Stuff I've read recently 1

OK, so it's actually been a very long time since I wrote a book review post so there's bound to be lots of nooks that I've read since that last one that I've completely forgotten about, but I'm gonna try and bring your as much as possible of what I can recall. I want to try and get these done more regularly, hence the number in the title, but we'll see where that goes. I'm going to restrict myself to giving you the book information, opening and/or significant lines and a brief review - we'll see how that goes huh?

The Book of Proverbs - God et Solomon

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ... The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

A very helpful book, pleading with the reader to seek wisdom, to control their actions and above all to seek God. The book is a series of short sharp statements on life which are often simple and basic, but at the same time very profound. The broken up nature makes it easy to read and memorise

Ecclesiates - God et "The Teacher"

" The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem: 'Meaningless! Meaningless!' says the Teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

Not quite what you'd expect in the Bible huh?! But a very good comment that's very relevant to our society that's obsessed with the latest thing and places and extreme priority on what we "do" which is all meaningless in the end, so you have to either find meaning in God or "make your own meaning" as seems to be very popular.

Song of Songs - God et Solomon

"Solomon's song of songs. Beloved: 'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine."

This book is also a little unusual in that it's about love between a man and a woman, and while the poetry is weird to modern readers it expresses a passionate and sexual love between man and woman. I don't really understand much more of it, but it is interesting to see that it has it's place in the Bible and that love between man and woman in the context of marriage is important.

The book of Isaiah - God et Isaiah

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."

A very political book by a very political man, revealing God's plan for the world and the nation of Judah/Israel. it's most famous for chapter 53, which is a very clear prophecy of the coming of Jesus.

Well that's a chunk of the Bible done, I don't claim to have any decent knowledge so my reviews shouldn't me taken as anything more that cursory and insignificant, there's plenty of people who know what they're talking about if you want a better idea of what they teach. Okay, on with the other stuff.

Stormbreaker - Anthony Horowitz

"When the doorbell rings at three in the morning it's never good news."

The first book of the smash hit Alex Rider series, i recently managed to get an audio book of it for free and I loved it. I'd read another book previously and seen the film so i was very enthusiastic and it didn't dissapoint. This series takes the typical "boy becomes spy" theme and adds one critical difference - it's good!!

Third Girl - Agatha Christie

"She wanted to consult you about a murder she might have commited."

Okay that's not quite the opening line but it gives the best impression of what the story's about, the story takes several twists and turns and leaves Poirot without the pattern he needs to solve the murder...if there even is a murder! A good read (or listen in my case) and a testament to Christie's versatility.

The Affirmation - Christopher Priest

"This much I know for sure. I am Peter Sinclair, I am English and I am, or I was, twenty nine years old. Already there is an uncertainty and my suredness recedes. Age is a variable; I am no longer twenty nine."

A very good read, but be prepared to be confused. A man's journey of self discovery leads him to distant and unreal places - excellently written and very engaging. The author is best known for The Prestige, which recently came out in the cinema and if you've seen it you'll know the kind of mind bending story to expect.

Moby Dick - Herman Mellville

" Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world."

A good long read if ever there was one!! Melville's book is as much about whale's and whaling as it is about Ahab's hunt for his nemesis so don't expect to catch sight of thw white whale till you near the final pages. While it isn't boring it is a hard read and takes time to get through, but you'll know a lot more about whales at the end, and you get occasional glimpses of the story as you progress!! It is good with diverse and engaging characters and a fantastic setting.

Well there ya go, that's me. there's a few Star Wars and Doctor Who books I've been exposed to, but I think I'll discuss them on my science fiction blog if at all.

See you next time