Where to find my book reviews now

Hi everyone. I've decided not to post here anymore due to some time constraints. However, I post reviews of everything I read on GoodReads. If you'd like to read my reviews there, you can do that with this link:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5213013-steve

Anything Is Possible by Cosentino

Anything Is Possible by Cosentino
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Cosentino is Australia's premier illusionist - a magician to his fingertips, a man who constantly challenges our notions of what is possible. This is his thrilling and inspiring story.
Cosentino is Australia's premier illusionist and escapologist - a magician to his fingertips, a man who constantly challenges our notions of what is possible. The LA Times has said of him that 'Cosentino mirrors the legendary Harry Houdini' - and like Houdini, he is a true pioneer and trail blazer. Cosentino was the first Australian magician to have his own prime-time TV shows and these TV spectaculars have now been broadcast in over 40 countries. Recognised by his peers as the 'International Magician of the Year', he has become one of Australia's most popular live performers and continues to stage his award winning live show to full houses across the globe. But Cosentino's greatest trick of all? Well, that's something completely different. It was learning how to read.
He was a twelve-year-old boy with learning difficulties, teased and isolated, who struggled with reading and schoolwork. But one day, in a library, he found an illustrated book about magic - and that unlocked something in him. That magic book not only inspired him to learn to read, it propelled him on an extraordinary journey - from a shy boy with low self-esteem to the international star that he is today. This is an uplifting and wholly compelling story for anyone who ever dreamed of achieving the impossible.
'Cosentino's story will provide inspiration for both adults and teenagers, in fact,for anyone who wishes to succeed, to persevere against the odds, and to overcome periods of self-doubt. This is not just a celebrity memoir and it is more than a book about magic. It is a book about self-belief.' Bookseller + Publisher

MY REVIEW: I’ve been interested in stage magic ever since I was a child. I used to spend a lot of time doing card tricks and, in high school, one of my best friends and I actually invented a disappearing pen trick! I have watched Cosentino on TV and enjoyed his performances very much. So I was pleased to discover he’d written an autobiography. The book is written in an easy to read style and it was great to hear how Cosentino managed so many challenges on his road to success. I particularly enjoyed reading of the influences on Cosentino in the boxes dotted throughout the book. An enjoyable read.

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BLIND SIDE by Jennie Ensor

Blind Side by Jennie Ensor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Can you ever truly know someone? And what if you suspect the unthinkable? London, five months before 7/7. Georgie, a young woman wary of relationships after previous heartbreak, gives in and agrees to sleep with close friend Julian. She’s shocked when Julian reveals he’s loved her for a long time. But Georgie can’t resist her attraction to Nikolai, a Russian former soldier she meets in a pub. While Julian struggles to deal with her rejection, Georgie realises how deeply war-time incidents in Chechnya have affected Nikolai. She begins to suspect that the Russian is hiding something terrible from her. Then London is attacked... Blind Side explores love and friendship, guilt and betrayal, secrets and obsession. An explosive, debate-provoking thriller that confronts urgent issues of our times and contemplates some of our deepest fears.

MY REVIEW: Really enjoyed this book. Underpinned by a continuous sense of unease and not knowing where it’s going. It’s suspenseful, and thought-provoking. Ensor is a good writer and gives us a story that has some substance and depth without losing the thrills. It’s great for a debut novel. There are so many themes. It would make a great book to read for a book club. If you like an intelligent psychological thriller, then don’t miss it!

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FOUNDATIONAL FALSEHOODS OF CREATIONISM by Aron Ra

Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism by Aron Ra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Religious fundamentalists and biblical literalists present any number of arguments that attempt to disprove evolution. Those with a sympathetic ear often fail to critically examine these creationist claims, leading to an ill-informed public and, perhaps more troubling, ill-advised public policy. As Aron Ra makes clear, however, every single argument deployed by creationists in their attacks on evolution is founded on fundamental scientific, religious, and historical falsehoods–all of them. Among their most popular claims is that evolution is a religion, that there are no transitional species, that there are no beneficial mutations, and that supposedly sacred scripture is the infallible word of God. Yet, as the evidence and data plainly show, each of these claims is demonstrably and unequivocally false. There is simply no truth to creationism whatsoever, and the entire enterprise rests on a foundation of falsehoods. This book explains and exposes the worst of these lies, and should be read by all who honestly care about following the evidence no matter where it might lead in pursuit of the truth.

MY REVIEW: This book is a must read for anyone interested in the debate about evolution and creationism. Aron Ra has spent decades interacting with creationists, understanding their arguments, and developing responses to them. The book is a compelling read. It is one of the clearest articulations I have read of major creationist beliefs and assumptions and the reasons they fail when compared to the actual evidence from science. The discussions of each of the 15 falsehoods is rich and in depth. There are some beautifully incisive passages with delightfully pithy turns of phrases. I have a couple of criticisms. It’s a long book at 440 pages and there are times when Ra perhaps strays a bit away from the focus of a chapter. Ra’s passion for this topic is evident. Unfortunately, he sometimes becomes emotive and condescending when discussing creationists. Two things that would improve the book: some visuals would be great (the whole book is text) and there needs to be references for sources and a bibliography. A great book and well worth the investment of the time to read it.

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WHY ISN'T GOD NICE? by Kurt Bruner

Why Isn't God Nice? Trusting His Awful Goodness by Kurt Bruner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Long-time pastor and director of Open Doors, Kurt Bruner explores who God is, how He works in our lives, and how we can see Him at work. An Awful Goodness was written out of a desire to know God as He is rather than as we wish Him to be. Doing so requires confronting some unsettling questions like why a God of love sometimes seems so unloving. We celebrate a God who is nice: One who rescues, rewards, and redeems. But what about when He deserts, disciplines and damns? Is God schizophrenic, moving in and out of opposing personalities? One minute, gentle shepherd: the next, angry judge? How does that reconcile with the image of God popular in evangelical churches – loving, forgiving, and shepherding us? Below the surface – on the level of reality that goes deeper than sentimental feelings – we know that if God is only love, He isn’t enough. He must also be absolutely just, dreadfully mighty, and perfectly holy. He needs to reward what is right. But He also must punish what is wrong. He needs to redeem the lost. But He must also thwart the wicked. God never intended for every snapshot to be taken from His “best” side and when we worship only part of God we worship a false God. But we seem to prefer the partial phony to the awful reality. More importantly, how does a person going through hard times learn to embrace a God who can allow such difficult circumstances?

MY REVIEW: An inadequate treatment of the problem of evil. The argument is basically that God (the Christian god) is like a parent. If a parent truly loves their children, they'll often seem bad in the way they treat us - for the child's own good, of course. And God wants to bring justice to those who perpetrate evil. The logical conclusion is that, when bad things happen to Christians, it's because God is either causing them or allowing them. This explanation has never been satisfactory and this book doesn't improve the argument. Sure, the author writes well and he tells some nice stories to illustrate his point of view. But that doesn't mean the argument is any good. For anyone who appreciates the complexity of life and the incredible suffering experienced by people in the world, this explanation just doesn't cut it.

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ABSOLUTE POWER by David Baldacci

Absolute Power by David Baldacci
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: In a heavily guarded mansion in a posh Virginia suburb, a man and a woman start to make love, trapping Luther Whitney, a career break-in artist, behind a secret wall. Then the passion turns deadly, and Luther is running into the night. Because what he has just seen is a brutal murder involving Alan Richmond, the president of the United States, the man with...Absolute Power.

MY REVIEW: An enjoyable crime thriller. Moves along at a great pace with some some surprising twists and turns and a nice ending. Good one for holiday reading!

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SCARED YET? by Jaye Ford

Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: She fought back. She won. Now the nightmare begins...When Livia Prescott fights off a terrifying assault in a deserted car park, the media hail her bravery. And after a difficult year - watching her father fade away, her business struggle and her marriage fall apart - it feels good to strike back for once. But as the police widen their search for her attacker, menacing notes start arriving. And brave is not what she feels any longer ...Someone has decided to rip her life apart, then kick her when she's down. But is it a stranger or someone much closer to home? In fact, is there anyone she can now trust?When her family and friends are drawn into the stalker's focus - with terrifying consequences - the choice becomes simple. Fight back, or lose the people she loves the most...

MY REVIEW: A straightforward crime novel. It was good enough that I didn’t guess the perpetrator. Easy to read. Liked the fact that the main protagonist was a strong female. Some good suspense. A good, enjoyable holiday read that is light and undemanding. ***1/2

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