Beloved

In 1988 Toni Morrison's novel Beloved won the Pulitzer Prise for Fiction and is on Hannah's book list for an American Literature class at Baylor.  So when we saw the paperback for sale in a book barn after picking blueberries in Michigan, I paid the 4 dollars then in need of a story to captivate me during a migraine I began to read it, from the beginning, not looking at the back cover for hints of what I was in store for.  


After the first chapter I did not want to go forward nor did I want to put the story down.  Its poetic writing and convincing language took me in even as the pictures it painted were on a canvas of something I did not wanted to see.  The story was the story of a woman, and those in her family, both one generation older than her and one generation younger and it moved abruptly from past to present (post Civil War) and back again with most of the pages anchored in Cincinnati,  Ohio. There is not a whole lot of romance in this love story but the love is thick.


I have to agree with those that praised the extraordinary talent expressed in this novel. It took you right back to where you could taste, see and feel what was going on, to places i did not want to be, nor did i want anyone to have to experience, but to know that many did have lives like those in this story gives me much to think about.   Near the end of the book, a minor character makes on observation that I feel does a good job at summing up the story.  "The future was sunset; the past something to leave behind.  And if it did not stay behind, well, you might have to stomp it out.  Slave life; free life-everyday was a test and a trial."

this novel was indeed a trial for me to read.


Beloved
Toni Morrison
275 pages paperback
1988

The Story Teller ~ Promises

Promises was recommended to me by my friend Raffia who received it from our friend Kellie and although it has taken me forever to read (first started it on a plane to Burma, then took it on into China and finished it up in Thailand) I'm so glad that I read it on  through, enjoying several chapters as I hula-hooped.

The man with a hundred wrinkles tells the history of Israel in an ongoing camp-fire chat with small gathering of freinds from the People of Promise. He begins with king Jeroboam II all the way through to the birth of the One who "shall be a great king of the royal line of Shepherd. He shall conqueer every kingdom and heal every hurt and bring peace to the Blue Planet."

This book comes complete with a glossary for important names and places and the reading of the story then is fresh and intriguing.  Promises is one book of four in the Story Tellers Series.


Promises
by Steve Stevens
paperback 204 pages
2000

Ginger Pye

One day while at the Grace school library to pick up a book I had on hold, I saw a book that Beth Lewis had on hold (and she was not due back until after summer) and thought, I bet if Beth wants to read this it would be a good book and with Sophie (our dog lover) visiting, it seemed to be a good choice. However, life got really busy with our move and related things to end well in Chiang Mai and I did not get to finish this charming book...but maybe by posting it, I will not forget it and get to enjoy it again at a later time.

Written in 1951, we get a glimspe into the days of the Pye family as they bring a puppy named Ginger into their lives in Cranbury.
I have a feeling it would be a great great read- aloud to kiddos.
Jerry and Rachel are clever siblings and it looks like Ginger is a very clever addition to their family.  Even though I did not get to read it through, it was an interesting book and I like how they have an uncle younger than they are and one day all three kiddos worked to clean the church...how else were they able to get the money needed to buy the cute puppy?


Ginger Pye
by Eleanor Estes (author of Pinky Pye and The Moffats)
306 pages paperback
The book was originally published in 1951 and it won the Newberry Medal for excellence in 1952.

The Princess

If you are looking for a light, make-believe, modern-day fairy tale (but without the fairy, well other then Fairy Cakes, a white cake and frosting confection), then The Princess might be just the read for you. Hannah loaned to me her paperback copy saying I would like it.  Author Lori Wick never kept me from sleeping but the story was a great one to pick up and set down again, reading a page here, a chapter there until the happily ever after ending 294 pages later.  It all begins in the kingdom of Pendaran with a king and queen and a prince in need of a wife.
 
Interspersed throughout the the story is prayer for and from just about all of the major characters, who, by the way, are quite likable.

Without giving away too much, here is a little summary of a speech that Princess Shelby gave to the August Garden Club, for one of her new responsibilities is to be involved with kingdom events.  She begins with sharing how she grew up with memories of her parents enjoying their flower gardens each spring and how the sound of the honey bees would send her mother running for fear of being stung, but her father, who was deaf from birth did not flee the noise of the bees.  Shelby then goes on to say, "I found myself asking, 'What do I listen to that causes me to fear?  It might seem like a small thing to you, but over the years the sight of flowers or trees has often helped me remember to whom I should listen when it comes to the subject of fear..." You can read more of her garden talk on pages 84-85, and the response she receives from Prince Nikolai, who is still acutely mourning the death of his first wife as he is getting to know his second wife from an arranged marriage.

The Princess
Lori Wick
294 pages, paperback
1999 (republished in 2006)

Blue Shoes and Happiness

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the latest in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

It does not take any time at all and you step right into Africa, smelling the aroma of pumpkin cooking, see the wide open sky, and feel the warmth of the sun make your skin brown.

It is another great read featuring Mma Ramotswe with her traditional build and little white van.  She insightfully solves the mysteries of day to day events in the lives of other Botswanians as she also relates to those who make her life meaningful. 

Here is a little exchange that gives you a taste of what you get with Blue Shoes and Happpiness: ...

On the way she remarked to Mma Makutsi that she was not wearing her new blue shoes that day.  "Was she giving them a rest? One should rotate one’s shoes, said Mma Ramatswe, that is well known."

Mma Makusi smiled, she was embarrassed, but in the warm intimacy of the truck, at such a moment, after the emotionally cathartic showdown they had all just witnessed, she felt that she could speak freely of shoes,’ ’they are a bit small for me Maa, she confessed.  I think you were right, but I felt great happiness when I wore them, and I shall always remember that.  They are such beautiful shoes.”

Maa Ramotswe laughed. “”Well, that is the important thing, isn’t it Mma? To feel happiness and then to remember it.” 

Blue Shoes and Happiness

author: Alexander McCall Smith

227 pg hard back
2006

The Gospel According to John

The Gospel of John has many fascinating themes running through it. This time I was not sure just what topic I would focus on but as I began to read it through it in the NIV 1984 translation, “truth” kept popping out at me. John starts off his account of the life and ministry of Jesus by saying, “the Word become flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Then John records over 2 dozen specific accounts of Jesus saying “I tell you the truth…” In reflecting on the truth that Jesus is proclaiming, I feel one can get a better understanding of the important things Jesus told those around him. And now through John’s writing all who read throughout the generations are able to glimpse with a little more clarity into those key things as well. I will list the “I tell you the truth…” of Jesus as I discovered them from chapter 1 on through to chapter 21.

#1 John 1:51 He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
#2 John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ”

#3 John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
#4 John 3:11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

#5 John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

#6 John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
#7 John 5:2 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

#8 John 6:26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

#9 John 6:32 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
#10 John 6:47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

#11 John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

#12 John 8:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
#13 John 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

#14 John 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
#15 John 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

#16 John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

#17 John 13:16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
#18 John 13:19 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

#19 John 13:21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”
# 20 John 13:38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

#21 John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

#22 John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
#23 John 16:20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

#24 John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

#25 John 21:18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

The Gospel According to John
Author: John
46 pages printed out in large font

Rich Mullins; An Arrow Pointing to Heaven

A very interestingly written book of the life and beliefs of Rich Mullins complied of many quotes by Rich and friends and wise people that have followed after God throughout history.  The 10 chapter book uses each chapter to give a different aspect of Rich's life from childhood to death and chooses one of his songs as the key focal point of the chapter. So, if you are familiar and enjoy Rich Mullin's music, the book is all the more meaningful. I really liked the last chapter the best as Rich lived life with a very real view of death.
this quote, "Live like you'll die tomorrow, Die knowing you'll live forever" sums his thoughts up wonderfully.  It is great to get to read a book that comes highly recommended and that is how this book came into my hands... from a friend and colleague working in Burma who loves to sing the songs of Rich Mullins and desires to also be an arrow pointing to heaven for his family and those he serves in a land that is much need.  

Rich Mullins; an Arrow Pointing to Heaven
author: James Bryan Smith
223 pages; hardback (with study guide and cd)
2002