Travis Seitler: Web Designer

My best book of 2006 dates clear back to April: THE BOOK OF STORY BEGINNINGS by Kristin Kladstrup. Nothing else has come close since then. —Mary Lee @ A Year of Reading

Like Inkheart and Inkspell, it delves into questions of self-determination and whether characters have lives independent of their creators, although it’s lighter than that series. —Sheila Ruth @ Wands and Worlds

It seems many childrens’ books these days are written about books. In other words, it’s as if writers are trying a last-ditch effort to revitalize reading among youngsters by writing books that are all about how wonderful books are. Tales like the aforementioned Inkheart, specifically, focus on the “magical” way that books “come to life” by having books within the tale literally do so. Such is the main theme of The Book of Story Beginnings, but unlike Cornelia Funke’s trilogy this book takes a theme that is nearly bursting with potential and downgrades it to a simplistic plot device. What could have led the reader to ponder our ability to “create” and to what degree a creator can claim ownership over his creation… was used merely as the rabbit hole for Alice to fall down.

And while I’ve read Lewis, Tolkien and Rowling, I’m not a big fan of sorcery and magic, so some of the key story elements in the book made me a bit uncomfortable. Reminiscent of the final pages of Blue Balliet’s Chasing Vermeer (and unlike the Harry Potter series), Kladstrup’s tale treats elements of sorcery and witchcraft as real—which is to say, characters employ them exactly as sorcerers and witches “in the real world” would. Because of that, while I enjoyed the story as a story, I would have trouble recommending it to the younger audience it was intended for.

(This is the first of many posts intended to replace Squidoo lenses I’ve created… so if it looks familiar to you, that’s probably why.)

Moreover, those who disagree can all make equally strong cases for their own points of view. On matters of morality there is no absolute knowledge; there is only opinion. Whereas the Stoics had argued that on certain matters the test for truth was the “irresistible perception,” the Skeptics responded by saying that the sad fact is that however strongly an opinion is held, it is, after all, still only an opinion, and one can with as much evidence support an opposite opinion.

—Samuel Enoch Stumpf, Socrates to Sartre: A History of Philosophy

Yes, that’s the closest non-comic book to where I sit. (It’s an old textbook from Nicole’s college days, and I keep meaning to read it. This is about the most I’ve ever read of it, though.) Don’t exactly agree with the sentiment, but there you have it.

So what is this “Nearest Book Meme,” you ask? Well, it goes a li’l sumptin’-sumptin’ like this:

1. Grab the book nearest you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence.
3. Post the text of the following 3 sentences.
4. Name the author and book title.
5. Tag three people to do the same!

Therefore, having been bound to the sacred memetic code, I now pass along a tag to the following three (3) people:

1. Rae Whitlock
2. Aaron and/or Keba Greene
3. Jeff and/or Jodi McMullen

Yup, we’re prepping for the big Knoxville trip — we’re leaving at the butt-crack of dawn on Friday! But that’s not all; it never is. There’s even more in the mix this week!

• The Freak Accident
  Josh Alves and I are guest-hosting TFA while Jeremy Zehr is out camping with his family. Look for the new episode later this week!
• Bookmooch
  This site’s only been live for about two weeks, but what a site it is! You get points for mailing books (for free) to members, and spend those points by “mooching” books off of other members. The only expense is the sender’s shipping costs. What a way to build (and clean up) your library!
• The Citizen Squid Project
  I’m one of five members in this pilot program; I can’t share all the details, but we’re working on making Squidoo better and better!

So since I’m so busy this week, about all I can pass your way is a few links and such. Oh, and here’s something political:

(Source: Friends of the Border Patrol)

Ramos-Compean Info Update

Andy Ramirez, Chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol testified before the House Judiciary Committee and requested that Congress launch an investigation and conduct a hearing on the case of the U.S. Government vs U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ignacio “Nacho” Ramos and Jose A. Compean. Due to continued public outcry, the House Judiciary Committee has agreed to do both as requested by Mr. Ramirez on behalf of the agents and their families. In addition, FBP has launched the official “Ramos-Compean Legal Defense Fund,” which has their authorization and support. We have also launched our “Pardon The Agents” campaign and ask that President George W. Bush pardon the two agents.

FriendsOfTheBorderPatrol.com is the official website authorized by the agents and families to present information. We will be posting a new section on the website specifically addressing this case and how the public can help. The Ramos-Compean section is near completion and has the full support of Agents Ramos, Compean and their families We will soon post an electronic donation button for credit card contributions.

It’s quite clear what has taken place, two agents who should have been decorated and commended for their service to this nation were guilty of doing their jobs and not following Bush Administration orders of “standing down,” which this case demonstrates includes illegal aliens, terrorists, and now drug smugglers.

See ya later!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Do you ever get spam with that subject line? I sure do. It’s really annoying, isn’t it? I mean, you don’t need pills to enhance your love life… you need the grace of God. So here’s a few means of grace that’ll enhance your love far more than any ol’ pills ever could:

• Simply Romantic Nights
  Nicole and I were given this as a wedding gift (thanks, Uncle Andy and Aunt Bev!), and we love it so much we got a copy for my brother Jordan and his wife, Naomi for their birthdays. (Their b-days are only a day apart, so we can get away with that sort of thing.) Great marriage-building stuff in there — especially the don’t-talk-about-it-in-front-of-Grandmom stuff.
• Sex And The Supremacy Of Christ
  This is a great book — I’ve even reviewed it here at the Second Mouse. This book packs a wallop, pointing out how a right understanding of Jesus and a right understanding of sexuality go hand-in-hand. Definitely one-of-a-kind on the market today…
• Sex, Romance And The Glory Of God (What Every Christian Husband Needs To Know)
  While I haven’t read this book, I know it’s based on C.J. Mahaney’s marriage retreat material. So I know it’s golden.
• Love That Lasts (When Marriage Meets Grace)
  Okay, I’m reaching a bit here. All I know about this one is that it’s regularly recommended in my circles. Disagree? Feel free to leave a comment explaining why, and you might just win my Blogathon comment contest!

Of course, if you equate love with eros rather than agapao, you’ll probably disagree. Well, tough noogies: I’m right, and you’re wrong! HA!