I realize I’m a little late tackling this topic. For those in the know, as of March 1, Amazon.com changed its rules for those who have Amazon Associate accounts. What is an Amazon Associate account? It’s a special Amazon account for folks who actually make income (or referral fees) from their links when they advertise Amazon.com products online. Whenever someone purchases an Amazon.com product by following their links, they earn money. However, according to the new policy, they forfeit all income accumulated for a given month if the following criteria apply to their account: 20,000 or more free Kindle eBooks are downloaded; and 80% of all Kindle eBooks downloaded are free Kindle eBooks. Clearly Amazon.com is targeting free Kindle books and apparently discouraging Associates from selling so many free Kindle books. Sell too many free books, and you’ll get penalized in a big way. They are also apparently encouraging Amazon…
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See Part 1. This novel made me think. A lot. What if my name were drawn in an annual death lottery and I was released into an arena where twenty-three other people wanted me dead? What would I do? What would you do? Would you try to kill them before they killed you? Would you fold your arms across your chest and refuse to play in the Games (and very quickly be killed)? Or would you—like little Rue—run, hide, and simply try to stay alive? Anyone who gives this chilling dilemma serious consideration can’t help but sympathize with Katniss in her plight. Yes, The Hunger Games offers a very dark and disturbing premise most of us would rather not consider. And the premise is even more disturbing because teens—in some cases, children—are the ones doing the killing. But all things considered, The Hunger Games is a story about war, except kids are the ones…
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Right away, I want to be clear that just because I’m reviewing this novel (I haven’t seen the movie) doesn’t mean I would recommend it to everyone. I do believe discerning adults can benefit by reading the novel and considering its message in light of a Christian worldview. But I would hesitate to recommend it to my almost-twelve-year-old daughter, Laura. I will explain why. What Is the Novel About? In the future nation of Panem, which has displaced the current North America, a “boy” and “girl” (ages twelve to eighteen) from each of the poor twelve districts are chosen by annual lottery to participate in the live-televised Hunger Games. In this competition the youth, called “tributes,” must battle each other to the death while imprisoned in an outdoor arena of many acres until only one person survives. The winner becomes rich. The Games, really a twisted reality TV show, provide sadistic…
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Based on a true story It was the perfect summer day. Pristine blue sky. Simmering warmth. Just enough unobstructed sunshine to heat my pumping bare arms. I maintained a measured, quick stride up G Street past ranches and bungalows with my beagle, Patches. Nike running shoes? Check. Shorts and T-shirt? Check. MP3 player, earbuds, and playlist ready? Check. After being chained to the chair in my basement office, the prospect of being outdoors after a long day of editing was heavenly. My neck ached, and I longed for the solace only woods, fresh air, and sunshine could provide. I was walking my dog—or maybe she was walking me—toward that sun-dappled forest path that led beyond the subdivision and quite literally into the woods. Where the road ended, the path began—little more than two ruts carved between the trees by four-wheeling joyriders. Ahead lay the promise of sunny meadows, wild raspberries,…
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