One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

An enjoyable read about a "down on their luck" entirely dysfunctional family with an eternally optimistic "Mum". An English author, Ms. Moyes writes convincingly of what it is to be financially strapped and not being able to get your head above water -- with 2 kids, and a husband who has walked out. The characters are authentic, though a bit unique, and Jess, the mom, has the same deep love and fiercely protective feelings for her kids as any mom. Unsure how the story would end, I was pleasantly surprised -- as I love happy endings. My only difficulty, as often is the case, is the very common usage of language that I feel could just as well be left out.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Because the book wasn't available, it was a great listen on audio book! An excellent reader shared the story of Vivian (originally Neve), currently a 91 year old living in Maine. Her life has been tragedy after tragedy, becoming an orphan at 9 and traveling in 1929 with other NYC orphans on a train to the midwest where couples take the children in -- sometimes because they want to have children, sometimes because they need workers on their farms, in their businesses or as nannies to their many children. The reader tells Vivian's story via a young teenager named Molly, who gets "thrown together" with Vivian --doing community service at the old lady's home. Little do either of them realize that healing will take place in each of their lives because of their unusual friendship. They bond because of the many shared emotions and experiences that they have each had in their lives. This is a story of resiliency and hope, one which I want to believe in; in this day and age of so many hurting children and families. I want to believe that even one person can make a huge difference, simply by kind words and acceptance of the other, that a wounded person can come through and be healed. My faith tells me that Jesus is the ONE who truly transforms; yet I also believe that God puts strength and determination in the hearts of wounded people, who come through their struggles and make a better life than the one in which they are born. The other element that I loved was the author's great phrases at the ends of the chapters, such as "As I walked away, I left my childhood on the dirty floor of that cabin." She had many such sentences that encapsulated a deep thought.

Echoes of His Presence by Ray VanderLaan

I began reading this to remind me of our Israel trip last year, and to corollate with my reading of Acts. It has been a great reminder: insulas, the Jewish holidays, the Jericho Road, Gethsemane, the Eastern Gate, the journey into Jerusalem. Ray uses different characters during Jesus' day who encounter the Master in different places and in different ways. He is a great storyteller, but more than that - he creates his stories in the context of Jewish culture intertwining with the Roman government. Stone-masons, shepherds, fishermen, Zealots, women, Essenes - all come to the Rabbi and see in Him the Way, to salvation, to purpose, to heaven. Thoroughly enjoyed this journey back to Israel in Jesus' day.