Surprised by Laughter

I had just finished reading C.S. Lewis’s autobiographical “Surprised by Joy” when I came across this book. Something noticeable throughout Lewis’s work is his contagious sense of humor and his comedic outlook on life and humanity. The sheer brilliance of his work often overshadows the incredible wit that is infused throughout his writings. Terry Lindvall, PhD, offers quite a fascinating look at this side of Lewis that seems (to me) under appreciated.

Unfortunately, the first few chapters are dusty dry it’s almost ridiculous. It’s just strange that a book written about the humor of Lewis could be so lacking in mirth whatsoever.

It is, however, an interesting look at the life and work of C.S. Lewis – that is, once you get to the third or fourth chapter. Lindvall’s work is a good one. I did enjoy the book, though readers should be forewarned that it is not, overall, a funny book. If you want wit and humor, spend your time reading Lewis’s own work rather than this dissection of it.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

“Head First HTML5 Programming: Building Web Apps with JavaScript” by Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson

This isn’t a reference book. It’s a step-by-step guide - complete with exercises - that will set you well on your way to programming in JavaScript with the knowledge necessary to build outstanding websites. Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson, co-founders of Wickedly Smart, have put together quite a comprehensive introduction to working with HTML5.

If you’re new to JavaScript, this book is a great introduction. The book is aimed at beginners, and thus, it offers (I believe) a helpful focus on programming fundamentals while leaving the reader with a practical and workable understanding of the core material. The authors are clear from the start, however, that they do expect readers to have a decent grasp of HTML4 and CSS before launching into this book.

The Head First series takes an interesting approach to teaching, using lots of puzzles, pictures and gaming techniques to help readers grasp and master the various concepts. Perhaps not everyone will find this approach helpful or conducive to learning; however, I found it made the learning process enjoyable.

An aspect that I particularly appreciated was the very relevant, believable examples used throughout. By using interesting, yet realistic, examples, the writers have made it easy to translate concepts into every-day application.

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Switched!

I've been looking for some good Christian/positive fiction for kids after a friend asked for a recommendation for her boys. Honestly, I nearly didn't bother with this book on seeing the cover... though, as they say, you can't judge a book by its cover, and this one definitely fits the bill.

Once I got past the cover art and typography, the story was surprisingly good. It's apparently the fifth book in Bill Meyers' "TJ and the Time Stumblers" series. The kids in the story stumble from one crazy situation to the next, making for some funny events and dialogue. Most importantly, however, the author manages to weave valuable lessons into the story without making it too obvious or overbearing (not an easy task).

I'd recommend this book for kids up to 8 or 9 years old.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to post a positive review; these opinions are my own.

This Thing of Ours

Cammy Franzese has an interesting - and potentially powerful - story to tell. The book is meant to be about how faith saved a marriage that was torn apart when Michael Franzese (Cammy's husband) was put in prison for mafia-related crimes.

The thing is, I found comparatively little about faith throughout the book. Yes, there are references to prayer, and passing mentions of faith, but not much attention is actually given to the process (or perhaps, transformation) of faith. The bulk of the book seems to dwell on the hardships of having a husband in prison and on what a trooper she was for sticking it out in the marriage. While I admire and respect her commitment to her marriage, that seems to really be the overshadowing point of the book.

The writing style also, was not easy to read. It seemed very impersonal and the story jumped from one point to the next, touching only briefly on the emotional aspect of the various situations. It almost seems like the story was written by a ghost writer who had little to no emotional connection to the story or its key characters.

I don't like to give low ratings, but this book left me unimpressed. I love a good biography or memoir, but I was disappointed by this one.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

Relentless

I was excited to read this book, but ended up being quite disappointed in it. The premise of the book is great – rehashed by author after author, but great. The point is, rise above adversity, don’t give up, Christians are meant to thrive. This book makes bold claims about offering a “paradigm shift” and “new mindset,” but I found neither.

Bevere seems to be promoting something like a “prosperity gospel” (at least to my understanding of it). His “success stories” tend to be along the lines of fame and fortune as an indicator of success or accomplishment. I just can’t agree with that outlook.

The vast majority of Christian heroes are those who never achieved fame or fortune. From the early apostles to modern missionaries, many who have wholeheartedly committed themselves to God have faced hardship and struggle. This doesn’t mean that they were not “successful” or that they should have been more “relentless.” On the contrary, I think what is outstanding is their ability to be “relentless” in following God through the hardship. To put those who have achieved worldly success as his prime examples is, I think, promoting an imbalance in priorities.

Some of the book is good. It’s an encouragement to strive for more, to not “settle.” However, Bevere’s definition of success (at least what I took from this book) left me with an unpleasant aftertaste.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah through Blogging for Books - their book review program. I wasn't required to post a positive review. These are my own opinions on this book.

The 360 Degree Leader

Yet another helpful leadership book from John Maxwell. As with all his books, I left this one with plenty to put into practice immediately.

It's an easy book to read and understand. While I felt that much of the material was recycled from previous work, what I did like about this book was that it really compiles his leadership advice into one concise book.

Section one covers common myths of middle management.

Section two covers challenges that leaders face.

Sections three through five cover principles of leading up, leading across, and leading down.

Section six covers the value of a 360 degree leader.

I felt it was a very comprehensive look at leadership, and could be a great starting point for anyone starting out as a leader at any level.

My Life and Lesser Catastrophes

This book was stunningly honest. It is a very intimate look into the life of a heart touched by tragedy and facing unfamiliar doubts and fears. It's a story of finding faith in the midst of sorrow, and hope in the midst of despair.

In spite of the tough subject matter, this story is incredibly positive. Through the stunning and sudden catastrophes the author has faced comes a faith that is deeper and more solid.

Untested faith is no faith at all. It is when you are shaken to your core that your faith is truly tested. At that point of ultimate testing, when we have nothing left of ourselves, that is when faith grows.

This is a beautiful account, and I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. They didn't require a positive review, so everything I've said here is my own opinion.