Book Review: The Rise of the Smynians

https://www.blackrosewriting.com/scififantasy/riseofthesmyrnians

Cover image, from publisher site.

 

This was a free ebook I received via LibraryThing’s early reviewers’ program.

This book is in the genre of Christian fiction, apocalyptic tales, and seems to be part of a series of planned books. You can see more about the book at the link above.

It was difficult reading the book for me, and I found the writing style is difficult to follow, and the characters and story seemed similar to other books about the coming end of days, apocalypses, etc. I didn’t finish all the book, but you may find it of interest.

Rating: May be of interest to readers of Christian fiction.

Times They Are A-Changing, February 23, 2020

February 23rd, 2020

 

Quote of the Day.. “To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships..” -W.E.B. DuBois (born this date)  Quote source

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This Isn’t an Election: It’s a Civil War, and Our Side Isn’t Necessarily Winning.” 2020. Salon. February 22, 2020.. A really telling article, you have to realize upon reading that Democracy is in serious danger from Trump, he must be stopped in November. #VoteBlue.. https://www.salon.com/2020/02/22/this-isnt-an-election-its-a-civil-war-and-our-side-isnt-necessarily-winning/

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Crime Notes, A Very Bizarre Tale..  “I Would Only Rob Banks for My Family” “Scott Catt seemed like an ordinary dad—hardworking, responsible, devoted to his son and daughter—but he had a very strange secret. And so did his children” .. from 2014, in “Texas Monthly,” but worth a read.. https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/i-would-only-rob-banks-for-my-family/

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Corporations Talk Funny.. “Why Do Corporations Speak the Way They Do?” n.d. Accessed February 22, 2020. Yes, they are very different from you and me.. lingo, Tech Speak, strange words indeed.. it’s like another country 🌏.. https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/spread-of-corporate-speak.html

Streaming/TV Notes.. One of the shows we’ve enjoyed recently at home is “The Outsider.” Based on the 2012 book by master of suspense and horror, Stephen King, this version takes some time unfolding, bizarre camera angles, jumps around a lot, characters you don’t know who they are (until maybe later), etc. Still, intriguing mystery and some good acting overall.. I’ve started the book, too.. read more about it here.. https://www.hbo.com/the-outsider

Health Update.. We are keeping track of the Coronavirus news, as I’m sure you are.. Be sure and keep watch on WHO and CDC Web sites for factual updates.. here’s a recent overview of travel advice from February 21, “The Mercury News”..“Coronavirus: Everything Travelers Need to Know.” n.d. Accessed February 21, 2020.. https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/21/coronavirus-everything-travelers-need-to-know/

Entertainment Update.. Elaine Low. 2020. “‘Friends’ Cast to Reunite for Exclusive HBO Max Special.” Variety (blog). February 21, 2020. ..should be fun, although I admit I haven’t seen *all* the episodes of “Friends” myself.. https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/friends-cast-reunion-hbo-max-1203510743/

Cinema News.. and the Book.. “The Call Of The Wild: 8 Big Differences Between The Book And The Harrison Ford Movie.” 2020. CINEMABLEND. February 22, 2020.. Note that one has spoilers for the film and also the book; don’t go there if you don’t want spoilers.. https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2490481/the-call-of-the-wild-big-differences-between-the-book-and-the-harrison-ford-movie

Library Notes.. a dedicated librarian can almost always find a way to make things a bit better, says a retired librarian of course.. here’s a good news item.. Whitaker, Denise. 2020. “Federal Way Librarian Builds Library for Kids by Scouring Goodwill Shelves.” KOMO. February 21, 2020. https://komonews.com/news/local/federal-way-librarian-builds-library-for-kids-by-scouring-goodwill-shelves

Star Gazing.. one of my favorite hobbies, watching the skies.. I’ve been subscribed to the newsletter and updates from “Sky & Telescope” for a long time.. check it out.. here’s a recent post to enjoy.. “This Week’s Sky at a Glance, February 21 – 29.” 2020. Sky & Telescope (blog). February 21, 2020. https://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-february-21-29/

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Oh, No.. Not Another Generation Name? Yikes.. “What Is ‘Generation Alpha’? – The Atlantic.” n.d. Accessed February 21, 2020.. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/02/generation-after-gen-z-named-alpha/606862/

That’s all for today, folks.. enjoy your day!

2018 Warning: Democracy under attack

Highlights: Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Malcolm Nance
5,202 views
•Aug 10, 2018

Watch, be aware.. here’s the tweet that alerted me to this..

Times They Are A-Changing, February 20, 2020

February 20th, 2020

Quote of the Day.. “The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.” -Robert M. Pirsig
Quote source

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Biographer and Friend of Hemingway Dies.. “Remembering Ernest Hemingway Biographer A. E. Hotchner.” n.d. NPR.Org. Accessed February 18, 2020.. https://www.npr.org/2020/02/18/806991677/remembering-ernest-hemingway-biographer-a-e-hotchner

Library Notes.. “Lawyer-librarian answers questions on book displays, video recording, and animals in the library”.. how about those service dogs, huh? Nice article from “American Libraries”.. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2020/02/18/must-my-library-accommodate-service-and-support-animals/

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Netflix Notes.. One of the shows I enjoyed was “Altered Carbon,” which had season 1 earlier.. they’ve announced season 2 is available as of February 27th.. here’s a nice review (some minor spoilers), and the season 2 trailer from YouTube.. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/02/a-cyberpunk-mercenary-searches-for-his-lost-love-in-altered-carbon-s2-trailer/

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Blows Against the Empire.. We watched on my TiVo the Nevada Democratic Debate, tough to see such arguing and yelling and finger pointing.. We need to be more united, attacking the policies and actions of our so-called President, instead of going after each other.. I made the infographic on the left after watching.. Read more about it via Google News..  Read on Google News

Spring Training, Play Ball.. wasn’t the World Series just over? LOL, well, MLB has started up spring training in Florida and Arizona, and games are being held.. check out the listing for your favorite team, and check when the games might be on TV near you.. Spring Training info from MLB

What’s On My Audiobook Player.. I use the app on my Android phone called Smart Audiobook Player and it works on my phone and Android Auto in my Honda.. I borrowed from my library a copy of “The Last Lion,” the last of the trilogy, covering the war years and after.. it’s a wonderful biography of Winston Churchill and I’m enjoying listening to it.. a real statesman and leader.. here’s the Amazon information on the book.. The Last Lion Book 3

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Daytona 500 Injury Update.. The driver, Ryan Newman, miraculously has left the hospital and seems okay, amazing.. See more via For the Win

That’s all for today, folks.. enjoy your day!

An Interloping Dog Entered a Soccer Game and Proved He’s the Real Star of the Sport — TIME

Dogs just want to get in on the game, too. That was certainly the case for one eager pup who interrupted a match between two professional Turkish soccer teams at an Istanbul stadium over the weekend. But the canine interloper wasn’t just a stray distraction: the dog was clearly there to prove he was perfectly…

via An Interloping Dog Entered a Soccer Game and Proved He’s the Real Star of the Sport — TIME