"Mouth of the Donkey" (Laura Duhan-Kaplan)

TITLE: Mouth of the Donkey: Re-imagining Biblical Animals
AUTHOR: Laura Duhan-Kaplan
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2021, (94 days).
 

Children are often fascinated with animals. They ask interesting questions like, "What does this animal eat?" "If this animal fights against the leopard, will it win?" "Will the deer outrun the tiger?" For Sunday School teachers and those teaching children in churches, animals in the Bible often bring out curiosity in kids. That is why animal narratives in the Bible are some of the most popular stories to tell little children. They paint Noah's Ark with glee. They imagine pairs of animals living inside the ark. They participate in plays that reenact Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt. Even the Old Testament prophecies give us images of sheep, lambs, wolves, and many others. Animals are not just the domain of children. Adults too sing the classic hymn, "All Creatures of our Lord and King," as well as the popular choruses, "As the Deer" and "Lion of Judah." How do we interpret the use of animals in the Bible? According to author and professor, Laura Duhan-Kaplan, she adopts a four-level interpretation based on Kabbalistic teachings. 

1. Plain literal (peshat)
2. Exposition of recurring ethical themes (derash)
3. Allegorical (remez)
4. Secret allusions to God's nature (sod)

"Your Words Your World" (Louise Bélanger)

TITLE: Your Words Your World
AUTHOR: Louise Bélanger
PUBLISHER: Independent, Louise Bélanger, 2021, (99 pages).
 

The past two years have been particularly challenging for many people all over the world. With much of the world still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, it will take a while before the world gets any semblance of the normalcy we are used to. As governments and health authorities continue to stress the need for vaccinations, healthcare professionals are preparing to deal with the next big crisis: Mental Health. Due to the lockdowns, quarantines, and prolonged periods of isolation, most people would find it a struggle without social well-being. After all, we are all social creatures. What if we could learn to listen to how God speaks to us through nature and creation at large? Inspired by the beauty of creation, Canadian poet Louise Bélanger shares with us many pretty photos followed by a short poem. The poems are brief, usually between 1 to 2 pages in length. She writes about the wonder of nature and the unique qualities embedded in creation. From Ordinary time to Christmas; she not only describes what is seen, but she also connects them with words of faith.  Frequently, we find Bible truths arising out of the poems. Truths like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, the Trinity, the futility of the world, Heaven, Prayer, God's creation narrative, Jesus' birth narrative, and many more. 

"One Dominion" (Paul Richardson & Bob Beasley)

TITLE: One Dominion, Celebrating Canada
AUTHOR: Paul Richardson & Bob Beasley
PUBLISHER: Grimsby, Ontario: Bible League Canada, 2017, (96 pages).

This year is a special year. It is the 150th year of the confederation of Canada, a nation that began with just four provinces, but now comprises ten provinces and three territories. It is also the second largest country in the world by land mass. Widely recognized by many to be one of the best places in the world to live in, the country boasts of many strengths. It is an economic power, a member of the G7 (now G8). It also has a strong banking system; is a reliable trading partner; one of the best education systems in the world; a leading advocate for human rights; resource rich, and proud multicultural nation. In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was formed with Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. By 1949, Newfoundland became the tenth province to become the Canada we have today. Canada only became a fully independent nation from Britain in 1982. To celebrate this momentous event, Bible League Canada and Graf-Martin Communications have come together to publish this special book.

"All Creation Waits" (Gayle Boss)

TITLE: All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings
AUTHOR: Gayle Boss
PUBLISHER: Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2016, (112 pages).

The season of Advent will be upon us very soon. While there are many themes based on the gospel narratives and the stories of nativity, this book is unique as it offers 25 meditations based on animal woodcuttings. Each chapter offers a description of a winter creature, its lifestyle, eating habits, habitat, unique behaviours, and special characteristics. The turtle prepares to go into hibernation in what is one of nature's wonderful survival strategies. The Muskrat knows exactly where the fresh food are when the ice cold winter freezes up. The Chickadee tweets happily amid the solemn winds of winter. The whitetail deer and her bucks huddle together for warmth. Honeybees survive by choreographing their wing movements to generate heat enough for the whole colony. Other animals include the frog, the racoon, the chipmunk, the black bear, the opossum, bat, turkey, and many more. There is something common in all of these animals. They prepare for the coming harsh winter. Waiting is not simply a virtue but a necessary survival tactic. With wild nature as their habitat, they are able to adjust their bodies to tackle the freezing weather. It is a mystery of how creation waits and sleeps out the dark and gloomy winter. Activities are reduced to the minimum so as to conserve heat. It is a time to hibernate.

Gayle Boss is a lifelong lover of animals and nature. She is a poet, a writer, and an avid naturalist. Graphic artist David Klein contributes one illustration for each chapter, bringing to life the very creature written about. The red fox on the front cover is from the chapter on the red fox, elegant and beautiful. I am amazed at the powers of observation by the author which really demonstrates her love for animals and nature. With great understanding of the animal and powers of observation, she is able to make the woodcuttings come alive with literary movement and imagination. Readers will find in each chapter a very insightful look about the nature of the animal, its eating habits, how it moves, its survival instincts, how it takes care of the young, and so on. After 24 chapters of descriptions of the wonders of each winter creature, the last chapter is what we happen to be waiting for: Christmas! It is a vivid display of all creation waiting for the revelation of God in Christ.

I must say that this is a very unique book to prepare ourselves for the advent. It gives me a fresh appreciation of the winter animals that exist in our backyard of backcountry. Some of them I have not even aware they exist! Yet, God knows each and every one of them.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Paraclete Press without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"How to Read Water" (Tristan Gooley)

TITLE: How to Read Water: Clues and Patterns from Puddles to the Sea
AUTHOR: Tristan Gooley
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: The Experiment, 2016, (368 pages).

Water is everywhere around us. They are visible in the clouds and the rains; the rivers and the streams; the lakes and the oceans. We use it to hydrate our gardens; to cook our meals; to wash our premises; and many other aspects of life. Just as water has many uses, if we take the time to consider what we are looking for, water can be interpreted in both philosophical as well as practical ways. Rather than to reduce it to the level of meaning only according to the eyes of the beholder, the author believes that with wisdom and intuition, there is more to water than the physical images that meet the eye. Several things move Tristan Gooley on her quest for discovering the meaning of water. First, knowing how to read the clues in puddles and streams can give us a good idea of what it happening underneath them. Second, it is easier to learn about water when our feet is on firm ground. Third, reading water is a unique navigational skill. Four, there is a mystery about water that can deepen the wonder and appreciation of this precious resource.

"From Nature to Creation" (Norman Wirzba)

TITLE: From Nature to Creation: A Christian Vision for Understanding and Loving Our World (The Church and Postmodern Culture)
AUTHOR: Norman Wirzba
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015, (176 pages).

Should Christians live more for the future and less for the present? Is God's gift of salvation mainly a ticket to some heavenly future without earthly responsibility? Absolutely not. If our Christian living is merely preparing ourselves for the heavenly realm, our Christianity is a "theological disaster." So begins author and professor Norman Wirzba in this book that aims to bring back the integrity and value of the world we live in. Our salvation is important. How we live is also important. The world we live in is a gift for us to cherish and to care for. If God had created the world and called it good, how can we say otherwise? Wirzba is Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Agrarian Studies at Duke Divinity School. A keen scholar of the doctrine of creation, he has written this book with chapters based on his 2013 Jellema lectures at various locations as well as a 2012 biannual meeting of the Society of Continental Philosophy and Theology. This book is a call for Christians to take the environment and the ecological concerns seriously. Develop an imagination of a world loved and sustained by God. Treasure the earth resources as a gift. This book is an attempt to help us cast and sustain a vision of care for nature and creation.

"Awe" (Paul David Tripp)

TITLE: Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do
AUTHOR: Paul David Tripp
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015, (208 pages).

We need to make space for wonder. We need to find room to discover the divine. We need to be still in awe of God's presence. Confessing that he wrote this book for himself, author and pastor Paul David Tripp gives several reasons why awe is more necessary than ever. First, God's creation is already wonderful in itself as it reflects a beauty that can stimulate our senses. Second, for a fickle and wandering soul, we need something to keep our roving thoughts in check. Third, we need more attentiveness for the presence of God. Fourth, we need to "recapture, refocus, and redirect" our heart's attention to God over and over again. Fifth, with awe, one will be able to shape our words, thoughts, and deeds, according to the spiritual awareness of God. It is awe that many of us lack. When we think we have everything under control, where is there a need for awe?

Tripp takes us through thirteen windows of awe, beginning with HUMANITY, where there are so many things we can share and appreciate together because we are all created with the ability to wonder. Even when we have all the answers the the everyday problems we face, without awe, we will be stuck in cycles of discontent. He thinks about WAR and becomes aware of "awe wrongedness" (AWN) which happens when we feel wronged, victimized, received the shorter end of the stick, unjustly treated. Wars happen when this AWN takes root. The world through the past century have endured two world wars, and many more scattered across various continents. Even today, wars are happening not only in the Middle East but in Eastern Europe, restless pockets of strife in Asia, unrest in Africa and the Americas. On MINISTRY, Tripp sometimes wonder if he has truly been called to ministry in the first place. If worshiping God is foremost, why then are people constantly getting stuck in doing things that do not resemble any act of worship? He surmises: "Only a functional, heart-directed, ministry-shaping awe of God has the power to protect me from myself in ministry." We are hardwired for awe, and when our heart goes through a REPLACEMENT, with us replacing God with other gods, our sense of awe becomes warped. We forget God. We suffer from AMNESIA, seeing without truly seeing, and hearing without truly hearing. Through self-centeredness, a grotesque sense of entitlement, discontent, relational dysfunction, control, fear, anger, envy, drivenness, doubt, coldness, and others, our capacity for awe gets decapitated.  TRANSGRESSION follows suit. We snigger at the laws of God. We belittle the importance of obedience. We swim in rivers of COMPLAINT and give critical and sarcastic answers to the five diagnostic questions about God. Instead, we move toward MATERIALISM and puts our trust in the temporal things of life. Failing to answer the two most important questions in our lives will put a damper to GROWTH. Thankfully, Tripp presents us with two "awe portraits" from Galatians 5. The first is to be careful of the works of the flesh. The second is to don the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual growth comes with the suppression of the former and the increase of the latter.  As the author quotes at length the passage from Isaiah 40, he senses a WORLDVIEW awareness. He gains a bigger picture of CHURCH. Seeing PARENTING as a high calling, readers learn about awe inspiring moments that we can teach our children. We gain a renewed sense of WORK that puts in proper perspectives that it is our identity in Christ that gives us our worth, not our works. Eventually, Tripp boils it all down to one phrase: "Awe is a longing."

"Listening to Scent" (Jennifer Peace Rhind)

TITLE: Listening to Scent: An Olfactory Journey With Aromatic Plants and Their Extracts
AUTHOR: Jennifer Peace Rhind
PUBLISHER: Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014, (164 pages).

Of all the five human senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, touch, and smelling, the least developed is arguably the last one. I remember having a conversation among friends about how technology had been able to replicate human sensory patterns upon computers. Visually we use high resolution images. Audibly, we can produce high fidelity sound devices, headsets, and great sound effects. Touch-wise, we have the mouse, the keyboard, and of course the modern touch screens available with tablets and modern computers. The senses of taste and smell are the least developed. This book is about cultivating a sense of smell through listening, learning, and cultivating our olfactory faculties. According to the author, a biologist with a PhD in mycotoxicology, there are other benefits such as improved cognitive abilities, general well-being, even healthy aging! Written in three parts, the book covers smell and scent matters through educating, profiling, and experiencing.

"Planted" (Leah Kostamo)

TITLE: Planted: A Story of Creation, Calling, and Community
AUTHOR: Leah Kostamo
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2013, (172 pages).

This is a beautiful book. Few books have managed to capture the essence of nature, the joys of community, and the affirmation of a simple calling like this one. Leah Kostamo, a wife, a former campus ministry worker, as well as a co-founder of the A Rocha ministry based in BC Canada, has shown us how good stories can be told with simplicity, with insight, and with humour. Combining her love for creation and conservation, her natural talent for observing details in ordinary things, her passion for community building, coupled with her eloquent use of words, this book is destined for greatness in the literary world. As a memoir, readers will be humbled at how the author and her husband Markku would give up lucrative careers, sell their house, and to pour all their assets into a non-profit ministry without guarantee that it would even survive its initial years. Yet, it did and it did so marvelously, blessing, teaching, and enabling thousands of visitors and volunteers at their farm facility. The ministry in Canada began as a seed back in 1996 at a Regent College course entitled, "Incarnational Mission" led by Peter and Miranda Harris, who had founded A Rocha in Portugal. Eight years later, the idea took root, and sprouted trunks and branches through personal investments as well as generous givers and loaners by those who expressed faith enough to walk with the Kostamos.

The book is also a mini-ecological guide. We learn about the threats of worldwide extinction of 13% of birds, 25% of mammals, and 41% of amphibians. We see how a tiny shrimp plays its microscopic role in a complex and delicate ecological environment, that benefits beavers, bears, and big trees. We read about invasive species, weeds, the birds, and even slugs. Along the way, Kostamo makes sure we do not get carried away in the natural world and forget about the technological world. With a deft touch of humour, she compares and contrasts pods of orcas with iPods! It can also be used as a primer in becoming more nature aware. We are encouraged to think about the tap water we have, to think about its source, its distribution channels, and all the resources poured into the whole system. We are challenged to think about the gardens, how the seasons impact life, the variety of birds and nature around us, and even rocks and minerals that seem so mundane for the busy individual.

It is also a guide for a deeper awareness of what eating entails. For those of us whose limited vocabulary of eating centered around restaurants, the food on our tables, or the kitchen, we get invited into a world of farming, of growing our own food, and the beauty of real food over processed stuff. Food is not just something to be consumed, but it can incorporate a work of art in itself. Beyond the feasting, we will appreciate the preparation beyond mere cook books, and to be respectful in the way we partake of God's providence for us. Slowly but surely, the book becomes a rallying point in the practice of Micah 6:8, that we learn to live justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly. Very aptly, the book closes with a relook at the biblical Sabbath, reminding us that working hard and doing good have their limits. Man can only do so much. Everything else totally depends on God alone. The keeping of the Sabbath is a powerful reminder that we by ourselves are limited. That is why Sabbath keeping enables us to be natural ourselves one day a week, as we busy ourselves with nature on the other six days.

This book is a rare find. More accurately, the book found me. When contacted to do this review, I promptly agreed because of curiosity in part, and to support a fellow Regent alum as well. Little did I know that I would be receiving a literary gem, a unique seed that germinates in me a greater appreciation of nature and creation. Most of all, I am humbled by how the Kostamos' passion-turned-reality have blessed people of all ages from all walks of life. There is a lot of material in this humble looking book. Open it up at any one page and you can easily find a point or two to learn from and to contemplate after.

I am full of praise of the quality of this book. I particularly appreciate the three points to show us the way forward, namely; 1) Practice Gratitude; 2) Practice Generosity; and 3) Practice the Sabbath Keeping. On all three counts, I say a hearty Amen! A clear best of the best so far in my 2014 stack of books.

Thank you, Leah Kostamo for letting me know that this book even existed.

 An American transplant to Canada, Leah Kostamo has a background in campus ministry and education. For the past twelve years, Leah has worked alongside her husband, Markku, to show God’s love for all of creation through the ministry of A Rocha. She lives and thrives on Kingfisher Farm near Vancouver, BC.  

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book is provided to me courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Vital Signs Vol 20

TITLE: Vital Signs, Volume 20: The Trends that are Shaping Our Future
AUTHOR: Worldwide Institute
PUBLISHER:  Washington DC: Island Press, 2013, (168 pages).

What are the trends in the future? What are the signs and what makes them so vital that it has to be included in this book? These are questions I ask as I began reading this book.  Since 1992, the Worldwide institute, based in Washington DC has been keeping watch on signs that will affect the future of the earth and the people who live on it. Presenting articles that first appeared at the Worldwatch Institute website, each volume brings together research and findings from a group of dedicated contributors. This edition is the fruit of 23 researchers. In this volume, the focus is on the world's production and consumption trends for energy, food, transportation, and rising demand for earth's resources. Aware that there is a price for progress and development, the Worldwide Institute calls it "vital signs" from a sustainability and a responsible stewardship of earth's resources perspective. 

One thing that is stark is that for every benefit there is a cost. For every meeting of a demand, there is a cry for a greater demand. For every additional investment for energy resources, there is an exponential demand for energy, especially fossil fuels. For every increase in food production, there is also an increase in waste production. For every step of advancement, there is a price in terms of depletion of earth's resources. The link is also complicated by advancement that is closely associated with economic progress for the poorer nations as well as social conditions. With many poorer countries trying to attain the progress of the West, they soon learn that every benefit will have their costs too.

The solution must be both scientific as well as institutional. Science and technical know-how can only do so much. There must be infrastructures in place for implementation and distribution of these knowledge and skills. Five key trends are highlighted in the book.

1) Energy and Transportation Trends

There is a mixture of good and bad news for oil. The good news is, the rate of consumption has gone down. The bad news is, consumption levels are still high. Impact is felt whenever problems occur in the Middle East. The projected trend is for Canada's oil sands production to increase even as the conventional oil producers maintain production at a steady level. Any slowdown in oil consumption is well negated by the increase in coal and gas use. Then there is China whose coal consumption currently ranks at number 1 in the world accounting for 49.4% of the world's consumption. Not only that, China also leads in terms of wind power, with several new power projects installed. Thankfully, progress is also made in funding for non-fossil fuel research and development of renewable energy supplies. This is an area to watch for.

2) Environment and Climate Trends

Development usually comes at a cost, and green house gas emissions and CO2 production are some of them. With regards to China, there is a double whammy. Not only has China overtaken the US in terms of CO2 emissions, she still lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to funding for "Carbon Capture and Storage Investment" projects. The CCSI projects are considered important for the environment from an anti-pollution standpoint. Critics argue that such projects also consume lots of of energy which somewhat cancels out the good it is trying to achieve.

3) Food and Agriculture Trends

Used for human consumption, animal feed, as well as biofuels, annual grain production has reached a record high of 2.37 billion tons. These include rice, wheat, and coarse grains. Weather challenges continue to threaten production. Projects are currently being undertaken to protect and to support the farming industry, especially vulnerable farmers. With disease and drought, meat consumption has tapered with a smaller increase. Most popular meat is pork followed by poultry. The United States is still the largest consumer of meat in the world and Asia the largest producer. Statistics also show chicken as the most popular in the US, South Africa. In China, Germany, Vietnam, pork ranks #1. India consumes the most milk while Brazil the most beef. 

Then there is seafood where "aquaculture" tries to fill in the insatiable appetite for various seafood. Both wild and farmed seafood continue to grow, with "aquaculture" currently meeting up to 40% of the world's fish consumption. Research also shows that wild fish stocks are dangerously unsustainable with about 57.4% fisheries fully exploited. With rising fish production comes environmental concerns too, like degradation of marine habitats; antibiotics use; introduction of invasive species; illegal fishing; etc. One bright spark in the report is the positive impact of organic farming, especially in Europe. These initiatives have reduced the need for harmful fertilizers and pesticides. There is also an interesting report on the investing on women farmers who together help produce nearly half of all food production. This is especially for those who are not fully compensated in poor regions. .

4) Global Economy and Resources Trends

There is an alarming wage gap widening as wages fail to keep pace with productivity. Countries in Europe such as Norway, Belgium, and Germany lead the way in fair compensation. Countries at the bottom half include Philippines, Mexico, Hungary, and Brazil. Solid waste production continues to grow. with the OECD countries together producing more than 1.5 million tonnes of waste per day! Losses due to natural catastrophes are also very high. Japan tops the list where the earthquake and tsunami have cost US$2.1 billion. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and drought from the other regions of the world helped create total losses of US$3530 billion of which only $870 billion are insured. Water scarcity is in the radar. One-fifth of the world are living in water scarcity areas. Arab countries have the least water availability while North America has the most.

There is an interesting report that talks about the increase in Internet advertising and marketing. The comment in the report talks not about the Internet displacing directly the traditional avenues like print, TV commercials, billboards, etc. It observes that "consumers grow overexposed to advertising" and prefer more subtle approaches through blogs, social media, and selective product placements.

5) Population and Society Trends

We have all heard about migration. What about "climate change migration" where harsh weather conditions have forced migration around the world. Take Bangladesh for example, where people have grown accustomed to recurring floods. Most people outside have concentrated on sensational headlines such as people being forced to move from low levels to higher plains, but have failed to account for the human resilience of the people to tough it out.  Migration is less possible with lands that are steeped in poverty. Many developing countries continue to seek a better world like the developed West. Eighty-Two percent of the world's populations currently live in the developing world. Many of them are in Asia which also boasts megacities that are crowded, and have a huge appetite for energy, food, and other resources. The biggest megacity is Japan with 37 million people followed by Delhi (22.7m) and Mexico City (20.7m). Los Angeles is the most populated North American city at 13.4m and Istanbul is tops the list for Europe at 11.3m. The poorest regions, represented by slum areas are countries in the Sub-Sahara Africa, South and East Asia.  

If you are interested in trends and numbers, this book has a lot of them not only to whet your appetite, but to get you thinking about the way our world is heading. The usual observations are there. Consumption of resources are rising, while earth ability to sustain these levels are decreasing. The developing world continues to increase in food production and population. So do there consumption, waste, and pollution levels. There are many other things that are left out in the trending report. What about education levels? What about the technological industry? What about medical sciences? What about the pharmaceutical research? What about the state of the political and social trends?

Perhaps, in a future volume, these and others will be covered. Richly informational, this book is not just about numbers and trends. It is about the future of us and our loved ones living in an increasingly globalized world. This alone is reason alone to pick up this book.


Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book is provided to me free by Island Press and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Indescribable (Illustrated Edition)"

TITLE: Indescribable (Illustrated Edition): Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe
AUTHOR: Louie Giglio and Matt Redman
PUBLISHER: Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2011, (224 pages)

This book gives us visual glimpses of the beauty of Ps 19:1 which says:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Ps 19:1)

Riding on the highly popular sermon series, this book puts into writing the powerful message and visual images that essentially moves people from analysis of facts to appreciation of beauty; from exploration to admiration of the cosmos. Man needs to learn to be humble before a Creator God, instead of constantly striving to become a god in himself.

Named after one of the songs popularized by Chris Tomlin, this book contains stunning images of the cosmos to remind us that the Universe is a glimpse of a Creator who is much bigger. The lyrics of the song goes like this.

"Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God."

The images alone are enough to stir up worship and wonder in the hearts of the believer. The descriptions are kept to a minimal for obvious reasons. The beauty, the magnificence, the amazing horizon, the stars, the moon, the sun, and the wonders of creation cannot be measured in quantitative terms. Neither can they be understood in qualitative terms. In fact, man will quickly run out of superlatives to talk about the amazing Universe. This is exactly why the title of the book is so appropriate.

If man thinks that he is able to control and to box in all things, this book shows us why it is futile to do so. The mysteries are to be pondered. The skies are to be wondered. The beauty is to be enjoyed. Above all, man is to acknowledge the presence of a Higher Being, from whom all blessings flow.

I am at a loss at how to rate a book like this. There are no superlatives to measure it. Buy it. Hold it. Open it. Enjoy it. May this book lead readers to worship the Creator of all creation, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

conrade

---

This book is provided to me free by David C Cook Publishing and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions furnished are mine, unless otherwise stated.