Showing posts with label 2014 reading challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 reading challenges. Show all posts

Monday, September 1, 2014

RIP-IX (Seasonal Reading Challenge)

(Art used for banners is the property of Abigail Larson)


Stainless Steel Droppings is hosting their 9th annual "R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril" challenges during the months of  September and October, 2014.  It involves reading, or viewing "dark" literature or films, etc.  Genres would include:  mystery, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, gothic, horror, supernatural, etc.  Authors may include: King, Conan-Doyle, Chandler, Collins, Lovecraft, Leroux, etc.  There is an option for short stories, a group read and "screen" offerings (movies and tv shows, etc)



I have chosen "Peril the First", which involves reading 4 books which I feel fit the overall tone of this challenge.  There are also options for two and one books.


I would like to participate in this challenge as well, but am sorely in need of ideas.  Suggestions are welcome!


What would you suggest?


This Peril is actually hosted by "The Estella Society", and actually starts in October, which is still within the RIPIX season.  I would love to participate but would have to be able to get the book (maybe from the library).

~~~oOo~~~

Also sharing with my Halloween loving (and all) friends at Create With Joy's rocking Monday linkup:

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

REVIEW: Stepping Out in Faith

Stepping Out in Faith: Former Catholics Tell Their StoriesStepping Out in Faith: Former Catholics Tell Their Stories by Mark Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from CrossFocusedReviews.com in exchange for my honest review.)

Being outside a faith community is hard. Being inside a faith community takes work. Switching or leaving a faith community? Ouch!

"Stepping Out in Faith" is a collection of eleven stories of people who were Catholic. To further their walk with God, each felt it necessary to leave the Catholic church. Each story, from a wide variety of individuals (male, female, married, single, widowed, etc) gives a sincere, 'authentic' voice to what can be a very traumatic event (changing faith groups).

I suppose I should say at this point that I have never been Catholic. I've been to a Catholic church once or twice and talked to a priest on one occasion. I consider myself Christian. I consider people who are Catholic to be Christian. Several of the contributors to this book believe Catholics are not Christian in terms of adherence to the Holy Bible. The only thing that 'raised my eyebrow', as it were, was when the authors say the Catholic church claimed it was the only way to God (which the authors did not believe), and then later most or all of them say that what they found was the only way to God.

Overall, I give this four out of five stars. The book can be a valuable tool for someone thinking of switching faith communities or churches. It challenges people not considering switching faiths to practice what they preach as well. This book is well worth the read.

View all my reviews

This book is counting towards the following 2014 Reading Challenges: