Congratulations, Matthew J. Kirby

I just learned that Icefall - Matthew Kirby's saga-istic (if it's not a word it should be) story about young woman becoming the storyteller she is meant to be - recently one the Edgar award for best juvenile fiction. (Thanks to my news source, Bill Crider.) Two things I'd say: (1) Great out of the box thinking to the Mystery Writers of America for including this historic saga in the running. Most would not classify it in the mystery genre. (2) And while Icefall is a good story, I preferred Kirby's debut outing with The Clockwork Three (which coincidentally I just finished re-reading as a bed-time offering for my offspring, 5, 8, & 10; and they thoroughly enjoyed it, too).

That said, CONGRATULATIONS! Matthew J. on a job well-done. Keep up the good work, and let us know how the next story (-ies?) turn out!

Books Sale

Okay, so here's the deal. I have several shelves of books that I have accumulated over the years (many before I ever met the Blushing Bride). Some are even near and dear to my heart. At the same time our family is in need of some funds in a rather immediate fashion. A host of these books have been gathering dust on the shelves for more years than I care to admit. A mountain of them were even languishing in storage while we lived and worked overseas.

To make the two ends work together, I will be offering a great many titles for sale, but since it is a fundraising effort I can't let the books go for a song and dance. My pricing should be fair (but probably won't be competitive, again, the point is to get raise funds for our family need). My first blush out of the gate will be to list several of the authors whose work I have and will be parting with (some reluctantly). As time permits, I list individual titles--unless people are into just buying the author's work. Most titles will be first or second editions (book club editions will be priced considerably less), and many are signed (and/or inscribed) by the author.

To answer the main question--why not use e-bay or Amazon.com? Well, I am using those outlets for some general sales, but most of the titles I'm offering in this fashion would be more suited for personal contact from collectors and bibliophiles.

So, now to the authors included:

Steve Brewer (many early Bubba Mabry mysteries)
Bill Brooks (several western titles--these will go pretty cheap as most are paperback)
Sigmund Brouwer (I have many of his fiction titles for older readers, not too many children's titles)
Susan Rogers Cooper (many Milt Kolvak titles, several E.J. Pugh titles, and all of the Kimmie Kruse novels)
Bill Crider (I have almost all of his mystery titles, including Dan Rhodes, Carl Burns, Truman Smith, and Sally Goode)
Kinky Friedman (all but the last few of his mysteries)
James Grippando
John Grisham
Stewart Kaminsky (many of the Toby Peters titles--several of these are book club editions, but in excellent condition)
Lisa Scottoline
David J. Walker

I also have a number of short story collections to sell. Tune in often for more detail on the books that must go. If you like some of these authors ask for a particular title of theirs and I'll let you know if I have it.

Why Church Matters – Joshua Harris

© 2011 Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs

When I first heard about this book from pastor and author Harris, I was curious. The premise behind the book sounded strikingly like the author’s 2004 book Stop Dating the Church, which I reviewed here (follow link to my original review). What I found when I read the book was a re-package of the original text. For the most part it is an excellent and thought-provoking argument for church-tasters to dig in, to commit, and to make church a priority.

There are very few changes in the text itself—a new title and cover, an updated title for the final chapter, and (as with all re-issues of a previous book) study questions at the end of the book which provide more interaction with the text in perhaps a small group setting. I believe that the book was pretty well on point to begin with. Which brings up the question: Why repackage material at all?

In answer to that question, I believe that Harris and publisher Multnomah had more in mind than simply reissuing the text to make another buck on an old standby. This re-packaging cannot be considered a new edition since there are so few major changes. It is more like a re-issue under new title and cover to appeal to a different audience. Personally, I prefer the previous package, but there are readers who would be more likely drawn to the calmer approach to church apologetic (Why Church Matters vs. Stop Dating the Church) which seems less abrasive on the shelf.

In any case, I liked Stop Dating the Church, and I still like the new version, Why Church Matters. If you are young and open to in your face confrontation about living your Christian life, you’ll want to try and find a copy of the 2004 version of the book. If you’re more refined and would like to enter a conversation about why church is important, pick up a copy of this new packaging. Either way you’ll get a four-reading glass book—it’s short, to the point, and reads like lightening. Enjoy.

—Benjamin Potter, March 30, 2012

[Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. This is a review of the Nook edition of this book.]