Because it was a fairly in-depth look into how mystery writers started in England, it took me a while to get through. The way crimes were initially inBecause it was a fairly in-depth look into how mystery writers started in England, it took me a while to get through. The way crimes were initially investigated in the 1800s was fascinating and I liked how the author bridged reality into the plays and novels that were to come later. This proved to be a great reference source for mysteries in general....more
I think because I'm not a convert, this book was hard to get into. Also, some of Chesterton's language gets a bit dense, which overshadows his points I think because I'm not a convert, this book was hard to get into. Also, some of Chesterton's language gets a bit dense, which overshadows his points about the timelessness of the Catholic Church....more
This is a great scholarly resource, especially given the biographical Index. Next time I read this, I will bookmark that for reference. This time, I mThis is a great scholarly resource, especially given the biographical Index. Next time I read this, I will bookmark that for reference. This time, I marked the footnotes, and while some of them were interesting, many of them were simply "inserted superscript." I wish there was a good way to separate the two....more
When I read the final author notes, which revealed that this biography started as a thesis and dissertation, I finally understood why it took me so loWhen I read the final author notes, which revealed that this biography started as a thesis and dissertation, I finally understood why it took me so long to slog through this. Henry Ward Beecher's story is interesting, but I felt like the story could have moved along more quickly. It's well researched and well-written, but just required too much thought....more
This was an interesting, well researched biography of the silent saint. I appreciated that the author gave context (historical and spiritual) for JoseThis was an interesting, well researched biography of the silent saint. I appreciated that the author gave context (historical and spiritual) for Joseph's actions. This made the modern application of Joseph's roles as husband and father hold a lot more weight. This is a thoughtful book for the year of St. Joseph....more
This autobiographical account illustrates how even slaves in "good" situations were assaulted and mistreated, especially female slaves with unprinciplThis autobiographical account illustrates how even slaves in "good" situations were assaulted and mistreated, especially female slaves with unprincipled male masters. The constant conflicts the narrator had with the doctor who "owned" her (she actually "belonged" to his daughter) pointed out how she often she had to draw on inner reserves of strength. I appreciated how honest the author was - she didn't short-change her own faults, but used them to prove how slavery corrupts both parties....more
I enjoyed the specifics the author was able to impart because of conversations with people who actually knew Dickens. The footnotes were easily accessI enjoyed the specifics the author was able to impart because of conversations with people who actually knew Dickens. The footnotes were easily accessible on the kindle, and were legitimate footnotes, not merely sources. That said, given the number of references to Dickens' works (especially Pickwick Papers), I think I would appreciate it more after I have read read more Dickens....more
As much as I wanted to like this book, and as interesting as Warren's extensive Biblical quotations were, I didn't feel like this gave me anything newAs much as I wanted to like this book, and as interesting as Warren's extensive Biblical quotations were, I didn't feel like this gave me anything new. I think the book itself is aimed at people who are away from faith or are looking for a purpose. Since I don't fall into either group, it all range a bit hollow....more
While I found this book fascinating, it's not one I feel the need to reread. I think I have made the mistake many people do and conflated Alcott with While I found this book fascinating, it's not one I feel the need to reread. I think I have made the mistake many people do and conflated Alcott with Jo March. Her actual story is much sadder, even though she consistently rubbed elbows with 19th century elite authors. While the biography is well-researched, one easy content mistake really drew me out....more
This collection of essays felt very hit or miss to me. I love Doyle's writing style (especially in spiritual reflections), but some of his never-endinThis collection of essays felt very hit or miss to me. I love Doyle's writing style (especially in spiritual reflections), but some of his never-ending sentences/paragraphs got me a bit mixed up. Some of the essays were gens, but I related much better to the second section of the book (focused on the children). The nature essays in the first section were not my cup of tea....more
This was a beautifully written story of the series of apparitions in Rwanda. I appreciated that Ilibagiza interspliced her own story of how she experiThis was a beautifully written story of the series of apparitions in Rwanda. I appreciated that Ilibagiza interspliced her own story of how she experienced the apparitions with the accounts of what happened to the various seers. Knowing that one of the key apparitions foretold the future genocide gave the book an extra impact....more
I was immediately sucked into this book, which was a combination of scholarly research into the influences behind Fred Rogers' inspirational children'I was immediately sucked into this book, which was a combination of scholarly research into the influences behind Fred Rogers' inspirational children's program and his correspondence with the author. The fact that he was the same person on and off screen was well-highlighted by this use of his own words. It was an inspirational, easy read....more
This was a literary analysis book that miraculously is easy to read. While I appreciate Rioux's explanations and footnotes to prove why Little Women sThis was a literary analysis book that miraculously is easy to read. While I appreciate Rioux's explanations and footnotes to prove why Little Women should be more widely read, she did have a tendency to overuse quotations (when she could share reactions from one or two scholars, she often chooses to use five or six). This makes some of the sections feel a bit repetitive. This was a worthwhile read, which made me want to reread the original....more
This was a beautiful account of how two men with similar backgrounds wind up in disparate situations - one a millionaire and the other homeless. How RThis was a beautiful account of how two men with similar backgrounds wind up in disparate situations - one a millionaire and the other homeless. How Ron's wife Deborah brings the two together and they change the homeless situation in Fort Worth is inspiring and heartbreaking. I appreciated the epilogue that gave background into what happened after the book was originally published....more
This was an encouraging book that explained why it is important to stay Catholic in spite of the recent church scandals. I appreciated that Bishop BarThis was an encouraging book that explained why it is important to stay Catholic in spite of the recent church scandals. I appreciated that Bishop Baron ended with a call to action, but wished he would have had some more "how" specifics for the lay faithful....more
I was greatly looking forward to this book, but wound up being disappointed. Whyile the set-up of Austen's life and family was well-described and balaI was greatly looking forward to this book, but wound up being disappointed. Whyile the set-up of Austen's life and family was well-described and balanced, too much of the coverage of her novels was plot-based more than criticism-based. It's well-written, but clearly intended for people with less Austen knowledge than I have. ...more
I found this book easily accessible as it was written in clear language. Fritz's advocacy of small group youth discipleship was logical in that it allI found this book easily accessible as it was written in clear language. Fritz's advocacy of small group youth discipleship was logical in that it allows for real relationships that traditional youth group ministries are unable to accomplish. It reminded me of why I prefer forensics to full plays - I can connect more with each individual student because I am working with them one on one (or one on five - you get the idea) rather than one on 20....more
I found this book riveting, and the movie based on it was very true to the content. I did love learning more about some of the people involved, especiI found this book riveting, and the movie based on it was very true to the content. I did love learning more about some of the people involved, especially the Carneys. I liked that we got more background information on Abby's "friends" at Planned Parenthood. The best part was the way the Coalition moved in a parallel fashion to the Bryan, TX Planned Parenthood clinic. This is a beautiful story about God's faithfulness....more
I like how the author told stories from throughout Pope Francis' life, and not just his pontificate. I think because the book came out about a year afI like how the author told stories from throughout Pope Francis' life, and not just his pontificate. I think because the book came out about a year after his election, it tends to feel a bit dated. However, the stories surrounding his family and the work he did in Argentina make him more understandable as a real person....more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
Judine Brey
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Books:
non-fiction
(88)
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