Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last!
When Charlie Bucket finds himself the proud winner of a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, he knows that he has the greatest treat in the world in store for him. Join Charlie on his fantastic world-famous adventures in Willy Wonka's miraculous chocolate factory, where he sees strawberry-juice water pistols, luminous lollipops, a chocolate river, and rainbow drops --- and has the time of his life. (back cover of audio book)
Three and a half hours of listening pleasure, reliving a childhood favorite. That's how I felt as I listened to the audio book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. I have seen both movie versions but have never actually read the book. The narrator does a nice job of reading the book; the author's descriptions of the factory are full of detail and fun; and the grandparents in Charlie's family are hilarious (especially Grandpa Joe). I very much enjoyed this classic book and would recommend it to others.
And I will continue to dream about the chocolate rivers...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Divine
Emma looked at the dark window for a long time. Her chin trembled. "Your story is amazing."
"Jesus rescued me from everything that trapped me. My fear and deception, my pain and my addiction. My faithlessness and promiscuity." She took a breath. "Even my desire to end my life. It's all in the past now."
"Nothing on earth could save a person from that." Emma's words were pinched by emotion, almost too soft to hear. "So what about me? How do I find that love, Mary? that love of Jesus that's so big He's all I could ever need?"
Mary felt elation race through her veins. Telling her story was draining. It took her back to unspeakable darkness and horror, back to the doubts and uncertainties and loneliness that had driven her into a life that should've killed her. But she would tell it over and over again until she died, for the privilege of having a woman like Emma ask her about Jesus. (p. 323)
Divine by Karen Kingsbury is a modern day story of Mary Magdalene. Emma Johnson has arrived at a women's shelter in Washington, DC ready to end her life. She meets the famous Mary Madison, a woman with a past who now devotes her life to others who need rescue from abuse. Mary's story is moving and horrific. As it unfolds, Emma finds it nearly parallels her own story. And as the two women share their stories, they discover the life saving love of Jesus that will change their futures and their lives forever.
A powerful story of abuse and rescue, love and faith, Divine is open, honest, and rich in detail. Karen Kingsbury again demonstrates her ability to make fiction come to life with characters and storylines that encourage her readers to question and evaluate their own relationships with people and with God. Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors and Divine reminds me why. I highly recommend this book to others.
"Jesus rescued me from everything that trapped me. My fear and deception, my pain and my addiction. My faithlessness and promiscuity." She took a breath. "Even my desire to end my life. It's all in the past now."
"Nothing on earth could save a person from that." Emma's words were pinched by emotion, almost too soft to hear. "So what about me? How do I find that love, Mary? that love of Jesus that's so big He's all I could ever need?"
Mary felt elation race through her veins. Telling her story was draining. It took her back to unspeakable darkness and horror, back to the doubts and uncertainties and loneliness that had driven her into a life that should've killed her. But she would tell it over and over again until she died, for the privilege of having a woman like Emma ask her about Jesus. (p. 323)
Divine by Karen Kingsbury is a modern day story of Mary Magdalene. Emma Johnson has arrived at a women's shelter in Washington, DC ready to end her life. She meets the famous Mary Madison, a woman with a past who now devotes her life to others who need rescue from abuse. Mary's story is moving and horrific. As it unfolds, Emma finds it nearly parallels her own story. And as the two women share their stories, they discover the life saving love of Jesus that will change their futures and their lives forever.
A powerful story of abuse and rescue, love and faith, Divine is open, honest, and rich in detail. Karen Kingsbury again demonstrates her ability to make fiction come to life with characters and storylines that encourage her readers to question and evaluate their own relationships with people and with God. Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors and Divine reminds me why. I highly recommend this book to others.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Shack
Dipping his hand in the water, he played, watching the patterns his movements made. "I'm realizing how few answers I have ... to anything. You know, you've turned me upside down or inside out or something." (p.198)
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is not just a book to read. It is a reading experience that will not be forgotten. A few years after the beginning of Mackenzie's Great Sadness, he receives a note inviting him back to the shack where police found evidence from the disappearance and murder of his youngest daughter Missy. The note is from Papa, a name that his wife Nan uses when she speaks of God. Curious and against his better judgment, Mack returns to the shack for a weekend that will change his life forever. His experience at the shack will also change everything he believes and understands about love, relationships, life, and faith.
The Shack is a book that left me changed as well. Although it is a fiction book, it provided much thought and reflection to my own beliefs and understanding of love, relationships, life and faith. I loved it and have already recommended the book to several of my friends. It is a must read for people who question and/or need the reassurance of the presence of God in our lives and crazy world.
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is not just a book to read. It is a reading experience that will not be forgotten. A few years after the beginning of Mackenzie's Great Sadness, he receives a note inviting him back to the shack where police found evidence from the disappearance and murder of his youngest daughter Missy. The note is from Papa, a name that his wife Nan uses when she speaks of God. Curious and against his better judgment, Mack returns to the shack for a weekend that will change his life forever. His experience at the shack will also change everything he believes and understands about love, relationships, life, and faith.
The Shack is a book that left me changed as well. Although it is a fiction book, it provided much thought and reflection to my own beliefs and understanding of love, relationships, life and faith. I loved it and have already recommended the book to several of my friends. It is a must read for people who question and/or need the reassurance of the presence of God in our lives and crazy world.
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