The Book Thief

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

2005

hardback, 552 pages

The closer I got to the end of The Book Thief, the slower I turned the pages. I did not want it to end. I wanted my life to keep having Liesel, and Rudy and Papa, and even foul-mouthed (yet big-hearted) Mama as a part of my days. I learned a lot about Nazi Germany, human nature, death, desire, loss, and hope and quite a few German swear-words through the story that mainly took the reader through 5 years of life. I had watched the movie with Russell, not knowing it was a book, and then a few years later Isaiah brought the novel home from the library. He was enthralled, so I checked it out next.  

Isaiah asked as I was getting started, "Isn't it interesting that the narrater is deaf?" Hmmmm, a deaf narrator, I had not noticed, but then I paid attention. But no the narrator could hear. "Not deaf, Mom, Death." I was the deaf one and yet I agree, a very interesting perspective from the narrator. And I loved how Death was not evil, cruel, but rather compassionate and faithfully did his job, lifting the souls of humans, mostly killed by the hands of other humans. 

That does not give anything away, if you pick up a book about Nazi Germany, you are bound to read of some suffering and death. But the life that you encounter through Mark Zusak's characters is the kind of life you can smell, and feel, and even taste. There were times when I was reading in a warm, cozy bed but I felt the dank coldness of a basement in winter on a poor street called Heaven, and from the planes flying to and from our Houston airports it took little imagination to hear the propellers and whining of planes from another time.

Wonderfully woven, and not told in a hurry, there was depth to everyday life in a small town outside of Munich as a war as big as the world was about to take place. Hunger mixed in with soccer as seasons made their rounds and Liesel and Rudy grew from nine-year-olds to young teens. What they experienced together made me want to more deeply reflect on my own childhood, wondering what really forms up a person. Liesel and her neighbor Rudy were rich in friendship, loyalty, and even bravery. 

With the title called, The Book Thief, you can guess that there were some books involved. And the books told their own stories (some stolen, some written, most all of them read multiple times) as they skillfully wove minor characters into the lives of the major ones. Even though I knew the ending (from the movie) I could not put this book down as the style and uniqueness made it feel like I was turning the pages of art.

The Book Thief has won honor awards for Young Adult Literature. I highly recommend The Book Thief and would love to hear what stood out to you, for in a story this rich, there are bond to be many meaningful observations.   

Romans

Romans

by Paul, the apostle

written 57 A.D.

16 chapters, about 14 pages 

Recently (Feb 2014) I received a list of passages, from a friend that goes to The Grove, that help to give a Biblical identity of those that are in God's family. As a number of them were from Paul's letter to those in Rome, I decided today to read the 16 chapter letter and look for clues that show me my identity.  This is what I have found: 

 1:7       I'm beloved of God and called to be a saint

3:24      I'm justified by his grace and redeemed

4:7-8    I'm blessed as one forgiven

5:1        I'm made right in God's sight by faith and have peace with God through Jesus 

5:2       I'm able to rejoice in hope of the glory of God

5:3-5   I'm able to rejoice in troubles, for through them God is building and strengthening me

5:8       I'm loved

5:9       I'm saved from wrath

5:10-11    I'm rejoicing in reconciliation to God

5:20   I'm one who receives God's grace that far supersedes my sin 

6:7     I'm freed from sin

6:11    I'm dead to sin and alive to God 

6:19   I'm a slave of righteousness

6:23   I'm given the gift of eternal life

8:1      I'm freed of condemnation 

8:2     I'm freed from the sin/death cycle 

8:10    I'm one in which God's Spirit dwells

8:14    I'm a child of God, led by His Spirit 

8:15    I'm adopted!

8:17    I'm a co-heir with Jesus.

8:29    I'm able to be conformed to the image of Jesus

8:31    I'm protected. God is for me 

8:32    I'm freely given all things

8:35&39    I'm inseparable from God's love 

8:37    I'm more than a conqueror through Jesus.

9:26    I'm a child of the living God.

12:5    I'm one body in Jesus

12:6    I'm given gifts to use

14:8   I'm one who belongs to the Lord!

15:13  I'm filled with hope and peace.

Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit

Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit

P G Wodehouse

1954

246 page, paperback

Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit is a delightful, non-rushed read.  A short-story set in London, back in the day (what day, I'm not sure, but butlers and country houses and dart games in clubs were all common at that time).  It was for a long bus ride that Gabe recommended this particular book for Sophie.  I recently asked her what she thought of it and from her description it seemed like a perfect book for this week. It is light-hearted and does not require solving any of the world's problems.  The story takes place in a short time span and introduces characters that are in other books by P G Wodenhouse in the Jeeves series. This book being not the first, or the last, was satisfying just as it was.  Jeeves is the butler and he is smart.  Bertie Wooster is easy enough to like and is in often need of Jeeves help.  Enter in an old Aunt, on-going mustache conversations, a variety of people that are in and out of love and a business deal or two and you have the makings for this story. 

I enjoyed this book for the unusual use of language alone.  The long, interesting descriptive sentences and dialogues from another time charmed me, add several french phrases thrown in for good measure and it held my interest enough to help me get through a migraine, so that was a plus. 

The author, a man from England, moved to NY in 1909 and his writing career flourished.  It helped me to already like British humor and having lived a year in London also made it a fun book for me.  Even though no world problem's were solved, the story did wrap up nicely and although I'm not rushing out to find the next Jeeves book, I will enjoy one when it comes my way.

Here is a little excerpt from page 9 and 10 to show the pacing and interaction of the characters: 

"Something appears to be arresting your attention, Jeeves. Is there a smut on my noes?

His manner continued frosty.  There are moments when he looks just like a governess, one of which was this one. 

"No, sir. It is on the upper lip.  A dark stain like mulligatawny soup."

I gave a careless nod.

"Ah, yes," I said.  "The moustache.  That is what you are alluding to, is it not?  I grew it while you were away. Rather natty, don't you think?"

"No sir, I do not."

And the story goes on from there. If you have time on your hands, this is a good little book to escape into. 

Daughters by Design

Daughters by Design
by Paula Jarot
hardback; 201 pages
2010

I first read Daughters by Design as a printed out manuscript with a pen in hand, in a hotel room in Laos while we were there for a high-school soccer tournament for Isaiah.  Paula Jarot, a talented teacher and good friend, taught Isaiah in elementary school and when she and Paul came to Russell and I asking for prayer over a big decision, I selfishly told her I would not pray if it meant they would leave Thailand.  She assured me that that was not the case, and so began the praying for what became an incredible gift from God, not just for their family, but for the whole community. 

As I re-read Daughters by Design, a decade later, again I'm so thankful for all God put into place as trust increased and prayer was answered.  This true story of the adoption of two Cambodian girls is sure to inspire.  Paula shares fears, hopes, trust, love and dedicated walking by faith as she and Paul say "yes" to God's leading each step of the way.  The journey did not end with adoption for they continue to live by faith, raising and giving guidance to two beautiful young ladies.  The cross-cultural experiences shared by Paula give a keen insight into the lives of those in Cambodia, a country filled with great hurt, yet filled with people of great strength.  Sivy and Sopeak are two of these.  They with tensity for life, did not give up when life was hard in Cambodia or when the challenges of learning English at a school much different from what they could ever picture became their reality. If you would like an heart-felt story of a journey with God, this book is one I would recommend.  Thank you Paula for your dedicated life, for your godly example, and for your willingness to share your experiences with others through your story.  Chapter 24 is especially good.

Goodnight Houston

Goodnight Houston
by Jennifer and Kyle Solak
Illustrated by Paul Dolan
30 page picture book


Goodnight Houston, a delightfully illustrated children's book was our gift from Sophie this Christmas (2013).  I love it! Written by two parents and dedicated to their sons, the rhyming pages share many of the good aspects of living life in Houston.  It was a joy to think back on all of what we have experienced since we have moved to Houston as H-town becomes home to us.  Sophie's enthusiasm for the city remains contagious and I look forward to further explores and contributions for our family in this great city.
Thank you Sophie for such a thoughtful gift.

Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling
by Sarah Young
382 pages
2004

I had never heard of the unique daily devotional Jesus Calling until a friend gave me a leather copy for Christmas 2012.  I began reading it the first day of January 2013 and it took me about a month to get used to the point of view of Jesus talking to me, as the reader, in each of the daily entries.  For a while I was reading out of discipline and I did not write in the book, as i did not know if i would really like it and maybe if not i might pass it along.  Somewhere in the year, it happened where I so looked forward to each of the days readings and as my prayer time with Jesus increased over the areas He was addressing through scripture, I knew it would be a journal I would read again and again.

This year as I read I underline the bits that are personal to me, and like last year I look the recorded scripture verses up in my Bible for further context, but this year I underline them in my NLT with purple and excited to see all the places where Jesus really cares for me!   Through the year, I have heard of more and more ladies share with me how this book has affected them for good too (some even have it on their i-phone).  I fully recommend it and so thankful for having my own copy and will not be giving this one away, but may purchase other ones to give as gifts.  :)  Thank you Sarah Young for being still to hear from Jesus and I pray for  that desire to grow within me as well.  Thank You Jesus for Your Presence, Your wisdom and Your continual loving care.

The Whale Rider

The Whale Rider
by: Witi Ihimaera
152 pages hardback
1987

Written primarily from the view point of a loving uncle, this Maori "fable" is an interesting account of the life of an eight-year-old girl.  Had Kahu been a first-born son, there would be a different story to tell.  But this little girl persevered in spite of receiving any affection from the great-grandfather that she adored, and in the end, she saved the day.  Intersperse in the story are Maori phrases (often the explanation immediately following) so like the other books I have read about New Zealand, the use of additional language give a rich texture to the reading experience.  There are very poetic chapters about whales and their lives which also provides variety to what would be a very straight-forward story plot.  The characters are consistent and likable (even the grumpy grandparents) and easy to picture in the ways in which they interacted with one another. 
Tribal history and the desire to preserve it played a role in the novel.  Perhaps the bits I liked best was the uncle's travels to Australia and on to Papua New Guinea and the discoveries he made about himself while he was away.  When he returned home he was glad to be back and had a deeper appreciation for all that he had left. 
This is a quick and enjoyable read that makes me happy for family and the value of community. Oh, and the novel was made into a movie, but i have not seen it.