Beartown and A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

This may be one of my favorite authors.  I listened to the audio book of A Man Called Ove on our recent Westward Ho trip.  He draws us in with his great characterizations.  Ove was a curmudgeon, very much like the characters in "Grumpy Old Men".  Laughing out loud over his very Archie Bunker remarks, and shaking my head over his extremely stubborn ways; I still fell in love with this old man.  In his grief over his wife's death, he rails at the neighbors, at the bad drivers, at the tech store assistants...but in the end, the neighbors and people whom he disdains come together to love him and become his family.  Wholly satisfying.

Backman's book, Beartown, on the other hand left me with much pondering and questioning.  It deals with the questions of what makes a community, how do people respond in crises, what makes those who have faced hardship stand up against the crowd, and what are we capable of doing/becoming in the darkness of night.  Again, such an array of interesting and surprising characters who come together for the sport of hockey.  The secret meetings of the Hockey sponsors and leaders reminded me of the times I saw our local school board meet together at the local restaurant "under the radar", way back in my high school days.  Even back then, I thought it was a bit shady...and political.  And that's what Backman brings out...political moves to keep hockey in the community, no matter what it takes.  Sometimes disturbing, sometimes refreshing.  I learned a lot about myself as I internally judged Ramona for her drinking and cussing; only to cheer her on in the end when she was a ray of light in the darkness.  Great story.

Watching the Amazing Perseid Meteor Shower

Determining to finally remember to observe some celestial activity (which seems to be low on my priority list), I set my alarm for 3:50 am on Sunday evening when I went to bed.  Although 3:50 was a bit early for my body, I did make it outside to my previously carefully-arranged chair at 4:30!  And I was rewarded almost immediately with a shooting star!  In fact, in a short 45 minutes I saw nine flashing meteors flying, along with nine planes traveling on the same route from west to east.  What an amazing pre-dawn show! As I pondered the skies, the stars, the slowly moving clouds, the anthem of the insects...my heart was encouraged with God's majesty and creativity.  My mind was full of questions.  Did God simply fling the stars into space, and they landed in just the perfect spots?  Or did He meticulously place each one so star gazers could name these constellation that were created?  Are the meteor showers in the original plan of God, or has the earth caused some of the spinning comets?  I also thought of the wise men searching diligently for the Star of David.  How did they absolutely know it was the right star?  If they were pagans, did God speak to their hearts about the star?  Unanswered questions that give me an anticipation for Heaven...and all the mysteries that may be made evident there.  It may be that we will still get to see the meteor showers there...up close and personal...and with the perfect Guide who can give us the best play by play as the show unfolds!

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

I thoroughly enjoyed this historically based story of the Dutch migration to the Holland, MI area from the Netherlands.  It's so fun to read of places that are familiar.  I could picture the coast of Lake Michigan and Black Lake (now Lake Macatawa), Allegan, and Kalamazoo.  This book sent me to Google several times to get more detail on the shipwrecks of the Ironsides and the Phoenix, as well as of the fires in the city of Holland and at Hotel Ottawa.

The spiritual aspect of the story also provided a deeper understanding of the persecution that occurred in the Netherlands (as well as other countries), and the tight-knit community that became the Dutch here in southwest Michigan.  The tragedies that faced the main character and her determination to follow God even in hard situations was touching.  One of my favorite lines from Geesje was "I love your father a hundred times more than I ever loved Hendrik.  A thousand times more.  The attraction Hendrik and I felt for each other never could have survived all the fires and storms I've been through since then.  His faith wasn't strong enough, and neither was mine.  But the love your father and I share is the real thing.  Nothing can ever quench it."  We never forget some of those "first loves" because of the amazing feelings and attraction we had; however the enduring love of staying together through hard times and leaning on one another, brings a whole different type of love.

Again, a good story, but somewhat predictable.  I appreciated Geesje's original story sharing her honest struggle with God through the years, as well as her deep friendship with Derk, whom she loved like a grandson.

Thoughts on a Starry Night

Home from our lengthy vacation and feeling a bit restless, I landed on the back upper deck after dark a few weeks ago.  Sitting in the deck chair facing the backyard, I looked heavenward to watch the stars....the same stars that I had watched from another larger deck in Arnold, CA over 3000 miles away.  With some kiddos in Knoxville, some in Santa Cruz, and some camping in the mountains of California...my heart was getting adjusted to being back in Michigan, without the bantering voices nor the pattering of little feet.  I was lonely for them.  I wondered if they were watching the stars wherever they were.

In God's incomprehensible way, my eyes were drawn to scattered, flickering lights in the trees...fireflies.  Fireflies to remind me of my Tennessee grandkids who love to catch them, and of last summer when my California Evy girl saw them in Michigan for the first time.  Her gracious momma let her stay up late to run helter-skelter around the backyard with a jar.  Her joy, her curiosity, her upturned face.....I remembered.

It's these kinds of moments, when God takes my heavy heart and gives me joyful memories...
It's these kinds of moments that solidify my faith in a very personal God who cares about me.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Highly recommended by a book club member, I dove into this one.  Irving certainly "catches" the reader from the first with little hints about what's coming.  The narrator is the best friend of Owen Meany, an unusual young boy who believes he is God's instrument.  The story was interesting however several things kept me from enjoying it to the fullest:  100 page chapters with a lot of political angst and discussion from the narrator, as he relives the 60's, 70's and 80's.

I did enjoy the camaraderie of the friends although the thoughts and discussions between them as they grew up were way beyond the discussions I had with my girlfriends at that age!  John, the narrator, says he came to faith because of Owen...even though Owen had a rather unorthodox view of his beliefs; but that aspect of the story was intriguing for me.  Irving has a way of keeping the reader involved until all the pieces of the plot finally come together...but in a rather lengthy format. Unsure if I would fully recommend this one.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

I took the challenge that Pastor Wes Tillett threw out, and read this very short, powerful book for one of his messages on what we all know as the story of the Prodigal Son.  Prodigal is defined as 1) recklessly extravagant and 2) having spent everything.  Thinking about those two definitions, we can easily discern why the author titled this book "The Prodigal God":  He gave the ultimate & spent it all in His recklessly extravagant way...for us.  Of course, the father in the story does represent God as he divvies up his inheritance, quite probably not keeping any for himself..then in great love & grace, he throws the ultimate celebration for the returning son.  My thoughts were always in sympathy for the eldest son who was faithful & committed to doing the right thing...but Keller explains carefully how each of the sons was only living for himself, the younger son looking for happiness and fulfillment in fun and self discovery; the elder in climbing the ladder and trusting in his good works, righteousness & hard work so he could take over the farm. 

So many of us in the church have mis-understood what God calls us to:  joy, peace, kindness, patience~ somehow we have instead become angry, judgmental, proud, anxious, condemning and joyless, exactly like the elder son.  What an eye opener, how I am so needy of God's immense grace.

Sensible Shoes: Two Steps Forward by Sharon Garlough Brown

It was a pleasure to find out how these four characters are doing on their journeys in book 2 of this series.  As I noted before, I resonate most with Charissa and Meg --but definitely find unique traits I share with all.  The author introduced more challenges and hurdles, and as the title denotes, it feels like very small baby steps to the gals when God convicts them of their inconsistencies and stubborn hearts.  (I did find myself getting slightly exasperated when it took so long to admit their selfishness ---it's always easier to see the other person's sin!)

Overall a good read, and I will continue through the series.

Summer Reading: Non-Fiction

Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming

Jean Fleming is a Christian author & speaker who has gathered together many thoughts from her past several years, to encourage those of us in "that age" of life to finish well the course God has given to us!  Given to me by Nancy Hendren, this was not a "quick read"; in fact, I am leaving it near my chair as a resource.  She touches on slowing down, changing ministry focus, being a reflector of Jesus where I am planted, accepting changes....but mostly, continuing to nourish my love for God so that He can live in me when it becomes easier to live in my flesh....where selfishness, crankiness, ungratefulness and bitterness can so easily take up residence.  Lord, walk with me.


Naked and Not Ashamed by Tim + Anne Evans

It was a real treat to read this book on our recent trip west, and especially great to lunch with the authors in Colorado Springs!  What could be "new under the sun" in the realm of marital sex after almost 45 years?  I actually learned a lot about the questions the younger generations are asking, and appreciated the honest candor of the authors!  Since they are marriage therapists, they have heard it all...and the best part is the actual co-authorship.  Unlike other co-authors, the Evans really do each share real life stories and their individual perspectives and counsel.  It's personable and humorous.  One application that I am working on is "blame and shame".  How often do I feel a need to point out Bill's mistakes or omissions? -- sometimes it's as simple as whose fault it was that some item of food was left out on the counter...it sounds ridiculous on paper.  So, closing my mouth when I catch myself ready to jump on the blame train is taking a lot of concentration and listening to God.  Highly recommend.

Summer Reading: Fiction

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

This was our book club selection for July, and what an interesting discussion we had.  No two opinions were the same!  This African American author portrayed what a marriage can look like when someone is falsely accused & lands in jail...the anger, the loneliness, the unraveling.  Because the couple had only been married one and a half years, it seemed like the wife was willing to throw it away quicker than the incarcerated (she had also put up with some unfaithfulness).  I liked that the book was told from three perspectives, so it was easy to keep up with the characters and the story.  I didn't love the book because I get angry at wrong, spontaneous choices --but I'm glad I read it as it gave me a whole new view on the injustices of our system and a little perspective on the black culture.  Was there true love?  Yes --but troubling circumstances and family dynamics certainly add so many dimensions to the final decisions.


Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Written by a Cameroonian author, Mbue tells the story of how an African man gets to America, brings his wife & son and finds a good job as a driver for a Wall Street financial "bigwig".  The hurdles, the fear, the supporting people, and then the breakdown of all of their dreams.  I think I would classify myself as a moderate Republican who disagrees with much going on in Washington.  I support a sane immigration plan:  one that assists families to get thru the system in 3-4 years and pares down the ridiculous costs (it appears that only rich immigrants can get into America).  So this book was hard to read with a Cameroonian family that worked hard, but in the end had to re-assess their situation and make a difficult choice.  Sad.

Final Thoughts from our Westward Ho Journey

Valuable Lessons Learned:

Future Van Travel will be mostly in the Spring or Fall...
Future Van Destinations will be east of the Mississippi...
Marlita should carefully watch tree branches when directing Bill in parking...
Maximum of 5 hours on the road daily or meltdowns will occur....
Leave by 6 am when a long day is anticipated....
Put more time in the schedule for backroads and spontaneous stops....
Make family portrait shots for 18 people more spontaneous ??!?..... 😏 (suggested by my family)
Laugh more with the grandkids...
Cry right in front of everyone when you say good-bye....