A Hobbit Devotional, by Ed Strauss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Recently a major motion picture, the story of The Hobbit has fascinated readers for more than 70 years. Now, this tale of humble folk who overcome fear, discouragement, and despair forms the basis of this collection of 60 devotional readings, each featuring a dash of humor, challenge, and encouragement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ed Strauss lives in British Columbia, Canada, with his wife and three tween-aged children. Ed is a freelance writer with a passion for Biblical apologetics and fantasy fiction. Apart from writing, Ed enjoys biking and exploring nature.

MY THOUGHTS:  We all know that epic story-tellers like Tolkien and Lewis and Dekker (okay, you know it’s true!) are able to connect with us because their tales are timeless.  Sure, they seem to have a fixed place and time, but the themes are those basic struggles of mankind throughout the ages, struggles that are the same for young and old, male and female, commoners and royalty.  It’s this commonality of the human race that makes these stories resonate deep within us and causes us to recognize ourselves in the characters, both the heroes and the villains.

The Hobbit is certainly no exception, and with the movie coming out just before Christmas, 2012, this Devotional couldn’t have come at a better time to make it to your gift list.  The perfect gift for anyone who’s read the book or seen the movie, it connects memorable scenes and quotes to spiritual truths applicable to the real world. 

Each of the 60 devotions begins with a quote from The Hobbit, and a short description of that scene, cleverly retold and interpreted by Mr. Strauss.  A couple of pages follow, expounding on how we face the same dilemmas, challenges, or obstacles in our world.  Often a story from the Bible accompanies each chapter, and always the appropriate scriptures to shed God’s light on the situation.  A glossary of terms and a timeline are helpful resources found in the appendix section.

As is the book this devotional is based on, A Hobbit Devotional: Bilbo Baggins and the Bible is appropriate for all ages.  Its lessons could be adapted for personal reading, a study group, youth group lessons, or family devotions.  

**I was provided a review copy of this book by netGalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Christmas Carol (audiobook), by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Christmas Carol is the classic story of Scrooge and the spirits who visit him one winter night to change his stingy, evil ways.  I'd seen the movie a few thousand times but never read the book, and considering what time of year this is, I thought it'd be a good time to go for an audio version. I got the Mission Audio version from christianaudio.com,  loaded it on the iPod for a road trip, and we listened to it as we covered some miles.  

The book is divided into five staves. The first half of the first one was a bit hard to get into, as the author was laying the groundwork through describing the shop, the character, and a little of the history behind Scrooge and his business.  There wasn't much action and the descriptions drug on a bit, so those first 20 minutes were a little dry.  But once the action got going, no one wanted to hit pause.

This is a feel-good story about learning what really matters in life, and one that I guess will never get old.  What made this version of it particulary spectacular was the narrator (Simon Vance), who has to be the most perfect fit for any audio book I've ever listened to.  His voice set the mood, made me feel like I really was in England in the 1800's, and magnificently portrayed the characters throughout the story.  I can't say enough about what a wonderful job he did in reading this book.

I'd recommend this one for those long drives to relatives' houses over Christmas vacation, for sitting around the fireplace while the Christmas tree is lit, or for popping in your mp3 player while you're jogging off the holiday calories.  But I must warn you that it's probably going to be over the head of your small children, and some of the descriptions of the Marley's ghost at the beginning may frighten them.  As for the rest of us, well, I guess we need to be frightened every now and then!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the christianaudio Reviewers Program.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.