Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope, Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture

 

   Thriving in Babylon: Why Hope, Humility, and Wisdom Matter in a Godless Culture
                                                            by Larry Osborne
                                  Published April 1st 2015 by David C. Cook


* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review
An amazing book that I sailed right through chomping on every bit of morsel. I applaud the author and the subject of the book. There are so many wonderful points that resounded deeply within me and reading this book I was constantly thinking about it every chance I got. The author explores living in a modern world in which not all are Christians and yet we Christians have an attitude and self-righteousness that often doesn't reach or respect these people.

Daniel of the Bible is used and expounded upon as a jump off point to illustrate and explore how did he, Daniel, live in such a perverse and ungodly world. He then proceeds to explore faith, bad things that happen to the believer to how we interact and often miss the mark in truly respecting the people around us. Modern day Christianity often seeks to prod, guilt or shout their beliefs and attitudes to the general populace who might not believe and do what we think they should be believing or doing. My least favorite subject, politics was mentioned and explored with such an unique insight and approach in which he discusses how Christian often get into thinking that we are to change the world and the political climate. He mentions that the Apostle Paul encouraged the church to respect and honor the emperor Nero who happened to be in power at the time. Nero was one of the most perverse and insane emperors ever in the history of the Roman Empire.

I constantly highlighted and bookmarked throughout the book that I might as well highlighted it all because the book is one of the best on the subject. This quote is one of my favorites in the book:

" Frankly, it's here that many of us can miss the boat. The more Babylon-like our culture becomes, the more our resentment builds, resulting in bitterness, slander, rumormongering, and harsh critiques that no one would characterize as a kind and gentle rebuke. Many excuse their words by pointing to Jesus's harsh rebukes of the Pharisees and other religious leaders of His day. But they miss the point. Jesus didn't rail on the sinners of His day. He pursued them. It was the religious hypocrites who were attempting to keep the sinners at bay that he blasted.

I have thought of purchasing a several copies of this book to hand out to my family. I am blessed by having quite a few Believers in my family but the belief that we as Christians have to take a political and often harsh attitude towards non-believers often alarms me. I also believe that every Christian and church would benefit from reading this wonderful and highly eye-opening book.

Restless Ambition: Grace Hartigan, Painter

     Restless Ambition: Grace Hartigan, Painter
                                                                      by Cathy Curtis
                                           Published January 19th 2015 by Oxford University Press

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review

To be honest I was hoping more in this biography as I am very interested in people especially in the arts, but this one was filled too much with facts and dates. Grace Hartigan, the person never seemed to be fleshed out enough for me and I was a bit bored throughout the book. I am an artist and I did appreciate the snippets of Grace's point of view and her approach to art but it was far and few between. On the positive, I enjoyed reading about Abstract Expressionism and the mention of several of the greats such as Jackson Pollock and De Kooning kept my interest.

I did find a mistake in the facts when the author referred to Walter Keene when she attributed the wide-wide waif paintings to him when in actuality the paintings were his wife, Margaret's paintings. He was plagiarizing her paintings and claimed them as his work. In the book, his name and the true facts about these paintings were inaccurate.

Ultimately I appreciate the research and the writing itself though I always need more beyond facts and details. Though I did get a sense of what the life of an artist during the 50's was like and over-all the book was worth the read.

   by Brenda Vicars
                     Published December 2nd 2014 by Red Adept Publishing            

 *I received a copy from the author in return for a honest review.

When I review books I do not delve into writing a synopsis of the book, I prefer to highlight how the book has affected my emotions and intellect. I often look for more details in what I read in other reviews but I am not one to add more than what others have outlined.

I was excited and looking forward to reading this book because Polarity's mother who had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). There are several people in my family who has (one is deceased) the disorder and I grew up being totally affected and immersed by it. What I didn't expect was such an unique view and understanding of the disorder in this book. There were several times I found myself relating immediately to the dialogue or circumstance remembering what it was like having to deal with someone with this difficult mental illness.

The storyline and events kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. I appreciated the feeling of reality to the various characters and their stories and I think the book has a lot to offer the reader, in particular young people. To me the author is very savvy in the understanding of peer pressure, bullying and the difficulties of school life.

I'll address what I have read in other reviews and experienced in my own reading of the book. There are sections of the storyline that seemed contrived and perhaps a bit "too good to be true". But bear with me, I feel that it is a catalyst or serves a purpose to bringing about the message of the story. I am an artist and I might "contrive" a portion of the painting to highlight an idea or feeling. In reality, perhaps the lighting isn't that bright or yellow, but it will evoke emotion or the sense of being loved or happy. I feel good writing is an art form and I don't expect a book to be totally realistic and flawless. I will over-look certain elements if I know that it was a vehicle to a means to an end. I think in these so-called flaws, the humanity and personality of an author comes through and I want to sense the author in the book I am reading.

The message of the book is profound and very important to young people dealing with many issues including racial prejudice. I found myself (sadly but true) initially looking forward to taking a stance and attitude against the Borderline mother because of my own experience with BPD. This book help uncover my own prejudice against people who suffer from this mental disorder which in turn has helped me to grow and re-evaluate my point of view. When a book touches my emotions and specifically helps re-align my thinking or attitude, I think that is writing to be valued and applauded.
                                  

        
                                                Published April 14th 2015 by Waterfall Press

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.
An Empty Cup started out to be promising and I liked the observation and depiction of Amish life but towards the latter part of the story I think my interest waned a bit. The story seemed to me not to have a clear focus. I understood that part of that focus was Rosanna's difficulty with saying no and allowing herself to be pulled in all directions by family and community. Though it just seemed to be not quite clear enough or either two-dimensional and not quite fleshed out enough for me. I was relieved that Rosanna finally learned that you can't give when you have nothing in your cup to give but darn I felt wrung out through the process.

The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life's Hard

The Hardest Peace:
                                                                Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life's Hard

                            by Kara Tippetts, Joni Eareckson Tada (Foreword)

                                    Published October 1st 2014 by David C. Cook

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

I have experienced the pain and grief of losing a parent to cancer and I am leery of reading books about people dealing with cancer, either it is maudlin or emotionally removed from the storyline. I applaud the author in her handling such a sensitive subject with a deep understanding and maturity in dealing with an illness as serious as cancer. The honesty and transparency was much appreciated and the spiritually insight really blessed me.

The author's emphasis and understanding that each of us has a personal story that the Lord has given us, rather it being one of pain or hardship is not to be feared but rather embraced and received in grace. We don't need to control our hardships or avoid the pain but trust the Lord and accept this particular story that is a part of the Lord's design. Avoiding pain is ultimately not the thing we strive to do in our Christian lives.

This quote resounded within me:

"What is the chief end of man?" The answer, the beautiful answer every heart needs to hear: "To glorify God and enjoy Him FOREVER." That forever being this side of heaven and the next. Longevity is not the answer, but it is my soft heart's desire. But to give glory forever-yes, yes. That is my longevity in this place and in the next."

After reading this book I felt encouraged and enlightened to a different way of viewing pain, illness and hardship. I strive to read books that have changed my spiritual outlook for the better and this is one of those books.

     by J. Robin Wood
               Published February 3rd 2015 by BJU Press/JourneyForth

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

I am a mom with daughters in their 20's and 30's and I imagined that it would be correct to say that I am in a position to read this book and relate very well to it. The author is a younger mother with toddlers and still I assumed that I could relate. Initially I did but I did not relate to how she presented her book. I could not grasp her analogy of "supermom" and relating it to the flesh that we all struggle with. Albeit "supermom" in this case represented sin, which I know is "the flesh". I felt that there was too much focus on sin, fleshliness, being unspiritual, selfishness but especially on sin. After a while I felt like I was being eaten alive by a literary shrike. A shrike is a bird that picks at its' prey until they die. I know I am being dramatic but there seemed to be little let up with all the self castigation. And suffice to say, I could have easily fallen into a self castigation party myself but I have done enough of that in my youth and not so distant past.

I am very aware that we as Christians should do quite a bit of sin awareness work but this book and approach was over the top and I wonder if some poor mother would sink into a depth of depression after reading this book. I do believe that I might be too harsh but I think as Christians it could be an easy downward spiral of concentrating on our flesh and sin too much. It in itself can also be a sin, a idol of sorts. I am so glad that we leave it at the cross each and every day. To be fair there were snippets of good moments in this book but not enough for me to carry over into my review. Thank the Lord for grace and His gentle care in how He pinpoints our failures, shortcomings and sin. I love how He shows this to us and how we can come to Him for renewal and forgiveness. There is a sweetness in the process, I end up feeling loved and not condemned. I would have liked to read more of that in this book. I think having a fair and balanced approach that is both Biblical and spiritually logical is key to a very serious issue.

A Travelogue of the Interior: Finding Your Voice and God's Heart in the Psalms

     by Karen Dabaghian
                                        Expected publication: April 15th 2015 by David C. Cook

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

A Travelogue of the Interior was all that I had hoped for and then some. Not an amazing start to my review but straight forward if I say so myself. From what I gathered from the synopsis this book was something I knew I would glean rich and insightful spiritual gems, I was not disappointed. The author outlines the book in such a way that you are taken along for the ride in her journey but she welcomes the reader to join her in her adventure in the book of Psalms. Right from the start she invites the reader "to read a psalm a day, unpack it and the write a poem in response". An invitation to join her adventure down the river of Psalms and hopefully discover yourself along the way.

There are several chapters that explores subjects such as lament, sin, prayer and thirsting after God, among others. I mention these because they spoke to me the most. Oh, and one more which explores gender and how especially women struggle with how we(and the world)view women. I constantly highlighted many sections and even added a few of my own notes.

This quote really resounded within me, a section referring to being a parent:
"I let them go because it is good for them, and it is good for me. I let them go because that is, after all, part of what parenting is, a daily, sometimes gut wrenching decision to entrust our children to God and teach them that they belong not to us but to God. To instruct them and then give them opportunities to discover on their own that God uniquely made them to reflect God's image in the world, that they are capable of following God wherever He leads."

There were parts of the book that I related to only because I have journaled and spent the time doing the spiritual digging. I love reading books that reaffirm the journey that I often wonder if others have walked or experienced. When I do come up to similarities like my own I am both encouraged and spurred onto higher heights. I know that many people will grasp the spiritual truths and prompts while reading this book, I most certainly did.

There was a moment, well, perhaps more than a moment that I almost abandoned the book. I had my spiritual feet shook a bit and I had to reassess to continue or not. I like being honest in my reviews and life and I cannot pass this up. The author has a scientific approach to creation and mentions with much obscurity and refers to "evolution" in one of her chapters. I about did an internal flip and my heart and mind starting reacting and I was having a battle with her using "that" word. After all, we all know that you don't say bomb on a plane and I couldn't help thinking of that analogy when I saw the word evolution in a Christian book no less! I promptly looked her up on the internet and was in a righteous huff while looking up her name and what the Christian community is saying about her. Truthfully I couldn't find anything other than her blog. Suffice to say, she is unclear in the book exactly what she is really trying to say about creation. I don't think she is saying that we weren't created by God and etc but I had to let it go and figure that it isn't up to me to challenge her or to get into a huff and abandon the book. It is well worth the ruffling of the feathers and truthfully I got over it. The love and genuinely of her life and walk with the Lord clearly comes through her writing and right now in my life, that is enough.

My last thoughts is if we are to avoid any ideas or personal theories out there that are different from ours; we as Christians might as well stay home, never turn on our tv or turn on our computers. There are all kinds of people and certainly Christian brothers or sisters that might have an opinion or belief that differs from our own. I realized after my initial reaction and letting it go and carrying on with the book, I learned many spiritual truths in my doing so. I love when a book challenges you and then you see the Word or the Lord in a fresh and new way. That is how I felt by the time I finished the book. I plan to buy a Psalms journal and do exactly what the author did and invite the Lord along for the ride. 

     By Hugh Halter
                                         Expected publication: July 1st 2015 by David C. Cook

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

How do I start? My goodness this book was a mind twister and I don't mean in a bad way but in a good way! I am a Christian who feels reluctant to declare to be one because of the bum rap that we Christians have been dealt with. I don't blame the world of non-believers because basically I understand the reaction and feelings. Anymore I cringe and shake my head equally of what I see in the world  <i>and</i> within the ranks of my Christian brothers and sisters.
This book is about judgment and how we, as Christians have failed royally and shamefully in that area. We are called to first love God and then love our neighbor which I feel means <i>everybody</i> regardless of color, beliefs or sexual orientation. This book outlines in detail that call to love and not to judge. We as Christians have taken on such a judgmental stance so much so that most people hate us and want nothing to do with the "love" that we are suppose to show and hand out.

This book will do a number on how you view your fellow man and woman and unearth hidden and not so hidden attitudes and judgments. The author starts out with a scenario of his judgment in a given day. I related to that immediately. To be human is to be judgmental and I feel that it is an innate trait within us. The author explores this tendency to judge. Be prepared to have you look sincerely and honestly with yourself and a "religiosity" that is often solidly intact in all of us. He hit upon so many points that I think the Christian community needs to hear and to think about. If you are a rigid, severely conservative, self righteous Christian, be prepared to have a few of your hard earned ideals thrown out of joint!
Here is a quote from the book that resounded within me:
<i>"let us live as a true aroma of Christ instead of a stench or fume of brimstone. If it is Christ in us, if God is making His appeal through us, then why do we keep trying to protect our image and our values? We should instead be image bearers and let people be with us so they can pick up on our values. May wisdom be proved right! May the church come alive! And may you live with Jesus." </i>

         by David Martin 
                                                                 Published  by WriteLife

* I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

I really didn't know what to expect from this book and I had an open mind. A few of the short stories or rather essays were interesting and there were a few good ideas. I learned of an event under the Wilson Administration termed the United States Occupation of Veracruz which occurred in 1914. I never had a clue about this part of our history and I enjoyed reading the back story leading up to the 7 month occupation. The essays afterward seem to proclaim a general view that Christianity is false and the attitude about religion is negative. The book ultimately ended up to be in my opinion "anti-Christian". This fact pushed back my enjoyment and the rating for this book.    

     by M. Esther Lovejoy
                                                                    Published by Discovery House Publishers          

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book as sometimes I can be quite hard on books especially ones that lean towards the self-help genre. Though being a Christian book the term self-help seems a bit ludicrous because we are ultimately not relying on the self but leaning upon the Bible and the Lord. I think there should be a sub category all of it's own in regards to books of this nature. Esther Lovejoy brings to our attention in a new way of looking at suffering. Actually she uses scriptural references and personal experiences. I really appreciated the personal insight and her being transparent in bringing to light how her own personal suffering can often bring a certain spiritual sweetness to a person's life.
She quotes and refers to many authors and the spiritual greats of the past to illustrate the depth and potential "sweetness" to suffering. I liked how she laid out her chapters and her exploring  the subject of suffering. We are all born to suffering because of the original sin. It is a human inclination to veer away from suffering and pain. She illustrates through her own personal story and understanding that we all suffer and not only do we suffer pain and disappointments but Christ suffered as well. What we think is something that only we humans have understanding and experience of, Christ did as well, we are not alone and are not victims of suffering. Suffering can be a tool, a sweetness to the whole human experience. Our suffering is where we can be ultimately in the vulnerable place of reaching out to our Heavenly Father and being comforted.
I appreciated her emphasizes and time spent in exploring the depth of pain and the fact that we can lean on the Lord and expect to be heard and comforted. I am looking forward to more books by this author, I was pleasantly surprised by the wisdom in this book. 

Shot Down

        by Steve Snyder
                                          Published August 27th 2014 by Smashwords Edition

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

I have always been interested in WW 2 and reading Steve Snyder's account of his father, Lieutenant
Howard Snyder, brought not just another story to light. The author gave an honest and a very interesting and different perspective into what it was like to be a pilot of a B-17, dubbed the Flying Fortress. The set-up of the narrative, the openness and the details of the time was quite fresh and new to me. The details about the planes and military life never bored me and I never lost my interest, in fact I become more interested in WW2. It helped me to understand the era and I felt like I could easily place myself alongside a typical American pilot experiencing a not so typical war.

I especially appreciated that the author wrote his book in a revealing way without being vulgar, coarse or full of gore. I like to hear about what happened "over there" but I can become quite squeamish with an author's mishandling of the topic. I found Steve Snyder handled all the afore mentioned items with much delicacy.

The end and the acknowledgements were just the right touch and feel that I like in a book. Not often do I read acknowledgements in a book, I wanted more insight into the journey of this author and the legacy that was left to him by his father. Certainly well worth the read.

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Pace Yourself: Quitting the Business of Busyness

by Brady Boyd
Published September 1st 2014 by David C. Cook



*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.
                
It has been a while since I truly have enjoyed a book so much as this one, in fact right to the end! I can be quite hard on Christian non-fiction books because I don't want to hear the same old adages from all the other books that I have read. I don't necessarily pick apart a book when it comes to the theology because I am not a theologian, I'll leave that to the people in the know. I approach the Word with a somewhat simplistic attitude and I will double check the scripture references. Though I ultimately lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and clarification. I have been raised all my life in church and have heard and read a lot and I tire quickly of people wanting to pull apart the Word of God.

So when I started this book by Brady Boyd, I was prepared for the "same old" themes and generalized ideology. The author managed to bring to my attention ideas, thoughts, feelings and spiritual musings that I have wondered about or have experienced but never heard or read anywhere. I am a person who thinks deeply about my spiritual life, a part of the natural curiosity in me. This is the first time that I read a book that consistently brought up new ways of looking at the theme of being busy, learning to be still and waiting on God. I love where he says "I may have escaped the stressors of daily life, but had I even rested at all? This is what God is hinting at here, that restfulness is tethered to the state of our souls".

I constantly highlighted throughout the book right to the end. I am always somewhat disappointed with a book towards the end because basically all the material has been explored and discussed through the first third and then it is basically a "filler" and conclusion towards the end. I noticed with this book there were a constant looping and rhythm of ideas and stories and excitement of the subject matter to the last chapter. The book kept my attention and I felt inspired and I will recommend this to my friends and family. 

Orchard House: How a Neglected Garden Taught One Family to Grow

   by Tara Weaver

Expected publication: March 24th 2015 by Ballantine Books

 

*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

 

When I think of my mother I first remember our trips to the library and our shared love for reading and then, it is my memories of our gardening together. Reading this book brought back such sweet memories of gardening and cooking and preserving the bounty from our garden. For the past two years I have been delving back into the rich world of gardening and canning the rich rewards. My own daughter and her husband were the ones who helped my renewed interest; perhaps because they do the majority of the work! I happily reminisce while canning or dehydrating. The author really tapped into my memories and I suppose I am biased in saying that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because of my own past experiences.

I enjoyed her delving into the difficulties of her relationship with her mother and brother. Psychology and introspection are subjects that go right along with an activity such as gardening and I think it was a brilliant combination for a book. At times it appeared as though she was a bit too much on the introspection but good old fashioned catharsis is good for the soul, after all we are all human and have a complaint or two in this life. I found the writing was very well done and I would definitely recommend it.  

Bell of the Desert

  by Alan Gold

Published November 18th 2014 by Yucca Publishing


*I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley to review.

Gertrude Bell was a woman before her time and reading this historical fiction based upon this remarkable woman came across very well as a fictionalized biography. I truly love books that inspire me and encourages me to discover more about who or what I am reading about. What I liked about the book was the way that the author handled bringing Gertrude Bell front and center in our story. Her curiosity and drive not to be held back because of her sex was thoroughly outlined. This book was chocked full of adventure and bits of information about Arabia and its' people.

Politics was par for the course in such an undertaking writing about such an important figure in history. My patience waned at times with the political maneuvering but I don't hold it against the book, it is a personal disinterest on my part. The story was wrapped up quite nicely and you had a good sense of what Gertrude had done for that part of the world. She rubbed elbows and locked minds with many historical figures such as Harry Lawrence also known as Lawrence of Arabia and Winston Churchill.

I did find that the many references to her sexual escapades did tax my patience but I think that the majority of the public are interested in such details but personally I found it taxing and quite unnecessary. Overall it is a good read, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, adventure, women who have overstepped their rigid roles of the time and in the Middle East.

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal

Reading about the South always makes me feel right at home and this book pulled me right in. For being a debut, not bad at all. I did consider it leaning towards chick-lit by the time I finished it. I really appreciated the fact that the author wrote about a setting that she understands. I started craving Cajun food and I am set and determined to make some as soon as possible! The storyline overall was entertaining and kept my interest though the later part with the family mystery seemed a bit far-fetched and too many stories that unraveled. I think for all the events that happened the emotional impact over such events should have been even more over the top, considering people are wired to react in such ways, it seemed too unrealistic at the end. Perhaps a bit rushed and tired at the end. My way of telling when I am totally enthralled with a book, I always hate it to end. With this book, I was a little relieved.

Art and Reading or is it Reading and Art!

I am including a picture of one of my plein air paintings from about 2012. Now if you are wondering what is a plein air painting? Well, this is simple, imagine taking your art studio outside along a beautiful river, in God's country and painting to your heart's content. I am an avid reader, my favorite activity is reading and art and painting is my second favorite. I have been stuck lately on reading a lot and I have been enjoying every moment of it, though I have been feeling the need and desire to get out there along the river to paint.

I paint in pastels and watercolor and this particular painting is a pastel. The river is the North Yuba River and approximately within 30 minutes of my house. This painting though was painted about 5 miles north of Downieville (I am in No. California) in fact this spot is on someone's mining claim. Yes, we still have mining claims and in fact my husband works for the Forest Service and is a Mineral's Officer. So, while I paint, I keep my eyes open and report back to him.....no.....I am just kidding. I try to keep my mind on the painting and let him do the investigating!

I think reading keeps our minds open for new adventure or our interests engaged, well, at least it does for me. When I read, my mind often drifts to painting and art; reason is I think the scenes that authors "paint" with words often will inspire that need to paint. For me, reading and art seems to go hand in hand and I often am motivated to get out there and look for new areas or subjects to paint. After-all aren't authors looking for the same thing but in a different way? Both activities keeps the creative juices flowing and the mind's eye activated.

Now all I need is some good weather and hopefully a sunny day to venture out to the North Yuba and do my own creating. Happy reading people and keep your viewpoint open to the possibilities that reading can bring to your world.

Gently Awakened by Sara Joseph

I was gifted this book by my niece with an unusual facebook post where she offered the first 6 people who liked her post and were given the opportunity to choose anything they wanted for under $10 from Amazon. I just happen to see her post and thought how unusual and how wonderful to randomly gift any one of her friends with a simple gift. I happen to run across this book as being on my wish list and on a lark, gave her the link and I was gifted this book within minutes on my Kindle. I think it was a divine appointment because the author seemed to be speaking directly to me.

At times it seem as though this book was written specifically for me and I related so much to the struggles of the Christian artist. The need for meaning and focus and the constant fight against futility is my day in and day out struggle as an artist. Being a perfectionist and often doubting myself, this book inspired every part of my spirit. I recommend it to anyone who is a Christian who often wonders where their art fits in their spiritual walk and life. I especially appreciated the mention of the importance of keeping a journal of that struggle. This book is a fresh breath of inspiration! (less)                  

The Beginning

I was introduced to the wonderful world of the library and reading by my mother who was an avid reader. In fact, she was a speed reader even before it became vogue. Truthfully I think she needed to be a fast reader because her time was so limited by the daily grind of being a mother, wife and all around workaholic. I never have known anyone other than myself and my youngest daughter, Amanda to be so voracious in her appetite for books and reading. Every evening she would grab those precious hours on her reading chair and she literally zoom through her books. Her favorite authors were Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. I tried to find an old picture of the Lennox library but could only find a picture of the newer re-modeled library. At least the design is the same and it gives you an idea of what it looked like.

Going to the library was one of my favorite pursuits with my mother. My first library was the Lennox library in Lennox, California. While looking for a picture of the library to include in this post, I discovered that it is one of the oldest continually running libraries in Los Angeles County and it was built in 1918. I was in first grade and barely out of the first reader when my mother included me in her favorite pursuit of books.  I still remember having my first library card being filled out and then being unleashed on that small sanctuary of books, my first books that I remember having borrowed were the "Curious George" series. My mother literally ran out all reading options in that library and she decided we have to move onto better pastures. I don't remember how old I was but I do think I was in Jr. High and High School. We moved onto the Hawthorne Library, although I missed Lennox Library, the expanse of those books on those shelves, well, the memories of my old library waned far into the background. Our trips to the library was at least every two to three days, far more than we previously visited the Lennox Library.

At some point we decided that Hawthorne was just a bit too small, so the Inglewood library with it's multiple floors was the ticket! I remember how amazing it was to catch the elevator, in a library! I didn't particularly like this library as much because for one, the absolute size of the place was a bit daunting for a small time library girl, the mere size limited the sense of  library intimacy. Though I think what really perturbed me was the library's habit of covering all their books with generic "wallpaper" covers. I love books and I am a cover lover! There is something about the lure of the cover of a book, it either entices you or holds you aloof. We went a few times but I think it was a mutual decision to stay with our old library.

I am a voracious reader to this day. I have many interests but my reading time and the love of books is part of who I am. I have four library cards and I frequent my Overdrive library and I also own (soon to own another!) a Kindle. I have two grandsons and soon-to-arrive granddaughter and I hope that I can help instill the love of books and reading in them. My youngest daughter and I carry on the grand tradition of books, reading and libraries. Our trips to town always involve a trip to the library, talking about books and reading! While I drive if we aren't talking about books and life, I am listening to an audiobook while she is reading. I am so privilege to have had a mother who nurtured this part of my life in me and those memories are the best part of my childhood.

So, this post is dedicated to the woman who started it all, Yvonne Atha Parker. Who by the way lost her eyesight due to diabetes during the last 15 years of her life. She then had to rely on books sent to her by the Library of Congress on a special player. I remember her complaining about her lack of control over what was sent to her to read. If only she had what is available now in the way of audiobooks or being read to by a Kindle! I try not to think about her eyesight being robbed from her and her reading life being altered. I rather remember those wonderful trips to the library.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

   Rich with imagery and allegory instilled within the stories of our two main characters, one a French blind girl and Werner, an intelligent young German boy. I couldn't decide which of the two stories I liked the best though I felt that the horrors of the war was equally felt through both. Their stories were told in a somewhat factual way and yet I think I rather liked this approach because the reader is slowly reeled in. I detest being a victim to pretentious emotional hype that books of this genre strive to achieve. The ending was absolutely beautiful and this part was one of my most favorites: That great shuttles of souls might fly about, faded but audible if you listen closely enough? They flow above the chimneys, ride the sidewalks, slip through your jacket and shirt and breastbone and lungs, and pass out through the other side, the air a library and record of every life lived, every sentence spoken, every word transmitted still reverberating within it. Every hour, she thinks, someone for whom the war was memory falls out of the world. We rise again in the grass. In the flowers. In songs.