King Solomon

King Solomon: The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power
by Philip Graham Ryken
Crossway, 2011

Non-fiction: Adult, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality

Crossway consistently produces thoughtful and relevant reading. This was another success for the publishing house.

For many of us the Biblical story of Solomon is not new. In fact, that familiarity may be the single greatest obstacle the book faces: what more can we learn?

And this is where Ryken and Crossway prove to be a successful combination: Ryken's spiritual insight and mastery of writing, with Crossway's support, offer us a thoughtful read.

This is not just for Christians but for most of us who recognize personal struggles with any form of money, or sex, or power. And as Ryken describes and illustrates these areas, these Big Three really encompass most of the challenges for a contemporary self-aware life.

What's different about this book:
The stories and illustrations are ENGAGING and relevant. I did not expect that with the book's focus. Solid, yes, and Biblical, sure: I expected those. But to find the writing both encouraging and convicting and engaging, that I didn't expect.

Evaluation, or what I'll do now:
This is a great resource for my church library work. I'll be eager to see folks pulling this book off the shelf and finding, as I did, that it is an experience well worth the time.

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First Rule of Ten

The First Rule of Ten: A Tenzing Norbu Mystery
by Gay Hendricks, Tinker Lindsay
Hay House, 2012 (Adult Fiction / Mystery, Detective)

I was attracted to this book because of an uncommon mix of mystery, murder and spirituality. And I kept reading because the authors continued to use the best of each of these areas in developing the characters and action.

As the book opens, Ten is deciding to leave his job -- LAPD detective-- after getting shot and realizing he's not where he wants to be. He loves detective work, so he strikes off on his own.

Along the way Ten is accompanied by his house mate Tank (a large feline with an equally large personality), his ex-partner Bill and family, and the quintessential tech help, Mike. This combination of friends, as well as new ones he makes along the way, makes for a fun and comfortably mysterious read.

What's different about this book:
This is not your typical heavy, angst-ridden LA detective. Ten is fun, enjoys people, treasures his moments of solitude, and examines his relationships and path in the world through his Buddhist beliefs and background. It's refreshing to have a protagonist who represents the universal virtue of grace. Ten also differs from other LA detectives in his personality or aura: his is a gentler soul, softer.

Evaluation:
This was an enjoyable read. It's not compelling enough to push with my young adult / high school / adult readers. But I can recommend it without hesitation. And I will probably watch for the two titles that will be following in this trilogy. Not a high-stress read, but a pleasant one. Engaging characters, enough "bad guy gets his comeuppance" to be satisfying.

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Keeper of Lost Causes

Keeper of Lost Causes
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
2011 Penguin Group (USA) / Dutton

An excellent story, an entertaining read.

If you're looking for another Stieg Larssen book, this isn't it. The flawed hero isn't as charismatic, but the side-ways humor is better. The female protagonist is NOT Lisbeth, but she's not intended to be as central to the day-to-day plot.

But the good news: the interaction between Carl, the protagonist, and his side-kick Assad is rich, and the combination (especially considering Assad's mysterious background and uncanny skills) offers a new perspective for the enjoyment of the reader. And the construct of a Department Q, the department consisting of one detective assigned important cold cases, offers many opportunities for many fine reads to come.

Best of all, Jussi Adler-Olsen is still with us, and will hopefully prove to be a prolific writer. I'm ready for the sequel.

What's different about this book:
It's by an international author, in an international setting, and it feels different to those in a North American context. But the complex plotting and the rich humor make it worth the reader's while to spend some time outside the expected comfort zone.

Evaluation, or what I'll do now that I've read the book:
This would be a good (and appropriate) read for my crime novel fanatics in my high school library community. And it will be a great recommendation for others, like me, who enjoy the thrust and parry of an anarchistic, iconoclastic individual with little patience for the Establishment's way of doing things.

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Christ + Nothing = Everything

Christ + Nothing = Everything
Tullian Tchividjian
Crossway Books, 2011


Tchividjian's book speaks to a crucial truth of Christianity. Perhaps the theme is most concisely summarized by a quotation in his book: the only thing you contribute to your salvation and to your sanctification is the sin that makes them necessary (quoting Templeton, p. 103).

The strength of Christ + Nothing = Everything is the discussion of that crucial truth as expressed in the book's title. But the overall impact of the work is weakened by several qualities which seemed to drive the reader to disengage rather than to dig in and follow the author's arguments.

What's different about this book:

• the absolutely essential truth that ONLY CHRIST effects my salvation and my justification. The author does an excellent job explaining this and laying out the damning ramifications of my attempting to add to or subtract from that finished work.

• The excellent bibliography to other powerful Christian thinkers who have compelling thoughts on this truth. I really wanted to take off and read a few of those books as well.

• the compelling back story of the author's life events that instigated the study and the book. We've all experienced them: the older guard that resists change. Tchividjian mirrored the grace he wrote of as he shared his experience at Coral Ridge with grace and admirable economy of words.
  
  

Evaluation, what I'll do now that I've read the book:
The heart and accuracy for the Gospel is solidly present in Christ + Nothing = Everything. The book will be used to extend the Kingdom. But purchasing this title will not be on the top of our vendor list this year.

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Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice
Bk 3 in Triple Threat series
by Lis Wiehl with April Henry
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011


From the first in the series, Face of betrayal (2009), through the second, Hand of fate (2010), and now to this 2011 sequel, the writing and the cohesion of the novels have grown more sophisticated and seamless.

I enjoyed the story; I was caught up in it, in fact. But the number of people who end up dead in this book is unsettling: I know the story deals with a sociopath, but sometimes the killing seemed less strategic and more an author's means to control the plot.

What's different about this book:

• There is a skillful presentation of the worldview of each of the women: thoughts about why something happens, who's to blame when things go wrong, how we should respond to adversity and painful life situations. No didactic preaching - just a fair and balanced view of what motivates the characters. Some novels today carry such a nihilistic tone that Wiehl's approach is refreshing and enjoyable.
• The first two novels in the series really allow the reader to enjoy the fuller context of the characterizations and the background of the story.

Evaluation: what I'll do now that I have read this
This series will be shared with peers and book clubs through our libraries. The strength seems to stand in the complete series rather than a single title.

I'm frustrated that the plot lines in the lives of these women aren't being resolved but are rather pushing along the profitability factor of a series. I want some resolution to help me continue to be engaged with these characters.

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Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian

Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian
by John Piper
Crossway Books, September 2011

Racism, ethnic prejudice and other-ness are givens in our culture: like the poor, they will be with us always. And because of that ubiquity, I tend to relegate the evil of racism to my periphery: yes, it is evil and degrading and I should "work on it."

Piper's words grab my complacent acceptance of this evil and shake it.

Bloodlines makes me aware that the nature of racism is in fact a clear statement of my understanding of spiritual reality. To the extent that I am racist or harbor racist views, to that same extent I diminish the sovereign God and His purpose in creation.

What's different about this book:

• It posits the concept of racism in a full context: social, moral, religious, political and historical. Excellent research, cogent connecting of all the perspectives.
• It clearly and compelling explains the solution to racism -- the only solution that will work. The book thoroughly and convincingly makes the case the authentic Christianity is the only possible solution to a destructive mindset and behavior that can only worsen.
  

Evaluation: what will I do now that I have read this book?
I had this title on our vendor's Purchase list before I finishing reading it.

Racism is universal. Read this book if you are racist or concerned that you might be.

But ESPECIALLY read this book if you don't care.

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Putting Makeup on Dead People

Putting Makeup on Dead People
by Jen Violi
Disney-Hyperion Book CH

This novel is well written realistic fiction -- there's good characterization and very engaging figures. I appreciated the value given to, and the fresh perspective on, an unusual career and study choice. An encouraging young adult perspective on the feelings behind knowing --or not knowing-- what career path to follow.

That said, I didn't care for the package of story and plotting. The author posits deep questions about life and the value of individuals -- for which the protagonist must work out her own indeterminate and ambiguous "feel-good" solution.

I want my young people to know that there are moral absolutes and a truth that can be depended on when making those life decisions. None of that is shown here.

What's different about this book?
I really enjoyed the thread of Donna picking an unusual career path (not the typical YA college path) and finding her passion and competence in that field. Yay for Donna.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I have read this book?
We will pass on this title.

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The Sixth Man

The Sixth Man
by David Baldacci
Hachette Book Group / Grand Central Publishing
April 2011

I expect to enjoy the King/Maxwell series by David Baldacci. I have come to appreciate the relationship between the two characters as well as the clever plots and thrilling challenges that the pair faces. Sixth Man was enjoyable, but not as strong or as cohesive a read as the earlier books in the series have been.

What's different about this book?
If you're familiar with these stories, you'll find much that is very similar. But personally I found the dialog to be less consistently strong, less witty. There are moments in the book that remind the reader what an outstanding writer Baldacci has shown himself to be, and it highlights even more the weaker words, looser plot and less skillful winding up of the loose ends. There are some unexpected twists that make this book worthwhile reading -- and I still think Baldacci is one of the better and more dependable authors around.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I have read this book?
This is a title I'll share with my fellow mystery / suspence / political thriller readers. I don't see it as making the list for either my school, church or special library collections, but I recommend it to those looking for an enjoyable summer escape read.

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A Girl Named Mister

A Girl Named Mister
by Nikki Grimes
Zondervan, 2010

We librarians see some authors in many different places: public and school libraries, early, juvenile and young adult collections. So they must be versatile writers. And one gets the impression the authors are "good" because they appear so frequently.

A Girl Named Mister (from Mary Rudine, to MR, to Mister) was my first read of author Nikki Grimes' many books, and it was a GREAT experience.

What's different about this book?

• It's a novel-in-verse, a challenging way to write because the story must be conveyed in terse, rhythmic style and yet still convey all the context and story line. Grimes does this powerfully.
• It deals with a heavily emotional theme, teen pregnancy. But Grimes does so in a deft and true-to-life style. I could hear the teens around me speaking in those same tones and phrases, using the language and perspectives truly authentic to this age and culture.
• Grimes' deft touch keeps the book from being a downer. Her elegant weaving of Mister's tale with the Biblical Mary's tale of teen pregnancy elevates the story to one of hope and with a non-condemning tone.
  
• It was a quick, compelling read for me: open the book, read, read, read -- and then the tale is told, without thoughts of "I should be doing something more urgent."

Evaluation -- what will I do now that I've read this?

• I want my middle and high school students to have a chance to read this story with its many implications for decision-making, social commitments and values. I'll provide a copy for the libraries that serve this population of students: a compelling, sympathetic yet realistic fiction that they will enjoy.

• For my church library, this will be a must-have. We haven't begun a YA collection yet, but this book will be on the first list we acquire.
  

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Mercy

Mercy
by Rebecca Lim
Hyperion, 5/17/2011

Awaking abruptly in an unknown body and in an unknown place, the reader finds herself as disoriented as the protagonist.

Skillfully written, the story line slowly evolves to allow both Mercy and the reader some glimpses of who Mercy is and where she comes from. Even more startling, Mercy has glimpses of WHAT she is, and it's complicated.

What's different
Paranormal, yes. Trite and over-used, it's not. And it's not the expected fluffy angel tale but rather a rough and not always comfortable tale of adolescents, competitiveness and abduction. It's a more serious YA read -- but worth the weight.

Evaluation -- what will I do now that I've read this?

• Definitely buying this one for my teen readers. It offers a fresh and, like, totally realistic inside look at teens navigating their lives. Serious stuff but not overwhelming for mood-absorbers like I am.
  

• This will be a fun one to share with other librarians and YA lit followers. We'll enjoy talking this one over.

• Not on the order list for my church library -- great read and completely without offense, but not high enough on the priority list for our space-deprived library.

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Queen of the Dead

Queen of the Dead
Stacey Kade
Disney-Hyperion

This sequel to The Ghost and the Goth continues the great tale of Alona Dare, killed in her teen prime, and her complex and interesting relationship with Will, he who speaks with the dead. They need each other -- in more ways than one.

What's different:
This second book isn't an obviously series second. There is new and significant character development, a new and engaging plot line, and there is actually a satisfying ending -- if a little abrupt and somewhat stilted feeling. That said, there is room for a third book, but I don't need it after reading this second. That's a rare quality in the popular YA titles I am reading these days.


Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• I have already bought this for my school libraries. I think it will be a hit with those readers who enjoy some supernatural fluff but also appreciate some down-to-earth reality.

• I probably won't suggest this title for my fellow librarians and BOOK READERS unless we are talking about a fluff but enjoyable weekend read.
  

• And it is not on the horizon for my church library -- entertaining YA lit is not on the priority list at this point, though this is a wholesome, non-offensive read.

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The Restorer

The Restorer
Amanda Stevens
Harlequin MIRA Books

Great read, and an intriguing plot. So many para-normal novels out there, but each has a slightly different twist. This one did.

Amelia finds she is one of those who can see ghosts, and her father guides her to understand The Rules, the first being "Never acknowledge a ghost" so they won't know she can see them. Years later, she's grown up and is a prominent restorer of cemeteries --yes, I know: ironic.

Great romance, good murder mystery plot, good characterizations. Definitely looking forward to the sequel -- though I much prefer those that don't MAKE you have to read the sequel to find answers to foundational questions.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• Not for my school library -- though some of my high school readers would enjoy this. Forget that it's a book from Harlequin, a name synonymous with bodice-rippers.

• But this title is perfect for another sphere of influence I forget sometimes: my fellow librarians and BOOK READERS who love a good mystery with a twist of romance. I'll definitely be recommending this one to a good number of these folks.

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The Ghost and the Goth

The Ghost and the Goth
Stacey Kade
published in 2010 by Hyperion Book CH.

Stacey Kade's YA book is a really enjoyable read: high school cheerleader gets run over by a bus (yes, the element of the absurd is a strong part of the story) and can't leave the locale until she makes things right. Pair her with the goth boy who can see and hear the dead, and you have a great recipe for a fun read.

A lot of the fun is starting with stereotypical characters who turn into multi-dimensional and well-nuanced personalities. The valley-girl cheerleader changes and improves to be an empathetic protagonist, and the goth boy proves both intelligent and resilient given the context he is in.

I enjoyed the lighter side of supernatural literature, and I also enjoyed the presence of family and parents, not always present in YA tales today. Fun read, engaging plot, glad I have a sequel ready at hand.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• I am delighted that my school library (PreK - 12th) already has a copy, and I can't wait to book-talk this to my kids.

• While perfectly appropriate for my church library, it doesn't fit in our current collection development focus.
  

• I will remember it pleasurably -- and can't wait to pick up the sequel, Queen of the Dead, to be published in June 2011 by Hyperion Book CH.

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The Final Summit

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity
by Andy Andrews
published in 2011 by Thomas Nelson

I often tire of contemporary "parables." Too much moral, too little story. This was different.

While it's definitely a parable style of tale, the story was engaging, and the lessons weren't too preachy. It was a brilliant plan to insert famous characters from history and to give short glimpses of how they interact with each other.

A follow-up to Andrew's earlier The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success, I didn't need to have read that to enjoy this.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• I won't buy it for my school library (PreK - 12th) -- although older kids might appreciate it.
• I won't buy it for my church library -- it doesn't rank high enough to meet the demands of space and finances.
• I will remember it pleasurably but probably not for long.

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