Three Deadly Words of this Book Reviewer

Stephanie Klose at Romantic Times Magazine sent me the link of a funny, informative compelling article the New York Times wrote about book reviewing called Seven Deadly Words of Book Reviewing.

For those who read my reviews I would love to know what words out of that group and more you've read in my reviews to the point you have dulled to my conversation. :) Here are a few words I know I say far too much are with my definitions for them:

1. compelling-a story that has depth and expounds upon our culture in a deeper way than commercial fiction. good examples are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun
   
2. balance-I use this word a lot. I mean I'm searching for a story that has a cast of characters that buttress the theme
3. buttress- to hold up, to hold up the foundation of the story, usually the theme.
   
4. ghost- the plot disappeared before the ending
5. captivating-fascinating. few books captivate me, but i do use a lot
6. lost its fizzle- story has lost its focus before it reaches the end
7. stilted dialogue- the dialogue doesn't seem natural
   
8. what others?
   

Prince Caspian Church Leader Event

Are you a Youth Church leader or a member of the youth laity concerned? Then attend Family Christian Bookstore's Leader Event Series on Disney's Prince Caspian(Chronicles of Narnia,) the Movie. The movie opens in May. Many church groups will be attending and talking about the movie through summer. Click here to learn more.

OT: Billy Jean 08

I know this is off topic, but I haven't been a fan of American Idol this year, but last night I flipped to it and saw this:



And I have to say I enjoyed Cook's take on Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. So I did a little online sleuthing and found a similar version from Sweden's Chris Cornell's 2007 Acoustic Live performance. Have anyone seen this one? What do you think? I'll throw in MJ's version, too for good measure...

Harry Potter. A Christian Theology Course

Harry Potter taught in a Christian theology course?

Danielle Tumminio, a Yale Divinity School graduate student and the instructor for Yale's Harry Potter course "Christian Theology and Harry Potter," said her academic background in literature and theology, combined with her personal interest in the books, inspired her to design the course.

The course uses all seven Potter books and the students examine Christian themes such as sin, evil and resurrection. - CNNU campus correspondent Patrick Lee

There have been debates over the past decade about Harry Potter's influence. Does it promote Witchcraft or does it contain Christian elements? Apparently the debate continues. My question is do you think Harry Potter, the series is worthy of literary analysis? Advise: Don't comment unless you've read the books. It wouldn't be a fair debate.

Harry Potter Reading Map courtesy of Round Lake Library