Culture

Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, 2012, rated M By Tara Burton. THE Twilight Saga is a four part romance/fantasy series written by Mormon author Stephenie Myer. Since its release in 2005, The Twilight Saga has made billions of dollars worldwide. In the lead up to seeing Breaking Dawn- part 2 I listened intently when the radio stations were ...

Sterling Ethos 2011, RRP $14.95 Reviewed by Noel Preston I first encountered Matthew Fox in the early 1990s when I read The Coming of the Cosmic Christ. He was then a priest within the Catholic Dominican Order, and already a prolific theologian whose special interest was named "Creation Spirituality" (an amalgam of mysticism, liberation theology and eco-theology). Personally, I was ...

Even Before Publishing, 2012 Reviewed by Wendy Scott. SOUL Friend is part personal journal and part explanation of the role of a spiritual mentor. Jo-Anne Berthelsen describes in detail the relationship formed with mentor Joy Crawford. When Berthelsen was studying for the ministry, it was a requirement of the college that she had a spiritual mentor to guide her and ...

2012, RRP $14.95 Reviewed by Barbara Bailey. THIS DVD is one of a series; a delightful and powerful way to introduce children to Bible stories. The cartoon genre is captivating with Paul, a friend of the children, appearing among them with a solution when they get into troublesome situations. When they test the promises he espouses from the Bible, Paul ...

Cambridge University Press, 2012, RRP $24.95 Reviewed by Selina Li Duke. PAPER Boats is an anthology of 21 stories intended for upper primary and lower secondary students of English. They are grouped under seven themes: War, Escape, Journey, Detention, Change, Opportunity and Belonging. Each group is followed by questions and exercises under the headings Research and Discussion, and Writing and ...

Connor Court Publishing, 2012, RRP $29.95 Reviewed by Peter Lockhart. NOT being one for reading autobiographical works and almost surprised to find myself reading the tale of a Roman Catholic man's journey into priesthood, reading O'Collins' personal reflections on his life was a real gift. He himself regards the book as divided into two distinct parts. The first is his ...

Illustrated by Leigh Hedstrom Wombat Books 2012, RRP $19.95 Reviewed by Narelle McNamara, Given the increasing number of children with a life-threatening nut allergy, this is a very important book for children, teachers and parents. The book is appealing to children through the easy story line, vibrant illustrations and colourful cover. Every child loves to party, so they are immediately ...

Documentary DVD, 2009 Stars Dean Eric Smith and Rex Bell Distributed in Australia through Heritage HM Reviewed by Barb Bailey. THIS DVD cannot fail to touch the viewer for multiple reasons. This true story from the USA involves a myriad of human emotions as it relates the life of an ordinary person who murdered his wife. The teller of the ...

MediaCom Education, 2012, RRP $9.00 Reviewed by Karyl Davison. LOOKING for a good Bible study for Lent 2013 at a price you can afford? Led by the Spirit is a six-session study on the Gospel according to Luke by UCA theologian and educator Robert Bos. The study sessions are preceded by an excellent introduction which highlights the key features of ...

HardieGrant Books, 2012 RRP $24.95 Reviewed by Noel Preston. A book with the title, Hope, would always invite me to take a second look — and one written by the well-known Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision, is likely to be a "must read". In fact this is a book of short stories with a lucid, conversational elaboration of the ...