Kevin D. Hendricks's Blog, page 43
March 17, 2014
Lessons From a Reader: Don’t Remind Me It’s a Book
I’ve read multiple books lately where a character compares their life to a movie or book.
“I felt like a character in a book…”
No, you are a character in a book!
Every time I just want to shout: But you are a character in a book!
How ridiculous for an author to have their characters compare their life to other stories, breaking down the imaginary world and flat out reminding me that I’m reading fiction? Being specific and comparing your drama to Hamlet or your overbearing parent to 1984 is one th...
March 12, 2014
Do What You Say You’re Going to Do
Dear People on the Internet,
Do what you say you’re going to do.
Especially when you take people’s money and promise to do something.
(Neglected Kickstarter projects, I’m looking at you.)
Because people are watching. We’re asking questions. We’re gauging your reputation.
Now we can be reasonable. We understand when things don’t work out or stuff falls apart. Sometimes a project doesn’t go the way you think it’s going to go. That’s OK. But don’t just disappear. Tell us what happened. Own it. That s...
March 11, 2014
Most People Believe the Homeless Have No Redeeming Value: Help Mark Horvath Change That
My friend Mark Horvath runs one of the only homelessness advocacy organizations in the country, InvisiblePeople.tv. He’s giving a voice to people most of us choose to ignore. Mark is the ideal person for this work, because he was once homeless himself. Mark’s birthday is this week and he needs your help.
Every year Mark does a single big fundraiser around his birthday that provides a big chunk of his donations for the year. In reality, Mark is supporting much of the work of InvisiblePeople.tv...
March 10, 2014
The Reality of War in Syria
“Just because it isn’t happening here doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.”
That’s a haunting video highlighting the plight of refugees.
(Part of me is unnerved that it takes the story of a little white girl in the UK to get our attention, but sometimes it’s just the juxtaposition of the normal that we need to shake us up.)
But that haunting plight is reality right now in Syria:
Assad's heartless sniper took careful aim and shot this little girl.
These crimes will never be forgotten.
#Syria pic.twitter...
March 6, 2014
Having a Conversation About Marriage
The ongoing marriage debates in our culture right now make me want to wave a flag and hide in the corner at the same time. I’ve talked before about this shifting conversation, and I think that shift is only speeding up. Even the Pope seems to be allowing that some form of civil union should be considered.
Many traditional marriage supporters may be wondering what’s happening as the ground shifts beneath them. That’s understandable. But from my admittedly biased perspective, it seems like the t...
March 3, 2014
Lupita Nyong’o & the Shade of Beauty
I watched the Oscars last night (I know, what?) and was blown away by the poise and energy of the best supporting actress winner Lupita Nyong’o and her role inTwelve Years a Slave. She gave a moving acceptance speech with the line, “No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.”
She’s got quite a story, from nabbing an Oscar on her first film out (check , Twelve Years a Slave is her movie debut) to the incredible support from her brother Peter (he was her date for the Oscars, landin...
February 25, 2014
Top 5 Nonfiction Books From 2013
I’ve already shared my top fiction books from 2013 and my entire reading list for 2013. Here’s my top nonfiction books from 2013:
When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over by Addie Zierman
From the author of the blog How to Talk Evangelical, Addie shares a poignant story of growing up in the Christian bubble and sliding from enthusiastic Jesus Freak missionary into alcohol-fueled depression. It’s an engaging and honest confessional on faith that’s much n...
January 21, 2014
Running 13 Miles for the Homeless
On Saturday, Jan. 25, I’m running a half-marathon.
That’s 13.1 miles.
It’s a little crazy. I’ve never run that far before (12 miles is my record). But this is where my running is taking me and I’m giving it a shot.
I’m a little lacking in motivation, so I decided to use Mark Horvath and his work with InvisiblePeople.tv to help the homeless as inspiration. I’m trying to raise $500 for InvisiblePeople.tv with this half-marathon.
So please, cheer me on by making a donation.
I’m feeling pretty good...
January 8, 2014
Top Fiction Books From 2013
I read 146 books in 2013. When you read that many books you end up with a lot of favorites.
If you want to read more, be sure to check out 137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading Again.
Last year I offered a straight top 15 list, but this year I’m going to break it out a bit. I read a lot more fiction than nonfiction and I really love fiction. It’s hard to compare the two, so it seems unfair to put them in the same list. I’ll share my nonfiction favs later. We’ll also give a few...
January 6, 2014
2013 Reading List
So after reading 137 books in 2012 and writing a book about it, I felt a fair amount of self-imposed pressure to keep it up in 2013. I didn’t want it to be a fluke. Clearly it wasn’t a fluke, just an insatiable love for reading.
I dove in to so many great worlds through books in the past year. The number doesn’t really matter, just that joy of reading.
Of course we like numbers. This year I hit 146.
That sounds crazy. And intimidating. If you want to read more, don’t focus on my crazy numbers. J...
