Thursday, July 21, 2011

American Gods

American GodsAmerican Gods by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is so weird! I enjoyed it but there were parts of it that I just couldn't get on board with... it was fun learning about all the different legends/myths and gods. Also freaky at times. And depressing.
Overall I just tried to get through it as quickly as possible.
But I really cared for the main character. The periphery characters were just that, too much on the sidelines, and I really didn't care about any of them. Even the disappearing teenager... I had totally forgotten about that story arc for a while, so I had to be reminded that I should care about her.
The way that gods are explained was lacking. Can they die? Are they real? Most of them have physical bodies but some don't. Why? What is the difference exactly between a god and a culture hero? There were just too many loose ends in this vein for me to fully enjoy the book.



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Monday, July 18, 2011

God is the Gospel

God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of HimselfGod Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself by John Piper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Finally, I have finished reading God is the Gospel! I really like John Piper's writing, but it seems I can usually only stand it for a few pages at a time. He's just so deep theologically, and it takes me days sometimes to mull over what he is saying. However, two days ago I felt a new determination to FINISH my original 100 Books List before December of this year. So I got through the second half of God is the Gospel in just two days. I'm so happy! It is a huge accomplishment--it feels even bigger than finishing Anna Karenina, although it is about 600 pages shorter! It was good timing for me to finish this book, as I had recently read Radical (and liked it as well). This book carries some similar themes, mainly the concept that knowing and loving God should be the central aspect of our "religion," yet so often we are distracted... by the American Dream of happiness (as Radical's author David Platt pointed out) or even just by the good gifts God gives us (as Piper points out here). If we love the gift more than the Giver, we're screwed up! That's my take-away.



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Monday, July 11, 2011

Committed

Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with MarriageCommitted: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I thought this was MUCH better than the more-well-known Eat Pray Love.



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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Down Came the Rain

Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum DepressionDown Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great book; it made me sad, remembering my (much less traumatic) bout of PPD. Good inspiration to get help when you need it!



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