29 of 1001 Albums: Bill Evans' Sunday at the Village Vanguard

  I'm sure Bill Evans is a swell guy, and he has some great piano skills. Evans is an American jazz pianist.  Being awake in the middle of the day, and listening to this is probably the wrong time, though I think it oddly helped me focus in on writing.  I am just not into this type of music. This is definitely what I would hear pushing my buggy down the grocery store aisles. Actually, I may have tapped my foot to this a little while at the grocery store, and I'm tempted to go ask one of the people running the music if this guy is on the playlist. Maybe that is a part of the thing. This music keeps you zoned in on writing, or perhaps even shopping, which is why they play it.
   I will say that all the songs have a different sound to them. Sometimes albums will get a repetitive sound, but there seemed to be a distinct to each song that set it apart from the one played before it. I think one of my favorites was 'Alice In Wonderland'. I thought it really made me feel what the title evoked.
  If there is anything I appreciate about this list it is the variety it has provided. I know not everyone would say the same, but I feel I've been exposed to a variety of music so far from the 50s, and 60s.  Not all I would agree is good, and I'm sure some would even dispute there are people who've been left off that deserve to be on it. I've listened to everything from jazz, country, folk, and rock though. I look forward to seeing what other music I explore.

Book Review: Jenna Lucado Bishop's From Blah to Awe

  Have you ever felt bored with God?
  Everyone, especially teenagers, struggles with being bored with God from time to time. Sometimes church services and Bible reading don’t seem that exciting, and it’s easy to get busy and not make time to pray . . . but when this happens, we are missing out!
  Jenna Lucado Bishop shares her testimony and others' stories to see what a radical, living relationship with God looks like. But this book is not just based on feelings. The Bible gives steps that will help girls hunger and thirst for more of God.
  This book will not only offer girls a fresh perspective, but it will also help them do a little soul-searching and discover where they are in their own lives. Plus, it will let them in on the world’s greatest secret—that the Creator of the Universe loves and cherishes them deeply and that a fulfilling relationship with Him is the most exciting they will ever have.

   I was on the verge of ranking this book on five star level, but then the ending started getting a little repetitive for me. The reason I chose this book to review though is because I feel like my faith has been in much the same rut despite the fact this book is geared toward teens. I think the author has a good understanding of why our faith can become boring at times, but I think the solutions are much more geared toward teens instead of someone who has had a couple of times dealing with a distance toward their faith.

  My sister is in high school, and I would definitely recommend this to her. I think the idea, and solutions perfectly fit how I could have dealt with the problem of being bored with my faith then.  Bishop has a way of talking to teens as if she understands a bit of it herself, and she doesn't seem like an adult just telling teens what she thinks she knows. I found the reasons for feeling distance from my faith very relatable, because all of them are spot on.  Sometimes though there just isn't a reason. Even if you've pinpointed everything it could be you still find you can't get back into it like you want. That can be very discouraging, but it doesn't seem to be acknowledged. 

  Personally, I think the author offers great advice, and solutions for getting back into your faith. She really couldn't have said anything more on it. As an adult my perception from what I was a teen is quite different though. My faith has went through a major change, and I feel like it's shifting once again, though thankfully not in the same depressing way it did before. 

   If you have a teen, or you're adult woman who is feeling she is feeling what this book describes as being bored with God, then you will find this book inspirational. The author knows what she is talking about, and I think any teen girl would enjoy reading it. I found this book at a time I could've used the encouragement. You can check out the book at Amazon.

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review. 

Movie Review: In Time

  In a near future where aging stops at 25, time is the new currency and the wealthy can live forever. When Will Salas inherits decades of life from a wealthy murdered man, he's pegged as the suspect by the corrupt Time Keepers, who enforce the law.
  Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this movie more than I expected to.  I thought at the most it would be intriguing, but I walked away pondering the movie a little bit even after it was over.  I don't think I've seen a movie where Justin Timberlake was the lead actor. I know he's been in quite a few movies, but I've never took interest in the movies he was appearing in. I probably would have not watched In Time had the person I was hanging out with not wanted to see it. 
  This movie appears to be a movie that wants to make the viewer think. I think it does achieve that or at least it does for me. I found the concept of people having to use their own lives as currency very terrifying.  There were a couple of powerful scenes that still have stuck with me. I'm also a fan of Cillian Murphy, and rarely see him in any movies. He's an actor that always is entertaining no matter what role he is in though.
 Considering the huge plot though I'm sure you'll find plenty of things to nitpick over though. Such as the huge uproar over the time that Will gets. It seems a little silly the police are making such a huge deal of the time he inherited, and you would think there were more they should be focused on. He received the money in a very legit way in my opinion, and it seemed they were blowing things out of proportion to have a story. I liked the chemistry between Amanda and Justin though. Their relationship was interesting, and you couldn't help but cheer them on.
  This is a movie I look forward to watching again with others who haven't seen it yet. I found the plot very intriguing, and the I thought everyone did a good job making it interesting. There are some memorable moments, sometimes some scenes feel they stretch on forever. I definitely would recommend the movie even if you think you wouldn't enjoy it though. I thought the director could at least be commended for trying to be unique. You can check it out at Amazon. 

28 of 1001 Albums: Muddy Waters' Muddy Waters at Newport

  If you were a jazz musician of any sort it seems the place to be was Newport. I actually got curious about Newport, and looked it up since two artists on the list had performed at this place.  You can read about the Jazz Festival that still takes place to this day there here.  Muddy Waters was more bluesy than past jazz artist though.
   I thought what was cool about this album is that you could hear some of the individual audience members reaction to the music. You could hear that people were enjoying his performance. Another thing I noticed about the music is how good it sounds live. It doesn't sound too much different than the quality of recorded music.
   Also, I enjoyed hearing the progression of the genre of jazz. We return to Newport several years later to find that the music is starting to morph slowly into other sounds than what was playing their the previous years. It makes you wonder how different the audience was attending, and what everyone was thinking of the new types of music beginning to show up.  I can only relate this to how people I know my age don't usually want to go to Warped Tour because the drastic difference in bands playing their now from when I was a teen.
   If you're into bluesy, or soul type of music then you'll enjoy this. It sounded good, but didn't catch me strongly as other stuff has that I've listened to so far.  If I had to guess Muddy Waters was one cool guy to be listening to.

Book Review: Stephen Arterburn's The Encounter

 

  A wealthy businessman travels to Fairbanks, Alaska, to learn why his mother abandoned him when he was a child, and in the process learns that not everything is as it appears to be.
  The Encounter, the unique new book from best-selling author and counselor Stephen Arterburn, is a moving parable involving Jonathan Rush, a wealthy and famous entrepreneur, who is tortured by bitterness toward his mother who abandoned him when he was four. He travels to Alaska to find her but instead meets an enigmatic old woman known only as Mercy. Mercy has the information he needs but is strangely reluctant to talk to him. Somehow Jonathan must find a way to persuade a frightened woman to unlock the secrets of his past.
  The book includes an invitation to the readers to verify the facts of their own stories, to accept the reality of their existence, especially the most painful ones, and to live in forgiveness. The end result is a healthy new way to look at life with an ability to share hope with others for the future. Healing is possible but requires truth, acceptance, and forgiveness, including of oneself.

   One of the first things I noticed about this book was how quickly it moves through the story. This isn't a bad thing because sometimes I'm just looking for a quick read. I could have read through this book in one evening if I had really wanted to. When I got this book though I thought I was getting something that was non-fiction.

    For some reason I believed this several times, and then found out I was reading fiction. Thankfully, I figured this out before reading so I didn't set myself up for the belief to be let down after I had already started reading. Though I'm a huge fan of fiction, and prefer to read it, non-fiction does have the potential to be much more powerful. 

   I have no problem with this type of story, and welcome the chance to read them, but the story used in this one seems to have become popular.  I read a story last year that also dealt with parents abandoning their child, and the consequences it had on their future. I'm not sure what spurred this type of fiction, but I've read a couple of books for a review with a similar theme. This book has a little bit of everything though. So if you're into mystery, drama, the supernatural, or romance then you'll find something in this book that you'll like. 

   The Encounter doesn't give away anything too soon, since the heart of the story still has to be shoveled out much later. I liked the pacing, and the story kept me intrigued. You can check it out at Amazon. 

This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for a review. 

27 of 1001 Albums: Miriam Makeba's Self Titled

  When the first song came on for this album I seriously thought this was going to be a brutal one to get through, but then the album proceeded on and I found myself enjoying it more and more. Supposedly, the genre is some branch of African inspired music. I'll admit that the song, 'Mbube', reminded me of one of the songs from The Lion King soundtrack. So much so, that I'm wondering if they got permission to redo the song a bit, or if they have unknowingly copied a song all these years without much attention being brought to it.
   There was one song in particular that changed my mind about whether I would enjoy any of the music on this album, and that was 'Ohlilili'.  There is something very haunting about it, and I could see it inspiring some really good stories.
   Depending on your taste in music you will, or won't enjoy the album. I'm not sure if this qualifies as international music or not, since I don't know the success of it worldwide.  There are only a few songs that are in English, and most the others are in another language.
   For the most part I found most the music enjoyable to listen to. I think it mostly depends on what mood I'm in to determine whether I'll enjoy an album or not, and this so happened to fall on a day that I was more likely to enjoy something as unique as this music.

Book Review: Peter Leithart's Fyodor Dostoevsky

  Dostoevsky walked toward the firing squad in Semenovsky Square in the heart of St. Petersburg, Russia. Newly fallen snow blew wildly through the windswept grounds lined by state police. It was a wintry morning, and the sun shone a suffused haze through thick clouds. In the center of the square, seven severe officers stood like statues with rifles at the ready as Dostoevsky and his fellow prisoners looked on. While counting his last steps on earth, Dostoevsky was spared by an order to imprisonment in Siberia—where he would be transformed in the crucible of peasant life.  In this gripping, beautifully written biography, readers get an intimate inside look at the life of this world-famous author who explored human nature perhaps more deeply than any other. Who, under the watchful eye of a suppressive Russian government, fought for the common people and fought for truth. Fyodor Dostoevsky artfully weaves the cultural, political, and scientific forces at play that set the stage for his world-renowned writing. Amid all this, readers discover the humanity of this iconic writer and his lifelong battle to exemplify the teachings of Jesus
     Regardless of whether you are interested in reading about Fyodor Dostoevsky or not, you'll probably find this book interesting if you are into history. This biography is depicted a bit different than most though. Instead of narrating about the life of Dostoevsky, the author has decided to take a different approach, and tell the story through the person he is writing about eyes. This isn't the ideal way to tell about his life for all, but I thought it was suitable for me since I'm more a person who likes a story told instead of shown.
    There was a quote I came across from Dostoevsky about love that I found highly relatable, so it it got me more interested in the life of a person who seemed to have a much similar idea to mine on a controversial topic. I haven't read any of his works yet though, but this book is good about getting your curious about the books inspired by his life.

  I heard a few complaints that the book focuses too much on the good Dostoevsky did, and discounts the affect he was quite a ladies man. From the book I could pick up on the fact he moved between ladies pretty easy, though probably not as much as he did in actuality considering this focuses more on the Christian values he represented. We all have our faults though, so I'm sure if someone wrote a book about me someone would be crying out over the missing wrongs the book decided to dash over. 

    If you are into biographies I would recommend this book. I found it quite interesting considering my lack of interest in non-fiction. The book felt a bit rushed though since it was short, and some parts could have been greatly expanded on. I liked how the book has constant references so I can review where all the information came from unless I want to further my knowledge beyond this book. You can check it out at Amazon.

  This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for a review. 

26 of 1001 Albums: Joan Boez's Self Titled

  I have a feeling if I mentioned I had just listened to Joan Boez to someone she would be a lot more popular than I had thought at first. I didn't recognize her name when I saw who was next on the list, but I have this feeling she is extremely well known, and just escaped my radar my whole life. She seems to have brought in the sounds of the 60s that most are so familiar with though.
   When I heard the first song I got really excited about the album particularly because I enjoyed the guitar playing, but then Boez began singing. She has a great voice, but it seemed mismatched to me. Boaz would go into almost operatic moments that seemed too much for the folksy sound of her music.  I don't argue with anyone who likes that since it is all about personal taste, but it took away from the sound of the music for me.
  Also, when I went to type in her name into Google search I got a lot of images of her and Bob Dylan, or just pictures of Dylan, which was interesting. I'll have to do some further research to see why these two were meshed together in searches. It's not a huge coincidence since I can see how their music might have crossed at some point, and the years they performed weren't far apart. Perhaps they even were together at one point?I have no idea yet though.
   If you're into folksy stuff then this is up your alley. It probably would have been amazing had I enjoyed Boez's voice more, but I sometimes the overly dramatic tone through me off.

Book Review: Lisa Tawn Bergen's Mercy Come Morning

   Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.
   Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.
   I don't know if any of you have watched The George Lopez Show, but that is what this book vaguely put me in mind of except in a more serious tone.  The lead character's mother drama seemed much like George's on the show. He thinks all his mother's intentions were bad to only find out the underlying reasons she was like she was. 
  The book did keep my interest though. I wanted to find out what was happening even when the book lulled in spots.  I was way more interested in reading about her mother's experiences than Krista's though. I'm sure she is an intriguing character, but it wasn't the vibe I got.  I also liked that this book was based in the hispanic culture. I haven't read many fiction books about Hispanic-Americans so it was a nice twist to a genre that can become worn out.   So many of the novels I've come across feature the same culture, and ideas that I don't feel like I was exposed to anything new. 
   I also like how this book features a woman who is in her late thirties and still single. For some reason the books I read that feature young women desperate for marriage annoy me.  I feel less pressure about the expectations society places on women to marry early when I read books where women have matured a great deal before pursuing the idea of seriously being with someone. It feels a lot more relatable even though I'm in my early twenties. 
   This book focuses on a mother-daughter relationship with a side of romance.  I don't think it's the typical Christian romance book, and I like how the author tries to make something different. You can check out the book at Amazon. 


This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for a review. 

Oscar Snub: 50/50

  An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis -- and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what's the meaning of life when you're not sure how long yours will last?
  I think it's outrageous this movie was not nominated for an Oscar, whether it was for the screenplay, acting, or even best picture. It deserved a place somewhere. Every since I saw the trailer last August before viewing another movie I have been looking forward to seeing it. Very few movies stir emotion in me, but even fewer movies have me wanting to cry. When I say 'want' I actually mean that. The movie stirred such good feelings you want to cry just to express it in some way. 
  If you've listened to any interviews about the movie then you probably know the backstory, meaning you've also guessed how the movie will end. If not then I will try to not spoil it.  I think one of the reasons this movie did so badly at the box office was because of two things. One being that people thought this would be a sad movie, and it's not. This movie isn't supposed to the be the typical sad tale about cancer. It's actually a lot more realistic approach than what I've seen in other movies. Another thing is that I thought maybe with Seth Rogen's appearance in the movie people would assume it was going to have an amount of vulgarness to it, which it does, but I didn't think it overwhelmed the movie. Considering these two are guys I found the vulgar conversations very realistic. From what I've heard about guys when they get around each other they do discuss what the women in their lives are doing, and not doing for them in the bedroom.  Not that that is every guy, but it's pretty standard conversation for a guy. 
   This movie is a beautiful approach to telling a story though. The chemistry in the movie between the characters is remarkable. There are these little surprises sprinkled throughout that redeems certain characters just when you were beginning to think there was no hope for them. I could also feel what Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character was going through. The atmosphere, and mood were perfect. I loved how everything played out for him. Though Seth Rogen's character could easily be classified as unlikable there is one moment in the movie that defines why him, and the other guy are friends despite his imperfections in their friendship. 50/50 has a great message about how we relate to others, and you can tell there was particular attention given to the interactions between the characters. If nothing else can be said, Levitt needed an acting nomination for this movie! I wanted to give him a hug all the way throughout the movie. 
  I personally enjoy movies that are all about living. It isn't about relationships, competition, drama, or whatever else it is that drives movies. It is simply about coming to terms with the path that life is taking us on, and grasping the opportunities that are given when they come no matter what circumstances we are currently in. This movie will find a place amongst my very small movie collection. I am shocked it didn't get an Oscar considering the other movies I've watched that I know did. You can check out 50/50 at Amazon. 

25 of 1001 Albums: Elvis Presley's Elvis is Back!

  I completely see the appeal of Elvis Presley when I listen to his music. I don't think there is an adult male singer in existence today that exudes what Presley did in the late 50s, and 60s that caused such an uproar in society.  He was a guy who was talented all around whose reputation sadly got affected by the last bit or so of his life.
   This album is all about the enjoyment of physical being with someone, or at least most of it seems to be about that. Elvis seems to have found a lady that he doesn't want to stop kissing, and she has the fever for him.  I can only imagine how actively parents got to see that they didn't find Elvis in their homes.
  I'll be honest, because of Elvis' past I avoided his music a bit, but his early stuff is so good. It has a nice beat, and rhythm that will keep you swaying if nothing else. My favorite from this album was 'Fever'. I had no idea that Elvis was the one who sang it, and I listened to it on repeat several times. It is definitely going to find it's way to be on my playlist for good.
  If you're already an Elvis fan then you've already discovered every reason there is to like Elvis. If not, then I highly recommend giving it a listen. Not everyone will like it, but I can't see how the majority would think otherwise.

Book Review: Lisa Weihl's Heart of Ice

   Elizabeth Avery could easily be the girl next door. But what she has planned will make your blood run cold.

  At first glance, the crimes appear random. Arson. Theft. Fraud. Murder. But these are more than random crimes. They're moves in an increasingly deadly game. And the one element they have in common: a woman who is gorgeous, clever . . . and lethal.

  Elizabeth Avery has a winsome smile and flawless figure, but underneath is a heart of ice. She's a master manipulator, convincing strangers to do the unthinkable. And she orchestrates it all without getting too close. Until now.

  When Elizabeth ruthlessly disposes of an inquisitive young reporter, her crime catches the attention of Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They know they're dealing with a cold-blooded murderer who could strike at any time. What they don't know is that they're already on a first-name basis with the killer.

And one of them may be next on her list.
  I haven't read many thrillers that are Christian, actually I don't think I've read any. I was a little concerned about how interested I would be since I'm not too huge on the crime thriller genre in the first place. Anyways, I would say this is on par with other secular books I've read in the genre, and it held my attention well enough throughout it.
   I thought there were too many stories going on to really connect with any of the characters. The most interesting person was Elizabeth, but she's a bad guy and shouldn't be the person I most look forward to reading. As for the premise the story is supposed to revolve around three women, so we get looks into each other their lives. I feel like the story would have been stronger had it been focused more so on one woman.
  This book is also a part of the series, but I got along fine reading this one without having the rest of the series. I did think I would be more strongly connected to the characters had I built a connection with them in the other books that led up to this one, but since I was jumping in midway I sort of missed the important moments that would have built my attachment to them.  The book was also heavy on narrative, and I felt most of everything was being told to me instead of shown. It would have made it better to have more of the characters interacting with each other.
  If you're into the genre of crime-thriller then you'll probably like this book. It reminds me of a lot of books in the same genre.  I found it interesting enough to continue reading, though I didn't feel as involved as I probably would have reading the novels before this one. You can check out the book at Amazon.

This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for a review. 
   

Wednesday Movie Night: Restless (2011)

  After she is diagnosed with a disease that will soon claim her life, a young girl (Mia Wasikowska) strikes up an unusually strong friendship with a boy (Henry Hopper) who deals with the problems in his own troubled family by attending funerals. Gus Van Sant directs this touching drama.
  I've been wanting to watch Restless for a while since I was curious about how the premise would be executed.  I picked up from the trailer that movie was all about being artsy, so I expected nothing less. 
  The characters almost seem too quirky though they are cute. I felt like the were purposely doing the oddest things just so they could be the weirdos who began hanging out with each other. Anyways, Mia Wasikowska is a very charming actress. I hope to see her in more movies in the future. Her character was portrayed so likable in the movie. She was able to pull off the quirky, and caring nature of her character. I know she was also the lead in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  Henry Hooper is an actor I hadn't heard of though. I don't think he is a bad actor, but I felt his character could have a lot more life that he was missing because he was trying to portray him so emo. I think it would be interesting to see him another movie, but in this one I don't think he would be considered a breakout. 
   The story of the movie is good also, but I'm still thinking over it to see if there was a bigger point I was missing.   It also tries to be very hipster in nature, so if that easily annoys you then you won't like it.  Lots of the music featured, and some of the editing reminded me of stuff I would find in a Wes Anderson movie also. The director who directed this isn't new to the scene though. He's directed other things that have been up for Oscars, and other awards.
   You'll find a cute story in the movie past all the darkness it tries to embed it in.  The most interesting character is the kamikaze guy actually. It was most romantic when we found out about his past. As for the other character you'll have to watch to see what happens to them. You can check out the movie at Amazon. 

24 of 1001 Albums: The Everly Brothers' A Date With The Everly Brothers

  To kick off the 60s we have The Everly Brothers. Surprisingly I once again have an artist from the list o my playlist, except the song I have is not on this album. When I heard the first song, and discovered what type of music this was I got excited about listening to the album. There isn't this leap from different sounding music from the 50s to the 60s, but you can begin to hear the beginning changes of it.
  If I had to guess, The Everly Brothers were probably like the Jonas Brothers of today, which is why this album wants to make us think this is what a date with them would be like. I find it a little sad, because that stigma can affect future generations perception of their music, and no one my age will commend the Jonas Brothers for being good music one day.
  The Everly Brothers really are good music though. The only problem I had was that after hearing the first song my expectations were too high, and I was expecting every song to catch me the same, and they didn't.
   I could hear the early inspiration the Beach Boys in this also to note. I'm looking forward to continuing checking out bands from the 60s. I took a peek through the list, and there are a lot of bands coming up that I have been wanting to listen to for a long time. The song I'm leaving with this blog post will probably be one that almost everyone recognizes!

23 of 1001 Albums: Ray Charles' The Genius of Ray Charles

  As I listened to Ray Charles I was trying to think of what I would say about the album. First off, I've listened to many bands that are labeled jazz, but for the first time it sounds like someone actually combined the jazz sound with vocals. Besides that there is a blend of slow and fast paced songs, but my favorite were the slower ones.
  Most the songs lulled a bit for me, but there were a few I really enjoyed. My personal favorite was "Come Rain or Come Shine". I can see this one ending up somewhere on my playlist. The vocals are really passionate, and it seems he's feeling what he is actually singing.
  Ray Charles is a legend for a reason though. His music does seem like a first for the list, and I'm sure he inspired many after him including many artist today. Listening to this album has actually made me want to pick up the movie Ray, which I haven't seen yet.  I heard a lot about it, so hopefully it lives up to the hype.
 I wish I could think of more to say, but the album wasn't bad, but neither was it something I could ramble on about. He is enjoyable to listen to though. This is the last day of listening to music in the 50s! Tomorrow I will be starting on music in the 60s, and I'm really excited about that since I can think of several bands that I can't wait to check out.

22 of 1001 Albums: Miles Davis' Kind of Blue

 For the second time Miles Davis makes his appearance on the list. The only other person to be featured twice so far was Frank Sinatra.  There were only six songs on this album, but they all lasted anywhere from five to nine minutes.
  I'm still trying to think of what Miles Davis puts me in mind of. It could be the music I hear while shopping, or something I've heard on television. It seems familiar though. Perhaps, it reminds me of Charlie Brown? Also, Davis' jazz doesn't seem like the other jazz I've listened to. There is a different vibe to it. Maybe it sounds like it's purposely targeted toward a younger crowd unlike the rest. This music would probably play well to a silent film though.
   My favorite part was the piano, and I wish it would have stayed around longer. It kept my attention better than the rest of the instruments that sounded even though Miles Davis is the main one with the trumpet.
  This is completely a positive thing, but I should probably download some of this for bedtime. It is absolutely soothing to listen to, and the trumpet gets you into a thought rhythm.  If you're a fan of jazz you probably already have Davis on your playlist. He seems to be the essential artist to listen if you're a fan of the genre. I haven't found myself a huge fan yet, though I hear the appeal.

Book Review: Gerald J. Kubicki's A Dubious Dream

  In the third installment of the series, Colton Banyon is told to go to sleep. Wolf, his secret mentor and a spirit that he can talk to, tells him that he will narrate an unusual story about a Black Diamond. It is no ordinary diamond. It arrived on earth thousands of years ago and has the power to transfer energy to people. It can both give them super powers and also destroy them. It is both good and evil. Wolf tells Banyon that the Black Diamond has been stolen from a secure government facility and he must find it before it is too late. The story is the background that Banyon will need to understand the Black Diamond. Set in the early nineteen hundreds, the hero, Professor Adam Wesley discovers the history of the Black Diamond and sets off on it’s trail in hopes of securing the diamond. He realizes it is too powerful for anyone, but there are many people that want it’s power. For more than forty years he tracks the Black Diamond and discovers and meets a variety of historical people who have touched the diamond along the way, they all were affected. The real question becomes how has he been affected.
  I was a little concerned that I would need to read the other two books to understand this one, but I didn't need to! This book easily caught me from the beginning.  I think this was one of the first I've read in this genre. It almost reminded me of an Indiana Jones story, and those are some of my favorite movies. 
  I wasn't sure exactly who the lead character was. For the most part it seemed to be Wesley, who was a very intriguing character. I like how the characters aren't perfect, and you can tell they have flaws. Also, when I began reading the story I thought it reminded me of a James Patterson novel. The vibe was very unique to get all the combinations of things I already enjoy reading or watching. 
  I liked how the concept was easy to follow, and the action scenes were some of the best ones that I've read. I found myself getting through the book quicker than I anticipated. The story features a lot of interwoven story lines that come together really well.  The country this is set in is also interesting also, and adds to the story. The book seems to be based in the early 1900s, and all this comes together to make a great setting. 
  If you are into action packed fiction, then you'll enjoy this. I think the other books in the series would be great to read also, and gain an idea of who the central character is. You can check out A Dubious Dream at Amazon. 

Interview With Grey Areas' Author, Jessica Dall

  Recently I had the great opportunity to interview author, Jessica Dall. She completed her first novel when she was only 15. Dall published her first novel, Grey Areas, a couple of years ago. This summer she is working on publishing her novel The Bleeding Crowd. Dall is also freelance, and helps other writers edit their works.

1. What inspired you to write Grey Areas?
Sophomore year of college I took a class called something like “Individual Freedom vs. Authority” (I was a Political Science major). While reading something about Socrates, we passingly touched on the Ancient Greek idea of daimons. From that point on, I was stuck with this idea of these being that weren’t evil, but didn’t have to be good either. And being me, I write whatever happens to stick in my head.

2. Are there any parallels between yourself and the characters in Grey Areas?
I don’t know if it’s possible to completely take yourself out of your characters, but for the most part I try to keep myself separate. Since most of the characters have one trait that rules their lives (Willow is logical, Brooke is happy, Zak is faithful…) it’s sometimes easy to see bits of those sides of me coming out in them. Their lives, however, are nothing like mine.

3. You deal with the concept of black versus white in your novel, and your characters falling to the grey areas between those two. Any reason you chose that idea?
As a writer, I’ve always relied on my characters to drive the plot rather than the other way around, and personally I find it more interesting to have the characters be morally ambiguous rather than just having the hero you’re supposed to root for being up against Generic Villain #1. If nothing else, it’s just more interesting for me to write about.

4.  How has your life changed since publishing?
Well, I’ve gotten a bigger yacht…quit my day job…just kidding. I don’t think my life is all that different since publishing. Perhaps the biggest change is the fact that I much more often hear, “I want to publish a book, how do I do that?”

5. What advice do you give to aspiring writers?
First, if you’ve been meaning to write something, and never have, sit down and do it. Wanting to write is one thing, actually sitting down and writing is another. If you need a kick in the pants, you can always participate in a program such as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Year round it’s a great community, but every November there are thousands of writers over there trying to get out a novel in a month. My first blog post was actually a bit of a love letter to the program (http://jessicadall.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/nanowrimo-and-me/)

And other than that, trust people. Again, I did a blog post about this one (http://jessicadall.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/accidental-plagiarism/) but there seem to be far too many people, in my opinion, who are afraid to tell people about what they are working on, or to send their work out because they think people are going to steal their work, or just the idea. There are so many books out there that it’s very unlikely that any idea you’ve come up with is completely original, it’s going to be how you write it that makes it special and worth publishing/reading. Let people help you, send you work out there, no one is going to rip you off.

6. What is your favorite thing about writing?
Everything? A while ago I self-diagnosed myself with hypergraphia, which basically is a fancy word for meaning you have the compulsion to write. When I’m not able to write, I just go crazy. There is nothing more relaxing to me than being able to go into another world and be with other people. Publishing is great, getting your work out there, but perhaps my favorite thing about writing is just being able to do it.

7.  Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming novel this summer?
The Bleeding Crowd, which should be coming out around August this year  (the contract was only recently signed so we’ll see how things go with edits and cover art and all that), is a science fiction novel that takes place in a society where militant feminists have taken over the world and moved men into camps since they believe men are the reason there are problems in the world. Overall, it’s a bit of a satire that follows a men’s rights uprising and one of the women who unwillingly gets pulled into it.

8. What do you hope readers take away from Grey Areas after reading?
 Mostly, I just hope they have a good time of it. Everybody takes something different out of a story, and honestly that’s one of the great things about reading in my opinion. They can agree or disagree with this idea of people being both good and evil, about it being a choice, but I hope that everyone who reads it at least comes away going ‘That was fun.’

Check out Jessica Dall's novel Grey Areas at Amazon!

Willow and her friends have a special bond. They had no idea it was anything exceptional until James joined their group. At first, they were sceptical of his insistence they were Eudaimons and they had to hide from the dangerous Cacodaimons who had gathered close by. Then Willow started dating Logan. There was just something unsettling about him. Soon, Willow and the others are forced to flee for their lives in a clash of black versus white, with battle lines shaded by grey areas

21 of 1001 Albums: Marty Robbins' Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

  When I saw the cover of this album I knew I was getting into some country, and I had mixed feelings. My earlier experience with country on this list wasn't the best, but Marty Robbins thankfully doused my immediate hesitance. The only disturbing thing about Robbins is that he sings a lot about being hung. I have a feeling that he felt he was a bad guy from a different era, or maybe a vigilante.
  Probably the most memorable song from the album was 'They're Hanging Me Tonight'. I think the only thing that would have made it better was if it had added vocals or a slight build up at the end. I felt it was working up to a moment, but it never got there.
  Robbins has a really good voice though, and there is something soothing about it. Even if you don't like country you can't deny there is something about his voice that keeps you listening.
  Marty Robbins is a definite improvement over The Louvin' Brothers, which I didn't enjoy too much. Something about Robbins seems more current even though he's singing about things that had probably been over for several decades by the 50s. He's almost like a guy who never grew out of his cowboy fighting childhood.  Once I'm done writing this blog I'm going to go back and give 'They're Hanging Me Tonight' a few more listens. It's strangely romantic, and eerie.

Book Review: Kathleen Y'Barbo's The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

  Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away
   Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can’t seem to keep to her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte’s father Daniel pressures her to settle into a nice marriage despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes. 
   Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can’t refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible. 
   But when Alex’s feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she discover that maybe this marriage isn’t so inconvenient after all?
  I'm conflicted about how to feel about this book. I could never identify if it bored me more, or kept my interest. There were times I found myself getting lost in the story, and other times that I wished I was at the ending. 
  The whole relationship thing of someone hating the person they are forced to be with is so over done. I understand that all stories will be rehashed, but this one is done so many times. Two people hate each other, and everyone else can see they are in love so they push them together. I actually just reviewed a book right before this one with a very similar premise. Guess what? That doesn't happen in real life, and if it does it certainly doesn't enough times for it to be constantly wrote about. I never find myself disliking a guy to discover that in actuality it's because I love him. This seems like the very poor excuse your parents give you as to why boys tease you in elementary school. That little boy in the 4th grade who picked on me didn't have a crush on me. He just wanted to be mean and tease me. I can now admit that in my twenties. 
   The lead character, Charlotte, is meant to be strong willed, and she lives up to it. The country this is set in seems to be a bit confusing. They are living in England, and she's American, but I seem to get no British vibe since she isn't living in America. 
   If you're into cute stories then you'll enjoy this.  It keeps things light, and doesn't get too overwhelming. You can check out the story at Amazon. 


I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for free in exchange for a review. 

20 of 1001 Albums: Ella Fitzgerald's George Gershwin Songbook

  I knew it was bound to happen, but this time I could not find any of the songs on Spotify. I guess that isn't  a bad thing though considering I could have never listened to the full 73 songs on the album. I started listening to clips on Itunes, and got through 20 songs until I discovered Myspace has the albums. Myspace still has it's appeal! Anyways, I decided to start at the last clip I left off, and see how many songs I could work through.
   The most fun song to listen to on this album is 'The Real American Folk Song'. I wanted to break out in a dance during it, and I haven't heard anything like it on any of the previous albums I've listened to. For the most part the other songs sounded pretty similar in style though.
 Fitzgerald seems really sassy though, and I like that. It makes you feel empowered, and like shaking your hips at whoever gets in your way. I think 'Boy Wanted' might even be one of my theme songs right now. Also, this music reminded me of what I hear at the Macy parade each year. I have no idea why, but most the songs had that type of sound to it.
  This music definitely would probably appeal mostly to women. A lot of her songs seem to be about finding the perfect boy, and if I had to guess I would say Fitzgerald was probably around her teens or a little older when she performed this album. Overall, it was quite an enjoyable album to listen to if you have a few hours to spare.

Book Review: Robin Lee Hatcher's Heart of Gold

  Against Shannon's wishes, love stakes its claim in her heart. Will she discover treasure or treachery?
  When Shannon Adair accompanies her minister father to the western gold rush town of Grand Coeur, she's certain she'll never be happy away from her beloved Virginia, even though the South is still gripped in civil war.
   Wells Fargo driver Matthew Dubois isn't sure the lovely Shannon belongs in Idaho Territory either, but he is a desperate man. His widowed sister is dying and leaving her young son, Todd, in his care.   Matthew wants to return to driving coach for the express company soon-so he'll have to find a wife to look after the boy when he's away.
   Shannon is determined not to lose her heart to a man who is neither a Southerner nor a gentleman. But love stakes its claim. Now, will her heart survive learning the truth behind the courtship?
  Surprisingly, Heart of Gold, isn't as cheesy as past romance novels I've read in Christian romance. I think Matthew's sister, Alice, kept a bit of realism to it with her sickness. It didn't have the fluffy, lightheartedness that usually accompanies books in the same genre. I also know that my mom has a few of Robin Lee Hatcher's earlier romance novels, so I found it interesting that I was reading something from the same author years later. 
  I found it interesting how Hatcher interwove history and romance together. I'm not sure how often this issue would have happened, but I assume for someone who had tragedy occur in their lives because of one side of the war, it would deeply affect their lives including if they met someone who was indifferent to the war. It's actually strangely relatable considering the huge political divide in our country today.  The book feels very parallel to that even though it was based during the Civil War. 
  Also, I find that many Christian novels struggle to blend Christianity and fiction together. Most of the time it feels very stretched. Hatcher does a good job of blending the message into the story though along with the debacle of the war. You can tell she has had time to master the genre she writes in. 
  If you're a fan of fiction then you might enjoy this. Christian romance isn't for everyone though, and regardless of how well it might try to hide it, there will always be that level of cheesiness you can't eliminate from it. You can check out Heart of Gold at Amazon. 


I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review.
  

Book Review: Gary Thomas' Every Body Matters

  Few pastors or Christian writers have dared to approach the subject of how proper eating and an active lifestyle can affect how we serve God. Author Gary Thomas does just that. And he reaches all the way back to the apostle Paul, who wrote that we need to prime our bodies to become, 'an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.' To illustrate the body/soul correlation, Thomas presents engaging and diverse stories that include a young mom who got fit through volleyball and reaped spiritual rewards in her marriage, a 300-pound pastor who realized his obesity was eroding his ministry impact, and a woman who gained the spiritual strength to survive a contentious divorce by training for a marathon. In every instance, Thomas makes a direct connection between the physical challenge and its spiritual consequence. This book is a must read for anyone seeking new and compelling motivation for strengthening their bodies and fortifying their souls.
  Though there are still many overweight people it seems that America has gotten into a workout craze. I've seen more shirts with bicycles on them, and more news features about senior citizen taking up exercising.  I personally am a person who has always ate in small portions considering my sensitivity to getting sick. It's very difficult explaining this to people who love to eat out often. I physically just can't.  
   This book isn't a help guide to figure out what your workout plan should be, but instead it's an argument as to why Christians should value being as physically fit as they can.  I believe the author makes good points, and I completely agree that the Bible does strongly push humans to be aware of how they treat their bodies.  Thomas is very good about keeping between the line of never saying it's sinful, and not desirable to abuse your body. 
   The only thing I wish the book had included was more focus on portioning your food. I don't believe you have to cut off sweets, or other things consider unhealthy in large consumption.  I believe it's the same with alcohol. You can enjoy things in moderation, but the author never seems to get to this point, which was disappointing. I personally don't exercise, and I don't think there is a strong enough argument for me to incorporate that in my day to day routine. I feel I'm active enough already without adding extra mileage. 
   If you're looking for motivation to workout, or maybe you're wondering how large of a case there is or Christians to workout then this book provides some insight. It is well-researched, and provides some good versus on the topic. I would warn to read the Bible yourself and be very aware of the context before taking the snippets of versus as fact though. 


This book was provided by Zondervan in exchange for a review. 

19 of 1001 Albums: The Dave Brubeck Quartet's Time Out

  At this point I'm really ready to be out of the 50s. There have been some really good bands in this era, but a lot of it sounds the same. I'm pretty sure this was another jazz album, and it wasn't near as fun as the earlier jazz albums I've heard in the 50s. It sounded a lot like grocery store music. I felt like I should be pushing a buggy and shopping.
  Considering the fact that this album wasn't really stand out I'm not even sure what to say about it. Some tunes did sound familiar, but I'm not sure if that is because it sounded like previous songs, or because I actually had heard it before.
  This album really is a Time Out though. If you're sitting and hoping to take a nap I'm sure it could induce that. Thankfully, there were only seven songs on this album, and none were over seven minutes long. Even though that was a bit too long to begin with.
  It is storming today, so I was also really stressed about trying to do all my work on the internet before something happened. Maybe that is cause for increased annoyance at not being able to enjoy the album today.
  If you're a jazz fan you might enjoy, or you might not. I want to know who is making this list, because I'm seeing some obvious genre preferences!

Book Review: Paula Vince's Best Forgotten

  A young accident victim wakes up in hospital and can't remember who he is. Why does he have nothing in common with his family? Why does he despise the person he was supposed to be? Why has his best friend disappeared without a trace? Is somebody after him? 
  His family can offer no solutions. His girlfriend is strangely aloof and he cannot shake off a feeling that the answers will prove more unpleasant than his amnesia. Somehow he must find out as it seems time is running out.
   Paula Vince has woven elements of secrecy and suspense with her trademark warmth and compassion. Best Forgotten is an inspirational masterpiece you won't forget.
  I have no idea if it was because I read this book in PDF format instead of print that it didn't appeal to me much. I had no idea the words would be so tiny on my Kindle, and I could barely focus in on it. Best Forgotten was easy to follow though, so I could keep up with most the plot line through the narrative. 
    The concept sounds very intriguing, and if you're a lady it probably sounds extra romantic.   The book was just very cheesy though, and that isn't what I'm into.  The character on the cover looks way older than the guy in the book is supposed to be too.  I think the writing could have been very easily improved with a good editor who knew the basics of making something read smoother too.  There were some words that were repeated twice, and the author's dialogue could have used improvement. 
   I almost wish I had gotten this book in print in the hopes of my review turning out differently.  The character's girlfriend seemed off. Plus the lead guy was named Cortney. That just isn't cool. It makes the male way too feminine. He also cried a lot, and I don't care if you're into that or not, but a man crying at the drop of a hat just isn't attractive.   One redeeming factor is that I was intrigued everyone spoke with an Australian accent. The way the letters are spelled in the narrative, and the dialogue easily give that away. 
   If you're into Christian romance, you might like this. Personally, I just could not find any interest in the book. I've learned not to request a book unless it can be read easier on a Kindle anymore. You can check it out Amazon. 


This book was provided by Bookcrash in exchange for a review. 

18 of 1001 Albums: Tito Puente's Dance Mania

  There is only one way to determine whether I liked this album or not, and that is to judge the sound of the music. The lyrics I can't understand since I don't speak the language. I have no idea what they are singing about in the songs they sing in.  The music was catchier though, and a huge relief from the very slow song I had to listen to last time. The huge problem though was that there was like 40 tracks to listen to on this album. It was a two part disc, and my attention span is forty minutes maximum. After a little research though I found the original version only has 12 songs.    Thankfully, I found that before listening to a whole other second album.
   I am almost certain though that I heard some of this music in Dirty Dancing. I'm sure I didn't since this music is from 1958, and it was based in the 60s, but still it sounds the same! It really does make you want to dance though. If you can resist moving to this then you have willpower that is insane. I want some of that willpower if you have any to spare.
  This is a fun album to dance to, but it does sound the same to me. It may be good for a casual listen, but nothing I would listen to over and over. I assume that Tito Puente was a huge influence and person in salsa.
   If you're looking for dance music then this is it. That is if you aren't into the whole electronic thing, which I am, so I could listen to modern day music and get that.

Wednesday Movie Night: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

  After his TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), breaks his heart, Peter (Jason Segel) wants nothing more than to enjoy his vacation in Hawaii. But there are two big problems: No. 1, Sarah's vacationing at the same resort; No. 2, she's bringing her new beau. Mila Kunis, Paul Rudd and Bill Hader also star in this madcap relationship comedy from hit producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad).
  I have no idea if I was in a mood when I tried to watch this or not, but I found Forgetting Sarah Marshall vaguely annoying. I have watched other movies where Judd Apatow was involved and I enjoyed them, but this time I thought everything felt too forced. It had a couple of funny moments, but overall I couldnt get into the movie. 
   One thing that felt forced was all the sexual, or dirty humor. It just didn't seem to fit with all the different vibes the movie was trying to give. One minute I felt the movie was a little serious, and then someone's butt would appear. I understand that many movies have butt shots, but there isn't anything funny about them.  In the first few minutes of the movie we see Jason Segel's butt more than five times. Once got the point across, and then I felt like the camera was just situated in a way to to get people to laugh at it. The awkwardness was already captured he first time seeing it. I didn't need constant viewings. There was a lot of him hugging people while naked too, and the concept isn't funny more than once. The sexual humor was extremely awkward too. It was more embarrassing than funny to me.
   I actually didn't think there was enough sympathy for Sarah Marshall though. She explains why she left Peter, and honestly it was good reasoning. I understand she didn't go about it in a good way, and could have handled her lack of want to be in the relationship better, but people make mistakes. Peter, and Sarah definitely don't need to go back to each other though. If there is anything this movie is good at though it's mixing humor while trying to appear serious. I will give it that.
   If you are a fan of Judd Apatow you may like it. I have watched things like The Hangover, and other Apatow movies, but for some reason the humor felt less forced in those comedies, which used the same gags for laughs. You can check out the movie at Amazon

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17 of 1001 Albums: Sarah Vaughan's Live at Mister Kelly's

   I'm posting a bit later in the day than usual because I had work today. I'm pushing it to keep it to at least one album every day though.  I haven't heard of Sara Vaughan before, and wasn't sure her album would be easy to find. Thankfully, it was though. Overall, it was quite bland though. I'm sure there are people who really enjoy her music, but I can't count myself as one of them.
   First, it sounded all the same to me. I never knew when one song had ended and another had started.  I will say that it's so monotonous that if you are writing, or trying to get work done that it will cause you to focus in on it, and zone out. You won't even realize what you're doing until zone back out again. I could have wrote the most assume cover letter to this in probably fifteen minutes, but sadly I didn't even think about writing that while listening to this.
  I really try to focus on the lyrics while listening to songs, but for some reason I just could bring myself to stay too focused on it. She has a very nice sounding voice no doubt, but I found myself zoning out while listening to it. I'm sure she is talking about love in some way, and for the most part it seems in a positive, happy, way.  Even if I liked the lyrics, I don't know if I could enjoy listening to this genre again.
   If you like Frank Sinatra this might be in your realm. I found Sinatra's music to be more catchy though I still wouldn't put it on my playlist either.  It felt like it took forever to get through this album though.

16 of 1001 Albums: Ramblin' Jack Elliot's Jack Takes the Floor

 Jack Elliot seems to be the playboy of the 50s. He has a song called 'Cocaine', and he talks about having three women in one night.  This is the first time that folk music is featured on the list, so if you're a fan of folk we are finally getting there! This was the most difficult album to find so far though.  Spotify didn't even have all the songs on the album, so a couple I sadly had to skip. I'm not even sure if this album in particular is available anywhere. Amazon doesn't carry it. If you do own it you probably have a piece of gold sitting in your house right now.
  If you're going on a road trip this would make a great addition to your playlist. It has a road trip vibe to the album. It is really country in times with the sound, and by the topic covered in the lyrics.
   Another thing I noticed was the hint of resemblance to Bob Dylan. I'm not sure if this guy was someone who inspired Dylan or not, but something about their voices sounded slightly similar. Elliot seems like a definite lead in to the the origins of folk though.
  If you are a fan of folk, or bluegrass I would recommend this album. It's soothing to listen to, and very relaxing. I was little shocked to find that 1958 had this musical sound. I guess that just shows how little I knew. Besides all this if you're a Jack Kerouac fan you'll be interested to know one of Elliot's other albums was called Kerouac's Last Dream. His music definitely has the feel of one of his novels.