false 54 175 123 true 5821067 read 4 true 1643175 currently-reading 48 true 1643174 to-read 38 false 6797410 fantasy 30 false 6797450 religious-motivational 16 false 6797479 children 14 false 6797494 classics 3 false 6797412 historical-nonfiction http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78088855 to: Have a Little Faith: The Story of a Last Request (Hardcover) by Mitch Albom
This was an amazing book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a positive, uplifting book about religion.

This book was inspired by a simple request: Will you do my eulogy? The request was made by his childhood rabbi. In order for Albom to feel comfortable giving the eulogy for a Man of God, as well as a rabbi he said he "ran away" from (both literally as he tried to leave the synagogue when possible, and figuratively as he essentially left his religion in his past as he grew up), he begins meeting regularly with his rabbi to get to know him as a person and as a spiritual leader. He then compares this man's journey through life and through religion to another man, who was a Christian pastor but started life as a drug dealer, thief, convict, and so on. He discusses the various reasons people turn to God (whether they name him God, Jesus, Allah, etc.), and the influence for good that religion can play (he briefly touches on the negative, such as the negative attitudes between religions or the negative behavior justified by religion; however, these are only used as examples of what God would NOT want his children to do).

It was wonderful to read a story about religion that seeks out the best instead of arguing why one religion is better than the other or condemning all non-believers to Hell. I do have a very high level of respect for the Jewish religion, and have never known a Jew that I cannot speak highly of, so that may also be influencing my high rating of this book.

Basically, I loved this book. I loved the messages it conveys, such as not getting offended over differences of religion. For example, there's one section where the author talks about how it always bothered him when Christians said "God bless you" because they were referring to their God blessing him and not his God blessing him. He talked to the rabbi about it, asking how the rabbi responds when Christians say this, and the rabbi said he replies with, "Thank you, and God bless you." When the author asks why he doesn't get offended, the rabbi asks, "Why should I?"

There's another story of the rabbi being cared for by an in-home nurse who drives him to temple and various places. The nurse was a Hindu, and the rabbi, knowing little about her religion, asked her many questions and tried to learn as much as he could. He would also listen to her Hindu music, and could appreciate it even though he was not a member of her religion. There are many little stories like this one throughout the book, showing the rabbi (and Henry's) acceptance of other religions, and appreciation for the positive things those religions encourage their members to do.

Great book. It's short and an easy read, but one I would definitely read again and again. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/81194313 Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child's Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days (Paperback) by Kevin Leman
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80664527 Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (P.S.) by Marya Hornbacher
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80661387 Elantris (Mass Market Paperback) by Brandon Sanderson
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73503367 to: Just what is the Word of Wisdom (Paperback) by John R. Christopher
This is more a thesis than a book; it's only about 25 pages, and published in a pamphlet-type form. It's written by an herbologist, based on his understanding of how the Word of Wisdom should be interpreted. While I found the book interesting, I also found some of his theories to be a little overzealous and don't intend to use his ideas in any gospel discussion. However, it did cause me to look at my own understanding of the Word of Wisdom, and for that I think it's valuable. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79446590 The Book Thief (Hardcover) by Markus Zusak
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79446516 Leviathan (Hardcover) by Scott Westerfeld
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77396880 Heath's review of The Hunger Games (Hunger Games, #1)
by Suzanne Collins

I think he was short-sighted. He had waited for her for so long, and now she's finally showing interest, but he doesn't realize it's for survival only (or is it??). I think he felt a little betrayed, like she was only acting interested in him to get sympathy, help, or whatever, and that she was only caring for herself and not for him.

I'm surprised he expected it to continue after the Games. I mean, with how much of a hellish experience that had to have been, did he really expect her to want any reminder of the Games? If it had been me, I'd want to do anything I could to forget, including avoid Peeta and Haymitch, and probably drink myself into a stupor. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13085949 to: The Lord of the Rings (Books 1-3) by J.R.R. Tolkien
bookshelves: currently-reading, fantasy
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77714990 Therisdons's review of Twilight (Twilight, #1)
by Stephenie Meyer

Personally, I kinda love that I can get sucked in by a poorly written book. :) ]]>