A balance? Gotchyaa

Gotchyaa by Steven Stiles, D. Min.
paperback, 146 pages
Published July 2011 by Createspace
ISBN13: 9781463738310
Read January 2012


Over the last several years, many Christian authors have come out with books about living simply and helping the poor. These books on social issues have resonated with the Church. I myself have participated in a couple of studies on the subject. Inevitably, the question is raised about what about the person preying of the generosity of Christians. It comes in various forms, with people wondering if it is being a good steward of the resources if they are given to someone who squanders them. 

I have been going through Gotchyaa for a while. I read a chapter a week to see if it would be good to use in a group study. A few weeks after I started it, I encountered a woman in a parking lot as I left a restaurant for lunch. I make eye contact with everyone, so it isn't unusual for people to stop me to ask for assistance (it happened 4 times while I was on my Europe trip, which was funny because I was usually lost myself). She approached me, explained she was out of gas and had a 7 month old baby in the car. She didn't care if I gave her money or put gas in her car, she just needed gas. I don't usually have cash on me and as I didn't drive myself to lunch wasn't sure how I would get to the gas station. We happened to be a block or so from my church and it was also the day that we had benevolence workers available. I told her that my church could help her get a gas voucher. Before I could give her directions she was already saying she didn't know where that was as she was new in town. I explained it was within walking distance and she could cut through the parking lots to get to it. She thanked me and headed that way. I watched her for a bit, she passed a group of businessmen but didn't stop. I don't know if she went to the church or not. I don't know if it was a scam or not. I did wonder about the baby. Why wasn't the baby with her, particularly if the car wasn't nearby?


After the encounter, I thought about what I had read in Gotchyaa. Now I probably wouldn't have given her money, but I still feel that I was obedient to God's command to serve the least of these. By sending her to the church, not only were people trained to help her, but she may have been able to receive more assistance that she was needing if indeed she needed assistance.


While I don't think Gotchyaa would make a very good weekly study. It did provide some good information and things to watch for when dealing with people who are seeking assistance or offering deals. If a study leader is looking for scenarios for role playing, there were several good ones provided. I wasn't really sure of the role Tripp was suppose to play and often thought he wasn't really needed.


Even after reading Gotchyaa, I'm still left with the question of whether I should give assistance to all who ask. If it's a con artist then they are taking resources that could have helped someone truly in need. But at the same time, maybe there is a greater purpose at work. I wonder if people hadn't fallen for the schemes of Bud and Teresa would Bud and Teresa ended up how they did in the end? So while I'm a bit more armed to spot scams (a lot of the information I already knew), my decision to assist those who ask will continue to be decided by this one question: Am I being obedient to God in my action?


*I received a free copy of Gotchyaa in exchange for an honest review. 


If you would like to purchase a copy it can be found at the following stores:

Powell's books
Amazon

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Video Blog #1: What I'm reading

I'm back with a video blog today. Last year some of my most viewed posts were my video blogs. I'm hoping to do them weekly. If you have any suggestions about the videos, want to ask me a question or want me to talk about something specific (related to books, publishing, authors), either leave a comment or send me an email. I would like to expand this feature, but I'm limited by my editing skills. If anyone is interested in volunteering their video editing skills, email me!

My Reading List:
As you can see I didn't post a review last week, which means I'm still reading the same books as last week. I'm getting closer to finishing them so hopefully will have a new review or two this week.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens (completed by David Madden). I'm finally to the section that Madden wrote. It is reading a bit quicker. The writing doesn't seem as dark and dense, but still has the same attention to detail.

The Egyptian by Layton Green. If I wasn't trying to finish up the Dickens novel, I would be totally consumed with this book. I think I might be a bit attracted to the main character, Dominic Grey, and wishing I was more like Veronica.

I forgot that I was still working through Gotchyaa by Steven Stiles. It is a suppose to be a study guide for Christian groups. I can't say it's a Bible study since there is little to no emphasis on Scripture. It is still interesting and I have 3 "weeks" left. I'm thinking I will just read through the last few chapters to finish the book up.

What are you reading this week? To check out what other bloggers are reading this week check out Book Journey's It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! I'm reading...

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

I've been reading this for a while. I'm about 20 pages from finishing part 1 which is all Dickens wrote before his death. I'm excited to get to the part that was completed by Madden.

From Goodreads.com: To mark the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens in 2012, Unthank Books are publishing Sir David Madden's masterful new completion of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, Dickens' last, and unfinished novel. In a work of incredible literary ventriloquism David Madden renders the greatest homage he can to the great author by creating an ending as faithful to Dickens' written intentions as possible. Closely following the clues clearly laid down by Dickens in his sadly incomplete version, David Madden seamlessly continues the story with a stunningly similar repertoire of comedy, psychological acuity, inimitable description and turn of phrase. Published in one volume with Madden succeeding the 'master,' this is at last a completion of the mystery which proves it to be as much a 'whydunnit' as a 'whodunnit' and affords real pleasure, finally and fully from start to finish.
It is literally as if Dickens has risen from his grave to finish the job.

This is an exciting book that pulls together several of my favorite things in books - espionage, biotech/science, religious cults, an emotionally damaged leading man...

From Goodreads.com: The Egyptian: A Suspense/Thriller

At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis.

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment.

A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory.

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product. However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued.

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech & before that truth kills them.

For fans of Steve Berry, Dan Brown, Douglas Preston and the X-files.

What are you reading this second week of 2012?

Phenomenal: Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman

Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman by J. B. Lynn
ARC from Edelwiess
Published January 2012 by Avon Impulse
ISBN 9780062134662
Read December 2011
Goodreads, IndieBound, Amazon

Over the summer I was introduced to a new author when I read The First Victim. I truly enjoyed this fantastic thriller and sought out the author, J. B. Lynn. She was kind enough to write a guest post for my blog. Since then we have kept up on Twitter (@JB_Lynn_author). So when she emailed me at the beginning of December about her upcoming novel, Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman, I did a little happy dance. And, oh my, how happy I was to have this book to read over my Christmas holidays. It was exactly the type of escapism you need on a vacation. It took me a day and a half to finish it (it would have only taken a day had I been able to stay up later, but alas I had family obligations).

I was only about a third of the way through the story when I shed my first tears. And I don't mean my eyes misted. I had big crocodile tears trickling past my nose. But those tears turned into giggles a few pages later. (I think the traffic stop may be my favorite scene. It was just perfect). I'm so glad I live alone so I don't have to stifle my laughs, but can freely laugh out loud. And just as I had more tears, I had many more laughs. It was a great combination of humor and heartbreak. I don't remember there being as much humor in The First Victim so it was great to see an additional talent.

I really liked the main character, Maggie. In a lot of ways I felt that I could emotionally relate to her. I think one of the reason why this was such a great escape/vacation read was the surrealism that the character of Godzilla (who likes to be called God) added to the story. When I started the story I wasn't sure if this was just some dream or fantasy or if it was suppose to be real, but it really helped me to forget the real world for a while and just enjoy the story. I expect that to happen when I read fantasy or fluffy romance, but not something that usually happens for me with suspense and thrillers. And there are definitely suspenseful moments. If you follow me on Goodreads you'll see about the last fifth of the book had me on the edge of my seat. At 86% I had an uneasy feeling - things tended to not work out quite right for Maggie and the deal she made could had been her costliest. At 88% my only thought was OH, NO! J. B. happened to be on Twitter when that came through and she told me I was killing her. I thought it was an apropos statement.

I really enjoyed her debut novel The First Victim and was even more impressed with Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman. While I only gave The First Victim 4 STARS because of a little plot issue I had with it (you can read my review here to see what it was), I had no qualms about assigning 5 STARS to Confessions as it was a phenomenal read. You might be wondering why I have waited so long to tell you about it (though if you follow me on Twitter you've seen me talking about it). It's not available, yet. However, you only have to wait a few more weeks. You can get your copy of Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman by J. B. Lynn on January 24. Since you don't want to miss out on what will be one of the best reads of 2012, you can pre-order it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

So your assignment is to pre-order Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman, read The First Victim
to pass the time, and then come back here January 27 when J. B. Lynn will be sharing a bit more insight in a guest post.

Related articles

• Review: Confessions of a Neurotic Hitwoman by JB Lynn (bookdout.wordpress.com)
• J. B. Lynn: Bits of Real Life (a guest post) (girl-who-reads.com)
• So Funny: Further Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman (girl-who-reads.com)

Goodbye 2011

It's New Year's Eve! 2011 was a great year in reading. I've discovered so many great books and new favorite authors. As it is the end of the year and I didn't do any Best of lists, I thought I would do a wrap up to highlight the most viewed posts, authors who visited, and events on Girl Who Reads this year.

Top 10 Viewed Posts:

Holiday Buying Guide
A Work in Progress - A. C. Dillon
Mocked by Destiny - Inside the Characters with Michele Richard
Sensitive Subject Handled Well: Lies Inside
Christmas Books - Nancy Adams
A Sweet Short Story - The Gift of Joy
Avid Bookshop Grand Opening
I Came Late to the Harry Potter Party
In my July Mailbox (video)
Guilty as Charged - Douglas Kennedy

Guest Authors: I want to thank each author who appeared on my blog this year. I feel honored that you chose my blog and took the time out of your busy schedule to share with my readers.

Susan Fraser King (Queen Hereafter)
Nancy Adams (Saint Nick and the Fir Tree)
Douglas Kennedy (The Moment)
Abbi Glines (Breathe)
A. C. Dillon (Change of Season)
Schledia Benefield (Plain Jane)
J. B. Lynn (The First Victim)
Aine Greaney (Dance Lessons)
Michele Richard (Mocked by Destiny)

Events:

ArmchairBEA
Avid Bookshop Grand Opening
Tayari Jones (Book Reading Silver Sparrow)
Once Upon A Read-a-thon

Well there's a little recap of 2011. I'm so looking forward to 2012 and the books, authors and events I'll be sharing with you. I already have a few authors lined up to visit. My first review of the new year will be up next week: Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman by J. B. Lynn. It is absolutely wonderful and is available for pre-order now (It'll be released January 24). It's a don't miss title of 2012.

I wish you a healthy and happy 2012 filled with great reads!

Girl Who Reads

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (promo)

Today, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is available in paperback. Warner Brothers has secured the rights for this title as well as its sequels (Shadow of Night is due out next summer). If you are like me you like to read the books before seeing the movie. And this book looks great (that saying something as I'm picky about my fantasy).

From Goodreads.com: A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

Intrigued? I know I was and thrilled that Penguin Books offered me a copy for review. I haven't had a chance to read it, yet, with the holidays, but my fellow blogger Tami reviewed it over the summer. You can read her review at Bookish Temptations. In addition to offering me a free copy, Penguin will also send one of my readers a copy! All you need to do is leave a comment with a way to contact you should you be the winner. You have until midnight EST on Friday December 30. Then I will pick a winner using Random.org.

Want a little more background on A Discovery of Witches? Check out this excellent video:

You can find out more about A Discovery of Witches and Deborah Harkness at her website and on Facebook.

Buy at Amazon
Buy Powell's Books

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• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy #1) (arcanereader.wordpress.com)
• 'A Discovery of Witches' Headed to a Theatre Near You! (mrsaubergine.wordpress.com)