Kate

What did you think of this book?

What did you think of this book? I have it on my TBR pile and can't wait to read it

It is subtitled that, and he speaks in response to those who share his faith, which is Evangelical mainly - and he does state this in the book.

This book is a Christian response to Richard Dawkin's "The God Delusion". At first glance one would think it will completely bash Dawkins' book, but it isn't like that. Yes Wilson does point out where Dawkins' is wrong and the flaws in his book, however he does give credit where it is due. Wilson is clear that this is a debate which will rage for years to come, and an issue that should be debated. He talks about what a good writerDawkins is and gives him all the credit he is due. As mentioned, this is a Christian response to the debate. Wilson used theologians and the Bible to back up his argument. He uses different styles and techniques to explain where Dawkins went wrong, such as how he does not talk about the resurrection of Christ and how a lot of his arguments don't actually prove there is no God. I found this a relatively easy and interesting book to read. It is only 112 pages long and there are some pages were the foot notes are longer than the actual paragraphs! This is an informative book which gives another side of the argument to the question of God and whether He exists. My only criticism was the final chapter, which I did not find easy to read. The debate was centred around evolution and there were a lot of facts and figures I could not get my head around as science is not something I really understand. Apart from that, it was a good, short, detailed book, which presents another side to this ongoing argument. 8/10

Not too surprised with the result tonight. Glad Lisa was safe though

Yeah I only stopped it because it is creepy and I'm a wuss, other than that it was a good read. I have just finished Don't Shout at the Guns by Lawrence Harris. It is a young adult's book based around WWI. My review is here.

Synopsis (taken from Amazon): World War 2 veteren Hank Jensen leaves New York for a nostalgic trip back to the battlefields of northern France. With him go his grandchildren, Aaron and Esther. When they find a camcorder which has an amazing flashback mode they have a real adventure. This was an interesting read which has left me stumped as to how to review it. It is clearly a young person's book about WW1. The story follows Hank, his grandchildren Aaron and Esther and two young Britons Hank met at the battlefield's memorial a few years before, Polly and Tommy. They go back to France to visit the sites of WW1 and the teenagers, with the help of the camcorder, travel back to 1918 and experience an adventure of their own. This book did keep me gripped and wanting to know what happens but I do have complaints about the book. Firstly, I was not convinced by the storyline of Jenson, the WW1 fighter. Although a good, engaging story, I did not find it realistic, and actually was not particularly informative about the War. Secondly, I was not convinced by any of the characters. None of them related to me, known of them touched me, I just wasn't particularly interested in them. And thirdly, I found it hard to believe that two teenagers would be allowed to travel to France with people they barely knew. However, that said, I did not put the book down and was intrigued to know the ending. This is a fictional, young adult book based around World War One. 5/10

I started The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux because I enjoyed the musical so much, but I didn't get on with it so well so have stopped reading it. It wasn't much like the musical and written so well it properly creeped me out so I have put it down. I think I just scare easily.

If the postage isn't too much I could spend this over to you?

This morning I finished The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. I posted my review in the non-fiction forum

Synopsis (from Amazon): This is the first Bryson book I have read and I really enjoyed it. The book follows Bryson's childhood, into teen years and was very funny. I was laughing out loud at most of the story. It was easy to read, a quick and satisfying read. Bryson does put the book in historical context and talks about historic events that occurred in the 1950s and 1960s, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the the threat of atomic bombs. However, this was interesting and often amusing as he explains how these events were viewed through a child's eyes. He is very honest about what he got up to as a child, including minor thefts and bunking off school. He recalls many funny events and the life he lead in 1950s Iowa. The end was a bit sad, when he talks about what remains of his childhood town and the memories of his friends. But overall, a hilarious book which I really enjoyed. 9/10

Both me and my Mum enjoyed the book I have just finished The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory. My review is here

Synopsis: I loved this book. I listened to it as an audiobook, and found as many chances as possible to lose myself in Tudor England. I loved the characters. There was a usual mix of those I adored and admired, and those I disliked, but also admired. My favourite character was Queen Mary. Her pride and determination were admirable and she made me laugh with many of her antics. I also loved Anthony the little page boy, who at 8 acted like a man, I thought he was adorable. The story was oozing with history and adventure. There was love, disputes between religions and the issue of family. Wealth played an important part in the story just as it would have done then; the more you had, the higher rank in society you held. And all the women grasped that and fought for that. I don't think I have anything bad to say about this book. I was gripped from the start and was not let down, even though as a historical novel the ending is known. However, it saddened me as I had grown to love Mary and Shrewsbury. This was a really good book. 10/10

So did I! oops. Interesting result last night, but I'm not too surprised. We are now going to slowly see the end of the good dancers. I want Lisa to win, but I think it will be an all-male final

Yesterday I finished The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon and I really enjoyed it. My review is here

Russia, 1854: the Crimean War grinds on, and as the bitter winter draws near, the battlefield hospitals fill with dying men. In defiance of Florence Nightingale, Rosa Barr - young, headstrong and beautiful - travels to Balaklava, determined to save as many of the wounded as she can. For Mariella Lingwood, Rosa's cousin, the war is contained within the pages of her scrapbook, in her London sewing circle, and in the letters she receives from Henry, her fiance, a celebrated surgeon who has also volunteered to work within the shadow of the guns. When Henry falls ill and is sent to recuperate in Italy, Mariella impulsively decides she must go to him. But upon their arrival at his lodgings, she and her maid make a heartbreaking discovery: Rosa has disappeared. Following the trail of her elusive and captivating cousin, Mariella's epic journey takes her from the domestic restraint of Victorian London to the ravaged landscape of the Crimea and the tragic city of Sebastopol. As she ventures deeper into the dark heart of the conflict, Mariella's ordered world begins to crumble and she finds she has much to learn about secrecy, faithfulness and love. This is the first book I have read by Katharine McMahon, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was convincing and engaging. At no point was I bored or struggling to continue. McMahon writes in a wonderful way, with humour, description and character. I easily slipped into the story and felt I was there. The story does jump between different locations and years, but I did not find this troubling, in fact I feel it enhanced the story. It was fascinating to read about how people at home viewed the war, how to them it was only a small part of their lives and how they thought it should go, compared to what was actually happening out there. I didn't have a favourite character, all of them touched me. I did find Mariella a touch selfish though. She managed to make the whole war centre around her, amazing! I was happy with the way most characters developed and how the story ended. I did guess what the ending was going to be, but it was still sad and a satisfying finish. I was left asking a few questions, but overall I really enjoyed this book. 9/10

So is someone still being kicked off the show? How will that work as they won't have enough couples for the end of the series?

I went for Dawn French and Julie Walter's books

Hello!

I have this out from the library, now I'm excited to get into it I've read Gentleman and Players by her and loved it so I'm hoping I'll enjoy this one even more.

Charity shops, the library, amazon, as bookrings, shops such as Waterstones and Borders, and from readitswap. I'm not fussy about where the books come from, just that I get them!

I agree Janet, I don't think he should have pulled out. He was great entertainment and although he was never the best dancer, last week I thought he danced better than he usually does. It is a competition about dancing and entertainment and I think the judges vote on the dancing and the viewers vote on the entertainment. I don't think the judges should have been so harsh on him, it wasn't his fault the public loved him. I think it is a shame really.