Anna Tan's Blog, page 92

#bookreview: The Blasphemer by John Ling

I have to admit that I took a very long time to getting round to reading this book.
I first received an e-copy when it came out (way back when) as part of a giveaway on my friend's blog. It was always - "I must read it", but it got buried under more urgent reads, more enticing blurbs. I do read thrillers, but not as often. And then he offered free copies (again) as part of, I think, NoiseTrade so I decided it was probably time to get to it.

Well anyway, here it is.


The Blasphemer: The Complete N...

#bookreview: Meant for Greater Things by John Mickus

Meant for Greater Things by John Mickus
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jasper Joyce is an adorably awkward geek who's trying to change the world. It's clear from the beginning that he doesn't quite fit into society, but it's not entirely clear why. After all, he seems like a pretty smart guy - he works with lasers and satellites and reads really difficult books about physics and solar panels. He enjoys hiking and taking pictures. Yet on the other hand, he needs to coach himself constantly to be able t...

Redeeming the arts, not just reviling it

We had this seminar today which cued a lot of eye rolling and snide remarks from me. Because I am a horrible human being. I am not afraid to admit that. Haha. I was wondering if I should start a rant about it and then I got distracted and then I decided maybe not. But I'm here now. Typing. So.

I guess the most important thing I have to say about this whole... whole.. thing, is really this:
If your God is greater, stronger, mightier, more powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent, redeemer, higher, cre...

#bookreview: Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"The Good Lord don't do things that way. When he sees a person's flat out of hope and feeling dead broke, He slips a bit of spare change into the bottom of their pocket. Not a lot maybe, but enough for them to get by."

Spare Change is a story of hope and a future, not just for orphaned Ethan Allen, but for newly-widowed Olivia Ann.
When Olivia's husband, Charlie Doyle, dies just 22 days after their wedding, in the middle of their honeymoon,...

#bookreview: An Infinite Loop by Dan Rix

Special delivery!
I don't usually post book reviews on Mondays, but here's one from Dan Rix.

An Infinite Loop, book 3 of Dan Rix's Timeloopers series, was launched last week. He's an awesome writer who gives me free books to review, and since I love most of his stuff, that works out well for both of us. =)

Anyway, the Timeloopers series starts with A Strange Machine, followed by The Ghost At Retreat Lake, and now An Infinite Loop. Now I just gotta wait for book 4: The Man with Two Pasts.


An Infin...

To all artists: You are called

Exodus 31 (NASB)The Skilled Craftsmen
Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship (workmanship), 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6...

#fridayflash: Rest

She stood on the edge, her arms spread wide. The wind lifted her hair off the nape of her neck, tying it in tangles. She tilted her head back, the sunlight falling on her eyelids, glinting off the tears on her head that belied the smile on her lips.
She didn't know how she could be so certain and yet so unsure; so wild and yet so steady. Like she was two different people, warring with each other and yet inexplicably at peace.
It was conflicting. Confusing.
And yet strangely clear.
He came up...

#AtoZChallenge: Reflection

Eh. I suppose I should do my reflections post, though there isn't much for me to reflect on.

A to Z this year was mostly on autopilot. I was able to schedule most of my posts by the end of March, with a few done in April itself. Actually, past the first week, I hardly even visited other bloggers, partly because I was trying to concentrate on my editing (hah) and also partly because I was out a lot.

Not the best of participants. Sorry. Just too much going on in my life right now.

The only thing I...

#bookreview: The Atlantis Deception by Nick Thacker

The Atlantis Deception by Nick Thacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A summary of my reaction to this book in simple terms:

What? Whaaaatt.... What? What! What. WHAT?!

In more comprehensive terms:
What?
I was a little confused at the beginning of the book. Maybe if I had read the original book it's based on, I might have a little more clue as to what was happening. Or maybe not. Well, the premise itself wasn't very confusing, but the repeatedly annoying allusion as to some major "decision" they made th...

Book recommendations

Just dropping by to say that I read these 2 books over the last 2 days and I highly recommend them (Also, they're available for free).

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Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully: The Power of Poetic Effort in the Work of George Herbert, George Whitefield, and C. S. Lewis by John Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully, John Piper explores the work of George Herbert, George Whitefield and CS Lewis and their impact, not only on the lives of their audience, but on their o...