So, wow, it's the last day of August. Where did the time go? It was a crazy busy month for me, with our big move, the kids starting school, and all kinds of other stuff. I tried not to neglect Ye Olde Blog, but it still happened a bit. Even now, after 3 weeks of packing, moving, and settling in, I've got lots of work to do. Anyway, there are just a few things I want to mention:

* I never thanked Debbi over at My Reading Spot for the Brilliante Weblog Award she left me on her site. It was so sweet of her! I'm always thrilled to receive praise from fellow readers and bloggers. Of course, now I have to pass it on, and that's the tough part - not because I don't have any favorite blogs, but because I have SO many. How can I possibly choose?

BestBooks - Julie Smith writes the funniest, most concise reviews ever. It's refreshing to get her perspective in just a few words. Her recent review of Breaking Dawn made me laugh out loud.

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

If you're taking the time to read this blog, chances are you're a reader. Maybe you're a sporadic reader, maybe you're a card-carrying bookworm, or maybe you're a completely neurotic, book-obsessed blogger. Whatever your level of bookishness, you're someone who loves books. Have you ever thought about how this love affair started? What made you a reader? Chances are good that there is someone in your life who just doesn't get the book thing. What makes that person so reluctant to pick up a book? Have you ever wondered?

Okay, maybe you've never pondered these questions, but bestselling novelist James Patterson certainly has. He's especially concerned about why young boys, like his 10-year-old son, shy away from reading. The answer? According to the Young Adult Library Services Association, the top reason boys shun the hobby is because they think it's boring. So, what's the solution? How do we stop this trend? According to Patterson, it's simple: authors need to create stories boys can get into. With that goal in mind, he penned a "vaccine for the 'boys don't like reading' epidemic" (quote from promotional materials) called The Dangerous Days of Daniel X.

In order to snag his intended audience, Patterson had to reel young boys in with what they really want - fast-paced, non-stop, over-the-top, thrilling action. He also had to offer up a hero who is cool enough to merit attention, but flawed enough to seem real. Did he succeed? In a word, yes. This is a book that will hook boys, young and old. Girls should like it, too, given that it features several cool female characters.

The story goes something like this: When his parents die at the hands of a homicidal maniac called The Prayer, Daniel vows to get his revenge. But, The Prayer is no ordinary villain - he is, in fact, an evil alien thirsty for human blood. Of course, Daniel is no ordinary kid. Born with special powers, he can read people's thoughts, make things happen with his mind, and transform himself into all kinds of animals. This makes him uniquely qualified to be an Alien Hunter. Armed with The List, which identifies alien outlaws, Daniel tracks them down one by one, always searching for the creature he really wants - The Prayer.

In The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, our hero is after a particularly nasty piece of alien scum. Ergent Seth, Number 6 on the list, wants nothing more than to eradicate all life from Earth and replace it with his buddies from outer space. Hunting Seth down isn't exactly easy, even for a teenager with the coolest powers around. Daniel takes on the task anyway, knowing it could cost him his life. His journey will take him to the mean streets of L.A. and way, way beyond. It's a trip that will test him, amaze him, and bring him closer to the answers he seeks - not about his arch enemy, but about himself and his family.

The writing is trademark James Patterson - he keeps the chapters short, fast and exciting. Action pumps through the novel, keeping suspense and adrenaline high. Patterson never dwells too much on characterization, and this book is no different. Still, Daniel comes off as sympathetic, likeable and very human (well, kinda). Kids will root for him as he takes out alien after alien, not caring that the extraterrestrials are all pretty much interchangeable. Patterson won't score a lot of points for originality with this one (although I really like the elephants), but I'm guessing readers won't care too much. They'll be too busy flinging Wii remotes aside, so they can fill their hands - and imaginations - with a real, honest-to-goodness book. Of course, this is the 21st Century, when every kid's book comes tied to a website, so check this one out. Kids can watch a video game-style trailer, create their own aliens, and follow along as Daniel X steps out of the pages and onto the big screen.

If you've got a reluctant reader, especially one of the male persuasion, give The Dangerous Days of Daniel X a whirl. It just might be enough to convince him that reading's not the most boring hobby on the planet.

Grade: B

Note: For more reviews of The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, check out MotherTalk.com.

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

If you've ever listened to a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints describe his/her religion, you've probably asked yourself the question, "What's wrong with Mormons?" I mean, do they seriously believe God showed himself to an ignorant farm boy from New York? Do they honestly think Joseph Smith was a prophet? How can they possibly believe they have the only true Gospel on the face of the Earth? What's wrong with these people? C'mon, you know these questions have coursed through your mind before.

In his new book, B. Jay Gladwell asks the very question you did: What's Wrong With Mormons? He goes on to describe his conversion to the Church. Despite his mother's strong dislike for the religion, Gladwell found it intriguing enough to meet repeatedly with the missionaries. Those discussions led to his baptism in 1975 - since then, he has been an active member of the LDS Church. He acknowledges that Mormons have some beliefs that others find odd, if not downright offensive. In order to "set the record straight and ... apply some 'strong reasons,' using the Scriptures, in an attempt to explain why Mormons believe the way they do" (iv), Gladwell outlines several of these controversial doctrines, including:

- The Great Apostasy wiped Christ's true Gospel from the Earth. (Chapter 1)

- The Godhead consists of 3 separate beings, united in purpose. (Chapter 4)

- The Gospel has been restored. (Chapter 5)

- We lived with God before we choose to come to Earth. (Chapter 7)

- "Three degrees of glory" exist in Heaven, where we will return after we die. (Chapter 9)

For each doctrine, Gladwell uses Biblical passages, history, quotes from noted theologians and logic to support the belief. His "evidence," especially in the beginning chapters, is rock solid. After reading his discussion of the Godhead, for instance, you will see very clearly why Mormons believe that God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are individual beings. If a close reading of Matthew 3: 16-17 doesn't grab your attention, try John 17 verse 1 or 3 or 4. I'm telling you, Gladwell's scriptural base and hard logic are irrefutable. Members of the Church will have heard most of the "proof" before, but it still makes for absorbing (and convincing) reading.

I have to admit that the latter chapters may not be as convincing to those who are not members of the LDS Church. Those sections deal with concepts that are uniquely Mormon - marriage which lasts for both time and eternity; families being sealed together; baptism for the dead; etc. Although Gladwell still gleans much of his "proof" from the Bible, he also uses the "Mormon scriptures" (The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price) more heavily than in previous chapters. Still, he provides such a logical explanation of these practices, that one cannot help but say, "Hmmm ... that does make a lot of sense." Interestingly, I think the concepts above are ones that non-LDS folks actually find least offensive. Maybe not, though, since my feisty grandmother liked to declare that no one was going to baptize her after she died!

My only disappointment with this book lies in the editing. Typos, discordant sentencing, and clumsy wording definitely detract from content. Still, I think readers will respond to Gladwell's material as well as his earnestness for his subject. Will LDS churches be bursting at the seams on Sunday thanks to his book? Probably not, but that's not the author's purpose anyway. He states very clearly that "this is not an attempt to convert; only the Holy Spirit can do that" (iv). Still, I think a thoughtful reading of Gladwell's book just might have you saying, "What's wrong with Mormons? Maybe nothing, nothing at all."

Grade: B+