Donald Miller – A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

Back again with another brilliant volume is one of my favorite authors: Donald Miller. The newest project, entitled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, is a story about a story. The central motif is the creation of the film adaptation of Blue Like Jazz. It is an idea that works well, and the thesis feels natural.

Some authors struggle to prove how correct they are. Miller doesn’t need to do that with this book. His theme is living a better story, and how we convey our inner most beliefs by the stories our lives tell. He discusses the people in his life that have told stories with their lives that he is envious of, and how he wants to change that.

Without giving too much away, it is a story that has had a great impact upon my own life, and how I perceive the importance of my own actions. Millers has come up with an esay way to keep perspective when you are making decisions, and it can be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve the quality of their own story. While it is not my favorite Miller book ever (that spot is reserved to Through Painted Deserts) it is a very very solid read and is definitely recommended to anyone and everyone.

4.5/5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Lost Symbol

Dan Brown has become a bit of a franchise author of late. His latest release The Lost Symbol, continues the story of famed symbologist, Robert Langdon. The lovable protagonist is called in again, shrouded in mystery, to help solve one of the longest running myths in American history, and come to the rescue of his long-time mentor. It would make one wonder, why he would even answer his phone! Steeped in “suspense,” the reader is lead from the improbable to the impossible, and back again.

This journey starts like many of the Robert Langdon novels. He is swimming. He is contacted by a strange man, with a crazy mission. He joins the crazy mission. He almost dies, somehow doesn’t, and finally becomes a hero. Purely . With that critique out of the way, we can look at the positives. This book is addictive. Once you get into the story it’s really hard to put it down. Brown continues to write in an authoritative manner, which makes you believe he honestly knows what he’s talking about. That, I think, is the secret for his success, and is his biggest weakness.

The only other complaint I have about this book, is the ending. It goes on 40 pages longer than it should. By the time he reaches page 509, you wish you had something better to occupy your time. It’s not his endless psycho-babble that ruins it, but it’s the fact that Dan Brown has a serious case of diarrhea of the keys. He has a tendency to use 100 words when 10 would suffice.

I know I’ve been hard on this book; however, it was an immensely enjoyable read. The story itself is very good, and has enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you can get past the inaccuracies, and the tedious descriptions you could enjoy this read.

7/10

Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage

For my second book review for Thomas Nelson, I read Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage. As the title suggests, this is THE Rick and Bubba of radio fame, and they do not disappoint.

At first I found this book to be a hard read, but the more I pushed into it the quicker the pages began to turn. The content is pretty sensible, but I didn’t find anything earthshaking between the covers of this volume. The chapters are pretty short and very easy to read, as both Rick and Bubba take turns narrating.

Overall it isn’t a bad read. However, you may be disappointed if you are expecting insight here to save your marriage. The content is a bit fluffy, but I sense a sincere attempt from the two comedians.  While I appreciate the effort, the attempts at humor were hit or miss. One thing I really didn’t like, were the interjected tables of “humor.” Rarely did they add anything to the overall theme of the book, and I felt a bit distracted.

What I LOVED about this book was the open candor in which the two authors spoke. I felt like they truly were allowing us a look into their personal lives. And unlike the tables the line the book, the anecdotes add quite nicely to the overall picture.

I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Angels & Demons

My first encounter with Robert Langdon was the night I watched The Da Vinci Code in theaters. I was captivated by the idea of the movie and the ease in which Tom Hanks filled the role. I’m a sucker for a good ‘treasure hunt’ film (in the sense that there are puzzles involving real places.) So it would make sense that I would check out the books. Well, with a full schedule of classes and work, that hasn’t happened until now. I was able to pick up the two Dan Brown novels featuring Robert Langdon for 50 cents plus shipping through Doubleday’s book club.

I decided to read the books in order, I’m a bit OCD about that sort of thing, and I’m glad I did. Landon comes alive in the pages of Angels & Demons, which clarifies a lot of things portrayed in The Da Vinci Code. The book is set around the papal conclave and a new technology threatening to destroy it, and the whole of Vatican City for that matter. Langdon is called to CERN to help solve the mysterious murder of a famed physicist. From there his journey takes a staggering twist.

I know its been well documented that Mr Brown takes a few liberties with facts in his novels. I for one am not bothered by this. What is concerning is the authoritative way in which the book is written. I can easily see people being sucked in by the writing and believing every word of this book. I don’t think that is Dan’s fault, because afterall, it’s just a novel.

My major critique of the story is the way in which Langdon survives his encounters with death. These just defy rationality, and gravity. Secondly, the book is a bit corny at times. Other than that this book is a must read and come highly recommended from me. 8/10

The Good, The Bad, and The Mad

The Good, the Bad, and the Mad by E. Randall Floyd offers a new look at some old characters. The book is a collection of short stories that often serve as mini biographies; however, they are often shallow and hit on only the most noteworthy events in one’s life.

Floyd is no historian, and that shows through his selected vignettes. As an American history major, I’ve come into contact with many of the people mentioned in this book, but Floyd shows his affinity for those that made their money on Science Fiction and Atlantis. This could either be the result of an author being desperate to publish a book, or one who is keen on those topics… For the record it feels like both. I’m not saying that I wasn’t entertained, I just feel as though he ran short of 4 page biographies and fell back on these topics.

While I respect many of his choices, I didn’t enjoy the layout of the book. It was ordered in alphebetical order, so it created a very disjointed feel. I think it would have been a better read if it were organized by occupation or noteworthiness. (ie Pillow and Jackson should have been grouped together since they were Civil War commanders.) There were no shortage of mystics and authors listed, so put them together in groups rather than sprinkle them through the others.

I was won over by the story of Joshua Norton. It was one of the few sections I wish were longer! Norton went bankrupt on a speculation deal, and named himself EMPEROR of San Francisco. The funny thing is…the citizens went with it, and loved the eccentric old man! It was a bright spot in the read, and I’m glad Floyd included it.

Overall I would give this a 3.5/5. This book is perfect for a vacation, or periods where you have a brief time to read. The sections are short enough to get through quickly, but offer enough substance to feel satisfied. Find at a library or a used bookstore.

The Noticer

As my first review, for book publishers Thomas Nelson, I selected The Noticer by Andy Andrews. The book is a collection of stories revolving around a man named simply known as “Jones”. Jones is a mysterious old man who has a tendency to come and go on a whim. To the residence of Orange Beach, Alabama, he is a legendary source of wisdom. Many of the residence have been influenced to “change perspective” in their relative positions, and easily enough, find relief from their circumstances. This book tells several of those stories in depth, and touches upon many more.

Although the book is 150+ pages long, it took me a little more than 2.5 hours to read. This one of the few positives this book offered. The dialogue was shallow and character development was nonexistent. It almost felt as though the author threw together a book, and the only connecting theme was the use of Jones, and the unbelievable ease in which these people’s lives transformed. Jones’ commentary is often corny and simplistic, and lends itself to disbelief.

I was left with two questions after finishing the book. 1) Is this book autobiographical? (Makes reference to past works by Andrews.) 2. Is Jones intended to be a Christ figure? The second question can lend itself to great debate, but also great confusion.

In all I give this book a 2 out of 5. If you are taking a vacation and need to kill time, this book will serve its purpose. Don’t expect it to revolutionize the way you look at the world, because you will be greatly disappointed.

New Blog New Attempt

I’ve had 3 blogs over the last 3 years, and they have all failed miserably. Mainly because I break my writing up. The stuff near and dear to me finds its way into the Moleskin. The other stuff makes its way into letters and micro-blogs (FB status/twitter). This leaves very little that is left to discuss. That is where the new blog will return. It is not a personal blog in the sense that you will find out what type of oatmeal I ate for breakfast, or what I did when I went out last night. Instead, what you will find are a series of reviews. Reviews on books, music, movies, food, you know – whatever I feel like reviewing. We all have opinions on what we encounter, and this is where I will share mine. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy what I have to offer.