Escape

Escape by Carolyn Jessop
Non-fiction
Carolyn grew up in a polygamous family and community. It was completely normal to her; yet when she was assigned at age 18 to marry a 50-yr. old man (as his 4th wife) she began to witness the reality of plural marriage. This book is a heartbreaking look into that life. It is full of abuse, betrayal, greed and lust for power. What I found hardest to understand was the lack of kindness for others. People living in the same home would never help their family members, even if that person was suffering, sick or lonely. Instead, they spied on each other, tattled and punished severely anyone who was not in obedience. What I found most tragic was that these women and children actually believe they cannot see Heaven unless their priesthood holder (husband) chooses to take them with him there.
Jessop is the first woman to ever fully escape the FLDS with her children. It's a powerful story, and warning of the pervasive nature of cults.

Beautiful Boy:
A father's journey through his son's meth addiction by David Sheff
Non-fiction

This book was hard to read, content wise. The writing style was unique-often a sort of peek into the brain of the author--listening in to the mantras he repeats in his head. I enjoyed the format--personal story laced with facts and research.
The personal story is that of a disastrous slide into addiction and a father's agonizing struggle to deal with the pain, fear, anger and blame that accompanies it.
The subject was painful, and there was a tendency for me, a completely anonymous bystander, to hope (wish, pray) the son would not make bad choices (early on) and later that he would not relapse. The book chronicles the catastrophic results of drug use and dispels some myths, too.
I also found myself early on in the story clearly able to identify choices the father made that could have contributed to his son's messed up life--not that the father is responsible, that must be the son's ownership--but there were definite life choices the father/parents made which hindsight shows to have been wrong. This is not a judgemental attitude on my part, as the author himself acknowledges this. In the end I find myself full of great compassion for this father. I pray that both he and his son find healing.

I have really been enjoying a couple of other book lovers' blogs lately. One recommended "Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe" which I can't wait to read.
The other (awesome blog) pointed out a question she gets asked frequently, "how do you find time to read"?

I get asked this same question often. The more I think about it, I think it's not a matter of having more time, it's a matter of choice. As a matter of fact I believe there are TWO GREAT LIES that Americans repeat to themselves so often they believe it. Those lies are 1) I don't have time to exercise and 2) I don't have time to read.

Some people truly do hit the ground running early in the morning and collapse in bed at night never having had stopped throughout the day. The average American doesn't live this way, however. At lunch they play a computer game or go out with friends. Those are fine choices if that's what they prefer, but lunch offers a great time to read or take a walk.

Also, millions of Americans sit in front of TVs night after night. They have two or three shows that they watch every night of the week. I'm not saying it's wrong to watch TV or that we all don't have that right whenever we want. I'm just saying that one can't watch TV or play computer games for 3-4 hours a day and then say with a straight face "I don't have time to read" or "I don't have time to exercise". Time is not the master here, choice is.

And what a great time to enjoy both reading and exercise. The advent of Kindle and other listening devices (often free at the library) means I can walk and listen to a book at the same time.

Signing off to go take a walk....or read....

Tonight I'm going to a municipal meeting regarding the fate of our library. Like everyone else, they are at a budget shortfall and that means higher taxes or cuts in programs and jobs. I hate taxes and don't want mine to go up, but I feel libraries are essential to communities. Especially during hard economic times.

I can not not be reading a book at any time. Hmmm, does that make sense? I must always be in the process of reading something. Several weeks ago I finished a book, looked through my home library and could find nothing I wanted to re-read. I was book-less! That unusual situation didn't last long.
Now I find myself inundated with books. Friends and family have recently passed along their favorites. I'm in a two-book cycle currently: One book I keep in the house and one in the van. With so many errands to run and kids to pick up, I often find myself sitting in the van or a doctor's office. Lest my eyes stray to "Dermotology Times" or "Podiatry Today", I tote the current van-reading book with me.

So, my two current reads are: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (second time through)
and Churched: One Kids Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner.

Last night at church I handed off my copy of Twilight to my friend to read. In doing so, it started a conversation with another woman* about the type of books I liked. She asked if I enjoyed science fiction. I've never considered myself a science fiction reader, but I did recently begin C.S. Lewis' science trilogy. I am only reading these because he wrote them; I doubt I would have picked them up otherwise.

If I had been asked a few years back if I enjoyed fantasy books, I would have denied that, too. By description, I don't enjoy that genre. Yet, when I examine the books I have enjoyed, I think they fit the fantasy definition: Harry Potter, Twilight, and of course, all the Narnia books. Haven't made it through the Tolkien fantasies yet, but did enjoy the movies. I suppose, like most readers, I enjoy a particular style more than others, but I am very willing to venture into other genres, if the writing is good.


*This segued into a discussion on the Potter controversy. She was not familiar with the Granger books/studies which point to the infusion of godly concepts and characters in the series. It was an interesting, albeit brief, conversation.

Books Read: April-June 2009

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
Fiction
I really tried hard to like this book, but it fell flat for me. It's not exactly the warm Christmas story that it's sold as. Also, the faith message starts well but gets very muddy near the end. The author does add a postscript where he clearly defines the purpose of Christ, even if it's not incorporated into the story. This book is mostly just sad.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Fiction

I guess it's official...I'm a Twilight fan. (My teenage sons groan at this.) The story was irresitible and exciting. Not the perfect novel, but a very good one. I'll be reading the sequels and, this weekend, watching the movie.



Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Fiction
This was my second time and I found the complicated plot easier to pick up than the first time (then I was speed reading because I feared the media would give away the ending). Rowling is an amazing weaver of details into a complete picture. I didn't bawl like the first time, but I am sad to say goodbye to Harry and Hogwarts.






Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Non-fiction
Book Club Book
Ron Hall is a wealthy art dealer who moves among Texas' elite. Denver Moore is an angry, illiterate homeless man who grew up in modern slavery. This is the story of how their lives intersected when Ron's wife made it her mission to serve the poorest of the poor. It is an amazing story of struggle and heartbreak, but ultimately the power of God and the impact of one person doing something good for others. The story is all the more fascinating because it is current and true... and the seeds of Deborah Hall's work are thriving today.

2009 Books Read, just the list

No lengthy reviews (found in my other posts), just a list of books read in 2009.

January:

Epiphany by Paul McCusker
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The Heart of the Chronicles of Narnia: Knowing God Here by Finding Him There by Thomas Williams
Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

February:

This Year it Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy
Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley
Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold M. Packard
The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
The Great Plague and Fire of London by Charles Shields

March:

Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler
Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis by Douglas Gresham
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright


April:

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Beautiful Boy: A father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff


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Books Read & Reviewed: Jan.-March 2009

January


Epiphany by Paul McCusker
Fiction
I've read this before. It's a neat little story about a man who dies but still "sees" his kids as they come home for his funeral and learn life lessons.



More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
Non-fiction (book club selection)
This is a good book which gives the evidence for Christ. Our pastor always says that Christianity is not "blind faith"; it is a very reasonable faith and this book backs that up. The historical facts, eye witness accounts and prophecies are layed out to prove that Christ is Messiah.
Book Club Book




The Heart of the Chronicles of Narnia: Knowing God Here by Finding Him There by Thomas Williams
Non-fiction
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
"...Williams approaches Narnia as a flower to be enjoyed more than a puzzle to be solved, informing our curious wonder by unfolding the deeper truths embedded within the stories. ...[this book] mines the riches of the series and dazzles your mind and imagination with gems of surprising truth"
"...Williams is a wise and gentle guide to Lewiw's enchanted land, deftly teasing out things hidden, playfully pointing out things so obvious you might have missed them. He brings a sleuth's cunning, a scholar's patience and a child's wonder to the task and leaves us pretty much as the Chronicles themselves do: enraptured by Narnia's magic and even more, by its Great King, Aslan."



Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
Fiction
"Tara Road, is the story of two women -- one Irish, one American, both struggling to overcome personal tragedies -- who agree to swap houses for the summer. Ria and her husband, Danny, live in a magnificent old house they have restored together. But her posh Dublin address loses much of its charm when Danny leaves her for his young, pregnant girlfriend. A chance phone call from grief-stricken Marilyn in New England provides both women with a welcome refuge from their shattered lives. But in exchanging houses, they also unwittingly take on aspects of each other's vastly different lives -- not always without new conflict."

February



This Year it Will Be Different by Maeve Binchy
Fiction
This is a collection of short Christmas stories. Characters, by choice or circumstances find their Christmas season to be changed--some for better, some worse. I am convinced that Maeve Binchy believes every husband to be a cheat. Probably 80% of these stories featured an unfaithful man.



Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Fictional Biography
Excellent novel on the life of Jane Austen. Much of Jane's life is documented through the letters she wrote, but in the gaps, the author uses her imagination to fill in the blanks. It works very well.



Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley
Fiction
This is a very sweet, witty, quick read. Sam returns to his hometown to become pastor of the local Quaker church. It is a funny glimpse at small town life.
Book Club Book




Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold M. Packard
Biography
Well-researched biographies on the five princesses born to Queen Victoria. Their descendents ruled Europe and even currently sit in monarchies all over the world. Fascinating look into their lives, often full of tragedy. The intermarriages and tendency to re-use names had me constantly referencing the family tree included.



The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
Fiction
I read this in about 2 hours. It was fairly predictable and not all that exciting. There was one twist in the story that helped it along. A 'light' - pardon the pun- Christmas read.



The Great Plague and Fire of London by Charles Shields
Non-fiction
Fairly informative and interesting. The author examines one horrific year in the city of London when over 80,000 people died of plague; and then following on the heels of that disaster, four-fifths of the city burned to the ground in a great fire.

March




Forever Christmas by Christine Lynxwiler
Fiction

Kristianna dearly loves her quirky little holiday-themed town, Jingle Bells, Ark. When progress threatens it she becomes the town's defender. Her attraction to the new lawyer who's causing her so much trouble, her overbearing parents and her conflicting feelings about a childhood friend complicate life greatly. A sweet, easy read.




Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
Fiction
This story was fabulous but the intricate details of planetary topography/geography were lost on me. Spiritual themes pop up again, where we least expect them. Interestingly, the "silent planet" is Earth.




The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
Fiction
This is sort of like a "bonus feature" to the last book. It is essentially brand new stories with morals, told in the style of Grimm's Fairy Tales. I thought it was creative and easy to read, although short. Even with these diverse short stories the author worked in some history, classic literature, alchemy and of course, a moral.




Lenten Lands: My Childhood with Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis by Douglas Gresham
Biography
Douglas Gresham grew up the step-son of the worlds most famous Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis. This biography tells the story of his early life with his parents, their divorce, and the beautiful but tragically short marriage of his mother and Lewis. The subject matter is fascinating; his writing style is just okay.




The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey
Non-Fiction
Fascinating look at how Jesus has been portrayed over the years and how that compares to the written record of the Gospels. Lots of great insights.
Book Club book




The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Fiction
After elderly Jack and Laurel die in each other's arms one night, their three children come home to bury them. What they find in the home, however, will change their lives forever. Jack has spent nearly 40 years writing letters to Laurel, every single Wednesday. The letters reveal great complications and heartache, but even greater love. I found this novel to be sweet and easy to read, albeit somewhat contrived. The author used great license to wrap up loose ends, and a few of the events are hard to believe, even for a novel.