For those of you interested in the titles my book club has chosen for the upcoming year, here they are.
March: THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by Melanie Benjamin (Historical Fiction)
April: PERSUASION by Jane Austen (Classic)
May: HERO OF THE EMPIRE: THE BOER WAR, A DARING ESCAPE, AND THE MAKING OF WINSTON CHURCHILL by Candace Millard (Nonfiction)
June: GIRL WAITS WITH GUN by Amy Stewart (Historical Fiction/Humor)
July: HILLBILLY ELEGY: A MEMOIR OF A FAMILY AND CULTURE IN CRISIS by JD Vance (Biography)
August: THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir (Fantasy/Science Fiction)
September: GREAT SMALL THINGS by Jodi Picoult (Social Issues/Fiction)
October: AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793 by Jim Murphy (YA Nonfiction)
November: DEAD WAKE: THE LAST CROSSING OF THE LUSITANIA by Erik Larson (Nonfiction)
December: STILL LIFE (Book #1 in Inspector Gamache series) by Louise Penny (Mystery)
January: A MAN CALLED OVE by Frederik Backman (Fiction)
February: THE QUIET ROOM: A JOURNEY OUT OF THE TORMENT OF MADNESS by Lori Schiller and Amanda Bennett (Biography)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As always, our book selection meeting is one of my favorite nights of the year. You come home with a list of great suggestions that didn't get chosen. A few I've bookmarked are:
GRANDMA GATEWOOD'S WALK by Ben Montgomery (Biography)
SOMETHING'S YOU KEEP by JJ Landis (Biography)
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
What I Read in 2016--Other Books
* Waste of time. No redemptive value.
** Not my cup of tea. But that's just my opinion.
*** It was okay. Not my favorite, but it might be yours.
**** I really liked it. Would highly recommend it.
***** Not to be missed! Put it at the top of your list.
THE STORYTELLER by Jodi Picoult
****
I've read a handful of Picoult's books and her "thing" is a great twist at the end. I stopped reading them in 2011-ish when HOUSE RULES failed to deliver. She had been releasing books so frequently it felt like she hadn't given them enough thought. This one however did not disappoint. The granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor discovers her elderly friend was formerly a Nazi SS guard, and he asks her to kill him.
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS: LOVE, TERROR, AND AN AMERICAN FAMILY IN HITLER'S BERLIN by Erik Larson
***
I'm glad I read it, because it was informative. I did have to force myself to keep reading though. Larson's research is obvious, but he can be meticulous to the point that it becomes slow and dry. This book follows U.S. Ambassador Dodd and his family as they are posted in Berlin during the early 1930's and Hitler's rise to power.
THE LAKE HOUSE by Kate Morton
****
In true Morton fashion you get the multi-generational story, a great mystery, and complex characters. Although I usually can't guess the ending, I did with this one, but I didn't care because it was so close to the reveal anyway. And I loved the ending.
STILL LIFE (Book #1 in the Inspector Gamache series) by Louise Penny
****
His name rhymes with ganache, so right there it's a winner. ;-) If you need more reasons, this book has extremely well-developed characters, the twist at the end will knock your socks off, and it's a clean mystery. Investigators are called to a rural village south of Montréal where the locals are certain it's a tragic hunting accident and nothing more, but Gamache smells foul play.
AND THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE: TWO DECADES IN THE MIDDLE EAST by Richard Engel
****
I felt like I was only able to digest 50% of the information--but that is because of my own ineptness. Trying to understand the complexity of this region, the politics and the wars waged here is daunting to me, but I want to be better informed. Engel's book sums up the major figures and events while intertwining personal snippets in less than 250 pages. He is the NBC Chief Foreign News Correspondent and has lived in the Middle East since 1996. Perhaps I'll read it again.
WOMEN OF THE WORD--HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE WITH BOTH OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS by Jen Wilkin
*****
Bible literacy--what it is, whether we are acquiring it, and why it matters that we do so. "We treasure what we know, but we are troubled by what we do not know. We do our best to cobble together a patchwork knowledge of Scripture, pieced from sermons, studies, and quiet times, but we are often confronted with gaps in our understanding." I have found this book extremely practical, thought-provoking, and a loving kick-in-the-pants. I liken it to GIVE THEM TRUTH for its solid teaching, and CLEANING HOUSE for its convicting questions and inspiring examples.
** Not my cup of tea. But that's just my opinion.
*** It was okay. Not my favorite, but it might be yours.
**** I really liked it. Would highly recommend it.
***** Not to be missed! Put it at the top of your list.
THE STORYTELLER by Jodi Picoult
****
I've read a handful of Picoult's books and her "thing" is a great twist at the end. I stopped reading them in 2011-ish when HOUSE RULES failed to deliver. She had been releasing books so frequently it felt like she hadn't given them enough thought. This one however did not disappoint. The granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor discovers her elderly friend was formerly a Nazi SS guard, and he asks her to kill him.
IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS: LOVE, TERROR, AND AN AMERICAN FAMILY IN HITLER'S BERLIN by Erik Larson
***
I'm glad I read it, because it was informative. I did have to force myself to keep reading though. Larson's research is obvious, but he can be meticulous to the point that it becomes slow and dry. This book follows U.S. Ambassador Dodd and his family as they are posted in Berlin during the early 1930's and Hitler's rise to power.
THE LAKE HOUSE by Kate Morton
****
In true Morton fashion you get the multi-generational story, a great mystery, and complex characters. Although I usually can't guess the ending, I did with this one, but I didn't care because it was so close to the reveal anyway. And I loved the ending.
STILL LIFE (Book #1 in the Inspector Gamache series) by Louise Penny
****
His name rhymes with ganache, so right there it's a winner. ;-) If you need more reasons, this book has extremely well-developed characters, the twist at the end will knock your socks off, and it's a clean mystery. Investigators are called to a rural village south of Montréal where the locals are certain it's a tragic hunting accident and nothing more, but Gamache smells foul play.
AND THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE: TWO DECADES IN THE MIDDLE EAST by Richard Engel
****
I felt like I was only able to digest 50% of the information--but that is because of my own ineptness. Trying to understand the complexity of this region, the politics and the wars waged here is daunting to me, but I want to be better informed. Engel's book sums up the major figures and events while intertwining personal snippets in less than 250 pages. He is the NBC Chief Foreign News Correspondent and has lived in the Middle East since 1996. Perhaps I'll read it again.
WOMEN OF THE WORD--HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE WITH BOTH OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS by Jen Wilkin
*****
Bible literacy--what it is, whether we are acquiring it, and why it matters that we do so. "We treasure what we know, but we are troubled by what we do not know. We do our best to cobble together a patchwork knowledge of Scripture, pieced from sermons, studies, and quiet times, but we are often confronted with gaps in our understanding." I have found this book extremely practical, thought-provoking, and a loving kick-in-the-pants. I liken it to GIVE THEM TRUTH for its solid teaching, and CLEANING HOUSE for its convicting questions and inspiring examples.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
What I Read in 2016--Book Club Selections
It's been so long since I've posted, let's see if I still remember how! :)
In no particular order, here are my reviews from book club this year.
(What I read outside of book club will be coming soon.)
* Waste of time. No redemptive value.
** Not my cup of tea. But that's just my opinion.
*** It was okay. Not my favorite, but it might be yours.
**** I really liked it. Would highly recommend it.
***** Not to be missed! Put it at the top of your list.
GIVE THEM TRUTH by Starr Meade
*****
This is a book for parents and ministry workers who want to instruct their children in sound theology, but that description seems too simplistic. This book, for me, was almost devotional. I took scores of notes, not just because I wanted to use them later, but because rehearsing truth for my own soul usually involves physically putting pen to paper. If you're into gospel-soaked Reformed theology, this one's for you.
ROSEMARY--THE HIDDEN KENNEDY DAUGHTER by Kate Clifford Larsa
**
I really wanted to like this book, and in fact liked parts of it, but found the writing horribly lacking. It was an interesting portrait of the Kennedy's home life and a sad telling of the few options available to those with mental difficulties at that time in our country. Add in the social stigma of mental illness, an absent father, a mother who "checked out", and the barbaric practice of lobotomy, and it was an all around depressing read.
BOMB: THE RACE TO BUILD--AND STEAL--THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON by Steve Sheinkin
*****
This book, slated as young adult non-fiction, packs quite the punch and completely fits the bill for adults too. The perfect combo of WWII history, espionage, and science that reads like a novel. Our entire book club (12 ladies) loved it!
THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE (Flavia de Luce series, #1) by Alan Bradley
****
You either love the protagonist or find her annoying and bratty. I happened to find her and this book delightful and at moments laugh-out-loud funny. It's a British mystery that is clean, witty, and kept me guessing until the end. I plan to read the rest of the series.
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith
***
I liked parts of it. The "problem" was that I read 3 books in a row that all were British, coming-of-age novels and they all had an emotionally absent father. After awhile, unless there was something that made it stand out, it got boring.
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS by David McCullough
*****
Who knew that Wilbur and Orville had a sister?! And that she was so instrumental in her brother's lives? I found this book completely fascinating and transporting, back to an era of discovery and ingenuity. I purchased a copy for my own library. McCullough's writing is first class.
NICKLE AND DIMED: ON NOT GETTING BY IN AMERICA by Barbara Ehrenreich
*
The premise of this book was great, but the delivery was oh so lacking. Ehrenreich's writing gives off this egotistical vibe that makes her "experiment" of going undercover among the working class completely off-putting. The book would have been completely different if she had made the people she encountered the focus instead of herself.
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doer
*****
I read this in 2015 but was happy to read it again for book club. Books are so much better when you can discuss them with friends! :) This WWII novel, set in a French seaside town, offers a picture of wartime from the viewpoint of two teenagers; one a German boy serving in the military and the other a French girl who is blind. Doer's writing is lush and sensory. A stand out among the myriad of WWII novels. Don't let the length dissuade you--some "chapters" are only a page long.
LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS by Nick Vujicic
**
I heartily affirm much of what Nick has to say and I am thankful for his testimony of faith. I have seen clips online of him sharing his story and have heard short segments of the same on the radio. I just don't think he's a great writer. The book read like he took all of those little snippets and crammed them together in no particular order. I also found his "you can do it if you put your mind to it" and other similar cliches frustrating.
GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES by Ruth Reichl
****
Fancy pants New York Times food critic goes to Big Apple restaurants in disguise to see how the service measures up when she's "nobody". For a foodie this was a feast and there were recipes to boot. This book also offered perspective on how outer appearance can influence our self-opinion and behavior.
HOUSE OF THIEVES by Charles Belfoure
*
The premise of the book sounded promising but I can't recommend it. Set in New York City in 1886, a respectable architect finds himself in an unwanted position. His son's gambling debt to a notorious gang must be paid or else. Robbing his former clients using his blueprints is the proposed solution. I'm not opposed to reading of depravity, but it has to be redemptive in some way. This book celebrated it and thus was just ick.
In no particular order, here are my reviews from book club this year.
(What I read outside of book club will be coming soon.)
* Waste of time. No redemptive value.
** Not my cup of tea. But that's just my opinion.
*** It was okay. Not my favorite, but it might be yours.
**** I really liked it. Would highly recommend it.
***** Not to be missed! Put it at the top of your list.
GIVE THEM TRUTH by Starr Meade
*****
This is a book for parents and ministry workers who want to instruct their children in sound theology, but that description seems too simplistic. This book, for me, was almost devotional. I took scores of notes, not just because I wanted to use them later, but because rehearsing truth for my own soul usually involves physically putting pen to paper. If you're into gospel-soaked Reformed theology, this one's for you.
ROSEMARY--THE HIDDEN KENNEDY DAUGHTER by Kate Clifford Larsa
**
I really wanted to like this book, and in fact liked parts of it, but found the writing horribly lacking. It was an interesting portrait of the Kennedy's home life and a sad telling of the few options available to those with mental difficulties at that time in our country. Add in the social stigma of mental illness, an absent father, a mother who "checked out", and the barbaric practice of lobotomy, and it was an all around depressing read.
BOMB: THE RACE TO BUILD--AND STEAL--THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON by Steve Sheinkin
*****
This book, slated as young adult non-fiction, packs quite the punch and completely fits the bill for adults too. The perfect combo of WWII history, espionage, and science that reads like a novel. Our entire book club (12 ladies) loved it!
THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE (Flavia de Luce series, #1) by Alan Bradley
****
You either love the protagonist or find her annoying and bratty. I happened to find her and this book delightful and at moments laugh-out-loud funny. It's a British mystery that is clean, witty, and kept me guessing until the end. I plan to read the rest of the series.
I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith
***
I liked parts of it. The "problem" was that I read 3 books in a row that all were British, coming-of-age novels and they all had an emotionally absent father. After awhile, unless there was something that made it stand out, it got boring.
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS by David McCullough
*****
Who knew that Wilbur and Orville had a sister?! And that she was so instrumental in her brother's lives? I found this book completely fascinating and transporting, back to an era of discovery and ingenuity. I purchased a copy for my own library. McCullough's writing is first class.
NICKLE AND DIMED: ON NOT GETTING BY IN AMERICA by Barbara Ehrenreich
*
The premise of this book was great, but the delivery was oh so lacking. Ehrenreich's writing gives off this egotistical vibe that makes her "experiment" of going undercover among the working class completely off-putting. The book would have been completely different if she had made the people she encountered the focus instead of herself.
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doer
*****
I read this in 2015 but was happy to read it again for book club. Books are so much better when you can discuss them with friends! :) This WWII novel, set in a French seaside town, offers a picture of wartime from the viewpoint of two teenagers; one a German boy serving in the military and the other a French girl who is blind. Doer's writing is lush and sensory. A stand out among the myriad of WWII novels. Don't let the length dissuade you--some "chapters" are only a page long.
LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS by Nick Vujicic
**
I heartily affirm much of what Nick has to say and I am thankful for his testimony of faith. I have seen clips online of him sharing his story and have heard short segments of the same on the radio. I just don't think he's a great writer. The book read like he took all of those little snippets and crammed them together in no particular order. I also found his "you can do it if you put your mind to it" and other similar cliches frustrating.
GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES by Ruth Reichl
****
Fancy pants New York Times food critic goes to Big Apple restaurants in disguise to see how the service measures up when she's "nobody". For a foodie this was a feast and there were recipes to boot. This book also offered perspective on how outer appearance can influence our self-opinion and behavior.
HOUSE OF THIEVES by Charles Belfoure
*
The premise of the book sounded promising but I can't recommend it. Set in New York City in 1886, a respectable architect finds himself in an unwanted position. His son's gambling debt to a notorious gang must be paid or else. Robbing his former clients using his blueprints is the proposed solution. I'm not opposed to reading of depravity, but it has to be redemptive in some way. This book celebrated it and thus was just ick.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Book Club Titles for 2014
Last night we had our selection meeting where we nominate and vote on 12 new titles for the upcoming year. It is always such a lively and laughter-filled evening and I come home jazzed--a slew of "extra" titles to add to my personal reading list.
I just love how this group gets me to read things I wouldn't ordinarily pick up, they make me think and evaluate more deeply, and though Christians, we are still quite diverse in our backgrounds and perspectives. And I love that.
I'm listing these by the month in which they will be discussed, along with a brief description.
Let me know if you've read any of these and what you think! (No spoilers though, please.)
MARCH
The Ditch Digger's Daughters by Yvonne S Thorton
(Memoir; the importance of education, hard work and family values)
APRIL
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
(Classic; 1890's, morality, narcissism, the soul)
MAY
Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey
(Mystery; British, impostor, inheritance)
JUNE
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
(Non-fiction; busy sales executive meets 11 yr. old panhandler)
JULY
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
(Young Adult Fiction; German girl and her foster parents, books, hiding Jewish man, surviving WWII)
AUGUST
In The Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
(Autobiographical Fiction; 7 yr. old girl, coming of age, Cambodian civil war)
SEPTEMBER
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
(Fiction; foster care, San Francisco, the meaning of flowers)
OCTOBER
The Girl With No Name: The Incredible Story of a Child Raised by Monkeys by Lynne Barrett-Lee and Marina Chapman
(Biography; child trafficking, human-animal relationships, Colombia)
NOVEMBER
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
(Fiction; college professor, early onset of Alzheimer's)
DECEMBER
Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
(Christian Living; getting to the root of busyness)
JANUARY
One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Shadow of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting by Maria Monville
(Memoir; wife of Nickle Mines shooter, God's redemptive love)
FEBRUARY
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
(Nonfiction; society and culture, urban poverty, India)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And just because we debated long and hard over this one, (but no one had read it), anyone have anything to say about Watership Down by Richard Adams? All we know is that it is 520 pages, and an adventure fantasy about rabbits. :)
Let's just say some of us were seriously intrigued by that description, and others of us were laughing hysterically!
I just love how this group gets me to read things I wouldn't ordinarily pick up, they make me think and evaluate more deeply, and though Christians, we are still quite diverse in our backgrounds and perspectives. And I love that.
I'm listing these by the month in which they will be discussed, along with a brief description.
Let me know if you've read any of these and what you think! (No spoilers though, please.)
MARCH
The Ditch Digger's Daughters by Yvonne S Thorton
(Memoir; the importance of education, hard work and family values)
APRIL
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
(Classic; 1890's, morality, narcissism, the soul)
MAY
Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey
(Mystery; British, impostor, inheritance)
JUNE
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
(Non-fiction; busy sales executive meets 11 yr. old panhandler)
JULY
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
(Young Adult Fiction; German girl and her foster parents, books, hiding Jewish man, surviving WWII)
AUGUST
In The Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
(Autobiographical Fiction; 7 yr. old girl, coming of age, Cambodian civil war)
SEPTEMBER
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
(Fiction; foster care, San Francisco, the meaning of flowers)
OCTOBER
The Girl With No Name: The Incredible Story of a Child Raised by Monkeys by Lynne Barrett-Lee and Marina Chapman
(Biography; child trafficking, human-animal relationships, Colombia)
NOVEMBER
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
(Fiction; college professor, early onset of Alzheimer's)
DECEMBER
Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
(Christian Living; getting to the root of busyness)
JANUARY
One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Shadow of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting by Maria Monville
(Memoir; wife of Nickle Mines shooter, God's redemptive love)
FEBRUARY
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
(Nonfiction; society and culture, urban poverty, India)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And just because we debated long and hard over this one, (but no one had read it), anyone have anything to say about Watership Down by Richard Adams? All we know is that it is 520 pages, and an adventure fantasy about rabbits. :)
Let's just say some of us were seriously intrigued by that description, and others of us were laughing hysterically!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
In The Land of Blue Burqas
I've read a handful of books on the subject of Islam, women, and the Middle East. And I enjoyed each one for a particular reason.
In INFIDEL, a memoir by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the sheer danger of posing a threat to Islam was reinforced. Jeanette Windle's Christian fiction, VEILED FREEDOM, brought to my attention the socio-economic windfall that results when a struggling nation is flooded by ex-patriates, security personnel and NGO's that demand certain ammenities--everyday Afghans suddenly can afford less and less and poverty and bribes increase. Khaled Housseini's THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS transported me to the dusty streets of Kabul, and immersed me in a relational landscape unlike any I've ever experienced.
However, after reading all of these, my thoughts would automatically drift to ponder how faith in Christ would sound to an Afghan. And how would one go about sharing gospel truth in such a place? IN THE LAND OF BLUE BURQAS by Kate McCord answers these questions in such a simple yet profound way.
The author writes under a pseudonym and changes non-essential details to protect herself and the identity of her Afghan friends. A native of Pennsylvania, she lived in Afghanistan for over 5 years as an NGO worker, and her example was exemplary. Her choice of living arrangements, the manner in which she conducted her organization and employed local Afghans, the respect she showed for their culture in her dress and conduct--all were remarkable. Not only that, but she learned the Dari language (in 1 year) and was intentional about sharing the truth of Jesus in her everyday conversations, aware of the constant threat to her safety, but with cultural sensitivity and great discernment.
I found it a very uplifting book. One that achieved that fine balance of relaying hard truth, asking difficult questions, maintaining an attitude of respect, and showcasing precious glimmers of hope and faith. The gospel of grace and love evident on every page.
Here are a few quotes from the conclusion chapter to whet your appetite. (The earlier chapters chronicle conversations centered around a particular scriptural truth.)
"Many Afghans are hungry for change. They've seen the outcomes of their faith and the practices that define them. They've wondered how such a religious, God-obeying nation could decend into more than thirty years of war and self-destruction. They long for something better. The problem is that even Afghans don't know where to start. Even Afghans struggle to find the way of peace for their suffering families, communities, and nation...
The way of hope is the way of Jesus. His teachings show us the path. His stories make sense of the senseless. I've watched Afghans listen to the stories and words of Jesus and find wisdom, beauty, and truth in them. I've watched some Afghans appropriate those teachings into their own lives and reframe their own stories with beautiful outcomes. The barrier, of course, is that the way of Jesus is not the way of Afghanistan. The teachings of Jesus challenge virtually every aspect of the culture, and many Afghans object vehemently to that kind of influence, regardless of its benefits."
"We read of the struggles of Afghan women and shudder. We pray for their deliverance and give money for programs to help them. There are laws designed to protect women in Afghanistan, but they're not enforced. Afghans don't accept those laws, regardless of the government's insistence. Until men and women view one another as precious children of the God they worship, there will be little improvement. Until men learn to love their wives as Christ loves His church--to walk with them and talk with them, to sacrifice themselves for them--there cannot be health in that most fundamental human relationship.
As long as Afghans understand God as a judge who only loves the obedient, they will never genuinely love one another. They'll never free one another to become the unique individuals God has created them to be. They'll certainly never love the unrelated neighbor or the non-Muslim stranger.
As long as Afghans hero-worship a warrior king who defined submission and required it at the edge of a sword, there cannot be peace in their country. As long as Afghans understand forgiveness as an option and retribution as a norm, the escalation of violence will continue."
"[The Afghans] helped me understand the teachings of Jesus more completely. The culture of Afghanistan today is much more similar to the first-century Judea of Jesus' day than my own Western culture is. The teachings and stories of the New Testament map almost exactly. The mullahs of today are more like the ancient Scribes and Pharisees than our pastors or priests. Sharia law is closer to the Law of Moses than the guiding principles Jesus taught us to understand and apply in the context of our ever-evolving culture. The agrarian society of Afghanistan, with its farmers and shepherds, grasps the stories of lost sheep and scattered seed far better than out post-industrial world."
The only critique I will offer about this book is that at times it had a staccato feel, was repetitious, and would have benefitted from some editing. All in all, it is a book not to be missed. Its insights are brave and profound, and extremely relevant today.
In INFIDEL, a memoir by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the sheer danger of posing a threat to Islam was reinforced. Jeanette Windle's Christian fiction, VEILED FREEDOM, brought to my attention the socio-economic windfall that results when a struggling nation is flooded by ex-patriates, security personnel and NGO's that demand certain ammenities--everyday Afghans suddenly can afford less and less and poverty and bribes increase. Khaled Housseini's THE KITE RUNNER and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS transported me to the dusty streets of Kabul, and immersed me in a relational landscape unlike any I've ever experienced.
However, after reading all of these, my thoughts would automatically drift to ponder how faith in Christ would sound to an Afghan. And how would one go about sharing gospel truth in such a place? IN THE LAND OF BLUE BURQAS by Kate McCord answers these questions in such a simple yet profound way. The author writes under a pseudonym and changes non-essential details to protect herself and the identity of her Afghan friends. A native of Pennsylvania, she lived in Afghanistan for over 5 years as an NGO worker, and her example was exemplary. Her choice of living arrangements, the manner in which she conducted her organization and employed local Afghans, the respect she showed for their culture in her dress and conduct--all were remarkable. Not only that, but she learned the Dari language (in 1 year) and was intentional about sharing the truth of Jesus in her everyday conversations, aware of the constant threat to her safety, but with cultural sensitivity and great discernment.
I found it a very uplifting book. One that achieved that fine balance of relaying hard truth, asking difficult questions, maintaining an attitude of respect, and showcasing precious glimmers of hope and faith. The gospel of grace and love evident on every page.
Here are a few quotes from the conclusion chapter to whet your appetite. (The earlier chapters chronicle conversations centered around a particular scriptural truth.)
"Many Afghans are hungry for change. They've seen the outcomes of their faith and the practices that define them. They've wondered how such a religious, God-obeying nation could decend into more than thirty years of war and self-destruction. They long for something better. The problem is that even Afghans don't know where to start. Even Afghans struggle to find the way of peace for their suffering families, communities, and nation...
The way of hope is the way of Jesus. His teachings show us the path. His stories make sense of the senseless. I've watched Afghans listen to the stories and words of Jesus and find wisdom, beauty, and truth in them. I've watched some Afghans appropriate those teachings into their own lives and reframe their own stories with beautiful outcomes. The barrier, of course, is that the way of Jesus is not the way of Afghanistan. The teachings of Jesus challenge virtually every aspect of the culture, and many Afghans object vehemently to that kind of influence, regardless of its benefits."
"We read of the struggles of Afghan women and shudder. We pray for their deliverance and give money for programs to help them. There are laws designed to protect women in Afghanistan, but they're not enforced. Afghans don't accept those laws, regardless of the government's insistence. Until men and women view one another as precious children of the God they worship, there will be little improvement. Until men learn to love their wives as Christ loves His church--to walk with them and talk with them, to sacrifice themselves for them--there cannot be health in that most fundamental human relationship.
As long as Afghans understand God as a judge who only loves the obedient, they will never genuinely love one another. They'll never free one another to become the unique individuals God has created them to be. They'll certainly never love the unrelated neighbor or the non-Muslim stranger.
As long as Afghans hero-worship a warrior king who defined submission and required it at the edge of a sword, there cannot be peace in their country. As long as Afghans understand forgiveness as an option and retribution as a norm, the escalation of violence will continue."
"[The Afghans] helped me understand the teachings of Jesus more completely. The culture of Afghanistan today is much more similar to the first-century Judea of Jesus' day than my own Western culture is. The teachings and stories of the New Testament map almost exactly. The mullahs of today are more like the ancient Scribes and Pharisees than our pastors or priests. Sharia law is closer to the Law of Moses than the guiding principles Jesus taught us to understand and apply in the context of our ever-evolving culture. The agrarian society of Afghanistan, with its farmers and shepherds, grasps the stories of lost sheep and scattered seed far better than out post-industrial world."
The only critique I will offer about this book is that at times it had a staccato feel, was repetitious, and would have benefitted from some editing. All in all, it is a book not to be missed. Its insights are brave and profound, and extremely relevant today.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Book Club 2013: My Reviews
I haven't read much besides our book club selections this year, so I thought I'd just review those for now. The others will get their review at the end of the year.
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
MARCH: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (3 stars)
(Historical fiction, Italian immigrants)
I led the discussion on this one, and while it was an engaging story, it didn't naturally provoke a lot of questions for me. So I found it hard to know what to ask the group. Personally I found the heroine admirable, but sometimes hard to identify with because she was such a go-getter and rarely revealed her faults.
APRIL: Peace Like A River by Leif Enger (4 stars)
(American Midwest fiction, family searching for outlaw son)
I LOVED this book! While the plot was somewhat interesting, the excellent writing and sheer wit made this book a thorough delight. Enger captures the simple delights of family life, the imagination and innocence of childhood, and the powerful love story between parent and child.
MAY: An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales by Oliver Sacks (2 stars)
(Case Studies, Neurology, Psychology, ie: Temple Grandin)
I wanted to like this one more, but I struggled to finish it. Thankfully, my favorite chapter was the last one--Temple Grandin--and I was already familiar with her story due to the fabulous biographical film made in recent years starring Claire Danes. The case studies were interesting, but the chapters were too long and detailed for my tastes...and I am a fan of detail. I found the surgeon with Tourette's and the young man with Asberger's and a photographic memory that could draw a whole cityscape the most fascinating of the remaining cases.
JUNE: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (5 stars)
(Classic, young adult, adventure fiction)
I do not read sci-fi or fantasy, and steer clear of most young adult fiction. However, I completely enjoyed this book! I doubt I'll read The Lord of the Rings...I haven't completely been converted to the genre, but because this one was written for a younger audience I found it's scary/weird factor to be tame enough. I won't be introducing it to my kiddos until they are at least tweens, but it will definitely find a home in our personal library.
JULY: What Is The What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng by Dave Eggers (3 stars)
(Lost Boys of Sudan)
This was a long one, and a sobering story at that. Eggers chronicles the story of Valentino, just one of many Sudanese boys who were torn from family and village by the terrors of civil war. Their struggle to survive the long walk to a place of refuge, facing hungry lions, rebel groups, and death all around, was simply overwhelming. The book also described the challenges of acclimating to the United States for those that were able to get refugee status and gain sponsorship here. This one provoked a lot of discussion among our group. The main critiques were that certain parts could have been condensed, and the lack of emotion/introspection from the main character. Personally, I felt the latter criticism was due to a survival mindset that continued even after he left Africa...too much pain and he probably dissociated.
AUGUST: My Antonia by Willa Cather (3.5 stars)
(Classic American literature, Nebraska pioneers)
Slow-moving plot, but a rich, coming-of-age story of a young boy and his childhood friend. An interesting look into the Mid-western immigrant experience. Cather's writing is vibrant and descriptive and should be handled like a rich meal...slowly, bite by bite. I now want to read "O Pioneers".
SEPTEMBER: The Testament by John Grisham (3 stars)
(Legal thriller, inheritance, Brazilian missionary)
I've read this book at least 3 times already and it is an enjoyable ride. I appreciate that of the Grisham titles I've read, this one has an obvious faith element and is cleaner than most. While there are a few seedy characters, they are portrayed in a bad light and the language is very minimal. (So much so that I had trouble remembering if there was any.) All in all, it is a read that makes you think about wealth and how it influences your attitudes and choices, as well as faith and how it changes everything.
OCTOBER: The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher F. Chabris and Daniel Simons (4 stars)
(Cognitive Psychology, Memory, Perception)
I continue to think about the everyday illusions it turned upside down weeks and even months later. Do you use a cell phone in the car? Do you fancy that you are good at remembering details? How confident are you and how much stock do we place in other's confidence? There are 6 illusions the book addresses, and I must say that not only did it spur a great amount of conversation in our group, but it begged some serious questions. If you aren't familiar with the basic premise of the book and want to try the experiment, check out this link.
I continue to think about the everyday illusions it turned upside down weeks and even months later. Do you use a cell phone in the car? Do you fancy that you are good at remembering details? How confident are you and how much stock do we place in other's confidence? There are 6 illusions the book addresses, and I must say that not only did it spur a great amount of conversation in our group, but it begged some serious questions. If you aren't familiar with the basic premise of the book and want to try the experiment, check out this link.
NOVEMBER: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (4 stars)
(Memoir, Africa, Women, Islam)
This was another sobering memoir, much like WHAT IS THE WHAT, but more enjoyable for me personally. Not only was the writing great, but Hirsi Ali chronicles her life in a very purposeful way. At times I wondered why she included a certain section, but afterward I understood. She paints a compelling portrait of what it means to be a woman within a Muslim culture, and how we in the West are vastly ignorant of those implications. While it is just one woman's testimony, you can't help but ask what she would gain from making any false claims--she's already sought asylum more than once due to attempted death threats. A very relevant book and one I'd highly recommend.
Still to come...
Still to come...
DECEMBER: The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon
(Young adult fiction, mystery, autism, humor)
JANUARY (2014): Cleaning House: A Mom's 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma
(Christian living, parenting, organization, humor)
FEBRUARY: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
(Historical fiction, American Civil War, Gettysburg)
Friday, January 4, 2013
New Book Club Titles
Last night we had our selection meeting for book club, and I must say that it is one of my favorite meetings. I get to come home and add a boatload of titles to my "to read" list. :-)
I know, I know...I'm alittle nutty. But reading always has (and likely will be) my go-to hobby and what I do to both rejuvenate and unwind.
If you're interested in some new titles, maybe check one of these out. I've only read the ones starred, and I'd highly recommend both. I'm including a brief description to pique your interest. Though I probably would have never picked up half of these titles, I love that through book club my reading horizons are being expanded. And having a group of Christian women to discuss them with makes it even more enriching.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MARCH: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
(Historical fiction, Italian immigrants)
APRIL: Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
(American midwest fiction, family searching for outlaw son)
MAY: An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales by Oliver Sacks
(Case Studies, Neurology, Psychology, ie: Temple Grandin)
JUNE: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
(Classic, young adult, adventure fiction)
JULY: What Is The What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng by Dave Eggers
(Lost Boys of Sudan)
AUGUST: My Antonia by Willa Cather
(Classic American literature, Nebraska pioneers)
SEPTEMBER: The Testament by John Grisham *
(Legal thriller, inheritance, Brazilian missionary)
OCTOBER: The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher F. Chabris and Daniel Simons
(Cognitive Psychology, Memory, Perception)
NOVEMBER: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
(Memoir, Africa, Women, Islam)
DECEMBER: The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon
(Young adult fiction, mystery, autism, humor)
JANUARY (2014): Cleaning House: A Mom's 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma *
(Christian living, parenting, organization, humor)
FEBRUARY: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
(Historical fiction, American Civil War, Gettysburg)
Sunday, December 16, 2012
What I Read In 2012--Part 3
Here are the remaining titles and my rating system one more time:
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. FREEDOM'S STAND by Jeanette Windle **
I picked up this sequel to VEILED FREEDOM, just to see where the author took the story. It was a revealing glimpse into the persecution Christians face in countries where their faith is not tolerated, as well as the prison system. Once again the book follows the same 3 main characters with one semi-new addition, and it was generally entertaining. The author left obvious room for a third book, but I'm not sure I'll pick it up.
2. CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins **
In my opinion, this is the better of the two books that conclude the Hunger Games trilogy, though by my two star rating you can see how much I enjoyed it. As rebellion against the capitol has begun, Katniss and Peeta join Haymitch and the winners from the past 24 years in a special edition of the Hunger Games. This book didn't introduce any new themes or develop those of the first book very much. It pretty much followed the characters and the action. Unless you absolutely loved the first book, you can skip the rest of the series in my opinion.
3. MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins *
The last book of the trilogy followed Katniss, Peeta and Gale along with survivors of the rebellion living underground in District 13. A team goes to the Capitol to dethrone President Snow, and the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale is resolved in the end. Lots of action, but again little of what fascinated me in the first book.
4. THE BEST OF ME by Nicholas Sparks *
It was a fluffy one I read in the middle of a row of very serious and heavy books. Skip it.
5. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford ****
A tender story of how a Chinese teen living in San Francisco navigates life and his first love during the Japanese Internment following WWII. Though-provoking and sweet, I really liked this one.
6. PEARL IN THE SAND by Tessa Afshar ***
An interesting look at the life of Rahab, and her life during the seige of Jericho and the years that follow. Obviously there isn't a lot of information in scripture about her, but what there is, the author explores and puts in narrative form. An enjoyable read. If not for reading and thoroughly loving Lynn Austen's CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS series which was so rich with historical information and scriptural references, I probably would have enjoyed this one more and maybe rated it higher.
7. FULL DISCLOSURE by Dee Henderson **
If you've read the O'Malley series, you know Henderson is capable of the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and faith. This book, while able to stand alone, has a tie-in to the O'Malley series, but 1/3 of the way in I could see how it was going to end...and that just isn't what I expect from this author at all! Such a let-down.
8. THE VIOLETS OF MARCH by Sarah Jio ***
So many characters I had to take notes, this story alternated between past and present, with an obvious tie between the two--the mystery of who was who a complete surprise in the end. I thought I had it figured out just before the final chapter. But I was wrong. I'd classify this one as a romantic mystery because the mystery got top billing. Again, a book that I picked up because I needed a break from the heavy topics.
9. TWILIGHT by Kristen Heitzmann ***
A piece of Christian fiction, this was pretty predictable, but still enjoyable. Contained enough suspense to keep me reading along at a good clip. I haven't read all of her books, but prefer INDIVISIBLE the most.
10. and 11. THE HOPE OF REFUGE and THE BRIDGE OF PEACE by Cindy Woodsmall **
Amish fiction is definately not a genre I give much attention, but I had really enjoyed her SISTERS OF THE QUILT trilogy a few years ago, so I thought I'd try these. So many books in this genre are fluffy and predictable, only skimming the surface. The first and second books in the ADA'S HOUSE series, I'm not going to continue with the third. The first one was the better of the two in my opinion.
*And just recently I finished reading the entire LITTLE HOUSE series to Natalia. It took us alittle over a year to get through the 9 books. She loved them!! We are currently reading HELEN KELLER and it is so sweet to see Natalia imagining and pretending to be in Helen's shoes just like I remember doing many moons ago.
*I just pulled ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and ANNE OF AVONLEA out of my boxes in the basement.
Any titles you'd recommend as read alouds for 7-9 year old girls?
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. FREEDOM'S STAND by Jeanette Windle **
I picked up this sequel to VEILED FREEDOM, just to see where the author took the story. It was a revealing glimpse into the persecution Christians face in countries where their faith is not tolerated, as well as the prison system. Once again the book follows the same 3 main characters with one semi-new addition, and it was generally entertaining. The author left obvious room for a third book, but I'm not sure I'll pick it up.
2. CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins **
In my opinion, this is the better of the two books that conclude the Hunger Games trilogy, though by my two star rating you can see how much I enjoyed it. As rebellion against the capitol has begun, Katniss and Peeta join Haymitch and the winners from the past 24 years in a special edition of the Hunger Games. This book didn't introduce any new themes or develop those of the first book very much. It pretty much followed the characters and the action. Unless you absolutely loved the first book, you can skip the rest of the series in my opinion.
3. MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins *
The last book of the trilogy followed Katniss, Peeta and Gale along with survivors of the rebellion living underground in District 13. A team goes to the Capitol to dethrone President Snow, and the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale is resolved in the end. Lots of action, but again little of what fascinated me in the first book.
4. THE BEST OF ME by Nicholas Sparks *
It was a fluffy one I read in the middle of a row of very serious and heavy books. Skip it.
5. HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford ****
A tender story of how a Chinese teen living in San Francisco navigates life and his first love during the Japanese Internment following WWII. Though-provoking and sweet, I really liked this one.
6. PEARL IN THE SAND by Tessa Afshar ***
An interesting look at the life of Rahab, and her life during the seige of Jericho and the years that follow. Obviously there isn't a lot of information in scripture about her, but what there is, the author explores and puts in narrative form. An enjoyable read. If not for reading and thoroughly loving Lynn Austen's CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS series which was so rich with historical information and scriptural references, I probably would have enjoyed this one more and maybe rated it higher.
7. FULL DISCLOSURE by Dee Henderson **
If you've read the O'Malley series, you know Henderson is capable of the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and faith. This book, while able to stand alone, has a tie-in to the O'Malley series, but 1/3 of the way in I could see how it was going to end...and that just isn't what I expect from this author at all! Such a let-down.
8. THE VIOLETS OF MARCH by Sarah Jio ***
So many characters I had to take notes, this story alternated between past and present, with an obvious tie between the two--the mystery of who was who a complete surprise in the end. I thought I had it figured out just before the final chapter. But I was wrong. I'd classify this one as a romantic mystery because the mystery got top billing. Again, a book that I picked up because I needed a break from the heavy topics.
9. TWILIGHT by Kristen Heitzmann ***
A piece of Christian fiction, this was pretty predictable, but still enjoyable. Contained enough suspense to keep me reading along at a good clip. I haven't read all of her books, but prefer INDIVISIBLE the most.
10. and 11. THE HOPE OF REFUGE and THE BRIDGE OF PEACE by Cindy Woodsmall **
Amish fiction is definately not a genre I give much attention, but I had really enjoyed her SISTERS OF THE QUILT trilogy a few years ago, so I thought I'd try these. So many books in this genre are fluffy and predictable, only skimming the surface. The first and second books in the ADA'S HOUSE series, I'm not going to continue with the third. The first one was the better of the two in my opinion.
*And just recently I finished reading the entire LITTLE HOUSE series to Natalia. It took us alittle over a year to get through the 9 books. She loved them!! We are currently reading HELEN KELLER and it is so sweet to see Natalia imagining and pretending to be in Helen's shoes just like I remember doing many moons ago.
*I just pulled ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and ANNE OF AVONLEA out of my boxes in the basement.
Any titles you'd recommend as read alouds for 7-9 year old girls?
Saturday, December 15, 2012
What I Read in 2012--Part 2: Non-fiction
Here is my rating system.
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. MADE TO CRAVE by Lysa TerKeurst *****
A very timely and instrumental book for me. I originally picked it up the year before, and read through it sporadically. This year I sensed the need to be very intentional about having a reading partner (my mom) to discuss it with and using it as a devotional book of sorts within a defined time span. The book's message is essentially this: God designed each of us to crave and desire, but we turn to all kinds of things (even good things) to fill those desires and cravings. Usually our attempts to satiate are out of balance if not completely misguided, and we fail to recognize that only in God will we find the satisfaction our souls need.
Don't think of this as a book only for those who struggle with unhealthy eating or weight issues. Each of us struggles in one area or another to find balance, and this book speaks to that in a powerful way. (And TerKeurst's is self-deprecating and hilarious at just the right moments.)
2. PRODIGAL GOD by Timothy Keller *****
So many sermons on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 have concentrated on the flight and return of the younger brother. This little book proposes that that approach in fact misses the real message of the story. There are two brothers, each of whom represent a different way to be alienated from God, and a different way to seek acceptance into the kingdom of heaven.
My first introduction to Keller, it will certainly not be the last! I've added THE REASON FOR GOD and THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE to my "To Read" list.
3. A LONG WAY GONE by Ishmael Beah ***
Published in 2007, this is an account of 12 year old Beah's attempt to flee the attacking rebels during Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war; something that forever separated him from his immediate family. Wandering the countryside with a handful of other boys, they inevitably were forced to join an army unit and brainwashed to believe only in big guns, bloodshed, and drugs. Finally at the age of 16, Beah is rescued and removed from the rebel army by UNICEF, only to begin the incredibly difficult journey to healing.
4. CLEANING HOUSE: A Mother's 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma *****
I took pages of notes while reading this book, and plan to pick up a copy of my own. In my opinion, Wyma hit the nail on the head over and over again, chronicling the good, the bad and the ugly, with just the right amount of hard truth, humility, and humor. She challenged me to seriously evaluate how much I do FOR my kids instead of EQUIP them to do, how often I choose what is most expedient over what could be a valuable learning experience, and how much I resemble a hovercraft...LOL! Just trust me and read this one! :-)
5. THE DRESSMAKER OF KHAIR KHANA by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon ***
The true story of Kamila, an Afghan teenager, who with her sisters and brother find a way to keep from starving during the Taliban-era in Kabul. In the process of establishing a sewing business, despite the strict limitations placed on women during this time, she and her siblings not only display an entrepreneurial tenacity, but a dedication and concern for their community that is inspiring.
6. HINTS ON CHILD TRAINING by H. Clay Trumbull ****
Originally published in 1890, I have found this book to be not only incredibly current, but practical. We have at least one child that is VERY strong-willed (she shall remain nameless), and I've often felt at a loss to know how to navigate those hard moments, discipline with grace, yet train in a way that resonates and gets to the heart. So often it just feels like a power struggle. While Trumbull's "language" is definitely from another century, I haven't had any trouble understanding it or making immediate application. To give you an idea of what he covers, here are a few chapter titles: Will-Training Rather Than Will-Breaking, Denying A Child Wisely, Training A Child As A Questioner, Never Punish A Child In Anger, Scolding Is Never In Order, Dealing Tenderly With A Child's Fears, and Good-Night Words.
(A few of our Book Club titles in the previous post were Non-fiction as well.)
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. MADE TO CRAVE by Lysa TerKeurst *****
A very timely and instrumental book for me. I originally picked it up the year before, and read through it sporadically. This year I sensed the need to be very intentional about having a reading partner (my mom) to discuss it with and using it as a devotional book of sorts within a defined time span. The book's message is essentially this: God designed each of us to crave and desire, but we turn to all kinds of things (even good things) to fill those desires and cravings. Usually our attempts to satiate are out of balance if not completely misguided, and we fail to recognize that only in God will we find the satisfaction our souls need.
Don't think of this as a book only for those who struggle with unhealthy eating or weight issues. Each of us struggles in one area or another to find balance, and this book speaks to that in a powerful way. (And TerKeurst's is self-deprecating and hilarious at just the right moments.)
2. PRODIGAL GOD by Timothy Keller *****
So many sermons on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 have concentrated on the flight and return of the younger brother. This little book proposes that that approach in fact misses the real message of the story. There are two brothers, each of whom represent a different way to be alienated from God, and a different way to seek acceptance into the kingdom of heaven.
My first introduction to Keller, it will certainly not be the last! I've added THE REASON FOR GOD and THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE to my "To Read" list.
3. A LONG WAY GONE by Ishmael Beah ***
Published in 2007, this is an account of 12 year old Beah's attempt to flee the attacking rebels during Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war; something that forever separated him from his immediate family. Wandering the countryside with a handful of other boys, they inevitably were forced to join an army unit and brainwashed to believe only in big guns, bloodshed, and drugs. Finally at the age of 16, Beah is rescued and removed from the rebel army by UNICEF, only to begin the incredibly difficult journey to healing.
4. CLEANING HOUSE: A Mother's 12-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement by Kay Wills Wyma *****
I took pages of notes while reading this book, and plan to pick up a copy of my own. In my opinion, Wyma hit the nail on the head over and over again, chronicling the good, the bad and the ugly, with just the right amount of hard truth, humility, and humor. She challenged me to seriously evaluate how much I do FOR my kids instead of EQUIP them to do, how often I choose what is most expedient over what could be a valuable learning experience, and how much I resemble a hovercraft...LOL! Just trust me and read this one! :-)
5. THE DRESSMAKER OF KHAIR KHANA by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon ***
The true story of Kamila, an Afghan teenager, who with her sisters and brother find a way to keep from starving during the Taliban-era in Kabul. In the process of establishing a sewing business, despite the strict limitations placed on women during this time, she and her siblings not only display an entrepreneurial tenacity, but a dedication and concern for their community that is inspiring.
6. HINTS ON CHILD TRAINING by H. Clay Trumbull ****
Originally published in 1890, I have found this book to be not only incredibly current, but practical. We have at least one child that is VERY strong-willed (she shall remain nameless), and I've often felt at a loss to know how to navigate those hard moments, discipline with grace, yet train in a way that resonates and gets to the heart. So often it just feels like a power struggle. While Trumbull's "language" is definitely from another century, I haven't had any trouble understanding it or making immediate application. To give you an idea of what he covers, here are a few chapter titles: Will-Training Rather Than Will-Breaking, Denying A Child Wisely, Training A Child As A Questioner, Never Punish A Child In Anger, Scolding Is Never In Order, Dealing Tenderly With A Child's Fears, and Good-Night Words.
(A few of our Book Club titles in the previous post were Non-fiction as well.)
Friday, December 14, 2012
What I've Read in 2012--Part 1: Book Club
Well I certainly didn't read as many books this year as I have in others.
I joined a book club in January and our scheduled reading combined with leading the discussion numerous times meant not immediately diving into another book, as per my usual.
BUT, I must say that book club and the ladies in it have proven to be one of the highlights of my year. I just love it!
Rather than one long overwhelming list, I've broken this down into 3 posts: Book Club Titles, Non-fiction, and then What's Left.
Here is my rating system.
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. VEILED FREEDOM by Jeanette Windle ***
I liked this one for the discussion it generated more than the storyline. The story is set in 2009 in Afghanistan among humanitarian aide workers, security personnel, and native Afghans struggling to make sense of a country's war-torn past and the fallout. A piece of Christian fiction, this one has a main character whose Westernized naivete is frustrating, and yet probably is more common than we'd like to think. The author has spent considerable time in the region and her accuracy is notable, but until my second reading (for book club) when I jotted down the many military acronyms, the author lost me when she assumed I could keep up with them all. An unfortunate distraction that took away from the story's redeeming qualities. In the end this book DID teach me some more about Afghanistan, helped me understand a bit what could drive someone to commit shaheed (suicide) and affirmed how radical Jesus' love and salvation truly are.
2. THE KITCHEN HOUSE by Kathleen Grissom ***
First of all this is one of the most tragic books I've read, because there really isn't much redemption or hope until the very last page. All that being said, it is a gripping piece of Colonial fiction, and another book that provides many points of discussion. I really enjoyed the author's style and felt she made a bygone time period come alive without painting a glossy finish on everything the way Colonial life is typically portrayed. (I don't mind sad stories, or shy away from that sort of thing if I can learn something valuable in the process.)
3. THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins ***
Fantasy and science fiction are not my genre, let me tell ya! Add to that the "young adult" label and I've written it off. BUT, I will say that I truly enjoyed aspects of this bestseller that's become a phenomenon. Again, a great one for a discussion group. You can read my full review here, just scroll down.
4. THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell *
Okay, maybe I'll give it 1.5 stars. I did learn one or two things, but I can't say I could find much practical application or relevance in it to my world. Wordy, full of statistics...maybe I had unrealistic expectations. I heard great things about another title of his, OUTLIERS. Maybe I'll give him another chance someday.
5. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebekah Skloot ***
A decade-long project for the author, and a fascinating piece of work. Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five in Baltimore, a poor African American migrant from the tobacco farms of Virginia, who died from a cruelly aggressive cancer at the age of 30 in 1951. A sample of her cancerous tissue, taken without her knowledge or consent, as was the custom then, turned out to provide one of the holy grails of mid-century biology: human cells that could survive--even thrive-- in the lab. These cells, known as HeLa, went on to provide countless breakthroughs, beginning with the cure for polio. Yet Henrietta's family continued to live in poverty and poor health, ignorant of their wife and mother's incredible contribution, and ripe with misunderstanding, anger and suspicion. I don't pretend to know much of anything about medicine, and this wasn't completely over my head.
6. THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum ***
A frank and deeply unsettling story of Anna, a German woman living in a village bordering a concentration camp, who becomes the mistress of a high-ranking SS officer during WWII in order to save herself and her young daughter Trudy, a child born out of wedlock by a Jewish doctor. In my opinion, while the author did not shy away from detailing the physical abuse Anna suffers from the Ubersturmfuhrer, the manner and purpose in which she wrote was not titillating, but properly disturbing. HOWEVER, this opinion will not be shared by all. I think it all comes down to what your own life experiences have been, (whether anything conjures up memories), how sensitively you respond to issues like sexual abuse, and whether you shy away from dark subjects in general. For me, it generated much thought--philosophical and spiritual contemplation--without violating my conscience. Still, when mentioning this book I always fully disclose the above.
7. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte *****
How I ever managed NOT to read this while calling myself a bookworm, I don't know. This love story between poor, orphaned Jane, and the mysterious, haunted Rochester, was an across-the-board favorite with our book club. I too found it to be excellent, both in it's writing and thematic content. *And I LOVE the film version that came out in 2011 with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
8. A THOUSAND RESURRECTIONS by Maria Garriott ****
A true story, this is a no-holds-barred look at what inner city ministry looks like and the sacrifice and faith of the Garriott family. Choosing to live in one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods of Baltimore while raising 5 children, Maria chronicles the journey she and her husband Craig embark upon to love and be a light in their community. *Faith Christian Fellowship is a thriving church of diverse ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds, located in the northern Baltimore neighborhood of Pen Lucy.
9. COLD SASSY TREE by Olive Ann Burns ***
Kind of a cross between THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, this coming-of-age story of a 14 year old boy named Will Tweedy is short on plot but heavy on vernacular. In the end, I enjoyed the book more after discussing it's merits at book club. Published in 1984, it's been around awhile. While one I won't re-read, it was still enjoyable.
10. THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by MaryAnn Shaffer and Annie Barrows *****
One of my favorite books and one I've read 3 times now. This book is nothing short of absolute delight, and yet here is what makes it distinctive. It's entirely made up of letters. (I had never read anything like that before and at first was nervous it'd be dull. I couldn't have been more wrong.) It's a WWII story that captures the horror and heartache of wartime, yet it is also lighthearted, witty, and so funny at times I laughed out loud. No matter how many times I read it, I end up loving it even more.
11. WASHED AND WAITING: REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTIAN FAITHFULNESS AND HOMOSEXUALITY by Wesley Hill *****
(This is slated for discussion at our next meeting, but I've already read it, twice.)
I will recommend this book wherever I go because I believe Wesley's story is one that desperately needs to be heard--by pastors, parents, siblings, friends, saved or unsaved, those who struggle with homosexual desires, and those that can't even fathom what that must be like. Intelligently written, with an unwavering commitment to Scripture, and yet heart-wrenchingly honest. It's a small book that you can read in a few hours and it will challenge you to go beyond the broad brushstrokes so many of us Christians have painted over this issue. Add it to your reading list...better yet, buy your own copy because you'll want to share it!
(I found it after reading a post on Tim Challies's blog. You can read his review here.)
*The only book I didn't read was WHY WE GET FAT by Gary Taubes. We were deep in preparation mode for our trip to Poland, and out of the country on book club night. That's what it takes to keep me from book club!!! :-) It's still sitting on my to-read pile, but Pete has picked it up a few times.
I joined a book club in January and our scheduled reading combined with leading the discussion numerous times meant not immediately diving into another book, as per my usual.
BUT, I must say that book club and the ladies in it have proven to be one of the highlights of my year. I just love it!
Rather than one long overwhelming list, I've broken this down into 3 posts: Book Club Titles, Non-fiction, and then What's Left.
Here is my rating system.
* Ehh. Didn't like it at all.
** Just okay.
*** Good. Borrow it from the library.
**** Really good. Well-written.
***** Excellent. One for your personal library.
1. VEILED FREEDOM by Jeanette Windle ***
I liked this one for the discussion it generated more than the storyline. The story is set in 2009 in Afghanistan among humanitarian aide workers, security personnel, and native Afghans struggling to make sense of a country's war-torn past and the fallout. A piece of Christian fiction, this one has a main character whose Westernized naivete is frustrating, and yet probably is more common than we'd like to think. The author has spent considerable time in the region and her accuracy is notable, but until my second reading (for book club) when I jotted down the many military acronyms, the author lost me when she assumed I could keep up with them all. An unfortunate distraction that took away from the story's redeeming qualities. In the end this book DID teach me some more about Afghanistan, helped me understand a bit what could drive someone to commit shaheed (suicide) and affirmed how radical Jesus' love and salvation truly are.
2. THE KITCHEN HOUSE by Kathleen Grissom ***
First of all this is one of the most tragic books I've read, because there really isn't much redemption or hope until the very last page. All that being said, it is a gripping piece of Colonial fiction, and another book that provides many points of discussion. I really enjoyed the author's style and felt she made a bygone time period come alive without painting a glossy finish on everything the way Colonial life is typically portrayed. (I don't mind sad stories, or shy away from that sort of thing if I can learn something valuable in the process.)
3. THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins ***
Fantasy and science fiction are not my genre, let me tell ya! Add to that the "young adult" label and I've written it off. BUT, I will say that I truly enjoyed aspects of this bestseller that's become a phenomenon. Again, a great one for a discussion group. You can read my full review here, just scroll down.
4. THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell *
Okay, maybe I'll give it 1.5 stars. I did learn one or two things, but I can't say I could find much practical application or relevance in it to my world. Wordy, full of statistics...maybe I had unrealistic expectations. I heard great things about another title of his, OUTLIERS. Maybe I'll give him another chance someday.
5. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebekah Skloot ***
A decade-long project for the author, and a fascinating piece of work. Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five in Baltimore, a poor African American migrant from the tobacco farms of Virginia, who died from a cruelly aggressive cancer at the age of 30 in 1951. A sample of her cancerous tissue, taken without her knowledge or consent, as was the custom then, turned out to provide one of the holy grails of mid-century biology: human cells that could survive--even thrive-- in the lab. These cells, known as HeLa, went on to provide countless breakthroughs, beginning with the cure for polio. Yet Henrietta's family continued to live in poverty and poor health, ignorant of their wife and mother's incredible contribution, and ripe with misunderstanding, anger and suspicion. I don't pretend to know much of anything about medicine, and this wasn't completely over my head.
6. THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum ***
A frank and deeply unsettling story of Anna, a German woman living in a village bordering a concentration camp, who becomes the mistress of a high-ranking SS officer during WWII in order to save herself and her young daughter Trudy, a child born out of wedlock by a Jewish doctor. In my opinion, while the author did not shy away from detailing the physical abuse Anna suffers from the Ubersturmfuhrer, the manner and purpose in which she wrote was not titillating, but properly disturbing. HOWEVER, this opinion will not be shared by all. I think it all comes down to what your own life experiences have been, (whether anything conjures up memories), how sensitively you respond to issues like sexual abuse, and whether you shy away from dark subjects in general. For me, it generated much thought--philosophical and spiritual contemplation--without violating my conscience. Still, when mentioning this book I always fully disclose the above.
7. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte *****
How I ever managed NOT to read this while calling myself a bookworm, I don't know. This love story between poor, orphaned Jane, and the mysterious, haunted Rochester, was an across-the-board favorite with our book club. I too found it to be excellent, both in it's writing and thematic content. *And I LOVE the film version that came out in 2011 with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender.
8. A THOUSAND RESURRECTIONS by Maria Garriott ****
A true story, this is a no-holds-barred look at what inner city ministry looks like and the sacrifice and faith of the Garriott family. Choosing to live in one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods of Baltimore while raising 5 children, Maria chronicles the journey she and her husband Craig embark upon to love and be a light in their community. *Faith Christian Fellowship is a thriving church of diverse ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds, located in the northern Baltimore neighborhood of Pen Lucy.
9. COLD SASSY TREE by Olive Ann Burns ***
Kind of a cross between THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, this coming-of-age story of a 14 year old boy named Will Tweedy is short on plot but heavy on vernacular. In the end, I enjoyed the book more after discussing it's merits at book club. Published in 1984, it's been around awhile. While one I won't re-read, it was still enjoyable.
10. THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by MaryAnn Shaffer and Annie Barrows *****
One of my favorite books and one I've read 3 times now. This book is nothing short of absolute delight, and yet here is what makes it distinctive. It's entirely made up of letters. (I had never read anything like that before and at first was nervous it'd be dull. I couldn't have been more wrong.) It's a WWII story that captures the horror and heartache of wartime, yet it is also lighthearted, witty, and so funny at times I laughed out loud. No matter how many times I read it, I end up loving it even more.
11. WASHED AND WAITING: REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTIAN FAITHFULNESS AND HOMOSEXUALITY by Wesley Hill *****
(This is slated for discussion at our next meeting, but I've already read it, twice.)
I will recommend this book wherever I go because I believe Wesley's story is one that desperately needs to be heard--by pastors, parents, siblings, friends, saved or unsaved, those who struggle with homosexual desires, and those that can't even fathom what that must be like. Intelligently written, with an unwavering commitment to Scripture, and yet heart-wrenchingly honest. It's a small book that you can read in a few hours and it will challenge you to go beyond the broad brushstrokes so many of us Christians have painted over this issue. Add it to your reading list...better yet, buy your own copy because you'll want to share it!
(I found it after reading a post on Tim Challies's blog. You can read his review here.)
*The only book I didn't read was WHY WE GET FAT by Gary Taubes. We were deep in preparation mode for our trip to Poland, and out of the country on book club night. That's what it takes to keep me from book club!!! :-) It's still sitting on my to-read pile, but Pete has picked it up a few times.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Christmas Titles for the Kiddos--2012 Edition
Last year I posted a list of titles we have in our personal library to pull out during the month of December. You can take a look at that posting here.
Since then I've picked up a few more. Here they are in no particular order.
Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman.
Another delightful "Bear" book, this one about Bear's struggle to stay awake to celebrate Christmas with his friends when he normally would be hibernating. Santa makes a very quick appearance in this book, but we've talked about the tradition of Santa in our household, so I've no objections to his inclusion in the story. The spirit of the book is friends blessing friends with thoughtfulness. And I simply adore Chapman's style.
One Winter's Day by M. Christina Butler and illustrated by Tina Macnaughton
Along the same vein as the previous title, this book showcases selflessness and a generous spirit as Little Hedgehog tries to find shelter on a blustery winter night and en route gives away his hat, mittens and scarf to friends in need, at cost to his personal comfort. His kindness is rewarded in the end. *This is a touch and feel book.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
I normally enjoy greatly detailed illustrations and country scenes, but I purposefully chose this book for a change. It's broad, plain illustrations and city scene capture the simple joy of discovering snow and the fun to be had playing in it.
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
Another book by Keats, this one illustrating the lyrics to the song. *Music score included at the end. I liked that all of the people looked Middle Eastern/Asian, as that is rare, but I will point out that there are 5 wise men and they visit the manger scene. I just remind the kids of what the scriptures say about the "kings" and when they visited Jesus.
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
The only words in this stunning book are the lyrics to the song, but the illustrations are clearly the shining star. With each page turn, a new verse is uncovered along with the previous verses themes hidden in the elaborate design. A fun challenge to find everything!
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry and illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
The familiar story of Jim and Della and the lengths they go to get a meaningful gift for the one they love. In the end the gifts are rendered useless by the sacrifice they each make, but the intention is what matters. A nice segway opportunity to talk about the sacrifice Jesus made to give us the greatest gift--salvation. The only thing we truly need.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney
This book is set in 1918 Appalachia--a heartwarming story of familial love and dedication with illustrations that capture the charm of the region.
Have any new favorites this year?
Feel free to share in the comment section. :-)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Book Club
Some of you know how giddy I've been about the book club I just joined. Seriously giddy!
So far we've read and discussed VEILED FREEDOM by Jeanette Windle, and THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins. The goal is to read a variety of genres and to evaluate them from a Christian viewpoint, though many titles may be secular. We want to be stretched by good literature, to be educated, and to sharpen one another as we interact with varying subjects.
You may remember VEILED FREEDOM on my "What I Read in 2009" post--if so, I'm impressed! You're as sharp as a tack!It wasn't my favorite but it fits the category of my favorite kind of book, if that makes sense.
It succeeded in getting me to think deeply about Western culture, Christianity and Islam, missions/humanitarian efforts, and the war in the Middle East. And because I thought it would provoke a very interesting discussion, I suggested it as a book club selection. (You can read my initial review here.)
A sequel was released last year called FREEDOM'S STAND, and so I decided to pick it up at the library since we had just discussed the first book and it was fresh in my mind.
On a scale of 1--poor, 2--fair, 3--good, 4--excellent, and 5--superior...I'd give it 2.5 points. (VEILED FREEDOM would get 3 points.)
The first book brought up so many interesting and factual issues, but it also contained a maddening array of military acronyms that befuddled me. While reading it a second time for book club I wrote them down and it made a huge difference. What I really appreciated was how Windle articulated a Muslim wrestling with the truth about Jesus Christ meanwhile contemplating shaheed (martrydom). She truly helped me to understand what could bring someone to the point where that would seem desirable. I could feel true compassion for him.
In FREEDOM'S STAND, the author continues the stories of the three main characters, but again she doesn't wrap everything up in a nice neat package by the last page; also something I appreciate. This sequel deals heavily with the persecution of believers of Christ, has minimal acronyms, and ellaborates further on the intricacies and challenges non-governmental organizations face in regions such as Afghanistan. And continues to challenge our Western mindset of going into a region thinking we have all the answers.
There is to be one more book in the next year or so, making this a trilogy. I think I'll pick it up, just to see where she goes with the storyline, but will wait until the library makes it available.
~~~~~~~~~~~
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins has been getting so much attention, it's been on the New York Bestsellers list for over a year, and now there is a movie coming out in about a week.I do not read science fiction/fantasy. I do not read teen fiction. I occasionally venture into "tame" suspense.
If not for a friend's recommendation (who also fits that bill) where she told me "you HAVE to read this" I wouldn't have given it another thought.
I have rarely read a more suspenseful, can't put it down, have to seriously plan what night I crack open the cover because I won't get any sleep until the last page, book than this. And it's not super long--374 pages with a good amount of space and somewhat large font that whizz by quickly. I got through it in 5 hours.
If you read a synopsis of this title, you'll wonder if I'm off my rocker, because it doesn't seem promising. Not to people who read similar titles as I. It seems like it would glorify violence. There is a love triangle. It's futuristic. Meh.
But Collins succeeds in raising many points of discussion about what our society condones, how we've become desensitized to violence, our cutthroat mentality, along with many other themes that made for an excellent book club discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'd give this book a 3.5 though for a few reasons:
1. It's a book written for teens, on a reading level so easy I thought Collins could have beefed up the vocabulary just a bit. It seemed dumbed down.
2. I admired certain qualities in Katniss, the main character, but found it hard to identify with her. She obviously showed emotion, but wasn't an emotional kind of girl. She was strong, but hard and jaded, despite being very young. I could sympathize with her, but found it hard to emphathize. (That is another discussion point intended by the author I think. What war does to the young.)
3. The pacing and suspense was spot on! That's what hooked me. However, with that comes the danger of reading so fast that you don't THINK DEEPLY about the things that matter. The things that I believe Collins wants her readers to think about and question.
4. As an adult, I appreciated the issues the author raised. I especially appreciated being able to discuss these things with my book club. But I'm going to make a generalization here. I think that what a teen will take away from this book (and trilogy) will be a fascination with how the love triangle is resolved and a surfacy condemnation of the violence and mentality of Panem. I venture to guess that most will get caught up in the hype and not stop to soberly assess...UNLESS THEY HAVE AN ADULT TO DISCUSS IT WITH. (who has read the book too!)
I'd still recommend it. But I won't be making a permanent spot for it on my shelf. If you don't feel like waiting for a copy from the library to become available, let me know. I have the whole trilogy to loan.
Friday, December 30, 2011
What I Read In 2011
I didn't rake in as many books as last year, but discovered some really great ones!
My rating system:
* (1 star) It was okay. If not my cup of tea, maybe it's yours.
** (2 stars) Good. One to borrow from a friend or the library.
*** (3 stars) Very good. Well-written. Definately worth your time.
**** (4 stars) Excellent. On all levels. One for your personal library.
FAVORITE FICTION:
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer ****
LOVED this little book of WWII era letters! Despite being written during the most trying of circumstances, the correspondance is witty, insightful and endearing. I can't think of a better word to describe it other than delightful!
2. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom ****
A colonial period piece chronicling the life of Lavinia, an Irish orphan who is purchased by a plantation owner and grows up with the black "kitchen house" slaves as her only family...until she reaches maturity and is promoted to the big house because of her white skin. Vacillating between the slaves she loves and her master's family, Lavinia struggles to navigate life, love, and loyalty.
3. Gods and Kings, 4. Song of Redemption, 5. The Strength of His Hand, 6. Faith of My Fathers, and 7. Among the Gods ("Chronicles of the Kings" series by Lynn N. Austin) ****
This series is just superb--the first book had me immediately hooked. It gave me such a keen sense of what it might have been like to live and worship in Israel during the reign of the kings, and the only time I'd put the book down was to look up the psalms that King Hezekiah was quoting.
8. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay ****
Another favorite from this year! I referred to this book in a recent post because it was made into a movie, which I also enjoyed. But you HAVE to read the book! Click here to read a description of the story.
9. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith ***
I had never read this classic and I'm glad I finally did. An interesting and heartbreaking coming-of-age story set during the Great Depression.
10. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
A gripping Christian mystery that I could not put down. I immediately fell in love with the characters and all of their faults and foibles.
11. Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
It includes some of the same characters from INDIVISIBLE, so read that one first and you'll appreciate this one even more. Same suspenseful tone, and just as thrilling.
12. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum ****
This one instantly pulled me in, fascinated and repulsed me, and weeks afterwards I was still thinking about it. A WWII piece but from a German viewpoint, it's hard to stomach at times, but you can't help but soften at it's sheer humanity. Read my review here to see what I'm talking about.
FLUFFY FICTION and/or the ones that FLOPPED:
13. Dear John, 14. Safe Haven, and 15. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks **
I enjoyed each of these for the simple fact that they were non-strenuous and sweet. Well, Dear John was bittersweet.
16. A Woman's Place by Lynn N. Austin **
An enjoyable story detailing the lives of 4 women from various walks of life, who end up working in the same shipyard during the early 1940's--all for reasons of their own.
17. True Devotion by Dee Henderson **
The widow of a Navy Seal struggles after almost drowning at sea, trying to save a boy she spots from her lifeguard stand. Her husband's best friend, also a Seal, helps her find faith and freedom in the aftermath.
18. The Still of Night by Kristen Heitzmann **
Okay, but not my favorite of hers, (probably because I'm struggling to sum up what it was really about). Ever read one of those?
19. Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann **
There were parts I liked, but I had trouble relating to the main characters, so most of it fell flat for me.
20. The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmann **
This one was interestingly creepy, and I really enjoyed figuring out the bits and pieces that revealed the identity of the mystery character. But I struggled to understand the main character's obsession with labrynths and felt the end was tied up rather too neatly.
BIOGRAPHY:
21. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand ****
I read this one back in March and unabashedly proclaimed it to be my favorite book of the year! A long one and a heavy subject matter, but an easy read I found hard to put down. A truly inspiring story of survival, redemption, forgiveness and faith. READ IT!!!!!
22. The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz ****
The incredible account of a prison escape from Siberia, and the long trek south through the frozen forests and tundra, across the Gobi Desert, and into the Himilayas until finally reaching the lushness of northeastern India. I've discovered as I've searched reviews online that there is some debate over the authenticity of this book ...nonetheless, it is a fascinating read.
NON-FICTION:
23. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan ****
A re-read for me from last year. This time I took notes for my own personal reference.
SPIRITUALITY:
24. A Praying Life by Paul Miller ****
I finished it last year but re-read parts because the ladies in my care group were still discussing it. Excellent and enlightening!
25. The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller ****
This is the first of his books that I've read and from what I've heard they are all excellent! I'm hoping the book club I just joined will chose The Reason for God or his new one, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God.
26. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness & Homosexuality by Wesley Hill ****
I will recommend this book wherever I go because I believe Wesley's story is one that desperately needs to be heard; by pastors, parents, siblings, friends, saved or unsaved, those who struggle with homosexual desires, and those that can't even fathom what that must be like. Intelligently written, with an unwavering commitment to Scripture, and yet heart-wrenchingly honest. It's a small book that you can read in a few hours. Add it to your reading list...better yet, buy your own copy because you'll want to share it!
27. Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst ****
In my opinion, the best book out there for those who struggle to practice self-control and good health habits. A humorous but thoroughly convicting "devotional" book that really made things click for me. I continue to go back to this one over and over.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE:
28. Stuart Little by E.B. White **
I found portions a bit dry and outdated, but hey, it was written in 1945! Personally, I enjoyed Charlotte's Web more, and no doubt will be reading that one to Natalia soon.
29. Little House In The Big Woods, 30. Little House on the Prairie, and 31. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder ***
I remember devouring these as a young girl. It's funny how your perspective changes once you become a mom. But, Natalia and I are both enjoying these as we read a chapter each night; we just started On the Shores of Silver Lake.
-and to end the year-
a CLASSIC:
32. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
I'm only a few chapters in, but so far I like it. I doubt I'll finish it by tomorrow night, so you'll have to wait till next year for a rating.
***I am so excited to finally join a book club! I know it'll stretch me to read an even greater variety of genres in the coming year. The thought makes me giddy! (I know, I'm a bit strange.)
My rating system:
* (1 star) It was okay. If not my cup of tea, maybe it's yours.
** (2 stars) Good. One to borrow from a friend or the library.
*** (3 stars) Very good. Well-written. Definately worth your time.
**** (4 stars) Excellent. On all levels. One for your personal library.
FAVORITE FICTION:
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer ****
LOVED this little book of WWII era letters! Despite being written during the most trying of circumstances, the correspondance is witty, insightful and endearing. I can't think of a better word to describe it other than delightful!
2. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom ****
A colonial period piece chronicling the life of Lavinia, an Irish orphan who is purchased by a plantation owner and grows up with the black "kitchen house" slaves as her only family...until she reaches maturity and is promoted to the big house because of her white skin. Vacillating between the slaves she loves and her master's family, Lavinia struggles to navigate life, love, and loyalty.
3. Gods and Kings, 4. Song of Redemption, 5. The Strength of His Hand, 6. Faith of My Fathers, and 7. Among the Gods ("Chronicles of the Kings" series by Lynn N. Austin) ****
This series is just superb--the first book had me immediately hooked. It gave me such a keen sense of what it might have been like to live and worship in Israel during the reign of the kings, and the only time I'd put the book down was to look up the psalms that King Hezekiah was quoting.
8. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay ****
Another favorite from this year! I referred to this book in a recent post because it was made into a movie, which I also enjoyed. But you HAVE to read the book! Click here to read a description of the story.
9. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith ***
I had never read this classic and I'm glad I finally did. An interesting and heartbreaking coming-of-age story set during the Great Depression.
10. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
A gripping Christian mystery that I could not put down. I immediately fell in love with the characters and all of their faults and foibles.
11. Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann ****
It includes some of the same characters from INDIVISIBLE, so read that one first and you'll appreciate this one even more. Same suspenseful tone, and just as thrilling.
12. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum ****
This one instantly pulled me in, fascinated and repulsed me, and weeks afterwards I was still thinking about it. A WWII piece but from a German viewpoint, it's hard to stomach at times, but you can't help but soften at it's sheer humanity. Read my review here to see what I'm talking about.
FLUFFY FICTION and/or the ones that FLOPPED:
13. Dear John, 14. Safe Haven, and 15. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks **
I enjoyed each of these for the simple fact that they were non-strenuous and sweet. Well, Dear John was bittersweet.
16. A Woman's Place by Lynn N. Austin **
An enjoyable story detailing the lives of 4 women from various walks of life, who end up working in the same shipyard during the early 1940's--all for reasons of their own.
17. True Devotion by Dee Henderson **
The widow of a Navy Seal struggles after almost drowning at sea, trying to save a boy she spots from her lifeguard stand. Her husband's best friend, also a Seal, helps her find faith and freedom in the aftermath.
18. The Still of Night by Kristen Heitzmann **
Okay, but not my favorite of hers, (probably because I'm struggling to sum up what it was really about). Ever read one of those?
19. Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann **
There were parts I liked, but I had trouble relating to the main characters, so most of it fell flat for me.
20. The Edge of Recall by Kristen Heitzmann **
This one was interestingly creepy, and I really enjoyed figuring out the bits and pieces that revealed the identity of the mystery character. But I struggled to understand the main character's obsession with labrynths and felt the end was tied up rather too neatly.
BIOGRAPHY:
21. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand ****
I read this one back in March and unabashedly proclaimed it to be my favorite book of the year! A long one and a heavy subject matter, but an easy read I found hard to put down. A truly inspiring story of survival, redemption, forgiveness and faith. READ IT!!!!!
22. The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz ****
The incredible account of a prison escape from Siberia, and the long trek south through the frozen forests and tundra, across the Gobi Desert, and into the Himilayas until finally reaching the lushness of northeastern India. I've discovered as I've searched reviews online that there is some debate over the authenticity of this book ...nonetheless, it is a fascinating read.
NON-FICTION:
23. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan ****
A re-read for me from last year. This time I took notes for my own personal reference.
SPIRITUALITY:
24. A Praying Life by Paul Miller ****
I finished it last year but re-read parts because the ladies in my care group were still discussing it. Excellent and enlightening!
25. The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller ****
This is the first of his books that I've read and from what I've heard they are all excellent! I'm hoping the book club I just joined will chose The Reason for God or his new one, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God.
26. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness & Homosexuality by Wesley Hill ****
I will recommend this book wherever I go because I believe Wesley's story is one that desperately needs to be heard; by pastors, parents, siblings, friends, saved or unsaved, those who struggle with homosexual desires, and those that can't even fathom what that must be like. Intelligently written, with an unwavering commitment to Scripture, and yet heart-wrenchingly honest. It's a small book that you can read in a few hours. Add it to your reading list...better yet, buy your own copy because you'll want to share it!
27. Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst ****
In my opinion, the best book out there for those who struggle to practice self-control and good health habits. A humorous but thoroughly convicting "devotional" book that really made things click for me. I continue to go back to this one over and over.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE:
28. Stuart Little by E.B. White **
I found portions a bit dry and outdated, but hey, it was written in 1945! Personally, I enjoyed Charlotte's Web more, and no doubt will be reading that one to Natalia soon.
29. Little House In The Big Woods, 30. Little House on the Prairie, and 31. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder ***
I remember devouring these as a young girl. It's funny how your perspective changes once you become a mom. But, Natalia and I are both enjoying these as we read a chapter each night; we just started On the Shores of Silver Lake.
-and to end the year-
a CLASSIC:
32. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
I'm only a few chapters in, but so far I like it. I doubt I'll finish it by tomorrow night, so you'll have to wait till next year for a rating.
***I am so excited to finally join a book club! I know it'll stretch me to read an even greater variety of genres in the coming year. The thought makes me giddy! (I know, I'm a bit strange.)
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