In The Dark Streets Shineth

Tonight at Deseret Book as we bought a new Christmas book for our Family reading, I was pleased to see them add this book to the bag saying, "Here's a free gift for shopping with us."
While this is a small book, only 35 pages, it was a fun read.
The best part of the book was texts of the speech's on Christmas eve 1941, days after Pearl Harbour, of Pres Roosevelt and Winston Churchill who had come  across to the white house to meet.

While some may say I shouldn't count this as a real book in my quest for 100, I will proudly count it since it was written, published and enjoyed.
This is a great Christmas read and the DVD that came with it of the 2009 Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas program is priceless.

The Silver Warriors

I have read almost everything this author has written. He has created some of my favorite heroes. This is the start of me finding out that all his heroes are really just one man in several incantations.
All his worlds are connected and the stories intertwined.
This is not the best of his writing but I love the world he creates.
The front cover fits the story and how can you go wrong with a Frank Frazetta cover.
I enjoyed revisiting this from years ago...not as fantastic as I remember it but still I will now have to visit the other books by this author.
Some old friends change with time or more truthful we change...the same is with some good books.

Dr. No

This is my first time reading James Bond. I almost stopped reading the book about 1/2 way through being sort of bored. I am glad I held on and finished it.
The first half of the book sounded like a travel brochure for Jamaica. A lot of filler description to get word count up I thought but then i remembered that this was written in 1958. Most of the readers had never even herd of Jamaica let alone seen pictures or things. A totally different time in the world.
As for the story. Not a hold your breath plot line but OK. No fancy gadgets for Bond just his wits.
Another thing that came to mind is the image of Cr. No. A pure evil type person that sounded almost part robot. How scary was he in 1958 before our senses had been toughened up with all of evil we have seen both real and in the media.
I will try another Bond novel in a few months since most reviews state that this is not one of his best...

No One Can Take Your Place

It took me a few weeks to get through this one on my ereader. Not because something was wrong with it or that it was not informative but simply because of time and opportunity.
I had read this years ago when it first came out. But in rereading it I found new information.
Sister Dew has a way when speaking that captures you and puts you at ease. The same is true in most of her writings.
Not sure why but the section on leadership really stuck with me and wants to to adjust a few things I do and how I approach items.
Through the book you see examples of people doing what they do and doing it well. That can be said for all of us, we each have something to do and no one can take our place and do it the exact same way.
I recommend this one.

Daughters in my Kingdom

This is a must read for every Husband and father in the LDS Church! I know that may sound hard, especially since this book was written and designed for the women of the Church, but in reading it I have found myself left with a sense of awe and extremely grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and His plan for our families.
I learned some new things about what the Relief Society has done through the years and it made me proud.
This book covers the inherent strengths and talents all women have.
Divided into sections that cover history and topics it reads well. In fact it reads unlike any other "manual" or Guidebook" the Church has. In doing a little research I found out the reason. It was written by a single author. This was very refreshing.
I found the middle chapters on working with the priesthood interesting. I know some have been slightly disappointed in the idea that the way to change the world is through being good mothers in the home, but I truly believe it. In order to change a generation start one home at a time.
It made me appreciate my wife so much more and her willingness to be a stay at home mom (giving up the things more money could buy us) and more importantly to put up with me as she helps guide me in being the type of man I need to be.

Wise Men and Women Still Adore Him

This is a simple little book that is perfect for the holiday season. While not quite Christmas I had this on my ipod and as I was laying in bed last night not feeling the best I read it.
The story of Christmas is told from Scripture with a little commentary from Elder Nelson. While not alot of comments the ones that are made really hit home (at least to me last night).
This is well worth your hour to 2 hours it will take to get through it.
A powerful little book for the Holidays

Beyonders: World Without Heroes

I have only read the first book in this authors Fablehaven set. I found it enjoyable. This first book was also enjoyable. A story of 2 teens drawn from this world into a fantasy world where they have to accomplish a great task is nothing new. The author has done that rather well, several items caused me to pull out of the story shaking my head as holes in the story and plot. Example, this new world must speak American English since one of the key moments depends on spelling and pronunciation to be perfect with US English.
I did enjoy the new creatures and parts of the world.
Toward the end I felt it a bit rushed to create a cliffhanger but that was ok.
I did remind myself several times that this is written for a YA audience so my problems with it my not be noticed by the intended readers.
I will read the follow up books as they come out and with that being said this is a recommend read.

A Grief Observed

This is a short, personal journey into grief by CS Lewis at the death of his wife to cancer.
It is thought searching and while I do not agree with all his thoughts on God I found it refreshing to see his journey through his grief.

Grief is so hard for us and it tasks our faith. Mr Lewis was honest in his writings...these came from his journals at the time.

I enjoyed seeing a God believing man question his beliefs slightly only to return to them.
It gave me a look into CS Lewis I had not sought but enjoyed having.