This afternoon I was watching the Colbert Report from last night and found out that the children's book that Stephen Colbert jokingly (I thought) said he wrote and was trying to get published is now going to be available on May 8th! You can preorder it on amazon.com for $8.49. It is now on my wishlist for my birthday and if I don't get it, I guess I'll just have to buy it...for Avery of course...since it's a children's book.
What I Learned: Stephen Colbert's children's book got published.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Masada
After church today, we had our monthly meeting for the Grace Book Club. I mentioned in a previous post that we read The Dovekeepers this month, which was an amazing book. Angela came prepared, as always, with pictures on her tablet of Masada that included scale models of Herod's temple as well as actual photographs of what Masada looks like today. Apparently there is a museum at the site that opened in 2007 and the author visited it and was able to be more accurate in her telling of the story since she was actually there and saw the ruins. She was able to know exactly where the dovecote was in relation to other buildings for example.
In reading about Masada, I also found out this interesting fact:
"The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Moshe Dayan, initiated the practice of holding the swearing-in ceremony of soldiers who have completed their Tironut (IDF basic training) on top of Masada. The ceremony ends with the declaration: "Masada shall not fall again." The soldiers climb the Snake Path at night and are sworn in with torches lighting the background."
And lastly, I always thought that it was a confirmed fact that the Jews committed mass suicide to avoid being slaughtered by the Romans who had seiged Masada. However, only 30 skeletons have been found at the site and there is no evidence of a mass burial. This is odd since apparently there were 960 inhabitants at the time of the mass suicide. I doubt that the Romans moved all the bodies off of Masada. So it remains a mystery as to whether it was all a myth or did in fact happen.
What I Learned: It is not an historical fact that the Jews committed mass suicide at Masada. Also, the Israeli Army uses Masada for their swearing-in ceremony.
In reading about Masada, I also found out this interesting fact:
"The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Moshe Dayan, initiated the practice of holding the swearing-in ceremony of soldiers who have completed their Tironut (IDF basic training) on top of Masada. The ceremony ends with the declaration: "Masada shall not fall again." The soldiers climb the Snake Path at night and are sworn in with torches lighting the background."
And lastly, I always thought that it was a confirmed fact that the Jews committed mass suicide to avoid being slaughtered by the Romans who had seiged Masada. However, only 30 skeletons have been found at the site and there is no evidence of a mass burial. This is odd since apparently there were 960 inhabitants at the time of the mass suicide. I doubt that the Romans moved all the bodies off of Masada. So it remains a mystery as to whether it was all a myth or did in fact happen.
What I Learned: It is not an historical fact that the Jews committed mass suicide at Masada. Also, the Israeli Army uses Masada for their swearing-in ceremony.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Ichabod
As I was reading my daily Bible reading tonight in 1 Samuel, I discovered that there is someone in the Bible named Ichabod. I had no idea that Ichabod was a Biblical name. Did you?
1 Samuel 4:21- She named the boy Ichabod,[b] saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband.
To read it in context, click here.
What I Learned: Ichabod is a Biblical name.
1 Samuel 4:21- She named the boy Ichabod,[b] saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband.
To read it in context, click here.
What I Learned: Ichabod is a Biblical name.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Mandrake
For book club this month, we are reading The Dovekeepers. I am really enjoying this book. Today, I read a part that talked about the mandrake plant and its supposed magical properties. Now, I have heard of the mandrake plant thanks to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but I guess I just assumed that the mandrake was a made-up plant for the book. With J.K. Rowling, it's so hard to tell what's real and what's made up because all of it seems so real! Anyway, the mandrake is a real plant. I kind of feel stupid that I never knew this before. Interestingly enough, J.K. Rowling got the idea about mandrakes screaming and their magical properties from actual legend and magic books. In The Dovekeepers, it is used in a magical ritual as well.
So the mandrake, or mandragora (as Hermione points out), is real and poisonous and the root actually does resemble a small human (hence the myths surrounding the plant). The mandrake is also in the Bible in two places although it looks like there is some speculation about the translation of this and it could possibly really be ginseng since ginseng is known to help with fertility and the plant is mentioned in the story of Rachel and Leah when Rachel is trying to conceive with Jacob.
What I Learned: The mandrake is a real plant.
So the mandrake, or mandragora (as Hermione points out), is real and poisonous and the root actually does resemble a small human (hence the myths surrounding the plant). The mandrake is also in the Bible in two places although it looks like there is some speculation about the translation of this and it could possibly really be ginseng since ginseng is known to help with fertility and the plant is mentioned in the story of Rachel and Leah when Rachel is trying to conceive with Jacob.
What I Learned: The mandrake is a real plant.
Friday, March 30, 2012
7 Day Loan
Today I started reading The Dovekeepers, the next selection for the book club I'm in. I got it from the library yesterday but didn't notice until today that, since the book is classified as "New Fiction," the book is due in 7 days! Usually you get three weeks for a book (or maybe four?). So now, even though I'm still in the middle of reading two other books, I had to start this new book so that way I can finish it in a week. Luckily, the book is pretty fast reading and is really good so far, so it shouldn't be a problem. The book however is 500 pages and I am finding it increasingly difficult to find time to read, and when I do, it is hard to stay awake as I'm becoming more and more exhausted. Let's hope I can finish in a week!
What I Learned: I only have one week to finish the book for book club.
What I Learned: I only have one week to finish the book for book club.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Noah
I was doing my daily Bible reading tonight in Numbers and found something curious. Numbers 26:33 states:
"And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."
Is Noah the first gender neutral name? It is in the Bible as both a male and female name! It's curious that nowadays it is more a boy's name because I did some research and apparently the name Noah is very popular as a girl's name in Arab cultures and not used as a boy's name. It is also odd because so many boy's names are used for girls (like Avery...) but not very often is a girl's name used for a boy. It seems that the original form of the name Noah is feminine and the male Noah in the Bible is actually pronounced No -ACH, which is a different name. Any Bible scholars want to weigh in on this one?
What I learned: Noah is a girl's name in the Bible.
"And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."
Is Noah the first gender neutral name? It is in the Bible as both a male and female name! It's curious that nowadays it is more a boy's name because I did some research and apparently the name Noah is very popular as a girl's name in Arab cultures and not used as a boy's name. It is also odd because so many boy's names are used for girls (like Avery...) but not very often is a girl's name used for a boy. It seems that the original form of the name Noah is feminine and the male Noah in the Bible is actually pronounced No -ACH, which is a different name. Any Bible scholars want to weigh in on this one?
What I learned: Noah is a girl's name in the Bible.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Stan and Jan
Today I saw that Jan Berenstain (of Stan and Jan Berenstain and the Berenstain Bears fame) died. I really always thought that their last name was Berenstein, pronounced as "steen" at the end. I don't know how I always thought this seeing as they are famous for writing books and therefore I obviously saw their name on the books, as well as that of the bears, but I still thought it was Berensteen.
What I Learned: The classic storybooks of Stan and Jan are the BerenSTAIN Bears.
What I Learned: The classic storybooks of Stan and Jan are the BerenSTAIN Bears.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Moloka'i
Today I finished reading Moloka'i. I had maybe 150 pages left to read and even though I had a few more days to finish before book club, I couldn't put it down. The book was just so well written and was very intriguing. It's one of my favorite books that I've read in a long time.
What I Learned: Moloka'i is one of my new favorite books.
What I Learned: Moloka'i is one of my new favorite books.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Leprosy
This month, for the book club I'm in, we are reading Moloka'i which is a novel about the leper colony in Hawaii. It is a really good book and I realized while reading it that I don't really know that much about leprosy other than what's in the Bible. Upon further research, I found out that what is called leprosy today is not actually what leprosy was in the Bible. However, since it was translated as leprosy in the Bible, this created the idea that leprosy nowadays is super contagious, requiring people diagnosed with it to be sent to leper colonies. People still consider leprosy to be a really contagious disease.
The book, which takes place in the late 1800s and early 1900s, relates how scientists were trying to figure out the disease-both how it was spread and how to cure it. In my own research I found that scientists still aren't exactly sure how it's spread, but one thing is certain-it is not as contagious as people think. About 95% of people are naturally immune to it first of all. The disease is not spread by contact of the lesions as was once thought, but possibly by respiratory droplets. So you basically would get it much like you would catch a cold, except it's not that easy to catch and like I said, most people are naturally immune and can never get it. With all this information, I think it's even sadder that all these people were ripped from their families, some when they were just 7 years old, and sent to live in leper colonies in Hawaii. It was all so unnecessary!
What I learned: Leprosy is not very contagious and is a completely different disease than what is called leprosy in the Bible.
The book, which takes place in the late 1800s and early 1900s, relates how scientists were trying to figure out the disease-both how it was spread and how to cure it. In my own research I found that scientists still aren't exactly sure how it's spread, but one thing is certain-it is not as contagious as people think. About 95% of people are naturally immune to it first of all. The disease is not spread by contact of the lesions as was once thought, but possibly by respiratory droplets. So you basically would get it much like you would catch a cold, except it's not that easy to catch and like I said, most people are naturally immune and can never get it. With all this information, I think it's even sadder that all these people were ripped from their families, some when they were just 7 years old, and sent to live in leper colonies in Hawaii. It was all so unnecessary!
What I learned: Leprosy is not very contagious and is a completely different disease than what is called leprosy in the Bible.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Lapsit Storytime
This morning, Jared and I took Avery to the library for lapsit storytime. One would assume from the name of the event that it would involve your child sitting on your lap and listening to a story. However, that was not the case. It was more like a Kindermusic class. The librarian led the kids and parents in some songs with actions (that were clearly meant for older children so it was just the parents participating really). Then she passed out bells to the kids to shake along with more songs. She also had a puppet that she walked around with as well as a teddy bear that she later demonstrated could get dressed "all on his own" by putting all his clothes on correctly (what 1 year old can understand that?). Then she brought out toys for all the kids to play with on the mat, and that was the end of lapsit storytime. Avery still enjoyed it, but the library seriously needs to consider renaming their events.
What I learned: Lapsit Storytime at the library does not involve reading stories.
What I learned: Lapsit Storytime at the library does not involve reading stories.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Chronology of the Bible
So I am reading the Bible chronologically this year with the help of the Bible app on my phone which reminds me to read every day but also has a daily plan so that I can read it in one year. I chose the chronological plan because I have never done it and thought I would enjoy the historical aspect of this type of Bible reading.
So the first few days I read Genesis (obviously) and then after Genesis 11, it suddenly went to the book of Job. I had no idea that Job happened so early! So basically Job comes right before everything with Abram. I wonder how many more times this will happen, leaving me surprised.
What I learned: Job's story happens chronologically before Abram's.
So the first few days I read Genesis (obviously) and then after Genesis 11, it suddenly went to the book of Job. I had no idea that Job happened so early! So basically Job comes right before everything with Abram. I wonder how many more times this will happen, leaving me surprised.
What I learned: Job's story happens chronologically before Abram's.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Library Fine
Upon the recommendation of someone in my book club, I had checked out We Need To Talk About Kevin from the library. Now usually, you can keep books for three weeks and then renew them at least once, if not twice. I kind of count on this sometimes, knowing that once I have a book, if I don't have time to read it right away, I can always just renew it and at least it is sitting there, ready to be read in the meantime. So with this book, I didn't get around to reading it (or starting it at least) until a day or two before it was due.
So on the due date, I went online to renew it and to my surprise, someone else had put a hold on the book, meaning I couldn't renew it! This has never happened to me before! Not only that, but by that point, I knew it would take me a few weeks to read it (it was a heavy, depressing, yet very good book) so now I had to feel bad turning it in late knowing someone else is waiting for it. Needless to say, it unfortunately did not make me read it any faster. The fact that the library has a 5 day grace period and only $0.10 a day late fee after that didn't help me either.
Next thing I know, it's been a few weeks and I just finished reading it yesterday. I went to return the book today only to find that I had a $25 fine on my account because they assume I must have lost it and must now replace it. Luckily, I did not lose it and the fine was taken off after I turned it in. The lady at the desk told me that she thought the book had to be 6-8 weeks late before that fine is placed on your account, and I really thought it was only two weeks late. Clearly my sense of time is off (I blame it on pregnancy). After the $25 fine was removed, I had a $3.20 late fee, meaning the book was 32 days late. Oops.
What I learned: The library charges $25 if your book is a month overdue.
So on the due date, I went online to renew it and to my surprise, someone else had put a hold on the book, meaning I couldn't renew it! This has never happened to me before! Not only that, but by that point, I knew it would take me a few weeks to read it (it was a heavy, depressing, yet very good book) so now I had to feel bad turning it in late knowing someone else is waiting for it. Needless to say, it unfortunately did not make me read it any faster. The fact that the library has a 5 day grace period and only $0.10 a day late fee after that didn't help me either.
Next thing I know, it's been a few weeks and I just finished reading it yesterday. I went to return the book today only to find that I had a $25 fine on my account because they assume I must have lost it and must now replace it. Luckily, I did not lose it and the fine was taken off after I turned it in. The lady at the desk told me that she thought the book had to be 6-8 weeks late before that fine is placed on your account, and I really thought it was only two weeks late. Clearly my sense of time is off (I blame it on pregnancy). After the $25 fine was removed, I had a $3.20 late fee, meaning the book was 32 days late. Oops.
What I learned: The library charges $25 if your book is a month overdue.
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