Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith
This was my first Arkady Renko Novel. It's rough, graphic, and violent with little to recommend it other than the fact that it is an interesting mystery. Much as I enjoy crime mysteries, it's probably my last Martin Cruz Smith novel.
Finding Nouf: Zoe Ferraris
Interesting murder mystery - more so for the glimpse she gives us into what life is like for women in middle eastern countries under Muslim law, and how politics and crime enforcement works there, than the mystery itself.
When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey
A great marriage study, but be prepared to be convicted and unsettled. "Marriage Problems" = sin problems. Trouble in your marriage? Don't try to "fix" your spouse. Look in the mirror first. The book has a companion workbook, but we didn't use it much in our study. Seemed like it mostly just regurgitated a lot of what had been already said in the book.
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Barnes and Noble Shakespeare Series
My first foray into Shakespeare since it was required reading in school, and my first (and so far, only) book that qualifies for the two mini challenges I intended to attempt this year. I still think I may be able to pull off the 12 Classics. The Barnes and Noble Series has introductory sections on "Shakespeare and his England" - explaining the historical setting in which Shakespeare was living and writing, and "Understanding Shakespeare's Language", both of which are very helpful in understanding and putting the play in context for those of us who are a little rusty in this area. (I hope you can still get the Barnes and Noble Series versions). I really found this to be an easy way to get back into it and enjoyed this short, comical play. A Midsummer Night's Dream is short, fairly easy reading (though silly and often nonsensical). It is a good way to stick your toe in the water and see you want to add more Shakespeare to your reading list. I will be doing so, but not until I'm more caught up.
Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs
In "Mine is the Night, Higgs concludes the tale begun in "Here Burns My Candle". These are two historical fiction novels. She takes the biblical tale of Ruth and re-sets it in 18th century Scotland, during the time of the 2nd Jacobite rebellion. While I enjoyed this novel, it wasn't my favorite. I find Higgs style of resetting biblical tales in other historical settings interesting, but not my favorite type of historical fiction.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
I'm probably the last avid reader in America to read this book, especially since the movie based on the book came out in 2009. I really think the movie producers under-estimated the American public by changing the ending. Yes, the book's ending is shocking and gut-wrenching. But who wants every book and movie to have a predictable and mushy ending? But I digress - this isn't supposed to be a movie review. The ending to this novel reminded me of this scripture:
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21.
Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline
This is my 2nd Lisa Scottoline novel. It was an enjoyable read, but not nearly as gripping as Look Again.
From Fear to Freedom by Rose Marie Miller
This is the personal testimony of Rose Marie Miller. Despite the little "Grace Glimpses" - bulleted teaching points and brief prayers at the end of each section, there's little instruction or substance which would make this book useful as a study or teaching resource. It really is simply a personal testimony of an one woman's walk with Christ.
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
Picoult weaves another gripping tale full of mind-numbing twists and turns. Max and Zoe have been through the wringer in their attempts to conceive a child, and their last attempt at IVF ends in miscarriage. The grief and strain ends their marriage. Max finds solace for his grief when he finds faith in Christ & gets involved in an evangelical church. Zoe finds solace for her grief through a new friendship which turns into a lesbian affair. When Zoe and her lesbian partner begin talking about having children, and the topic of Zoe and Max's leftover frozen embryos comes up, a legal battle begins to brew...
If you are a Christian, you will probably not appreciate the picture Picoult paints of the church in this novel. I don't think it's an entirely fair depiction, but I also think there are places and churches where what she describes could very well take place.
Zoe is a music therapist and this book comes with an accompanying CD, with music written for the story by musician Ellen Weber - Lyrics by Picoult. One song accompanies each section of the book. I did not listen to the cd with the book, because I got my copy from the library, and the cd envelope had not been opened yet. But now, I kind of wish I had. I think it would have been an interesting way to read the book.
A Secret Gift by Ted Gup
On Monday morning, December 17, 1933, the following ad appeared in the Canton Repository of Canton, Ohio:
In Consideration Of The White Collar Man!
Suppose if I were confronted with an economic situation where the bread of tomorrow is the problem of today - there is a question in my mind if I would accept charity directly offered by welfare organizations. I know there are hundreds of men that are confronted with economic problems and think, feel and act the same way.
To men or families in such a position the maker of this offer, who will remain unknown until the very end, will be glad if he is given an opportunity to help from 50 to 75 such families so they will be able to spend a merry and joyful Christmas.
To such men or families that will request such financial aid, the writer pledges that their identity will never be revealed.
Please write:
B. Virdot.
General Delivery,
Canton, Ohio.
In writing, please familiarize me with your true circumstances and financial aid will promptly be sent.
That ad caused such a stir in the newsroom, that the editors wrote a front page story about the anonymous donor who was planning to give $750 & distribute it to up to 75 different families to help ease the pain of the Depression. Letters poured in to B. Virdot's address.
In June, 1998, Ted Gup was back his hometown of Canton, visiting his mother on her 80th birthday. During the visit she passed on to him some things that had belonged to his grandfather, including a suitcase full of "some old papers". The "old papers" turned out to be the letters that had been written in response to that 1933 ad. Ted's grandfather, Sam Stone had been B. Virdot. In these letters, the writers pour out their stories of financial hardship, which they were much too proud to share with friends, neighbors, or even charities. The members of "The Greatest Generation" would not depend on anyone else to provide for their families and it was a source of shame to admit their need. These letters give a unique and personal picture of the depression and its impact on a small american town. Some men were even too proud to respond to B. Virdot's ad, and their wives responded in secret. Many invited him to personally visit them to verify what they were saying about their personal circumstances. Of course, many were his neighbors and friends who would have been mortified to have ever revealed this to him, if they had known who he was. In researching the book, Gup gives a profile of each family that wrote a letter, and then also follows up with the descendants to find out what's happened to the family in the generations since. A fascinating, and highly recommended read!
Well, I guess I had more to say about these books than I thought. I have one more review to do. I just finished "The Confession" and I'm going to review it by itself.
Sojourner
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