Dancing on the Head of a Pen: The Practice of a Writing Life by Robert Benson

Everyone has the gift of creativity. We just express creativity in different ways. Some people excel in the kitchen, some garden. Some tackle complex computer problems and get lost in the world of numbers and equations. Some take their ingenuity to work with broken people. Some of us nurture creativity in others. Some of us are painters or poets or potters.
And some of us write, creating with words and crafting with letters and our tools of ink and computer clicks.

This is not a how-to book for how to write. It is what Benson has done throughout his writing career; what he has found works for him that he offers simply as suggestions for others.

Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a short, easy to read book full of practical insights for anyone desiring to assemble words on a page for others to read. Each chapter focuses on one topic and Benson effectively ties in his own writing journey, including his victories and struggles, with a tip on making the writing process happen.

I liked Dancing on the Head of a Pin, and recommend it for its realistic tips on writing a book for talented or aspiring writers. The book reveals the journey of the author as a writer, his inspirations and his tips to be a writer. Benson delivers on his advice to give writers a way to begin.

I received copy of eBook from WaterBrook Publishing in their Blogging for Books Program.

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Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes

This is a great book that addresses a difficult topic very realistically. Wings of Glass is a novel written by Gina Holmes about an abusive marriage and the woman getting the courage to leave. The entire story of Wings of Glass is a letter to a child from his abused mother.

I thought this was a well written book.  Holmes wrote this book as though she had first-hand experience to abuse. The pain and anguish that an abused person goes through is very real, along with the excuses they can generate to cover for their spouse's abuse.  Gina Holmes did a wonderful job of dealing with two very difficult topics; abuse and divorce.

Trent isolated Penny from friends and family. He made her believe that she was lucky that he loved her and that she wasn't really worth it. Penny was always walking on eggshells trying to not set Trent off. Penny, like many abused people, tried to see the best in the abuser. She loved him because she needed him and didn't see value in herself or her ability to stand on her own two feet.  Penny gets a little help from her friends, even after she ignores and hurts them. Her friends stay by her side and continue to love her. That’s what true friendship is all about. Those are the kind of friends we all long for.

This is definitely not a light read. It deals with some very real issues and I recommend reading it. I think this would be a great book for book clubs. Discussion questions are also available in the end.

I received an eBook from Tyndale Publishing for my review.

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Global Predator by Jack MacLean

Book Description: High above the mountains of the North West Frontier, a Global Predator circles waiting to unleash its Hellfire missiles. The trail of Osama Bin Laden's deputy, the elusive Egyptian terror master, Ayman al-Zawahiri has gone cold until a chance recording identified by a translator at the National Security Agency offers new clues. A special intelligence team assembles and plots to catch at him at a meeting with other high ranking al Qaeda leaders. In Pakistan's beautiful Swat Valley, the local Taliban have been stepping up their attacks on anyone educating girls. English aid worker Sally is taken hostage while visiting one of her schools. When Wilkins, escaping his reckless trading mistakes at his London bank, is forced to rescue her, he finds himself trapped in a world of blind fear and terror. Only one person can now make sense of what is happening and stop a massacre of innocent schoolgirls.

Set in Pakistan and England, Global Predator tells the story of several people whose stories interweave at various points. Sally is an English woman who has made it her mission let girls have access to the resources, schools and education which they rightfully deserve in Pakistan. At the same time, the Taliban are intent on just the opposite, they’re bombing schools in order to prevent girls from becoming educated. With banking scandals, avoiding detection, American military and no safety makes Pakistan a scary place to be.

 I was interested in the story by the cover and the description. The narrative jumps to different locations and characters, which was a little disconcerting in the beginning and found it hard to get into the story, but eventually became clear once the relationship between the characters was established.  Though not enough to make you bond with the characters. The story at times didn’t make sense and I was relieved to get to the end.

 

I like reading about political intrigue especially by Joel Rosenberg, but Global Predator did not live up to my expectations. I received a copy of eBook from Net Galley and publisher for my review.

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