Tuesday, September 22, 2009

What's on My Nightstand - September

What's On Your Nightstand

Looks like the last time I participated in What's on My Nightstand was April. It is time to dive back in. Since I have already posted my Fall reading goals for Callapidder Days Fall Into Reading, I will be picking from that list.

Here is my list for this next month in no particular order:

  • Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham
  • HTML In Easy Steps by Mike McGrath
  • Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies by Barry Burd
  • National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography by Tim Fitzharris
  • The Creative Photographer by John Ingledew
  • The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
  • Green by Ted Dekker
  • Eleventh Guest by Bodie & Brock Thoene
  • Left Behind: The Kids Books 1 and 2

    Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009

    Katrina at Callapidder Days is hosting the Fall Into Reading Challenge. It is a challenge to list the books that you want to read this fall and at the end post how you did.

    These are the books that I am going to read this fall:

    Non-fiction:

    • Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham
    • HTML In Easy Steps by Mike McGrath
    • Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies by Barry Burd
    • SQL Demystified by Andy Oppel
    • National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography by Tim Fitzharris
    • The Creative Photographer by John Ingledew
    • First things First by Kurt Warner

    Fiction:

    • The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
    • Green by Ted Dekker
    • Eleventh Guest by Bodie & Brock Thoene
    • 1st To Die by James Patterson
    • 2nd Chance by James Patterson
    • Left Behind: The Kids Books 1 and 2
    • Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
    • The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
    • Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
    • Forgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray

    That makes a total of 17 books. As you can see from the non-fiction titles, I am trying to teach myself programming and photography. We will see how that goes.

    Monday, September 21, 2009

    Review: Next Generation New Testament Audio Bible

    I received the Word of Promise Next Generation - New Testament: Dramatized Audio Bible through the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program. It includes 3 MP3 CDs and a behind the scenes DVD. It features an all-star cast. It uses the International Children's Version of the Bible.

    From the publisher's website:

    Now the entire New Testament is ready for the Wired Generation.

    Today's youth ingest media at a faster rate than any previous generation. And they can't get enough! The Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament is the perfect way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before.

    Starring a Hollywood-level cast of young talent including Cody Linley (Hanna Montana, Dancing with the Stars) as Jesus, AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mary Magdalene, Jordin Sparks (American Idol Winner) as Elizabeth, Cobin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter, Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) as Martha, and narrated by Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings). The project includes informative book introductions by author Max Lucado and his daughter, Jenna Lucado, who is a speaker on the Revolve® Tour.

    My children were excited to be able to listen to the Bible. They put the audio files on their mp3 players. They both thought it was a good way to learn what the Bible says. They liked recognizing the voices of some of their favorite actors and actresses.

    I thought that the readings were good. The readings weren't as polished as they would be if adult voice artists were used. The translation, International Children's Version, does a good job of modernizing the dialogue.

    I would recommend this for children 8-13.

    Tuesday, September 8, 2009

    Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

    Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
    Max Lucado
    Thomas Nelson
    2009
    224 Pages

    Fear confronts us everywhere we look. We are reminded of our fears when we watch the news or read the newspaper. We are afraid of what will happen at our child's school. We are afraid when we go to the doctor. We are afraid when we look at our finances.

    In Max Lucado's latest book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear, he brings our fears into the light so that we can face them and overcome them. He devotes a chapter each to 13 of the most common fears we face. He uses scripture and anecdotes to illustrate how to overcome fear through faith.

    I found this book to be very easy to read. It is not a deep theological discussion. It is written so that anyone can understand and apply this to their life. It includes a comprehensive study guide that would be good for personal or small group study.

    If you need some help overcoming fear in your life or know someone who does, this would be a good book to read.

    If you would like more information about this book, you can click Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fearto go to Amazon or click on The Fearless Times.

    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Reviewed for Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger Program. http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

    Monday, September 7, 2009

    Summer's Over

    Wow! The summer flew by. We seemed to spend most of the summer at the Little League Park. My son played in the major division for the first time. His team won the regular season. Then he played on the 9-10 All Star team. We went 2-2 in district pool play and didn't move on. Then he started playing in a fall league that is still going on.

    My daughter played softball for the first time. She has such a small strike zone, that she walked most of the time. She played right field. I think that she enjoyed the team camaraderie more than the actual game. But she says she would like to play again next year.

    School started August 12. That seems so early to begin the school year. So now we are getting back into studying and memorizing and projects. The kids were very glad to be back with their friends but not so glad to get back to the schoolwork.

    Our fall sports season has started. My son has started hockey training camp. He has moved up to the Pee-wee level. He is a full-time goalie. He will have to adjust to the faster pace of the game.

    My daughter will be starting dance classes again. We are still trying to decide what form of dance she will be taking. It will probably be ballet or tap.

    As for me, the little girl that I have been babysitting 3 days a week will be going to preschool now. So I will have more time to work on this blog. But I will also be looking for other ways to replace the babysitting income.

    I will have several reviews posted this week. I am also working on some author spotlights.