Danka's World

What it is: The premise of this book is a rebuttal against arguments presented by Richard Dawkins in his book, the Selfish Gene. Where Dawkins and the neo-Darwinists claim that natural selection is the only way change has come about in the natural world, and that everywhere a scientist looks, all that can be seen is selfishness; a battle for the prize of genetic survival. Not so, says Foster. The historical natural world can be viewed through another lens, and there can be found a continual progression from the simple to the brilliantly complex through co-operation, community, and genuine altruism, as well as natural selection and evolutionary processes.
My thoughts: This book provides a much needed rational discourse that outlines (and dismantles) the arguments of two extreme positions: the neo-Darwinists and the Young Earth Creationists. As a somewhat educated but generally non-scientific person who has thought both ends of the spectrum of thought concerning the origins of the world were, well, distorted to say the least, but not feeling knowledgeable enough to join the conversation, this book enhanced my understanding greatly. I did find it to be, at times, excessive in the insults hurled in both directions, and while some of the ideas are original and hopeful, scripture and science are both stretched, perhaps a little further than they could be. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A few days ago I finished reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon.

This book has one of the most original and memorable protagonists I have ever read. And I feel like that’s all I can tell you.

One of the best things about this book was that I knew nothing about it going in and having the story unfold with it’s surprises and delicacies was a treat.

I like the original style. I can see the careful editing. I love the pacing. The things I love the most I can’t tell you. You have to read it for yourself. If you’re looking for a memorable novel, read this.

I just finished reading this on the weekend. Remember how I was in that giant bookstore with Kim and I had an armload of books and cds I wanted to buy and I had to choose just one? Well, it was this one. And I chose perfect. What a great book.

Here is the description: “Christianity is logical and reasonable, but its not merely logical and reasonable. Award winning screen writer and popular Christian apologist Brian Godawa in, Word Pictures: Knowing God through Story and Imagination, looks beyond the roughly 30%of the Bible that is made up of Laws and propositional truth, to the rich imagery and startling storytelling that make up the majority of the Bible. It is in this mix of symbol, narrative, law and logic that God compels, encourages and instructs us, and we come to know and love God with our whole selves.”

As a student who is equally enamored with literature and philosophy, this book sort of married two trains of thought that sometimes compete for my focus. I’ll be trying hard to explain my way through a difficult concept in a paper and the whole time I’ll be thinking to myself, there’s a reason why Jesus taught us the truths of God using parables (stories) rather than logical propositions. But there’s an important place in the human mind also for logic and laws (the almighty science that my husband so adores). It was both encouraging and exciting to read. I’d dig out an excerpt for ya but I already lent the book out to someone. Very thought provoking. Very well written.

2nd book of 2010. If you haven’t guessed already, I thought I might keep track of the books I read on the blog.

I already gave you an excerpt, so all I will say is that I liked it. I liked it a lot. I would reccomend it to anyone. It’s a must read. Highly enjoyable. Yes indeed.

Okay. So it looks like this.

My first (completed) read of 2010. Actually, it’s a re-read. The first time I read Practicing the Presence of People by Mike Mason Adora was a toddler. You know the two big rules of life. Love God and Love other people. Well, this book is sort of a collection of meditations about loving other people. It has probably influenced the way I think more than any other book, and has helped me a lot in the realm of relationships (I’m not naturally a people person). I know I’ll be reading it again in the future.

The book was inspired by one of the author’s favorite devotionals The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It’s all about learning to love. I learn something new every time I open its pages.

Actually, way back when, I borrowed the book from a friend. I had forgotten I still had it on my shelf and I feel really bad. I’m usually a stickler for returning borrowed books (as I really miss the books I have lent that were never returned), but I can’t seem to let this one go. I might have to buy my own copy or buy them a new one.

I’ve read one of Mike Mason’s other books too; The Mystery of Marriage. Also a great book. Mr. Mason lives in Langly BC (not far from here) and reading his books is kind of like receiving long letters of life wisdom from an old uncle you never see.

Anyways, I thought I would include a passage from the book. This is a small passage from Chapter 55: Receivership.

I share this passage with you because it spoke to me. I was sitting in my bed the night I read it. I put the book down and looked around the room and saw some beautiful furniture that we had been given, that we inherited, that I had been slow to receive. I was glad to have it, in more ways than one, but didn’t know what to do with the ‘style’ because I had not personally chosen it and didn’t know how to fit it into my house. How silly.

Which got me thinking about the house itself. I have had my bitterness regarding this house I live in, which I haven’t really written about on this site, but regardless, I have been bitter. I have been reluctant to receive. Silliness.

And then my husband walked into the room. He looked handsome. I said “Why are you so handsome?” Really, I said that because I’ve been jealous. My body, skin and hair have changed so much in the last five years that I barely recognize myself in the mirror. He still looks as good as when we were young. Better even. So when I asked, “Why are you so handsome?” I meant, ‘why do you still look great and I don’t. It’s not fair.”

But he didn’t know that’s what I was thinking, but he threw me a wink over his shoulder and said “And it’s all yours, Baby.” And it hit me like a ton of bricks that I am such a lucky woman to have such a handsome man to call my own! Just for me! So he crawled in the covers and I received him too.

Four minutes ago, I finished reading this book:

And it is one of the best books I have ever read.

Awesome. Thanks to my sister Paige, for lending it to me.