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.