Inspired by Rachel Held Evans is the book I did not realize I needed until it took hold of my heart, mind, and soul. If you ever felt uncomfortable with some of the complex parts of scripture and wondered how they could be explained in light of God being a good, loving, and just deity, this might be helpful. The answers may not be easy, but at least this book enlightens and gives you a position of solidarity.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken follows the other mythological texts I seem to keep reading and shines brilliantly. This is a modern struggle between gods and humans in a race for survival and ascension. The writing is beautifully done, and the pace never lets one slip into boredom. I am enjoying it immensely.
I know Christianity and myth are not always embraced together, but I like a little lite with my seriousness. I am always in search of variety.
You might like one or both of these.
Blessings embrace you Every day in all things, ways, God be your love, peace.
There are authors I return to with zeal. I read enough I have a variety of favorites. One I discovered in high school is James A. Michener. I read Centennial then and it cemented his finesse in the very highest echelon of my regard.
Recently, I read two of his excellent novels. One, coming in at 1425 pages, is The Source. This is set on that parcel of land sacred to three major religions. It begins in prehistory and tells very engaging stories coming into modernity. I am still thinking of it fondly. I gave it 5 stars, and doubt I find much more engrossing this year.
The second is a bit shorter, at 753 pages. Space is a novel of the American Space Program. It has everything one could want in an epic of an epic era. Mr. Michener is a consummate storyteller weaving yarns that keep one up well past decent bedtimes. This was also a 5 star rendering.
You would do well to read these. If you look for instruction in the craft as you read, these will deal you Aces.
Today, I return to my original format used with my first creativity project online, found on Chronicles. I have included my handwritten journal entry for this date.
Prompt If you have not tried journaling, do that. You may wish to do freeform as above, or you may want to give yourself a topic each day. If you are doing specific creative work, a journal may also be used to work out glitches and problems in what you are doing. Include what you wish; a journal is like a friend whose feedback is in your reading again.
Recommendation I have listened to the Audible version of Sandman and am listening to Sandman 2. I am usually not a fan of audiobooks, but I find these extremely enjoyable. Both employ a cast of voice actors and required sounds, and it may help that I am already a fan of Neil Gaiman.
READING SUGGESTION The first book I have completed in 2022 is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I read this book in 2011 when it originally came out, and I am afraid much reading since fogged my memory of some portions. Since my son, Alex, often references it, I reread it. It is a good book about computers, simulations, the 1980s, the present, friendship, romance, lost love, and even has some murder thrown in. It is a book with a broad appeal, as relevant now as at its initial publication, maybe more.
1 Maybe, those dreams past We can make real if we take This time to attend To things we began before Warnings dire started to flash.
2 Who could you become If you trusted yourself more Than you have before?
3 We can never buy What we want most, try we may But days, past decays.
Gratitude List I am thankful: 1. For holidays, and For average days when routine Takes hold, and things are A bit less bold, and one can Be a comfortable self, like: A quiet volume, Not opened to reveal all The story it hides, But sitting dreamy waiting ‘Til some hungry soul arrives. 2. For clever devices Technologies some devise Adding joy to lives. 3. My ability To read and maybe write, With some expertise. 4. These dogs, who call me Theirs, who willingly share space And the air freely. 5. Friends and family I have had, happily known, Those lives still present And those now gone, just away, Or to their heavenly home.
A gratitude list, made poetry? Not entirely sure what happened there, but I also seem to speak in rhyme from time to time, so I guess I will not worry over something so sublime.
I am afraid all this went a little long, but I hope you enjoyed your time here. If you like, use one of the available methods to follow the site, or come again when you will. I would be most pleased to have you like this post and the others you read. If you have friends who might find this worthwhile, your recommendation is always appreciated.
God help me, I’m broken – Again I wanted, but found, My presence was bound To things which I wished Less remembered, oft-forgotten.
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You will not recall What happened on such a day; Rain gets in the way.
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No one understands Walking these many long miles When pain arises.
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The library is Spurned, all books now there returned; Hands for paper yearn.
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The number hidden In our soul, how long we have – So, love we must share, Mete out kind encouragement, And needful inspiration.
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I have a longer piece in my journal which goes beyond the first bit. Unlikely, it, the public shall see. I hide, to save the heart of being me.
If you have not read the Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine lately, you should check it out. Relentless by Dean Koontz which came out some years ago is also worth reading.
One day I will return to reviewing books I have read this year. This list grows long.
As a prompt: Use these words in your composition – concert, guitar, mug, closed window, ghost, fairing, shower, ultimately, lake, tetradactyl.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August – by Claire North, has 417 pages. Harry keeps living and dying, and the end of the world is coming sooner. Finding the problem becomes a needful thing. Five Stars.
The Miniaturist – by Jessie Burton, is 419 pages. I initially checked this book out from the library when it was new. I finally got around to reading it on Kindle. The story follows a household headed by a shipping magnate. Many strange and interesting incidences occur. Five Stars.
Heaven and Hell – by Bart D. Ehrman, has 346 pages. Not what I was looking for, but the research is relatively solid. The statements at the end of the book tainted the thing for me. Still, it is well-written and information-packed, so I give it Five Stars.
The Witching Hour – by Anne Rice is a hefty tome at 1043 pages. I am a big fan of Vampire Chronicles, but I have avoided the Mayfair Witches for years. I finally read them. Anne’s style with detail and character development is top tier, and the story is enthralling. Five Stars, but yeah, it should have more.
Piranesi – by Susanna Clarke, is 243 pages. This book I read in June, and recently it has won significant accolades. I read this author years ago, and she always delights. The story is between magical realism and puzzling horror. Five stars or you could give it all the gold ones in the package.
Reviews are strictly my opinion. Your experience may vary. Reading is an art, like writing, that illuminates the soul—approach books with care. What is within can be like a tsunami to your notions and your life.
Haphazard Creative 
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