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.

OK for Now by Gary Schmidt

What an easy, enjoyable read.  Written in the perspective of a young 8th grader who moves to Maryville NY with a troubled family.  The mother holds the 3 boys together emotionally, as the father is a drunk, liar and all-around jerk.  The small town offers Doug special people who take an interest in him -Lil, her dad, some teachers, some delivery clients , and Mr. Powell -the librarian and artist-- they all add their twist to Doug's new life and he, in turn, becomes stronger and more hopeful.  The author totally writes in the vernacular of the kid and it's great.  He also uses the venue of art to help Doug see himself and others (Audobon's pictures of birds -- one noble, one courageous, one coming alongside a friend, one finding a way out of an impossible situation..).  Difficult, fun, great ending.

Sensible Shoes by Sharon G Brown

What a terrific spiritual formation book.  This relates the story of 4 very different gals who get thrown together in a spiritual direction class which meets weekly.  What a great mix -- fearful Meg transformed by God into a bold woman who wants to make a difference; controlling Charissa who carries baggage from her past --voices that say her approval comes from other people and accomplishments; self-sacrificing Hannah, a pastor who doesn't know how to relax or pray-nor how to be vulnerable; and honest Mara, full of a past of bad choices --but wanting to dig out.  The 21 ladies that studied this book together were changed -- characters that have flaws which hit each of us right where we live.  Additionally, the author introduced us to some ancient disciplines from the early church-- lectio divina, prayer labyrinth, prayer of imagination, examen -- all practices which we attempted to use to determine if any would assist us in our walk with Jesus.  I personally faced some of my past hurts and gained understanding in why I need approval ; why I only attempt jobs/ responsibilities that I can succeed at; how legalism and judgmentalism have shaped my view of God.  One great eye-opener:  my past failure of inability to rise early to spend time w/ Jesus.  I relayed to the gals that God began waking me up at 6:15 (my old CBC failure) --one morning I rolled over and God literally spoke to my heart -- "I am inviting you".  It hit me ==the living God, Creator of the universe wants me to rise with him --He is inviting me!!  This incredibly hard discipline has now become so much easier -- it is not a hassle nor a "chore" to do!  One morning when I was extremely tired, I said to the Lord -- "I need a little more rest" and God said to me--""That's all right, Honey --we will catch up later".  It felt like an entirely new relationship, that He was not judging me or wanting me to be afraid of His disapproval!  I am feeling loved by Jesus and it has been good.  I am being reminded by the Holy Spirit to let some things go, to "lean" into Him, to not work so hard at appearances, whether mine or my house!!  Yea!!

An Invisible Thread by Schroff & Tresnowski

This was a recommended read from Mel!  Kind of reminded me of "Same Kind of Different as Me" in that it was the story of a remarkable lady who noticed a boy in the city where she worked -- and stopped to talk to him.   That was the beginning of a unique relationship --a boy with a family of drug users and sellers, all living in a 1 bedroom apartment.  At age 8-9 he understood more of the streets and saw his various family members shoot up in front of him.  The lady, in the publishing business, began to meet with him every week and fed him McDonald's.  It was the triumph of one person making a huge impact in a life who could have gone down the tubes.  She gave him hope and showed him what life could look like and he made it out of that lifestyle.  No references to God's leading in this, but she definitely had his guidance whether she knew it or not!  Protection and courage in unsafe places and scary situations.  A great story of redemption.

1,000 Mile Walk on the Beach by Loreen Niewenhuis

Interesting read ~ a 50 year old mom walks around Lake Michigsn.  Loved the familiar places she mentions.  I could see the beach as she described it - on beautiful summer days, and on rough, windy weather days.  What she most clearly brought out -that frankly was surprising to me - was the many ways and places along the lakeshore that have been ruined by toxic waste.  From the foreign fish being brought into the fresh water & eating the natural fish to the dumping from paper mills and steel factories since the late 1800's; all of our "lack of care" has destroyed the original ecosystem.  Many areas along the shoreline cannot be used for recreation because of this.  So sad.

Hunger Games Series

After debating whether to read this series, I bit the bullet.   I was worried about the violence and "gore"; but surprisingly, that wasn't what was disturbing -- it was the government control over the various areas of the country.  I kept wondering if America could ever come to this. The heroine's struggle to understand herself, what she was capable of, and who she really loved was  interesting.  In the end, when she chose -- it was because she realized she needed someone who was different than she ~ someone who could see beauty and gentleness, not someone who could be angry and fight back like herself.  The Wars changed the participants -- the killing, the fear, the memories, the manipulations ~ just as other types of painful life events change us.

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

This was the first book we read together.  Set in early colonial times, it was the story of a young intelligent girl raised by her missionary parents in what was now Nantucket.  Though her father did not formally let her learn, she ended up soaking all of his lessons and loved learning.  The young Indian she befriends is encouraged by her and her father to leave his native culture and customs and become "Americanized". 
What I learned:  I kinda mourned again for all of the injustices we inflicted upon the Indians, in treating them as if they were ignorant, in belittling their culture and extremely wise understanding of medicinal herbs and healing.  Caleb, although he learned & understood Christianity, also became a little "lost" at Princeton and confused in how he could still remain true to his heritage with a new faith.  It made me evaluate in myself how other people's differences sometimes make me uncomfortable and how I might be so much like that young girl, trying to change others --rather than letting God do the changing.

It's About Time....

Time to get going on this Book Blog that Ben helped me set up way last Christmas.  I think my goal is to summarize & critique the books I am reading.  This will be both Christian non-fiction and some of the fiction novels that I am reading with my book club (Pam K., Pam D., and Donna).