The Irresponsible Reader - I Read (a lot) and then Rant, Rave and maybe Review

April 2024 in Retrospect: What I Read/Listened to/Wrote About

On May 9, 2024

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

I finished 25 titles (1 up from last month, 2 down from last April), with an equivalent of 7,323+ pages or the equivalent (456+ up from last month), and gave them an average of 3.8 stars (.1 up from last month). That total does include 2 picture books, 3 board books, and a book I’ve been working on since January, so…make of that what you will.

On the writing side, I disappointed myself–despite a lot of plans to the contrary and attempts to do more, it just fizzled out. Entirely understandably so I’m already over the disappoinment, given what was distracting me and the energy devoted to that (I’ll get around to talking about things later, but just know that the news is good now).

Anyway, here’s what happened here in April.
Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to

Still Reading

Ratings

		Average =	3.8
	2		0
	3		0
	10		0
	3		0
	7

TBR Stacks/Piles/Heaps

	Audio	E-book	Physical	Goodreads Want-to-Read	NetGalley Shelf/ARCs/Review Copies
End of 2023	6	46	68	153	5
1st of the Month	4	50	64	154	5
Added	3	1	22	6	4
Read/ Listened	3	1	4	0	2
Current Total	4	50	82	160	7

Breakdowns:
“Traditionally” Published: 20
Self-/Independent Published: 5

Genre	This Month	Year to Date
Children’s	1 (4%)	4 (5%)
Fantasy	1 (4%)	11 (13%)
General Fiction/ Literature	1 (4%)	8 (9%)
Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller	10 (40%)	28 (32%)
Non-Fiction	3 (12%)	10 (11%)
Science Fiction	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Theology/ Christian Living	5 (20%)	6 (7%)
Urban Fantasy	4 (16%)	11 (13%)
“Other” (Horror/ Humor/ Steampunk/ Western)	0 (0%)	10 (11%)

Review-ish Things Posted

PUB DAY (and updated) REPOST: The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword by Dewey Conway & Bill Adams: A Would-Be Champion, A Would-Be Scribe, and a Fire-Burping Rooster
Grandpappy’s Corner: Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb, Erin Kraan (Illustrator): Adorable Art, Great Rhymes, and a Sweet Ending
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity by Carl R. Trueman: Why The Church Needs Creeds
The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 51: Come Around by R. T. Slaywood: Bonaduke Gains a Friend
The Ballad of Bonaduke—Episode 52: Separation by R. T. Slaywood: The First Step
Grandpappy’s Corner: Panda Pat and the Rat Called Cat by Neil Ballard, Steven Nosov (Illustrator): A Nice Rodent with an Unfortunate Nickname
Cultural Christians in the Early Church by Nadya Williams: Same Song, Older Verses
Time-Marked Warlock by Shamie Stovall: A Mulligan-Equipped PI
Great Minds on Small Things by Matthew Qvortrup: Philosophers Addressing Ordinary
Grandpappy’s Corner: Along Came a Radioactive Spider by Annie Hunter Eriksen, Lee Gatlin (Illustrator): The Man Behind Spidey’s Look (and more!)
Grandpappy’s Corner: Tiny Hands Hymns, Tiny Hands Prayers, and Tiny Hands Promises edited by Hannah Duguid Estes, illustrated by Jessica Hiatt: A Great Set of Starter Devotional Reads
Namaste Mart Confidential by Andrew Miller: A Pair of Unlikely P.I.s Search for a Missing Woman

Other Things I Wrote
Other than the Saturday Miscellanies (6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th), I also wrote:

Enough about me—how Was Your Month?

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books with Stacey from Whispering Stories

By HCNewton

On May 9, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books
Like Carol yesterday, Stacy took her own intro into her hands. I’m trying not to take it personally (are mine that bad?). I’m very pleased to welcome her and her list to the blog today, there’s some good looking things here.

Hi My name is Stacey and I run Whispering Stories Book Blog, which I established in 2015. I’m in my forties, married to my fab hubby Steve, and mum to three grown up sons. I work in social housing and I do a lot of volunteer work too. Aside from reading I am a massive American Detective TV series fan and a big rock music fan too.

Many thanks to H.C. for letting me share my top five Desert Island books!
Oh, to be able to spend some time on a Desert Island, sit in the sun with a nice cocktail and no-one to bother me. Plus, lots of time to read!!

Below is my list in no particular order and a little about why I chose them.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. (My review – https://www.whisperingstories.com/snow-child/)

Snow Child
Well, I need a book to cool me down in the glaring sunshine and this book would definitely hit the mark.

Set in 1920s Alaska and based on the Russian fairy-tale, ‘Snegurochka’, which translates to ‘Little daughter of the snow’, The Snow Child is an enchanting and heartwarming tale of a couple unable to have children who relocate to the Alaskan wilderness to get away from being reminded daily about their situation.

One day they meet a young girl who is alone and frozen, she won’t enter their home and they don’t know where she has come from. The couple learn to live and prosper with the help of this young girl who they care so much about but is she real or made of snow?

The story is gripping and I just adore it, so much so that I have read the book numerous times and given people copies as presents too.

The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell (My Review – https://www.whisperingstories.com/the-stranger-times-ck-mcdonnell-book-review/)

The Stranger Times
OMG, if there ever was a book, or should I say a series that I knew from the blurb would be right up my street, this is it. If you haven’t read it, why not!!!

The Stranger Times is a weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but mostly the weird), it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable.

Set in my hometown this book has me laughing and giggling along, well it is written by a comic. This is a book to give me a laugh whilst I am stuck on this island.

From the wacky characters to the fantastical situations that occur daily, this is one of my favourite series and I hope there are many more books to come.

Where the Truth Lies by M J Lee (My review – https://www.whisperingstories.com/where-truth-lies-mj-lee-book-review/)

Where the Truth Lies
Another first book in a series I adore is this detective thriller from author M J Lee. The premise of the book follows Detective Ridpath who has been seconded to the Coroner’s Office. He used to work for CID until he was diagnosed with cancer. On returning to work the bosses decided that the Coroner’s Office was the best place for him.

What I love about this book and the rest of the series is one, it is again set in my hometown of Manchester and two, Ridpath is never one to back down and it doesn’t matter if he is coming up against his bosses or criminals, he tells them like it is. I love a straight talker.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I first read Jane Eyre when I was in high school. I wasn’t really much of a big reader during my teen years, reading just a few books a year, but this book stayed with me and I have a few editions of it.

I remember thinking I hated the classics and then bam, this book hits and here we had this young woman with a fiery temper and who came across so many obstacles in her life and yet she faced each one and was determined to live her life on her own terms.

Jane Eyre taught me a lot about resilience as a teenager.

Message from Nam by Danielle Steel (My review – https://www.whisperingstories.com/message-from-nam-review/)

Message from Nam
This is a book that touched me so much. I read it as a young teen when the Gulf War was happening. I didn’t really know or understand what had happened during the Vietnam War given that it was over before I was born but as the Gulf War was raging and there were daily updates and photos etc, this book spoke to me.

It follows the life of a young journalist, Paxton Andrews, who is in Vietnam covering the war, though it begins way before her journey there and shows you exactly why she needed the life. She needed to understand war, and wanted to show the world the truth about how it changes everyone.

I read this book so many times the cover came off. Then there was a movie (or TV show) which I adored too. I always swore if I had a girl I was calling her Paxton – The hubby refused stating our child would get called Paxo Stuffing (a UK brand). Luckily for both of us we had three boys.

So that is my five choices. I could have gone on forever with the amount of books I simply adore. I tried to mix it up a little with some from my teens and others that are newer books.

I hopefully have given you some inspiration for your next read. Thanks H.C. I enjoyed writing up my thoughts.

Links –
Website – https://www.whisperingstories.com/
Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/storywhispers
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/whisperingstoriesblog/

Be sure to check out https://www.whisperingstories.com/!

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Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books with Carol from Reading Ladies Book Club

By HCNewton

On May 8, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books
This is where I should be introducing Carol and her blog, but she did the work for me. So I’m going to shut up and let her do her thing….

Shout Out to H.C. Newton @ IrresponsibleReader for this guest post opportunity!

I’m Carol, a retired 5th-grade teacher, an ardent and avid bibliophile, a literacy advocate, and your new bookish friend. My favorite genres are historical fiction, literary fiction, and contemporary fiction.

In addition, I enjoy reading selected memoirs and other narrative nonfiction. I’m an incorrigible mood reader.

My blog www.ReadingLadies.com is almost seven years old, and my mission is to share a love of great literature across a variety of genres with an intentional focus on new releases, thoughtful themes, diverse cultures, and “own voices” authors. I desire to be a trusted reviewer for your next great read! Respectful conversations are always welcome.

I love making book lists and sharing recommendations. My Top Five or Top Ten of anything varies from day to day

If I were on an island, I’d be thrilled with ANY five books! After all, I’m the kid who read the back of cereal boxes. In reality, I’d have my entire library with me on my kindle (with a solar charger).

However, if I had a choice of grabbing five physical books, I might reach for the following:

A Book to Encourage Endurance: a survival story set on an island
Castle of Water by Dane Hucklebridge
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Fiction, Survival, Cast-a-ways, Remote and Uninhabited Island

Link to my review: https://readingladies.com/2017/09/22/castle-of-water/

Sophie, an architect and honeymooner, and Barry, disillusioned with his career in finance and seeking inspiration for his love of art end up on one very small island when their plane is hit by lightning and crashes in the middle of the South Pacific. Strangers and sole survivors and as different as night and day, Sophie and Barry wash up on a small uninhabited island and survival becomes their primary objective. Sophie and Barry draw from each other’s strengths and skills and through harrowing experiences, keep the hope of rescue alive.
“And so it came to pass that two utterly disparate lives happened to overlap … bound together on an uninhabited island some 2,359 miles from Hawaii, 4,622 miles from Chile, and 533 miles from the nearest
living soul.

Crap, as Barry liked to say.

Putain de merde, as Sophie was known to exclaim.”

A Book For inspiration: one that will encourage me to write my own letters
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Genre/Categories/Setting: Literary Fiction, Father/son, Faith, Small Town Rural America

Gilead

Review link: https://wordpress.com/post/readingladies.com/16491

Pulitzer Prize 2005. New York Times Top-Ten Book of 2004. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. Marilynne Robinson writes the quiet story of three generations of fathers and sons. faith, and rural life. In the present day, our main character is most concerned that the son will truly know his father and appreciate the legacy he leaves.

“When things are taking their ordinary course, it is hard to remember what matters. There are so many things you would never think to tell anyone. And I believe they may be the things that mean most to you,
and that even your own child would have to know in order to know you well at all.”

“I’m writing this in part to tell you that if you ever wonder what you’ve done in your life, and everyone does wonder sooner or later, you have been God’s grace to me, a miracle, something more than a miracle. You may not remember me very well at all, and it may seem to you to be no great thing to have been the good child of an old man in a shabby little town you will no doubt leave behind. If only I had the words
to tell you.”

A Book About Family: one that reminds me of unconditional love
A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Fiction, Complicated Family Drama, California

Review Link: https://wordpress.com/post/readingladies.com/6599

A Place For Us shares the story of an Indian-American Muslim family whom we meet as they gather to celebrate a family wedding. Through flashbacks, readers are filled in on the family dynamics, family history, and become acquainted with the parents, Rafiq and Layla, and their three children, Hadia, Huda, and Amar. Told mostly from the perspectives of Layla, Hadia, and Amar, readers begin to appreciate the complexity of family relationships, understand the bonds that draw the family together, and become acquainted with the personalities along with the insecurities and rivalries that cause conflict. In light of the parents’ conservative Muslim faith and living in California, the children must find their way in reconciling the faith of their parents and their traditional ways with the reality of day-to-day lives, and individual hopes and dreams. At the wedding of the oldest daughter, which breaks with tradition and is a union of love and not arranged by parents, Amar, the prodigal son, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. The last part of the story is told from the father’s heartfelt perspective. This is a story of love, parenting, coming of age, faith, and belonging.

“Of all my mistakes the greatest, the most dangerous, was not emphasizing the mercy of God.”

A Historical Fiction Reread: one memorable and thought-provoking story

Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Slavery, Abolition, Women’s Rights, Charleston, Plantation Life, pre Civil War
The Invention of Wings

Review Link: https://wordpress.com/post/readingladies.com/6859

The Invention of Wings is a fictionalized biographical account of the Grimke sisters as they become trailblazers in the abolition movement and early leaders in the fight for women’s rights.

The story takes place in the pre Civil War era and begins on a plantation in Charleston. On the occasion of Sarah Grimke’s eleventh birthday, she’s presented with her own slave, ten-year old Hetty “Handful” Grimke. Sarah has always been uncomfortable with this tradition. At first, Sarah and Handful are more like sisters and playmates as they develop a friendly companionship. As the story progresses, Sarah leaves Charleston to join her adventurous and fearless sister, Angelina, in the north as early pioneers in the fight for abolition and women’s rights. We follow Sarah’s and Hetty’s journeys for thirty-five years as both women strive to carve out a life of their own and navigate a close and complex relationship.
“The world may try to dim your light, but it can never extinguish your fire.”

A Comfort Read: a favorite book about books
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical fiction, Book About Books and Book Club, Found Family

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Written in epistolary form, this is a warmhearted story of a unique book club that formed on the Island of Guernsey during WWII. Juliet begins a correspondence with the literary members and learns about the impact
of the recent German occupation. Her in-person visit will change her life.

“Reading good books will ruin you for enjoying bad ones.”

For Hope and Comfort: words from Scripture
The New Testament

The New Testament

Instagram
(Threads link in bio):
https://www.instagram.com/readingladies_book_club
Twitter/X:
https://twitter.com/ReadingLadiesBC
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/ReadingLadies
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16412589-carol-reading-ladies
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/readingisasport

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PUB DAY REPOST: The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani, translated by Sawad Hussain: The Scent of Death

By HCNewton

On May 7, 2024

In Book Tour, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Djinn’s Apple

by Djamila Morani , Sawad Hussain (Translator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Format: eARC
Length: 160 pg.
Read Date: February 24, 2023

What’s The Djinn’s Apple About?

Nardeen is a remarkable twelve-year-old. Her father is a physician known for translating medical texts from a variety of languages into Arabic, and Nardeen soaks up his work. She has an astounding memory and ability to understand what she memorizes.

But due to some political intrigue that she doesn’t wholly understand, Nardeen and her family have to flee their home one night. Sadly, she’s the only one who survives.

Nardeen vows revenge on those responsible for her family’s murder—certain that a friend of her father’s is ultimately to blame.

But before then, she finds herself being taken under the wing of a legendary physician and teacher, Muallim Ishaq. He recognizes her gifts and her heritage from her father—he arranges (mostly by the force of his will) to have her learn at The Bimaristan, a hospital of great renown. There, she’s able to hone her skills and knowledge—and sharpen her tools, resolve, and ability to mete out that vengeance.

Father vs. Father

There are a handful of various conflicts in this book (like with any good book), but at the core, this book seems to be a conflict within Nardeen herself. On the one hand, she has her memories of her father and what he taught her—what he showed her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she’s told about her father—by those who profess to have admired him and those who worked against him.

On the other hand, she has her (for all intents and purposes) adoptive father, what he’s trying to teach her—what he shows her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she’s told about him—by those who profess to admire him and those who work against him.

In many ways, these two fathers line up—but in significant ways, they follow and lead her down divergent paths. So much of how the plotlines of this book resolve depends on Nardeen’s acceptance/rejection of what these men stand for.

The Setting

So, this takes place during the “golden age of Baghdad”—Harun al-Rashid’s rule of the Abbasid Caliphate from 786 to 809. Now, everything that I know about this period of time comes from the appendices to this novel “Harun Al-Rashid: The Golden Age of Baghdad” and “The Bimaristan.” As they are appendices, I read them afterward. So I came into this not knowing anything—which is a bit intimidating. And I figure I’m not alone in this (particularly for the intended YA audience, who probably haven’t had much opportunity to study Eigth-Century history).

But honestly? Anyone who reads Fantasy/SFF knows how to approach something like this—sure, this is a representation of actual history, but the same tools and imagination you need to understand Westeros, Panem, or the world of the Shadowhunters equip you to get into this world.

And, like with those worlds, after getting this taste, you’ll likely want to read more about it.

While reading, and since then, I do have to wonder a little bit about how much Morani was stretching things about the opportunities presented to women in this time and place. Not just for Nardeen, either—but all the women she encounters at the Bimaristan (and I’d be saying this if the city was Paris or Rome, not just because it’s Baghdad). But I’m willing to both suspend disbelief for the sake of a good story and to trust that someone who’s as familiar with Arabic literature as Morani is more than my hunches.

So, what did I think about The Djinn’s Apple?

This book hits the ground running—Morani doesn’t give you the opportunity to settle in and get comfortable in this world or anything like that. She thrusts the reader—and poor Nardeen—straight into life-or-death action. Nardeen has a slightly better understanding of what’s going on than the reader does—but not much. This was a great way to start this read—you don’t get the chance to indulge curiosity or get lulled into thinking it’s a different kind of book than it is—you have to rush to catch up and then keep up with Nardeen and only get the luxury of starting to understand the world until she’s (relatively) safe.

There were a couple of times that I wondered about the timelines and how well they worked. I assume I just missed something (and didn’t want to take the time to go back and check). It wasn’t anything that bugged me enough to look into it, but I would’ve appreciated things being a bit clearer.

The characters of Nardeen and Muallim were so well drawn, so vivid, and so compelling that I really wish we had more time with them. Particularly Muallim—this cantankerous genius is the kind of character I really respond to. Now, given the pacing of this book, that’s impossible. And Morani picked the better option for her story. But the eccentric teacher and the stubborn and gifted student is a combination that could’ve made for a lot of fun.

Somehow in the midst of this propulsive pacing, Morani is able to litter the book with some great observations, some drops of wisdom (primarily from the teacher and student), and memorable prose (some of that credit has to be given to Hussain as well).

This is a fast, immersive read that’ll leave you guessing from the beginning right up to the end. You’d be doing yourself a favor if you pick it up.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Neem Tree Press and The Write Reads via NetGalley.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

My thanks to The Write Reads for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials they provided.

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books with Noelle Holten

By HCNewton

On May 7, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books
What can I possibly say about Noelle Holten? I first heard her on the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast, and sought out her blog, CrimeBookJunkie. Sometime after that I started reading her novels–and am an even bigger fan of those than her (too rare) posts. Noelle’s a great supporter of the blog, too–and has been known to share one of my posts before I get a chance to on social media–and expressed interest in taking part in these if I did it again. Well, here we are…

Her official bio states: “Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She’s a PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and she worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of cases including those involving serious domestic abuse. Noelle has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice, a Diploma in Probation Studies and a Masters in Criminology. Her hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.
Dead Inside – her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. 6 Ripley Avenue is her first stand-alone crime thriller and hopefully not her last!”

Huge thanks to H.C. for taking me up on my offer to share my 5 Desert Island books! Assuming I can’t take my kindle… plus I’m not scientific enough to figure out how I’d power it without a plug, here are the 5 books I’d choose and a little explanation as to why!

In no particular order:

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. Don’t be shocked it’s not crime as my love of philosophy is just as strong – my Hons BA proves that! Or does it? 🤔 The book is about a girl named Sophie who starts getting letters from a philosopher, Alberto Knox. It’s like a crash course in philosophy, wrapped in a story and has stayed with me for over 40 years. It’s about understanding people, the decisions they make, the importance of knowledge and learning as well as questioning everything. I recently bought a special edition copy to re-read and see if I pick up anything new!

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. A classic psychological suspense thriller, this story got under my skin when I first read it in high-school. I then became obsessed with the original film and anything since. I think this book just stands the test of time (I bought a special edition copy of this one a few years ago!). It is haunting, thrilling and emotional and if you haven’t read it yet… you should!

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Mainly because I might actually finish it! 😂 I have the whole collection and love the world-building, characters and imagery. It would be the perfect escape and it’s one hell of a story. Plus I’d get my fix of dragons… another obsession! If I could bring the whole collection, I would (but that would be cheating!

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This was one of the books that made me want to go into Probation. The question of morality and justice, good and evil, are prominent in the story as well as whether what the MC, Raskolnikov, did was wrong. A fine line where murder is just? 🤔 His conscience soon catches up with him as the police close in. I’ve read it so many times, I’ve lost count and will probably read it many more as I usually pick up something new from the previous read.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I’ve read the book a few times and watched the series multiple times because it is one hell of a story… something you could picture happening if certain people got into power. 😲 I was fascinated at the insight the author had and although there is violence, oppression, power, misogyny, etc … the fight for survival and justice is strong. It is haunting, thrilling and another that has stayed with me. So this would definitely be coming – in case I need any tips to escape!

There you have it. I stayed away from any current novels because as much as I would love to take a few, the choice was much harder. I’m a series gal as well, so this would make the choice even worse. Thanks again to H.C. for having me.

Are any of these on your list, let us know in the comments!

Be sure to check out Noelle’s blog and novels!

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Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books with Lashaan Balasingam

By HCNewton

On May 6, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books

Top 5 All-Time Desert Island Books
Lashaan is a Tolkien and Batman nut. There’s more to him, but those are the things that first jump to mind. His blog describes him as:

“A reader. A reviewer. A researcher.
He’s a Ph.D. candidate in criminology and works full-time in a North American police organization.
He has an eclectic reading taste but primarily focuses on science-fiction, fantasy, and graphic novels.
He might seem busy by day, but he chases after stories, whatever form they are in, by night.”

He’s also an incredibly nice guy who has pointed me to about 50% of the comics/graphic novels I’ve picked up in the last few years. Lashaan is one of the first I reached out to for this round of guest posts, asking him “What’s your Top 5 Desert Island Top 5 list?

Be sure to check out Roars and Echoes on a regular basis, you’ll be glad you did.

Yep. That’s THE question that always sends ANY reader down a dark, dark spiral of madness and mayhem. You’d think it’s an easy question with the number of books you might have already read so far into your life, but that’s just it. So many to pick from. Which five do you keep? So here I go:

Crime and Punishment cover

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (https://roarsandechoes.com/2016/01/30/crime-and-punishment-by-fyodor-dostoyevsky/)

I usually systematically go with this book as my all-time favourite novel, so it’s a bit hard not to keep it in a list like this one. Every time I think back at the first time I read and finished this book, I’m reminded by the suffocating psychological journey the protagonist goes through and that’s definitely a story I’d like to have by my side to relativize my own desert island experience.

The Hobbit cover

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (https://roarsandechoes.com/2019/11/08/the-hobbit-by-j-r-r-tolkien/)

The book that paved the way to my deep plunge into the professor’s fantasy universe. This one is sure to keep me entertained, to keep me dreaming awake, to keep me resilient all alone on my island.

The Lord of the Rings cover

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (https://roarsandechoes.com/2020/07/25/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-by-j-r-r-tolkien/)

I’m sort of cheating with this one since this would contain all three books in one neat edition, but hey, that’s the only way to get the whole adventure. How can I also not bring this along when it’s clearly the ultimate epic fantasy adventure that couldn’t possibly ever get hold no matter how many times you read it!

Dune cover

Dune by Frank Herbert (https://roarsandechoes.com/2019/10/02/dune-by-frank-herbert-2/)

Another classic that I’ll always cherish and even more because of the protagonist’s coming of age story, his ability to face the unknown, to surmount his fears, to embrace his prophecy. While I might not be able to continue the rest of the series on my island, this along will surely keep me happy until my last breath!

The Killing Joke Cover

Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore (https://roarsandechoes.com/2015/07/26/the-killing-joke-by-alan-moore-2/)

You didn’t possibly think I’d end this top 5 without at least mentioning Batman once, did you? One of my all-time favourite graphic novels is one of Alan Moore’s greatest creation: The Killing Joke. I’m always all giddy with excitement when I think of this particular story. Such a masterpiece.

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Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Programming Announcement/Sick Leave

By HCNewton

On May 6, 2024

In Miscellany, News/Misc.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve had this monologue from Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs running through my head:

EUGENE I’d better explain what she meant by Aunt Blanche’s “situation.” You see, her husband, Uncle Dave, died six years ago from (He looks around) this thing… They never say the word. They always whisper it. It was (He whispers)—cancer! I think they’re afraid if they said it out loud, God would say, “I HEARD THAT! YOU SAID THE DREAD DISEASE! (He points his finger down) JUST FOR THAT, I SMITE YOU DOWN WITH IT!” … There are some things that grownups just won’t discuss. For example, my grandfather. He died from (He whispers) diphtheria! Anyway, after Uncle Dave died, he left Aunt Blanche with no money. Not even insurance. And she couldn’t support herself because she has (He whispers)—asthma… So my big-hearted mother insisted we take her and her kids in to live with us. So they broke up our room into two small rooms, and me and my brother Stan live on this side, and Laurie and her sister Nora live on the other side. My father thought it would just be temporary, but it’s been three and a half years so far and I think because of Aunt Blanche’s situation, my father is developing (He whispers)—high blood pressure!

I’m not the whispering type, but I’ve thought about that at least daily. And it has inspired me to whisper bits of my news just to amuse myself when I tell others about it. Early last month, a radiologist who was supposed to be looking for something else, noticed that my right kidney had a tumor on it that was most likely cancerous. The treatment for this is simple: remove the kidney. I have a spare, right? There’s no sign of it anywhere else, so this simple procedure will get set right.

By the time this posts, I should be fully anesthetized and won’t come out of it for a few hours. I’m supposed to lie low for a couple of weeks, and since I don’t know how I’ll be feeling over those weeks, I’ve arranged for some friends, acquaintances, and a stranger or two to drop by with some guest posts. Some will be a new Iteration of the All-Time Desert Island Top 5 lists from last year. Some will be other lists or posts, a guest review or two, and who knows what else? Some of the contributors won’t be strangers to readers of this blog. Some are new to this space. All of them have contributed something I enjoyed reading—hopefully, you do, too.

Also, since I can’t schedule posts there, my daughter has taken control of my BlueSky and Threads accounts. There’s a strong possibility that shenanigans may ensue there.

While you’re being entertained by my guests, I have a stack of (mostly lighter) reads to work through and a few movies I’ve been putting off while doing as little as I can. I’ll likely be popping back with a post or two (how many are to be determined) along the way, and plan on being back cancer-free and one renal organ lighter by the 20th.

I borrowed the kidney above from the blog we ran about my son’s kidney transplant, etc. So I’ll thank V.X. Blackthorne for doing that again. And clearly there is something about my family and kidneys (there’s nothing other than correlation when it comes to this and my son’s issues), but we don’t know what it is.

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Institutes of Elenctic Theology Vol. 1: First through Tenth Topics by Francis Turretin: A Master Class on Theology and Methodology

By HCNewton

On May 5, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Institutes of Elenctic Theology
Vol. 1: First through Tenth Topics

by Francis Turretin, George Musgrave Giger (Translator), James T. Dennison, Jr. (Editor)

DETAILS:
Series: Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 1
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Publication Date: October 1, 1992
Format: Hardcover
Length: 685 pg.
Read Date: January 7- April 28, 2024

What’s Elenctic Theology Anyway?

Elenctic refers to a logical method involving asking questions, of defending a position (or arguing to persuade people to accept it) by proposing alternatives and asking a series of questions—practically cross-examing the alternatives, to show the problems of the alternatives. A good deal of what we call the “Socratic method” is elenctics.

Therefore, Elenctic Theology is a form of defending the the truth of Christianity or Christian dogmas by suggesting alternatives and demonstrating their lack by way of asking and answering questions about them. Or by asking a question about a true dogma and asking questions that affirm them. Aquinas’ Summa Contra Gentiles is one example. This book is another.

What’s Institutes of Elenctic Theology Then?

For a long time, it was the standard textbook to train Presbyterian and Reformed ministers in various parts of the world—including the U.S.—until Charles Hodge’s systematic theology overtook it in popularity (Hodge, it should be noted had his students read Turretin’s Institutes).

Turretin wrote it at the height of Protestant Scholasticism, defending the Reformed understanding of Christianity in a post-Synod of Dordt and post-Westminster Assembly-era. He interacts with the best of Roman Catholic theology of the era, as well as Socinians, Remonstrants (read: Arminians), Lutherans, and others.

He examines the big issues of the time—and several smaller issues, as well. In this volume, he covers the first 10 of the 20 topics he’ll cover in the three volumes (which suggests something about the length he’ll discuss the second half of the topics in the following volumes). The topics in this volume are:

Theology

The Holy Scriptures
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The One and Triune God
bullet

The Decrees of God in General and Predestination in Particular
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Creation

The Actual Providence of God
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Angels

The State of Man Before the Fall and the Covenant of Nature
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Sin in General and in Particular
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The Free Will of Man in a State of Sin

Turretin’s Method

I think the best way to show how Turretin approaches these discussions is to show you the list of questions from one of the topics. Here’s what he looks at in the roughly 120 pages of The Fourth Topic: The Decrees of God in General and Predestination in Particular:
I. Are decrees in God, and how?
Il. Are the decrees of God eternal? We affirm against Socinus.
Ill. Are there conditional decrees? We deny against the Socinians, Remonstrants and Jesuits.
IV. Does the decree necessitate future things? We affirm.
V. Is the fixed and immovable end of the life of each man with all its circumstances so determined by the decree of God, that he cannot die in another moment of time or by another kind of death than that in which he does die? We affirm against the Socinians and Remonstrants.
VI. Ought predestination to be publicly taught and preached? We affirm.
VII. In what sense are the words “predestination,” prognōseōs, eklogēs and prosthesōs used in this mystery?
VIII. Was there a predestination of angels, and was it of the same kind and order with the predestination of men? The former we affirm; the latter we deny.
IX. Whether the object of predestination was man creatable, or capable of falling; or whether as created and fallen. The former we deny; the latter we affirm.
X. Is Christ the cause and foundation of election? We deny against the Arminians and Lutherans.
XI. Is election made from the foresight of faith, or works; or from the grace of God alone? The former we deny; the latter we affirm.
XII. Is the election of certain men to salvation constant and immutable? We affirm against the Remonstrants.
XIII. Can the believer be certain of his own election with a certainty not only conjectural and moral, but infallible and of faith? We affirm against the papists and Remonstrants.
XIV. Is the decree of reprobation absolute, depending upon the good pleasure (eudokia) of God alone; or is sin its proper cause? We distinguish.
XV. Is infidelity, or unbelief of the gospel, presupposed as a cause of reprobation? We deny against the Remonstrants.
XVI. Is the will of God to save persevering believers and condemn the unbelieving, the whole decree of reprobation? We deny against the Remonstrants.
XVII. Can there be attributed to God any conditional will, or universal purpose of pitying the whole human race fallen in sin, of destinating Christ as Mediator to each and all, and of calling them all to a saving participation of his benefits? We deny.
XVIII. Is any order to be admitted in the divine decrees, and what is it?

I’m not sure if it was while reading this topic (I think so), or something a little later, but I remember texting a friend saying that I wish I could break down an idea like Turretin. He made me feel a little better by replying, “You and everyone else born in the 20th century.” Because from these questions, he’ll spend a few pages breaking down the idea further, systematically working his way through the question and seemingly every possible angle of it.

There’s part of me that wants to abandon this re-read and just focus on observing his method and trying to replicate it in my life.

So, what did I think about Institutes of Elenctic Theology Vol. 1?

Let me get this out of the way first: This is dry. Dry like a stale crouton. I know most people think that about Theology in general—and sure, bad theology is usually dry, but not the good stuff. This is one of those exceptions that proves the rule.

There are moments, I should note, that some of Turretin’s personality shows through, some moments expressing the awe appropriate to the topic, the emotions stirred by the Gospel, and even a little humor/snark at the thoughts of his opponents. But those moments are brief and rare.

As it’s dry, it’s a little harder to read than others (say, Calvin or Bavinck). But it’s absolutely worth the effort—and after a little while, you won’t notice the effort. It’s so crisp, so clear, so helpful that you relish getting to read it. Giger and Dennison likely are due as much credit for this as Turretin is. Giger’s also likely due some credit for the arid language (he was translating in the early Nineteenth Century, not one an era known for punchy prose).

I can’t recommend this highly enough.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Saturday Miscellany—5/4/24

By HCNewton

On May 4, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Not much to say today as an intro. (“Phew!” is the collective response, I’m sure).

The next couple of weeks are going to be very interesting, I think, here. I’ll talk about it Monday—but I’m telling you now, reader, you’re going to want to stop by a lot (or just a couple of times, I guess—but it should read it all).
Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet We’re All Reading Wrong: To access the full benefits of literature, you have to share it out loud.—hmmmmm….
bullet But Why a Penguin?—Who among us hasn’t wondered?
bullet I missed the provocative essay No One Buys Books last week, where Elle Griffin dove into the data from the recent Penguin vs. DOJ case to look at what it says about book sales.
bullet This week, there were two (at least) responses to that: The Puzzle of Publishing and Yes, People Still Buy Books: How a viral post got some key statistics wrong.—between the three of these pieces, there’s a heckuva education into the business side of book publishing.
bullet M.W Craven up for Theakston Old Peculier Crime award for 3rd year—a quick catch-up with Craven
bullet The Edgar Awards were this week, which means it’s time for Crime Reads’ annual nominee roundtable on The State of the Crime Novel. Part 1: Writing Life and Part 2: The Future of Crime Writing
bullet How Fiction Became Edible: A new genre of cookbooks is reverse engineering the foods of all your favorite pieces of pop culture. Now your stomach can travel to Westeros, Tatooine, the Shire, and more.
bullet The Author as Protagonist: Why are so many fictional writers solving crimes in detective novels?
bullet A few good books about too-good-to-be-true tech (to read after your Tesla explodes).—a fun listicle
bullet Andrew Miller: Namaste Mart Confidential—A quick Q&A with Miller (and a website I need to spend more time with, you will likely enjoy it, too)
bullet Historical Fiction Pros & Cons—Reading Ladies Book Club looks at the genre
bullet Why I No Longer Request ARCs—I absolutely get this (and agree with almost every part of it). But my stack-o’-ARCS suggests I may need to consider Krysta’s words more closely soon.
bullet Speaking of things I need to think more about: How Negative Am I? Posing the Question of Negativity on the Internet
bullet 7 Reasons Adults Should Read Children’s Books—#1 & #3 are the big ones for me. With #4 gaining steadily, as the Grandcritter ages, I expect it’ll take first place.

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago Week?
bullet <bOutlander by Diana Gabaldon—left me utterly unimpressed
bullet In Defense of the Descent by Daniel R. Hyde—a short and compelling book about the controversial line in the Apostle’s Creed. I still refer to this book.
bullet Dawn’s Early Light by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris—steampunky fun in the U.S. of A.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet Namaste Mart Confidential by Andrew Miller—A pair of unlicensed PIs/Grocery Store Clerks search for a missing (possibly kidnapped) woman in the L.A. of 2013. I rambled about it a little earlier this week
bullet Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green—a collection of short stories from (mostly) contemporary Japan. I posted about it recently and managed not to make a single joke about one of the world’s least appealing (to me) types of food. That’s personal growth right there.
bullet Crimson Arches by Rebecca Carey Lyles—in this follow-up to Shadow Ranch, Kasenia somehow finds herself in a tense situation with another polygamous bunch.
bullet What’s Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park—a YA look at cooking competitions and dealing with parental expectations.
bullet The Vanishing Station by Ana Ellickson —”a lyrical and bold YA debut about an underground magic system in San Francisco—and the lengths one girl is willing to go to protect the ones she loves.” Intriguing setup and world.

Opening Lines: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

By HCNewton

On May 3, 2024

In Blog Series, Currently Reading, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, News/Misc., Opening Lines, Quotations

Head & Shoulders used to tell us that, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” That’s true for wearing dark shirts, and it’s especially true for books. Sometimes the characters will hook the reader, sometimes the premise, sometimes it’s just knowing the author—but nothing beats a great opening for getting a reader to commit.

So, I’m going to kick off by making one thing very clear: None of this was my fault. I was part of it, sure, but only like a flea is part of a cat. I was carried along, contributing my own pain-in-the-ass factor, no argument there, but I was mot, in any sense, driving the bus. Let’s not forget that when this story starts, was literally on an island in the middle of nowhere. Hands full, head busy, heart well guarded. Safe as houses, baby.

Wait, that’s not completely accurate. The island of Violetta isn’t in the middle of nowhere; it’s slightly to the right of Africa, many hundreds of miles into the Indian Ocean. It’s a geography cal, political and sociological anomaly, It’s also home to a frozwn vodka drink called the Barrier Island, beyond which no man may safely travel, but that’s a sidenote. It lies two days’ sail from a large French-speaking island more than five hundred miles off the east African coast, which is probably why the French didn’t bother to claim it. It was ignored by the Mauritians, because they thought the French already nabbed it, and blithely disregarded by the British, who had no idea who owned it, but had no reason to think was them.

No one paid much attention to it at all until the 1950s, when an enterprising young Violettan by the name of Agnes Bottlebrush did a school project on the even younger United Nations and then quietly applied for membership for Violetta (Agnes was an overachiever with time on her hands). As the result of a series of fortunate and slightly comedic events, Violetta became the smallest member of the United Nations, and Agnes received a rapid promotion to Head Girl. Then she walked around to everyone’s houses and handed them a copy of the UN Charter and gathered suggestions for what to put on the flag.

from Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

I’m not sure what happens over the next 369 pages (in a sense). I just want almost 400 pages

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