Post date: Jul 18, 2017 11:56:5 AM
1. Piercing the Darkness (Free Choice)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Though it took a while to develop, Perritti's use of captivating plot and realistic characters elevated the novel.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10
Content Enjoyment: 10/10- Such a thought provoking read. It was fun while also being heart wrenching.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10- Some of his dialogue was just spot on.
2. Redwall (Free Choice)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Rather than being cliche, there a level of depth in its simplicity making for a delightful read.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 - Good, clean fun.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
3. The Fall (Free Choice)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Aside from limiting the vocabulary of a few minor characters to four-letter words, Del Toro again delivers a compelling take on a very familiar story.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10- Moves incredibly quick
Content Enjoyment: 8/10 Not as good as the first one, but still solid.
Language Enjoyment: 7/10- See thesis
4. Decision Points (Nonfiction)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Though the structure was disjointed, the content was insightful. (I was overseas for much of this time, so I felt like I was seeing history I lived through for the first time.)
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 8/10
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 Up until the section on the financial crisis, I was really engaged
Language Enjoyment: 7/10 Well written
5. The Weight of Glory (Classic/Nonfiction)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Lewis conveys thought-provoking truths in masterfully crafted language.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 9/10 I would only rank it a 9 because some of the more academic language might make is less accessible for some readers.
Content Enjoyment: 10/10 Read this. In fact, I need to read this again. There is so much to gain from these short addresses.
Language Enjoyment: 10/10 C.S. Lewis has long been my favorite author. His use of language is still undisputedly at the top of my list.
6. The Place of the Lion (Modern Classic)
Thesis Statement Analysis: The Place of the Lion had much literary potential, but fell short of plot delivery (this, however, was likely intentional). Note: I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I am likely not intelligent enough to appreciate the nuanced introspections that drive each chapter. The language and imagery were wonderful, but the nearly exclusive use of introspection (entire chapters consisting of thoughts rather than actions) failed to grab me as I hoped it would.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 7/10
Content Enjoyment: 7/10
Language Enjoyment: 9/10
7. C.S. Lewis: A Life/Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet (Nonfiction)
Thesis Statement Analysis: McGrath weaves a thorough, unbiased picture of Lewis' life while also providing a critical analysis of his published works. (As a huge Lewis fan, this book was both entertaining and enlightening).
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 8/10
Content Enjoyment: 10/10
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
8. The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks (Free Choice)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Though longer than necessary, this was a pleasant read.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability:10 /10
Content Enjoyment: 8/10
Language Enjoyment: 7/10
9. Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Modern Classic)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Lewis' retelling of this classic Greek myth brings new life to the tale with his captivating power over language and storytelling.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 9 /10
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 (not an uplifting story throughout, but very thought-provoking)
Language Enjoyment: 10/10
10. Spurgeon On The Christian Life (Nonfiction)*
Thesis Statement Analysis: This book lays out Spurgeon's beliefs and practices in a clear and practical format.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10
Content Enjoyment: 10/10 - I have long been inspired by Charles Spurgeon. This text not only gave me insights into his life and teaches, but also laid them out in a way that read more like a practical text on Biblical theology which happened to quote heavily from Spurgeon. I loved it.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10- Clear
* I was given this book as part of Crossway's Book Review program.
11. Counsel From The Cross (Nonfiction)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Counsel From The Cross provides a brief and pragmatic approach to Biblical counseling.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10- Nice chapter lengths. Good follow up questions for review.
Content Enjoyment: 10/10- Heavily reliance on Scripture. Very useful.
Language Enjoyment: 7/10
12. The Wishsong of Shannara (Free Choice)
Thesis Statement Analysis: Brooks presents a compelling story, but uses far too many words to do so.
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 8/10
Content Enjoyment: 8/10 The best one in the series by far (Don't watch the show on Netflix, it's terrible after season 1). However, he just took too long to get it there. The character were nice, but several were very similar to each other.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
13. An Exposition of the Four Gospels: Mark (Nonfiction)
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: 10/10 Very conversational
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 Solid. Easily digestible.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
14. New International biblical Commentary: Mark (Nonfiction)
Readability: 9/10 Solid, but a little dense at times. Took a while to get to the point from time to time. Otherwise, very useful.
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 See above.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
14. A Study of the Gospel of Mark (Nonfiction)
Readability: 9/10 Very easy to digest.
Content Enjoyment: 9/10 Short, but comprehensive.
Language Enjoyment: 8/10
Constants:
Mark Study Material (Lots)
American Literature for Courses Taught (Mostly Short Stories)
TEMPLATE
Thesis Statement Analysis:
Rating (1 BAD- 10 GOOD):
Readability: /10
Content Enjoyment: /10
Language Enjoyment: /10