The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

A really imaginative story! A couple settles in the barren cold of Alaska, trying to ease the pain of losing a child and the realization that their dream of having children will never happen. Mabel and Jack love each other but lose sight of that as Mabel grieves. One evening in a moment of happiness together, they build a snow-child. The next day, the melted snow figure has disappeared -even the mittens and hat. A slight wisp of a girl begins visiting their home, Mabel convinced that this is the snow-child they had built. Faina comes in and out of their lives, on her own terms for many years--away to the mountains in the summer heat, re-appearing in the coldest blizzards. Mabel and Jack forge a strong partnership in the hardships of farming in the Alaskan wilderness, and find Faina to be the child they never had. The ending is strange but not unexpected, but left me with a lot of questions --did she slip away on her own, what about the wolverine, was she dissatisfied with her new life, or really ill?

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg

Since our Israel trip in April, I am trying to be more aware of Jewish thought and background as I read the words of Jesus. Lots of "hidden" meanings, from the Jewish culture that are a little harder for Christian/Westerners to understand. Lois hits several of Jesus' parables and responses to the Sanhedrin to help us "get" where Jesus was coming from. She begins with the Shema-what we recited with our fellow travelers every morning before hitting the various sites. LOVE:"ahavah" is the Hebrew word that goes beyond emotions and mental thought-loving is action. Loving our enemies isn't just attempting to feel better about them, it is DOING for them."Hessed" is to love as God loved -eternal/enduring/forgiving. She interestingly also developed what Jesus meant in Mt 6:22-23 about "healthy eyes" or having a "good eye" -- it is in passage about money and God's provision. She believes it means "what is your primary motivation in life?" To have a bad eye is to cling to the little that we have, a good eye is to be radically convinced that God will provide, thus the fruit is a generous attitude- a "good eye" towards others. Another great chapter was on judging, something that I struggle with --but in Jewish thought, Jesus taught in Luke 6:38 that we should let our scales of justice fall past the balance point, bestowing on others a little more than they deserve. Wow -- Christians really miss that. I personally see this in judging drivers (jerk)/ slow clerks/ people who make stupid choices/etc. -- The idea is extending grace --"making excuses" for bad behavior, judging in their favor. One last Jewish word "lashon hara" is vices of the tongue- gossip/slander/ malicious speech. Yikes --we commit this even when we don't speak - the rolling of our eyes. The practice of telling negatives about others that are unnecessary and damaging/bullying/humiliating others. Good read, lots to ponder.

Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly

The author did a great job of re-telling the Kennedy story. Starting at the inauguration in 1960, he weaves between the journey of John Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald, until their paths collide in November 1963. Lots of photos and reminders of that day so well remembered when I was in 7th grade English class. So many details that I was not aware of: that Kennedy faced major issues in his 3 years (Bay of Pigs/ Vietnam War heating up/ beginning of racial tensions), that LBJ was not a favorite of John nor Bobby, that Jackie crawled on the back of the sedan to gather fragments of her husband's shattered skull, that the president was held up by a stiff back brace (had he not worn that,he may have not been hit by the second bullet), that Jackie visited Onassis's boat shortly after her baby died (and married him a few years later), that the President was warned not to visit Dallas by MANY people, that the motorcade route disregarded all the rules previously set by the Secret Service. Book Club had an extensive discussion, very enjoyable. This was a much easier read than Killing Lincoln, and extremely interesting.

The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen

Quite a unique main character, based off a true re-telling of Daniel's life. Raised in a strict Christian home, he heads to the university and begins to connect with others who have totally different backgrounds and philosophies. For a time, he pours himself into agencies that work with the homeless and poor. He travels many places to assist others, all the while mulling over the inequities in our government systems and wondering how he can truly live in harmony with his developing beliefs. At almost 50 years of age, he finds a place to live in Colorado, among other like-minded people who want to live without government interference. He determines that to really be like Jesus, he needs to quit the whole commercial/consumer dependence on financial institutions. The story reviews his past, his unique ways of living--in a cave, dumpster diving, off the land, off people who gift him with goods & rides. Many parts of the book were so unusual that it was difficult to understand his deep felt passion to not get caught up in the success, "desire for more" mentality that plagues America. Though he thinks he is being true to Jesus in this area, other parts of his life do not reflect what it means to be a true follower of Christ (stealing-begging) yet there is a part of me that admires how he continually strives to live off the land, not to leave a "footprint", and to help others like him. In many conversations, he has blended several religious leaders (Buddha/ Daly Lama/Mother Teresa) into his new way of thinking. Interesting and thought provoking.

The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

Good Read. The "behind the scenes" intricacies of how a weekly TV show really works, from the perspective of a writer who is trying to keep her story line and purpose intact. Unfortunately, what we see on the screen is not always what the writer intended. The bigger story was of the relationship between a young girl, orphaned at 9, and raised by a loving grandmother who directed her to rise above the circumstances of the accident and of the scars left on her face from it. In a world that elevates beauty as one of the highest goals, Ruthie never felt beautiful. So, as we often do, she turned to her other talents --writing, humor and courage. A good story, but I didn't necessarily enjoy the author's style nor the whole "hollywood" scene. Certainly the same elements --power/control, compromise -- come into play in many areas of our lives.

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

This book was my choice for a quarterly book review at work, and it was a good encouragement in how to relate, motivate and "notice" other people rather than concentrate on "my stuff". Jones was an older gentleman who makes himself at home in a small community on the coast. He comes alongside the broken, the discouraged, the greedy, the lonely, the needy and appears to know each person's issues and background. One of the first questions he asks, in trying to help Andy mature and move ahead is " what is one thing that other people would change about you, if they could?" Tough question -- I think for me, it might be my controlling nature. I get carried away with plans & orders. The whole community comes together when Jones "disappears" -they share all the ways he touched them. Indeed he was Jesus in this place, and the author tries to make us think how we can help meet needs by being "Jesus" to those we meet.

Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

Interesting read about three women involved in individual crises, landing together for a summer in Nantucket. Character development was good, felt like I understood each one by the end. Related most to Vicki as she was in chemo for lung cancer, facing all the "what if's"; believing that she would die; trying to imagine what her kids' lives would look like without her. The relationship between she and her sister changed as they swapped roles; putting behind them all the differences and realizing that they needed to embrace each other. Vicki accepted the weaknesses and loved her. This made me wish I had let go of the differences and fully loved both of my sisters better, saying out loud what I saw in their lives that I loved-- things I see so clearly now.

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

Although I did not enjoy the fantasy genre, the message in this story resonated with me. Our culture is so consumed with time—the way we use it, the hurried life, the unending to-do lists, the workaholics. We do not appreciate the moments and the daily gifts from God. We do not smell the roses often enough. We do not cherish the conversations nor listen well to others—because we are so conscious of the things we “ought to” be doing or getting completed. Our priorities are out of whack. Some great quotes: Only God can write the end of your story. A heart weighs more when it splits in two: it crashes in the chest like a broken plane.

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Fun read, got angry with Alice as she used modern day social media to start an "emotional affair" with another man online ~~ however, a fun twist at the end reveals the real truth and a great dialogue on marriage, its ups and downs, and the challenge and tenacity it takes to be faithful and creative.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

This was a book club read, my 3rd by this author. Love her stories, always a historical background and lots of twists. This crazy ending caught me off-guard, but it made perfect sense after the bouncing between 1941 and 2011. Told by Lauren, the daughter who is watching her mom die, the story delves back to her mom's younger years during the London Blitz during World War II --and uncovers the many secrets that Lauren always wondered about. When Lauren has her last conversation with her mom, with full revealing of all the mysteries; the Mom passes away. So Biblical -- the freedom that comes when the Truth is revealed.

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

Enjoyable, light read! First time author writes about leaving Chicago to settle in a small town in the UP, on the coast of Lake Superior. Interesting characters in this small town, and the heroine "finds" herself as she delves into her history; and forgives her birth family for abandoning her.

A New Start

I am back at it! A little discouraging to not blog while in Israel, as my blog was "stolen"!! It was in Hebrew and I couldn't figure out how to change it. So my daughter reminded me that she hadn't read any of my book reviews, and I realized that I haven't written anything since Israel, by the way --the most incredible trip ever. So -- see you soon.

A New Adventure....

What an exciting trip we are about to embark on...one of our "bucket list" dreams has been to visit Israel on a study tour.  Although our first choice was Ray Vanderlaan, we know that God opened doors for us to be on this specific tour with John and Melanie DeKruyter, students of Ray's and of the Jewish rabbis in Jerusalem!  The amazing kids that God gave us (Mikkel & Teg/ Ben & Jenny/ Melody & Keith) have gifted us with this once in a lifetime trip for our 40th anniversary.
So - I am digressing from my book reviews to do nightly reviews of all that we will see, hear, smell and experience in the land of the Bible.  I am so ready for a fresh touch from Jesus...hang on & enjoy the ride!!

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen

It would be good to read a novel by Anna to see her general style.  This was a lot of reflective thoughts from her past 50+ years.  She muses about motherhood, friends, marriage, girlfriends, women in the workplace, culture, faith---some ideas I have voiced, some of her faith thoughts not at all as I see my life with God.  All interesting and good to hear though, always challenging to re-think.  She, just as my mom, mention that girlfriends are keepers and desperately needed in our lives --and as I think of my friends, it saddens me once again, to know that my 2 sisters are not in my life. Grateful for my long distance friends as well as my "locals".  I could thoroughly identify with thinking through what I have accomplished and looking forward to the next "phase" and weeding out what used to be so important, yet knowing better who I have become--and what it is that is important to me now.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

What a powerful story.  I had no idea that the French police participated with Hitler's Nazis to send French Jews to Auchwitz and other camps.  The author did a great job in jumping from past to present without losing me.  Of course, the whole locked cupboard  storyline was gripping and tragic.  It made me really hope for the best, while knowing that it wasn't possible that he would be alive.
Julia's deep interest in pursuing Sarah was courageous, as the American "outsider"; however it reaped great rewards as her father-in-law needed to come out with the dark secret he had kept for so long.  It was also rewarding to see their relationship enlarge, while her marriage with his son deteriorated.  A rather interesting twist at the end to see the connection and desire between Julia and William, but perfectly understandable for Julia to birth a "Sarah" -- out of her deep heartbreak over the past and the end of her life in Paris.

Still Alice by Lisa Genoa

This was a well written book by a qualified neuro-scientist who has worked with Alzheimer's patients.  Alice is a highly educated Harvard professor who begins to have memory episodes.  After a clear diagnosis, the book continues with the unfolding of the stages of Alzheimer's, written from Alice's perspective.  This is both heartbreaking and scary ~ as  she realizes too late that she & her husband have drifted apart into their own careers and schedules.  There are times when she just wants to spend more time with him as they used to.  I felt torn with the husband's withdrawal and making choices that did not always seem in her best interest, but on the other hand -he could clearly see that she would not be impacted by these choices, down the road.
It was heartening to see that as the disease progresses, there are positive sides -- Alice slides into a world where she does not know or care about her disabilities, so much easier on her than when she was struggling with her memory and all that she would miss.  Also, her relationship with her youngest daughter improves as Alice mellows -- and they find a common ground, on an emotional level when Alice can listen to her daughter read or act in a play -- and she can name the emotional response that is conveyed.  My favorite part -- when Alice wanders to the beach and the sea beckons her-she discards her clothing and is comforted by the sea.  She sees her busband heading toward her on the beach, and rather than scolding her for leaving or for getting in the water -- he joins her in the ocean. A moment of acceptance and intimacy for two people facing the upcoming great chasm that is inevitable.