"The Language God Talks" by Herman Wouk

I won The Language God Talks--On Science and Religion by Herman Wouk in a giveaway over at Metro Reader.  

Publisher's Summary. More years ago than I care to reckon up, I met Richard Feynman." So begins THE LANGUAGE GOD TALKS, Herman Wouk's gem on navigating the divide between science and religion. In one rich, compact volume, Wouk draws on stories from his life as well as on key events from the 20th century to address the eternal questions of why we are here, what purpose faith serves, and how scientific fact fits into the picture. He relates wonderful conversations he's had with scientists such as Feynman, Murray Gell-Mann, Freeman Dyson, and Steven Weinberg, and brings to life such pivotal moments as the 1969 moon landing and the Challenger disaster.

This book was disappointing. I thought it would be more about science and the Bible but it actually was more intellectual and philosophical. The first half was primarily a history of science and theories and the authors conversations with scientists. The second half was more about Judaism and the author's life experiences.  Basically, I did not care for this. 

I am passing it on to Sarah over at Books Like Water since I saw she commented that she would have liked to enter the giveaway but was too late. Even after I told her what I thought of it she still wanted it so good--I hope she likes it better than I did.

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Mistaken Identity by Don and Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak

Mistaken Identity by Don and Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak is a fascinating nonfiction book about how the families of their two college daughters coped with the awful incident resulting in their identities being switched. The one daughter was killed in the accident while the other survived with extensive injuries. 

The parents of the one who was killed, Laura, thought the one in the hospital bed was their daughter and only found out after five weeks that she wasn't and that their daughter had really died. The parents of the one in the hospital, Whitney, were told she was killed in the accident and didn't know Whitney was actually alive until five weeks later.

Both were strong Christian families who relied on God to get them through and saw him provide for their needs.

Although I felt sadness for what the families went through, I was uplifted and encouraged in my own faith by all the scripture and their great Christian example. I'd say the moral of this is to go and make a positive ID yourself when you find out a family member was killed. Whitney's parents both just took the word of the coroner instead of checking out the body for themselves. 

I still don't really understand how Laura's parents didn't realize that it wasn't their daughter in that hospital bed all that time. Eventually, other visitors had doubts and when Whitney could communicate, she told them her name was Whitney.
(KAREN'S REVIEW:6/20/08)


WOW, what a book! I could go on and on about this book, but the main thing is both families' unwavering faith in the Lord. You will feel a wide range of emotions. Quick read, you get into it right away. I thank both families for sharing this story and their love of the Lord. Continued blessings from our Lord to all. Please read this awesome book, it will stay with you.

(GERARD'S REVIEW 6/15/08)

"Stolen Innocence" by Elissa Wall

A Remarkable Journey (10 Stars)


To give Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall 5 stars does this book an injustice! It's a 10 Plus!! It is the true story of Elissa Wall, who grew up in the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints ("FLDS") and was taught to believe all she was told. You will laugh and recoil in anger at what she goes through. Then she finds the courage to go to court and face the "Prophet." 

You are a remarkable woman, Elissa! Thanks for sharing your story. Everyone will enjoy this book. It reads like fiction, but you know it's not. I hated to see it end. It's just incredible!
(Gerard's Review 8/18/08)


A Fascinating and Shocking Story!


This was a long story of how Elissa grew up in the FLDS community, how her life was controlled by a man called "The Prophet" whom she was taught to believe spoke for God and how she eventually broke free. She was forced to marry at age 14 against her will, was raped and finally left the community and brought charges against "The Prophet." This book gives the reader an inside look into the workings of a polygamous cult and shows how difficult it is for people to leave. It is shocking that this really happened in America in recent times.
(Karen's review 8/18/08)

"Change of Heart" by Jodi Picoult

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult moved much slower than the others I read by her. I was a bit disappointed in this one. It was very philosophical about Shay, a convicted murderer, sentenced to death. The priest who was his spiritual adviser while he was on death row was a member of the jury that found him guilty. His only concern while on death row was that he be able to donate his heart to the victim's sister once he heard she needed a heart transplant. It was a strange book with religious undercurrents and far out "miracles." I had to really work my way through this one, but it did get better near the end and had a "happy ending," well, sort of. It was a great finish! No peeking!!!
(KAREN'S REVIEW 6/1/08)


I have read better by Mrs. Picoult but this was good enough for me. A real page turner with interesting characters. It kept me guessing all the way to the end and speaking of the ending, a real good one!! It left me wanting more!!! I would recommend you read this book.

(GERARD'S REVIEW 6/6/08)