2011: A Year of Reading

Victory! I’ve completed both of the reading challenges I set goals for. I read 52 books this year… 12 of them were classics. I read several books I’d never read before and discovered a few new authors. Here are my recommendations of the books I read this year:

Highly Recommended:
Green by Ted Dekker (though I suggest reading the previous 3 books in the series first: Black, Red, and White)
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Veiled Freedom by J. M. Windle
Freedom’s Stand by J. M. Windle
Mugabe and the White African by Ben Freeth
The Constantine Codex by Paul L. Maier
Eusebius: The Church History by Paul L. Maier
The Grace of God by Andy Stanley
Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards
Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee
The Scroll by Grant R. Jeffrey & Alton L. Gansky
The Jesus Experiment by Bill Perkins
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Night by Elie Wiesel

 

I also recommend:
The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul
Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James
The Dopper Ganger Chronicles: The First Escape by G. P. Taylor
The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The Secret of Indigo Moon by G. P. Taylor
The Dopple Ganger Chronicles: The Great Mogul Diamond by G. P. Taylor
The Corruptible by Mark Myneir
The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead
God and Stephen Hawking by John C. Lennox
Why God Won’t Go Away by Alister McGrath
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Kingdom’s Dawn by Chuck Black

My Top 5 New Reads (fiction):
1) Veiled Freedom by J. M. Windle
2) Freedom’s Stand by J. M. Windle
3) The Constantine Codex by Paul L. Maier
4) Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee
5) The Scroll by Grant R. Jeffrey & Alton L. Gansky

My Top 5 New Reads (non-fiction):
1) Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
2) Eusebius: The Church History by Paul L. Maier
3) The Grace of God by Andy Stanley
4) Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards
5) No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle

     After Margaret Murray and her baby brother encounter a strange visitor in their kitchen one night during a storm, they are whisked away on an incredible journey to find their missing father. Along the way, they will help fight a growing evil that threatens the entire universe. Some planets have already given in. Earth is in the middle of the struggle, though no one may realize it.

     It’s no wonder that this is a classic. A wonderful blend of sci-fi and fantasy with overt Christian themes. There’s no hiding the Christian message in this one. L’Engle’s descriptiveness is just enough to help you imagine her world, but not overdone to the point that it slows the story. The characters are excellent, and the story keeps you engaged. This one is no doubt intended for children, but I think anyone can enjoy it at any age.

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average of  score 5
Overall grade = A

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

This was book 43 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

This was book 5 in my Classics challenge.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

     It’s a classic tale of two unlikely friends. George is small and resourceful. Lennie is very large, and very strong, but short on brains. Lennie’s strength, coupled with his pure innocence, often gets him into trouble that George has to get him out of. They travel from job to job, but they have a plan. They’re going to save their money and buy their own piece of land. That’s if they can make it through their newest job on a ranch where a the flirtatious wife of the boss’ son makes life hard.

     The characters in this book are common, and their language reflects it. Lots of cursing in this one, but there’s something about the story that makes pushing through the language worth it. At a little over 100 pages it is not a long novel, but it has a large impact. Steinbeck was great at telling a simple story in a profound way. His characters are believable and identifiable, and you feel for them greatly, even in the span of just one hundred pages. This is a shining example of great storytelling.

1) Overall Plot = 4
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4.5

Average of  score 4.7
Overall grade = A-

Where to buy the book: Amazon | B&N

This was book 42 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

This was book 4 in my Classics challenge.

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado

     For Christians, the Cross is a symbol of salvation and hope of eternal life. Our faith rests on what happened on the Cross, but can we find hope there for our everyday lives? When we’re feeling lonely, guilty, or tired? When we feel like giving up? Yes, the events of the crucifixion and resurrection can give us hope. The words Jesus spoke, the things that he did (or didn’t do, in some cases) can give us hope and be an example for us. Max Lucado carefully lays out each scene and points out the lessons to be learned. Some may surprise you.

     Since each chapter is only a few pages long this book could be used a devotional, but it can be read straight through as well. This book focuses on what out faith should focus on… the Cross. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No deep theology here. Lucado uses this book to break the events down and gets us focus on the words that were spoken and the things that were done, pointing out lessons we can learn from these things. Lucado has a way with words that helps bring you back to the foot of the cross as if you had witnessed it yourself. You will surely “discover hope in the unlikeliest place.”

1) Is it understandable? = 5
2) Presentation of Information = 5
3) Accuracy = 5
4) Quality of Writing = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average of  score 5
Overall grade = A

Check out the author’s website.

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from BookSneeze.

This was book 41 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

      What started out as a joke ends up helping Holly through one of the worst periods of her life. At age 30 she has become a widow, but her husband Gerry has left behind a list of things for her to do. Each month she is to open an envelope from Gerry and she must do what it says. Some things are simple, such as buying a lamp for the bedside table. Some things are much harder… especially packing up and getting rid of all Gerry’s things. PS, I Love You tells the story of a woman trying to move on with her life when the life she had revolved around a man who is now dead.

     Many will probably know this story thanks to the movie by the same name. For those who have seen the movie, you should know that the movie is only based on this novel. There are many differences, some of them major. If you loved the movie then you may want to pass on the novel. I read it out of curiosity, and it was only curiosity that made me finish it. The movie was much better, in my opinion. If you saw the movie and didn’t care for it, or you haven’t seen the movie at all, then you may want to give a try. However, there are some things I would have found disappointing even if I hadn’t seen the movie. First, the bad language. It only appears a few times, but I don’t see the need for it (in novels or movies). Granted, there have been many great novels that have foul language, but I still don’t see the need. Second, this book is very dialogue-heavy. Dialogue can be good, but when characters start rambling it’s time to stop. This can really slow the novel down. Next, there are a lot of  scenes I thought could have been left out, and it probably would have cut the length of the book by at least a third. Finally, and most importantly, most of the characters were flat. There were moments when a few of the characters jumped off the page for me, but it was rare.

What’s good: Holly’s relationship with her brother Richard. I love how their relationship evolves as they help each other. Richard is a very unexpected character, and was probably my favorite in the novel.

1) Overall Plot = 4
2) Characters = 1.5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 2
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 2

Average of  score 2.9
Overall grade = D+

Check out the author’s website.

Where to buy the book: Amazon | B&N

I borrowed this book from my local library.

This was book 40 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

     Hundreds of years after a war that nearly destroyed the world, there is finally peace. What no one realizes is that every person on Earth is dead, void of any real emotions. One man, Rom, is thrust into the world of the living after being given a vial and ancient writings that hold the secret to true life. Just having possession of the vial puts him against Order and makes him a fugitive. He must uncover its secrets and find a way to stay alive.

     I’ve been a fan of Ted Dekker for several years now, but this is the first novel I’ve read by Tosca Lee. There were moments when I felt like I could pick out Dekker’s style, but for the most part this was a wonderful blending of two writers and I look forward to reading more of Lee’s work. The Books of Mortals series promises to be intriguing and suspenseful as well as emotional, which is more than understandable given what the story is about. Characters are always very important for me and this novel has great ones. Real and relatable. As in Dekker’s previous works, there is symbolism to be seen here. I found that some things could be taken a couple of different ways (symbolically) and I can’t wait for the next two novels to help me straighten that out in my mind. Symbolism aside, the story is straight-forward; suspenseful and unpredictable, but not confusing. Dekker and Lee have created a wonderful new world and I can’t wait to go there again.

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 4.5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average of  score 4.9
Overall grade = A

Check out the authors’ websites: Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee
Watch the trailer:

Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Center Street.

This was book 37 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

The Great Mogul Diamond by G. P. Taylor

     In this third installment of The Dopple Ganger Chronicles Muzz Elliot, Sadie and Saskia’s adoptive mother, finds herself in the middle of a mystery when she finds a threatening note. The twins and their friend Erik Ganger are on the case again, trying to find out what Muzz Elliot is hiding from them. Their adventure leads them to France by train and boat as the pages of Muzz Elliots novel come to life before their eyes.Villians out for revenge, friends old and new, and the Man of Good-Bye Friday make this a page-turner.

     This is the best yet in the Dopple Ganger series! Once again, the story is less dark than the original, but the mystery is still there. The character growth is evident, especially in Erik. Madame Raphael makes a return, and the introduction of the Man of Good-Bye Friday takes the spiritual insights to the next level as the children learn to call on the Companion. I can’t wait for the next one!

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average of  score 5
Overall grade = A

I earned a copy of this book from Tyndale’s Summer Reading Program. A review was not required.

This was book 30 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Why God Won’t Go Away by Alister McGrath

     In Why God Won’t Go Away, historian, theologian, and scholar Alister McGrath confronts the New atheism movement. Displaying a broad knowledge of the topic, he shows how the movement started, what the beliefs of New Atheism involve, and where the movement is now. Beginning with an introduction to the “heroes” of New Atheism, McGrath discusses the important works of the men who have been dubbed “The Four Horsemen”: Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. From there we see that New Atheism is more Anti-theism than atheism. Where most atheists simply don’t think about God or religion and are indifferent to it, the New Atheists hold a strong hatred for God, religion, and all believers. Religion should be eradicated and believers are superstitious idiots.

     McGrath takes us through the movement’s highs and lows and concludes with a few thoughts on the future of the movement. It’s clear that McGrath has more than done his homework on this topic, reading and even debating the works of those mentioned above. As a former atheist himself, he can look at the New Atheist movement from that perspective as well as the Christian perspective. He highlights the problems with the logic of the movement, especially regarding the notion that all religion is the cause of all violence, pointing out that in many arguments, these New Atheists only stick to one side of the story, never pointing out the good that has come from religion or the violence that occurs outside of religion. The most compelling criticism comes from the atheist sector. These “indifferent” Atheists feel that this New Atheism will give all atheists a bad name and believe that these New Atheists are conceited and do not hold to facts. As quoted in the book, one New Atheist wrote about Christians after the Richard Dawkins – John Lennox debate: “I’m beginning to believe the best we can do is to just shout at them, ‘You’re stupid, you’re idiots, you’re morons!!’ It is probably as effective as using reason and logic.” The reason for this response? It was clear to most, including many New Atheists, that Dawkins had lost the debate… and Lennox had used reason and logic to defend Christianity.

1) Is it understandable? = 5
2) Presentation of Information = 5
3) Accuracy = removed from average
4) Quality of Writing = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average of  score 5

Overall grade = A

Check out the author’s website here.
Where to buy the book: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from BookSneeze.

This was book 25 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

     Tipper’s father disappeared years ago, leaving her to take care of her mother and the family estate. To keep the household running, Tipper must sell much of her father’s famous artwork. She finally learns why her father disappeared and finds that he is not well. The answer lies in three of her father’s statues, which were carved from a foundation stone, but Tipper has sold them. Tipper, her father, and a band of friends (old and new) begin a quest to find the three statues to restore both her father and the world.

     Dragons of Chiril is a revised edition of the first book in the Chiril Chronicles (previously titled The Vanishing Sculptor). It’s a pretty good start to the series. What I love most about the novel is the characterization. The characters are so unique that you would probably know who was speaking even if  we were not told. The story started a bit slow, but once the action gets going the pace gets steady. The storytelling is so vivid that I laughed out loud several times. One time in particular I actually had to pause in my reading because I kept picturing the event and couldn’t stop giggling.

     I look forward to reading the third installment (I have already read and reviewed the second book, The Dragons of the Valley).

1) Overall Plot = 4.5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 4
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 4.5

Average score of  4.6

Overall grade = A

You can read an excerpt from the book here.
Check out the author’s website.

You can by the book here: CBD | Amazon | B&N

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from WaterBrook Multnomah.

This was book 24 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

     This year, Tyndale Publishers has re-released the Left Behind series, repackaged! The new covers are great and if you haven’t read this series you should definitely pick these up. It looks as if it’s books 1 through 12 that have been released, so in honor of that I’m going to post quick summaries of each of them here, along with the new cover art. At the end, I’ll do a wrapup review of the series as a whole.

Left Behind
     The series begins with “Left Behind.” This book starts just before the rapture of the church takes place. On an airplane in mid-flight we meet Rayford Steele, Hattie Durham, and Cameron “Buck” Williams. Rayford is the plane’s pilot. Hattie is a flight attendant. Buck is a journalist. Panic arises when sleeping passengers wake up to find loved ones missing, but their clothing is still in their seats. Back on the ground Rayford realizes his wife and young son are gone, their pajamas laying in their beds. He frantically tries to reach his daughter Chloe who is off at college. Hattie tries to find her family. Buck is trying to get the story. By now reports are coming in of strange stories and theories. Pregnant women are suddenly barren. People are missing all over the globe. Is it aliens? Some kind of biological warfare? Rayford knows the truth, even if he doesn’t want to admit it. His wife had tried to tell him a million times, but he wouldn’t listen. Christ had come back for his church and he, along with millions of others, had been left behind. He and his daughter Chloe find a pastor, Bruce Barnes, who had also been Left Behind, but he has answers. While the whole world goes crazy trying to figure out the events, rising politician Nicolae Carpathia is there to ease the world’s grief and keep order. He quickly rises to power, but Buck can see that Nicolae is not the peaceful, humble man he claims to be, and he tries to convince Hattie Durham, Carpathia’s new personal assistant, to stay away from him.

Tribulation Force
     In the second novel, Rayford, Chloe, Bruce and Buck have formed the Tribulation Force in anticipation of the horror to come over the next  seven years. Carpathia has formed the one-world government, and the one-world religion which embraces every religion that doesn’t claim one way to heaven or one God. Through a strange turn of events, both Rayford and Buck end up working for Carpathia. Rayford as his pilot and Buck for Global Community Weekly, which is now the only authorized media outlet. Romance begins to blossom for some and tragedy strikes for all. War breaks out as Carpathia attacks anyone who disagrees with the new world order, calling them enemies of peace and tolerance. The Red Horse of Apocalypse runs rampant.

 
Nicolae
     As Nicolae Carpathia rises to absolute power, the Tribulation force keeps tabs on him through Rayford and Buck. Rabbi Tsion Ben-Judah has shocked the world by claiming that his years of study has led him to the final conclusion that Jesus really is the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for. His life in danger, he has gone into hiding. Two supernatural witnesses have appeared in Jerusalem. They preach the Gospel for hours at a time, but no man can harm them. Anyone who tries to doesn’t have time to regret it. The prophesied 144,000 begin to rise and spread the Gospel under the teaching of Ben-Judah. Waters run red with blood, and the great earthquake rocks the entire planet.

 
Soul Harvest
     Rayford and Buck have survived the global earthquake and begin searching for their loved ones yet again. As Tsion goes through notes from Bruce Barnes’ studying, he finds some unsettling journal entries that affect Rayford, and possibly the entire Trib Force and its operations. Tsion Ben-Judah desperately wants to return to Israel to take part in prophecy, but the Trib Force believes he would be in too much danger and his work would best be done from hiding, so he posts his teachings on a website that gain followers faster than anyone can count. It also gets the attention of Carpathia, who is not pleased at all. A meeting of the 144,000 is called, and Carpathia makes plans to be there.

 
Apollyon
     After the meeting of the witnesses, churches spring up everywhere. The 144,000 take charge, teaching their congregations from Ben-Judah internet sermons. Rayford discovers the truth about Amanda, but he is now a fugitive from the Global Community along with Buck and Chloe. Another Judgement is released, and a plague of locusts fall over the land. The effects are so terrible that people try to kill themselves, but they aren’t allowed to die. Buck’s old friend Chaim, a Jewish man who has not come to know Jesus as Messiah,  is terrified as one of his employees is attacked by the creatures. Amidst the Tribulation and global chaos, Chloe gives birth to a son.

 
Assassins
     Danger increases for members of the Tribulation Force. Every day, death becomes more and more likely. The Bible prophecies that the Antichrist will die from a head wound. Certain members of the Trib Force want to be there to see it. At least one wants to be the one to carry it out. Carpathia is giving a speech when a shot rings out. Millions see Carpathia as he falls to the ground and dies, just as the prophecy foretells. Who killed the Antichrist? Was it Rayford? Hattie? The video footage will put someone in danger from the Global Community.
 

 
The Indwelling
    The seven years of Tribulation are half over.  The Antichrist has been killed and one of the Tribulation Force members is the prime suspect. As the world mourns for its leader, millions make their way to New Babylon for a funeral that never happens. The Tribulation Force is in more danger than ever as the Beast takes full control and the Great Tribulation begins.

 
 
The Mark
     Satan is now in full control of the Antichrist, and he is demanding loyalty from all on the earth. Global Community Loyalty Mark Application Sites start popping up, and there is a deadline to receive the loyalty mark, known in Bible prophecy as the Mark of the Beast. Thos who choose not to receive the loyalty mark are sent to the Loyalty Enforcement Facilitators, which are nothing more than guillotines. It’s take the mark, or lose your head as Bible prophecy continues to come to life. Million line up to take the mark, while believers go deeper into hiding. One believer must deal with the results of being forced to take the mark against his will.
 
Desecration
     Nicolae Carpathia is finally showing his true colors, and his facade of peace has vanished. He travels to the temple, fulfilling more Biblical prophecy. The first Bowl Judgements is released and a plague affects all who have taken the mark. While many believers are in hiding or involved in underground work, one new believer stands firm against Carpathia for all the world to see. As te Jewish Remnant makes it way to Petra, plans are made for Tsion Ben-Judah to go there as well.

 

 
The Remnant
     Carpathia sends bombs to be dropped on Petra and the entire Jewish remnant. The Tribulation Force must move again as their aliases and hideout become compromised. As the Great Tribulation continues more judgements are released and heat and darkness plague the unbelievers, giving the Tribulation Force a wonderful advantage. At least for a small time. With only a year left in the Great Tribulation, Armageddon is close at hand.

 

 
Armageddon
     The world is on the brink of the ultimate battle of the ages. The armies of the world gather in the Middle East. Thousands are killed as they refuse to take the mark of the beast, including one of the Tribulation Force’s most beloved members. The danger has never been so thick as the world gets closer to the Glorious Appearing of Christ. Many wonder if they will live to see the event.

 

 

Glorious Appearing
     The last days of Tribulation are here, bringing the Battle of Armageddon as the world’s armies are gathered in the Valley of Megiddo. Most of the Tribulation Force is now in Petra with the Jewish Remnant, but only one member of the original Trib Force is still alive. As the battle rages on, believers look to the sky for the sign of the Glorious Appearing of Christ, signaling his return with the armies of Heaven, the defeat of Satan, and the 1,000 year reign of Jesus on Earth.

 

 

     So these are the 12 books that have been released with the new packaging. These books must all be read to get the complete story. These are not sequels, but each book continues from where the last left off. There is a book 13, Kingdom Come, which details life after the Glorious Appearing during the 1,000 year reign of Christ, but that one really does read a little more like a sequel and is labeled as such on the old packaging. It continues from book 12, but since the Tribulation is over the events are different. I admit I found it a bit hard to summarize each book without giving away too much of the story. You meet so many characters along the way, and there are so many sub-plots, that there is never a dull moment and I had so much I wanted to say… but then you wouldn’t need to read the book if I told you everything.

     What’s great about these books is that, though there are many, the sub-plots never get confusing or overbearing. You get to follow several of the characters from their points of view without ever feeling lost. The characterizations are wonderful. They come to life so easily that you will have no trouble feeling for them, or hating them in some cases. This is probably one of the most important pieces of literature for the Christian world, but the truth is, even without that stamp of importance, it’s great literature! This is a great story with great characters, and everyone should read it.

1) Overall Plot = 5
2) Characters = 5
3) Flow/Pace of the story = 5
4) Is the story easy to follow? = 5
5) Overall Enjoyability = 5

Average score of  5

Overall grade = A

You can by the books here: CBD | Amazon | B&N

This was a special review post and these books do not count toward any of my reading challenges.