De and Doug's Den: Reading and Movie Goals Update

Here is an update of how I'm doing on my "entertainment" goals so far this year!!!

List of twelve varied classics I want to read this year, hopefully completing one each month:

-- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

-- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

-- Anna Karenina

-- Arabian Nights

-- The Catcher in the Rye

-- Great Expectations

-- The Hunchback of Notre Dame

-- Jane Eyre

-- The Last of the Mohicans

-- Mere Christianity

-- The Poems of Emily Dickinson

-- The Three Musketeers

List of twelve classic movies:

-- An Affair to Remember

-- Casablanca

-- Dial M for Murder

-- The Godfather Trilogy

-- It Happened One Night

-- Kiss Me Kate

-- The Maltese Falcon

-- Mary Poppins

-- The Postman Always Rings Twice

-- Pretty in Pink

-- Strangers on a Train

-- Vertigo

De and Doug's Den: Favorite Books of 2012

After posting about the books I read this year, I was asked about what my favorite books/series of the year were.  A lot of the books and series that I love I have blogged about, so I'm going to try to focus on the new books I read this year ;)

The Alchemyst Series by Michael Scott
I had read the first few books of the series prior to this year, but The Necromancer and The Warlock were absolutely brilliant (and I am expecting the same from the conclusion of the series, The Enchantress).  For someone who loves all mythology, this blend of Egyptian, Norse, Greek, Roman, and more (including historical figures like Virginia Dare and Machiavelli) has so much action and intrigue; the plot is ever-changing and rushing forward like a river, while the characters try to adapt to maintain control.  Just excellent.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This series (and movie) swept the nation in 2012, but it is the first book in the series that really captures the quintessential struggles of life under a strict regime, so strict that children are forced to fight to the death annually.  The other books of the trilogy (Catching Fire and Mockingjay) are also excellent books (and contain much more action and perspective than the opening book of the series), but the depth and character development of the first book is practically unmatched in the remainder of the series.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin
I had so been looking forward to reading Something Borrowed that I almost didn't bother reading the follow-up Something Blue; I am so glad I did!  While Something Borrowed had a lot of suspense and emotion, Something Blue was a journey.  Full of emotion and personal development/growth, Darcy's story was so much more than I could have hoped for from this sequel.

The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
I honestly tried picking one of the three books of the series, but I just couldn't!  Of the three books I have read, all were witty and well planned; I can normally figure out what is happening in a mystery/detective novel, but these books all surprised me.  Definitely more on the "Chick Lit" side of mystery novels, but easy to read and so hilarious!

The New How to Study Your Bible Book and Workbook by Kay Arthur (et al)
This set was on my Christmas List for a reason!  I love Kay Arthur's method of Inductive Bible Study, and the new book and workbook help explain the principles in more detail.  I found book to be very helpful in explaining her methodology further and how to use this in my own study.  The workbook had printed Bible passages from different genres (epistle, prophecy, poetry, narrative, etc) and instructions to assist the reader in learning how to do this kind of study.  This is a must read for anyone looking to dig deeper in studying the Bible.

Surprising Insights from the Unchurched by Thom Rainer
This was an assigned book for one of my classes, but it gave so much insight (ha ha) to what people are looking for from the church.  Most churches are using "seeker sensitive" tactics to draw in outsiders and new members, but most "unchurched" people came to church due to a relationship they had with a member (their friend, their sibling, their child, their parent, etc).  They stayed because the people (and especially the pastor) were friendly and welcoming.  Many of them appreciated and stayed due to the strong message and stance the pastor and church took on sin and moral issues.  This book is such an eye-opener for anyone in ministry or involved in a church.

The Green Letters by Miles Stanford
Each chapter is short (2-5 pages) but very full of ideas, Scripture, and thoughts from Christian greats.  It took me a few chapters to understand where the author was coming from, but he moves so slowly and so methodically so that the reader must understand and accept each principle into his or her own life before moving forward.  Every principle builds on the last, making this a great book to work through in a small group or in personal study.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
This book lays out the disciplines that every Christian should apply to their own lives.  What I loved about it was that it not only listed and disciplines and explained their necessity, it gave many ways in which the readers could apply those disciplines to their lives.  Whitney begins with the two most important disciplines (Bible Reading and Prayer) in order to build a strong foundation to begin putting the remaining disciplines into practice.  So great for personal growth, an accountability team, or small groups.

De and Doug's Den: The Books of 2012

This year, I set a goal to read 100 books including 50 I had never read before.  While I ended a little short of my goal (90 books, 41 new books), I still can't believe how much reading I was able to do this year!!! 

This post is just a summarized list of what I read this year ;)

Fiction/Fantasy

The Alchemyst Series (books 1-5)

Avalon High
Harry Potter Series (7 books)
Heroes of Olympus Series (3 books)

The Hobbit

Hunger Games Trilogy (3 books)

The Kane Chronicles (books 1-2)

Percy Jackson Series (5 books)

Fiction/Chick Lit

Ashley Stockingdale Series (3 books)

The Austen Series (6 books)

Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives

Shopaholic Series (books 1-5)

Sleeping Beauty Proposal

Something Blue

Something Borrowed

Fiction/Mystery

Heather Wells Series (3 books)

Stephanie Plum Series (books 1-3)

Sue Grafton Series (books A-B)

The Westing Game

Women's Murder Club Series (books 1-3)

Religion/Biblical Study

Encountering John from the EBS series
Genesis from the NIVAC series

Genesis in Time and Space
The Gospel Accoridng to John from the PNTC series

How to Read Genesis

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
The New How to Study Your Bible Book
The New How to Study Your Bible Workbook

Religion/Church

Church Administration

Innovate Church

Perspectives on Church Government, 5 Views

Preventing Sexual Abuse in Congregations

The Reformers and Their Stepchildren

SPLASH

Surprising Insights from the Unchurched

Religion/Growth

7 Practices of Effective Ministry
And He Dwelt Among Us

The Green Letters:  Principles of Spiritual Growth

Prayer:  The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders

The Principle of Position:  Foundations of Spiritual Growth

Radical:  Taking Back your Faith form the American Dream

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

I think the thing that surprised me most about this list is the range/diversity of books that I read this year.  Obviously, I had to read a lot for school (20 books from this list), but I feel that I gained a lot from the books that I read this year.  After all, that is the point of reading!

For 2013, I want to continue reading a variety of books and new (to me) books, and I hope I've inspired some of you to join me in reading next year!!!  Whether it's 1 book each season, 1 book each month, or 1 book each week, START READING! ;)

De and Doug's Den: Percy Jackson

So anyone who knows me decently well knows that I really love ancient cultures, especially their mythologies.  Of all the ancient cultures, Greek mythology is the best known by our modern culture.  So, when I saw a series about a boy who finds out he's actually a demi-god, how could I resist?

The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan is a series I mention a lot on this blog, but I haven't had a chance to explain how amazing this series truly is.  I first found out about the series by accident; I was sick and picking up a prescription at Wal*mart; I had 30 minutes to kill, so I went to pick out a book, figuring I could read for awhile and buy it if I liked it.  I actually sat on a bench in Wal*Mart reading The Lightning Thief for 45 minutes before someone asked me if I was waiting on a prescription!!!  Needless to say, I was definitely hooked.

What you'll love about the series if the fast-pace, the fun characters, and the ability to relate so well to the title character.  The books are written from his perspective; I would characterize them as being similar to the Harry Potter books in reading ease and understanding, as well as stylistically.  The first book is actually the the gateway to reveal a large and sinister plot that threatens Western Civilization as we know it.  There are creative twists and turns that not only add drama and excitement, but show the growth of the individual characters.

Each book ends with a "cliffhanger;"  I ended up devouring the five-book series in a matter of days (less than a week) simply because I had to know what would happen next.  The break between books 2 and 3 (Sea of Monsters and Titan's Curse) was the biggest cliffhanger for me, so if you like the series, you might want to buy those two books together!  Each book is not very long (about 250 pages), so they are great for most kids (6 or 7 and up).  All the books are great for people who can only read a small amount at a time, because the chapters are short and the plot is easy to follow.  The final book in the series (The Last Olympian) dives directly into the action and is very fast-paced compared to the other books; maybe plan on giving yourself an afternoon off just to read this one ;)

In summary, if you are looking for an exciting and easy read, try the Percy Jackson series!  There is a movie based loosely on the first book, so you can watch that and see if you might be interested in the series, but don't be surprised when you pick up the first book and note all the differences!

If you like this series, you can also check out the available book from the sequel series, the Heroes of Olympus series.  The first two books The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune are available now; the third book Mark of Athena comes out October 2.

De and Doug's Den: Top 10

Even though school is looming around the corner, summer has been amazing.  A big part of that has been having the opportunity to relax -- which for Doug and I means lots of reading!!!

A big part of summer reading is being able to be "swept away" or "caught up" in the story.  So, as a back to school treat, Doug and I have each made a list of our top ten "getaway" books.

Doug's Top Ten "Getaway" Books/Series:
(in alphabetical order)
-- The Civil War Anthology (Marvel Comics)
The superhero civil war pits Iron Man against Captain America in a fight about registering superheroes with the government, with real world parallels to civil rights and freedoms.  The anthology sums up the story nicely, but if you are looking for more details, check out the individual comics/storylines.

-- Dracula (Bram Stoker)
The classic vampire story; though the plot is well known, the writing draws you in with almost lyrical rhythm in many places.

-- The Hunt for Red October (Tom Clancy)
A Soviet captain goes rogue with his state-of-the-art sub and crew, leading to some memorable battles.  While the movie is excellent, the book emphasizes the global effects of this event.  This book is one of the reasons I love history.

-- Ivanhoe (Sir Walter Scott)
This essential medieval tale has it all:  crusades, damsels in distress, Templars, even cameos from Robin Hood and King Richard.  All through the tale of a knight returning from the Crusades on a quest for love and honor.

-- Jurassic Park (Michael Crichton)
Who wouldn't be swept up in a book about dinosaurs?  While the movie shows a lot of the action, the book elaborates more on scientific ethics and the terror felt by those involved.

-- The Silmarillion (J. R. R. Tolkien)
For anyone who loves The Hobbit and LOTR, this book provides the background and founding mythology for the tales.  The book includes the creation of Middle Earth, which is one of the most beautiful pieces of literature I have ever read.

-- A Song of Ice and Fire Series, a.k.a. Game of Thrones Series (George R. R. Martin)
Even though this is a long read (with at least two more books in process), this bloody struggle for power and respect is inescapable.  The series looks at the dark side of medieval culture and challenges the preconceptions of even the most avid reader.

-- The Space Trilogy Series (C. S. Lewis)
It's all you would expect from the creator of Narnia; it's full of imagination, action-packed stories, and issues of morals and ethics.  And who doesn't love a story about Mars?

-- Star Wars:  I, Jedi (Michael Stackpole)
A quintessential Star Wars story, more in the style of the original trilogy.  A pilot from Rogue Squadron embarks on a journey of self-discovery as a Jedi knight.

-- The Watcher (Dean Koontz)
A tale of good vs. evil; a man and his dog must survive attacks from a mysterious and shadowy evil creature.  A great thriller with a little blood/gore.


De's Top Ten "Getaway" Books/Series:
(in alphabetical order)
-- Avalon High (Meg Cabot)
Arthurian legend meets modern high school; really easy to read with a likable main character.

-- The Chronicles of Narnia Series (C. S. Lewis)
Classic books about the creation and history of Narnia and the people who made it that way.  Full of magic, suspense, and childhood memories.

-- The Harry Potter Series (J. K. Rowling)
Magic, friendship, love, family, honor, purpose:  what more can you ask for in a series?

-- The Heather Wells Series (Meg Cabot)
Former teen pop star becomes a sleuthing Residence Hall managing assistant (with a little weight gain).  Perfect for the beach or any vacation time.

-- The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
The first book of this popular series draws you into the world of Katniss (and Panem) so quickly, you can't help but be caught up in her fight for survival.  If you plan on finishing the series, the third book is really intense (but still good) for a light summer read.  My opinion:  save it for Fall/Winter ;)

-- I, Alex Cross (James Patterson)
Of all the detective novels I read, this has it all: avenging murder, serial killer, political intrigue, and much more.  Even if you're not familiar with the other Alex Cross novels, you can definitely follow along.

-- Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series (Rick Riordan)
For a lover of Greek mythology, this series is a MUST.  Easy to read, full of fun adventures and danger, and well-paced over the five books of the series.  While the first book doesn't leave much of a cliff-hanger, the rest of the books do.  My opinion:  buy them all and plan on finishing the series in a week.

-- Reason and Romance (Debra White Smith)
Of all of White's Jane Austen series, Reason and Romance is the easiest to imagine in real life.  Whether you are cautious about love or wear your heart on your sleeve, this book will reel you in.

-- Shopaholic Series (Sophie Kinsella)
Don't judge this series by the movie (which was pretty good).  I've only read the first half of this series, but she is just too relatable to anyone who majors in retail therapy.  This is the quick and witty romantic/comedy book you want for summer.

-- The Sleeping Beauty Proposal (Sarah Strohmeyer)
Two best friends decide to fake their engagements in order to haul in the complements, gifts, and other perks of engagement.  So what happens when the right guys fall into their laps?  The perfect book for when you want something playful and steamy, but still classy.

Bonus: The Hobbit/LOTR Series (J. R. R. Tolkien)
You can't have an epic adventure in reading without this series.  Though it is a bit of a heavy (i.e. long) read to jump into, Tokien's world is so full of wonder and amazement that you can't help but daydream about living there.

De and Doug's Den: A Song of Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones)

Hi, Doug here to tell you about the book series Song of Fire and Ice, a.k.a. Game of Thrones!  

It is a fantasy series by George Martin that was recently adapted for a TV series on HBO.  Only five of the seven proposed books are available, but it is never too soon to dig into the series.  I started reading it last spring (and still haven’t gotten to the latest book, released last July), and De and I watched the first season of the show.  The show follows the book fairly closely.

This epic is set in the fictitious continent of Westeros, culturally similar to the medieval period.  Westeros is a monarchy over seven “kingdoms” that had been united under a single dynasty.  About ten years prior to the story, there was a civil war in which the mad, completely wicked King was overthrown and a new dynasty was installed.  This drama shows the outbreak of a new civil war, splitting Westeros into multiple sections; incest, pride, honor, and lust for power created several factions, each seeking to install their own king.  

The author has created the most expansive list of primary characters I have ever encountered; each chapter follows a “point-of-view” character (out of 15-20 characters) throughout the chaos, battles and politics of the realm.  In addition, there is a slow building story of conflict centered on an ancient, evil power growing in the frozen north, threatening the people of Westeros, blinded by their own affairs.

The Good:

If you are seeking an immersive experience, this is a series for you.  Many characters, each with their own attributes and flaws, inhabit this world.  Political machinations, battles, war planning, betrayal, and heroism all create a living, breathing world.  I like deep stories and settings, and this provides it in spades.  If you are looking for something to compare it to, think “Lost” meets “The West Wing.”

The Bad:

There isn’t much critically wrong with the books or the TV show.  The books can drag sometimes, there many narrative summations and monologues (which are often a necessity for such a large world), and the fantasy does overtake logic or realism in certain parts.  The TV series is pretty good; most of the acting is acceptable, and in some cases it is brilliant. There are some missing scenes from the book series, but it does a fantastic job condensing everything into an understandable story.

The Ugly:

There are few, if any, characters that have exemplary behavior; this is not the high, ideal fantasy of Tolkien, Lewis, or Baum.  This is more “realistic” which, to be fair, was probably what the medieval period really was like; however, if you are looking for a “hero” to support, there are only a few that might fit the bill.  Both the show and the books are definitely “Rated R” material. The show is aired and created by HBO, which allows for much more than other TV shows and most movies.  There is blood and gore, violence, language, nudity, sexual situations, and more.  The show doesn’t add anything to the book plot, but the show seems to condense the “boring” parts, which creates a higher percentage of objectionable material compared to the books.  (Every 10-15 minutes on the show compared to every 50-100 pages of the book series.) 

Overall, it is a great series and interesting plot.  There are many “pieces” to watch in the Game of Thrones, which creates a dynamic and ever-changing world in which to get lost.  If you think you want to read the books, try watching an episode or two of the TV show.

De and Doug's Den: 7 Practices of Effective Ministry

Even though this was a book I was required to read for the class I am currently taking, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.  I have been an Andy Stanley fan for awhile. (I have read Choosing to Cheat and Next Generation Leader in the past.)

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the opening story about Pastor Ray Martin chatting with baseball team owner Pete Harlan about effective management.  It is clear through this story that these practices can be used in various types of business, organizations, and ministry. As a "housewife," I can still apply these practices to my own life.

The second half of the book elaborates on these principles using examples from North Point Community Church, which is very helpful for those in ministry.  Overall, it was a really great read, and I am looking forward to applying some of the principles to my own life.

I highly recommend this read simply for organizational principles.  Happy reading ;)

De and Doug's Den: The Westing Game

Den (noun):  hideaway, burrow, sanctum, study

You all should know by now that I am an avid reader -- I love books!  My husband is also a reader, and he often reads more "intellectual" books than I do.  (He read Rob Roy while I read Hunger Games earlier this year.)  Regardless, we both love to read and, between the two of us, have a pretty large collection of books for only being 25 years old.  A lot of people have asked about books we have read, our favorite books, and what many of the books we read are about.  I thought sharing here might be a great way to let people know the answers to some of these questions (plus give Doug something fun to guest post about!).

Today, I am starting with a Newberry Medal recipient, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.

This is what my book looked like originally ;)

Not only is it my favorite book, I have read this book about 300 times.  No, I am not exaggerating; I read it for the first time in sixth grade, and I just could not put it down.  I read it over 100 times in that school year (I kept a tally on the bookmark.)  My Copy is missing the front cover and several pages have come loose, but it is still my go-to book whenever I need a mini-vacation.  My copy is just shy of 300 pages; I can normally finish it in 2-3 hours.

It was originally published in 1978, but I have never noticed any '70s related terminology that would date the story; on the contrary, the plot could easily be accepted as a 21st century story (minus the technology that envelops today's world).  While it is a mystery, one cannot help getting caught up in the lives and exploits of the many diverse characters.

While all sixteen characters are necessary for the plot, the two that stand out are Sam Westing (an eccentric millionaire who has died, leaving behind a will, sixteen would-be heirs, and a tricky game where the winner-takes-all), and Tabitha-Ruth "Turtle" Wexler (a thirteen-year-old with a knack for stocks and a hot temper).  The reader is given all the "clues" to the game, but there are so many tricks, twists, and changes to be caught up in.  There are many allusions to chess (sixteen players, Sam Westing used to play chess), and it is hard not to begin to see the characters in light of this.  In the end, all the heirs are better for being in the game, in their jobs, relationships, and life choices.

If you haven't read The Westing Game, pick it up!  I would recommend it for ages 8 and up ;)