My Best of 2008 List.....

The list author says:

"I scaled back on reading this year and still managed to read and review 94 books. I also watched 42 movies (six were so bad I couldn't write a positive review).

Several categories of books, two for films:

None-Fiction that Enriched My Life or Greatly Entertained Me.
Movies that Twisted my Brain.
Movies I Loved.
New Authors (to Me) I'm Going to Stalk.
New Authors I Recommend.
Books That Made Me Think.
Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction
Downright Fun
Tried and Still True Authors"

1. Hancock (Single-Disc Rated Edition) DVD ~ Will Smith The list author says: "Charming story. Lots of fun. One of my top guilty, just-for-fun '08 movie favorites."

2. Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition) DVD ~ Robert Downey Jr. The list author says: "Gotta love a sarcastic anti-hero. One of my top '08 movie picks."

3. Fireproof DVD ~ Kirk Cameron The list author says: "A touch of cheesy, but overall impressive. There are way worse movies to invest your time in. This one could really make you stop and think. A favorite 2008 brain-twist movie."

4. Lars and the Real Girl DVD ~ Patricia Clarkson The list author says: "This may be the sweetest movie I've ever seen. Bizarre and touching. Loved it. Top movie of '08 pick."

5. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed DVD ~ Ben Stein The list author says: "Want your undies in a bunch? Look no further. Possibly the most controversial movie I've ever seen. One of my favorite Mind-Twister films of 2008."

6. Sicko (Special Edition) DVD ~ Michael Moore The list author says: "Not a new release, but it was a fascinating watch none-the-less. One of my favorite Mind-Twister films of 2008."

7. The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine The list author says: "Great ideas when you want to make some positive changes. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

8. Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight: Fifty-Two Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change by Karen Scalf Linamen The list author says: "Funny advice that covers all sorts of life changes you might want to make. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

9. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis, 2nd Edition by Sheila Lowe The list author says: "Not a new release, but fascinating. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

10. Eat This, Not That! Thousands of Simple Food Swaps that Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds--or More! by David Zinczenko The list author says: "This will mess with you. Really eye-opening. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

11. Try Darkness (Ty Buchanan Series, Book 2) by James Scott Bell The list author says: "Bell just keeps getting better. Loved this. Better than book one. Fun, sweet, twisty. Solidly in Tried and Still True Authors category."

12. Wind River by Tom, Morrisey The list author says: "Nobody writes an outdoor adventure like Tom Morrisey. Tight and beautiful with tension that makes a story twang. Tried and Still True Author of '08. Looking forward to any '09 release."

13. Par for the Course: A Novel (Faith Words) by Ray Blackston The list author says: "Ray cracks me up. Quirky. I don't even like golf. But I loved Par. He's a Tried and Still True Author and Par lands in the Downright Fun category as well."

14. Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee The list author says: "Tried and True Author. It takes tremendous talent to write tales told by a demon and the mother of all humanity. Powerful books by a very gifted author. Havah also landed in the Books That Made Me Think long after I put it down and Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction categories."

15. The Shape of Mercy: A Novel by Susan Meissner The list author says: "Susan Meissner writes tales that transport. I recommend everything she's written. A Tried and Still True Author."

16. Symphony of Secrets: A Novel by Sharon, Hinck The list author says: "Sharon Hinck has a very distinctive and pleasant voice. She is solidly Tried and Still True."

17. Gallimore by Michelle Griep The list author says: "A solid, engaging and fabulous debut novel. Minnesota has given us some great writers, Griep is not an exception. I can't wait to see where she goes from here. A New Author I Recommend."

18. Fallen: A Novel by Matthew Raley The list author says: "Not only is Raley a New Author I Recommend, he's written a Book That Made Me Think...long after I finished. A very twisted story about church politics and humanity within the sacred realm."

19. Road to Nowhere by Paul, Robertson The list author says: "I can't believe I love a book about a road. But I do. The story still hovers months after I finished it. A Twelve Angry Men kind of story that is haunted with prejudice, selfishness and greed."

20. My Visit to Hell by Paul Thigpen The list author says: "Not amazing writing but the story is spooky and haunting. A Book That Made Me Think -- and still does."

21. My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder The list author says: "A book that charmed me from page one. And one that not only is Downright Fun...it also Made Me Think."

22. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope, and Happily Ever After by Trish Ryan The list author says: "A Memoir that entertained and challenged me. A Book That Made Me Think and was Downright Fun in the process."

23. Wounded: A Love Story by Claudia Mair Burney The list author says: "Claudia Mair Burney is an author who is Tried and Still True, writes books That Make Me Think and writes Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction. If you haven't read Christian Fiction in awhile and you always thought it was pablum. Pick up a Ms. Burney title. Dare ya."

24. Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney The list author says: "Another Claudia Mair Burney turn you upside-down and shake-you novel. Everything I said about Wounded...ditto."

25. Embrace Me by Lisa Samson The list author says: "Lisa Samson has proven once again to be Tried and True. She's authored a Book That Made Me Think, and she writes Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction. Powerful book. Not pretty, but beautiful."

26. An August Adams Adventure: House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe The list author says: "Crazy story. So much fun. Downright Fun."

27. Less than Dead (Bug Man Series #4) by Tim Downs The list author says: "I am going to Stalk Tim Downs. Not in a creepy way, but as in "How have I missed this guy?" I loved the Bug Man. Downright Fun in a creepy, fascinating forensic snark-fest. Sarcasm, humor, yuck. My kind of book."

28. It's Not About Me (Second Glances Series #1) by Michelle Sutton The list author says: "Michelle Sutton has written a gritty, real, "oh my" book that is full of hope and honesty."

29. The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips: A Novel (Faithwords) by Stephen Baldwin The list author says: "Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction for sure."

30. The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files, Book 2) by Steven, James The list author says: "Another New to Me Author I'm Going to Stalk. Great suspense, great story, great characters. Glad I stumbled across him."

31. Crazy Fool Kills Five: A Fifi Cutter Mystery by Gwen Freeman The list author says: "New Author (to Me) I'm Going to Stalk. Or at least watch for new reads by Gwen Freeman. Chick-lit with a baseball bat upside the head."

One More New Year Greeting....

My New Year Blessing...or I couldn't

have said it any better.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight

Product Description:

Do you wish something in your life was different? Take heart! You already possess the first and most important ingredient for change. Don’t waste your dissatisfaction, wield it!

Intimate, humorous, and inspiring, Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight will take you on a journey from where you are to where you want to be. Do you long for a more rewarding career? A more passionate marriage? A healthier body, brighter future, or happier heart?

With her trademark blend of laugh-out-loud humor and sage advice,
Karen Linamen introduces you to 52 powerful actions
you can apply to any change you long to embrace.

In the process, you’ll discover the missing link between dissatisfaction and transformation; learn painless ways to remodel your habits; understand why you procrastinate and how to stop; learn how to generate the energy you need to pursue the life you want, and, above all, discover options and resources you never dreamed you had.

What are you waiting for? No matter what has been holding you back–fear, fatigue, adversity, heartbreak, failures, or even the choices of other people–get ready. Get set. Lasting change is possible and its time to get started!

Includes questions for reflection and discussion.


My Review:


This is the first of Karen Scalf Linaman books I've read and I enjoyed her cut to the chase style of putting it out there. I also enjoyed her sometimes subtle, sometimes in your face humor.

If you are looking for some enthusiastic cheerleading for choices you know you need or should make, you could benefit from Linaman's helpful ideas. If you aren't ready to do what you need to do to move forward with lifestyle changes, this book isn't going to make your life better.

I appreciated that all her wisdom and suggestions can be applied to all areas of life. You don't necessarily need a handful of how-to books to cover all your resolutions. Hers would be sufficient because her insight covers across the board. Her chapters are short and broken up into quick bite-sized nuggets and snippets of story.

Very conservative religious may struggle with some aspects of this book and the author's personal struggles. If you can't accept a Christian remarrying after divorce, then you'll want to pass because Linaman is honest about her own path in life that includes a failed marriage. If you are expecting very deep Biblical wisdom and counsel you might be disappointed. However, the author includes the basic Gospel message and several scripture references. That said, non-religious can find takeaways that will help them to focus on what they could do to move beyond a struggle or bad habit.

As with all self-help books if it just ends up on your bookshelf it's not going to benefit you. If you are going to buy it and not commit to pulling out what makes sense to you and using it, don't waste your money. But if you truly want to makes some changes Only Nuns could be just what you're looking for.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Happy 2009

Happy New Year

My house is full of awesome people and very good puppies. Don't know what happened to Lily and Lola but Tyson, the visiting boxer who had surgery during his trip to Iowa, is on drugs.

More about all that later.

But for now...Happy New Year. I went to bed late and woke up in time to greet the morning. Don't know why I'm not exhausted, but the house is so quiet, the sun was crawling up the horizon, and the big Dr. Suessian Christmas Bulbs glowed as attractive bright beacons of happiness, so I grabbed the camera and the laptop and decided to give in to the urge to wax on about a beautiful and peaceful start to a new year.

The picture of the bulbs shows raw wood. More about THAT later, too.

I hope your 2009 is blessed beyond your wildest expectations. A little whimsy, some peace and enough moments of pure beauty that you lose a breath now and again.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Quick Note to Say...

Hope you didn't get too many boxes like this for Christmas.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Fudge Induced Rambling

With a thud, Santa crashed through the chimney. (It would definitely require Santa magic to get through our chimney...which may or may not be here next Christmas....In case you are following our on-going construction saga, Rob is tearing out the ceiling around said chimney today...)

But I digress.

Did he visit you as well? Santa, not Rob.

We gave books as gifts and opened several more. New C.S. Lewis works will take up residence on our shelves, a monster coffee table book about American history now lives here, and even a Max Lucado I haven't read before.

Speaking of books, I'm thinking through my favorites, gearing up for a Top of 2008 list. And I'm reading bits and pieces of books I've started or promised to read for review.

Stay tuned for updates.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Okay. A little tacky but...still. Gotta give it points for amusement value....


HOLIDAY CHEER