by Melanie Dobson
Carver County Library hardcover 397 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
Set in Amsterdam during WWII and also in modern day times, this story followed the Kingston family and their connections through the Holocaust and beyond. There were things I really liked about the story (mostly Ava's modern-day journey to help the Kingston Foundation and find out her family history) and things I disliked.
I'll start with disliked: my confusion over all the characters and how they were connected! I understand why the author didn't provide a "who's who" type of list, as that would have spoiled some plotlines. I ought to have made my own, since this proved a challenge for me to follow some aspects of the story line (and judging by our book club discussion, a barrier for others, too).
Landon and Ava/ coffee and compassion / Uganda and Seattle - definitely my favorite aspect of the book. Here are some other spots I noted:
Page 52 - "God, she suspected, would want the theology she'd spent a lifetime learning to siphon down into her hands and feet. Share His love with those who needed a glimpse of it during this dark season." (Josie, May 1942)
Page 85 - "Books, she once said, are the best legacy. They outlast one's life and shed light on the past when truth is hard to find." (Ava, in Uganda)
Page 115 - "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for a future that only He can see." (Quotation from Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place.)
Page 242 - "I sit on a bench and retrieve her Bible out of my handbag to find the verses where Jesus speaks about the truth of His teaching, truth that could set people free. The father of lies wants to conceal the truth, He said, enslave people in their sin. Their shame. God sent His Son to set them - to set me - free." (Ava, in Seattle, after meeting Mrs. West)
Page 308 - "A glimpse of heaven, that is the terroir I need right now, a place where evil can no longer hide, the supreme light of Christ blasting away the shadows." (Ava, in Amsterdam)
Page 313 - Yes! I suspected this but was pumped when Paul answered what his father's name was!
Page 347 - "He started buying antique bottles in their memory, and for years we would watch the light pour into each one, filling what had been broken, their legacy living on in both of us." (Mrs. West, talking to Ava, Landon, and Kendall) This scene is so gorgeous in my mind that it makes me want to start collecting colorful glass containers to put in a sunny window!
We had a good discussion, but I was only halfway done reading it so I couldn't fully participate. I need to get the book club book more quickly and hunker down to read it!
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Of Sound Mind
by Jean Ferris
NPMS library hardcover 215 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
This is a more serious title from Ferris, who often writes with humor. Theo is a senior in high school. As the only hearing member of his family, his ability to hear and speak English as well as use ASL means that he does a lot of interpreting for his parents and little brother Jeremy. He also takes on a large share of responsibility for the household.
Theo as a character was a delightful young man, but it didn't seem realistic that he was so innocent about so many things. Perhaps I'm too jaded. That said, his friendship with Ivy and the conflicts with his mother made this very readable. I'm not sure how easy a "sell" it would be to middle schoolers. Unlike most realistic fiction, this book has clean language and no sexual content. The kiss scene (pages 134-5) is super sweet!
I loved Jeremy and Theo's care for his family. There was actually a climax to the story that I did NOT anticipate. This was worthwhile. The signing, frustrations, and challenges for deaf people and their family members was enlightening.
NPMS library hardcover 215 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction
This is a more serious title from Ferris, who often writes with humor. Theo is a senior in high school. As the only hearing member of his family, his ability to hear and speak English as well as use ASL means that he does a lot of interpreting for his parents and little brother Jeremy. He also takes on a large share of responsibility for the household.
Theo as a character was a delightful young man, but it didn't seem realistic that he was so innocent about so many things. Perhaps I'm too jaded. That said, his friendship with Ivy and the conflicts with his mother made this very readable. I'm not sure how easy a "sell" it would be to middle schoolers. Unlike most realistic fiction, this book has clean language and no sexual content. The kiss scene (pages 134-5) is super sweet!
I loved Jeremy and Theo's care for his family. There was actually a climax to the story that I did NOT anticipate. This was worthwhile. The signing, frustrations, and challenges for deaf people and their family members was enlightening.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
The Bees
by Laline Paull
Scott County Library audiobook 9CDs
read by Orlagh Cassidy
genre: fiction, bees, unusual
Other than a prologue and epilogue that bookend the story, the entire book is told from the bees' point of view. Specifically, a worker bee named Flora 717. I don't think I can do justice to a description of the book . . . so I'll grab one off Amazon.
"The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Hunger Games in this brilliantly imagined debut set in an ancient culture where only the queen may breed and deformity means death.Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, a member of the lowest caste in her orchard hive where work and sacrifice are the highest virtues and worship of the beloved Queen the only religion. But Flora is not like other bees. With circumstances threatening the hive’s survival, her curiosity is regarded as a dangerous flaw but her courage and strength are an asset. She is allowed to feed the newborns in the royal nursery and then to become a forager, flying alone and free to collect pollen. She also finds her way into the Queen’s inner sanctum, where she discovers mysteries about the hive that are both profound and ominous. But when Flora breaks the most sacred law of all—daring to challenge the Queen’s fertility—enemies abound, from the fearsome fertility police who enforce the strict social hierarchy to the high priestesses jealously wedded to power. Her deepest instincts to serve and sacrifice are now overshadowed by an even deeper desire, a fierce maternal love that will bring her into conflict with her conscience, her heart, her society—and lead her to unthinkable deeds. Thrilling, suspenseful and spectacularly imaginative, The Bees gives us a dazzling young heroine and will change forever the way you look at the world outside your window."
I didn't think I'd like it, but I ended up wanting to know what would happen to Flora and wanting her to succeed. I was very curious what a bee keeper would think of this book. (Yes, I could look up other people's reviews . . . but I'm tired and want to go to bed.)
I was surprised by passages in the book that had strong religious themes and language and others that were extremely sexual in nature. It was a very strange book, but interesting, too. I liked Flora's trip to the greenhouse, her fight with the wasp, and her courage in "reading" the queen's library and becoming a forager. I also liked Sir Linden, the drone. Odd but fun book! The vocal work was excellent.
Scott County Library audiobook 9CDs
read by Orlagh Cassidy
genre: fiction, bees, unusual
Other than a prologue and epilogue that bookend the story, the entire book is told from the bees' point of view. Specifically, a worker bee named Flora 717. I don't think I can do justice to a description of the book . . . so I'll grab one off Amazon.
"The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Hunger Games in this brilliantly imagined debut set in an ancient culture where only the queen may breed and deformity means death.Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, a member of the lowest caste in her orchard hive where work and sacrifice are the highest virtues and worship of the beloved Queen the only religion. But Flora is not like other bees. With circumstances threatening the hive’s survival, her curiosity is regarded as a dangerous flaw but her courage and strength are an asset. She is allowed to feed the newborns in the royal nursery and then to become a forager, flying alone and free to collect pollen. She also finds her way into the Queen’s inner sanctum, where she discovers mysteries about the hive that are both profound and ominous. But when Flora breaks the most sacred law of all—daring to challenge the Queen’s fertility—enemies abound, from the fearsome fertility police who enforce the strict social hierarchy to the high priestesses jealously wedded to power. Her deepest instincts to serve and sacrifice are now overshadowed by an even deeper desire, a fierce maternal love that will bring her into conflict with her conscience, her heart, her society—and lead her to unthinkable deeds. Thrilling, suspenseful and spectacularly imaginative, The Bees gives us a dazzling young heroine and will change forever the way you look at the world outside your window."
I didn't think I'd like it, but I ended up wanting to know what would happen to Flora and wanting her to succeed. I was very curious what a bee keeper would think of this book. (Yes, I could look up other people's reviews . . . but I'm tired and want to go to bed.)
I was surprised by passages in the book that had strong religious themes and language and others that were extremely sexual in nature. It was a very strange book, but interesting, too. I liked Flora's trip to the greenhouse, her fight with the wasp, and her courage in "reading" the queen's library and becoming a forager. I also liked Sir Linden, the drone. Odd but fun book! The vocal work was excellent.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
Scott County Library audiobook 13 CDs
read by Lorna Raver
genre: historical fiction
This book told from the perspective of Anne Morrow Lindbergh has been fascinating and frustrating. I've already gone online to look up some info . . . so far, it seems very historically accurate. I want to read something actually written by AML now - perhaps Gift from the Sea.
Charles Lindbergh comes across as an arrogant jerk. Anne at times seems pathetic and other times powerful. The best parts (to me) are her early years as an ambassador's daughter (including their courtship) and the section on the "baby's" kidnapping. To me, a twenty-month old is a toddler, but that's quibbling. How incredibly awful for them to go through such a horrific event. (Side note - I hate that there are still so many questions about Hauptman and if others were involved but went free . . . )
I wondered a lot about Dwight Jr. since the author barely mentions him after Anne marries Charles. There's not a lot about him online . . . not that I've dug deeply. I loved when he and Anne were joking around when Lindbergh called her. Sibling fun!
When they had their first baby, I was horrified by "the Watson method" for raising children! To suppress the maternal instinct belies the way we are designed to care for our young! This part made me wonder a lot more about Lindbergh's own mom and dad and how they raised him. Later, when he told Anne to forget about their murdered child and move on, it was like another death blow. How does a marriage survive something like this?
The fact that he admired Hitler and was of like mind . . . I'm pretty sure that's historically accurate. "Lucky Lindy" allied himself with the Germans prior to WWII. I don't understand how he could be such good friends with Harry Guggenheim yet subscribe to Hitler's attitude toward Jewish people and the dangers they posed. This section also made me think about the "America First" attitude again prevalent in America . . .
The descriptor on the back of the case includes this: "The Aviator's Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage - revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows." I found it interesting that the storyline moved from 1974 back to the 1920s, 30s, etc. Large chunks of their shared life were summarized in a few paragraphs. I think the author made some good choices, but ultimately I found myself frustrated with Anne for caving in to Charles so often, then choosing her own life, and denying him forgiveness on his death bed. Not sure how realistic this is, or what the Lindbergh children would think of it. It feels very autobiographical . . . but is fiction.
The vocal work was excellent.
Oh! The author's note was informative at the end of the book. And I can appreciate Anne's interest in moving to Germany prior to WWII, since they were hounded by the media everywhere else. The author described it as the worst paparazzi situation along with what Princess Diana experienced. Horrid!
Also, the fact that Anne's diary - her diary! - was heavily edited by Charles before his death makes me NOT want to read it. He tried to sanitize his image even via his wife's personal recollections!
I am interested in reading their daughter Reeve's book Under a Wing. . .
Scott County Library audiobook 13 CDs
read by Lorna Raver
genre: historical fiction
This book told from the perspective of Anne Morrow Lindbergh has been fascinating and frustrating. I've already gone online to look up some info . . . so far, it seems very historically accurate. I want to read something actually written by AML now - perhaps Gift from the Sea.
Charles Lindbergh comes across as an arrogant jerk. Anne at times seems pathetic and other times powerful. The best parts (to me) are her early years as an ambassador's daughter (including their courtship) and the section on the "baby's" kidnapping. To me, a twenty-month old is a toddler, but that's quibbling. How incredibly awful for them to go through such a horrific event. (Side note - I hate that there are still so many questions about Hauptman and if others were involved but went free . . . )
I wondered a lot about Dwight Jr. since the author barely mentions him after Anne marries Charles. There's not a lot about him online . . . not that I've dug deeply. I loved when he and Anne were joking around when Lindbergh called her. Sibling fun!
When they had their first baby, I was horrified by "the Watson method" for raising children! To suppress the maternal instinct belies the way we are designed to care for our young! This part made me wonder a lot more about Lindbergh's own mom and dad and how they raised him. Later, when he told Anne to forget about their murdered child and move on, it was like another death blow. How does a marriage survive something like this?
The fact that he admired Hitler and was of like mind . . . I'm pretty sure that's historically accurate. "Lucky Lindy" allied himself with the Germans prior to WWII. I don't understand how he could be such good friends with Harry Guggenheim yet subscribe to Hitler's attitude toward Jewish people and the dangers they posed. This section also made me think about the "America First" attitude again prevalent in America . . .
The descriptor on the back of the case includes this: "The Aviator's Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage - revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows." I found it interesting that the storyline moved from 1974 back to the 1920s, 30s, etc. Large chunks of their shared life were summarized in a few paragraphs. I think the author made some good choices, but ultimately I found myself frustrated with Anne for caving in to Charles so often, then choosing her own life, and denying him forgiveness on his death bed. Not sure how realistic this is, or what the Lindbergh children would think of it. It feels very autobiographical . . . but is fiction.
The vocal work was excellent.
Oh! The author's note was informative at the end of the book. And I can appreciate Anne's interest in moving to Germany prior to WWII, since they were hounded by the media everywhere else. The author described it as the worst paparazzi situation along with what Princess Diana experienced. Horrid!
Also, the fact that Anne's diary - her diary! - was heavily edited by Charles before his death makes me NOT want to read it. He tried to sanitize his image even via his wife's personal recollections!
I am interested in reading their daughter Reeve's book Under a Wing. . .
Tuesday, October 08, 2019
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
by Marjane Satrapi
Scott County Library paperback 153 pages
genre: graphic novel, memoir
This was intense! I'm so glad for the author's note at the start, but I still struggle to understand the complexities of Iran's history and politics. At the end of the book, I wanted to know what happened to her parents. I did a little looking online, but almost everything is about her. I am surprised that she returned to Iran! I want to read Persepolis II. In terms of graphic novels, not one that I adore. In terms of graphic non-fiction (I'm assuming she is telling her story as it happened, to the best of her memory), it's fabulous. I'm glad I read this! I'm also curious to check out some of her children's books to get a better sense of her voice.
(Okay, part of my brain is super irritated that I'm labeling this as both graphic *novel* and *memoir* . . . if you are particular about specific designations like that, please leave a comment for me! I welcome a little sharpening of my lazy intellect.)
Scott County Library paperback 153 pages
genre: graphic novel, memoir
This was intense! I'm so glad for the author's note at the start, but I still struggle to understand the complexities of Iran's history and politics. At the end of the book, I wanted to know what happened to her parents. I did a little looking online, but almost everything is about her. I am surprised that she returned to Iran! I want to read Persepolis II. In terms of graphic novels, not one that I adore. In terms of graphic non-fiction (I'm assuming she is telling her story as it happened, to the best of her memory), it's fabulous. I'm glad I read this! I'm also curious to check out some of her children's books to get a better sense of her voice.
(Okay, part of my brain is super irritated that I'm labeling this as both graphic *novel* and *memoir* . . . if you are particular about specific designations like that, please leave a comment for me! I welcome a little sharpening of my lazy intellect.)
The Winter Bees
by Jill Kalz
New Prague Community Read, paperback, 181 pages
short stories, realistic
I got this book so I could participate in the New Prague community read, but I may now be out of town on Sunday so may miss the gathering with the author. This collection of ten short stories would be great to discuss with other readers and the author. Here's my quick reaction to each story:
Last Call
Schultz
New Prague Community Read, paperback, 181 pages
short stories, realistic
I got this book so I could participate in the New Prague community read, but I may now be out of town on Sunday so may miss the gathering with the author. This collection of ten short stories would be great to discuss with other readers and the author. Here's my quick reaction to each story:
Last Call
- German phrases - frustrating to not understand them and me too lazy to look them up
- Lloyd no-show . . . what's his story?
- Ana! killing the squirrel / brother Johnny / lonely
- Loved this! bookstore . . .
- so sad - for Shirley and health and loneliness . . .
- for Joe - the jar of honey - poignant!
- beautiful use of language
- Oh! Beautiful and sad.
- Science. Luther, forlorn.
- Minnie 1969
- Frozen pond.
- WingDings! Drone flying club
- bachelor farmer
- Doc - cheap, bad hips,
- Lila (his wife) - cleaning
- weird / short / bus driver / garter
- Greta's funeral
- so sad!
- her sister Eleanor . . . not really knowing how to deal with her sister's unusualness . . .
- Adeline singing at funerals, whether anyone appreciates her or not.
Schultz
- Don't understand
- is HE the arsonist?
- loneliness again . . . such a recurrent theme
- Molly, eating too much
- trying to weight herself down so her heart doesn't fly
- sad again . . . more ethereal
- sad, loss
- mom's death (dad's suicide in 1961)
- lover's ability to hear sights
- is she planning to leave him? or is it just that he is older and will die first?
- So sad!
- Ana dies alone . . .
- story of Johnny's life and death intertwined
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
All Manner of Things
by Susie Finkbeiner
Hennepin County Library paperback 436 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
Oh my. I loved this book. I need to find more by this author, because she crafts a story with well-developed characters and a wonderful plot. Set primarily in the late 1960s, the book focuses on Annie Jacobson and her family.
I most especially loved the letters - from Mike to his family, from Annie to Frank, from Walt to Annie . . . these were insightful, heart-rending, and I would have liked even more!
The characters were amazing - my favorites are Annie, Bernie, Mike, David, Joel, mom, Oma, Joceyln, . . . I even ended up appreciating Rose, Frank, Grandma, and Walt!
*** There are some spoilers below.***
Page 83 - "Mom pursed her lips in irritation and made her way to the door. I followed after her, thinking how exhausting it must be to hold so tightly to conflict." The way she expresses this is so very true. Holding tightly to conflict can indeed be exhausting.
Page 150 - "Forgiveness would take time." This resonated especially after the Thrive conference and the emphasis on forgiveness.
Page 248 - "But underneath that crusty attitude and gruff grimace was a tenderhearted man who had made it his business to take Mike and me under his wing. And he'd taught us more about what a godly man was than any sermon could have." Yes! I loved Bernie! And the way he lived his life was truly a sermon of love.
Page 257 - "Of all the things in the world that Mom had in plenteous supply, it was opinions. She held to them stringently, never wavering from them even if they were proved to be wrong. One such strongly adhered to opinion was that, under no circumstances, should Christmas decorations be put up before Thanksgiving. And, if she'd had her druthers, never before December first." This made me think of Jodi!!! Times of year and types of food or decorations are a big deal for some people.
Page 316 - When Annie and her mom are having a conversation about Walt and mom says, "What does a boy like him want with a girl like you?" After misunderstanding her mom's meaning, Annie and her mom have a great conversation about Annie and her worth. "There's depth to you. The soul inside you is startlingly beautiful. . . . don't let him make you forget who you are."
Page 350 - Mike's letter to Annie is so incredible. I love when he describes the war and says, "We weren't made for this. I can't believe that God created us for all this death and destruction. War wasn't his idea. I'll be he hates it more than I do even." Yes, I agree. God must hate war.
Page 388 - Another letter from Mike to Annie. "I've been reading my Bible a lot more lately. On days that are especially hard, it just seems to help me breathe again. Did you know Oma sent me a pocket-sized one a couple of months ago? It's been a real life saver the past few weeks."
Page 417 - This was the scene that made me cry the most. When Aunt Rose tells Annie, "I know how much you loved him." (Loved - past tense.) Annie is upset and talks with her Oma. Their conversation was meaningful:
"Is it wrong if I still love him?" I asked.
"Well, I don't think so." She took my hand. "Are we not made for eternity?"
I nodded.
"Then Mike still is," she said. "Even if he isn't here in this house or riding a helicopter over the jungle or doing who knows what, he still is."
My shoulders curled down but Oma caught me, her arms stronger than I ever expected them to be.
"You can love him," she whispered through my crying. "It's right to."
I let her hold me, her words stuck in my head.
Mike still is.
Hennepin County Library paperback 436 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
Oh my. I loved this book. I need to find more by this author, because she crafts a story with well-developed characters and a wonderful plot. Set primarily in the late 1960s, the book focuses on Annie Jacobson and her family.
I most especially loved the letters - from Mike to his family, from Annie to Frank, from Walt to Annie . . . these were insightful, heart-rending, and I would have liked even more!
The characters were amazing - my favorites are Annie, Bernie, Mike, David, Joel, mom, Oma, Joceyln, . . . I even ended up appreciating Rose, Frank, Grandma, and Walt!
*** There are some spoilers below.***
Page 83 - "Mom pursed her lips in irritation and made her way to the door. I followed after her, thinking how exhausting it must be to hold so tightly to conflict." The way she expresses this is so very true. Holding tightly to conflict can indeed be exhausting.
Page 150 - "Forgiveness would take time." This resonated especially after the Thrive conference and the emphasis on forgiveness.
Page 248 - "But underneath that crusty attitude and gruff grimace was a tenderhearted man who had made it his business to take Mike and me under his wing. And he'd taught us more about what a godly man was than any sermon could have." Yes! I loved Bernie! And the way he lived his life was truly a sermon of love.
Page 257 - "Of all the things in the world that Mom had in plenteous supply, it was opinions. She held to them stringently, never wavering from them even if they were proved to be wrong. One such strongly adhered to opinion was that, under no circumstances, should Christmas decorations be put up before Thanksgiving. And, if she'd had her druthers, never before December first." This made me think of Jodi!!! Times of year and types of food or decorations are a big deal for some people.
Page 316 - When Annie and her mom are having a conversation about Walt and mom says, "What does a boy like him want with a girl like you?" After misunderstanding her mom's meaning, Annie and her mom have a great conversation about Annie and her worth. "There's depth to you. The soul inside you is startlingly beautiful. . . . don't let him make you forget who you are."
Page 350 - Mike's letter to Annie is so incredible. I love when he describes the war and says, "We weren't made for this. I can't believe that God created us for all this death and destruction. War wasn't his idea. I'll be he hates it more than I do even." Yes, I agree. God must hate war.
Page 388 - Another letter from Mike to Annie. "I've been reading my Bible a lot more lately. On days that are especially hard, it just seems to help me breathe again. Did you know Oma sent me a pocket-sized one a couple of months ago? It's been a real life saver the past few weeks."
Page 417 - This was the scene that made me cry the most. When Aunt Rose tells Annie, "I know how much you loved him." (Loved - past tense.) Annie is upset and talks with her Oma. Their conversation was meaningful:
"Is it wrong if I still love him?" I asked.
"Well, I don't think so." She took my hand. "Are we not made for eternity?"
I nodded.
"Then Mike still is," she said. "Even if he isn't here in this house or riding a helicopter over the jungle or doing who knows what, he still is."
My shoulders curled down but Oma caught me, her arms stronger than I ever expected them to be.
"You can love him," she whispered through my crying. "It's right to."
I let her hold me, her words stuck in my head.
Mike still is.
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