Strength in What Remains -Tracy Kidder

This book is an unbelievable story of survival. Deo arrives in New York City from Burundi's horrible civil war with $200.00. He speaks no English and knows no one. The story is survival in New York and the harrowing stories of war he survived in getting to New York. He attends Columbia University and returns to Africa to build medical facilities. Tracy Kidder does an amazing job of chronicling Deo's life. On a visit to New York tos return to places Deo had lived they visit St John the Devine Church. Deo says, "I can't tell you how many times I came here. It is so peaceful. Your mind is so open. You know, I really have been successful in finding my own peaceful corners. On my own."

It is an amazing story and a book to promote peace. The woman who comes to his aid while escaping to the Rwandan border is a Hutu and Deo is a Tutsi. She helps him anyway. She says,"But I'm a woman and I'm a mother." That, she said, was her ubwoko, her ethnicity. When he returns to Burundi in 2006 to build a medical clinic, he forms a men's committee and a women's committee. The women's committee managed the realtions between the clinic and the village. Deo found that if he didn't have separate committees the women had no voice.

The book ends with Deo saying, "Let's work on the clinic. Let's put this tragedy behind us, because remembering is not going to benefit anyone."

www.tracykidder.com

"The Creative Habit"; "The Collaborative Habit" - Twyla Tharp

Both of these books are great reads! The Creative Habit is alot about Twyla's personal process for creation. The Collaborative Habit is a great read on getting along with people.

"The Christmas List"- Richard Paul Evans & "Christmas Present" -Jacqulyn Mitchard

Both of these books follow the Dickens theme of making the most of your life at Christmas. The Mitchard Book is about a dying woman and the Evans book is about a shrewd business man who tries to repair some broken relationships. Both are quick easy holiday reads.

What Makes a Child Lucky -Gioia Timpanelli

One hundred and twenty seven pages and a gem! I'm still digesting this book, but wanted to get a start on recommending it. The author is a wonderful storyteller. This story involves a boy of 13 thrown into a crowd of criminals and how he survives and still finds good in the world. A wonderful read.

http://www.gioiatimpanelli.net/

A Quilter's Holiday -Jennifer Chiaverini

An Elm Creek Quilts novel is always a delight. Sylvia is looking for long lost family. Diane is dealing with a family who is growing up and Sarah and Anna are just getting started. A well timed release for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Middle Place -Kelly Corrigan

The topic seems melancholy: a father and daughter fighting different cancers. The book is not depressing at all it; was very uplifting. I couldn't put it down. Everyone needs a George in their lives somewhere his optimisim is contagious.

The Unfinished Angel -Sharon Creech

I think I'll have to preface this review by stating that I think I've enjoyed every Sharon Creech book I've ever read. This one is no exception. The book takes place in a village of the Swiss Alps. Zola arrives with her father to start a children's school and finds an angel in the stone tower. Together they find orphaned children and bring them to the school. The language takes some getting used to, but is endearing as the angel has the voice of a young child and often the grammar reflects that. "Now the peoples will do something, because peoples take care of other peoples, especially childrens, right."

The Chapters all have facscinating names. My favorite is Mr. Pomodoro, Zola's father, Creech introduces the concept of why and what people save for emotional support. Zola saves feathers and the angel wonders about that. Mr. Pomodoro saves chocolate and one of the villagers has a seceret stash of blue socks. The book is full of interesting characters and relationships.

Catching Up..Four Reads

These are the books I've read lately and neglected blogging about. I picked up the Meg Wolitzer book at the library as an express seven day checkout and ended up pushing myself to finish it. I really did not care for it. The idea of the book appealed to me as many women take career breaks to raise children, myself included. The book profiles about four different women and the choices they've made which all seem to be heavily influenced by money. They all send their kids to a private NY school and complain all of the time about how money is tight. I found the book to be whinny and annoying and too much of keeping up appearances and not much humanity.

I enjoyed the Peter Mayle book A Good Year it takes place between London and the south of France vineyards. Lots of talk about wine and the French countryside with some romance thrown in. A very light enjoyable read!

Seeking Peace by Mary Pipher was also a great read. Mary talks about how hectic her life became with the success of Revivng Ophelia. I enjoyed reading about her life reprioritizing process.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a true classic with great writing. I read it because my daughter's English class is reading it and I wanted to refresh my memory of the story. Really, really classic writing: "The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation." Refreshing to read a classic again!

Girl in a Blue Dress -Gaynor Arnold

Because I thrived on reading Charles Dickens in my younger days, this book was wonderful! It is a perspective of the marriage of Charles Dickens and his first wife Catherine of whom he spent the last ten years of his life estranged from. I couldn't put this book down all weekend and will hate having to return it to the library.

Through Thick and Thin- Alison Pace and Knit Two -Kate Jacobs

Two fun reads for back-to-school week. I think I've now read all of Alison Pace's books. I had read the pre-quel to "Knit Two", but had put off reading this as I didn't really like the way the first one ended. The were both fun reads. From Alison, I learned the concept of doggie-yoga. I don't think I will try it, but it was fun to read about. Kate Jacobs picks up five years after the first book left off. I enjoyed it alot more than I thought I would.

The Fortune Quilt -Lani Diane Rich & If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend -Alison Pace

These two books were my airplane reads for a recent trip. They were both wonderful. I had never read anything by Lani Diane Rich so it was a lucky library pick. I loved the title and the story holds up to it. Brandy builds quilts from inspirations and Carly's quilt was made 12 years before Brandy and Carly meet. Carly is a bit freaked out by the weird way of fortune telling, but comes to live more by intuition than thought.

www.lanidianerich.com

I had read other books by Alison Pace so this one I searched for at the library. Again I loved it! Each chapter starts with a Warhol quote and it's a love story built around the art world.

www.alisonpace.com

Labyrinth -Kate Mosse

Finally, I found a book worth blogging about. I loved this book. I have read quite a few bad ones lately so it was a relief. This book reminds me a little of The Book of Love with the labyrinth taking center stage with much historical insight into France during the early 1200's. The story switches back in forth from modern days to the 1200's between two female characters. The Chartres Labyrinth takes less of a part in this book, but it is also mentioned. Very intriguing historical fiction.

www.labyrinthbook.net

Looking for Alibrandi -Melina Marchetta & The Perks of Being a Wallflower -Stephen Chbosky

I have read eight books this month and am having a hard time keeping up with the blogging. Between torential rains and getting my daughter ready for summer camp, blogging has fallen aside. These two books, however, have brought me back. The Chbosky book was on my daughter's reading list last summer as a comparison to The Catcher in the Rye. I'm not sure where she heard about the Marchetta book, but it too is reminiscent of The Catcher in the Rye. Both books were published in the 90's Looking for Alibrandi is already a movie. As a parent, my reading has grown with my children. I believe that The Catcher in the Rye will stand the test of time and deserves to be on every reading list. I am not sure that the Chbosky book deserves this status. Once again as the parent of two daughters, I find the reading lists at the school biased toward male authors. I loved the Marchetta book. True writing, great quotes and a great story. I found very little to like or appreciate about the Chbosky book.

Riding Lessons -Sara Gruen

I found this book at a yard sale for two quarters. I was reluctant as I didn't really care for "Water for Elephants" another title by the same author. I've learned over and over to give authors another chance, I really enjoyed "Riding Lessons". It is about a daughter coming home to her dying father's horse farm after a riding accident has kept her away from horses for 20 years. A horse comes to her attention that has been abused and has remarkable ties to her own past. It was an enjoyable story.

http://www.saragruen.com/

My Life in Pink & Green -Lisa Greenwald

I picked this book up at the library with my sixth-grader in mind. The main character is 12 year old Lucy Desberg who sets out to save the family drugstore. I loved Lucy's spunk and faith in her talents. I often find myself reading "junior fiction" because it is quick and gives me perspective on my own children. I loved the scene in the book where Lucy gets new sneakers and she says, "I know they're just sneakers, but a new beginning is a new beginning, even if it's just a new beginning for your feet." A very enjoyable book.

My daughter posing with the book!

The Book of Love -Kathleen McGowan

This book follows Kathleen McGowan's "The Expected One". It, like her previous work, is a treasure. I love it for it's "layered learning" concept. Yesterday, I checked out a book on the Chartres Cathedral in France as the book inspired me to learn more. The book jacket portrays a sacred labyrith at the Cathedral. The story moves back and forth between present day Maureen Pascal's search for an ancient document and Matilda of Tuscany from medieval Europe presumed to have been a caretaker of the document. It is a great read!

www.KathleenMcGowan.com

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life -Wendy Mass

Wendy Mass is an author that inspires you to read more of her work. This story involves a boy who is about to turn thirteen and is left a box by his deceased father to open on his birthday. The box needs four keys, but the keys are lost. Jeremy and his friend Lizzy are on a mission to find the four keys and unlock the father's box to find the meaning of life. I liked the part where Jeremy and Lizzy are assigned community service and the mom calls it a job, but Jeremy argues with her because they won't get paid. "A job is where you are assigned a task to complete to the best of your ability. Money or no money."

Land of Lincoln -Andrew Ferguson

This book takes a look at the impact Abraham Lincoln still has in America. The author takes us through museums and park statues all dedicated to Abe. It also looks at Lincoln impersonators, Lincoln Style Management Companies and the historical Lincoln Trail through 3 midwestern states developed by the oil industry to promote automobile travel. I loved the journey the author takes back to sites from his own childhood with his wife and children in tow. They don't find the same sense of "Lincoln Awe" as the author! Any parent can relate to this chapter. Having just visited the great state of Illionois, I enjoyed learning more about Lincoln. It is a fun read with all kinds of interesting facts.

Still Alice -by Lisa Genova

Alice Howland, the main character, is a Harvard Psychology Professor who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age 50. This book reads quickly and is a reminder to all of us that life can "turn on a dime". Because her disease occurs so young it also progresses very rapidly. The book is written from Alice's point of view even as her memory deteriorates. A very intersting look at what must go on inside the minds of all Alzheimer's victims.

www.StillAlice.com

Street Gang :The Complete History of Sesame Street -Michael Davis

Even if you don't watch much TV, you know the concept of Sesame Street. It's goal has always been to teach preschoolers via TV. My own children loved it. One liked Big Bird the other was an Elmo Fan. I identify more with Oscar the character who won the spot on the jacket cover! Who wouldn't love to live in a trash can and get away with being grouchy all of the time? The book's introduction talks about the tragic early death of Jim Henson and his funeral. Carroll Spinney as Big Bird sings "Bein Green" and ends with a Thank You, Kermit!! I remember the day Jim Henson died so sad. Now the world has lost Mark Fidrych former Detroit Tiger pitching sensation also nicknamed the "Bird" from his resemblance to Big Bird! The world would be less colorful without Jim Henson's characters.

I like that the book chronicles early children's television shows like Howdy Doody and Captain Kangaroo. The history is very well researched and presented. This fall marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. It is amazing that it has survived so well with the onslaught of children's programming.

I really did not like the title for this book. I don't like the word "gang" in the title it seem to have negative connotations and the book is about a children's show. Within, I learned that they came upon the name Sesame Street as a quick last minute decision. Funny how it took off!

http://www.streetgangthebook.com/

The Giver -Lois Lowry

I read this book for the first time about 14 years ago when it first came out. My daughter is currently reading it for school so I thought I'd refresh my memory. It remains one of the best books I've ever read. The book has a science fiction setting in a world of utopia where all seems perfect. Of course, things are never perfect and the main character Jonas at age twelve soon figures this out. It is a great story about diversity and change.

Upon reviewing web related sites about the book, I was interested that some schools think it's subject matter so severe that it gets banned. It is fiction!!! I am always amazed what people will read into a story.

If you want to appreciate your life in all of it's unperfect glory, pick up a copy of The Giver you won't be disappointed.

http://www.loislowry.com/

Following are some images from my daughter's book report. If you click on the image to enlarge it you may be able to read it better. It provides a great summary of the story's plot.

Self Help Book Mania!

Here are five books I've read over the past year that I haven't blogged about, but are worth reading.


"Steering by Starlight" by Martha Beck. I checked this out of the library last week. Martha Beck is a columnist for "Oprah" Magazine and a "life coach." I've read her column ocassionally,but never read her books. There is a self help book prior to this one called "Finding Your Own North Star". It doesn't seem necessary to read that one first though. I like her stories about clients she's had and I appreciate the knowledge she bring to the table. I did not fill out all of the worksheets in the book..it's a library book for god's sake! I like some of her psychological concepts like feeding your inner lizard, the ring of fire, backwards living contrarians, and the defense against the dark arts. I loved this quote by Gandhi she uses:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall-think of it, always."

"Painting the Walls Red" by Judy Ford. I picked this book up at TJMaxx for a dollar! Yes, I'm over 40 so I qualify! Some of the chapters are: Creativity is a Miraculous Matter, Mourning Glory and Sacred Spaces, On not Taking yourself so Seriously" A quick fun read. I think I got my dollars worth!

"Change your Thoughts- Change your Life" by Wayne Dyer. I read this book slowly throught a long time period. There is much here. The subtitle is "Living the Wisdom of the Tao". He takes each verse of the "Tao Te Ching" by Lao-tzu and put an updated spin on it. There are 81 verses. Read it slow.

"A New Earth Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle. Who didn't read this book last year? I enjoyed it. I find it a bit hard to now look back at all of the craziness surrounding this book and to identify what it meant to me personally. Lots of talk about egos and overcoming it.

"At the Root of this Longing" by Carol Lee Flinders. A friend loaned me this book. It is a look at spirituality and women. There are two main concepts that I took away from this book. One is that change comes in a three-phase cycle: enclosure,magnification and emergence. Obviously a caterpillar to butterfly pictoral, but if you think about it deeply it is true. We all need private spaces to examine life and emerge with a new outlook. The other concept this book introduced to me was the three Islamic Gates: Is it True? Is it Kind? Is it Necessary? I find myself needing this filter system alot!

The Case of Abraham Lincoln -Julie M. Fenster

To celebrate Lincoln's birthday this month, I thought I'd read something about his life. This book appealed to me because it is mostly about his life in Springfield, Illinois before he becomes President. The subtitle of the book is "A story of Adultery, Murder, and the Making of a Great President". It shows what Lincoln's life was like as a circuit court lawyer and how the politics of the times were rapidly changing with new political parties rising up. I like that the book includes what his neighbors thought of him. The book covers a scene in which a new lawyer comes to town and watches as Lincoln examines a "self-raker" a new farm tool on the town street.

The author goes on to say, " Lincoln possessed the mind of an engineer, having taken out a patent in 1849 for means of easing riverboats over shoals. Though he never pursued his interest in mechanical inventions professionally, some of his characteristic traits were those of a scientific mind: his dependence on logic as a means of renewal, for example; his indifference to material comforts; and his ability to entirely lose himself in thought, as though in a different world." I love this!! I never knew Lincoln had a patent. The fact that he thinks like an engineer I find flaterring having been one myself.

Another thing I found interesting in this book is all of the various political parties that are floating to the surface in 1856, most around the slavery issue and whther new states could be slave states. The "Know Nothing Party" existed based on a hatred of catholic people. Thankfuly most of the radical parties died off.

The book also tells the story of a Springfield murder mystery that Lincoln get pulled into and which side he represents. A worthy read.

House Of Dance -Beth Kephart

Rosie Keith coexist in the same house with her wayward mother one summer as her grandfather lies dying across town. She passes a dance studio everyday as she walks to visit her grandfather. While visiting with her grandfather, she learns of his love for jazz music and dancing and how much he misses his wife who has died. She vows to take money which her own absent father sends her every week to give her grandfather a dance party. She uses the money for dance lessons at the studio.

I love this book for many reasons. First, it shows a relationship spanning generations which has become rare in our society. Second, it show that gifts which come from the heart and are very intangible are some of the best gifts of all. My favorite part of the book is as Rosie sits talking with her grandfather and trying to help him dispose of some of his life's clutter, they put special things "In Trust". She learns why some old record albums may have special meaning to him and he exposes her to artists of his era which she also learns to appreciate. Not everything is sacred much of it does get cleared out as they make way for a hospital bed.

This book is so full of life even though it is ultimately the story of a dying man!

www.beth-kephart.blogspot.com

Every Soul a Star -Wendy Mass

This book is about three couldn't be different teens thrown together to watch a solar eclipse. Each teen has a unique voice and the chapters alternate between their perspectives. Ally, lives at a campground called "Moon Shadow" which has been preparing for the eclipse for years. Bree's family much to the surprise of Ally is taking over the campground after the eclipse. Jack ends up at "Moon Shadow" with his science teacher in lieu of summer school. There are lots of other colorful characters as well. I love the writing and the book is full of witty moments. One of my favorites is betwen Ally and Bree at the building called the "Art House". Ally is explaining to Bree that the images painted on the walls belong to the people who made them and Bree responds with, "I don't think that's what art is ...once it's out there, it's for everyone."

A few other good one liners from the book that I enjoyed are:

"The vastness of space always puts my problems in perspective"

"Life is short, but it's wide."

A bit cliche, but important nonetheless.

www.wendymass.com