The Gospel

I originally tried reading my mother's copy, O Evangelho Segundo Jesus Cristo, but I found it difficult to follow, so she went out and bought me a copy of the translation of it, The Gospel According To Jesus Christ. It's been in my shelf for about six years. I was bound to read it...sooner or later. I never thought it would take me this long.

Have you ever been curious on what happen to Jesus from the time of his birth to before he starts being the prophet or the Messiah (whichever one you prefer)? We know of his conception, his birth, and we know what had occurred just before his death and we also know about the Resurrection. But what about his childhood years? How was his relationship with his parents? Siblings? What was he like?

In this book, the author, Jose Saramago gives us his interpretation on what happened. I can certainly understand the controversy of this book, but it such a wonderful experience. I can understand how some may find this book disturbing, but enjoyed the nuances that makes this revered figure, human. He was just like you and me. I loved every little bit of it!

I loved the way the author just drew me in. I sat down with the book, and I said to myself, just read two chapters, and before I knew I was halfway through and I didn't want to stop. I admit it took me a little to get used to the author's style of writing, but after a while I didn't notice it any longer. It was just so easy to follow, I got caught up the people of the story, and wanting to know more.

The Gospel According To Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago (5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Editorial Caminho 1991 - Portugal; Published: Harvest Book 1994; Translated from the Portuguese by Giovanni Pontiero; Favourite Read 2008; 100 + Reading Challenge (40); July Book Blowout (16); Orbis Terrarum Challenge (1); Keeper Shelf;

Friday Fill-Ins # 82

This week's Friday Fill-Ins questions are:

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you will fatten you up.

2. If you're good at something, make it your living.

3. Why so glum?

4. Something is out there, it's yours if you want it.

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled These Kids Are Driving Me Wild.

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see my neighbor's back yard, and look at that there he is again his plants in his underwear.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching TV with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include taking the kids to their swimming lesson and Sunday, I want to do something fun!

Blind Spot

Here's the blurb for Blind Spot by Terri Persons:

FBI Agent Bernadette Saint Clare’s gift of sight allows her to see things others can’t. But some things are better left unseen.

Not always easy to work with, Agent Bernadette Saint Clare has been assigned and reassigned to FBI offices all over the country. Not long after she’s placed at a desk in the basement of the off-site St. Paul office, she’s called on to do what she does best: use personal effects found at a crime scene to see through a killer’s eyes.

In some cases her sight has been astoundingly accurate; in others it has been less than perfect. The agent in charge of this case, Tony Garcia, aware of Bernadette’s spotty record, is unsure if he should follow her lead, and the tension between them makes for an uneasy alliance. To make things more complicated, she becomes involved with her new upstairs neighbor. But there‘s something about him she can’t quite put her finger on—especially when he offers her a key clue to the killer’s identity.

A complex novel filled with quirky characters on the right and wrong sides of the law, Blind Spot reminds us that life is filled with leaps of faith both great and small.

I was a little skeptical about this novel. There's only so many paranormal type books that one can read before they start dreading the idea of another psychic gifted hero or heroine. I do have to say that this heroine completely surprised me. She's so different from the others. She sees things from the eyes of the criminals. Amazing!

Aside from the great heroine, the other aspect that had me glued was the way that whatever the author threw at me, I still wanted to read more. Yes, there were several ewww moments but I kept on reading, enjoying every little bit of it.

Can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series!

Blind Spot by Terri Persons (4/5) Mystery; Paranormal; Published: Doubleday (2007); Series: # 1, Bernadette Saint Clare; 100 + Reading Challenge (39); July Book Blowout (15); Library book;

What Kind of Flower Am I?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

ORBIS TERRARUM Challenge

Yes, another challenge. I just could not resist this one. You can find the info here. I have to choose nine books from nine authors from nine different countries.

Here are my selections:

1. Russia: Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

2. Colombia: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

3. Portugal: The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago ** Completed July 29th 2008

4. Italy: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

5. Chile: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

6. Ireland: Commitments by Roddy Doyle * Couldn't find the book, so decided to still go with the "I", so instead of Ireland, I'm doing India, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. ** Completed August 31st 2008

7. France: Around The World In Eighty Days by Jules Verne

8. Afghanistan: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini ** Completed August 10th 2008

9. Brazil: The War of the Saints by Jorge Amado * I read instead Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by the same author. ** Completed August 24th 2008

BTT - Beginnings

This week's Booking Through Thursday question is:

Suggested by: Nithin

Here’s another idea about memorable first lines from books.

What are your favourite first sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its first sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the first line?

Two come to mind. Both are from books that I had to read for school. One I thought was as boring as watching paint dry and the other I adored. I have read them since, and I did change my mind on the first and the other one is a favourite of mine.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

The Shroud

I’m a sucker for conspiracy theory/religious suspense type of books. I liked The Da Vinci Code, but my favourite was Angels & Demons. I've read several of these types of books since, you can find one here and another here. I just couldn’t resist on reading The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro.

Here’s the blurb:

The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud is the explosive international bestseller that mixes fact and fiction to tell the riveting story of one of the world’s most controversial relics—the Holy Shroud of Turin—and the desperate race to save it from those who will stop at nothing to possess its legendary power....

A fire at the Turin cathedral and the discovery of a mutilated corpse are the latest in a disturbing series of events surrounding the mysterious cloth millions believe to be the authentic burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Those who dare to investigate will be caught in the cross fire of an ancient conflict forged by mortal sacrifice, assassination, and secret societies tied to the shadowy Knights Templar.

Spanning centuries and continents, from the storm-rent skies over Calvary, through the intrigue and treachery of Byzantium and the Crusades, to the modern-day citadels of Istanbul, New York, London, Paris, and Rome, The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud races to a chilling climax in the labyrinths beneath Turin, where astounding truths will be exposed: about the history of a faith, the passions of man, and proof of the most powerful miracle of all…

Why hadn't I heard of this author before? I absolutly loved this book, I was hooked right from the beginning. I loved the way the author intertwined the story with an old religious sect and the Templar's. I admit it took me while to get used to the jumping back and forth between the past and present, but after a while it just seemed natural.

The characters were amazing. They all felt so real, hard to explain, I found their reactions to whichever obstacle that was thrown at them to be believable. I don't remember feeling as if certain things were out of character, their emotions or their reactions, especially during the historical part of the book. I felt for certain characters like Mendib, Ana and Sofia. Knowing that their safety was at risk, and also hoping for the best. Couldn't stand Addaio, but I understand the difficult decisions that he had to make, although I thought he made the wrong ones.

The ending was a complete surprise! Didn't see it coming. But I liked it, I can understand why the author to leave the secrets underground. Except for one person...but I won't get into that...

The Brotherhood of the Shroud by Julia Navarro (4.5/5) Fiction: Historical & Contemporary; Religious Suspense; Published: Random House - Spain (2004); Translated from Spanish by Andrew Hurley; New Author; Favourite Read 2008;100 + Reading Challenge (38); July Book Blowout (14); Library book; Added to shopping list;

Kiss of Crimson

I just finished reading the second book of the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian, Kiss of Crimson.

Here’s the blurb:

BONDED BY BLOOD AND DARK SECRETS, THEY ENTER A PLACE OF DANGER AND INFINITE PLEASURE . . . .

He comes to her more dead than alive, a towering black-clad stranger riddled with bullets and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, veterinarian Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all, but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. In a single erotically charged moment Tess is plunged into his world--a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swath of terror.

Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need--but now, with his brethren under attack, he must shield Tess from a growing threat that includes Dante himself. For with one reckless, irresistible kiss, she has become an inextricable part of his underworld realm . . . and his touch awakens her to hidden gifts, desires, and hungers she never knew she possessed. Bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to thwart deadly enemies, even as they discover a passion that transcends the boundaries of life itself . . . .

I was expecting to devour this book, like the first book, Kiss of Midnight. But it took at least six chapters to really get into the story.

I liked the characters, I thought Dante and Tess’s chemistry sizzling, the author was able to relay (IMO) their need to be together. Tess couldn’t quite understand the need to be with Dante, she couldn’t fight it. She tried. But the attraction was too strong. I found Ben a tad disturbing, even before the whole Crimson connection came up, he had the stalker vibe all over him. It was fun to visit with the characters of the previous book, even if it was just a little smidgen.

But the scene stealer was Chase. I couldn’t get enough of him, I love the way he loved Elise for “a far”, knowing that it was frown upon with the Darkhaven. Also the risk that he took by lying to members of the Order. The guilt that he felt by betraying Elise, but knowing that he had to do it. I hope that author has book planned for Chase.

Can’t wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.

Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian (4/5) Romance; Paranormal: Vampires; Published: Bantam Dell (6/2007); Series: # 2, Midnight Breed; 100 + Reading Challenge (37); July Book Blowout (13); Library book;

The Year of Living Biblically

As a personal challenge in the past few years I’ve wanted to read more non-fiction books. So far, I haven't been doing all that great, so when I saw that my local library purchased The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible byA. J. Jacobs . I placed a hold on it, in January. I finally picked it up last week.

Here’s the blurb:

Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers.

The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.

Jacobs's quest transforms his life even more radically than the year spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica for The Know-It-All. His beard grows so unruly that he is regularly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. He immerses himself in prayer, tends sheep in the Israeli desert, battles idolatry, and tells the absolute truth in all situations - much to his wife's chagrin.

Throughout the book, Jacobs also embeds himself in a cross-section of communities that take the Bible literally. He tours a Kentucky-based creationist museum and sings hymns with Pennsylvania Amish. He dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn and does Scripture study with Jehovah's Witnesses. He discovers ancient biblical wisdom of startling relevance. And he wrestles with seemingly archaic rules that baffle the twenty-first-century brain.Jacobs's extraordinary undertaking yields unexpected epiphanies and challenges. A book that will charm readers both secular and religious, The Year of Living Biblically is part Cliff Notes to the Bible, part memoir, and part look into worlds unimaginable. Thou shalt not be able to put it down.

One of the reasons this book appealed to me was that he was rediscovering his religious roots. Like him, I'm slowly rediscovering mine. But unlike him, I'm Catholic and had an early education in it, but in my teenage years I left it behind. I'm not sure what the cause was, but it just wasn't what I wanted. Now, as I parent, I want my children to have the experience, the faith and wonder of religion. I want them to learn, I want to love it as I love it as a child. But I also want them to make their own decisions. I just want to give them the choice. I'm back in the church, I'm enjoying, it's bringing back memories, good and bad. But I feel more welcome this time around. I feel that my questions can be answered and not be considered an annoyance, and for that I'm grateful for the priests that our congregation has.

Going back to the book. I enjoyed reading it, I found things that I didn't know, and others that I was completely baffled with, but I what I enjoyed the most was the way the author took his responsibility in experiencing the life of the Bible. And of course the humor in it. My only complaint, and it's a minor one was that I would have like to hear more of his New Testament experiences.

I'm definitely going to buy a copy of this book to keep.

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible byA. J. Jacobs (4.5/5) Non-Fiction; Memoir; Published: Simon & Schuster (10/2007); 100 + Reading Challenge (36); July Book Blowout (12); Library book; Added to shopping list;

Friday Fill-Ins # 81

Here are this week's Friday Fill-Ins questions:

1. If I could be a fly on the wall I would hope that I would stay safe.

2. Jealousy is scary.

3. When I see a shooting star my wish would be that my family will stay happy, safe and healty.

4. I'd rather be thnakful for my haves than complain about my have nots any day!

5. Certain songs when I hear them make me wanna dance.

6. If time were in a bottle I would invest in a very good bottle opener.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to quiet evening at home, tomorrow my plans include swimming lessons for the kids and shopping and Sunday, I want to !

BTT - Vacation Spots

This week's Booking Through Thursday question is:

Another question inspired by the Bunch of Grapes on Martha’s Vineyard having burned down on the Fourth of July.

Do you buy books while on vacation/holiday?
Do you have favorite bookstores that you only get to visit while away on a trip?
What/Where are they?

Actually I buy books before going on holiday. That way I have enough time to pack (hide) them before hubby sees them.

Nightshade & The Hero

I just love summer! Not only it’s beautiful and hot, but I really catch up with my reading. Even with the kids at home, they let me read. They’re too busy playing, making crafts, watching movies and reading. I've been reading up a storm...I can get used to this.

Here’s the blurb for Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert:

China's herb shop and catering business may be thriving, but she's still reeling from her father's death, and not even remotely interested in her half-brother Miles's investigation into that event. China's husband, on the other hand, has no such qualms. And when fate forces her to get involved as well, China realizes it's time to bring the past to light—or else it will haunt her the rest of her life.

But China and McQuaid discover that Miles may have been keeping as many secrets as he seemed determined to uncover. How deep do the layers of secrecy go? And who has a stake in concealing the truth after sixteen years?

Of all the China Bayles’ books that I’ve read, this one is my least favorite. That being said, it wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t enjoyed as much as the previous ones. It was great to see the usual characters, and some new ones as well, but overall I thought that it was just too much going on. With all the goings on, what I was looking forward was her interaction with her niece. I saw China’s tough exterior (in relation to her brother) melt away with each interaction with the little girl.

Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert (3/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley (3/2008); Series: # 17, China Bayles; 100 + Reading Challenge (34); July Book Blowout (10); Library book;

Here’s the blurb for When A Hero Comes Along by Teresa Southwick:

When Joe Morgan showed up again on Kate Carpenter's doorstep, the E.R. nurse didn't know what to think. After Kate had discovered she was pregnant, she'd waited to hear from the helicopter pilot and on-duty marine. Nothing. So why would the man who had left without a second glance suddenly return to her life?

Joe wanted to be a father to J.T., and Kate wouldn't stand in his way. She couldn't know that during Joe's harrowing tour of duty, thinking of his son—and of her—had kept him alive. But would the demons of the past prevent Joe from repairing the damage to Kate's heart—and embracing his family for keeps?

Both Joe and Kate have issues. And they both involve trust. They have to come to terms with these issues before they can give their relationship a try. Being a parent, I can certainly understand both Joe and Kate's feelings for their child, and their difficulty to let go certain responsibility to the other parent. I especially found this believable.

It's a easy and enjoyable read, I was drawn in quickly and I'm looking forward on reading more of the author's work.

When A Hero Comes Along by Teresa Southwick (3/5) Romance; Published: Silhouette Books (6/2008); Silhouette Special Edition # 1904; New Author; 100 + Reading Challenge (35); July Book Blowout (11);