11-13: Three more reads...

Again, time is a factor; therefore, below are condensed book reviews of my last three reads...

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

This one, I read for my senior English class, as mandated by our district.  This would not be my choice for a whole-class read.  About a boy who does not like his name, this novel journeys back and forth between Calcutta and New York, between acceptance and denial.  Maybe it ends on a note of acceptance...maybe.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rawling 

When I mentioned to some of my students that another teacher and I were going to read this series in 2016 (because he had never read Harry Potter...gasp!), their response was immediately, "I want to join."

From there, I shared the idea with friends on Facebook, and after some interest, created a group page here.

I would adopt Harry and often call him my fictional son.  :)  He just needed a mom.

On Monday, we meet to discuss this first book.  To say, I am excited would be an understatement.  First thing on the agenda, borrow the Sorting Hat from our own Coach Rowe and let the sorting begin!

Winter's Bones by Daniel Woodrell 

Our local book store's book club is supporting one of our member's family bringing this author as Lyon College's Heasley Prize Reading.  To prepare for this reading, I purchased the book...and began to read.  Not sure what I expected, but it was not what I began to dive into.

Set in the Ozarks, the story tells of a girl, who is solely responsible for two younger brothers and a mother who will never be quite right, who is about to lose the family farm if she cannot find her now-missing dad.  I realize that culture is so important to this novel...to the point of practically being a character.  The culture of close families...as in inbred, of the making of illegal substances and the selling of those substances.  Until she put earphones on, I would have thought the novel was set decades before.

As I reflect, I appreciate more and more main character Ree, who overcomes in the end.  Or does she?

Only one of these am I able to say..."Happy Reading."  Yes, time for some more Harry Potter!

10: The Gift of Friendship

I responded to a prompt about the upcoming release of The Gift of Friendship:

“We are Martha’s and Mary’s and Naomi’s and Ruth’s. Women need women! A blessing this book is.” – Tammy

Now, isn't that just the truth?!

A couple of years ago, I prayed for God to bless me with girlfriends...and He has.  Just thinking back over this week, I have spent quality girl-time on three evenings.  I am blessed.

Then, along comes this book.  Another way God is answering this prayer of mine.

The Gift of Friendship by Dawn Camp

One day, I noticed this message, asking if I would read and promo this book.  Books?  Read?  Promo?  Yes!

Then, the book arrived.  So many girls.  So many nuggets of encouragement from the gals for Jesus...and from Jesus Himself.

May I share just one?

• Leslie Richards writes of a busy life and a lived-in home that became a barrier between her and lady friends, a barrier eventually broken by a friend who cared more about laundry and dirty dishes.  As she notes, we all have messes.  Messes that the ol' devil wants to use to keep us from being blessed and a blessing to others.
• Proverbs 17:17 she quotes:  "a friend loveth at all times."
• Yes.

As I write this, thoughts of this evening's upcoming social at church flits through my mind, as I look forward to this fellowship with these girlfriends of mine who have worked and played right along beside me and am reminded of author Dawn Camp's chapter about their weekly Wednesday fellowship with friends.  With this I agree, "Life is busy.  If you don't make time to get together, once-solid friendships can fall victim to neglect."

For years, after I married, I neglected friendships.  Through a gentle nudge from the Lord Himself, I prayed the above prayer and am finding "community in...unexpected" places with unexpected children of God...just not unexpected to Him.

As I reflect on this book, a dream is beginning to emerge for our summer Women's Retreat.  Picture it:  Each lady with a copy of this book.  Wouldn't this be an excellent text upon which to explore in mini-sessions and whole-group sessions with a group of ladies seeking friendships with and in each other, only resulting in a closer "community" with Him?

Now that is exciting.

Where may you purchase this book?  Here.

Where may you meet the editor and writer?  Here.

You. Will. Be. Blessed.

8: The Life We Bury

Read for my teacher book club...more to come!

9: The Measure of Katie Calloway

An e-read for an online book club that was free...cool!  Each month Women's Bible Cafe posts two books of the month, both of which for January I chose to read.  (Actually, I have chosen to read one all year long, as our monthly ladies' group will use Fervent as its devotional focus each month.)

Back to The Measure of Katie Calloway...a Christian read, this one captured my sense of adventure that I hopefully only experience through books, as this one required her leaving her comfortable life!  I do enjoy modern conveniences!

A light read, an inspirational read, this novel reminds us that placing our faith in Him will take us many places...and always closer to Him.  If you appreciate these type of messages and a good series, then this one is for you.

Happy reading!

January Reads: Books 1-7

I prefer devoting a post to each book, but...that thing called time. Listed below, in chronological order, are the books I have read thus far in 2016:

1. The Grandfather Medicine by Jean Hager (Paper Chase Book Club, Jan. 4)
2. The Red Queen 
3. Audacious by Beth Moore (1-18-16)
4. The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth (1-18-16)
5. The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller (1-18-16)
6. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (1-20-16)
7. Turn Away Thy Son by Elizabeth Jacoway (2-1-16)

30: Old Testament

What a journey...one I only completed part way, for my intention was to read, as part of Joanna Weaver's Chronological Bible Read Challenge, the entire Bible.  Then life happened in the form of additional Bible studies and the teaching of 2-3 classes per week at church.  Thus, I completed only the Old Testament:  just what I needed to read this year.

Over the months, this read revealed the stories, the characters, the passage of time from year to year.  In May, I purchased a chronological Bible that coincided with this plan and enjoyed the flow of the plots even more.

I learned so much, so very much.  This journey I encourage.  Very much.

Happy reading!

27-29: Christmas Reads

This season I read three of the four Christmas fiction reads that I had hoped to read.  I did enjoy all of them, though.

1. Christmas in Cedar Grove by Debbie Macomber:  This one I read for book club.  This group of ladies always choose a book about Christmas.  This one actually had two novels included, both of which I enjoyed.
2. The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans:  The second in a series of three (not a trilogy...as all can be read independently), this one told the story of a female romance writer (hint:  here it would be helpful if you had read book one!).  While at a writer's conference, she meets who will become of the love of her life.  I have always enjoyed everything I have read by Evans (his The Walk series remains my favorite!).
3. Home for Christmas, a collection of novellas by four authors, one of whom is Colleen Coble: these four short stories interwove the stories of for four siblings separated when young upon the death of their mother.  A grand collection of stories of hope, these entertained me during the evenings just before Christmas.

As much as I love books, I still remain amazed this Christmas that I never receive books for Christmas.  Is Santa not getting the message?!  Never fear!  I ordered three today!  :)

Happy reading!