Friday, November 23, 2018

Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith -- and for Freedom, ed. Karen L. Garst, PhD

Nonfiction /Essays
224 pages / 1003 KB
5 Stars

This is a collection of 13 essays about women who have left patriarchal religion and how leaving their religious affiliations affected them.

For those who use the church as their primary social outlet, it will be harder to leave unless they have built up a secular support group, as they will probably either be hounded to come back or shunned for thinking on their own and making their own decisions.

It's amazing what happens when women finally realize that their church, their religion, is used primarily as a tool to dominate women and children. It's really good for the man, for the woman not so much. And how we, as women raised in a culture where the dominant religion has carried through since the bronze age, have been taught since we were wee little ones what our place is, and what our role is, and woe unto any of us who decides to use our brain and think on our own! 

If you as woman are tired of being blamed for all the ills of men, I highly recommend this book. When a man can't keep his pants zipped, it's the woman's fault. All because of a bronze age war god who hated women then, and hates them still.

The essays are written by women who are recovering Christians, Jews, and Muslims. One is by a trans, and one by an atheist minister! Some of these essays will make you angry, some will make you sad, and scattered throughout are snippets of humor to make you laugh. All will give you grist to chew on and think about. If you are still subjugating yourself to a male god (and a male human), I strongly recommend you read this book. 

Saturday, November 17, 2018

The Medici Letters (Dr. Fox Marshal Thriller) --by Jeff D. Copeland

Fiction / Historical Thriller
486 pages / 4053 KB
5 Stars

A Page Burner

I've actually read this book a couple of times, and even though I knew what was going to happen the second time through, I was spellbound. I had to read it. I couldn't put it down. 

The characters in this novel are believable, from the evil ones to the truly good ones. There were places I wanted to cry and a place or two I actually did. There were also places I laughed out loud!

If you enjoy car races, train rides, old planes, fascinating architecture, and an Indiana Jones kinda story (only better), you'll like Dr. Fox Marshal. Honest. Trust me.

My biggest (and only) complaint in the whole book was The End. I wasn't ready. I wanted it to continue on for a few more chapters. I hope Book 2 comes soon.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Shallow-Rooted Heart --by Gregory Louis Candela

Nonfiction / poetry
106 pages
5 Stars

No matter what we read, no matter what was written, we each bring our own stories to the book. When you read these poems, you will get a double treat. First will be the gorgeous imagery Candela evokes with his words, then will come your own memories, images from your own life. 

This is a book to be read again and again, each poem rich as a Death by Chocolate cake, to be slowly savored, and with no calories. Though I promise, once you read this book, your mind will be stretched in delightful new ways and will never shrink to it pre-reading state.