The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secrets of Joyful Giving

By Randy Alcorn

home audiobook 2 CDs

 Read by Paul Michael

Genre: Biblical wisdom, giving

Published: 2001, audiobook 2005 . . . and there's a revised edition out now

We had this at home and I needed a car book, so I listened. It's short but powerful. I think I want the print copy with all the Scriptures listed . . . I want to share this with Louie, but have already loaned it to a friend.

God gives us so much! How can we be stingy in trying to hold on to earthly treasures when so many people are in need AND our Lord asks us to give to the needy? We need to store up treasures in Heaven. There is so much wisdom in Scripture about how to deal with finances.

Alcorn covers a lot of ground in this short little book. What a blessing! I'll probably listen again when I get it back. 

1. Everything is God's.

2. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

3. Heaven, not earth, is my home.

4. Live for the treasures of Heaven.

5. Giving is the antidote to materialism.

6. God prospers me to increase my standard of giving.

The Dog Who Knew Too Much

Chet and Bernie mystery (#4)

by Spencer Quinn

Scott County Library audiobook 9 CDs

read by Jim Frangione

Published: 2011

Genre: Mystery, Detective

 

The things that I really dislike about these books: Bernie making thoughtless, impulsive decisions (like the tin futures, but in this book it was signing papers that Georgie Maloof pushed at him without reading them!!!Grr! That's just stupid!) Also, anytime Chet is mistreated (hit, chained, left without food or water). I sometimes have to stop the audiobook and remind myself that Chet will be fine and it will all work out. I also dislike how much the Lord's name is taken in vain. There are so many other effective ways to express frustration or displeasure . . . God's name has power and should be respected.

 

Besides the love I have for Chet as the narrator (seeing life from a dog's point of view!), I liked Susie coming to the rescue and Bernie helping Turk's mom. I definitely think these books should be read in order! Even in book one, Chet refers back to past incidents that haven't been written about. But as the books go on, there are references that fit the puzzle of their lives together. 

 

This one left more threads hanging, though. Was Anya's check to Bernie good? What was up with her work and finances? If the FBI knew something fishy was up with the judge and sheriff, why didn't they get involved when Devin / Devon went missing? Who will be law enforcement now?

 

Also, when Bernie turned down Moondog's offer, is that what the title refers to? Chet knows where the vein of gold is but can't tell anyone?

 

Basically, this one has Anya hiring Bernie to protect her on a visit to a "fat camp" her son is at. Her son has gone missing on a hike and Bernie and Chet go to find him. They find a dead body in a gold mine and things get a bit crazy.

 

I've got the next book in the series in print, but I have a bunch of other books I need to read and return first. Love this series!

Writing: The Story of Alphabets and Scripts

By Georges Jean

weeded from PRMS paperback 198 pages

Published: 1992

Genre: Non-fiction, history

 

When I weeded this from the middle school collection, I brought it home. Although it didn't attract the attention of middle schoolers, it drew me. I love words and writing! It is beautifully illustrated and has so much information about the history of written language. I enjoyed it and am ready to help it find a new home.

Ultimate Ironman and All-New Guardians of the Galaxy

Ultimate Ironman written by Nathan Edmondson

Art by Matteo Buffagni

Published: 2012, 2013

 

GotG written by Gerry Duggan

Art by Aaron Kuder and Marcus To

Published 2017 

Hennepin County Library paperbacks

Genre: comic book compilations

 

 

I wasn't going to blog these, but decided to do so. I used to *love* comic books and graphic novels. These felt too abrupt and confusing. Perhaps it's because we've been re-watching the Marvel universe movies in chronological order and these don't "fit" for me.

Tony Stark is too independent and loses his beloved Josie when he decides to join his dad's business and do what's expected of him. He battles The Mandarin, which is bigger than anyone realizes.

 

The Guardians of the Galaxy steal a ship from the Raptors, try to steal an egg from the Collector, and get into the middle of things with the Collector and his brother.

 

The artwork (and even the storytelling) are fine. It just wasn't what I wanted to read right now.

Stories That Bind Us

by Susie Finkbeiner

Dakota County Library paperback 367 pages

Published: 2020

Genre: Christian historical fiction

I really like this author! This book was more relational and emotional than her Vietnam war book, but the characters were beautifully written. Betty Sweet loses her beloved husband Norm at the age of 40 and is thrown for a loop. Then her estranged sister shows up with her young son and life's big questions grow even larger. We had a delightful conversation at book club and I'm going to get Finkbeiner's other books when my reading pile shrinks a bit.

Page 88 - When she is reflecting on the murder of Medgar Evers and the reporter says of his children that they "were left unharmed," she contemplates the meaning of "unharmed." 

"But I thought of the Evers children, maybe at that very moment getting ready for bed - the first night without their father - the shots of the sniper still booming in their ears and the cries of their father too.

Unharmed, the reporter had claimed.

Unharmed.

I wondered if I'd ever think of that word the same way again."

 

 Page 119 - This line just made me smile because of my own love of coffee.

"I'd managed to get a few cups of coffee into her too. It was amazing what miracles a little joe could do for a person."

Page 157 - I loved when Betty and Hugo were touring the castle in Owosso that she decided that the man who had given dark-skinned Hugo the stink eye and was following them closely wasn't worth worrying about.

"My temptation was to leave right away to not make the man uncomfortable. But when, at each new corner or photograph or bookcase, Hugo stopped and asked me to read the plaques or to notice something he found wonderful, I decided the man's discomfort wasn't my concern. I decided that the man would just have to buck up and deal with it."

Page 215 - Betty is encouraging her brother-in-law Albie. We need more encouragement and goodness in this world!

"Albie, don't you think that when you do something that makes the world a better place that it's worth pursuing? . . . When you make a delicous pie or say hi to someone on the street, it's good. Every time you drive past my house to check on me, it's good. Even if you always find me at my least dignified state."

Page 235 - Betty to Hugo after tucking him into bed:  

"'Don't let the scary things of the world keep you from seeing the good,' I whispered, as much to myself as to him. 'Even the darkest night can't put out all the light.'"

Page 261 - The photo album her dad saved and the picture of her on an elephant. This memory / scene really got me!

"I was forty years old and finally realizing the love of my mother."

Page 296 - So interesting that Betty had changed the end of the story to have a "happy ever after" ending and Clara rejected it as a child. She wanted the bittersweet ending that their mother had told them. As she tells the story the way her mother had and the way Clara wanted to hear it, she realizes how it strengthens Clara.

"And in that smile I saw the little girl who beat the rooster and the one who refused to let the men cut down her favorite tree. I saw my sister. And she was beautiful."

There were so many wonderful things about this book that I'm not relating well. I love how Nick and Dick welcomed and protected Hugo. I loved the stories - some made up, some from the Bible, and some about Betty's and Clara's childhoods. I loved the Sweet family and the loving relationships. Clara's mental health battle was realistic and scary. I'm excited to read more of this author's work!

Things I need to Google and/or go to Michigan to see!!!:

• The castle in Owosso (pg. 157)
• Belle Isle - in the Detroit River (pg. 255)
  

To Fetch a Thief

A Chet and Bernie Mystery #3

By Spencer Quinn

Scott County Library audiobook 8 CDs

Read by Jim Fangione

Genre: detective, humor

Published: 2010

I absolutely love these books except when animals are being mistreated (like the bad guys chaining Chet up and not giving him water) and the use of the Lord's name as a swear word. The swearing in the book isn't over the top, but it's enough that it bothers me as I listen.

Other than that, Chet's doggie perspective is delightful. I especially enjoyed when he was "herding" Peanut, the circus elephant. 

The whole Winkleman scenario and Malcolm's cheating on Leeta . . . I kept shouting "Confront Malcolm!" He finally did at the end . . . and he finally took some advice and listened while walking with Susie. I jotted a quick note - "Tell Susie what you told Chet." It's sweet how Bernie considers Chet as a partner and equal. 

The animal smuggling aspect . . . the circus and "Colonel Drummond" . . . Popo the clown . . . animal rights activists  . . . a puff adder. I've already got the next book on order!

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

By Cary Elwes and Joe Layden

Foreward by Rob Reiner

Epilogue by Norman Lear

Hennepin County Library hardcover 245 pages

Genre: Non-fiction

Published: 2014

 

This was just plain fun! The stories, photos, and little tidbits from various cast and crew members were delightful. I enjoyed the movie and love that they all had so much fun making it. 

The Book of Lost Friends

By Lisa Wingate

Dakota County Library audiobook 12 CDs

Read by Sophie Amoss and Bahni Turpin, with five others

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction (post Civil War and 1980s)

Published: 2020

I also ended up borrowing a print copy from Jean in book club, but I mostly listened to the book in my car. As a result, I have very few notes! The chapters alternate between Hannie Gossett (1875-1888) and Benedetta "Benny" Silva (1987). Hannie is a freed slave working as a sharecropper. Benny is the new English teacher in Augustine, Louisiana. There are excerpts from the "Lost Friends" column of the Southwestern newspaper in between chapters. These are actual ads that ran for people trying to find their children, parents, spouses who had been sold away from them in slavery. Heart-breaking . . .

 

It took me a while to find my favorite quotation in the book, but it really spoke to me. In chapter 24, when Redd Fontaine (and others) have really made life difficult for Benny. "I ponder how we can put a man on the moon, fly shuttles back and forth to outer space, send probes to Mars, and yet we can't traverse the boundaries in the human heart, fix what's wrong." In some ways, I felt as though Benny was too passive. I wish she had stood up for herself more often and more firmly. I loved the dynamic between her and Nathan. I totally pictured her teacher moments!

Hannie traveled with Lavinia, the pampered teenage daughter of Hannie's former master and missus, and Juneau Jane, Lavinia's creole half-sister. 

These women and situations were powerfully written. Wingate is an excellent storyteller. The vocal work on the audiobook was wonderful. I hadn't finished it by the time book club met, so my contributions to the discussion were minimal. 

As I finished the book, two things I would have liked to talk about were:

 

1. If the time capsule was buried in 1888, how did the notes from Hannie about finding family as late as 1895 get into the Book of Lost Friends? This doesn't seem like a mistake Wingate would make.

2. At book club, Jodi and Jean talked about the lack of connection between the Lost Friends columns and the storyline. But that's not what I saw! For example, right before ch. 26 is a column asking about the Rideouts (Dick and Peggy and their 16 children, though only 12 are listed!) Then at the start of the chapter, Benny notes "The lawn is freshly mown, indicating that Ben Rideout has been here and done his work earlier today." I noticed others like this; the author was making the connection with the past and "present" and it also connects to the students doing their living history projects.

The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable

by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt

Hennepin County Library hardcover 202 pages

Genre: non-fiction personal stories

Published: 2020

I don't know where I first heard about this book, but it took me a while on the library waiting list to get hold of it. She interviewed some people with harrowing personal stories, including Elizabeth Smart, Mark Kelly (Gabby Gifford's husband), and Sue Klebold (whose son Dylan was one of the murder-suicide teens at Columbine). Each story was followed by an observation by Pratt. I confess that I appreciated the individuals' stories and perspectives on forgiveness more than the author's observations, but altogether this is a wonderful little book on the theme of forgiveness.

On page 84, Lewis Howes (a football player I'd never heard of) said, "If you hold on to a grudge for one person or one incident in your life, but you forgive other things, I don't think you've truly forgiven. You're either all in on forgiveness or you're holding on to a grudge."

I thought that was interesting. I don't generally hold on to grudges, but I know there are things that "bug" me, that I haven't let go of yet . . . and I don't know why. Forgiveness is healthier and more Christ-like than the pettiness of holding on to little things.

Page 87-97 covered Scarlett Lewis. She is the mom of one of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I type this. Her little boy, Jesse, died at school that day. But she had another son, J.T., who was watching her and her grief. He lost his little brother. This whole story just blew me away. What a difficult thing, to forgive such a horrible situation. She worked through her anger and ended up feeling empathy for Adam Lanza. This story was one of the three that impacted me the most.

Page 112 - Mark Rozzi told about the sexual abuse he experienced at the hands of the new parish priest and how it impacted his marriage, parenting, self-concept, and more. This was devastating. Friends of his committed suicide because of the abuse. Anger at the church and at God Almighty were pretty logical results. "I was hating God and hating religion and hating everything about the Church." His story was hard to read. I loved Schwarzenegger's comments on this one, because she was horrified, too, and she is a devoted Catholic. I loved that his sister gave him the book The Shack and that it was transformative for him. When we discussed that book in book club, one person was really upset that it portrayed God as a woman. But literature can be powerful and different text impacts different people in different ways. 

Page 142 - Talinda Bennington was the spouse of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. Of the three proper nouns in that sentence, the only one I knew was the name of the band. Even though I wasn't familiar with the story, this was the third most powerful to me in the book. She struggled to forgive *herself* for not being more aware of his mental status before he committed suicide. Sometimes it truly is hardest to forgive oneself. She wrote of forgiving him for taking his own life: "And I can't help but forgive him, because he truly loved us. He truly loved me. He was such a great dad. He was just not well, and he was so good at hiding it that it makes me almost have even more compassion for him, because that's a lot of work. It's a lot of work to feel that bad and to not let anybody know." That made me think about people who seem fine, but are struggling in their soul . . . "Over the years she spent with her husband, she'd become familiar with the signs of addiction, but the signs of depression were much harder to recognize." This also struck me - as someone who wants to help people and be available, I'm not super observant. 

This book was a worthwhile read, but I agree with the author that reading one or two stories at a time is a good way to process it.

Thereby Hangs a Tail

By Spencer Quinn

Book 2 of 11 in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series

Scott County Library audiobook 8 CDs

Read by Jim Frangione

Published: 2009 (Recorded Books 2010)

Genre: Mystery

 

In this story, Chet and Bernie are hired to body guard Princess, a tiny show dog. When her owner Adelina de Borghese fires them, then turns up missing, the private investigators are busy trying to find out what happened.

 

Hippies, a bomb test site, a ghost town, and other interesting details make this another delightful adventure. 

The part I didn't like was Bernie being tricked by the "tin futures" sleaze bag they met in the bar.

I'm ready for book three!

Dog On It

 By Spencer Quinn

Book 1 of 11 in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series

Scott County Library audiobook 8 CDs

Read by Jim Frangione

Published: 2008 (Recorded Books 2009)

Genre: Mystery

I love these books told from Chet's point of view! I don't love that the author uses the Lord's name in vain as a primary swearword . . . but I love the relationship between Chet and Bernie.

In this one, they're looking for teenager Madison Chandless. Guligoff captures Chet and tries to turn him into a fighting dog named Stalin. 

Bernie is passionate about water issues and the aquifer. 

I am "reading" book two right now. Frangione has a great voice and fits the story perfectly!

First Star I See Tonight

By Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Hennepin County Library audiobook 9 CDs

Read by Nicole Poole

Genre: "romance" but with sex, not romance

 

Ugh. If you want a book that skips the romance and allure and just goes to the sex, you may enjoy this. I did not enjoy this book. My biggest question is why I kept listening to it when I fast-forwarded the sex scenes (they were that obnoxious) . . . as in he plans to "nail her" after they've been bickering . . . yuk. My middle sister said it was "pretty good," and I kept yelling at it in my car. "Stupid!" "Don't do it!" "Are you kidding me?!" Yet I listened to the end. . . what does that say about me as a reader? (Don't read the rest of this if you don't want ***spoilers***.)

 

Odds and ends:

• Cooper Graham - handsome, athletic, wealthy former quarterback with the Chicago Stars . . . which threw me, especially when the Chicago Bears were also mentioned. Then I realized that the story had a second fictional team in the same city as "Da Bears."
• Piper Dove - investigator who was not nurtured by her father. Mom killed when Piper was four. She had to buy her dad's business from her step mother for too much money after he died.  
• For a former pro athlete who's determined to make money in business, he certainly has bad money habits!
• Duh! Noah is jealous of Deidre and Cooper! How can you not see this?!
• Sleep on the sofa, you moron!
• Too Stupid!!! Why . . . .
  

What I liked:

• the mystery of Bernie seeing her deceased husband . . . and how that all turned out.
  
• some of Piper's tough guy persona (which was wiped out by the overdone sexuality of her interactions with Cooper)
• the part where they drove to Thunder Bay! The North Shore, Castle Danger, pie, lighthouse . . . loved this
• Jada and the Nerf war with her classmates
• I like that Jenn ended up with "Officer Hottie" - Eric.
  

 

But I just couldn't handle the overt sexuality wrapped in a "Cooper really cares about women's rights" and "Piper gets involved in helping to end sex trafficking." Really? And she steals and plants his SuperBowl ring with a mideast prince . . . ? And about a hundred other things that made me crazy. So glad I'm done with this. Next time, it goes back to the library the first time I say "Stupid!"

If I Were You

 by Lynn Austin

Scott County Library paperback 430 pages

Genre: Christian historical fiction

Published: 2020

Set in England during WWII, wealthy Audrey Clarkson and serving girl Eve Dawson develop an unlikely friendship. Alternating between "current day" 1950 in America and their past in the early 1940s, I definitely preferred the earlier era in their lives. The book was enjoyable, but not one of my favorites by Austin. Book club discussion was excellent!

Page 28 - "Granny kept house, cooked Eve's meals, darned her socks, mended her clothes, took Eve to church, and made sure the cottage was warm all winter long. Granny told Eve how much she loved her every day of her life." 

I loved Granny Maud! That's the character I most want to be like.

Page 70 - "Eve remembered a snippet of the psalm Granny Maud had taught her - 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want' - and she smiled at this reminder of the Good Shepherd's care. She wasn't alone after all."

There were many, many references to shepherds and sheep. It was a nice thematic thread running through the story. (But perhaps a little bit cheesy toward the end . . . with Tom and the lost lamb. Still, I love cheese!)

Page 156 - I love that Audrey wonders how to comfort someone and remembers back to Eve offering her some strawberries. Acts of kindness make a difference! (It also makes me think of Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory offering tea.)

Page 184 / 5 - "Eve had never known such terror. She was going to die, and she didn't want to. She wanted to live, get married, have children, grow old. She closed her eyes as she hunched in place, silently pleading with God to spare her life." 

I can't imagine what it felt like to cower in a shelter during the Blitz, but Austin writes of the experience very convincingly!

Page 191 - "Pray about it. Please, love. I know you're angry with God, but talk to Him. This isn't a good time to walk away from Him."

Words of wisdom from her mother, but Eve's anger and loss is so very deep.

Page 217 - "She was still thinking about her daddy as the train chugged into Victoria Station in London, and mourning the loss of his photograph in the rubble of the town house. Granny Maud's picture of the Good Shepherd had also been destroyed along wiht any faith Eve might have had in Him."

This made me so sad! I totally understand how this character (and real people in real life) can get discouraged and give up on God, but that's when they need Him most of all!

Page 255 - "Because the pull of family is even stronger than the force of gravity . . ."

I like how she worded this.

Page 256 - "After I enlisted, the Army was passing out Bibles to anyone who wanted one, so I took it, even though religion has been little more than a formality for most of my life. Inside the cover was a letter from President Roosevelt. I'll have to show it to you sometime. He recommended that everyone in the armed services read the Bible, said it has offered wisdom and strength and inspiration to people throughout the ages. I've been reading it ever since."

When Robert says this to Audrey, my research bring pinged. Is this true or fiction? So cool! Read more here: www.museumofthebible.org/book/minutes/275

 

Page 400 - "That was the destructive power of sin and lies - they harmed the innocent along with the guilty." 

'Nuff said.

Page 410 - "I told him he should confess to God but not to Jean. God would forgive him, but Jean might never get over his betrayal. I don't think it's right to unburden your own heart by laying the load on someone else's. Some secrets are better left untold."

Wow! We had a LOT of discussion on this one . . . I'm usually in favor of "honesty is the best policy" but confessing an infidelity can cause more pain and suspicion. Getting something off your own guilty conscience can end up burdening someone else. Others were convinced that keeping this secret from his wife was almost worse than committing adultery in the first place. This is what I love about book club - the discussion, the give and take of ideas and perspectives. It was a great conversation.

Page 427 - "If you have confessed your sins and laid them at Jesus' feet and asked for forgiveness, then it is done. Finished. You are a new woman in Christ. The old is gone. It's as if you've swapped places with Jesus, and God sees His righteousness whenever He looks at you. You get to start all over again, and you don't need to feel ashamed anymore."

Mrs. Vandenberg is so lovely! Wouldn't it be great if all Christians believed and acted in accordance with what Scripture says? (I'm including myself in that!)

The Heart of Barkness

A Chet & Bernie Mystery 

By Spencer Quinn

Carver County Library audiobook 8 CDs

read by  Jim Frangione

Oh my! I love these books! And what a delightful relief after Catch-22 . . . this mystery told from the dog's point of view was an enjoyable tale. I've only listened to two of these, so I don't know if I would like it as well in print. The narrator does a wonderful job.

 

I laughed when the very thought of peeing made Chet need to pee. 

Country music, high school power trips, power and control, family estrangement and reconciliation . . .

 

Lottie Pilgrim was a more complex character than I realized at first. I did guess the "bad guy" pretty early on, though. 

 

Small local newspaper having no reporters and relying instead on AI . . . sad thought and certainly becoming a reality.

 

"The Nation Within" - I love that these stories are told from Chet's doggy point of view! I got book one from the library so Louie can enjoy them. I'll do a "re-read" of course. It's been a long time since I experienced the first book in this series. This one is apparently #9 of 11.  Now I'll "read" them all in order!

Murder, Mayhem & a Fine Man

By Claudia Mair Burney

Hennepin County Library paperback 291 pages

Published: 2008

"An Amanda Bell Brown Mystery"

Genre: Christian mystery, romance

 

This book was recommended to me, but I'm not sure from whom/where! I'm trying to be more careful about that because it's interesting to connect the source with the outcome. The title alone makes it intriguing. I don't know if I'll read her second book, but again she did a great job with the title: Death, Deceit & Some Smooth Jazz.

 

I read this quickly and have a mixed reaction to it. It was such a contrast to have flirty, fast attraction happening along with such a serious story behind it. Bell and Jazz are clearly drawn to one another and their flirting / bickering were kind of irritating to me as a reader. That push/pull tension can be fun and I'm sure other readers appreciate it, though.

The cult leaders and psychology of control was creepy but believable. What wasn't believable is that the protagonist chose to pursue a bad guy *by herself* and didn't bother to have a charged cell phone with her. Ugh!

Black life perspective, past pain and sin, loss, abuse, infidelity, . . . there was a lot to think about in this book. But layered over the seriousness was a quick romance and some humor.

I absolutely loved his mom and dad! The scene in the park and then at their home was my favorite part. And her great grandma's wisdom and impact were quite the legacy. I also appreciated that this was written from a Christian perspective. 

Page 93 - This part made me laugh out loud. Bell was watching a televangelist.

 

"The woman spoke with a strong Southern drawl. For a moment I wondered if a special seminary somewhere way down South manufactured televangelists. With few exceptions, they all seemed to be Southern. Sistah Reverend must have gotten a sudden surge of divine energy. She started blinking madly and waving her gnarled hands wildly in the air, spitting out a chant like she had some kind of Christian Tourette's syndrome: 'Cheeses. Cheeses. Cheeses.' Make that dairy Tourette's syndrome. Then she started coughing. No, wait. My mind clicked. She's said 'Jesus,' only it sounded like 'cheeses' the way she kind of wheezed it. She pointed to the camera so that to viewers it looked as if she were pointing at them. 'You need cheeses in your life.' I had missed dinner. A grilled cheese sandwich sounded good . . . "

Page 161 - "I should have waited. There are worse things than being a thirty-five-year-old virgin. There are babies born too early who fit in the palm of your hand. There are broken places and fissures in your soul that never heal. There is no wedding quilt to inherit that your great-grandmother and namesake made for you when you were born - back when everyone had the highest hopes for you. There is the ache of knowing that even if you did find yourself blessed enough to get something as incredible as a Marriage Wish necklace, like the prodigal, once you squandered your fortune you ate with the pigs. And you will never forget it."

Except God's grace, mercy, and love can pour out the forgiveness and healing you need! This was such a poignant scene in the book (when she visits with Jazz's parents).

Page 288 - "The soft but determined voice of my great-grandmother rose up in my soul. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, baby. How many times had Ma Brown taught me this lesson when she spoke of unspeakable horrors our people endured, and the special grace God gave us to move on with dignity? How many times had God taught me this lesson? 

I could keep typing out the rest of this scene. It's good. I love how real these struggles are and how God's grace shines through. The murder mystery was important, obviously (and I didn't guess the actual killer until the end part) but the characters really drive this story.

The Whistling Season

by Ivan Doig

paperback from Amy Erickson 345 pages

Published: 2006

Genre: historical fiction

This has been sitting on my shelf for about four years and I'm glad I finally picked it up! I loved this story and its celebration of learning in a one-room schoolhouse in 1909 Montana. Paul Milliron is a delightful protagonist. His younger brothers and widowed father are in need of a housekeeper, but they get so much more than that when Rose Llewellyn and her brother show up. Halley's Comet, Paul's nightmares, Latin, horse races, farming, boxing, . . . the book drew me in and made me care about what happened to these people.

Page 18 - "A Nile of vein stood out on her frail temple as she worked herself up. What was behind such ardor? Rage of age? Life's revenge on the young? Or simply Aunt Eunice's natural vinegar pickling her soul?"

Please, Lord, don't let me grow up to be an Aunt Eunice. She was so negative and she seemed to strive to make everyone else as unhappy as she was! (Except sweet little Toby, of course!)

Page 40 - "My books already threatened to take over my part of the room and keep on going. Mother's old ones, subscription sets Father had not been able to resist, coverless winnowings from the schoolhouse shelf - whatever cargoes of words I could lay my hands on I gave safe harbor."

I love that language and that love of books!

Page 143 - "Having been around Morrie at his most systematic during our wood-sawing sessions, I knew perfectly well he was scraping through here in the schoolhouse much of the time on nerve and desperation, thumbing into things mere moments ahead of administering the next lesson to some bunch or another in the relentless stairstep system of eight grades in one room."

I can only imagine the challenge of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse . . . and shudder. Talk about multi-tasking! What a herculean challenge.

Page 263 - "I could not get rid of the thought that a kind of blindness had been put on Eddie Turley, and where did that fit in the beautiful workings of the universe?"

I loved that even as the schoolkids were planning their big Halley's comet event, Paul thought about Eddie (who he didn't get along with very well) and how Mr. Turley's insistence that Eddie leave school and go trapping with him . . . meant that Eddie was missing out.

Page 280 - "We filed to our seats for the afternoon with rare lack of conversation. Standard tests were relatively new in the educational scheme of things then, and those of us on the receiving end were not sure what we were in for."

Ugh. Standardized tests. And know they're big dollar and high stakes. 

Page 293 - "How distant and distinct it all is, that comet of nearly half a century ago and Morrie's triumph along with it. And how tear-streaked, today, under the scimitar of Sputnik. My eyes well up and there is nothing I can do about it. At my age now, tears should be saved for times of mortality. For the passing of loved ones and constant friends. For any whose life touched a tender spot in my own."

At times, the author's shift from 1909 to "modern day" 1960s was disconcerting. But adult Paul has such a different voice from the adolescent that it isn't really an issue. The reflectiveness that comes with age . . . 

Page 303 - "A lot more whistling." (Spoiler alert!)***

When their Father announces that he plans to marry Rose, the boys are silent. When Paul made this comment about how having Rose there would be different from when their mother was alive, he broke the ice. Rose whistled while she did housework. The title of the book. Yes. It all fits nicely.

Page 344 - "Even when it stands vacant the past is never empty."

As the adult revisits his childhood locales, his memories keep him company AND they inform his decisions. I loved this book and am eager to share it with Jodi!

Catch-22

by Joseph Heller

paperback 462 pages (not sure where I got it . . . )

Audiobook from Scott County Library 16CDs

Read by Jay O. Sanders

Published: 1955

genre: realistic fiction (historical now - WWII)

Although I despised this book, I forced myself to finish it. Here's what I appreciate about it:

1. It's considered a "classic" work of literature (how something is designated as such is a different discussion) and I try to read at least one each year. Done for 2020.

2. I already understood the gist of "Catch-22" as a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario, but reading the book gave me a deeper understanding of the term. (see passage below)

3. Heller uses language in ways that are not common in much of what I read and I appreciate some of the ways he expresses things. (e.g. in one part, he uses "Saturnalia" and "obstreperous" in the same sentence! I love that.)

Reading about the novel on Wikipedia (after writing the rest of this) helps me understand it a little better, but I definitely don't like it. Also won't read the sequel!

Catch-22:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I  was probably an unsafe driver as I jotted the notes below. I won't provide context or commentary beyond my scraps of paper:

• craziness / nonsensical comments and questions (e.g. "flies in your eyes")
• Doc Daneeka - whiner!
• ugliness of war
• censoring mail recklessly / swearing / Lord's name in vain . . .
• repetition / lots of characters
• ridiculousness . . . a commentary on war?
• abuse of authority / power trips
• Major Major's dad / farmer paid to NOT grow alfalfa
• CID man telling a bunch of guys they're the only one being told he's a CID man
• Washington Irving
• Major Major Major - so sad!
• Loyalty oaths / meanness / exclusion
• Major Mmhm(?) de Coverly - (I had to look in the book. It only had a blank line for the major's first name. The reader read it like "Mmmhmm" . . . )
• What year was this written? What about the Greatest Generation? These guys are awful! What kind of reception did the book get? I will do a little online digging after I finish reading it.
• Yossarian "falls in love" with a LOT of different people! And very easily . . . 
• WHY did Yossarian keep telling McWatt to dive and go back after they had a successful bomb run? Contrary to self-preservation . . . 
• prostitutes in Rome
• non-linear timeline . . . 
• repetition in paragraphs and in stories. Soldier in white in hospital . . . almost the exact same language used. Purpose?
• Anti-God rant. Sad.
• Chaplain - ugh! I hate this book.
• Whitcomb is awful. Chaplain is too weak. Grow a pair! Stand up to him! You're the superior officer.
• dysfunction. evil. self-centeredness. cruelty.
• Milo and his syndicate. Mayor of Palermo. Milo Minderbinder.
• Aarfy bragging about his fraternity gang raping . . . 
• Chaplain's assistant is a surly atheist. Really? You can't request someone else?
• Bordello / naked girls
• How many languages do typical Italians know?
• profiteering / greed
• Milo bombing his own troops (to make more money)
• why would other men agree to this?
• DOUBLESPEAK! Milo is amoral.
• Whitcomb's disrespect, rudeness, and general awfulness . . . ugh.
• I look forward to reading about Catch-22 and context!
• Smack his face! 
• I despise this book.
• Cathcart so obsequious to General Dreedle.
• Extreme misogeny
• "The trouble with you is . . . " used by too many characters to find fault in others!
• swearing / foul
• Doc Daneeka's "death" - ridiculous
• four new 21 year old officers in Yossarian's tent . . . at 28, he's an old veteran.
• Prostitutes . . . abuse. Disgusting, cruel, inhumane, sad.
• I'm just enduring this book . . . CD 13 / 16 . . . 
• Italian - I don't speak or understand it except when it's close to English . . . "idiota" and "Stupido" made sense.
• Nately's whore - his ideals. 
• I love that Heller used the word "transmogrified" in 1955!!! It made me think of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons.
• Wisconsin shingles . . . the chaplain excited that he'd told a lie . . . vice becomes virtue as he rationalizes his choices. 
• No character
• Chapter 35(?) - Yossarian prayed! . . . to Nately.
• Milo selling to Germans . . . 
• I despise Milo, his greed, his selfishness, . . . 
• Yossarian should have flown with Orr! Orr went down and got free . . . with a giggle, I'm sure. 
• Colonel Scheisskopf - no parades. Whining. Pathetic.
• General Peckem - karma when Scheisskopf is promoted . . .
  
• discouraging - lack of concern for life, humanity, doing what's morally right . . . 
• lying, lying, lying
• ego. Greed. selfishness.
• Kid Sampson's death - gruesome. McGann's suicide. This book is bleak!
• context? 
• Chaplain - handwriting. Falsely accused. Not allowed to defend himself. As a reader, I'm frustrated and angry! Heller's intent?
• Eternal City chapter - soldiers pushed girls out into the streets because of "Catch-22" but Yossarian says Catch-22 doesn't even exist.
• prostitution in Rome - not a new issue. This book made me think of the missionaries who spoke at church and asked us to pray for the sexual sin to end.
• Man beating crying dog with a stick while a crowd watches . . . horrors. Comparison to Christ - why? Innocence suffering? Man beating child a few streets over. Crowd watching. Deja vu.
• Yossarian's helplessness and horror.
• Aarfy raped a maid, held her hostage two hours past curfew, then threw her out the window and killed her. And then he rationalized it. Yossarian's anger and shock at him. Then Yossarian is arrested for being in Rome without a pass and the MPs apologize to Aarfy for disturbing him . . . man's inhumanity.

From Wikipedia:

"Catch-22 is a satirical war novel by American author Joseph Heller. He began writing it in 1953; the novel was first published in 1961. Often cited as one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century,^[2] it uses a distinctive non-chronological third-person omniscient narration, describing events from the points of view of different characters. The separate storylines are out of sequence so the timeline develops along with the plot.

The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It mainly follows the life of antihero Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier. Most of the events in the book occur while the fictional 256th US Army Air Squadron is based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea west of Italy, though it also covers episodes from basic training at Lowry Field in Colorado and Air Corps training at Santa Ana Army Air Base in California. The novel examines the absurdity of war and military life through the experiences of Yossarian and his cohorts, who attempt to maintain their sanity while fulfilling their service requirements so that they may return home.

The book was made into a film adaptation in 1970, directed by Mike Nichols. In 1994, Heller published a sequel to the 1961 novel entitled Closing Time."

 

Yossarian as an "anti-hero" is an interesting designation. Satirical, but not at all funny. Makes me wonder at some of the blurbs promoting the print book: