Tag: 3 1/2 Stars Page 3 of 41

The God of the Mundane by Matthew B. Redmond: A Call to the Ordinary Life

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On December 31, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The God of the MundaneThe God of the Mundane:
Reflections on Ordinary Life
for Ordinary People

by Matthew B. Redmond

DETAILS:
Publisher: Cruciform Press
Publication Date: April 3, 2021
Format: eBook
Length: 146 pg.
Read Date: December 24, 2023
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What’s The God of the Mundane About?

So I wondered. I wondered about the great majority I have known and know, the great majority living fairly ordinary lives.

Is there a God, for instance, for those who are not changing anything but diapers? Is there a God for those who simply love their spouse and pour out rarely appreciated affection on their children day after day? Is there a God for the mom who spends what feels like God- forsaken days changing diapers and slicing up hot dogs? Is there a God for the man who hammers out a day’s work in obscurity for the love of his wife and kids? Is there a God for just and kind employers? Generous homemakers? Day-laborers who would look at a missions trip to Romania like it was an unimaginable vacation?

Is there a God for the middle-class mom staving off cancer, struggling to raise teenagers, and simply hoping both Mom and Dad keep their job? Is there a God for the broken home with a full bank account but an empty bed? Is there a God for grown children tending to the health of their aged parents?

Is there a God who delights in the ordinary existence of the unknown faithful doing unknown work? Is there a God of grace for those who live out their faith everywhere but do not want to move anywhere?

Is there a God for those who have bigger homes than me? More money than me? Nicer cars than me? Better health than me?

Is there a God for the mundane parts of life, the small moments? Is there a God of kind smiles, good tips, and good mornings? Is there a God of goodbye hugs and parting kisses? What about firm, truthful handshakes and grasps of frail fingers in sanitized hospital rooms?…

Is there a God of the mundane?

Does this God I worship care about mundane people and moments?

The answer to this question is, obviously, yes. In fact, almost every believer, Redmond argues lives the kind of quiet life that most contemporary preachers ignore—quiet, faithful, mundane. Ordinary. (Redmond limits his arguments to New Testament believers through the present. He could’ve/should’ve gone back to Genesis if you ask me).

There’s some gentle critique of contemporary Evangelical preaching and the kind of striving for the monumental it encourages—calls for, but largely this is a positive book. Redmond is primarily focused on saying, “Your ordinary life is good. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re being faithful.”

Horton’s Ordinary

It’s been nine years or so since I read it, but this book felt a lot like Michael Horton’s Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World. I do think that Horton did a better, or at least, more thorough job of looking for the quiet, unremarkable life. And people who read and gained from Redmond should hunt Horton’s book down.

But every time I started to say something comparing the two in my notes, Redmond would say something in a way that caught me off guard. A way of framing his argument that raised my eyebrows, an illustration that made the point so clear.

So I’m not going to make any other comparisons between the two, I’m just going to say that these two are singing from the same hymn book and I hope their tribe increases. If you liked one, read the other.

So, what did I think about The God of the Mundane?

missed the obvious: the apostles are writing to normal people. Most of them are nameless. They are Jew and Gentile, yes. But they are also not apostles. And most are not pastors. They are carpenters, farmers, traders, sailors, fishermen, shepherds, guards. They are mothers and fathers and children. Compared to the life of an apostle, their lives are probably mundane. These are ordinary men and women believing an extraordinary story…

But he never asks them to stop being who they are. He never challenges them to go anywhere. We don’t even get hints that he is making them feel guilty for living with comforts he doesn’t enjoy. That’s weird. It’s weird because this is so common in our pulpits and in conferences held for zealous college students.

I’ve cut so many things from the outline I dashed out before starting this post—basically, I was going to end up providing a compressed paraphrase of this entire book as a disguise for talking about it. I don’t want to do that. But it’s tempting.

I do think that Redmond makes some of the same points too often. That’s not a crime in books, obviously, but in 146 pages, that kind of thing stands out. He could’ve added a little variation to some of his arguments, etc. to keep the text fresh. But his writing is clear, convincing, and engaging. You can easily see yourself getting this advice from a trusted friend across the table at a coffee shop or diner.

This isn’t classroom wisdom or what an Ivory Tower will come up with. It is pulpit wisdom. It’s like an application of everything the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes—and is almost as wise. It’s also the wisdom of someone who’s been around a while, has seen a lot, and has learned from that—and then coupled that experience with what the Scriptures say. (also, I just said the same thing three times in different ways) As such, it’s something we should at least hear out.

I didn’t mean to buy this book, I’d meant to put it on a “think about this later” list, but a slip of the finger later, and I had another ebook to read. I’m glad I got this, it’s not quite what Ross means when he talks about happy little accidents, but it works for me. This was encouraging to me. It was a reminder of principles I’ve tried to live by—and who doesn’t need a good reminder like that from time to time.

Do I think it could’ve been a better book? Yes. Do I think it’s a little surface-level, and frequently redundant? Sure. But when it’s good—it’s really good. It would’ve taken doubling (at least) the length of the book for it to be the kind of “better” I want—and would almost certainly leave it as the kind of thing that so many who need to read it won’t bother with. And frankly, a good message, wise words, or however you want to put it, means more than a good book any day.

But I say: Be nobody special. Do your job. Take care of your family. Clean your house. Mow your yard. Read your Bible. Attend worship. Pray. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Love your spouse. Love your kids. Be generous. Laugh with your friends. Drink your wine heartily. Eat your meat lustily. Be honest. Be kind to your waitress. Expect no special treatment. And do it all quietly.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Regeneration and Redemptive History by Scott R. Wright: Recalibrating Our Understanding on an Important Distinctive

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On December 17, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Regeneration and Redemptive HistoryRegeneration and Redemptive History:
A Biblical-Theological Consideration of Regeneration

by Scott R. Wright

DETAILS:
Publisher: Reformed Forum
Publication Date: September, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 214 pg. 
Read Date: November 19-December 2, 2023
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What’s Regeneration and Redemptive History About?

Not too surprisingly, this book shares the outlook outlined in the booklet I talked about a few weeks ago, Unfolding Redemption: Exploring the History and Order of Salvation, and can be seen as an example of the kind of thinking and theological investigation set forth there. In this particular case, Wright looks at the doctrine of regeneration from both the historia salutis and the ordo salutis perspectives.

He begins with a historical survey of the development of the doctrine from the Reformation to the present and then surveys a particular Redemptive Historical outlook on the doctrine. Continuing the surveys, he then considers the Biblical witness to regeneration in the Pentateuch, the Wisdom literature, the Prophets, the Gospels, and then the Epistles. From those surveys, he offers some conclusions, titled “The Eschatological Character,” before moving on to apply this to some practical areas–theology, preaching/teaching, worship, and so on.

What’s the Point?

Why should anyone care about this?

The historia salutis perspective I mentioned before focuses on the objective work done by the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem his people, the eschatological significance of regeneration, and so on. The ordo salutis perspective focuses on the work of the Spirit to apply Christ’s work to the individual believer and what changes come from that.

There’s a shift in the way that Reformed teachers and writers talked about Regeneration around the time of the Synod of Dordt–largely necessitated by the response to the Remonstrants at the Synod, and it came to characterize Reformed soteriology. This shift prioritized the ordo salutis consideration over the historia salutis (in some cases eliminated the latter). This shift would be well and good if the first generations of Reformers had their emphasis wrong, and (particularly) if the Scriptures shared the priority.

Wright talks about it in terms of scope–from a broad view of the changes wrought in regeneration to a narrow, individualistic perspective. That’s probably the best way to summarize things.

Wright’s Historical Survey establishes that shift (although most people who’ve read a decent amount of pre- and post-Dordt will have noticed) and then his Biblical Surveys will either demonstrate that the Scriptures don’t prioritize the ordo over the historia on this point or will at least call into question that idea.

Wright is careful–and (in my view) correct–to not discount what the Reformed church has taught on the ordo salutis aspects of Regeneration. But his concern is that we’ve lost sight of the richness of our inheritance from Scripture and the Reformers. If nothing else, we shouldn’t let detractors focus our energies the way they have. This is why we should care–if he’s (at least largely) correct, we need to work on adjusting our understanding of the scope of Regeneration.

Wright is not alone in this, he draws from and builds on the work of Vos, Ridderbos, Gaffin, and others as they’ve tried to re-emphasize historia salutis in general, and his debt to them is evident.

So, what did I think about Regeneration and Redemptive History?

I think it’s tricky to convey what I think about this book. Maybe I’m wrong, but it feels slippery in my mind. Let’s see what comes out when I try, shall we?

Let’s start with some positives: I am so glad to see a book-length treatment of the idea–and it answered some questions I had on the topic (nothing pressing, and it turns out I was on the right track with my assumptions–or at least Wright’s track). It will be a fantastic resource for myself and many others–if nothing else, it’ll be a good reference/review, particularly in regard to the surveys. The historical material, the conclusion, and the “Theological Implications” chapter had some really good material that I know I’ll draw upon.

The downsides, on the other hand, are hard to ignore–every chapter should’ve been 30-50% longer. He really needed to develop some of his ideas a bit more thoroughly. “Needed” may have been too strong there, but I think it’s appropriate. I think his writing is clear enough that the reader can take the next few steps on their own, feeling confident that they’re headed in the same direction–but it’d have been helpful if he’d provided a little more for us. This isn’t (just) my typical greed for more of what I like, I think it’d serve the material better.

But the big downside for the purposes of this blog–because I want to talk about the book as an experience–this book is too dry, and the prose is a little clunky. Yes, this a revised version of Wright’s dissertation, and that’s probably the root of it. I’ve read other dissertations turned into books and have run into this before (I’ve also, thankfully, run into authors who’ve spent more time revising their books to make them pleasant reading experiences). Does this make or break the book for me? No–because the meat is there and it’s good and valuable. It just means that there’s a lot of gristle to this steak.

Do I recommend this book? Heartily. Just go into it with open eyes, knowing you’ll benefit from it, but you won’t particularly enjoy the read.

3.5 Stars

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The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 41: Garden Conversation by R. T. Slaywood: Did We Just Get Some Answers?!?

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On December 15, 2023

In Urban Fantasy

The Ballad of BonadukeThe Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 41: Garden Conversation

by R.T. Slaywood

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #41
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: December 15, 2023

I felt one step closer to knowing what was going on, however I was a long way off from having enough information to decide if I wanted to throw in my hat with these guys.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better.

What’s Garden Conversation About?

Um. On the one hand, not much happens. But it’s the way that not much happens that’s the interesting bit. Alan and Om deal with the lock that Bonaduke had flexed his magic on in the last episode. The results are better read than explained.

Then the injured Bonaduke and his two associates climb the apartment building’s stairs to the roof where they encounter, once again, something better read than explained.

Like I said, not much happens.

So, what did I think about Garden Conversation?

That opening quotation speaks for me–both in context and at the end of the episode. Still, we get so much information here about magic and how it works in general (and some more details about Bonaduke in particular), that I am comforted and pleased. I need someone to reciprocate Bonaduke’s opening up and a good follow-up to what Om told us still–but we’re so close to being given enough to grasp the magic system.

We also learn a lot more about the various players.

Sure, I could belly-ache (again)* about how it took 41 episodes to get this. But why? We got it. The explanations we had to assume were forthcoming have started to arrive. Also, the plot inches along a bit–and we get one of the best visuals in the series so far (followed shortly by one of the most disturbing).

* Same goes for the grammar and spelling.

Great closing. Possibly Slaywood’s best yet.

4 Stars

The MOST Powerful Christmas by JCM Berne: The Best “Superhero Christmas Story Written by a Jew about Hindus Saving the Holiday” You’ll Read All Year

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On December 12, 2023

In Fantasy, Fiction, JCM Berne, Science Fiction, The Hybrid Helix

The MOST Powerful ChristmasThe MOST Powerful Christmas

by JCM Berne

DETAILS:
Series: Hybrid Helix
Publication Date: The Gnost House
Publication Date: December 10, 2023
Format: eBook
Length: 58 pgs.
Read Date: December 9, 2023

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Rohan hung his head and weighed his options. I could give the predictable, yet overly pedantic response, and say, ‘I don’t know, can you?’ But I think I’ve beaten that joke to death. Then brought it back to life and killed it again.

I could also just refuse, but I don’t want to be rude. Do I?

Or I could let this guy buy me a drink and get pulled into some incredibly sad story of tragedy or revenge or something else where only my help can restore justice or protect his species or save his planet and then I wind up losing another eye fighting someone else’s fight.

Hold on, was this guy talking to me in English?

What’s The MOST Powerful Christmas About?

It’s not often that a Christmas story starts with an opening line like that. Particularly not one starring Santa Claus himself. But isn’t it about time that more do?

Santa has been sent to Rohan for some advice. He’s disillusioned with the whole Christmas thing–or at least his role in it. He’s tired of the creed, the commercialization, the spoiled kids getting more spoiled and the poor kids getting very little, if anything. He’s tried drinking, and other non-St. Nick-like activities to help his spirits, but it’s just no use. He even found a Gideon Bible in a hotel room, and that just made it all worse (but provides a good line about Nakatomi Tower).

Rohan realizes that Christmas is in trouble–and hero that he is, comes up with a way to save the day, help out millions of children, and even bring back a twinkle to Santa’s eye and some merriness to his dimples. IF the two of them–and some friends–can pull it off.

The Chimney Explanation (et cetera)

One thing I really appreciate about most modern takes on Santa is the explanations for how he can gain entrance to a home (particularly those with small and/or non-existent Chimneys) and make it to every home in one night. Well, I appreciate the good ones–I get judgemental about others.

I particularly enjoyed the way Berne’s Santa gives Rohan and the rest a peak behind the curtain and spells out his magic. There’s enough logic and science-y gobbledygook mixed in to make it work. It’s playful and yet consistent with the world of Hybrid Helix.

So, what did I think about The MOST Powerful Christmas?

Kris smiled. “You like to make jokes.”

“It’s my one character flaw. Also excessive humility. And counting.”

I’m not saying that JCM Berne is up there with Irving Berlin or Johnny Marks (yet, anyway), but he does fit right in with the number of Jewish writers do a great job of capturing the essence of Christmas.

Ultimately, this is like one of those sit-com Christmas specials where Santa is brought before Judge Harold T. Stone, gets held over for psychiatric care, and strange things start to happen. Or when Tim Taylor and his family hear footsteps on the roof and some bells jingling.* It’s a cute time of holiday cheer and reflection on what the civic holiday means (and how it does/doesn’t match the lifestyle urged by its namesake). Apparently, it is canonical, so completists will want to get their hands on it–I am curious to see how/if anything that happens here shows up in future novel.

* I don’t know if either of those actually happened, but you catch my drift.

Along with the holiday cheer, you get some of that patented snappy-Berne dialogue, which is fun to read no matter the topic, a bit of Rohan in action, and North Pole-inspired ingenuity that’s as good as anything that Sarah Smith/Barry Cook or Clay Kaytis ever produced (Berne’s Santa is worthy of both of them, too). I think I would’ve preferred a little more superhero action “on screen,” but I think it fits better for it to happen off the page to keep the focus on the holiday-antics (also, it would’ve made this a novella rather than a short story).

It’s fun, it’s quick, it’s free…and this time of year, we can all use a little of all three.

3.5 Stars

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Fuzzwiggs: The Switcheroo by Amy Maren Rice: A Silly (and Odorous) MG Adventure Sure to Please

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On December 5, 2023

In Fantasy, Fiction, Literary Locals, YA/MG/Children's Books

I’ve got a Q&A with the author, Amy Maren Rice, coming up this afternoon, come back and give it a read, will you?

Fuzzwiggs: The SwitcherooFuzzwiggs:
The Switcheroo

by Amy Maren Rice

DETAILS:
Series: Fuzzwigs, #1
Publisher: Covenant Books
Publication Date: July 14, 2022
Format: Paperback
Length: 294 pg.
Read Date: August 31-September 2, 2023
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A Brief Introduction/Disclaimer

When I type (and when I read), I always insert an “i” between the “z”s and the “w”. I don’t know why, it just got into the back of my head that way. I believe I caught them all in proofreading, but I may not have.

Apologies in advance. Also, next time she comes up with a race of extra-dimensional characters, I hope Rice consults with me about the vowels she should use.

…the bowl shifted.

Slowly the crimson crockery began to rise. Twig like fingers curled around the edge. A pair of furry arms followed and then came two frightened golden eyes that blinked rapidly at them. A triangular face with a soft puppylike nose was next. It twitched as a strand of pasta slid off it to the floor. Oversized tufted ears slowly unfolded as the creature spoke…

“Please, we are needing your help.” It repeated, its eyes large and pleading like a puppy begging for a treat.

Jasper rubbed his own eyes in disbelief. “W-w-w…” he stuttered. He licked his lips he tried again. “What are you?”

“We are being the Fuzzwiggs,” the creature replied.

“Whose [sic] ‘we’ and what are, uh, those?” Milo asked, brushing the lettuce from his hair.

The animal made a gesture with his long fingers and several other big-eyed furry creatures shuffled forward, filling the room. They came from behind doors and under furniture. One was even inside a kitchen cabinet. Their rabbit like feet stepped carefully around the food-splattered floor…

What’s Fuzzwiggs: The Switcheroo About?

I’ll try to keep this brief…but no promises.

When we meet them, Jasper (12) and his brother, Milo (10), are moving to a new home. Their father died in a plane crash, and their mother can’t support the family as things are. So they, their mother (Emily) and baby brother (Wyatt) are going to live in tiny little town in Idaho to live with their grandfather and aunt. The brothers really don’t know their family well, but the house their father grew up in is large enough for them and the change will be good for the family (or so Emily hopes).

When they arrive, no one is home. They didn’t expect their grandfather to be there—he travels a lot and doesn’t do a great job of keeping the family updated on his location. But their Aunt Delilah should’ve been there. In her place is a note welcoming them to the house, telling them to choose their own rooms, make themselves comfortable, and to do a few specific things—follow some rules and do some chores. Some of the chores and rules are odd, but whatever.

The house is large and wonderful—the boys really want to go exploring some of the strangeness, but their mother makes them focus on unpacking and whatnot. Perhaps the strangest thing about the house is that there is a large, old tree in the center of it—words like “mega” and “ancient” are used by the boys to describe it. Their dad used to joke about being raised in a tree house. Now they get it. Sort of.

What the family is going to learn, is that the Great Tree is a vitally important object beyond their comprehension. It’s guarded (in part) by some strange and magical creatures called the Fuzzwigs. The odd thing about these creatures (well, one of the odd things) is that their magic comes from their flatulence.

But before they learn that, as is expected in stories where people are given oddly specific instructions and warnings—Emily and the kids don’t really heed them as they should. The consequences of that are going to bring a lot of trouble—and the Fuzzwigs—into their lives.

Fuzzwiggs

This is going to be the crux of the book for (at least) most readers—what do you think of these creatures? Even the Middle-Grade readers of this book are going to be familiar with a lot of the things in the novel—the bickering brothers, the family tragedy that makes them move, the mysterious extended family members they have to rely on, the strange thing in the new house that comes with a lot of rules, etc. And sure, silly intelligent (or at least sentient and capable of communication) creatures will be familiar, too—but the Fuzzwiggs are what’s going to draw the attention and keep it or lose it.

For this reader, they kept it. It helps once you get to the point you can see beyond the obvious comedy and get to something deeper (not much deeper, it’s not that kind of book)—I don’t know how much the target audience will respond to that, probably more than I reflexively give them credit for. Also, this will be easier to talk about when we get to Book 2 in the series and I can talk about some of these deeper ideas without spoiling things.

I think the easiest comparison I can make to help one of my readers to understand the Fuzzwiggs is the lemurs from Madagascar movies and the spin-off movies/show. They have a similar kind of manic energy and attitudes. As I make that comparison, I realize that the humor that comes from them reminds me of DreamWorks Animation movies in general.

We might as well segue to:

The Humor

Yes, it’s largely juvenile. So what? The book is directed at people who are juveniles. Can adults appreciate it? Yes, but only if they are willing to find humor in bodily functions and whatnot.

I think of it similarly to that line of C.S. Lewis’ about Fairy Tales, about one day being old enough to start reading them again. Or, “When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” Human bodies are silly things that can make gross noises—at a certain age, we pretend it’s not amusing, and at a more advanced age we can chuckle at it again. Sure, I might not find the sounds and this book as amusing as a ten-year-old will…but I’m okay with that. Actually, I’m a little jealous.

So, to get back to the DreamWorks Animation idea—if Shrek and its counterparts are too juvenile for you—skip this book. And give it to someone who will enjoy the humor.

There is one character in particular I’d love to talk about on the comedy front, but it would spoil too much. Let’s just say that there’s a Hollywood hopeful in these pages that deserves a spin-off novella.

So, what did I think about Fuzzwiggs: The Switcheroo?

I really enjoyed the way that the whole family got involved—at least in some way—with the story. It’d have been very easy for Rice to focus on Jasper and Milo—or the boys and their aunt. But Rice got their baby brother rather involved in the story to great effect—Wyatt’s antics elicit some good chuckles and also brought some sweetness into things. I also appreciated the way their Mom was handled—we get a little from Emily’s perspective, we understand how everything we see here is difficult for her and yet she knows it’s best, and so on. And then she’s largely sidelined because this is a MG book and it’s a rule. Or, to put it less cynically, otherwise, the boys couldn’t get into adventures. But it’s a comical sidelining that Rice used well.

The adventure story itself is exactly what you want in this kind of story—there’s a great trek through the wilderness, hazards from within and without, some villains that really don’t realize what they’ve gotten themselves into (they’re both rotten and comical, a great combination for this kind of book), and some great battles (or scenes that are battle-ish and I don’t know how else to characterize them) and some nice story resolutions with hidden life lessons in them. It’s a good balance between comedy and adventure that I’d imagine would appeal to a broad range of middle-grade readers.

I had a few quibbles with the book and feel like I should mention them. There’s a museum in town that was established before Lewis and Clark stumbled through the area. I assume that was an editorial slip, or there’s going to be a great explanation eventually given for that. I do wonder if some of the descriptions of the magic/abilities of some of the creatures could’ve been explained a little better. Some (all?) of the scenes that cut away to things not directly involving the main events of this book were really hard to follow, yes, they’re establishing the world for this series and setting up future books. But I think a little more finesse would’ve helped a lot here. Neither of these are fatal flaws, and I anticipate that Rice will do this kind of thing better as she writes more. But they dampen my enthusiasm a bit.

Just a bit, though. I had a ball with this book and I think my readers would enjoy it—and the kids in their lives would enjoy it even more. I’m eager to see where Rice takes this series and I really want to see the scenes that follow the Epilogue. I imagine most readers will be with me there.

Pick this up—I think you’ll be happy you did.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 40: Close/Open by R. T. Slaywood: Moving Day Cont’d

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On December 1, 2023

In Urban Fantasy

The Ballad of BonadukeThe Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 40: Close/Open

by R.T. Slaywood

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #40
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: November 24, 2023

Alann smiled like a kid who was about to show something they thought was really cool, but ultimately underwhelming. However when he pushed open the door he spoke in a confident tone that would make any potential buyer visualize the open road.

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not. But he gets better.

What’s Close/Open About?

Um. On the one hand, not much happens. But it’s the way that not much happens that’s the interesting bit. Alan and Om deal with the lock that Bonaduke had flexed his magic on in the last episode. The results are better read than explained.

Then the injured Bonaduke and his two associates climb the apartment building’s stairs to the roof where they encounter, once again, something better read than explained.

Like I said, not much happens.

So, what did I think about Close/Open?

I’m not really sure what to say here. I think I liked it, but since so much of this episode needs grounding or fuller explanation in a future episode (hopefully 41), it’s hard to really know what I think.

I’m really tempted to spend the rest of the evening catching up to where Slaywood is currently with the story–if only so I have something to say here. I get this way from time to time, but I’m committed to the episodic approach.

But really, I don’t know what to say. It was well-written, worth sticking with, and I’m curious about what comes next.

3 Stars

Ostler by Susan Grossey: An Unconventional Sleuth Kicks Off an Equally Unconventional Career

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On November 29, 2023

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

OstlerOstler

by Susan Grossey

DETAILS:
Series: Cambridge Hardiman Mysteries, #1
Publication Date: August 21, 2023
Format: eARC
Length:274 pg.
Read Date: October 8, 2023
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A Vocabulary Lesson and The Title

Let’s start with the word “Ostler”—what is that? It’s apparently a variant of hostler (which doesn’t help me at all), someone who tends to horses at an inn. Words like “archaic” show up when you look and various dictionaries.

Now, I have to wonder—why entitle your novel with an archaic term that many people aren’t going to be familiar with? There’s a certain charm to using a term like that with a historical mystery. Also, maybe the term is a bit more familiar to readers in the U.K. Still, it seems risky to me. Who’s going to be drawn to that?

Sure, Grossey knows her audience—so it’s probably a smart move. Also, for Grossey fans, they’re going to be drawn to her name rather than the book’s.

Let’s move along to the more important things:

What’s Ostler About?

Our titular Ostler is Gregory Hardiman, a veteran of the war against Napoleon and other things—he has some sort of obvious facial injury, and more than a few memories he’d rather not have. He didn’t return home when his time was up, but took up residence in Cambridge and started working as an Ostler. He has a way with horses that garners him (and the inn he works for) a great reputation.

He’s also a reader—a big one. He’s constantly trying to educate himself—he carries a notebook of words he’s trying to learn with him and is frequently updating it. This, as much as his injury, seems to mark him as an oddity, and endears him to some characters as much as it will the reader.

Anyway, a coworker is found killed and his widow wants answers. Too many people (particularly the officials) write his death off, but neither his widow or Hardiman are convinced. Haridman finds himself assuring her that he’ll get to the bottom of it. On the one hand, she’s desperate for answers, so she’ll take the help of anyone who takes her seriously. But I’m not sure why either of them think he’s the right man for the job.

Naturally, as this is the first of a series, he clearly is, but Hardiman doesn’t strike me as the best candidate at the beginning. He starts by looking into the brother of the dead man—he’s familiar with the outskirts of the law, and just seems shifty.

This leads Hardiman to some dealings with Clement College and officials there—he uncovers some shady dealings and earns the trust of the faculty. While continuing to look into the murder, he ends up taking on another investigation for the College.

Hardiman—and an interesting hodgepodge of allies—uncovers a lot more than he expected to. Including some dangerous men who aren’t intimidated by an ex-soldier.

As Historical Fiction

So, what I know about this time period in England—particularly about the way colleges functioned, life in Cambridge and its environs, and so on would fit on the back of a postage stamp. With room for a florid signature left over. So Grossey could’ve made everything up out of whole cloth and I’d buy it—worldbuilding worthy of Rothfuss, Martin, or Jemisin.

But I’m certain* that’s not what happened here. Grossey paints a detailed picture of life in the time, a robust set of characters from a variety of socio-economic classes and professions. It reeks of authenticity. I want to read whatever books come next in the series just so I learn more. I jokingly told Grossey that I felt like I should ask her for a reading list to understand the time/setting—and she volunteered to provide such a list, but I think I’m just going to let her spoon-feed me things as I spend more time with Hardiman.

* 98.7% certain, anyway. I feel like I should leave a little room for cynicism.

So, what did I think about Ostler?

This succeeds on multiple fronts—as a mystery, as a piece of historical fiction, as a showcase for a unique (and potentially fascinating, time will tell) protagonist, and as a series start. I don’t know that this book has it all (few do), but it certainly has enough to heartily recommend.

The story is compelling, the pacing isn’t quite what you’d want in a contemporary Crime Novel, but it fits for the time—which isn’t to suggest it lags at all. You really do want to spend more time with most of these characters again (including most of them on the wrong side of the law)—few more so than Hardiman. The circumstances in his life undergo a significant change by the end of this book, and I’m eager to see how he adapts to them (his life seems to be a series of adaptations already, he’ll do fine).

As a slice of early 19th-century life, I found it most intriguing, and I wager most who at least dabble in historical fiction will as well. As with her Sam Plank series, Grossey is able to bring things to life in a way that gets even the uninformed 21st-century reader to see things and to immerse yourself in the period.

Give this one a shot—at least one thing in this book will appeal to you, probably several.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for this post and my honest opinion.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 39: In The Dark by R. T. Slaywood: Moving Day

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On November 24, 2023

In Urban Fantasy

The Ballad of BonadukeThe Ballad of Bonaduke—
Episode 39: In The Dark

by R.T. Slaywood

DETAILS:
Series: The Ballad of Bonaduke, #39
Format: Kindle Vella Story
Read Date: November 24, 2023

“You don’t remember?”

“Haven’t tried to yet. Everything hurts.”

Om came over and picked up a cane from next to the couch that I had failed to notice then handed it to me. “Probably for the best. Death is an experience most would want to forget.”

The Story So Far…

A drunken Michael Bonaduke decides to use a grift (with maybe some sort of magic/magic-like “help”) to win on a scratch-off lottery ticket so he has money to buy more to drink. He pulls off whatever he did, gets his money and some booze and stumbles off into the darkness to drink himself into oblivion so he can start again the next day. He’s hit by dark memories (probably what’s driving him to the drinking) of fire, pleading, and screaming. There’s going to be a price to pay for his grift, and he’s trying to be ready.

He’s abducted by some representatives of a mysterious group who subject him to a test—if he passes, everything will be explained to him (and hopefully the reader, too). He passes—and is brought somewhere for answers, or maybe training, or maybe another test. Time will tell (or things are going to get really annoying). Answers aren’t quick to come—but the mysteries and questions keep piling up.

Things get hairy and Bonaduke leaves and finds himself back in the neighborhood he started from. He takes refuge in a homeless encampment shortly before a police raid. He’s apprehended and finds himself an interrogation room and shortly escapes after using his grift (but with results he didn’t quite intend). He finds himself by a group of squatters who seem to have strapped a woman to a chair for reasons that can’t be good. He attempts to rescue her before he even realizes what he’s doing, and seems to have succeeded—well, the two of them got away from the group anyway—breathing but bruised. They make their way to a fast-food taco joint and Bonaduke really needs to refuel to keep going. He tries, but fails to get food because he keeps passing out. Thankfully, the clerk is the same guy from the liquor store and he both recognizes him and gives him first aid. The woman (Zero) wakes up and shows some abilities of her on as she helps them escape from her captors who’ve tracked her down. One thing leads to another—Zero and Bonaduke’s magics don’t mix well (at least until they understand what each other can do?), and they end up in a video-game race against the squatters in a tricked-out version of Eric (the clerk’s) car. Note, I said video-game race, not a video-game-style race. They’re actually in one. When dumped back into reality, he’s surrounded by bruised and broken bodies (of people and cars). And then he gets into a supernatural fight and survives…just.

Or maybe not.

What’s In The Dark About?

Bonaduke wakes up, not remembering being in the apartment—actually, he doesn’t remember much (see above). To say that he’s weak is an understatement—think Westley during his final confrontation with Humperdinck. Alan and Om are packing up and leaving the apartment, for reasons alluded to, but not fully explained.

Bonaduke mostly watches things, given his strength, and then gets to use his magic just a touch.

And that’s basically it.

Thank you, Mr. Slaywood!

The whole he/she thing about Zero is addressed briefly in a way that confirms I was right to be confused.

So, what did I think about In The Dark?

Yes, I’ve complained a bit in the past about these transition episodes. This one seems more blatant than usual—Slaywood is moving the saga from one section to another, being coy about the details (as per usual). I’m not going to do that this time.

This is a good point for the transition, particularly when it comes to the whole death thing. Isn’t that what the Death card represents in Tarot readings? (at least the ones I’ve seen in print and on TV say that). So let’s move (literally, for Alan and Om) to something else.

Now, if we’re not given more information about his coming back to life, why they’re moving, and what the ritual, etc. they referenced at the end of the episode are about soon. Then I’ll complain. But for now, let’s let everyone catch their breath and call it a good day.

3.5 Stars

Nasty, Brutish, and Short (Audiobook) by Scott Hershovitz: Who Needs Calvin and Hobbes When We Have Rex and Hank?

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On September 27, 2023

In Audiobook, Non-Fiction

Nasty, Brutish, and ShortNasty, Brutish, and Short:
Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids

by Scott Hershovitz

DETAILS:
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs., 31 min.
Read Date: September 21-25, 2023
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What’s Nasty, Brutish, and Short About?

The official description is:

Some of the best philosophers in the world gather in surprising places—preschools and playgrounds. They debate questions about metaphysics and morality, even though they’ve never heard the words and perhaps can’t even tie their shoes. They’re kids. And as Scott Hershovitz shows in this delightful debut, they’re astoundingly good philosophers.

Hershovitz has two young sons, Rex and Hank. From the time they could talk, he noticed that they raised philosophical questions and were determined to answer them. They re-created ancient arguments. And they advanced entirely new ones. That’s not unusual, Hershovitz says. Every kid is a philosopher.

Following an agenda set by Rex and Hank, Hershovitz takes us on a fun romp through classic and contemporary philosophy, powered by questions like, Does Hank have the right to drink soda? When is it okay to swear? and, Does the number six exist? Hershovitz and his boys take on more weighty issues too. They explore punishment, authority, sex, gender, race, the nature of truth and knowledge, and the existence of God. Along the way, they get help from professional philosophers, famous and obscure. And they show that all of us have a lot to learn from listening to kids—and thinking with them.

Hershovitz calls on us to support kids in their philosophical adventures. But more than that, he challenges us to join them so that we can become better, more discerning thinkers and recapture some of the wonder kids have at the world.

The book is broken down into three sections: “Making Sense of Morality” (covering ideas like Rights, Revenge, Punishment, Authority, and Language); “Making Sense of Ourselves” (surely non-controversial chapters covering “Sex, Gender, and Sports”; and “Race and Responsibility”); and “Making Sense of the World” (Knowledge, Truth, Mind, Infinity, and God—the easy bits of philosophy). While discussing these, Hershovitz will describe the idea(s) he’s focusing on—or the aspects of them, to be more specific; he’ll then illustrate them with questions from or discussions with his sons; give us a brief history of philosophy on the topic; and then his personal take on them. Usually with more input from his sons along the way.

How was the Narration?

Hershovitz was fantastic. If he gets tired of the whole professor/philosopher gig, he could have a new career in audiobook narration. I can only imagine that his classes are great to sit through.

He delivered the material that in the wrong hands could’ve come across as super-dry, or really jokey and kept it engaging, entertaining, and informative—with a little bit of the persuasiveness needed to keep someone listening to a book about philosophy.

I was quite impressed.

So, what did I think about Nasty, Brutish, and Short?

Oh, I have some serious issues with some of the philosophy here. The chapter on “God” (to the surprise of few who read this blog regularly) really bothered me—but it did underline the importance of Special Revelation to go with General Revelation.

The Conclusion, “How to Raise a Philosopher,” was fantastic. Truly some of the best parenting advice I’ve heard/read in ages (and I don’t even need that any more and I still found myself taking notes). For raising more than just philosophers.

Sure, I disagreed with some of his conclusions—but I loved hearing the way Hershovitz thought through the ideas he was proposing and/or discussing, the way he dealt with his kids and their questions, I appreciated the way he explained concepts both basic and complex in a way that non-philosophers could understand, and he managed to be entertaining all along. Some of his witticisms did cause me to react audibly. There’s a good deal of so-called common sense mixed in with the profound as well—always nice to see for a layman like myself.

This book is a strange alchemy of parenting advice (even if largely given by example rather than by precept), Philosophy 101, and humor. It works so well that it’s hard to explain. I can only hope there’s a sequel or three as Hank and Rex age.

All in all, I heartily recommend this for parents, people who want to get a start in philosophy but aren’t sure where (and don’t want to admit that to anyone), and others. The print version might be nice for easy reference, but the audiobook format is a real winner.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church by Andrew Whitehead

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On September 24, 2023

In Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs, Theology/Christian Living

American IdolatryAmerican Idolatry:
How Christian Nationalism Betrays
the Gospel and Threatens the Church

by Andrew Whitehead

DETAILS:
Publisher: Brazos Press
Publication Date: August 15, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 192 pgs.
Read Date: August 27-September3, 2023
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Both parts of my identity* have led me to the same conclusion: Christian nationalism betrays the gospel and is a threat to the Christian church in the United States. It is from this perspective that I write this book. I want to make clear to my fellow white American Christians how much Christian nationalism threatens our faith—not only our individual expressions of it but also our organizations and institutions. It threatens our capacity to love our brothers and sisters in Christ who are minorities. It threatens our capacity to love and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ from countries around the world. It threatens our capacity to love and serve fellow bearers of God’s image at home and abroad who don’t share our faith at all. And it threatens how our organizations function, causing them to reproduce inequality and further harm the marginalized.

I am convinced that Christian nationalism makes us bad Christians.

* Those parts are a follower of Christ and a social scientist.

What’s American Idolatry About?

Essentially, this is an attempt to demonstrate the subtitle: “How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church” (the above quotation does show he’s not talking about a threat to the throughout the world—or the future—but the contemporary church in the U.S., an important distinction).

It’s also a follow-up to the work he co-authored with Samuel Perry, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States—this is a less-technical book (from what I can tell), to appeal to people who don’t enjoy digging through social science analysis and graphs. It also seems to be a “so what now?” response to that book—the earlier volume presented the data, and this is Whitehead’s suggested reaction to that data. I haven’t actually read the previous book, but from what Whitehead says in these pages and what I’ve read about the previous book, that’s my impression.

This doesn’t mean that Whitehead assumes a thorough knowledge of or familiarity with Christian Nationalism (he frequently appends “white” to that term for reasons he makes clear) going into this book, he spends two chapters outlining the basics of Christian Nationalism and how that impacts the Church. The next three chapters focus on what he calls “the three most powerful” idols of Christian Nationalism—power, fear, and violence—followed by three chapters describing alternatives to these idols, ways that are more faithful to the calling to which you have been called.*

* These are not exhaustive chapters, for more along these lines—see What Are Christians For? Life Together at the End of the World by Jake Meador. Some of the ideas in these books will align, but they will diverge, too. Yet, I would predict neither author would object to being read together.

A Disclaimer of Sorts

We have to look straight into the mirror and not try to hide or diminish the imperfections we see. Only then can we begin to imagine something new. Part of this work is recognizing that the God we worship has no particular interest in the greatness of the United States. The survival of any one nation over another is not paramount. The kingdom of God needs no global superpower in order to flourish….recognizing that human flourishing in the kingdom of God and in the United States (or any other nation) are not synonymous does not mean that Christians should not invest in the flourishing of a nation and its people. We can work toward peace, justice, and care for all who live and work within the boundaries of our home country. We can collaborate with God and those around us to create a more loving and liberating country for all our neighbors.

Whitehead returns to the idea frequently, but stresses it in the first two chapters—he is not calling for Christians to be anti-American, or even apathetic about our country. He’s not calling for them to remove themselves from the political process. His concern is how we see the country, how we view and treat our fellow citizens, and how we’re involved in the political process.

The choice is not Christian Nationalism or godless anarchy, or Communism, or Sharia law—and so on. His vision is for Christians to work alongside those of other faiths (or absence thereof) for the civil betterment of us all. While I think Whitehead’s politics tend toward the Left, he’s not calling for all Christians to embrace that—conservative and Republican Christians can agree with his arguments on the issues this book centers on.

The Idols of Christian Nationalism

There are many “idols” of CN, claims Whitehead, but the three he focuses on are the biggest problems in his view are power, fear, and violence. The heart of the book is devoted to this section (it’s not the longest, but it’s the most important), here he demonstrates how the devotion to and use of these characterize the movement and put it at odds with Christianity.

In these chapters, Whitehead begins by defining what he sees as the CN’s use of/dependence on the various idols. Then he’ll show how throughout our history—but particularly in recent decades/years how both political figures and religious leaders have tapped into and exploited these ideas for their own benefit and the detriment of other groups in the U.S. He’ll then look at Christ’s and/or early-Christian teachings on the same ideas, contrasting them with CN’s use (this is particularly effective on the ideas of power and violence).

The shortcomings (to put it mildly) of CN are on full display here. Frankly, I think the definition work done in chapter 2 is enough to turn someone off of this ideology, but chapters 3-6 really put the nail in the coffin.

So, what did I think about American Idolatry?

Over years of academic study and personal faith journey, I have become convinced that white Christian nationalism in the United States is fundamentally opposed to the ethics and teachings of Jesus. Through idolizing power, fear, and violence, white Christian nationalism betrays the gospel, in which Jesus’s sacrifice liberates us from our enslavement to sin as well as the destruction it causes through systems of oppression It betrays the gospel that realigned the power structures of society.

As a whole, I don’t see people who aren’t at least suspicious of CN responding well to this book—I think most of those who are suspicious will become more so after this—and those who are already pretty against it will have new reasons and will be strengthened in it. I’m not sure that those who have leanings or sympathies toward it are going to respond well. I could be wrong, and hope I am. That I don’t think it would reach the CN-leaning is the biggest flaw with the book (but if I’m wrong about the effectiveness, that flaw wouldn’t be that big).

Based on what little he indicated about his own theological positions, I don’t think Whitehead and I would agree on much. I think we’d probably agree on less when it comes to politics. But when it comes to the impact that CN is having on churches, our gospel witness, and the public perception of the Christian Church in the US? Well, we’re pretty much on the same page—which I think fits some of Whitehead’s points. He’s not really that concerned with the areas where he and I would disagree, in fact, he’d probably defend that ability. Where he is focused is the negatives that CN brings to political discourse and the work of the church.

On those points, I think he scored big in American Idolatry—showing the flaws, errant presuppositions, and wrong emphasis—and non-Christian attitudes of CN. I’m less sure that he was convincing in the last three chapters about healthy alternatives, but I do think what he offers there is better than CN, and he’s convincing to that point. Maybe not as far as he wants to be, however.

Crisp and clear writing, the text moves with the assurance of someone well-versed in the subject and clear-eyed about what they want to say about it. I recommend the book and thinking about the issues it raises.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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