability of the Written Word

2009-12-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

I recently finished Washington Irving's short story The Mutability of Literature," and found it quite amusing. It was a fun read in itself, as it is, but all the more because it makes me wonder what Irving would say about today's world, with the dearth of information new technologies have provided us.

Funny, it seems like this is a new reality, but Irving was saying almost exactly the same things that you hear people today saying about the "information age" almost 200 years ago. Amazing!

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The Shack

2009-12-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

I recently finished reading The Shack, by William Paul Young. The book had been recommended to me by two different readers, but it took me a while to get to. Mostly that was because both readers told me it was something that would be "hard" because of the subject matter — a little girl getting abducted, brutalized, and murdered. But I found, in reading it, that this was not really a hard book to read, as it is not very graphic in describing those scenes.

It is also an easy read in its style and flow. Over all, I found it quite enjoyable, and it certainly was challenging. There are ideas presented in the book that I think are worth reading and contemplating. It's one of the better Christian novels I've come across in a while.

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Back up and Running

2009-12-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

My blog poetically challenged has been offline for a while due to some difficulties I had accessing the site for a while. I think the issues are now resolved, and I will be updating it regularly again.

The blog focuses on publication opportunities for poets. I hope you'll find something useful there.

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New Life!

2009-12-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to hear the news from my friend Malcolm Campbell that his book The Sun Singer will receive new life. The Sun Singer is going to be re-released by Vanilla Heart Publishing later this year.

Great news! I've read The Sun Singer in its earlier incarnation, and enjoyed it very much. I am glad to hear that it will be given new life in this 100th year of Glacier National Park, where the book is set.

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John Wycliffe and the Wycliffe Translation of the Bible

2009-11-23T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Glimpses of Truth, a novel about a boy whose life is tangled up with John Wycliffe and the Wycliffe Translation of the Bible. It was a pretty good read, about a subject I've thought much about over the years. (I even wrote a series of poems about the early translations of the Bible.)

Cavanaugh is a good writer, and obviously really knows a lot about the times represented in Glimpses of Truth. It's a fun read, well worth the time.

I Don't Know Much About Writing

2009-11-20T19:38:00.000-08:00

I've just found a new home for a post I used to have at an old blog site that is now defunct. The article, I Don't Know Much About Writing, is about good (and bad) reading habits, and can now be found at HubPages.

Enjoy!

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dark 'til dawn, video catalog

2009-11-16T19:50:00.001-08:00

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Sloth Jockey

2009-11-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

There's always lots of good work for viewing over at Sloth Jockey.

If you'd like to contribute to the site there, please have a look at the Submit section. We'd love to see more good work coming in.

If you'd like to have a book reviewed there, I am the book reviews editor and will be happy to have a look at your work. See the guidelines on the site for how to submit your material for review.

Joseph Grizone

2009-10-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

I've just put up a little page about Christian writer Joseph Grizone, if you'd like to pop by and have a look.

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Christian Fiction Reviews

2009-10-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

I've started putting together a website with reviews of Christian fiction. I am going to include all sorts of titles there, whether they be books marketed specifically as Christian fiction, or works that seem like things Christian readers might be interested in.

I've started posting reviews of my own, and will continue doing so. And, I am inviting other readers to send thoughts for inclusion at the site. It doesn't matter the reviewer a Christian at all. I am open to reviews from all readers, but the reviews need to consider that most the people reading the reviews will be Christians, so the review should be geared at that market.

If you want to help out, you can review titles that are already reviewed on the site, as I want reviews of the same book from different readers. Or, you can send something over on a book not yet listed there, as I also want to increase the number of titles I've got displayed on the site. I want to see the site expand, with lots of new titles being covered, and lots of new reviewers joining in.

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The Book Thief

2009-03-13T22:46:00.001-07:00

I love The Book Thief, and so was glad to see this video.

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A New Site to Visit if You Need a Little Prayer

2009-01-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

My blogging friend has started a new blog called Prayer Corner. You can go there and request prayers, "no strings attached."

Stop in if you are needed a prayer offered on your behalf.

Also... watch this spot, as I plan to begin posting more regularly soon!

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Tai Shan

2008-12-08T07:43:00.001-08:00

I've been invited by Sloth Jockey to begin a new blog there. I am excited about this, and have agreed to set up a new blog called Tai Shan.

At this new blog, I'll be writing about my experience in and with China, and about all things Chinese. I think it should be lots of fun, and I hope you will come along and enjoy the experience with me!

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Something different, for me....

2008-11-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

I've recently begun reading a collection of the year's best science fiction (2002). I know, that doesn't seem like it is really anything new. I read science fiction all the time, right?

Well, what's new about this one is that I am reading it in Chinese! It is China's best science fiction from 2002! I am very excited to be started reading this sort of book in Chinese, and am hoping to push myself to do more reading of this kind very soon.

I'm writing about this some at my science fiction related blog, if you would like to read more about my experiences as I read. I can't say I have anything insightful to share yet, but I am making a start.

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Some Good News

2008-11-02T22:44:00.001-08:00

Good news — I am the featured poet for this issue (Nov 2008) of Scifaikuest! I am very pleased about this, as Scifaikuest is one of the best poetry magazines around.

If you'd like to have a look, you can visit the Scifaikuest website. You'll find a link there to order the print magazine, which is where you will find 15 of my poems in the Nov 2008 issue.

Also, if you'd like more updates about what is going on in the world of speculative poetry, you can see my regular update on my main blog.

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Ballet Shoes

2008-10-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

Just finished with Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield. I enjoyed the book over all, but felt the end was a little off. It just sort of, to me, ended, without much too it. But still, the story was kind of fun, and the 3 girls were lovable enough. If the ending were up to the standard of the rest of the book, I think it would be one that I would recommend to just about anyone.

I just found out that there is also a film version of the story. I hadn't known that when I started reading. I've picked up the DVD and will watch it soon, and perhaps report on it here after I've done so.

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Atlas Shrugged

2008-10-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Before my recent reading of Atlas Shrugged, it had been a long time since I read an Ayn Rand novel, the last being The Fountainhead, which I read in high school — about 20 years ago(!). I have had my copy of Atlas Shrugged for a long time, but only got around to reading it this past month. Basically, I am not a big fan of Rand. It isn't just that I disagree with her view of life (I do), as I often read writers who hold a very different view of life than I do and actually enjoy the writing more for that very reason. And it isn't that the story is not good (it is). I guess it is partly that I think the story presents the two sides of an argument in such an exaggerated form that I can only call it sloppy. It's kind of like what I was mentioning in a recent post at my main blog about constructing a good argument. The best arguments, it seems to me, are able to admit the sense in the arguments for the other side, and the weaknesses in their own point of view. No view of the world is perfect, but you wouldn't know that from reading Rand's novels. She just seems so certain that she has it all figured out, and her stories tend to represent everyone else as inept and stupid.

I usually don't like to talk about an author's life and beliefs when discussing his or her creative works. Rand is an exception for me. She foregrounds her philosophy so much that I think it is not crossing the line to include her thinking in a critique of the novels. If she didn't have to be so over-the-top in her representations of her characters as so extremely heroic, and her antagonists as so extremely stupid (and therefore evil), I'd have an easier time with it all.

That said, though, I can't deny that there is a good story going on here, despite certain parts that strike me as quite distasteful.

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A Man Without a Country

2008-10-18T02:33:00.000-07:00

A Man Without a Country is the closest thing you will find to a memoir from the pen of Kurt Vonnegut. Written in his typical scathingly funny style, the book had me laughing out loud in several places. It is a funny read, and can also really get you to thinking.

Vonnegut is, not surprisingly, very critical of certain US policies and people. He writes about those policies and people in a way that can be hilarious, but that also holds a sort of sadness under the hilarity. Vonnegut, it seems, still wished for something better for the US at the time he wrote the book, but had perhaps given up all hope of it ever coming to be.

A Man Without a Country is a good read. Don't miss it.

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

2008-10-15T02:22:00.000-07:00

Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain is a very fun read. I finished it the day after the book arrived, hardly able to put it down.

The story is told through the eyes of Enzo, a dog owned by a race car driver. Enzo has become quite a philosopher, getting ready (he hopes) to become a man in his next life. He has learned a lot from observing people, and from watching TV. And he has a very nice way of bringing a story to life.

If you are looking for a good read, you could do a lot worse than The Art of Racing in the Rain. Pick up a copy and sit back and enjoy. It really is a fun book.

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The Didache

2008-10-12T02:11:00.000-07:00

The early Christian document written around AD70 by an unknown author (perhaps even a collection of writers) is one of the most illuminating documents in the debate about canonicity. i call it "illuminating" because it is excluded from the canon of the New Testament, and its right to inclusion has never really been argued. But it in no way contradicts the books that are included in the New Testament. In fact, it claims to be nothing more than a summary of the very same teachings.

For me, that sheds a little light on the debate that surrounds the question of books like the Gnostic gospels, which have gained a share of the spotlight in recent years (though interest might be waning now). Many insist that those books were excluded because of the subversive nature of their content, and yet here lies a book that could easily be assimilated into the New Testament, and yet it is not. It seems that there is some other criteria than merely agreement with the already-collected teachings in order for a book to have made it into the New Testament in the early days of Christian history.

On the other end of the spectrum, a book like the Epistle of James might be used to make the argument that something that seems to disagree with the collected teachings is still welcome. James takes a very different approach from Paul's letters, so much so that Martin Luther wanted to exclude the letter from the New Testament altogether, and yet there it sits.

Perhaps the whole process wasn't as easily decided as we often think, and perhaps the motivations were not quite as sinister as some has suggested. Not to say it is impossible (and certainly stranger things have happened), just that there's some bits and pieces that have to be overlooked to really argue that subversive content was the deciding factor in the whole process of setting the canon.

The Didache is readily available online and in print for anyone who would like to read it.

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Dark Matter

2008-10-10T02:05:00.000-07:00

Philip Kerr's Dark Matter does a nice job of recreating the world of Isaac Newton. I am not quite as sure that his representation of Newton's person is as accurate as the world in which he moved, but then, who really can know that?

Dark Matter is an entertaining read, quite chilling in some places. It sets up Newton in his days at the royal mint and his assistant (in real life, this was the relationship between the two men), Christopher Ellis, as sleuth and sidekick, ala Holmes and Watson. The way the story unfolds is very Holmes-like, making good use of the important things we know about the late 17th century, such as the interest in alchemy, plagues, executions, and a rather seedy lifestyle of many people living in London then. All of this makes the novel a good read, in my estimation, one that I think any fan of the historical novel might enjoy.

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Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death

2008-10-08T04:20:00.000-07:00

There's another good story at Sloth Jockey that you'll want to stop by and read when you get the time, Chris Wood's short story Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death. It is a great spoof on all the Sherlock Holmes stories you've ever read. It really nails the style, and had me laughing from beginning to end.

It's a six-page piece, so make sure you have a few minutes, then stop by and read the tale. It is sure to get a smile out of you.

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R.U.R.

2008-10-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots is an excellent read. I would really love to see it onstage, but have never had the opportunity to do so. Even so, reading it is a good way to get a feel for the concerns presented there.

The play was written in 1921, and you can see that it was way ahead of its time. The presentation of robots is well done, and it is hilarious throughout. You can read it within a couple of hours, and if you do, you will find it a couple of hours well spent. It is well worth picking up a copy and reading.

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Bound By Contempt

2008-10-02T02:04:00.000-07:00

This is really good flash fiction.

Dan Radke's Bound By Contempt first appeared at Sloth Jockey last month, and it is an excellent story. It won't take you long to read it. Just stop by and spend a minute or two there, and it will be a minute or two very well spent.

While you're at it, why not consider submitting some work to Sloth Jockey?
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Between the Ceiling and the Moon

2008-09-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

I just finished a collection of poems by Deborah Gordon Cooper entitled Between the Ceiling & the Moon. This chapbook, published by Finishing Line Press, contains 27 poems, some new and some that have appeared in magazines here or there.

This collection is family-oriented, with a real focus on mothers and daughters. I loved the poems about Cooper's newborn grandson, with "First Grandchild" being my favorite poem of the collection.

You can find the title at Finishing Line's website, or using this Amazon search box

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Brutal Imagination

2008-09-26T18:25:00.000-07:00

Brutal Imagination, a collection of poems by Cornelius Eady, is an interesting exploration of questions of race and violence. Following the imaginary black abductor created by Susan Smith to cover up her murder of her own children, Eady does a fantastic job of poking into some very uncomfortable questions that are important in society today.

I actually first picked the collection up because it was something I saw as a "must read." I now mark it as one of those I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to read. It is one that I am sure I will revisit again.

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Todd Boss

2008-09-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

I first came across the work of Todd Boss in Poetry magazine, and have been following his career (from afar) ever since. I love his writing style and his wit, and am especially fond of the musicality of his verse.

Boss actually stopped by one of my other blogs where I'd mentioned him, and he gave me permission to repost some of his poems there. Ere We are Aware is probably my favorite. You can read more of his poetry at his own site. Also, you might want to preorder his upcoming book on Amazon. (I have done so.) You can also subscribe to his podcast and listen to his poetry on your computer or iPod. I really enjoy hearing it that way. The aural aspect of his work is wonderful.

If you've not encountered Todd Boss's poetry, remedy that soon. You'll be very glad you did.

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Teri Santitoro

2008-09-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Teri Santitoro, editor of Scifaikuest magazine, has published plenty of her own poetry, as well as editing poetry anthologies. Her love of minimalist sci-fi poetry is infectious. The quality of her work is outstanding. It makes me wonder why she is not world famous.

You can find work by Santitoro at The Genre Mall (one of my favorite spots to shop for speculative poetry). Scifaistew is a very good collection, including scifaiku, haibun, and various other forms of minimalist speculative poetry.

You will also find a lot of work illustrated by Santitoro at The Genre Mall and Sam's Dot Publishing. Her art, like her poetry, is well worth a look.

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Al Purdy

2008-09-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Al Purdy is one of Canada's premier poets. His work often has rough edges that can nick the skin a little if you aren't careful, but that is part of the joy of his poetry. It is real, down to earth, and not afraid of a little pain if that is what it takes to say what needs to be said. And, perhaps best of all, it is often quite funny too.

I recently finished reading rooms for rent in the outer planets, and found this to be an excellent collection. The poetry works, and it sort of lingers in the mind after the reading experience. If you've not read Al Purdy before, this might be a good starting point.

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Work I've Published

2008-09-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

I try to keep a consistently updated list of the work I've published. You can view it on my About Me page on my main blog.

Most of my published work is poetry, but there are some articles and book reviews there too.

You might find some spots there that offer good material for reading and browsing. Hope you find something that you enjoy!

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Speculative Poetry updates

2008-09-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

I try to keep regular updates at my main blog of what is going on in the world of speculative poetry. You can find the recent news from Sept '08 in my most recent post. There are some magazines and websites there that have some really good poetry, and many also carry short works of prose fiction too.

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September focus on poetry

2008-09-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

For the month of September, I'll be mostly posting about poetry that I can recommend. If you like to read good poetry and are looking for some recommendations, do pop by and have a look over the next few weeks. Who knows, maybe you'll find something new that you like when you stop in.

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Check Out My Author Page

2008-08-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

I've been submitting a lot lately to the new online magazine Sloth Jockey. Several of my poems and book reviews have shown up there. You can find them on my author page at the site.

I will be sending book reviews on a regular basis to Sloth Jockey. Keep an eye out there for books I'd recommend.

And writers, check out the guidelines there to submit your work.

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Simone de Beauvoir and Otherness

2008-08-21T13:54:00.001-07:00

It is amazing when you look back at the history of an idea to see how it has developed over the years. Earlier this year, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Simone de Beauvoir, this video was put together.

A little surprising, isn’t it, how many of the issues that are still hot topics today were being discussed six decades ago? But for all that the concrete issues she engaged over the years might have grabbed the video headlines on the anniversary of her birth, de Beauvoir was a brilliant philosopher who dealt with some very heady, sometimes abstract, concepts. In the thought of de Beauvoir, I think the most important concept has to be the notion of woman as the Other, as developed in her most famous work, The Second Sex. continue reading

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A Novel Idea

2008-08-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

What a novel idea!
Well, not exactly novel, as it is more like a short story collection, but still...
Never mind. Why don't you just pop in over at my main blog and read all about Anthology Builder there.

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Free Poker League and Poker Blog

2008-08-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

Poker DIY is a popular online gaming site. And there is a good reason it is so popular — because it is such a good site.

There are plenty of featured poker blogs to read at Poker DIY. And you can even start one of your own. Bloggers like Rodders and Sarah Brown can really be an entertaining read.

At Poker DIY, you can manage a poker league using the outstanding custom poker software available. This is one of the favorite services offered at Poker DIY, with lots of users really raving about how good it is. You can even add poker widgets to your own blog or Facebook site, updating readers about how your custom made league is coming along.

If you are at all into online gaming, stop in and have a look. It is one of the best online Poker sites you'll find.

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Jaded Hearts

2008-07-18T01:41:00.001-07:00

Jaded Hearts is one of those great books you can read online. It is being posted chapter by chapter, starting here.

The novel's stated agenda is to change the world — a pretty tall order, no? Well, it seeks to do so through raising awareness of Uganda, and of the World Vision Organization. I think that the rather lofty goals are worth pursuing, and I like the idea of doing it through a medium that entertains.

Here's the problem... the links to download the chapters aren't working. I've tried it with 3 different browsers, but it keeps redirecting me to the site that hosts the files, and not to the actual spot to download. No matter what I do, it keeps redirecting me.

I am currently notifying the webmaster, and am really looking forward to reviewing the text. I will update you here as soon as I can get that done. It does look like an interesting text!

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A Good Read, but in Chinese

2008-05-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

I've recently picked up several issues of the Chinese magazine Duzhe. It's like Reader's Digest, but in Chinese. I have come across several articles that I have enjoyed already, including one by Chinese novelist Mo Yan.

I hope to continue reading this magazine off and on (probably not every issue), as I find it to be quite helpful for my language studies. In addition, it is pretty interesting. There's pretty sure to be something of to catch the attention in each issue, from the looks of it.

I'm glad I finally decided to pick up a copy and get busy practicing my Chinese reading!

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For Love of the Game

2008-05-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

I am a pretty big baseball fan, and usually enjoy reading baseball-related books. But the book For Love of the Game kind of irritated me. I like the movie version fine, but the book not so much. (Which goes against the usual "the book is better than the movie" philosophy that I buy into most of the time.)

Two things bothered me about the book. First, I think it makes the pitcher sound dumb. He is supposed to be child-like, even childish. I get that. But he isn't stupid, and should not be written that way.

The other thing that irritated me was that the pitcher would never have been traded right before the last game of the season. The trade deadline is way past, and it can't happen. A player cannot be traded until after the World Series then. That is one of those little details that a baseball fan should know, and it was irritating to see it missed in the book.

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Kafka on the Shore

2008-04-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

This past week, I finished up Haruki Murayami's Kafka on the Shore. It was quite a fun read.

Kafka on the Shore is a true postmodern text, and is very self-conscious of that. At times, it diverts its attention to the act of story-telling, and that always ends up in a fun spot. There is only one or two places in the book where it gets a little intrusive, but that may have more to do with the character who is doing the talking, Colonel Sanders. He is just positioned in such a way as to be intrusive, and so serves that function when he speaks of things like dramaturgy or metanarratives and such. While the character himself doesn't especially appeal to me, he does serve a function that is kind of fun. And of course, he is very aware that he does so.

Nakata is a lovable, memorable character. He makes the book, for me. Kafka and Oshima are likewise fun to read and get to know. The way their stories weave together is quite fun.

If you aren't into convoluted plots and a text that constantly seeks to reconfigure culture, Kafka on the Shore is probably not something you will enjoy. But if you like seeing music, literature, philosophy, baseball, and all manner of pop culture treated in a simultaneously well-versed and light-hearted manner, then you will probably be able to get into the book.

For me, it was a really fun read.

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The Shoes of the Fisherman

2008-04-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Just finished up with Morris West's 1963 novel The Shoes of the Fisherman. It was slow reading, but I enjoyed it very much. It is not a book heavy on plot, really, but more on ideas. The majority of its appeal, for me, was intellectual. But, having said that, the appeal was still very much there.

The story is of the new pope and how he adapts to the office, and how he navigates through the political climate of his day. I like that some of the "endings" to our characters' stories aren't really given, but that we are rather left to think about the questions probed by their stories. It is not a disappointment to find that we don't know the ends of some of the stories, but I think this comes from the fact that it is not a plot-oriented book as much as it is an idea-oriented one.

I don't think this book is necessarily for the general reader. It is not easy-going, and is quite heavy in places. But, if you don't consider yourself a "general reader," this might be a book to really enjoy.

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Reading update

2008-04-04T03:44:00.000-07:00

March was a good month for reading. I finished Goethe's Letters from Italy, excerpts from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, a Chinese book (simple one), and Michael Shaara's For Love of the Game. I also read some of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories.

I've been working some on 2 Corinthians, as well as Hebrews and Colossians. I also reread Oedipus Rex and The Spanish Tragedy. All of that, which is work-related reading, has been lots of fun.

I've started on The Shoes of the Fisherman, but have not gotten very far along in it yet. It looks like it could be interesting though.

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Congratulations to the Irrelevant Cheetah

2008-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for Wolf, who has finished editing his novel and begun submitting it to various publishers.

I'm looking forward to following up on this post with one somewhere down the road, congratulating him on seeing his work published at last. Way to go, Wolf!

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March Reading

2008-03-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

I've gotten a fair bit of reading done this past few weeks. Probably what I have enjoyed most has been rereading Oedipus Rex and discussing it with a friend. I've already written about that elsewhere, so I'll leave it to you to follow the links for my reflections on Oedipus and Hamlet.

I've also read a bit of Goethe's letters from Italy, and (again) written about it on another blog. I really enjoyed the translation by Auden and Mayer, an feel that much of what Goethe has to say is resonant with anyone who travels much. His genius is easily seen from his observations on his trip to Italy.

I've just finished Michael Shaara's For Love of the Game. It was not a bad read, but the writing style did sort of get to me at times. I think it presented Chapel as a more simple-minded person than he is supposed to be. I understand that he is, in many ways, "just a big kid," but even then, the style doesn't reflect a kid so much to me as it does a simpleton. Sad that Shaara didn't polish this more before his death. (It was published posthumously.) I think some editing would do wonders for the story. Still, I can't say it was a bad read.

I'm also reading through excerpts from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, and plan to start on some of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories tomorrow. I'm also doing some studies surrounding 2 Corinthians — finishing soon too. After that, I will start on Romans and Galatians.

Also looming on the radar is Kyd's Spanish Tragedy. I'll also be discussing that with my friend (the same one with whom I've been discussing Oedipus Rex recently).

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Angels and Demons

2008-03-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

I recently finished Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I am not a big fan of Brown's novels, and this one didn't convert me into one either. I felt the book to be pretty hoaky. That's not all that different from how I felt after reading The Da Vinci Code, though I did find it a better book than Angels and Demons (they are a bit too much alike for me, anyway). I think the Brown book I've enjoyed most was probably Deception Point.

I don't know why I keep reading Brown, other than the fact that I got his books really cheap... and maybe because everyone else is reading him.

I've already decided that the next thing I will read has to have a bit of substance, to make up for having felt a little bored with Brown's writing. I will start Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep tonight.

In my other reading, I've been working a bit with Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues, and also reading 2 Corinthians and Romans. I've also started on a short poetry collection by Koh Buck Song, and have toyed here and there with Auden's "Spain 1939."

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After the Holiday

2008-02-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Chinese New Year holiday is winding down, and I hope to be back to posting more regularly now as a result.

I've spent most of my reading time lately on Katherine Mansfield and Great Expectations, texts that I will be finished with (for the time being) after this week. I've enjoyed revisiting both, particularly Mansfield. She is such an amazing writer.

For my leisure time, I've been reading Tom Holt's Who's Afraid of Beowulf. It is entertaining enough, and has gotten several smiles out of me.

Our group is reading Hebrews together, and I've been working on Revelation with a few other friends. We're using The Lamb and the Enemies as a way to approach Revelation, and that has been a lot of fun.

Starting next week, I expect a lot of my reading to be for the purpose of supplementing my work in the Chinese language class I will be taking up. It should be lots of fun, and challenging.

Read Colin Fletcher's The Man Who Walked Through Time and join us for the book club discussion in mid-February

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Recommended Listening

2008-01-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

I've recently come across a great spot online where you can listen to some good poetry and thoughts on poetry. It's called LitStation. There's always something poetry-related on, whether interviews, discussions, or actual poetry readings. Some of the recordings are not the best, but it is still a great spot to hear what is going on in the world of poetry.

I've been listening to this web-based station obsessively lately, and that's sort of formed most of my reading time. Other than this, I've been reading 2 Peter, Hebrews, and Revelation. I've found several interesting intersections there. I have a number of notes littering the margins there as a result. It's been a fun time reading.

I've also been reading Katherine Mansfield and Great Expectations in preparation for lectures, along with textbooks relating to both. I've done a bit of brushing over some Hegel ("dramatic poetry" from his Philosophy of Fine Art), but not serious reading yet. I've been reading over The Lamb and His Enemies to go along with the Revelation study. For fun, I'm still reading through The Man Who Walked Through Time and a few poetry magazines.

Read Colin Fletcher's The Man Who Walked Through Time and join us for the book club discussion in mid-February

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awards, awards, awards

2008-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

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Good Travel Writing

2008-01-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

My recent leisure reading has mostly been spent on The Man Who Walked Through Time, the book we'll be using for the book club discussion I'll be hosting next month. It's a good read, and I am really enjoying the journey with Colin Fletcher.

For work-related reading, I've been reviewing textbooks, and also Great Expectations and Frankenstein. I'll be starting a collection of Katherine Mansfield's short stories soon too.

I've been working on Revelation and an companion book entitled The Lamb and His Enemies too. I'm also continuing with 2 Peter. The Revelation study has been fun, and 2 Peter is moving along well too.

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Great Expectations

2008-01-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

I've mostly been rereading Great Expectations recently. It's been fun revisiting it, especially because it is still quite early for me to be preparing my lecture, and so there is as yet no stress attached to it. (That will certainly come!) I have had a good time reading it. In fact, it was in my head when I sat down to blog this morning — not surprising since I'd just finished it. I was planning, today, to enter a writing challenge issued by Pinhole. (You should take a look and join in the fun!) with Great Expectations in mind and all, my entry was obviously enough influenced.

I've also been reading through 2 Peter, and it's led me on several tangents. I did some word study of the "tent of this body" in chapter 1, which led me to read some of 2 Cor 5, and similar passages. I was reminded of the use of "tabernacle" as a verb in John 1:14 too, where John says that the Word "tabernacled" amongst us for a while. It's always fun to come across such words that jump out at you off the page, and to browse through the various applications of the words.

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an invitation

2008-01-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

At my main blog, I'll be hosting a book club discussion soon. We've chosen The Man Who Walked Through Time, by Colin Fletcher. It looks like it will be a very fun read.

We'll read the book starting now, and will begin the discussion in mid-Feb. Stop in at my other blog and have a look at the plan there. I hope you'll join us for the discussion.

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What's Your Sign?

2008-01-07T22:37:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by my friend silken to do the newest zodiac birthday meme . Here are the rules for cyber world play:

Rules:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months.
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it.

I was born in FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

I'll tag these bloggers:
Pinhole, ff&f, wolf, Sharon, Singlish, Sien

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Besides Lottery

2008-01-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

Besides having recently read Lottery, I've been browsing through some poetry in The Dog in British Poetry, which was a Christmas gift from my nephew and niece. I am also reading through Great Expectations again, getting it back into my mind as I begin to prepare for an upcoming lecture. I also read through the November issue of Scifaikuest, in which one of my poems appeared. I really enjoyed the magazine, and am pleased to have my work in it. I hope to have more things appear there in the future.

I finished The Man from St. Petersburg before Christmas. While it was a little on the predictable side, I did enjoy the read. It was a pretty well-paced book, and kept me turning the pages. It was the first Ken Follett book I'd read. A friend saw me reading it, and recommended another of his, but I've forgotten the title. I won't be overly anxious to find the book, having read this first one of Follett, but neither will I hesitate to read it if my friend loans it to me or something. That might give some idea of how St. Petersburg struck me — not a bad read, if not one of the best ever.

I've also been reading 1 and 2 Peter, along with parts of Joshua.

Don't forget to vote for a book for the next book club discussion!

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Book Discussion

2008-01-01T16:31:00.001-08:00

Merry has recently done a great job hosting a book discussion on Patricia Wood's novel Lottery. If you get a chance to read the book, do so — it's good. And, when you have, join in the discussion. It's not too late (the posts will always be there).

Soon, I'll be leading a book discussion at my main blog. If you stop in there now, you can cast a vote to help choose which book we will read and discuss together.

I'd love to have you around for the discussion. Stop in, cast your vote, and let me know what looks good to you.

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A Cool Gadget for Readers

2007-12-27T22:22:00.000-08:00

I got a really great present for Christmas, the book cataloging system from Collectorz. It's a great idea for any bibliophile. I've done a short review/introduction of it at my other blog, so you can see more about the fantastic gift I received there.

I'll be back to keeping my regular posts soon. For now, happy holidays!

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Reading the Past Couple of Weeks

2007-12-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

I just got back from an overseas trip, and can now get online to blog more easily.

While away, I started and finished Dante's Disciples, a 600-page anthology of short stories supposed to have been inspired by Dante's Inferno. I have already posted my opinion on it at that other blogsite, so I won't elaborate more here.

While away, I also spent some time reading 2 Corinthians and 1 Peter. It was an interesting correlation, reading those two books simultaneously. I never really thought about the connection between them, but both do give some real attention to the idea of suffering for the sake of one's faith/ministry. It was fun to read them together.

Right now, I am reading Ken Follet's The Man from St. Petersburg. It's not a bad read. I'm also reading Thomas Merton's Life and Holiness, and enjoying that very much. I started it after finishing daily readings gleaned from George MacDonald's writing, in a little anthology called A Time to Harvest. I've forgotten to list it in my reading journal here, but I have really enjoyed it.

My study of 1 Peter is also continuing.

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A Timely Post

2007-12-02T17:40:00.000-08:00

It was not planned this way, but a lot of my leisure reading this past week has centered on fantasy novels about kids and time. I've just finished Terry Pratchett's Johnny and the Bomb, which proved to be the fun sort of read you normally expect from Pratchett. As soon as I finished that, I started William Raeper's Warrior of Light. I didn't know when I started it that it deals with the same time-twisting sort of idea that Pratchett's book does, though of course handled quite differently. Both books centre around kids getting caught up in meddling with time. It's kind of funny that I just happened to pick this both up back to back. If I could go back in time, I might choose to read some other things in between, just to break it up, but I am not quite as adept at time manipulation as the kids in the books.

For other reading, I've been focusing on 1 Peter and Hebrews in my own Bible study time. I'm also reviewing Katherine Mansfield's short stories and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I've just been browsing those, and will begin really reading them in another month or so. That's in preparation for lectures on both texts early next year.

I've also been looking through the small-circulation lit journal The Shantytown Anomaly. I really enjoy the poetry there, and have submitted some of my own for consideration. The May 2007 issue was the annual collaboration issue, and had some really top-notch work in it. I don't know if my own poems will be accepted, but I will feel it an honour if they are. I really like the work in this publication.

I've also been spending some time focusing on a novel I am editing. I read that in ebook form on my Palm Drive. I hadn't done a whole lot of ebook reading before I started the editing gig, but I've found that I like it more than I thought I would. I notice that Amazon has just released its Kindle Reader, which allows you to download books wirelessly and read them in a nicer format than what most palmtops offer. I like the look of it, and will be following reviews as they come out.

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