Just One More Thing: BOOK REVIEWS

Showing posts with label BOOK REVIEWS. Show all posts

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Servant Queen

Today is Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. I am a great fan of Her Majesty. She is a model of decorum, devotion, and duty. What you may not know is that she is also a model of faith. I am so impressed by her, that I gave away twenty copies of "The Servant Queen and the King She Serves" to church members and family. I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes.

"The Queen's work is an expression of her desire to serve others. She is not a hired servant who is required to do lots of tasks; she is a Queen who chooses to serve her people through doing the work that will best contribute to the nation's health."

"In an age when we are besieged by armies of celebrities telling us about almost every aspect of their lives in a variety of media, the Queen has kept most of her thoughts to herself... Curiously, that is not the case about her faith in Jesus. About Jesus, she has been remarkably, one might say, uncharacteristically open about what she believes."

"Indeed, one of the most remarkable things about the Queen is her consistency of character. Despite unprecedented levels of relentless media scrutiny for her entire life, there has never been a whiff of scandal about the Queen herself... She has a strong and happy marriage to a man she clearly respects and whose company she enjoys."

"She has had a gruelling travel and work schedule for over 60 years, but... there are no reliable recorded incidents of the Queen losing her temper, using bad language, or refusing to carry out a duty expected of her."

During her Coronation in 1953, the Archbishop annointed the Queen by pouring holy oil onto her hands, her chest and her head - "to show she is being set apart to serve and love her people in all her actions, with all her heart and with all her mind. . . She follows the example of Christ who was also...set apart, not to be served, but to serve."

I know the Queen is not, technically, a political figure. She has no power to make or enforce laws. But can you image if we had political leaders who shared her attitude toward duty and service?

How has Queen Elizabeth II continued to display that attitude day after day in the face of wars, family scandals, age and everything else she has faced? Here is the answer in her own words:

"Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God."

You can purchase a copy of The Servant Queen and the King She Serves here. They are considerably cheaper in lots of ten. The prices are given in British Pounds. I'm not entirely sure of the exchange rate, but they came out to be around $1.25/copy when I ordered twenty.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Book Reviews

When I reviewed Sara Gruen's first book, Water for Elephants, I commented about how put off I was by the blurb on the inside flap:

I got as far as "circus", "depression", "parentless and penniless" and I was turned off. If I bothered to read any further, I would also have shied away from a story about "freaks, grifters and misfits".

But once I started reading I fell into the story and loved it. After that, I believed I had learned a lesson about judging a book by it's setting. But when I picked up At the Water's Edge, I cringed - a story about hunting for the Loch Ness Monster? How stupid was this going to be?

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year’s Eve party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. When Ellis and his best friend, Hank, decide that the only way to regain the Colonel’s favor is to succeed where the Colonel very publicly failed—by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster.

The trio find themselves in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, where the locals have nothing but contempt for the privileged interlopers. Maddie is left on her own at the isolated inn, where food is rationed, fuel is scarce, and a knock from the postman can bring tragic news. Yet she finds herself falling in love with the stark beauty and subtle magic of the Scottish countryside. Gradually she comes to know the villagers, and the friendships she forms with two young women open her up to a larger world than she knew existed.

It took a bit to get started. Maddie is surrounded by such unlikeable characters that it took me a while to realize she was different. But when I did - splash! - I feel into the story head first. This book contains surprise twists, a tale of friendships forged through adversity, a history lesson and a beautiful love story. Lesson learned - again. A well-written story is not confined by where and when. Ms. Gruen - I promise not to doubt your next book!

Not so with my next pick. I probably won't give Elizabeth Strout's next book a passing glance. I can't believe I wasted a Book of the Month pick on this.

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. Knitting this powerful narrative together is the brilliant storytelling voice of Lucy herself: keenly observant, deeply human, and truly unforgettable.

This story contained virtually nothing. It was boring and depressing. The only reason I gave it one star was because there was an occasional "glimmer" in the writing - details hinted at but ultimately left untold so you could make up your own, infinitely more intresting, story.

To recover from my disappointment with Lucy Barton, I turned to a reliable, old friend - Nancy Drew. Nancy always minds her manners, always helps others and always solves the case. This volume was written in the 40's and the reliance on "snail mail" and telegrams to investigate the clues was comical, and almost frustrating, in the age of Google. But, I have to admit, Nancy solved it before I did - so some things stand the test of time.

The Secret in the Old Attic by Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew races against time to unravel the clues in a dead man’s letters. If she succeeds, Philip March and his little granddaughter can be saved from financial ruin. Following obscure clues, Nancy undertakes a search for some unpublished musical manuscripts which she believes are hidden in the dark, cluttered attic of the rundown March mansion. But someone else wants them enough to put many frightening obstacles in Nancy’s way. Will she outwit a trio of ruthless thieves and solves the Marches’ problems?

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

This book was a mixed review for me. I gleaned a few helpful hints, but for the most part I think the author has severe OCD. She actually admits that "tidying up" is an obsession she has pursued since childhood. But she has taken it to extremes. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that the "peculiarness" of her methods and ideas are enhanced by translation (from original Japanese) and cultural differences. The title itself is a perfect example. Ms. Kondo's system goes way beyond the American idea of "tidying up"

People can not change their habits without first changing their way of thinking. (p. 5)

Whether they call it organizing, de-cluttering, purging or tidying up, most of those who specialize in this area have a common theme - discard excess, then organize what is left. Ms. Kondo puts her own spin on the idea with two phrases: 1. "Sparks joy" - her philosophy in a nutshell is to own nothing that does not spark joy in you. 2. When sorting and tossing, don't focus on what to get rid of. Rather, focus on what to keep. Spread out all belongings from a specific category (clothes, bedding, pictures) and choose your favorites to keep; the ones that give you joy.

My issue with this theory is the number of objects I own that do not spark joy, yet I have to own them - lawn mowers, cookie sheets, cold medicine . . . While I can be thankful that the new mower cuts the time I spend on that awful chore; or I can enjoy the results of using cookie sheets, neither of these items gets a reaction anywhere near joy.

Here are the points where Ms. Kondo and I agree:

Finding better storage options is not the same as tidying. "Out of sight, out of mind" doesn't apply well here.
You must discard those things which have outlived their purpose. I have a tendency to keep items I feel sentimental about but, truthfully, most have served their purpose and no longer "spark joy" sitting in a drawer.
Don't save old clothes as "lounge wear". Oops, totally guilty. I love days when I never get out of my "lounge wear", but I feel so much better when the lounge wear is not frayed, stained, or torn. It is worth the money to own pretty pajamas or a coordinated jogging suit (even if you don't jog).
"My basic principle for sorting papers is to throw them all away." (p. 96) I love that line! I have lived by that theory for years. However, I have learned that keeping a certain amount of paper is both convenient and required by law. (Ms. Kondo does acknowledge that fact and tempers her own statement.)
Don't keep gifts just for sentimental reasons. The green ceramic vase you got as a wedding gift, the lotion in a scent you don't wear, the blouse that's too small - it is not necessary to keep (much less use) any of these items just because they were gifts. Re-gifting, however, is tacky (my opinion, not from the book).
"Mysterious cords will always remain a mystery" Point taken. The tangled mass of random cords for outdated technology that "I might need someday" is gone!
Once boxes of memorabilia are packed, they will never be opened. This advice is aimed at young people storing items at their parents', presumably, larger home to save space in their own. They rarely come to retrieve these items. Same applies to the half-dozen boxes I have hauled through the last half-dozen moves without opening. I'm not sure I even remember what's in some of them. How much joy are they sparking?
Store all items of the same type in the same place. Much easier to find what you're looking for if you only have to look in one spot.
Clutter is caused by failure to return things to where they belong, therefore storage should reduce the effort required to put things away (not to get them out). Genius! Failure to execute a full and complete return is my biggest failing as a homemaker. "A place for everything and everything in the general vicinity" just doesn't cut it. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how this well this bit of brilliance translates into reality.

These are all good points that will make life a little easier. However, the rest of the book is what caused one Goodreads reviewer to describe Ms. Kondo as "bat-s**t crazy". If you've got time and need a laugh, I recommend reading the reviews on Goodreads or other sites, just for the laugh!

In general, Ms. Kondo has a relationship with inanimate objects that the rest of us rank from "a little odd" to "just plain creepy." She unloads her purse completely every night, and repacks it every morning. She thanks her clothing, as she removes it, for a job well done. She has rules for laundry:

"Every item of clothing has it's own "sweet spot" where it feels just right - a folded state that best suits that item...There is nothing more satisfying than finding that "sweet spot"...It's like a sudden revelation - So this is how you always wanted to be folded! - a historical moment in which your mind and the piece of clothing connect."

"Never ever ball up your socks...The socks and stocking in your drawer are essentially on holiday. They take a brutal beating in their daily work, trapped between your foot and your shoe, enduring pressure and friction to protect your precious feet. The time they spend in your drawer is their only chance to rest."

But it is her relationship with books that I found most disturbing. She started well, with the advice to discard books you have read but did not love, because it is unlikely you will reread them. "Imagine what it would be like to have a bookshelf filled only with books that you really love. Isn't that image spellbinding? For someone who love books, what greater happiness could there be?"

But when it comes to the TBR (to be read) pile, she reverts back to crazy.

"It seems to me that people have far more unread books than they once did, ranging from three to more than forty. It is not uncommon for people to purchase a book and then buy another one not long after, before they have read the first one."

Buy a second book before you've read the first one? I am shocked! So, I should read every book as soon as I purchase it?

"You may have wanted to read it when you bought it, but if you haven't read it by now, the book's purpose was to teach you that you didn't need it. The moment you encounter a particular book is the right time to read it."

All sarcasm aside, personal experience tells me differently. Many a book has sat on my shelf, sometimes for years, awaiting it's "right time". My reaction to a book depends almost as much on my current situation as it does on the plot or the author's skill.

Ms. Kondo realized that some of the books she was keeping because she loved them, were really only in that category because of a few phrases or passages that were memorable. All she really wanted to save were those pieces.

"My idea was to copy the sentences that inspired me into a notebook. Over time, I thought, this would become a personal collection of my favorite words of wisdom."

As a lover of beautiful words, I have a "Quotes" page here on my blog where I save favorites. I completely understood the logic of keeping only the pieces and making space on the shelf. She tried copying the quotes by hand into a notebook, but found it too time-consuming. She also tried using a copy machine, but also found that time-consuming. So she "decided to rip the relevant pages out of the book". What?

I can only assume that she either doesn't own a computer or is computer-illiterate, but since she managed to write a bestselling book, I find that hard to believe. Point 1: These are books that had survived her rigid criteria for remaining in her house, books she purported to love. Point 2: This is the woman who refuses to roll her socks because it might cause them anxiety. But she feels nothing about ripping pages out of beloved books? Of denying another reader the chance to love those same words? I guess it's a good thing I have recorded some of her words here in this post. Maybe that will keep me from ripping up her book.

On a scale of 5 stars, this book gets 2. One star for the helpful tidbits to be gleaned amongst the crazy. And a second star for making me laugh out loud!

Monday, August 10, 2015

Will it Go Round in Circles

Before you read this post, stop for a moment and enjoy this little throw-back to 1973:

Did you sing along? At least in your head? 'm sure I haven't heard that song more than three times in the last twenty years, but I knew every word. And the words make no sense! "Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high, like a bird up in the sky?" Will WHAT go round in circles? The melody-less song or the step-less dance? And is that part of the dance - to go round in circles? This song certainly seems to go in circles and repeat itself, although it does have a melody.

There is a point to all this circular talk. Last April, I posted a review of The Grace Impact by Nancy Grace. The book is divided into 30 daily readings, and it was my intention to write some follow-up posts pertaining to my favorite readings:

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing on a few of my favorite lessons from the book and how they touched me. (me - in previously mentioned post)

Life got the best of me, however, and I've been running in circles and haven't gotten it done. So, I'm going to claim that when I said "next few weeks", I actually meant "four months from now".

I mentioned the other day that I'm reading "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo. Part of the author's plan for decluttering life is to hold each and every item I own and gauge whether or not it "sparks joy" in me. Only those things that spark joy should remain in my home. I'll post a full review "shortly" (open for interpretation) but, for now, the point is that my goal has been to thin out all the stuff in my house that isn't necessary or doesn't "spark joy". The whole concept had my mind spinning with visions of the joyous and peaceful space I would soon have. But when I tried to put the plan into motion, I was spinning my wheels. I've been through my house several times over the past couple years and, honestly, it's as de-cluttered as it's going to get. Things may sometimes be out of place, but I'm not a hoarder. I don't have mountains of detritus to wade through, as Ms. Kondo experiences with her clients.

So, if it's not clutter and/or excess possessions, why do I have this vague feeling of unrest about my house? Although it's de-cluttered and clean enough - the beds are made, the dishes are washed, the craft projects are confined to the craft room (mostly), the floors have seen a mop/vacuum in recent history - it never seems to be as "together" as I would like. I never seem to be as together as I would like. The answer was depressingly obvious - I don't manage my time and/or energy effectively. I'm always rushing at the last minute, and disappointed at the end of the day that there's still a stain on the kitchen linoleum next to the dog dish*, the last load of laundry is sitting in the dryer wrinkling, and the weeds are taking over the garden. I don't need to de-clutter my house, I need to de-clutter my schedule. I need to de-clutter my mind.

Ok. Now I'm on to something. Put down the smart phone and pick up a pencil. Make a list:

1. Clorox spot by dog dish
2. Fold clothes
3. Weed the garden
4. Write blog posts you promised 4 months ago.

Now prioritize those items:

1. I'm out of Clorox. Add it to the grocery list. (check)
2. Restart dryer to de-wrinkle clothes. (check)
3. Check weather app - 87 degrees, 80% humidity. The weeds aren't that bad. (check)
4. Ok - blogging moves to the top of the list. I found my notes on The Grace Impact, and randomly selected one of the passages I had marked: Day Sixteen - The Dashboard of Life.

In connecting the dashboard of a car to the dashboard of my life, Nancy likens the speedometer, which measures how fast we are traveling, to time management. Well, that's appropriate!

"We have given our busyness a different name - multitasking. Renaming it doesn't alleviate the stress; it causes more."

I recently read (and I apologize that I can't remember where) that "multi-tasking" is actually just dividing our attention between two things and focusing on neither. If multi-tasking was really possible, we would all be texting and driving successfully.

The next dial on our dashboard is the fuel gauge. In order to accomplish the tasks on my to-do list, I need to be well fueled. Proper fuel includes several components, but the number one priority is my relationship with God. A large part of that relationship is - you guessed it - time.

"Beginning the day with reading the Bible and devotionals gives your mind and soul a God-centered focus. This habit is more beneficial than checking the news or your Facebook page, as it can set your heart and mind at peace for the day."

Pick up my phone before I pick up my Bible? Would I do that? (I'm trying hard not to look guilty, but I don't think I'm pulling it off.) Which brings me full-circle. I need to "tidy up" all the clutter that comes between my intention to live a life of fellowship with, and service to, God; and the accomplishment of that goal. Nothing else can spark that kind of joy.

~~In the next few days~~ ~~Over the coming weeks~~ Eventually, I will share more of my favorite lessons from The Grace Impact. In the mean time, you can get your own copy at Barnes and Noble or other booksellers.

* Feeding dogs in the kitchen sparks a rant long enough to be a separate post, but in this small house, there is legitimately no other place for it.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Book Blog?

I'm about to get my Book Blogger card revoked. There hasn't been any mention of books on here for ages. My reading time has been severely curtailed by crafting, sewing, and painting. And, if I were to be totally honest, staring at that ridiculous cell phone screen. But that doesn't mean I've given up reading all together. Here are five that have gotten a thumbs up from me recently.

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

It's next to impossible for Sarah to get anything but rave reviews from me. I have loved every book she's written, and this sequel to her first book, Garden Spells, continues the streak.

The Waverly sisters learned two lessons it took me a lot longer to get: 1. Do what calls you - or, better put, love what you love without explanation or apology. 2. Sometimes you have to let go of your plans in order to receive something better. And they learn them with so much more flair and magic!

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

This book was recommended by a total stranger in a bookstore in Florida. We were vacationing and I stopped to look for a book on local history. Of course I couldn't pass up the bestseller display while I was there. A fellow reader saw me looking at this book and said that she had 1 chapter to go and couldn't wait to get back to her hotel to finish. I figured any book that would tempt her to bypass sightseeing must be worth the read.

It took a bit for me to get into this one, but once I did, I was hooked. It keeps your head spinning to the end. With narration from several characters, you're never quite sure where the truth lies among their varying viewpoints. Highly recommended for fans of Gone Girl.

Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon

Ah, bliss! To return to a familiar place with favorite characters - especially after a long absence - is reading perfection. I have read this entire series several times and they always hold something fresh. I want to grow up to be Cynthia!

Ms. Karon's return to Mitford is seamless - like I was there yesterday. And she managed to leave the door open for at least one more visit. As corny as it sounds, reading this made me feel that I was somewhere safe with somebody good.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlaine

Riley MacPherson has spent her entire life believing that her older sister Lisa committed suicide as a teenager. Now, over twenty years later, she finds evidence to the contrary. Lisa is alive. Alive and living under a new identity. But why exactly was she on the run all those years ago, and what secrets are being kept now? As Riley works to uncover the truth, her discoveries will put into question everything she thought she knew about her family.

Another top recommendation that makes you wonder if you can believe anything you read.

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

Romance mixed with history and enough plot turns to keep it from being predictable. A fun, light read.

That sounds like a lukewarm review, but I have the book 4 stars. Sometimes a book doesn't have to be heart-pounding or thought-provoking. Sometimes it's enough to just be fun.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The Grace Impact

Last August, when our youngest child moved to New Mexico, and I was feeling lost and unsure of my next step, I was inspired by an article in Gracenotes, the newsletter of Nancy K. Grace. In that article, Nancy was discussing "mid-points":

In the past month I've been diligently editing the manuscript for my first book, The Grace Impact. I made it half way through when I came upon a delay. I had a choice--to let it derail me or to press through, remembering the greater vision of the completed book.

That's how I felt. I was at a midpoint and, honestly, I was letting it derail me.

One of the challenges of the mid-way point of a project is pressing on to finish in spite of the setbacks of tiredness, lack of motivation, or loss of vision for the completed project.

That sentence was the catalyst to the blog series "Life Under Construction", which chronicles my efforts to press-on. I wrote:

I realize 53 is most likely not the "mid-way" point of my life, but I am feeling a decided tiredness and loss of vision for both the blog and life. So both are getting an overhaul. Not just a face lift - although that is part of the plan (figuratively for me and literally for the blog) - but a true remodel; tear away those things that are not necessary for the next chapter and start fresh with only those things which ad value and beauty to my "second half."

Nancy did press on and complete the editing and publication of her manuscript. I was thrilled to get an advance copy and the opportunity to introduce you all to Nancy.

About fifteen years ago, we lived in Beloit, Kansas, where Nancy and her husband, Rick, pastored the church we attended. The Graces left Beloit shortly after we did and are now in Arkansas. You can read all about Nancy's achievements as a gifted musician, speaker, and author on her website; but the memories of Nancy that stick in my mind are of her role as teacher. I attended several Bible studies that Nancy led and the lessons learned still come to mind frequently, even through the fog that is my memory after fifty. Her insight, humor and ability to make whatever we were studying "real" inspired me to look deeper into God's word.

The Grace Impact contains that same impactful teaching. It is a collection of the "best of" Nancy's writing from her GraceNotes newsletter; thirty devotional readings, centered around 2 Corinthians 9:8 and the theme of - what else? - grace!

Come back on Thursday, April 16th, for an interview with the author, along with information on where you can get your own copy of the The Grace Impact. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing on a few of my favorite lessons from the book and how they touched me.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)

Friday, January 2, 2015

The Year in Books

Normally, this space would hold my review of the top books I read in the past year, but this year it was nearly left blank. 2014 was my worst reading year since 1965 (the year before I learned to read). There are only twenty-four books on my Goodreads "read" shelf, and six of them are audio re-reads (re-listens?) of the Mitford Series by Jan Karon.

Not only did I not read much, I didn't like a large share of what I did read. I'm not sure which of those is the chicken and which is the egg. Did I not enjoy the books I read because I was in a reading slump? Or did poor book selections cause my reading slump? Either way, excluding the Mitford books - which I reread because I already knew they were 5-star - there are only a handful of books worth mentioning.

TOP BOOK OF THE YEAR: If you've read any of my previous annual book wrap-ups, this selection will come as no surprise.

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (click to read my review)

BEST BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings. Recommended by my niece, Katherine Smith (age 10)

BEST BOOK EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT YEARS AGO AND I JUST GOT AROUND TO READING: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

OTHER NOTABLE READS:

Return to Me by Lynn Austin
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberly Freeman

I have set a goal of 50 books for 2015 and am re-evaluating my use of time to be able to achieve that. Here's to a great reading year and a return to my enthusiasm for books!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

A Simple Path by Mother Teresa

I recently came across a book titled "Meditations from a Simple Path" by Mother Teresa. I was tempted to order it - I'm all for simplicity and simple living. Then I noticed the sub-title: Excerpted from A Simple Path. Why buy excerpts if you can read the whole thing? So I picked it up on my next library run. I enjoyed it, but it's a book to be digested in small pieces. There were three thoughts that I excerpted for myself:

The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.

A prayer for family: Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow through family prayer. Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family.

We all need time for silence, to reflect and to pray. Many people tell me how difficult it is to find silence in their busy lives. There is just too much noise in modern life -- and because of this many people are afraid of silence. As God speaks only in silence, this is a big problem for those searching for God. People try to fill the emptiness they feel with food, radio, television and keeping busy with outside activities. But this emptiness can only be filled by God. If we give time for God to enter this space, then our hunger can be more easily satisfied by just being with God in prayer.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Book (P)review

Normally I wait until I've read a book and write a review but, for this book, I just couldn't wait that long. The blurb on the front flap - actually an excerpt from the book - fit so well with what I wrote yesterday about creativity, that I had to share immediately.

The book is Return to Me by Lynn Austin. These wise words from a grandfather to his grandson are what made me check the book out of the library:

We're made in the Holy One's image so our words also have power. You tell someone they're ugly or that they're a fool, and if you repeat it often enough, you might create ugliness or foolishness in that person. You praise them for their goodness or kindness, and your words just might create even more kindness in that person. You must be careful to speak words of life.

I have long held that each of us has an ability to be creative because we are made in the image of the Creator, but I had never considered that we can actually "create" ugliness or kindness with our words.

Return to Me is the first book in The Restoration Chronicles, with book #2 due out next month. I chose this book as the October selection for the T&T book club partially because it is a departure from norm for me; not a genre I usually read. However, I'm so intrigued by this paragraph that I'm getting a jump start on October and starting tonight. I'll report back when I've actually read the whole book.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

"50 IS the New Fifty: 10 Life Lessons for Women in Second Adulthood"

In keeping with my Life Under Construction theme, Teri - my sister, the other "T" in the T and T Book Club, blogger at Henningsen Happenings, and fellow "second-halfer" - selected Suzanne Braun Levine's 50 is the New Fifty as the September T and T selection. Ms. Levine subtitled her book "10 Life Lessons"; however, while I did learn some interesting lessons, I didn't necessarily learn the lessons she intended. Not all of the lessons applied to me, and Ms. Levine and I do not share all of the same views on theology and/or feminism, so our experiences - and, therefore our lessons, are different. I still gleaned some valuable advice:

At this stage we "recalibrate our place in the world" and our priorities change. We are "inspired to get rid of old baggage...and move on with what we've found worth holding on to." This is exactly what I've been dealing with. My relationship with my children has changed. My relationship with my parents is changing. Even my relationship with my husband is changing (don't worry - it's good) because of all the other changes. The last couple times Dave and I have traveled, we have found that we prefer to carry less with us. Let the paid professionals haul our baggage, and we can enjoy the trip unencumbered. The same theory works in life.

Lesson Two: Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes This was my favorite lesson! I've never been a huge fan of change, mainly because, for 30 years, I've been regularly thrown into change (moving) every few years, whether I've wanted it nor not. Stability and NON-change became the "dream" for me.

For the "second half", I've actually reached a point where I WANT change - but it doesn't have to be total transformation. "While some women can redesign their lives from top to bottom...most of us can only manage small changes at first." Most of what I have been writing about lately are small steps toward bigger changes.

The biggest change I want and need to make is described in the book as "getting out of the emotional management business. Scale back the intensity of your sensitivity to every nuance of mood, your anticipation of every need,and your desire to solve every problem for those you love". My children are now adults. They can't take responsibility for themselves if I refuse to let go.

There were chapters of this book that I felt were pointless - and at least one that I thought was just wrong! - but I was able to look past those and benefit from the rest. I am curious to find her previous book "Inventing the Rest of Our Lives".

Sunday, September 7, 2014

A Surprise Book Trade

When Dave met an Iowa farmer who had named his Blue Heeler Hank, he assumed their family, like ours, were fans of the Hank, The Cowdog series by John R. Erickson. He was surprised when the farmer had not heard of the books, so the next day, Dave dropped off a volume from our son's collection. What he got in return was an even bigger surprise.

The farmer's wife turned out to be Shari Barr, one of the authors of the Camp Club Girls series. The series of twenty-four mysteries for middle-grade readers features six girls from all across the U.S., who meet at summer camp. After the introductory story, Mystery at Discovery Lake, each book features one of the six girls and each character has her own author. Mrs. Barr wrote the the four volumes focusing on 13-year-old McKenzie, and she presented Dave with a signed copy of McKenzie's Montana Mystery.

I started reading about McKenzie last night and, even though it's been a fair number of years since I was in the "middle grades" - or any grades - I was hooked. I read as long as I could keep my eyes open, and finished the last few chapters this morning. I felt like a kid again. Honestly, it's been awhile since I read any mystery that I had that much trouble putting down.

The story revolves around a champion rodeo horse stolen from Sunshine Stables. McKenzie and her friend, Bailey, start their own investigation when the adults draw a blank. Even though that seems a little far-fetched at first, the story is so well written and the clues so well placed, that I soon forgot the sleuths were children and was creating my own scenario for "who-dun-it". I got a kick out of the girls' use of technology, such as cell-phone cameras and on-line chats, in their investigation, and wondered if Mrs. Barr had to recruit a few "tweens" to help her with the chat-room slang. I certainly had to stop and think a few times to figure out what the abbreviations meant. (There is a handy "cheat sheet" included in the book if you can't work them out.)

The Camp Club Girls is a Christian series, published by Barbour Publishing. The girls frequently pray about their situation or recall scripture they have learned to give them guidance. The books in this series would make great gifts for young ladies who are already familiar with the Bible, but also for girls who haven't had that opportunity - a fun, low-key way to introduce them.

Thank you, again, to Mrs. Barr for sharing her book. Our copy will be shared with a couple of our nieces, who happen to be just the right age to enjoy McKenzie's adventures.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

Ira Levinson is in trouble. Ninety-one years old and stranded and injured after a car crash, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together.

A few miles away, Wake Forest College senior Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward — even life and death - loom large in everyday life.

Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys. (excerpt from publisher's blurb)

It took me a ridiculously long time to read this book because I kept convincing myself I didn't like it and laying it aside. It moves too slow . . . (pause) . . . cliche college students . . . (pause) . . . ugh - WWII . . . (pause) . . . Why, oh why, is he telling me all this? . . . (pause) . . . oh . . . OH . . Now, I get it. Hmmm, this is a good story. So, my review is: This is a book by Nicholas Sparks. Trust him - he's got some talent. Even when your brain is saying you don't like this book - you're gonna like this book!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Virtual Book Tour: The Songbird of Sovereign by Jennifer Wixson

She's the most popular resident of Sovereign, Maine yet no one in this rural farming community of 1,048 souls has ever known the story behind Miss Hastings' seven decades of dedication to schoolchildren. Now Maggie, the town's minister, sets out on a quest to plumb the mystery of Miss Hastings' past before the retired music teacher -- nearing her 89th birthday and in failing health -- departs this world forever. (from publisher's blurb)

Mayberry, Walnut Grove and ... Sovereign, Maine. Sometimes the setting of a story becomes a character of it's own. The third book ofJennifer Wixson's Sovereign Series welcomes fans back to the friendly village they have come to love.

When I reviewed the first two installments of this series, I praised Jennifer's blend of old and new. This story takes that blend to a new level, alternating between present day and the early 1940's. Since I am not normally a fan of historical fiction, I appreciate an author who weaves historical fact into a fictional story and teaches me something as I read. Ms. Wixson managed to educate me painlessly. I had no idea that sanatoriums for the treatment and isolation of tuberculosis, like the fictional Windmere, actually existed. I was fascinated by the inside look at the life of patients who were confined there, separated from family and friends and, in some cases, with no hope of leaving.

The "thing" - for lack of a better word - that made this story so touching, to me, was watching the characters discover the "real" Miss Hastings. How often do we, like the citizens of Sovereign, think that our surface acquaintance with someone means that we "know" them? I loved watching the story evolve and the depiction of Miss Hastings evolve along with it.

Once again, Jennifer has given us a story about time and place and connections that makes you want to pull up a chair on the front porch and just listen awhile.

Check out all the stops on this virtual tour and come back here next Sunday - July 27th - for an interview with the author and a chance to win the first three books of this wonderful series, as well as some other goodies.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York by Paul Gallico

Paul Gallico's first Mrs. 'Arris book, Mrs. 'Arris Goes To Paris (1958), is one of my all-time favorites. It is a gentle story of an English char-woman (cleaning lady in the U.S.) who becomes entranced by the beauty of her employers Dior couture dress. Although she has no use for, nor money to purchase such a dress, owning a Dior gown becomes her dream. To hard-working, sensible Mrs. 'Arris, a Dior gown is the embodiment of beauty, sophistication and artistry - things lacking from her mundane life. She doesn't dream of attending balls or mixing in society - merely of possessing an item of such elegance. The tale of Mrs. 'Arris's journey to purchase her Dior gown is warmth, charm and delight.

Unfortunately, Mrs. 'Arris's second outing - to New York (1960) - is a slapstick farce. Her outing to Paris must have emboldened the char-woman to believe any hair-brained scheme is not only possible, but advisable. Her totally clueless plan to kidnap a young boy to return him to his ex-GI father somewhere in America turns into an I Love Lucy episode. It was painful and I admit to skimming the last third. So disappointing! Mrs. 'Arris has two more adventures - to Parliament (1965) and to Moscow (1974) - but I believe I'll pass. I don't want anything else to taint my memory of Mrs. 'Arris.

I highly recommend the movie adaptation of Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, starring Angela Lansbury. It is the rare movie that holds true to the original story. Delightful!

On a side note: While searching the library shelf for Mrs. 'Arris, I discovered that the same author wrote The Poseidon Adventure. Well, color me flabbergasted! Talk about a diverse author!

My attempt to read Mrs. 'Arris Goes to New York was part of the Library Book Readathon, hosted by Rachael at Rachael Turns Pages. My goal for the week was to complete two library books. I was unsuccessful. I finished (mostly) Mrs. 'Arris and started Ardor by Lily Prior, but progress was limited. Thanks, Rachael, for hosting.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

In 1901, a ship sinks off the coast of Lighthouse Bay in Australia. The only survivor is Isabella Winterbourne—escaping her loveless marriage and the devastating loss of her son—who clutches a priceless gift meant for the Australian Parliament. Suddenly, this gift could be her ticket to a new life, free from the bonds of her husband and his overbearing family.

One hundred years later, Libby Slater leaves her life in Paris to return to her hometown of Lighthouse Bay to heal her broken heart and reconcile with her sister,

In this adventurous love story spanning centuries, both Isabella and Libby must learn that letting go of the past is the only way to move into the future.

Better late than never. I purchased this book with my birthday money in 2013 as part of my personal Summer Reading Program. After a year gathering dust on the shelf, i added it to my stack for Book Blogger Summer Reading.

I have read other books with this type of intertwined plots and, invariably (and perhaps necessarily), one story is more detailed than the other and tends to carry the book. This book was no different, but surprising in that it was the historical story that really captured my interest - to the point that I would classify this more as historical fiction than "beach read". Either way, it was an enjoyable story that I recommend for a lazy summer afternoon.

Ms. Freeman has one previous book, Wildflower Hill, that is now on my library list.

This is book #2 completed toward my goal of 12 for Book Blogger Summer Reading. I really need to pick up the pace.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary. (publisher's blurb)

I don't normally review middle-grade or YA books, but Brian Selznick's books are unique. I was working at the library when Hugo Cabret came out, or it probably wouldn't have been on my radar. I was amazed at the artwork, which made me curious about the story. Mr. Selznick has a great talent for telling a story with pictures and few words, so I made my first visit to my new library's youth section to find Wonderstruck.

Ben's story is told completely in text and Rose's story is all in pictures, until the two intertwine at the end. It is a beautiful story, enhanced by the same intricate illustrations that wowed me in Hugo Cabret. Unfortunately, some of the illustrations felt hurried - like he was facing a deadline and needed to meet his quota of drawings. Often, a two-page spread showed a well-drawn scene, but the next two pages were a closeup of some portion of the first drawing; the next two pages zoomed in closer, etc. I'm not even sure if the second, third and fourth illustrations were actually redrawn or were just photographed and enlarged. Like Hugo, Wonderstruck is more than 500 pages, but I think the author may have been better off to have fewer pages or take more time.

In spite of my mild disappointment with the drawings, I recommend the book for children and adults. Adult-level readers will be able to finish it in an evening and it's an evening well spent.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.

Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby’s past. Her husband George is long passed. All that’s left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year. It's not enough to keep Eby from relinquishing Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand . . . until one last chance at family knocks on her door.

Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer, before she learned of loneliness, and heartbreak, and loss. Now she’s all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope too, thanks to her resilient daughter Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward.

One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren’t sure they needed in the first place: love, closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended. Lost Lake illuminates the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places. (Condensed from publisher blurb)

In 2007, I decided to present my own "Book of the Year" award, although - since that was pre-blog - no one knew about it except my sister who was sharing "favorite things" lists with me. That premier award went to Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. In 2008, Ms. Allen's Sugar Queen took top honors - hands down, no contenders! In 2009, she didn't make the cut - but only because she didn't publish a book that year.

In 2010 I blogged my first top ten list, and of course The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by guess who, was on the list. As was The Peach Keeper in 2011. 2012 and 2013 were long, fallow years for her fans. Unbeknownst to me, Ms. Allen was using that time to battle breast cancer. Hallelujah, she is now two years cancer-free and has returned to writing.

When I reviewed Peach Keeper, I wrote, "Every time I read {a Sarah Addison Allen book] I struggle for words to describe her writing other than "magical", but no other word captures her stories." She has not lost her touch. She once again weaves bits of magic into the story so seamlessly that you never question them.

The setting of Lost Lake will appeal to other children of the 60's who spent family vacations in cottage-style motels like Lost Lake. It added a nostalgic touch for me. Lost Lake is another 5-star, enchanting tale from Sarah Addison Allen. May she write many more!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Guernsey Literary Club and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer and Barrows

Once again, I'm a little late for the party. In this instance, six years late, but who's counting? When this book was published in 2008, there was a lot of buzz about it, but I never got around to reading it. I even had the book from the library at one point but returned it unread because I didn't think I would like the format (it's written as a series of letters and telegrams) or subject matter (WWII). Wrong, wrong, wrong!

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. - from book jacket

This book turned out to be one of those books that managed to provide a history lesson - about the German occupation - without sacrificing any of the magic of fiction. I listened to the audio version, which I think added to my enjoyment. It was read by five different narrators so the voices and accents made the characters easily recognizable. And I love listening to British and Scottish accents!

If you've missed out on this book for the last six years also, don't wait any longer. I promise it's worth the read.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Mini Book Reviews: Near Misses

I seem to be in a reading slump lately. Either I'm choosing poorly or my attitude needs adjusting, but nothing seems to be holding my attention.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein: I know - it's a classic! You can't pan a classic. But it just didn't interest me. I read it in high school and liked it, but remembered very little about it. When I saw the new movie tie-in version on the store shelf, I was anxious to re-read and see how time and life had changed my perspective. Evidently I have become more cynical, because the whole realm of wizards, dwarfs and treasures seemed almost silly. The Hobbit will remain a beloved classic in spite of my opinion but, for me, it was a disappointment.

Technically, I can't review John Grisham's Sycamore Row because I haven't finished it yet. It's unusual that I wouldn't finish a Grisham novel within a couple days; especially this return to the setting and characters of A Time to Kill - Grisham's best novel to date. I have read approximately half of the book but, when Dave needed something to read, I handed it off to him. Whether or not I finish it later will depend on his review.

Time for Me to Come Home by Dorothy Shackleford

Kirkus Reviews said it all:

Nothing great or earth shattering, but a sweet, if clichéd, romantic Christmas tale that will warm some hearts.

The author is the mother of country music singer Blake Shelton, and the story is based on the song by the same name, written by Shelton and Shackleford. Had I realized that, I might have been less enthused to buy this book. I have Blake's Christmas album, Cheers, It's Christmas, and I usually skip that track.

Come back for tomorrow's post, in which I actually like a book. In the meantime, here's Blake Shelton singing "Time for Me to Come Home" - you make the call.