The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is a true gem of fantasy literature.
Books
Blog
Out of Silence by Yanni
Yanni's 1987 release, a set of melodic instrumental pieces. I found it some years after it appeared and was glad I did.
Music
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit is a classic fantasy adventure that immerses readers in the enchanting realm of Middle-earth.
Books
Parachutes by Coldplay
Coldplay's gentle 2000 debut, a quiet, hopeful record I went back to discover after their bigger albums.
Music
Monthly update #0182 • June 2005
Monthly update 182 • June 2005 • 2005-06-01 - 2005-06-30
Monthly Updates
X&Y by Coldplay
Coldplay's ambitious 2005 album reaches for the stadiums, full of widescreen anthems and the enduring Fix You.
Music
Three Days of the Condor
Three Days of the Condor (1975), directed by Sydney Pollack, is a taut political thriller that keeps you on edge. Robert Redford delivers a stellar performance as Joe Turner, a CIA researcher thrust into a deadly conspiracy after his team is murdered.
Movies
Lethal Weapon 4
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), directed by Richard Donner, sends Riggs and Murtaugh against a Chinese crime lord who smuggles families into the country and uses them as slave labour. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, now facing fatherhood. Danny Glover plays Murtaugh, still too old for this.
Movies
Monthly update #0181 • May 2005
Monthly update 181 • May 2005 • 2005-05-01 - 2005-05-31
Monthly Updates
Madagascar
Madagascar (2005), directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, is an animated film about four zoo animals who escape from New York and wash up on the island of Madagascar. Ben Stiller voices Alex the lion, a pampered star of the Central Park Zoo who has never seen the wild.
Movies
Wild Frontier by Gary Moore
Gary Moore's 1987 release, a record that leans on tone and touch. I reached it late and it has stayed with me.
Music
Kingdom of Heaven
Jason Bourne (2016), directed by Paul Greengrass, brings back the lost agent. Matt Damon plays Bourne with hard eyes and quick fists. He fights in crowds and dark streets.
Movies
Lethal Weapon 3
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), directed by Richard Donner, follows Riggs and Murtaugh as they chase a former police officer who steals confiscated weapons and sells them on the streets. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, who meets his match in a tough internal affairs sergeant.
Movies
Pentecost
By now Pentecost means more than it did before. The coming of the Holy Spirit forms the heart of the church.
Christianity
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes' is the final collection of twelve short stories featuring the great detective and Dr. Watson, including classics like The Three Garridebs and The Lion's Mane, showing an older Holmes still at the peak of his powers.
Books
Ascension Day
By now Ascension Day means more than it did before. Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection.
Christianity
The Beautiful Province by Laurent Gerra
When Jolly Jumper falls for a Quebec mare, Lucky Luke travels north into French speaking Canada and finds himself facing a greedy banker and his gang.
Books
Monthly update #0180 • April 2005
Monthly update 180 • April 2005 • 2005-04-01 - 2005-04-30
Monthly Updates
His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'His Last Bow' is the fourth collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, featuring eight gripping cases including a dramatic World War I espionage tale that shows an older Holmes emerging from retirement to serve his country.
Books
Look to You by Hillsong United
Hillsong United's 2005 live album pushes its youth worship outward, with mission-minded anthems for a generation.
Music
The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Valley of Fear' has Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigating a coded message and a brutal murder at an English manor, uncovering a dark secret from America's violent coal mines and a ruthless secret society.
Books
Relient K by Relient K
Relient K's 2000 self-titled debut, a scrappy, witty pop punk record full of youth, humour and early faith.
Music
Lethal Weapon 2
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), directed by Richard Donner, sends Riggs and Murtaugh against South African diplomats who use their immunity to run a drug operation in Los Angeles. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, now steadier but still willing to cross any line.
Movies
Keys to Imagination by Yanni
Yanni's 1986 release, a set of melodic instrumental pieces. I came to it well after release and have returned to it since.
Music
Legends of the West by Patrick Nordmann
Buffalo Bill turns the Daltons into the loveable stars of his Wild West show, and the real Daltons break out to claim the fame for themselves.
Books