Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Sarah C. (elizardbreath) - Reviews

1 to 19 of 19
Awakening To Messiah: Messianic Rabbi Schneider, host of "Discovering The Jewish Jesus", shares his faith.
Review Date: 6/8/2022


I have mixed feelings about this book---it was kind of all over the place. The impression I got when I purchased it was that it was a testimony of this Jewish man's coming to faith in Yeshua. It started out that way but then it became a manual on how to witness to Jewish people---then it turned into a list of Messianic prophecies to convince Jews, as if the book were written TO Jews. So, not necessarily a bad thing---but just not very well organized. Basically, the guy wanted to write three books.

I got pretty frustrated with him early in because, though he seems to value Torah, he's swallowed a lot of the mainstream churchianity nonsense that we walked away from when we realized how UNBiblical a lot of it was. So that's sad... At one point he says, "the truth is God wants to make known to us that we don't need to be better doers; we need to be better receivers. Our lives should be that of continuously receiving from the Lord..." And that, my friends, is what's wrong with the church in a nutshell. James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the word and not hearers only; not to mention the entitled garbage attitude that comes with thinking your relationship with the Father is about what He can give you.

He talks about celebrating Valentine's Day (a satanic-inspired, nonBiblical observance); he's quite obsessed with Kansas City's IHOP (which has had some crazy stuff come out of there); and when discussing Sabbath, he mentions resting "one day a week", without emphasizing there is a specific day (7th day) on which we are commanded to rest. His misinterpretation of Matthew 15:24 misrepresents who Israel is today (those who obey the commands and have the testimony of Yeshua) and there's a lot of emphasis on the salvation of the Jews ushering in the Messiah. I don't see that specifically in the scriptures he shared (not to say I don't want to see them saved)

He also makes it sound like temple sacrifices are done away with forever, yet we read in passages like Isaiah 56:6-8; Zechariah 14:16; Jeremiah 33:15-18, and especially Ezekiel 43:18-46:24 that they will continue in the Millennial reign of Yeshua. So... I don't know, it was hard to really take the guy seriously when he either doesn't know the Word or doesn't believe it.


Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel
Author: Satoshi Yagisawa
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 1/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/2/2024


Wow, this was exceptionally bad.

At times I thought maybe it just translated bad... Like maybe this award-winning story really was fantastic in the Japanese but this translator was merely 10 years old so I should give him some credit. But no, I think the story is just bad. Unless the author is 10 years old --- in which case I'd say, keep going, buddy!

I'm usually a sucker for a book about a bookshop and that's why I picked this one up at Barnes and Noble a few days ago. I think it's important to read works by people from cultures very different from me and for that, I give this book 1-star. I appreciate the opportunity to read books translated from other languages. I appreciate that people will do the work of translation. But this book sucks and there's just no getting around that.

There is no story, no plot. There is no character development. At. All. Takako is the flattest character I've encountered lately and her interactions with her aunt and uncle grossed me right out. He is way too creepily attached, she (aunt) is just slightly less creepy because she is not so attached. Takako lets life happen to her and slumps like a pile of regurgitated phlegm at every opportunity.

So I wondered... maybe all the beautiful, award-winning, magical nuances are just lost in translation. But then I get to chapter 3 and realize. Nope. It still just sucks. Chapter 3 is the climactic turning point at which angsty 16-year-old teenage boy writing turns to obnoxious, middle-school kid picking his nose and not showering for a week writing.

Well, that's about all I got for tonight. If you thought this review was stupid, wait 'til you read this book.


Desire of the Everlasting Hills : The World Before and After Jesus (Hinges of History)
Review Date: 12/26/2021


I found very little redeeming about this book and finally abandoned it about 2/3 through.

The author has a very secular understanding of the Bible and Jewish history. He misses half the point, the whole point, and all of the beauty most of the time. His chapters on the life of Jesus were full of mocking untruths and misunderstandings. I get the overall impression that this author calls himself a "Christian" but I'd love to read something like this from an actual whole Bible believer.

Even taking into consideration his odd sense of humor (at one point I wrote in my notes: "it takes a bit to get his humor. I think I'm probably more sensitive than I should be with some of his points.") his very skewed interpretation of the impact of Jesus and the Bible makes this book extremely disappointing. In fact, looking over his biography, this is the perfect of someone who hears the word, studies the word, (paid good, good money to learn the Hebrew Bible even), but completely misses the message.

I often wondered, "is he actually a respected historian?" (He describes martyrdom as a genre of mythology.) I couldn't get past the screwy interpretations that Paul and the first century church were not encouraging their followers to follow Torah. The author misunderstands, misinterprets, and misrepresents Torah throughout. It takes more than big words and reputation to make a scholar. This one can't get his own theology straight, saying on one page that 2 Timothy couldn't possibly have been written by Paul but on the next page encouraging us to imagine Paul âthinking, as he wrote in Second Timothyâ¦â. Ok then.

He relegates Revelation to a silly fun mystery story written by a bored John in exile. He cracks the 666 code for us (oh thank you, wise scholar!) and explains (with a "big duh!!! mentality) that it merely refers to Nero. News flash: 666 using gematria also works for several phrases including the name Barak Obama, Prince Arthur, Thomas Cruise, and "This is a Hoax". When whoever this person is is actually revealed, this passage will be made clear, just as the ones about the delivery of the mark of the beast or the fact that the whole world will look on the dead witnesses were made more understandable once technology caught up and revealed possible scenarios.

The nonsense probably didn't stop there, but that's where I stopped. I can't stomach this "scholarly" misrepresented garbage. I'd encourage potential readers to save time and do their own research. Much of what he talks about is common knowledge of history---this book was more about furthering the enemy's secular agenda disguised as modern day Christianity.


Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus (Hinges of History, Bk 3)
Review Date: 12/26/2021
Helpful Score: 1


I found very little redeeming about this book and finally abandoned it about 2/3 through.

The author has a very secular understanding of the Bible and Jewish history. He misses half the point, the whole point, and all of the beauty most of the time. His chapters on the life of Jesus were full of mocking untruths and misunderstandings. I get the overall impression that this author calls himself a "Christian" but I'd love to read something like this from an actual whole Bible believer.

Even taking into consideration his odd sense of humor (at one point I wrote in my notes: "it takes a bit to get his humor. I think I'm probably more sensitive than I should be with some of his points.") his very skewed interpretation of the impact of Jesus and the Bible makes this book extremely disappointing. In fact, looking over his biography, this is the perfect of someone who hears the word, studies the word, (paid good, good money to learn the Hebrew Bible even), but completely misses the message.

I often wondered, "is he actually a respected historian?" (He describes martyrdom as a genre of mythology.) I couldn't get past the screwy interpretations that Paul and the first century church were not encouraging their followers to follow Torah. The author misunderstands, misinterprets, and misrepresents Torah throughout. It takes more than big words and reputation to make a scholar. This one can't get his own theology straight, saying on one page that 2 Timothy couldn't possibly have been written by Paul but on the next page encouraging us to imagine Paul âthinking, as he wrote in Second Timothyâ¦â. Ok then.

He relegates Revelation to a silly fun mystery story written by a bored John in exile. He cracks the 666 code for us (oh thank you, wise scholar!) and explains (with a "big duh!!! mentality) that it merely refers to Nero. News flash: 666 using gematria also works for several phrases including the name Barak Obama, Prince Arthur, Thomas Cruise, and "This is a Hoax". When whoever this person is is actually revealed, this passage will be made clear, just as the ones about the delivery of the mark of the beast or the fact that the whole world will look on the dead witnesses were made more understandable once technology caught up and revealed possible scenarios.

The nonsense probably didn't stop there, but that's where I stopped. I can't stomach this "scholarly" misrepresented garbage. I'd encourage potential readers to save time and do their own research. Much of what he talks about is common knowledge of history---this book was more about furthering the enemy's secular agenda disguised as modern day Christianity.


The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start
Review Date: 7/29/2006


great guide for homeschooling


God's Power For Father's
God's Power For Father's
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.6/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 7/22/2006


I have not read this book


God's Promises For Fathers Previously Titled God's Power For Fathers
Review Date: 7/22/2006


I have not read this book


Grace For The Moment
Grace For The Moment
Author: Max Lucado
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 79
Review Date: 7/29/2006


love lucado


In His Steps
In His Steps
Author: Charles Sheldon
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 35
Review Date: 7/29/2006


haven't read...looks good


The Life She Was Given
The Life She Was Given
Author: Ellen Marie Wiseman
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 32
Review Date: 2/13/2022
Helpful Score: 1


I absolutely hated this book with every ounce in me.

This is literally the most depressing book I've ever read---there is absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. No positive spins, no lighthearted anything, just depression on top of oppression. It's a disgusting story about child abuse and evil-possessed people and I won't even dignify it with details...except for this one that has turned me off this author forever:

At the back of the book, there's an "interview with the author". The second question says, "what looks like a story about child abuse ends up being about animal cruelty too." The author goes on to address the issue of animal abuse. No where in this interview does she ever address child abuse. The discussion questions that come after are flippant about the issue. This book is disgusting and no one wants to talk deeply about it. It's sick that someone could read this and get their kicks.

NEVER will I read or recommend this author. I'm crawling back into my hole---this world disgusts me.


Lily Snow
Lily Snow
Author: Renald Iacovelli
Book Type: Paperback
  ?
Review Date: 11/28/2006


Some filthy language...


Love to Love You: Creating Romantic Moments Together
Love to Love You: Creating Romantic Moments Together
Author: Bill Farrel, Pam Farrel
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/29/2006


we liked it


Monster Under My Bed (Giant First Start Reader)
Review Date: 7/22/2006


haven't read


Prayer That Works
Prayer That Works
Author: Jill Briscoe
Book Type: Paperback
  ?
Review Date: 7/29/2006


haven't read...looks good


The Real Me
The Real Me
Author: Betty Miles
Book Type: Hardcover
  ?
Review Date: 7/22/2006


cute book


The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
Author: Katie Lumsden
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 2.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 2/12/2024


This was a five-star read for me clear up to near the end where the secrets start to be revealed and then... "Wait, WHAT?!! What is happening?? Whoa. No. NO NO NO!!! You're ruining it! NO! Oh no, there you go again! Stop! STOPPPP!"

I found out about this book through Katie's BookTube channel and couldn't wait to get my hands on it as I really respect her book choices and I just all around like her. A Victorian gothic with an irresistible cover --- Yes!

I loved it from page one and was so engrossed with her excellent storytelling and flawless writing style that it felt like a door slammed me in the face when she started to reveal the novel's secrets. One after another they snowballed toward me, faster than I could keep up, and I ended the story feeling shocked, betrayed, frustrated... I feel like Margaret's character completely changed in the span of minutes --- the entire tone of the story was turned on its head. The whole thing just broke my heart and I'm seriously bummed.

Bummed.


Soul of a Citizen : Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time
Soul of a Citizen : Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time
Author: Paul Rogat Loeb
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 7/29/2006


haven't read...looks good


Unsolved Mysteries of American History: An Eye-Opening Journey Through 500 Years of Discoveries, Disappearances, and Baffling Events
Review Date: 1/29/2022
Helpful Score: 1


Typically I find books like these to be full of one and a half page synopses of events that have been so belabored that there can be absolutely nothing interesting left to know about them. This book surprised me as, while most of the events were typical overly-done and belabored ones, I learned something new, sometimes many new things, from each one. The anecdotes were well written and interesting with lengthy bibliographical info for each event. I felt like this could be a really good book for launching research on any of the given subjects. I'm glad I read it!


Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Heads for the Sky (Little Golden Book)
Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Heads for the Sky (Little Golden Book)
Author: Disney
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 7/22/2006


haven't read


1 to 19 of 19