Recent Reads

  Tell-All. Chuck has perhaps lost it. This is the best of his recent books, but it comes nowhere close to Fight Club, Survivor, or Invisible Monsters. While he introduces an interesting and engaging plot, the book lacks the fondness for the main character, which made his earlier books so amazing. 3 of 5 thumbs up.

  Quest for the Gold Plates. This book could have been great, but unfortunately Stan Larsen spends more time with an agenda-driven look at Mormon apologetics and Book of Mormon archaeology and less time with helping us understood Thomas Ferguson. 3.5 of 5 thumbs up.

  Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations. I have been praising this book for a while, but just finally finished reading it late last night. Staker's book lives up to the hype. Hearken, O Ye People is essentially four books in one, giving the reader some of the most detailed information surrounding Mormonism's early days in Kirtland, Ohio. The four sections deal with (1) early Mormon spiritualists, (2) early Mormon attempts at consecration, (3) the background behind Joseph Smith's vision of the three kingdoms of heaven, and (4) a detailed account of the Kirtland Safety Society. 5 of 5 thumbs up.

  Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume (Vol 1). An epic graphic novel spanning 1300 pages. Simple enough for a child, but engaging enough for any adult. Though it takes a bit to get started, I found myself enjoying each page until the end. 4.5 of 5 thumbs up.