The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith
OK, I will admit I have not been very good at keeping this site updated. I seem to have lost my motivation, my book blogging mojo if you will. I have gotten out of the habit of writing regularly and, like exercise, once you are out of the habit it is easier to just keep putting it off.
But, I wanted to take a moment to bring to your attention a book that came my way The Fox and the Star.
From the award-winning designer of the iconic Penguin Hardcover Classics comes a beautifully illustrated fable about loss, friendship, and courage
The Fox and the Star is the story of a friendship between a lonely Fox and the Star who guides him through the frightfully dark forest. Illuminated by Star’s rays, Fox forages for food, runs with the rabbits, and dances in the rain—until Star suddenly goes out and life changes, leaving Fox huddling for warmth in the unfamiliar dark. To find his missing Star, Fox must embark on a wondrous journey beyond the world he knows—a journey lit by courage, newfound friends, and just maybe, a star-filled new sky.
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and the art of William Blake, The Fox and the Star is a heartwarming, hopeful tale which comes alive through Bickford-Smith’s beloved illustrations, guiding readers both young and grown to “look up beyond your ears.”
Given the above, it is really no surprise that I loved the book. A simple, yet endearing, story blended with gorgeous art and design? Yes, please!
It touches all of the senses. It has texture and depth and lyricism that engages your hands, eyes and ears. It is a book you can enjoy all by yourself; just getting lost in the illustrations. But is is also a book you will want to read out loud (to children and adults) sharing the art as you share the story.
So what can I say? If you love the blending of art, literature and design you will want to have The Fax and the Star on your shelf.
Visit the author’s website for a glimpse of the beautiful illustrations.
The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau
Nancy Bilyeau has written a second historical fiction book, The Chalice, that is in a series involving the former nun Joanna Stafford. It is as gripping and spellbinding as The Crown (the first novel).
Here is a brief description of the book from the publisher:
IN 1538, ENGLAND is in the midst of bloody power struggles that threaten to tear the country apart. Aristocrat-turned-novice Joanna Stafford knows what lies inside the king’s torture rooms and risks imprisonment when she is caught up in an international plot targeting the king. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna understands she may have to assume her role in a prophecy foretold by three different seers.
Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII, as well as the future of Christendom, are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lies at the center of these deadly prophecies. . .
With regard to suspense, The Chalice picks up where The Crown left off. Although Joanna still is trying to deal with the closing of her monastery and adjust to her new life in Dartford, she is forced to deal with more political intrigue. The intrigue centers around her as a prophetess on the fate of England. As she struggles with her new role as a prophetess, she has to duck and weave through the politics of the day.
Bilyeau does another fine job in developing the characters. She captures Joanna’s torment of being caught up in political events, but also slowly shows Joanna growing more confident in her abilities.
Christian Origins and the Question of God Reading Challenge
I have been a fan of N.T. Wright for quite a while now. I have read a number of his books but they have been the popular versions (and his New Testament for Everyone volumes) rather than the scholarly tomes that inspired them.
I have long wanted to read his Christian Origins and the Question of God series, however, and even picked up used versions of Volumes 1 & 3. But I had to be honest with myself. I was unlikely to read that many pages in small print paperback. I didn’t want to shell out the dollars it would cost to buy all the volumes in Kindle format.
Well, as luck would have it, the prices changed. You can now get a whole lot of Wright for a lot less money. As of right now you can all four volumes for $7.99 each:
The New Testament and the People of God (V1)
Jesus and the Victory of God (V2)
The Resurrection and the Son of God (V3)
Paul and the Faithfulness of God (V4)
Plus, as a bonus you can get Paul and His Recent Interpreters for $5.99! That is over 4k of Wright for less than $40. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
However, therein lies the rub. If you read all five books that is 4,145 pages. Just the 4 Christian Origin volumes is 3,739. That is a lot of reading. And this is not light reading by any stretch of the imagination.
So how does one commit to something like this? Well, I think you have to do just that, make a commitment. So what I’m going to do is read Paul and His Recent Interpreters this year. And commit to reading the Christian Origins and the Question of God series in its entirety in 2016.
Broken down over the course of 12 months that is only about 300 words a month; certainly doable. The trick will be reading it in larger enough chunks that I get something out of it and end up with an understanding of Wright’s massive work.
This will be no easy challenge but I think it will give me something to shoot for in 2016. Anyone else up for the challenge?