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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
wranglerdani has commented on (5) products
Sabbath
by
Dan B. Allender
wranglerdani
, October 10, 2011
You’re probably familiar with the idea of Sabbath, and you probably think of sitting alone in a darkened room, praying for 12 hours straight and eating something cold and boring, lest you cook and break the sabbath. Sounds fun, right? No wonder we don’t take time to practice a day of rest. I had a niggling feeling that dark and boring reality wasn’t what God intended, but never really settled in my hand what He DID intend, so have never done much about it. When I received “Sabbath” from BookSneeze a while back, as a part of the Ancient Practices series, I was intrigued by the book title, because, like nearly everyone else in my iCrazed generation, I have a hard time unplugging, letting go and releasing a day into the care of the Creator. I found much of the book to be thought-provoking, if not revolutionary or always practical. Allender takes pains to reveal a day meant to be spent in joy, love, sensuality, community, peace and rest �" even as I write those words my inner cynicist scoffs �" how can such a time even exist? I have a grocery list and a million things on my plate and a list of people who bug me rolling around my head. Am I really expected to bear-hug the world for a day? How does one even do so? The not-so-simple answer from Allender is yes and no. The more we yearn for and work towards God’s peace and presence, the less those Earthly concerns weigh on us and the easier it is to enter into Sabbath rest. However, it’s not as though a conscious decision to quiet our minds automatically equals peace and harmony. This is only one of the many commands and difficult things God asks of us. Interestingly enough, Allender makes the case that Sabbath is hard because it is intentional, in a way that a vacation is not. We are not truly refreshed by selfishly determining to only have fun for a week once a year, but by careful evaluation of our relationships, our lives, our habits and ourselves in a way that can only be accomplished if we set down the phone, the to-do list, the expectations and just BE for a day. On the cheerful side, I was pleasantly surprised to see the ways in which our lifestyle already lends itself to practicing the sabbath. We are very communal and intentional in our relationships, two aspects of celebration that Allender holds as essential pieces of a day of rest. I love stories, I love to cook, I love discussion, I love kicking back. The more I read, the more I got excited about practicing the sabbath with purpose, despite it’s challenges… which is weird, right? It’s almost as though God knows what we need to be happy. Hmmmm…
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Finding Our Way Again The Return of the Ancient Practices
by
Brian Mclaren
wranglerdani
, February 25, 2011
I was drawn to this book because I’ve always been curious about monks and nuns and of course, the ancient ways that go hand-in-hand with such a life. As a child, my mom was taught by nuns in a Catholic school, most of whom she didn’t particularly like – yet when I read St. Francis or Brother Lawrence I’m astonished by the depth and richness of their faith. How can we have gone so far that such practices are remembered for their austerity (as with the nuns in my mom’s experience) instead of the love of the Savior that they claim to promote? And, conversely, does our non-denominational easy-going Christianese-spouting faith need a commitment overhaul? Brian McLaren doesn’t answer these questions. In fact, he does so little answering that occasionally I felt a little frustrated – but comforted, as though I’d just spent a few hours wrestling a very difficult question with a trusted mentor. I don’t agree with everything he asserts – he is determined to include the ancient practices of Muslims in with our own devotions, for instance – but he states his case in a way that brings light and clarity to an overly mystified subject. He also treats every sect of Christianity with an even brush. While many current Christian writers slip into elevating young, social-activist, Relevant-reading hipster Christians above the staid, hymn-singing, self-controlled and self-reliant faith of their grandparents, McLaren gives every trend an equal chance, and reminds us that such waves of public opinion do not matter to God, do stop His love and should not keep us from following Him. I also appreciate that McLaren writes about deeply spiritual things without ever lapsing into Christianese. This book is accessible to any seeker and gives credence and hope to those aching for more than a faith of trends and politics, but one that stretches back in time and serves a God who is bigger than any box we can possibly create for Him. Towards the end of the book, after laying out some practices and ways to “find our way” McLaren writes this: "..I recall a Celtic prayer I once came across, a prayer to be used each morning as one stirs the embers in the hearth: ‘As I stir the embers of my daily fire, I ask you, living God, to stir the embers of my heart into a flame of love for You, for my family, for my neighbor, and for my enemy.’ And there was another old Celtic prayer – to be said as faithful Christians splashed cold water on their faces three times in a simple morning ritual: ‘Let me awaken to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.’ My new considerations turn out, as they always do, to be a rediscovery of something very old and very precious. The ancient way is about joining God in the spending of every day. When we spend our days this way, we truly save them." Isn’t that it? I’m drawn to monks and nuns and tales of ancient ritual because I want to save my days, only to find that I need not cloister myself away or enter some mystical code. All I have to do is join God at the grocery store, in my work, at the gym, in conversations with friends. He’s already at work – I just have to practice the art of watching for His hand.
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The Complete Guide to Affiliate Marketing on the Web: How to Use and Profit from Affiliate Marketing Programs
by
Bruce C. Brown
wranglerdani
, August 10, 2009
This book begins with a quote from the Godfather: “In war there is no substitute for victory.” While that seems like an unusual opening to a marketing text, this book is very hard-hitting and aggressive, insisting that if you want to make this style of marketing work, you have to go for it - but that profiting from such marketing is attainable. Beginning with basics and soon delving into technical nitty-gritties such as meta-tags, web site optimization and other technical nuances, necessary for such aggressive marketing campaigns as this book is touting. Finishing out this guide with “Affiliate Mistakes” and case studies makes this book a great resource for anyone wanting to make a living from their laptop, or even those who already have a successful business and simply need a better marketing resource in a “Web 2.0” world.
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The Complete Tax Guide for Real Estate Investors: A Step-By-Step Plan to Limit Your Taxes Legally
by
Jackie Sonnenberg
wranglerdani
, August 10, 2009
Whether you’re a seasoned Real Estate investor or a newbie looking for answers, this book is a helpful resource in the often confusing world of taxes and investment properties. Beginning with basics (What is Real Estate? Who are Investors?) and moving to the complex (How various Trusts and Tax Codes operate, plus expert advice,) this really is a step by step guide. One of the best parts of this book is its “Facts vs. Myths” section. Taxes and investments are tricky business, and often the facts get skewed by popular opinion. Here, however, experts lay out the basics in a no-nonsense way. Also, form numbers and exact paperwork suggestions really help investors to know exactly the steps to take for maximum profit and ease. Without a handy guide like this, investors would be searching for answers all over - but here we have everything in one place, written in a straightforward and matter-of-fact style.
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The iPod & iTunes Handbook: The Complete Guide to the Portable Multimedia Revolution
by
Contel Bradford
wranglerdani
, August 10, 2009
iPods and “portable media” are everywhere, but do you really know the inside scoop? If you feel left behind by this revolution, this book is for you. With in-depth instruction, a well-written history of the iPod and easy-to-read prose, a self-education on all things iPod and iTunes is within your grasp. One of the neat features of this book is it’s in-depth reporting on the iPod/Apple/iTunes history, and each “generation” and model of iPod, how they work and which to choose for whatever function the user prefers. From the very first Mp3 players to video iPods and Shuffles, there’s not only detailed instructions but well-balanced reviews on each, as well as a section on “other Mp3 options”. Detailed technical instructions can sometimes be about as interesting as reading the phone book, but these feel like a conversation with a technologically savvy friend, who fills the reader in on all the latest advances, from inner workings to album art, with a warm and intelligent style.
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