Tag: books

Warmth of Heaven

James HoganLeave a comment

A few book reviews this evening!

62. Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson. A fun little novella that is only right and proper to read when you’re doing a Stormlight Archive re-read! I’ve read this once before and while I enjoyed it again this go-around, I must confess it was a little odd to read it and realizing the first good chunk was lifted (oh dear) straight out of one of the interludes from Words of Radiance. Still, despite that repetition, still enjoyed this. Lift’s a bit ridiculous at times but yes she is also rather awesome. And the ending was unexpected but rather heart-warming. Also for such a little novella, so much world-building! Appreciated the look into the western lands of Roshar. I can’t say I read this book often, but I will continue to re-read every time I’m doing my SA re-read! A lot of charm for such a little book.

63. Psalms of Praise – A Movement Primer by Danielle Hitchen & art by Jessica Blanchard. A lovely little encouraging book full of good verses and gorgeous art! This book is probably best for small toddlers (ages 1-2 or so?) but even I much enjoyed the (quick!) read of this book. Verses that point to God and talk about different postures/movements that one ought exhibit before the Lord! Simple, but what is better than reading the Word to our small children? And I mentioned this briefly already, but the art is simply beautiful. Quality children’s book all around. It is never too early to start reading verses out of Scripture to our small ones.

To dream and hope and love…

James HoganLeave a comment

Because mere wonder cannot suffice for love…

Can you guess where I’m posting from? Yeah, Starbucks. And why, you may ask, am I posting on the middle of a Monday? Well, it happens to be a bank holiday here, so no work for me! It’s quite unfortunate though, because I was originally going to use today to explore around Aberdeen, maybe go visit a castle or something of the sort. Sadly beginning yesterday, I seem to becoming sick. Most annoying. Apart from having a stuffed nose, inflamed throat, sleep-inducing weariness, and a slight tint of dizziness, I’m quite fine. I swear! I actually probably shouldn’t have walked here to Starbucks at all, but I couldn’t stand the thought of being by myself in my flat all day long! Had to get out, so I made the trek here(I really should measure the distance, but it can’t be longer than a couple miles) and now after a few hours spent replying to emails, sipping on my peppermint mocha and reading the delightfulness that is the Word, I decided I may as well see if my writing muse had fled along with all my strength and vigor. Apparently not, hurrah! But I must warn you, I’m feeling slightly hazy, as if I’m dreaming yet awake. So we’ll see if my writings can actually make sense!

So yesterday(apart from the gradually feeling sicker part) was quite awesome! I love Sundays. I was originally going to go to a new church(Gilcomston South, a Church of Scotland) yesterday morning, but me and Mark(friend from work) had planned on going to the football game. Thankfull, Gilcomston has an evening service too! But first, me and Mark hit up the football game – Aberdeen versus the Rangers(of Glasgow). Apparently it’s one of the biggest games of the year, and the Rangers have been perfect thus far, winning all their games. I could believe it – quite an awesome atmosphere!! Right to our left we had a huge section of Aberdeen supporters singing and chanting most of the game and there was a large Rangers contingent at the game as well. It definitely wasn’t a boring game either – we went up 2-0 and it looked like the makings of a huge upset! Sadly it was not to be, as the Rangers came storming back the 2nd half. A couple brilliant goals and a penalty to win 3-2. Alas. Still, it was an awesome game!

Afterwards, came back to my flat and then got ready for church – it’s only a few miles away, right on Union Street, so I was able to walk. It was a lovely service, although by this time I was feeling quite under the weather and most un-energetic. Still, met a few friendly people and look forward to meeting more later this week!

And Saturday was a fun day of exploring and buying far too much stuff. After I spent the morning reading and relaxing at Starbucks(if you’re somehow desirous of reading more words by me, I wrote up a post on Adam’s blog here. Warning: content is sort of unedited…but joy inducing all the same, to me at least. I cannot ever forget or deny the majesty of the LORD, all glory to the Father!), I walked downtown and found a scarf and gloves(which people told me I’d eventually need) and then around lunchtime, found a statue of William Wallace and ate lunch there. After that, I quite by accident discovered an awesome 2nd-hand book shop! They had an Asimov book I’ve been wanting for a while(Prelude to Foundation – the first one of his I ever read, way back in 9th grade!) and I got a biography of William Wallace. My bedtime reading for the next week. It’s so cool to be reading it and finding mentions of Aberdeen and thinking, “Oh yeah, where I am right now!” I love finding random awesome book shops. And they mentioned that there was an even better one near the university. I’ll have to discover that one another weekend…oh and I also bought a Rhapsody of Fire album. I really shouldn’t have, since it was sort of expensive, but I really wanted to hear its epic-ness. I’ll just consider it my early half-birthday present to myself. Have I mentioned Rhapsody of Fire here before? They’re an Italian symphonic power metal band that primarily writes fantasy-based songs. Gorgeous songs that probably most of you won’t enjoy. But I do, so there. My favorite driving music ever, pretty much. And on the subject of music, I need to do another album rank-up post sometime soon…but this post is already starting to go too long, so we shall save that for another day!

And yay, apparently being sick hasn’t taken all of my writing powers(or my tendency to be long-winded…but shh)!

Alright, I’ve decided it’s time to leave Starbucks(I’ve probably already been here 3 hours…and I’m getting sore sitting in one place for so long…and my peppermint mocha is almost gone…) and go down to the store for some soup and Nyquil(or whatever passes for Nyquil in these lands). Hopefully my body can heal up enough that I can go to work tomorrow. We shall see. Now, off to walk on the ancient paving stones, dream of a time when there will be no sickness, dance in the beauty of the day…and rejoice in the goodness of our Lord!

Rock on, y’all.

James HoganLeave a comment

Yo, just thought I’d write a random entry…because I so feel like it. I’m at the Circa lab right now, relaxing until my energy management class in a few minutes. I should probably walk over there now, but I’m not exactly looking forward to the two hours I’ll be spending there. Ehh. On the other hand, I AM looking forward to lunch with Deanna and the voluntary bloodletting that will take place later this afternoon!

We had a sweeet lit class today where we got to talk about fantasy, yayyy! We’ve been reading this book Wizard of Earthsea. Not bad, but quite dark and thematic…it has a solitary hero who goes around by himself. And personally, my favorite books are the character-driven books that have very realistic and fun interpersonal interactions(Lord of the Rings, yes. Wheel of Time, YES). Hence, I did not enjoy the book much. But the discussion, on the other hand, was as awesome as always! And yes, I did finish my lit homework finally yesterday. I made a cool little “comic-strip” detailing the beginning of a grand fantasy adventure titled…wait for it…”Shadow of the Stars”. I think that’s pretty epic-sounding, neh?

Alright, I should maybe go to class so I won’t be late. Even though I still don’t want to. I’m actually sorta hungry too…even though I did have nice crunchy bacon for breakfast today! And my coffee was rather delicious too. Sadly I will have to wait a few more hours for lunch. Wow, this is really bad that I’m trying to think of more to say so I don’t go to class. Kids, don’t do what I do and go to class. It’s good for your health. Ok, enough coffee-induced randomness. Time to take flight and manage some energy! Peace.

James HoganLeave a comment

Well, not a lot has been going on lately…except I’ve finished HP7…the last Harry Potter book. And it was AMAZING. It’s interesting because I haven’t been involved with HP the whole time like some people…my first exposure was watching the 4th movie. After that, I read the whole series thus far and realized what I was missing…so this was my first time reading the book as soon as it came out. I just have to give props to JKR for such a storytelling masterpiece. I’m not going to say HP is “great literature”, but you know what? I love it anyway. Most “great literature” is depressing and contains much I’d rather not read about anyway.
So part of the reason I loved this book so much was that it DID have a happy ending…Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all lived…and the ending, with all of them married and with children was SO happy and awesome, that I was very pleased. I just have to say, her whole series was a beautifully crafted tale that while not on the level of Crime and Punishment maybe, is sure a whole lot more fun to read. And I must admit, as Voldemort killed himself and the wand flew into Harry’s hand at the end…I almost got teary-eyed. Almost. And believe me, that NEVER happens to me…especially not when reading. So I have to give credit to JKR for that.
I’m just very pleased and satisfied with HP7 and must say that it is, hands down, my favorite of the series, with Half-Blood Prince close behind. If anyone hasn’t read any of the series yet, give it a try. I did, and her amazingly created characters and alternate world made me sorry I’d missed it for so long. My sister’s reading it now, but I can’t wait until they’re done with it so I can read it again…