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)