The Crying Heart

by Clara Bernice Miller
1962

Claimed off my mother's bookshelf, a third place Sunday School prize she had won in 1965, The Crying Heart was a welcome read.


Growing up in an Amish community, Martha only knows about God through the traditions of her forefathers. When her boyfriend, Daniel, comes to know Jesus personally, her world is thrown upside down. Then tragedy strikes...

Written in the language of the 1960s (sometimes irritatingly so), The Crying Heart faces the question of suffering and the age-old complaint, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" How the author responds to these dilemmas was beautiful, encouraging and thought-provoking to read.

One can still find The Crying Heart online, but I doubt many readers will race to pick it up. That said, I found the book to be wonderfully refreshing and I recommend it wholeheartedly.



Reading on...

While We’re Far Apart

by Lynn Austin

2010

I have to say, after reading this book, Lynn Austin continues to be my current favourite Christian fiction writer.

 

While We’re Far Apart takes place in the USA during World War II where men are absent, anti-Semitism is present and women are trying their best to carry life along.

Penny Goodrich has loved Eddie Shaffer for as long as she could remember so, when the opportunity to care for his children comes up, she jumps at the chance. After all, taking care of his children is a step closer to marrying him, right?

Little does Penny know how this one decision will impact her life.

And her heart. 

I loved reading this book though I have but one complaint: it wrapped up too quickly. After spending pages and pages on detail and depth, I felt that the story concluded without the same attention. The story deserved more.

All that to say, I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting an interesting and enjoyable read.

Reading on…

Death Comes to Pemberley

By P.D. James

2011

Loving all things Austen, especially all things Pride & Prejudice, I grabbed this book off the library shelf.

Death Comes to Pemberley takes place five years after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett married. They are enjoying their quiet life at Pemberley, when a hysterical Lydia arrives - Wickham has been murdered!

 

This launches the whole Pemberley household into uproar. 

For certain, Death Comes to Pemberley is an interesting story, not that I have much experience with murder mysteries. I did, however, have no problems with putting the book down.

Always a telltale sign.

Did I love it?

No.

Throughout the entire book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that P.D. James had messed with characters that shouldn’t be messed with.

Not only did she add to the lives of these most beloved characters after Pride & Prejudice had ended, but she also fleshed out and suggested new thoughts and motivations influencing their lives during the time period of Pride & Prejudice itself.

In essence, she disrupted my impressions and ideas, which really didn’t sit well with me.

To all Pride & Prejudice fans, I would say, "read at your own risk."

Reading on…

Ben-Hur

by Lew Wallace

I believe Ben-Hur is best known as a 1959 Hollywood drama starring Charlton Heston.
Who can forget the chariot race?

But have you ever picked up the novel and read it cover to cover?

If you have, have a coffee on me.
If you haven't, let me warn you - don't expect a story like the movie.


Having watched the movie, Ben-Hur seemed like the right read for a trip to Israel, but honestly, I didn't get very far.

In fact, I didn't get very far the whole vacation and only finished two months later.
At home.


Truth be told - Ben-Hur didn't grab me.

Beautifully written.
Deep and provoking.
Amazing plot.


What more could I ask for?
Still, I felt wanting.



Despite my lack of interest, however, there are a few things that have stayed with me.

The dedication.
"To the wife of my youth who still abides with me"


The detail.
Lew Wallace describes to perfection.


The depth.
Judah discovers we are physical beings with bodies of flesh and blood, yet also spiritual beings created with eternal souls.



Would I recommend Ben-Hur?
Despite my humble opinions, definitely.




Reading on...

The Midwife of St Petersburg

The Midwife of St Petersburg

by Linda Lee Chaikin

2007

 I actually don’t have a lot to say about this book…

About a young woman in the last days of Imperial Russia, I found The Midwife of St Petersburg to be captivating.

I couldn’t put it down.

Of course, it was helpful to be stuck in a car on the highway for 14 hours.

This book is certainly what I would consider “a light, easy read”, however, it was enjoyable and a great refresher on the last days on Czarist Russia.

I love Russian history, but more on that another day.

My one complaint would be that I felt the story ended abruptly. In my mind, it’s not finished yet.
There are too many questions left unanswered.

Is there a sequel?
Apparently not.

Reading on…

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

1989

A simple, yet beautiful, story about the saving of a Jewish family from Nazi Forces as told from the point of view of ten year old, Annemarie Johansen.

I learned a few new things in this book...

Danish fishermen hid Jews in secret compartments on their boats and ferried them across the water to Sweden.

Danish scientists invented a substance that temporarily disabled a dog's sense of smell so they would be unable to smell people hidden away.

The ingenuity people used to save Jewish friends, neighbors and strangers inspires me.


What initially drew me to this book is that Number the Stars won the John Newbery Medal in 1990.


The John Newbery Medal?

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished American children’s book published in the previous year.

The Medal has existed since 1922 and, according to the web, is the best known and most discussed book award in the United States.

Personally, I think winning the Newbery Medal is what every author dreams of.

One day I'd like to collect and read all the winners. For a complete list see here.

Reading on…  

Playing Catch-Up 2

 

Once again, I am in the position of reading faster than I write.

 

And, once again, I find myself thankful.

Year of Wonders  

by Geraldine Brooks

2001

 

A historical novel borrowed from real-life events of plague-ridden 17^th century England: a village quarantines itself to stop the spread of disease.

 

I have really enjoyed Geraldine Brooks’ writing in the past (see Caleb's Crossing) and, initially, I loved this book too.

Historical detail, interesting characters, fascinating plot.

 

Then my opinion changed.

 

The characters I thought I knew turned a 180 and, instead of wrapping up as the book began, the book ended like an episode of Days of Our Lives.

 

It seemed to come out of nowhere and I felt blind-sided.

Let down.

 

Did I miss something?

Somehow I wish I did.

What this book really speaks to, however, is grace. Or the lack of it. 

 

 Wings of Dawn

by Sigmund Brouwer 

1995

 

Having only known Sigmund Brouwer as the writer of middle-grade hockey novels, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

 

Wings of Dawn takes place in 14th-century England and is full of action, intrigue and wonderment. While I can’t really say that I love Mr. Brouwer’s writing style, what I can say is that he provided good, clean, adventuresome fun.

 

Exactly the kind of books I want to read.

 

Exactly the kind of books I want to write.

 

 

Winning Balance

by Shawn Johnson

2012

 

If you’ve read my post entitled, The Art of Pushing Too Hard, you’ll know I have a soft spot in my heart for gymnastics, so when I saw Winning Balance, I grabbed it.

 

I wasn’t let down. It was truly an engaging read.

 

Winning Balance is the autobiography of gymnast, and Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Johnson. As expected, Shawn talks about her life before, during and after gymnastics. The book ends as she attempts to make a comeback into the world of competitive gymnastics with the 2012 Olympic Trials.

 

Of course we know from the 2012 Summer Olympics, that Shawn withdrew from competition as a result of injury.

 

As interesting as it is, what sets Winning Balance apart from all the myriads of other gymnastics books on the market is the “Lesson I’ve Learned” section at the end of each chapter. These little nuggets give insight into the inner workings of the author and are truly wisdom to share.

 

Things like, “You need relationships as part of your life.” “Be humble…” “Stepping out of your comfort zone may be scary at first. But it’s worth the risk to see how far you can go.”

 

Shawn is also very open about her faith and she writes many things that would identify her as a Christian. I really appreciated that aspect of the book.

With a world full of fallen superstars, I am so thankful for those very few who can be considered healthy role models.

 

 

Reading on…

My Enemy's Cradle

by Sara Young
2008

 

My Enemy's Cradle has been on my “must read” list for almost five years now.

Why?  

I attended a writer’s conference in Los Angeles and listened to a session given by author, Sara Young (aka Sara Pennypacker). I thought the book, as she described it, sounded interesting.


Interesting it was.

Set in the early 1940’s, this novel explores the Nazi Lebensborn program.

The main character is sent to a Lebensborn maternity home under false pretence and things heat up when someone from her past shows up.

Someone that knows her secret.

 

 

My Enemy's Cradle opened my eyes to a little known part of history.

 

I had never heard of Lebensborn.

 

Have you?

 

Lebensborn, translated “wellspring of life” or “fountain of life”, was a program established by Heinrich Himmler - head of the SS and one of Hitler`s closest confidantes - in 1935 under the Nazi SS Race and Resettlement Office.

 

The official goal was to increase the population of the “Master Race”.

In brief,

Lebensborn consisted of three phases.

 

The first...
Incentives were given to German women to bear many children.  

With or without the benefit of marriage.

Maternity homes were set up all over Germany where "racially pure" women and

girls could spend their pregnancies in comfort, safety and secrecy. 

 

The second...
Lebensborn expanded into occupied territories and maternity homes for "suitably Aryan” girls, pregnant by occupying German forces, were established.

 

Children born in these homes were considered Nazi at birth and taken away

from their mothers to be raised in Nazi homes or institutions.

 

The third...

The kidnapping of “suitably Aryan” children from eastern occupied countries,
most never to be returned to their families after the war.

Those that did return were often ostracized.

 

Apparently, even today as adults, many Lebensborn children suffer from elevated rates of depression, alcoholism and suicide. 

 

To say Lebensborn is devastating is an understatement, but I remember God's

promises...

Jeremiah 29:11

            “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

Even the children born out of Lebensborn,  

God was,

and is,

still in control.

 

He knew each of these children intimately.

 

He loved them.

 

He had great plans for their lives.


He still does.

 

 

Reading on...

The Shakespeare Stealer

by Gary Blackwood
1998

Drawn by the name "Shakespeare" in the title, I grabbed this book off the shelf at our local library.

I knew I'd read it.
I hoped he'd read it.

I have.
He hasn't.

What can I do to get Boy 1 to read a book with Shakespeare filling its pages?


The Shakespeare Stealer is basically about an orphan charged with the job of stealing a copy of William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. He joins a troupe of actors at the Globe Theatre and tries to carry out his task...

Sound familiar?

The Shakespeare Stealer was a great book. I thought the characters were interesting and well-developed. I thought the writing smooth and the research (to my non-expert eye) seamless.

The only downside, in my opinion, is that it has all been done before.

The Shakespeare Stealer has different characters with different names and different circumstances, but I feel like every time I pick up a middle grade novel involving Shakespeare, there is always a script to be stolen or a plot to be foiled or a boy who is really a girl...

Is there any other story to be told?


Even so, it was a good book and I did enjoy my time in its pages.
I just wish my boy had read it. Sigh.

On that note, what he is reading will be the topic of my next post.



Reading on...

Caleb's Crossing

by Geraldine Brooks

2011

This book has been on my “must-read” list for months.

I came across an advertisement for Caleb’s Crossing when it first came on the market and from the outset I found the storyline fascinating. Finally, I happened upon the book at the library and grabbed it before anyone else had the same idea!

 

Caleb’s Crossing tells the story of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk, the first Native American graduate of Harvard College in 1665. Based on threadbare historical fact, Geraldine Brooks weaves an amazing tale told through the eyes of Bethia, a young English Puritan settler.

Bethia first meets Caleb on the shores of untamed Martha’s Vineyard and, after years of clandestine friendship, follows him to the structured constraints of academic life at Harvard College.

English Harvard College, I might add.

Through Caleb and Bethia, Caleb’s Crossing brings to life the contrasts and struggles of the day.

English vs Indian.

Freedom vs Responsibility.

Life vs death.

It makes me wonder what good the English really brought to the Native American people.

And, as a Christian, it makes me wonder what good the rule-laden English Missionaries brought to the Native American people....

That age old question....

And, now that I've said it, I will also say that Geraldine Brooks is an outstanding storyteller. I can’t wait to read more of her books!

Reading on...

When There's Not Much Else To Do...

When your friend is sick,

Very sick,

What do you do?

You pray,

You serve,

You encourage.

And, you offer some books.

At least that is what I did.

Not saying it is the right thing, but my friend accepted.

I remember the thought process even today...

Nothing too heavy.

Nothing too light.

Nothing that fixes.

Nothing that speaks of,

Death.

Instead,

A story that smiles.

A story that celebrates.

A story that feels good.

What?

 

Rekindled

by Tamera Alexander

2006

A story of forgiveness, new beginnings and sweet love. 

See a few more comments here.

Suite Francaise

by Irène Némirovsky

2006

Beautifully written.

So much more than just a book.

Between Sundays

by Karen Kingsbury

2007

Safe.

That's all I know, it's been so long since I've read it myself.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

2008

Timeless.

See my previous comments here.

How did my friend like these choices?

I’ll never know.

Reading on...