Book Review: Supercade

Supercade by Van Burnham

Supercade: A Visual History of the Videogame Age 1985-2001
by Van Burnham

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives a comprehensive history of the development of videogames in the 1980s and 90s. I love that this book begins with a quote from George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old… we grow old because we stop playing.”

The chapters are separated by year, going through each major game that was released that year. We get to learn about Super Mario Bros., Oregon Trail, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Prince of Persia, Legend of Zelda, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
I remember playing some of these games! Ah, those were simpler times. I lost count of how many times I “died from dysentery.” The nostalgia is strong with this book!

Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture

Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture by David Lemmo

Tarzan, Jungle King of Popular Culture
by David Lemmo

3 out of 5 stars

The fictional character of Tarzan heralded the beginning of the superhero archetype in literature. A man who is more than a man; stronger, faster, smarter, and capable of super-human deeds of courage and glory.

Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: The Breathwork Companion

The Breathwork Companion by Margaret Townsend

The Breathwork Companion: Unlock the Healing Power of Breathing
by Margaret Townsend

5 out of 5 stars

Your breath is a powerful tool to nourish your body and mind. Simple breathing exercises can unlock the healing instincts of your nervous system, and relieve stress and anxiety. You’ll sleep better, find more energy, and be able to stay calm in difficult situations. Conscious breathing can build up your immune system and help reduce inflammation in the body.

Continue reading

Book Review: Calm for Moms

CALM for Moms by Denise Marek

CALM for Moms: Worry Less in Four Simple Steps
by Denise Marek (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

Everyone worries, but there are ways to combat those negative thoughts and find calm! This book dives deep into the cognitive distortions, mental habits, and mistaken beliefs that keep you worried and stressed. You’ll learn how to let go of your worries, corral those chaotic thoughts, and cultivate peace in your life.

Continue reading

Non Fiction Book Review: Planet Narnia

Planet Narnia by Michael  Ward

Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis
by Michael Ward (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

There is an underlying theme that connects all of the books of the Chronicles of Narnia, influencing the tone of each story, the imaginative elements of the plot, and the roles the characters play. This thread woven through the entire series is the medieval mythology of the cosmos, a subject which fascinated C.S. Lewis.

Continue reading

Book Review: Stress Less

Stress Less by Kate Hanley

Stress Less: Stop Stressing, Start Living
by Kate Hanley (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives little tidbits of advice about reducing stress, living with kindness and compassion, and finding ways to alleviate tension. Most of the advice is commonplace, but presented in a fresh way that makes you think a little differently about it.

Continue reading

Book Review: Complete Book of Meditation

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Meditation by Shai Tubali

Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Meditation: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Techniques for Calming Your Mind and Spirit
by Shai Tubali (Goodreads Author)

1 out of 5 stars

I had to DNF this book because the philosophy of meditation did not at all line up with my personal beliefs. There were several ideas in this book that actually felt dark and scary to me, and that go against Christian teachings about meditation.

There was one practice that encouraged you to leave your personality behind when you meditate. “I am no longer my name or my person.” That seemed very strange and scary to me.
When I meditate, I am MORE myself in Christ, not less. I am MORE of a person how He created me to be, and my name is MORE who I am because I belong to Christ. I understand that author is trying to get you to shift your perspective, but it was not in the right direction.

Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Middle School Safety Goggles Advised

Middle School - Safety Goggles Advised by Jessica Speer

Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised: Exploring the WEIRD Stuff from Gossip to Grades, Cliques to Crushes and Popularity to Peer Pressure
by Jessica Speer (Goodreads Author)

2 out of 5 stars

This book gives advice about how to navigate the difficulties of middle school. There are chapters about not judging others, bullying, friendships and cliques, trying to be popular, having a crush on someone, gossip, social media, and peer pressure.

My main problem with this book was that it didn’t really go into WHY young people should avoid bad decisions and toxic behaviors. It didn’t talk about honor or morality or modesty. It didn’t talk about honesty or virtue. It just says lots of nice things about being kind to others, but the whole philosophy is very casual and lackadaisical. It even says at one point that “There are no correct responses.” You can do whatever and make whatever choices and nothing is right or wrong. The entire attitude is very amoral and toxic.

Continue reading

Non Fiction Review: Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings

Tolkien by Lin Carter

Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings
by Lin Carter

4 out of 5 stars

This book was written only a few years after Lord of the Rings was published. It is like a little historic peak into what people thought of Lord of the Rings in the beginning, before it was established as the colossal modern classic we know it as today. Before the modern genre of fantasy was really defined, the Lord of the Rings was difficult to classify. It was like the epic stories of the Greeks and Romans, and some people called it “super science fiction” or a “giant-sized fairy tale”.

Continue reading

Book Review: If I Had Lunch with C.S. Lewis

If I Had Lunch with C. S. Lewis by Alister E. McGrath

If I Had Lunch with C. S. Lewis: Exploring the Ideas of C. S. Lewis on the Meaning of Life
by Alister E. McGrath

4 out of 5 stars

The author postulates what subjects might arise if you had lunch with Lewis. Taking quotes from Lewis’ written works, we can guess what direction the conversation would take and generalize things that Lewis would probably say. However, this is not a book of imagined dialogue. It is a compilation of generalizations and paraphrases about what the author thinks Lewis would be likely to think and say on certain topics.

Continue reading