[REVIEW] The Fact/Faith Debate

Title: The Fact/Faith Debate
Author: Jack Gage
Release Date:  January 14, 2013

Blurb: The dictionary definition of ''fact'' is ''something known to exist or to have happened,'' whereas ''faith''generally is described as ''belief not based on proof.''

There are 10,000 religions worldwide, eighteen of which are major Christian religions, and among Christians there are 9,000 separate denominations. Each of those religions and denominations has its own belief system--its followers act on faith--even though, as author Jack Gage points out, ''all the adherents of these different belief systems inhabit the same world, with the same physical facts, with access to the same knowledge.'' So how and why did so many religions come into existence? And how do the various religious explanations--whether Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, or any other--for how the world and the people in it began stack up against scientific fact?

Review: I believed this book would be a good comment on the seemingly impossibility for science and religion to agree, with a "jury" consisting of people from various beliefs to answer questions at the end of each chapter. As someone with at least some exposure to those kind of debates, I had high expectations.

Instead of living up to those expectations, Jack Gage's book turned out to be quite underwhelming. First of all, it's blatantly obvious the author sides with the Agnostic juror since ze is the only one allowed to make comment on the questions. I don't know about you, but I don't really call that a "debate".

Second, the language isn't very good. It's...boring, and drags in places. Especially the parts about science, where scientific terms aren't that well explained.

I did, however, enjoy learning some religious history I was unaware of (mostly related to Mormonism, which isn't all too common where I live).

Rating: 2 bookshelves out of 5.

Disclaimer: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Two Harbors Press for the purpose of a review.

[REVIEW] Farfalla: A Story of Loss and Hope

Title: Farfalla: A Story of Loss and Hope

Author: Vanita Oelschlager
Illustrator: Kristin Blackwood
Age Range: 4-8

Blurb: The story is told from the perspective of young Beetle who, with his mother, meets a crowd of caterpillars in the garden they all frequent. Soon Beetle befriends the caterpillars, and he watches in awe as they weave themselves into cocoons. A special one catches his attention and Beetle “adopts” it by making all sorts of plans of what they will do together when it hatches. Later, he watches as the cocoons break open one by one and beautiful butterflies emerge and fly away. But the one he counted on to be his playmate does not.

Review: This was a cute book on a difficult subject - loss.  I really felt for little Beetle when the cocoon containing his would-be-playmate does not open.... I'm sure this book can aid children as well as adults to talk about loss, whether of a friend, family member, pet or someone else.


The language is accessible and direct apart from the "where do we go when we die?" part - but then, no one knows for sure what happens. Considering the delicacy of the subject (kids not taking "I don't know" for an answer, and the reader's own belief), I think it was dealt with in a very good way.
The cute and very fitting artwork was made by Kristin Blackwood (who did the drawings for Oelschlager's A Tale of Two Daddies).

I thoroughly recommend this book.

Rating: 5 bookshelves out of 5.

Disclaimer: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by VanitaBooks for the purpose of a review.

[REVIEW] The Legend of Papa Balloon

Title: The Legend of Papa Balloon
Author: C. R. Mcclure
Illustrator: Steven Kernen

Description: Papa Balloon is the story of a unique, mysterious figure who magically appears in a land where the people have become divided and are in need of greater understanding and empathy for each other. Traveling through each of the four villages in this land and accompanied by the children who discover him, Papa Balloon teaches the villages a profound lesson in a simple way. Colorfully and brightly illustrated, and a page-turner of a tale, it is the perfect book for any parent who wants their children to learn about treating the traditions and viewpoints of others with respect, while putting forth the belief that we, as a group, are more united than we realize.

Target Audience: Early Reader; Ages 5-8.

I really liked this book. It teaches diversity and coexistence, a subject I'm very passionate about. It does it in a way I think is easily accessible to the target audience. The book also shows us that it's easier to embrace a concept we learn as children than having to do it when we're older.

In combination with Mcclure's nice use of language and Kernen's well-drawn pictures, the exciting story makes for a perfect book for children (and hopefully some adults, too) to learn more about diversity and coexistence.

Rating: 5 bookshelves out of 5.

Disclaimer: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Schiffer Publishing for the purpose of a review.

[REVIEW] The Priest, the Witch & the Poltergeist

I really wanted to read and like this book. Unfortunately, I didn't.

I found the language so inaccessible that I was unable to finish the book. At first I thought it was due to the fact that English is not my first language, but I usually have no problem with texts like these. I just could not get through to the characters, to get to know and care about them. This is what made it impossible for me to finish the book.

The title is brilliant, as is the premise: In 1850 a poltergeist erupts in the home of a French village priest. He blames the local male witch, who reacts with the most modern of hexes: a lawsuit. In this extraordinary novel, based on a true story, there’s also a singing seance, a fruitless exorcism, a battery of nails, and a love story. You have to hear the story to believe it. And you have to hear the poltergeist to solve it. 

But I was unable to get through the language barrier, and sadly, left before I could find out what the poltergeist had to say. 

Since I did not finish the book, there is no rating.

[REVIEW] Where do the Animals Go When it Rains?

Where do the Animals Go When it Rains?

by

Janet Crown

I read this cute book today. I received it for free in exchange for an honest review, which follows. 

It's a short (24 pages in hardcover) book in rhyme about where different animals go when it rains. The easy, rhyming language in various colors combined with Daron Rosenberg's cute drawings makes it inviting to read, and I'm sure many children will like it.

The only thing I reacted on was how some of the rhymes were more of near rhymes than actual rhymes, but I'm sure it's something the target audience will have no problem with overseeing.

All in all, a very nice book. 4 bookshelves out of 5.

[REVIEW] What it Means to be a Man: God's Design for Us in a World Full of Extremes

What it Means to be a Man: God's Design for Us in a World Full of Extremes

by
Rhett Smith

First thing first: I do not belong to the book's target (or "intended", if you will) audience. I do not identify as a Christian, but since I do identify as a man I thought I could take something away from this book. I'd also like to mention that I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for Kindle in exchange for an honest review. That follows now.

What it means to be a man is something that has changed - and will probably continue to change - throughout the years. For good, but also for bad. This book is an attempt to embrace and develop the good. Since it is a book written by a Christian for other Christians, it's heavy on religion (or, well, Christianity). Which is all fine, if it hadn't been for certain wordings, such as "there is some mysterious energy that passes from the male to his children," praise for a runner who finished a race on a snapped hamstring, talk about "the man who would have taught [his children] how to fix and build things, throw a football, tie a tie, cook a meal and drive a car" - like a mother, or another woman, would be unable to do that? I do get the point in the last example, though, that a father should be there for his children.

Another thing that jumped out at me was this: "What if depression is a gift that helps us conquer the emotions that weigh us down?" While being depressed, or having any other diagnoses for that matter, isn't something you should be ashamed of or feel bad about, I find it quite slap-dashed to say something like that. It's not a walk in the park to be depressed.

He also writes, on the subject of religion, that "[t]he grace of being pressed down to the ground is also simple: when we slip and fall, it is usually not fatal, and we can get back up." I don't particularly like the idea of God "pressing us down". *shudders*

There is also no mention of non-traditional gender roles, which I had hoped. But unfortunately there is not too much room for gender-nonconformists in traditional churches (or other religions, for that matter)

So no, this book was definitely not for me. But I'm sure there are many who can benefit from it.

2 bookshelves out of 5.

[REVIEW] From Frazzled to Focused

From Frazzled to Focused

by 

Rivka Caroline

This book was not what I expected.

Of course, that could be because I failed to read the under-title: "The Ultimate Guide for Moms Who Want to Reclaim Their Time, Their Sanity and Their Lives". Had I read that carefully, I would never have requested to read this at NetGalley. What can I say? I'm frazzled! ;-þ

Perhaps, but the main reason why I didn't enjoy this book was that I just can't relate to people talking about children and designer handbags.... But for the intended audience I'm sure this book can really be a useful tool in becoming more organized and focused.

I must say that I did find the parts that were not about traditional family life with traditional gender roles quite useful. I'll try to apply some of the advice into my own, frazzled life. :)

The galley (for Kindle) I read had some really annoying typographical errors which made it difficult for me to focus on the text.