by Jason Joyner | Jan 6, 2012 | Blog, Free Friday, Gem, Girls Like Us, human trafficking, Rachel Lloyd
In my last post I listed my favorite fiction books of 2011. There was one other book that impacted me in such a way that, even though I focus on fiction, I have to highlight it for people.
Girls Like Us – by Rachel Lloyd.
It is the memoir of a young woman who had a rough upbringing, ended up being trapped in the world of sexual exploitation by a boyfriend who was also her john, and managed not only to escape the life but start a non-profit organization called GEMS that helps girls in similar situations.
It is a raw book because it is a raw topic. Rachel’s story, and the examples of the girls from her charity, are real and ugly. They are stories that need telling.
I was interested in supporting the fight against human trafficking before – this book sealed it. It is a powerful read, sometimes unsettling, but never boring. There is much in our culture that lends to the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls. Pornography, the idolization of pimp culture in popular music, the ways that families and social services break down and leave children vulnerable.
I talked about the book in detail here. If you didn’t read it before, I hope you check out the post, but most of all the book. It is a wake-up call, and it is a significant marker in the battle against modern-day slavery.
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 4, 2012 | Andrew Peterson, Blog, J Mark Bertrand, Jenny B Jones is funny, K Bennett, Lisa T Bergren, Mike Duran, top books, Writing Wednesday
It was a strange year of reading for me.
I know I read a fair amount of books. Some just didn’t stick with me. There were several books that I started and didn’t finish. I’m getting picky. I don’t want to waste my time reading books that don’t grab me. I don’t have as much patience to give a book a chance either. They’d better grab me in a few chapters at most, or I’m moving on.
When it came time to put together my favorites, I had to think a little. A couple of books aren’t my usual cup of tea, but I really enjoyed them. One is considered “pulp fiction.” Shouldn’t a best of list be selective?
Nah. These are the fiction books I enjoyed the most in 2011.
6. Pattern Of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand. This is the second book in a series about Roland March, a homicide detective in Houston who almost burned out in the first book. Here he is continuing to deal with doubts about his ability even as he deals with a potential mistake in his past. I don’t read a lot of the hard-boiled detective stories, but if I did, Bertrand would make me very picky, because he gets into the mindset of March so well. The story simmers, and the themes of the book are deftly handled. As I said in my July review – no sophomore slump here.
5. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. The first book in the River of Time series. Two teenagers are in Italy with their archeologist mother, far from any social action. When the girls enter an ancient tomb, they are thrust into 14th century times, with knights and castles. Headstrong Gabi is separated from her sister Lia, and she is rescued by Lord Marcello. Bergren has done other novels in this setting, and her research and setting is top notch. It is supposed to be a Teen fiction book, geared toward girls. I don’t care. Good writing is good writing, and I’m a sucker for romance when done right.
4. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. After writing this post, I’m going to lose my man card. I picked this book up for my wife to read for a blog tour, but I had heard Jenny was a funny writer. I flipped through the first chapter, curious about her humor. I finished the book in a few days. Lucy needs a sponsor to save her girls’ home. Former QB Alex Sinclair needs an image makeover in his race for Congress. He’ll make sure Lucy’s charity gets funding if she acts as his fiancee through the race. Who knew such a plot would snap me in without nary an explosion? Again, good writing is good writing. And I got a shout out from Ms. Jones, so it was all good.
3. The Resurrection by Mike Duran. OK, so I break the pattern of initials in these authors. I’ve referenced Mike’s blog Decompose for a long time, and was excited to read his debut novel. Reverand Ian Clark is doubting his own faith, even as he struggles leading a California church. When one of his congregants, Ruby, is associated with a resurrection of a boy, he doesn’t know how to take the miraculous. Ruby doesn’t know why God chose her for a miracle, and the sleepy town they live in may not continue to sleep with such supernatural happenings occuring. It is suspenseful, a little creepy, and very thoughtful. Lots more on it, including an interview with Mike, here.
2. Pay Me In Flesh by K. Bennett. I think having a zombie book in here should cancel out the chick books above ;). Mallory Caine is an LA lawyer without a soul. Most people think lawyers don’t have souls, but she really is undead. She doesn’t look the part, but brains are her staple, along with justice for the oppressed. When she discovers a conspriracy that may be leading to Lucifer setting up his new base of operations in LA, will Mallory be able to stand up for the living and undead alike. This book reads amazingly like James Scott Bell’s work, but I’m sure it is just a coincidence…
Finally, my favorite book from 2011 is:
The Monster In The Hollows by Andrew Peterson.
Andrew Peterson is just about the favored all-around creative person of Spoiled For The Ordinary. He is an amazing musician, but his YA series The Wingfeather Saga is a wonderful combination of adventure, whimsy, suspense, and heart. Monster is the third book in the series that features the Igiby children, who were once normal children, until the siblings found out they are the lost heirs of a conquered kingdom and are hunted by the terrible Fangs of Dang and a Nameless Evil (know as Gnag the Nameless). One part Princess Bride, one part lyrical language, and a dash of Lord Of The Rings equals this excellent book and series. If you don’t believe me, my kids will tell you the same.
That’s it for fiction in 2011. There’s one other book that greatly impacted me last year, and I will share about it soon.
What books did you enjoy over the last year?
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 4, 2012 | Andrew Peterson, Blog, J Mark Bertrand, Jenny B Jones is funny, K Bennett, Lisa T Bergren, Mike Duran, top books, Writing Wednesday
It was a strange year of reading for me.
I know I read a fair amount of books. Some just didn’t stick with me. There were several books that I started and didn’t finish. I’m getting picky. I don’t want to waste my time reading books that don’t grab me. I don’t have as much patience to give a book a chance either. They’d better grab me in a few chapters at most, or I’m moving on.
When it came time to put together my favorites, I had to think a little. A couple of books aren’t my usual cup of tea, but I really enjoyed them. One is considered “pulp fiction.” Shouldn’t a best of list be selective?
Nah. These are the fiction books I enjoyed the most in 2011.
6. Pattern Of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand. This is the second book in a series about Roland March, a homicide detective in Houston who almost burned out in the first book. Here he is continuing to deal with doubts about his ability even as he deals with a potential mistake in his past. I don’t read a lot of the hard-boiled detective stories, but if I did, Bertrand would make me very picky, because he gets into the mindset of March so well. The story simmers, and the themes of the book are deftly handled. As I said in my July review – no sophomore slump here.
5. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren. The first book in the River of Time series. Two teenagers are in Italy with their archeologist mother, far from any social action. When the girls enter an ancient tomb, they are thrust into 14th century times, with knights and castles. Headstrong Gabi is separated from her sister Lia, and she is rescued by Lord Marcello. Bergren has done other novels in this setting, and her research and setting is top notch. It is supposed to be a Teen fiction book, geared toward girls. I don’t care. Good writing is good writing, and I’m a sucker for romance when done right.
4. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. After writing this post, I’m going to lose my man card. I picked this book up for my wife to read for a blog tour, but I had heard Jenny was a funny writer. I flipped through the first chapter, curious about her humor. I finished the book in a few days. Lucy needs a sponsor to save her girls’ home. Former QB Alex Sinclair needs an image makeover in his race for Congress. He’ll make sure Lucy’s charity gets funding if she acts as his fiancee through the race. Who knew such a plot would snap me in without nary an explosion? Again, good writing is good writing. And I got a shout out from Ms. Jones, so it was all good.
3. The Resurrection by Mike Duran. OK, so I break the pattern of initials in these authors. I’ve referenced Mike’s blog Decompose for a long time, and was excited to read his debut novel. Reverand Ian Clark is doubting his own faith, even as he struggles leading a California church. When one of his congregants, Ruby, is associated with a resurrection of a boy, he doesn’t know how to take the miraculous. Ruby doesn’t know why God chose her for a miracle, and the sleepy town they live in may not continue to sleep with such supernatural happenings occuring. It is suspenseful, a little creepy, and very thoughtful. Lots more on it, including an interview with Mike, here.
2. Pay Me In Flesh by K. Bennett. I think having a zombie book in here should cancel out the chick books above ;). Mallory Caine is an LA lawyer without a soul. Most people think lawyers don’t have souls, but she really is undead. She doesn’t look the part, but brains are her staple, along with justice for the oppressed. When she discovers a conspriracy that may be leading to Lucifer setting up his new base of operations in LA, will Mallory be able to stand up for the living and undead alike. This book reads amazingly like James Scott Bell’s work, but I’m sure it is just a coincidence…
Finally, my favorite book from 2011 is:
The Monster In The Hollows by Andrew Peterson.
Andrew Peterson is just about the favored all-around creative person of Spoiled For The Ordinary. He is an amazing musician, but his YA series The Wingfeather Saga is a wonderful combination of adventure, whimsy, suspense, and heart. Monster is the third book in the series that features the Igiby children, who were once normal children, until the siblings found out they are the lost heirs of a conquered kingdom and are hunted by the terrible Fangs of Dang and a Nameless Evil (know as Gnag the Nameless). One part Princess Bride, one part lyrical language, and a dash of Lord Of The Rings equals this excellent book and series. If you don’t believe me, my kids will tell you the same.
That’s it for fiction in 2011. There’s one other book that greatly impacted me last year, and I will share about it soon.
What books did you enjoy over the last year?
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 3, 2012 | alliterate much?, Athena Grayson, Blog, blogging, Free Friday, Mission Monday, Writing Wednesday
An announcement!
I’ve been blogging since 2006. I’ve posted regularly for quite a while, but in the last half of 2011, I started struggling. I didn’t always have inspiration for a post. I questioned whether I should continue with this blog, as I am working on a novel and wondered about splitting my writing time.
Friends encouraged me to continue, and I know that an author needs a presence online to help chances of publication in this brave new world of books and ebooks. Even with this, I limped to the end of the year.
|
| Keepin’ it fresh, yo? |
What do I do? How to keep it fresh after 5+ years of blogging?
Good ideas are worth stealing, and I’m going to borrow an idea from my writing and geekery friend
Athena Grayson and her blog. She has themed days that keeps her going with a structure and regular posts. That’s what will happen here at Spoiled For The Ordinary.
1.
Mission Mondays. I started this blog without much of an idea of a theme. Over time I wanted to bring out ideas and news about missions and being a world Christian. The time I spent in missions
led to the title of this blog and a radical change in life for me. Now I will be deliberate with it and highlight different stories related to the mission of God’s Kingdom on Mondays.
2.
Writing Wednesdays. The other major focus of this blog is on writing. I talk about my writing journey, Christian fiction issues, and publishing in general. Heaven knows writing blogs are a dime a dozen out there. Still, I’m interested in the process and will continue to add my own 2 cents to the never-ending flow of words – because writers never met a word they didn’t like (maybe “actually” is getting there, but I digress).
3.
Free Fridays.
Freedom! I’m not limiting myself here. I can post random stuff. I’m not committing myself. There may or may not be content on Fridays. Because I am giving myself that freedom. Nuff said.
There will be breaks in this. I am a regular contributor to the
Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy tour, which routinely runs Mondays through Wednesdays. This will supercede things when I participate.
I hope this helps me keep motivated and lets readers know what to expect and when to find things. I’m excited for 2012, and I want to continue on this journey with all of you. Yes, you in the back as well. Okay, even you Mark.
Here we go…
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 3, 2012 | alliterate much?, Athena Grayson, Blog, blogging, Free Friday, Mission Monday, Writing Wednesday
An announcement!
I’ve been blogging since 2006. I’ve posted regularly for quite a while, but in the last half of 2011, I started struggling. I didn’t always have inspiration for a post. I questioned whether I should continue with this blog, as I am working on a novel and wondered about splitting my writing time.
Friends encouraged me to continue, and I know that an author needs a presence online to help chances of publication in this brave new world of books and ebooks. Even with this, I limped to the end of the year.
|
| Keepin’ it fresh, yo? |
What do I do? How to keep it fresh after 5+ years of blogging?
Good ideas are worth stealing, and I’m going to borrow an idea from my writing and geekery friend
Athena Grayson and her blog. She has themed days that keeps her going with a structure and regular posts. That’s what will happen here at Spoiled For The Ordinary.
1.
Mission Mondays. I started this blog without much of an idea of a theme. Over time I wanted to bring out ideas and news about missions and being a world Christian. The time I spent in missions
led to the title of this blog and a radical change in life for me. Now I will be deliberate with it and highlight different stories related to the mission of God’s Kingdom on Mondays.
2.
Writing Wednesdays. The other major focus of this blog is on writing. I talk about my writing journey, Christian fiction issues, and publishing in general. Heaven knows writing blogs are a dime a dozen out there. Still, I’m interested in the process and will continue to add my own 2 cents to the never-ending flow of words – because writers never met a word they didn’t like (maybe “actually” is getting there, but I digress).
3.
Free Fridays.
Freedom! I’m not limiting myself here. I can post random stuff. I’m not committing myself. There may or may not be content on Fridays. Because I am giving myself that freedom. Nuff said.
There will be breaks in this. I am a regular contributor to the
Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy tour, which routinely runs Mondays through Wednesdays. This will supercede things when I participate.
I hope this helps me keep motivated and lets readers know what to expect and when to find things. I’m excited for 2012, and I want to continue on this journey with all of you. Yes, you in the back as well. Okay, even you Mark.
Here we go…
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 31, 2011 | Blog, Mission Monday, peg-leg jeans, Thailand
Welcome 2012! Tuesday I will be talking about something new for Spoiled For The Ordinary. Here’s a teaser – a story only God can write!
—
Twenty years ago I was part of something that became pretty incredible. It started with listening to God and a hunger for pizza.
I was on a Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach through Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Montana. We had two different teams, and my group was in Chanthaburi, Thailand during Dec/Jan of ’91/’92. It was a great group of people – single men and women, married couples, and families that were all strangers a few months ago, coming together to learn what it means to serve God overseas.
Chanthaburi is a neat city, but it is small enough that it didn’t have any Western food outlets at the time (No McDonalds or KFC sadly – or maybe not). We enjoyed the Thai diet of rice, vegetables, fish and chicken, but comfort foods are magnified when a few thousand miles from home.
One day a few of my teammates really had a craving for pizza. We had a few translators with us, and somehow they found out about an Italian restaurant in town. They hailed a taxi and made it there for lunch.
I heard the pizzas were interesting – no tomato sauce, so they improvised with ketchup.
However, the owner spoke English and was intrigued by the foreigners visiting his establishment. Chanthaburi is not a hot spot for tourism, so we did stand out. It turned out he was quite the businessman, and he also owned a disco in another part of the city. It also turned out that we had a group of musicians in our team – some of these guys were sick!
The businessman was excited, and asked if we could play for his disco. No big deal, right?
Our show date was New Year’s Eve, 1991.
The musicians in our group enjoyed scouring the markets to see what Thai music tastes were like. At that time they ran towards Credence Clearwater Revival, Phil Collins, and Richard Marx. Interesting.
They put together a set of songs from these artists plus some up-tempo worship choruses. A few of the songs lent themselves to a horn section. We had a really good sax player. Then there was me. I brought my trumpet, but I was more concert-trained. Where was my sheet music? I muddled through, and they humored me and let me play with them! We had three guitarists, but they were so good one switched to drums and another to bass to fill out our band. We were christened – “Lightforce”!
December 31st came, and we drove up in taxis to the disco location.
That’s when our leader’s chin hit the ground.
He had been on another outreach to Chanthaburi about three years prior. He remembered being on this street – the town’s small red-light district. He knew the disco.
Their group had prayed that this disco would be used to glorify God. That His praises would be lifted in this place.
We were there to do exactly that.
We serve an amazing God, who knows what is coming three years down the road when we are praying over a building in a foreign city, that something will happen. He can use even a craving for pizza. Shoot, our leader wasn’t originally scheduled to come to Thailand with us. He joined up as a co-leader to help out as our other leaders were first-timers as far as leading an outreach. If he hadn’t joined us, we wouldn’t know that God was cooking up something.
Something greater than pizza even.
 |
| That’s me on the left rocking the peg-leg jeans. And I still have hair! |
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 31, 2011 | Blog, Mission Monday, peg-leg jeans, Thailand
Welcome 2012! Tuesday I will be talking about something new for Spoiled For The Ordinary. Here’s a teaser – a story only God can write!
—
Twenty years ago I was part of something that became pretty incredible. It started with listening to God and a hunger for pizza.
I was on a Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach through Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Montana. We had two different teams, and my group was in Chanthaburi, Thailand during Dec/Jan of ’91/’92. It was a great group of people – single men and women, married couples, and families that were all strangers a few months ago, coming together to learn what it means to serve God overseas.
Chanthaburi is a neat city, but it is small enough that it didn’t have any Western food outlets at the time (No McDonalds or KFC sadly – or maybe not). We enjoyed the Thai diet of rice, vegetables, fish and chicken, but comfort foods are magnified when a few thousand miles from home.
One day a few of my teammates really had a craving for pizza. We had a few translators with us, and somehow they found out about an Italian restaurant in town. They hailed a taxi and made it there for lunch.
I heard the pizzas were interesting – no tomato sauce, so they improvised with ketchup.
However, the owner spoke English and was intrigued by the foreigners visiting his establishment. Chanthaburi is not a hot spot for tourism, so we did stand out. It turned out he was quite the businessman, and he also owned a disco in another part of the city. It also turned out that we had a group of musicians in our team – some of these guys were sick!
The businessman was excited, and asked if we could play for his disco. No big deal, right?
Our show date was New Year’s Eve, 1991.
The musicians in our group enjoyed scouring the markets to see what Thai music tastes were like. At that time they ran towards Credence Clearwater Revival, Phil Collins, and Richard Marx. Interesting.
They put together a set of songs from these artists plus some up-tempo worship choruses. A few of the songs lent themselves to a horn section. We had a really good sax player. Then there was me. I brought my trumpet, but I was more concert-trained. Where was my sheet music? I muddled through, and they humored me and let me play with them! We had three guitarists, but they were so good one switched to drums and another to bass to fill out our band. We were christened – “Lightforce”!
December 31st came, and we drove up in taxis to the disco location.
That’s when our leader’s chin hit the ground.
He had been on another outreach to Chanthaburi about three years prior. He remembered being on this street – the town’s small red-light district. He knew the disco.
Their group had prayed that this disco would be used to glorify God. That His praises would be lifted in this place.
We were there to do exactly that.
We serve an amazing God, who knows what is coming three years down the road when we are praying over a building in a foreign city, that something will happen. He can use even a craving for pizza. Shoot, our leader wasn’t originally scheduled to come to Thailand with us. He joined up as a co-leader to help out as our other leaders were first-timers as far as leading an outreach. If he hadn’t joined us, we wouldn’t know that God was cooking up something.
Something greater than pizza even.
|
| That’s me on the left rocking the peg-leg jeans. And I still have hair! |
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 20, 2011 | Blog, books, buy books, fiction, need a book?, reading
Are you done with your shopping? Need some last minute Christmas gift ideas? Never fear!
Here at Spoiled for the Ordinary we specialize in randomness, so a shopping guide is perfect.
I’ve seen a lot of pitches for giving a book this Christmas, to encourage the year-long gift of reading and learning. However, many people end up buying a series with long waiting times in between books. You don’t want your loved ones to be frustrated!
That’s why I’ve listed several series that have several books already published. Most are completed, so you can get the whole series, or at least have several books to read before you need another one – giving the author a chance to catch up to you.
Remember, if one book is a good gift, three or four are even better!
+++
If they like historical action with a dash of controversy a la “The DaVinci Code,” then consider The Gifted series by Lisa T. Bergren. Set in 1300’s Italy, a group called by God with special gifts must navigate the power plays of Catholic leadership and the darkness of Lord Abramo Amidei. I recently picked up the first book The Begotten for a minute and ended up reading the whole book again. Engrossing – and much better than Dan Brown.
One of the most unique characters in literature right now is The Bug Man, Nick Polchak. He’s a forensic entomologist who is brilliant with science and clueless socially. Tim Downs writes this series and his sense of humor, suspenseful stories, and trademark ick factor of a CSI show makes each one a treat. Several can be read stand alone, but he is working them as a series with the last several ones.
How about a little more alternative history? Stephen Lawhead is one of the best mythological writers out there. He loves to tie into old tales and bring them to life in his fiction. In The Raven King series, he does his own take on Robin Hood, taking him from Sherwood Forest in England and settling him into the dark woods of medieval Wales. An excellent series.
A little more modern? Try the series of coming to age tales in the deep South starting in the 1940’s, only with a spiritual warfare twist: The Black or White Chronicles by John Aubrey Anderson. The first book, Abiding Darkness, made me laugh and cry on the same bus ride. The next two books were just as engaging. After a publisher change, I have started into book four, The Cool Woman.
Current trends support superhero powers – just look at the hit movies from the summer of 2011! If you’re looking for that in book form, you can’t beat Robin Parrish and his Dominion Trilogy. When the main character gets Shifted into a new, powerful body with amazing powers, he finds other people wearing similar rings as him, with varied superhuman abilities. He also finds a conspiracy tracing through time, waiting for the moment with he would arrive! Suspenseful to the nth degree, Robin writes a literary comic book that rocks.
Maybe they need a laugh. You can’t beat Rene Gutteridge for this, and her Occupational Hazards books will keep you in stitches. The Hazard family grew up homeschooled and helping their parents with a clown business. When the parents die in a tragic hot tub accident, the different siblings look to make their way in the world. Their innocent faith and honest integrity lead them to a news room, an airline spy, and working as an undercover cop with fits and giggles.
If they need a book to challenge their grey matter, then check out the Chronicles of Chaos series by John C. Wright. When the Titans of old are force to live in an English boarding house, they discover burgeoning powers that bend physics and mythology into a strange, wonderful blend. If you like quantum mechanics mixed with your Greek gods, then this is the series for you!
If you’re looking at the young adult set, my first and best recommendation is The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Three children wonder about their place in the world, living under the oppresion of the Fangs of Dang. If only they knew they were the fabled Jewels of Anniera, and that they were destined to rule a fabled land. If they don’t get eaten by toothy cows first. Whimsy, lyrical, touching, and just too much fun, these books are worth adult reading as well!
Last but not least, there’s a great suspense series set in my own state of Idaho that will keep you up at night. Brandilyn Collins specializes in Seatbelt Suspense (meaning you better hang on!). In her Kanner Lake series, a small Idaho mountain town and its quirky residents must confront evil when murder and mayhem shakes up their idyllic setting. These books defy being put down, and also make lack of sleep a distinct option (from staying up too late reading or being too scared to turn out the lights – both are known to happen).
I hope you’ve enjoyed this special service. May your Christmas be full of joy and your tree stocked with good reading for 2012!
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 20, 2011 | Blog, books, buy books, fiction, need a book?, reading
Are you done with your shopping? Need some last minute Christmas gift ideas? Never fear!
Here at Spoiled for the Ordinary we specialize in randomness, so a shopping guide is perfect.
I’ve seen a lot of pitches for giving a book this Christmas, to encourage the year-long gift of reading and learning. However, many people end up buying a series with long waiting times in between books. You don’t want your loved ones to be frustrated!
That’s why I’ve listed several series that have several books already published. Most are completed, so you can get the whole series, or at least have several books to read before you need another one – giving the author a chance to catch up to you.
Remember, if one book is a good gift, three or four are even better!
+++
If they like historical action with a dash of controversy a la “The DaVinci Code,” then consider The Gifted series by Lisa T. Bergren. Set in 1300’s Italy, a group called by God with special gifts must navigate the power plays of Catholic leadership and the darkness of Lord Abramo Amidei. I recently picked up the first book The Begotten for a minute and ended up reading the whole book again. Engrossing – and much better than Dan Brown.
One of the most unique characters in literature right now is The Bug Man, Nick Polchak. He’s a forensic entomologist who is brilliant with science and clueless socially. Tim Downs writes this series and his sense of humor, suspenseful stories, and trademark ick factor of a CSI show makes each one a treat. Several can be read stand alone, but he is working them as a series with the last several ones.
How about a little more alternative history? Stephen Lawhead is one of the best mythological writers out there. He loves to tie into old tales and bring them to life in his fiction. In The Raven King series, he does his own take on Robin Hood, taking him from Sherwood Forest in England and settling him into the dark woods of medieval Wales. An excellent series.
A little more modern? Try the series of coming to age tales in the deep South starting in the 1940’s, only with a spiritual warfare twist: The Black or White Chronicles by John Aubrey Anderson. The first book, Abiding Darkness, made me laugh and cry on the same bus ride. The next two books were just as engaging. After a publisher change, I have started into book four, The Cool Woman.
Current trends support superhero powers – just look at the hit movies from the summer of 2011! If you’re looking for that in book form, you can’t beat Robin Parrish and his Dominion Trilogy. When the main character gets Shifted into a new, powerful body with amazing powers, he finds other people wearing similar rings as him, with varied superhuman abilities. He also finds a conspiracy tracing through time, waiting for the moment with he would arrive! Suspenseful to the nth degree, Robin writes a literary comic book that rocks.
Maybe they need a laugh. You can’t beat Rene Gutteridge for this, and her Occupational Hazards books will keep you in stitches. The Hazard family grew up homeschooled and helping their parents with a clown business. When the parents die in a tragic hot tub accident, the different siblings look to make their way in the world. Their innocent faith and honest integrity lead them to a news room, an airline spy, and working as an undercover cop with fits and giggles.
If they need a book to challenge their grey matter, then check out the Chronicles of Chaos series by John C. Wright. When the Titans of old are force to live in an English boarding house, they discover burgeoning powers that bend physics and mythology into a strange, wonderful blend. If you like quantum mechanics mixed with your Greek gods, then this is the series for you!
If you’re looking at the young adult set, my first and best recommendation is The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Three children wonder about their place in the world, living under the oppresion of the Fangs of Dang. If only they knew they were the fabled Jewels of Anniera, and that they were destined to rule a fabled land. If they don’t get eaten by toothy cows first. Whimsy, lyrical, touching, and just too much fun, these books are worth adult reading as well!
Last but not least, there’s a great suspense series set in my own state of Idaho that will keep you up at night. Brandilyn Collins specializes in Seatbelt Suspense (meaning you better hang on!). In her Kanner Lake series, a small Idaho mountain town and its quirky residents must confront evil when murder and mayhem shakes up their idyllic setting. These books defy being put down, and also make lack of sleep a distinct option (from staying up too late reading or being too scared to turn out the lights – both are known to happen).
I hope you’ve enjoyed this special service. May your Christmas be full of joy and your tree stocked with good reading for 2012!
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 13, 2011 | bad use of tinsel, Blog, Christmas, culture wars, holiday trees
|
| Some traditions need changed |
It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Perhaps.
To some people.
During the holiday season, we hear accusations of “culture wars” or “Christmas wars.” There are various stories of people complaining that some politician is calling the city’s decorations a “Holiday Tree” instead of a Christmas tree. Elementary students can’t sing traditional Christmas carols like “Angels We Have Heard On High,” only songs like “Jingle Bells.”
Christians get worked up over the scrubbing of Christ from Christmas. Secular people state that not everyone is celebrating the same thing.
On a similar note, my family enjoyed The Sing Off on NBC. The singers they bring in are so amazing. They had a Christmas special on December 5th, and it brought some of the most popular groups from the 3 seasons to perform. It was a very enjoyable performance, but I realized after a while that all of the songs were focused at the secular side of Christmas. I didn’t listen to every performance, so I may have missed something, but even though it was billed as Christmas and inspirational, there were no Christmas hymns. The groups may not be Christians, but some amazing songs come from the Christmas hymn tradition and would be great for acapella groups to tackle.
I am not here to throw another punch for the culture wars. I still enjoyed this special. It is still disappointing to listen to two hours of music without any classic hymns. It is sad to miss out on Christ in Christmas.
Secular people may point to the facts that Christianity superceded other pagan holidays or traditions over time to draw people to Church celebrations. Point taken! Guilty as charged.
I can’t change that fact. Still, we have hundreds of years of tradition for Christmas. Even though some traditions are relatively new, there is still background that has changed rapidly in the last several years.
I’m willing to share. I don’t care if a Christmas album has “Jingle Bells” or “White Christmas” on it. But I don’t want to see “O Holy Night” or “Go Tell It On The Mountain” relegated to church only though. Why can’t we all have time in December? How does that sound?
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