Thursday, March 28, 2013

Penance

Penance

author: David Housewright

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.39

book published: 1995

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/28

date added: 2013/03/28

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review:

Holland Taylor lost his wife and daughter to a drunken driver. Soon after that man is released from prison, he is murdered and Holland is a suspect. He is soon cleared, but told to figure out who did it by his former partner. Along the way, there are political candidates, bribery, cheating at poker games and unrequited love. As more bodies pile up it becomes unclear whether the killings are linked or randomly coincidental.



A likeable enough character, and an easy enough read, but it felt a little like getting dumped in the middle of the story at times. That's not a completely bad thing, it's was just at times a little confusing. All was explained, so perhaps that is to throw the reader off. Along the way, there are some interesting and unexpected twists and turns to the story.



Recommended for a quick bit of hard boiled mystery action.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/546154383?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Strange Attractors

Strange Attractors

author: Charles Soule

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.86

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2013/03/24

date added: 2013/03/24

shelves: graphic-novels

review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/570215379?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

The Revenge of Moriarty

The Revenge of Moriarty

author: John E. Gardner

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.49

book published: 1976

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/24

date added: 2013/03/24

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review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/556613117?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

author: Francis Chan

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.11

book published: 2012

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/24

date added: 2013/03/24

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review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/556610369?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

author: J.K. Rowling

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.35

book published: 1997

rating: 4

read at:

date added: 2013/03/23

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review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/568946605?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

author: Daniel H. Pink

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.93

book published: 2009

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/13

date added: 2013/03/14

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review:

An interesting book about motivation, and discussing why traditional motivation methods no longer work. Dealing with psychological studies, and prior work on flow state creativity, the work defines new ideas for how to manage for creative results. Well written.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/552087354?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Computer Security Fundamentals

Computer Security Fundamentals

author: Chuck Easttom

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.00

book published: 2005

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/11

date added: 2013/03/13

shelves: non-fiction-business

review:

A solid introduction to computer security basics covering topics ranging from hackers and frauds to security policies and computer forensics. This book is by no means comprehensive, but provides lots of very useful information to anyone looking for a start in computer security.



Each chapter ends with a series of self tests and exercises built to give the user further knowledge, and the book is full of links for further study and information. There are plenty of real world examples and best practices as well as baseline templates for security policies. A good start for anyone looking to begin learning about this field of study.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/354079417?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Sunday, March 10, 2013

God Is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter

God Is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter

author: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.20

book published: 2012

rating: 3

read at: 2013/03/10

date added: 2013/03/10

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review:

This is a short devotional for Lent focusing on the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Pastor Bonhoeffer was a pastor in Germany that stood up against the Nazis and was ultimately executed for that belief.



The entries in the book are short. Each day's entry has a section of a sermon, some scripture to reflect on, and some bonus material like part of a letter from Dietrich or some poetery. The readings are almost too brief for much reflection. It's a tough balance to write a daily devotional guide for people who have lives so busy that they rarely take time for reflection, but the entries in this book come across as too scant at times. Still the readings do cause reflection during the holy season, and do serve as a way to take daily time to reflect, even if briefly.



If this devotional can serve to kindle further interest in Pastor Bonhoeffer and his struggle, then it has value.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/552087550?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Secret Gospel of Ireland: The Untold Story of How Science and Democracy Descended from a Remarkable Form of Christianity That Developed in Ancient Ireland

The Secret Gospel of Ireland: The Untold Story of How Science and Democracy Descended from a Remarkable Form of Christianity That Developed in Ancient Ireland

author: James Behan

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.40

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2013/03/08

date added: 2013/03/09

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review:

An excellent and very readable history of the early church that shows how democracy and much scientific knowledge can be traced back to the early church in Ireland. I've read other books on the subject, but none that have done such a great job of distilling the information into a larger picture.



The book begins in 354 AD with the birth of Augustine. Woven along the timeline are Saint Patrick, John Cassian, Columbanus, John Scotus Eriugena, Thomas Aquinas, Charlemagne, William of Ockham, Aristotle, Martin Luther, and John Calvin (among others). There are fights with kings (my favorite chapter dealt with the Merovingian and Carolingian rulers), there are fights with church leaders, and there are discoveries to be made that transformed art, science and government. The book concludes around 1705 AD.



For a book of 235 pages, this book covers a lot of territory, but it never feels skimped on or sparse. The richness of detail is impressive and very accessible and readable. The suggested reading list in the back is one of the best I've ever seen. Not because it's comprehensive, but because the authors give suggestions on what to read next, not just provide an ambiguous bibliography.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/546154916?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Doctor Who: The Forgotten (The Forgotten, #6)

Doctor Who: The Forgotten (The Forgotten, #6)

author: Tony Lee

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.42

book published: 2009

rating: 4

read at: 2013/03/09

date added: 2013/03/09

shelves: graphic-novels

review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/552087810?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Monday, March 4, 2013

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia

author: Shigeru Miyamoto

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.45

book published: 2011

rating: 4

read at: 2013/03/02

date added: 2013/03/04

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review:

Published to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the videogame 'The Legend Of Zelda,' this book is crammed full of fun and interesting items to please any fan.



There is a great intro from the game's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto. There are many concept drawings of all the main characters (and many of the minor ones as well). There is a fantastic timeline telling the history of Link and using all the games that have been published to date (with definitely room for more in the timeline). Capping the volume is a special Zelda manga (with instructions on how to read manga for the uninitiated).



Overall, a very satisfying package, and the translation by Dark Horse is well done.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/539698279?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

John Dies at the End (John Dies at the End, #1)

John Dies at the End (John Dies at the End, #1)

author: David Wong

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2007

rating: 2

read at: 2013/03/04

date added: 2013/03/04

shelves:

review:







via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/539124774?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss