The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906

by Philip L. Fradkin

Hennepin County Library hardcover 349 pages plus endnotes (photos included)

Published: 2005

Genre: Non-fiction, history

I got this book after our book club read The Nature of Fragile Things. That work of historical fiction made me curious about what the 1906 San Francisco disaster was actually like. Fradkin's extensively researched and well-written novel was fascinating, but also a bit daunting. I'm giving up on page 138 out of 346 pages. There are another 72 pages of endnotes, index, etc. 

The biggest surprise to me was that they used black powder dynamite to try to create a firebreak! But of course, the explosives just set more fires and spread it faster.

It's not surprising to me that most of what we know about what happened is from upper middle class people. We have very few first person perspectives from poor people or minorities. It's also unsurprising that some engineers had been warning of the potential for disaster and were not heeded. Will we humans ever learn?

The photographs and first person letters were most powerful. I've not been to San Francisco since the 1970s, but this makes me want to go visit!

The Promised Land

by Elizabeth Musser

(Book 3 in the Swan series?)

Carver County Library hardcover large print 515 pages

Genre: Christian realistic fiction

Published: 2020

It's such a delight to get a book club title so that I can read it before book club! (We meet tonight 6/28/21.) I don't ordinarily like reading large print books, but it's better than going to discussion without having read the title. From the back cover: "When her husband of twenty years announces that he's leaving her, Abbie Jowett feels an overwhelming loss. Desperate to mend her marriage and herself, she follows her son Bobby to France to walk the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage."

At first, I didn't enjoy the book at all. I don't like broken marriages, I didn't like Abbie's overbearing personality, and I didn't initially connect with Bobby, Caroline, or anyone else. But I'm glad I kept reading!

I wrote down this quotation from chapter four, but am not entirely sure which character said it. "Yes, grief is so odd. It catches me at times when I expect the least of it." Grief can be odd indeed. It's weird how I'll have a thought or memory of my mom or dad and just start crying. And it's been more than a few years now!

Chapter 5 included this blurb about spiritual disciplines:

"Spiritual disciplines are all about making room for God. In our fast-paced life, it is often easier to push God into a tight schedule with the rest of our day rather than take time to truly hear Him."

This was told to Abbie by Diana, a spiritual advisor. Sometimes my practicing spiritual disciplines becomes closer to me checking items off my to-do list and less about drawing near to God. This caught my attention.

In chapter 7, I started to appreciate Abbie's life story and perspective. She is looking through a scrapbook and remembering tragedies and difficult life events. 

"I would have to figure out how to protect everyone I loved. . . . Maybe that was when I went from an ordinary perfectionist to a control freak, hypervigilant and fearful. . . . How perfectly ironic that what drove him away was me trying so hard to make sure he never left."

This was powerful, her realizing how and why her personality changed. I like to empathize with the protagonist. This chapter helped me appreciate her more.

In chapter 8, Abbie is again visiting with Diana. 

"I felt most useful in a group when I could help others come up with a plan. . . . Now I just drive everyone crazy with my planning and my control." 

It's interesting how one's strengths can also mirror one's weaknesses! 

In chapter 10, Bobby is taking on the burdens of his parents and grandparents. They don't *want* him to shoulder their issues, but he is concerned and feels as though he needs to rescue them.

"When I click off the phone, I feel the cloak covering me, smothering me with worry. I feel old. Not just like an 'old soul,' Mom and Dad's description of me, but old like all the fun and adventure and cool stuff I hoped to experience has been ripped right out of my sketch pad, wadded up, and discarded."

In chapter 11, after Bobby has spent time with Jean-Paul, who has lost the use of his hands, he realizes the blessings he enjoys. There are definitely times for us to be grateful for our many, many blessings - especially the ones we can take for granted!

"Then I pause a moment, cradling the phone in my left palm and gazing at my hands. Young hands that work - no tremor, no arthritis, no fear. And I bow my head and think, Thanks, God, for my hands."

Chapter 12 brings an observation by Abbie.

"But Miss Abigail wouldn't have called it ridiculous. She called 'coincidences' like these winks from a God who loves to remind us of His presence."

This made me think of the book Godwinks! I may need to buy a copy of that . . . 

In chapter 13, Caro is tempted to fall off the wagon as a way to cope with stress. The language that Musser used to describe this is so evocative.

"I am tempted to go to the cave and pull out three good bottles of wine and chug them down one after another until the hot sparks of hate are extinguished by the deep burgundy liquid that will kill my soul."

I like drinking wine, but have known people who struggle with alcoholism. It seems that this description is apt.

In chapter 19, Caro is reflecting on the perilous mountain situation. I love that Caro and Abbie connected. I love that Caro had her sister-in-law Tracie as a support in staying sober. I love her growth as a character in this story, though the story line with Bastien felt a bit overdone.

"But you'll be happy to hear that some things are beginning to get through my thick head. Like helping Rasa. It felt, I don't know, it felt really good. And natural. Like maybe some of the junk in my life can help me know how to help others. If that makes sense."

Chapter 21 is where I cried. And cried. Abbie's willingness to let go of those she loves most. Wow. Great book! Makes me want to read the rest of The Swan House Series.

I look forward to discussing this book with other readers.

Shouting at the Rain

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Scott County library hardcover 269 pages

Published 2019

Genre: YA realistic fiction

 

I read this a few weeks ago, but remember being slightly disappointed. Perhaps because I *so* love Hunt's first two books, my expectations were too high for this third effort. 

 

Here's the summary from Amazon: "Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a "regular family." Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm."

 

I grabbed shots of some text to blog about. Here's from page 63:

 

 I love her grandma's wisdom. "Don't let yourself go to the sad place for too long." I just love her words to Delsie at this time - respecting her feelings, but encouraging her to put her "arm around happiness and invite it inside." Sweet message!

Yes, the girls in the story were most definitely making this hard for Delsie. Mean girls are so challenging!

Page 64 was too blurry of a photo to include here, but the part I wanted was this:

"Well," Grammy says, "you either succeed or you learn. If it doesn't work out, you can handle it. You'll be sad, but you can handle it. That Brandy Foster won't break my girl."

I manage a smile, but all I can think about is Tressa. It's weird - I don't even like her, but I still wish she liked me.

Although Grammy is more tuned in to her game shows than her conversation with Delsie, she does build her up and help her cope with the situation. Delsie's awareness that she wants mean girl Tressa to like her even in her own dislike is also interesting . . . don't we all want to be liked?

Page 149:

There are so many things I like about this! The challenge of her asking, "If I'm not hurt, what does that mean?" The sadness of "I know that watching Brandy walk away will stick with me for a long time." I love the observation that "some friends are just glitter, and some friends are glue." Hunt really is a wonderful writer.

In the Author's Note, she did such a cool thing with anagrams! Love this! I haven't yet taken the time to figure them all out, but now they're here for me to return to when I can.

  I really like her writing. This story just didn't blow me away like Murphys and Fish . . . still, she has such an excellent message. I loved the growing friendship between Delsie and Ronan. I like how even the crabby Olive had a sweet moment in the book. Hunt is a clever and sensitive author. I'd still like to own copies of all her books.  

<Above published 6.28.2021. Below added 8.18.2023.>

Like I posted on another book, I listened to this on Libby while at work. The reader was Lisa Cordileone. It was enjoyable. I think my favorite parts were the surprise for Olive and Ronan and his dad buying the "relish" house (or mustard? ketchup? brown bun?). Fun.

Night Bird Calling

by Cathy Gohlke

Dakota County Library paperback 420 pages

Published: 2020

Genre: Christian historical fiction

I didn't even get a copy of this before the book club (April), so I didn't go that month. I'm glad I've read it, though the focus on abusive relationships and the constant fear of some of the female characters wasn't exactly enjoyable.

Back of book:  "Appalachia, 1941. When Lilliana Swope's beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn't seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth's estate and opens a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin."

Page 60 - "What struck me more than the color of his skin was the hunger and wonder in the eyes of Olney's nephew, Marshall Raymond, as he took in Aunt Hyacinth's library for the first time.

'All those books!' Marshall had whistled, slipping his hat from his head with the reverence one might offer in a great cathedral. 'Never in my life did I think I'd see so many books in one place.'"

Any time someone is awed and pleased by a library, it makes me happy. I love libraries and books!

Page 71 - "If only I could have God's forgiveness, His love and approval, life would be complete. But I knew that wasn't possible. God was too holy to look at sinners and smile - and I was chief among sinners, 'a snake in the grass,' as my father had once labeled me. That message resounded through all my growing years and was reinforced in my married years."

This refrain of hers got old, but it was a reminder to me that words have power. Parents can send messages of hope, encouragement, and love. They can also tear down, discourage, and hurt. 

Page 119 - "'In the end, when people hear something ugly long enough, they believe it's true. They want to believe it - to set it in a box they can understand and label.'"

In this passage, Lilliana is referring to Ida Mae's gossip. Again, the power of words can be used to heal or to harm. In some ways, Ida Mae seemed like the darkest character in the book! (And that's saying a lot, seeing how many abusive men were part of the story.

Page 141 - "Right now they're stirring the pot. Once the Klan gets worked up and going, it's like a fire; it smolders and smokes, looking for a place to vent, until it explodes. It's that venting, that explosion that worries me."

The KKK . . . those white robes and hoods seem to be evil from the pits of hell. How does burning a cross on a black family's lawn communicate anything other than hate and evil? Did these people really think they were Christians? Did they read their Bibles? Ugh!

Page 153 - "'Your aunt bore no children. The child she raised is gone. She needs to give you her stories, your family's stories. While there is time, if there is still time, listen. It is the gift that matters most to her.'"

When the doctor tells this to Lilliana, it made me think of the stories I *didn't* listen to or write down. Now that my parents are gone, so are there stories. (Except the few that I do have recorded.)

Page 173 - "Of course he was 'Jesse' to those he'd grown up with. Certainly he was to Miz Hyacinth, though she never referred to him as anything but Reverend Willard from the moment he returned from seminary, and she insisted others do the same. She' accorded him all the respect she'd have given an older, more experienced pastor, and never failed to let him know how his sermons blessed her. If only she knew how she had blessed him! He hoped she knew."

 

I liked this - that even though Hyacinth was the elder to be respected, she chose to show this young man respect in his profession and in their community. (Yes, I know respect can and should be a two-way street.) I just liked this observation.

 

Page 174 - "Was she a believer in Jesus Christ as her Savior? Did she know she could turn to Him in her need even if she couldn't turn to another human being? Jesse didn't know. He'd assumed she believed, being Miz Hyacinth's niece, having grown up in a church - and above all because of her kind and loving heart. It went without saying, didn't it?"

 

No, it doesn't go without saying. We don't know what's in someone else's mind or heart. We need to share the Good News and encourage people to talk about their faith journey. Don't assume!

 

Page 261 - "'I didn't mean you ain't welcome - if it was up to me.' Celia mourned that it was not and she knew it. 'I just mean you need somewhere to lay your head and be warm, a table to set your feet under.'"

 

I love that it is a child who desires to show hospitality and grace to the young couple down on their luck! I wish it were up to the Celias of the world to extend hope and blessing! Sometimes we need to be more childlike in our faith.

 

 Page 309 - "'Such news (bombing of Pearl Harbor) could strike fear in all our hearts did we not know that You are in charge of this world and our lives, that nothing happens without Your knowledge, and that You alone can bring good out of the horrors man perpetrates for evil. Protect the men and women in our armed services. . . . '"

The pastor's prayer is so wonderful. Reading it in this book was a blessing! I didn't type all of it here, but it's all wonderful.

Page 379 - "Tell that preacher over to Saints Delight to bury me beside my Shadrach on the mountain and say words over me. Never mind that I wouldn't attend his church. I found God on His own mountain. No church building could hold me after that."

Granny Chree was such a cool character! The letter she left had lots of instructions, but I love the idea that "no church building" could hold her. She was a nature gal for sure!

Page 398 - "What I saw was hope. Hope that things might mend. Fragile, but real."

Yes! Hope has so much power and possibility!

Page 423 - "Sometimes they know of nowhere and no one to run to, no one to trust - have even been taught not to trust outsiders or the police, or are so beaten down they don't believe in their own worth or that they deserve love or protection. They may even believe they deserve the abuse and become unable to stand for themselves."

In her afterword, Gohlke addresses the "horror of abuse" that she writes about. It's pretty powerful. She is a talented woman who is making a difference with her writing. Praise God!

The Report Card

by Andrew Clements

Prips paperback 173 pages

Published: 2004

Genre: Children's realistic fiction

I was "helping" Louie with a plumbing job at the parsonage and grabbed this book to pass the time. I had seen it before on my media center shelves but had never really looked at it closely. Clements is a delightful, solid writer. I'm so glad I grabbed it!

Nora Rose Rowley is an extraordinary genius, but has worked hard to make sure everyone thinks of her as an average student. Even her parents don't know how smart she is! When she sets out to draw attention to the growing emphasis on grades and testing (and the negative effect it can have on students), the consequences are not what she had predicted.

There were so many lines and scenes that tickled my fancy! I loved how Nora interacted with the librarian. This is a book I would enjoy re-reading and having on my own bookshelf.

Ready Player Two

by Ernest Cline

Hennepin County Library hardcover 366 pages

Published: 2020

Genre: SciFi

This book had some negative reviews, but I didn't pay much attention to them. I enjoyed it as much as the first book, but also disliked it. An electronic "utopia" (The OASIS) is more sinister and sad to me than it is fascinating. Some of the technology in this book is still out of our reach, but much of it is here and now. Perhaps it's more impacting that I read this up at the lake, where we just had internet access set up . . . no more "off the grid" when we're enjoying the beauty of this place. Not to be a Luddite, but sometimes I do NOT enjoy what technology has to offer.

In this follow-up to Ready Player One, Wade and Samantha have split both as a couple and over ideological differences. James Halliday left another piece of cutting edge technology that Wade discovers (a non-invasive neural interface) and another challenge / Easter egg hunt is set in motion. This one is far more sinister than the first.

Page 62 - "Since the U.S. legal system still insisted on giving corporations even more rights than its citizens, this idiotic lawsuit dragged on for months . . ."

Wade makes this observation when IOI sues him for ownership of GSS, but it seems very apropos to current day life in America. 

Page 91 - "Thanks to the OASIS Neural Interface, your gender and your sexuality were no longer contrained by - or confined to - the physical body you happened to be born into."

Cline's advocacy of gender and sexuality as being individually determined (and flexible) continues in this book. I know he will be seen as a champion by some, but it makes me sad that people reject what God has given them. Again, I see modern-day parallels as people fight to change the gender designation on their own birth certificates. I need compassion and a better understanding.

Page 135 - "It's cool to use the computer, don't let the computer use you . . . . There is a war going on. The battlefield's in the mind. And the prize is the soul." - (Prince glyph)

 

Before I read the "Level Five" section, I loved that Cline started with this quotation from Prince. I'm not familiar with the song, but I recognized the glyph immediately. One of the things I love about Cline's books are the cultural references from the 80s and 90s that I recognize. There are lots of wonderful new references in this book! And a LOT of Prince content. These lyrics also hold a lot of truth in them. The battlefield is in people's minds. And our souls are at stake.

 

Page  264 - "Prince suddenly changes his mind, and says, 'No, no. I was wrong all along. You really should hate yourself for being gay, because God says it's a sin for you to be the person He made you to be . . . '"

When Aech says this, she's working through her own angst as a lesbian character. It's a misconception that God wants anyone to hate themselves. He wants holiness and wholeness. This is quite likely also a misconception of Prince's choice to join the Jehovah's Witnesses, but I don't really know what that entailed for him.

Page 297 - "Tolkien's work directly inspired the creation of Dungeons & Dragons. And then D&D, in turn, inspired the first generation of videogame designers, who tried to re-create the experience of playing D&D on a computer."

This was interesting to me. It makes sense, but even though I grew up with Tolkien, D&D, and videogames, this connection hadn't occurred to me.

Page 359 - "That was when I realized - those memories of my parents were going to live on forever, along with all of my other memories. Because I was going to live forever. We all were. Every person who had ever put on an ONI headset."

Even if technology could replicate all our memories, feelings, thoughts, etc., the soul of a person is beyond capturing. The desire to be remembered and the desire to have an afterlife . . . some of this cannot be addressed without talking about eternity (and to me, God's design). I've spent some time this week thinking about eternity. My dear friend Connie died last week. She was the same age I am - 55. She did not have children. I believe she trusted in Jesus. I hope to see her in Heaven someday.