Wish You Were Here

 by: Rita Mae Brown

Libby eBook pagination dependent upon font size

Published: 2004

Genre: realistic fiction plus animal thoughts

A friend recommended this to me when I mentioned how much I enjoyed the animals' point of view in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. I had a hard time getting into this book and seriously thought about returning it unfinished.

The main character is the postmistress "Harry." I don't recall what her real name is and this moniker is from her soon-to-be-ex-husband's last name "Haristeen." I just looked - her name is Mary Minor Haristeen. But everyone calls her "Harry." Her cat Mrs. Murphy and her corgi dog Tucker share their side of the story. Crozet, Virginia is a small town where everybody is in everybody else's business. There were so many characters! It was a bit challenging to figure them out for a while. Oh! And Harry's spouse was named "Pharamond Haristeen" and went by "Fair."

A businessman is found dead in a cement mixer. A businesswoman is found in pieces after being tied to railroad tracks (she was already dead). Harry is snooping for clues and shooting her mouth.

This book wasn't one I'll eagerly read the rest of the series for. I did highlight a few passages, though.

Chapter 1: "What I'm getting at is that maybe we don't know one another as well as we think we do. It's a small-town illusion - thinking we know each other." 

 

Susan and Harry are talking about who the killer might be. 

Chapter 2: "Something had happened to America within Harry's life span, something she couldn't quite put her finger on, but something she could feel, sharply. There was no contest between God and the golden calf. Money was God, these days. Little pieces of green paper with dead people's pictures on them were worshipped. (sic) People no longer killed for love. They killed for money. How odd to be alive in a time of spiritual famine."

This disheartening sentiment is sadly too close to the truth. The author herself isn't particularly spiritual, though. 

Chapter 2: "Heaven was all very fine but you had to die to get there. Harry wasn't afraid to die but she wouldn't refuse to live either."

Harry is reflecting on Mrs. Hogendobber - the characteristically overbearing, obnoxious, self-righteous Christian. Harry observes that she "vainly clung to a belief system that had lost its power."

Chapter 10: "Mom used to say, 'A woman marries a man hoping to change him and a man marries a woman hoping she'll never change.'"

That's an interesting notion. It fit for Harry's marriage.

Chapter 10: "By the time Harry cleaned up the mess she was too tired to discipline them. To her credit, she understood that this was punishment for her leaving. She understood, but was loath to admit that the animals trained her far better than she trained them."

I get this! Animals can be super effective at training their humans. 

Chapter 11 and another chapter had a group of animals talking about how humans don't kill the sick young like animals do. This made sense from the animals' point of view, but was a little concerning . . . at what age do we decide a "sick" person (e.g. a killer) should be put to death? Who decides? 

Chapter 17: "What worried him was the example he set. He didn't want to be a slave to his job but he didn't want to be too lazy either. He didn't want to be too stern but he didn't want to be too lax. He didn't want to treat his son any differently from his daughter but he knew he did."

Ned was a great character, but we didn't see much of him other than disciplining his son for pulling $500 out of Ned's account. 

Toward the end of the book, a character referenced the "War of Northern Aggression," and though I've heard of that name for the Civil War, it's a bit unsettling.

Rubyfruit Jungle

by: Rita Mae Brown

Libby audiobook 6 hours

Read by: Anna Paquin

Published: 1973 (this version in 2022)

Genre: realistic fiction

I did not like this book, but I listened to the entire thing. (I drove from home to Green Bay, WI, and from there to the lake.) The intro alone made me question the content. I had originally checked it out based upon a recommendation from a friend (though she was telling me to read the Sneaky Pie Brown series . . . by this same author).

 

Molly was born in 1944(?) so the story starts with her childhood in the early 50s.

Some quick car notes:

• Part One:
• edgy . . . language (swearing and crudity)
• Molly and Brockle . . . Detweiler - showing his uncircumcized penis for 5 cents per view (as elementary school children
• "mom" Carrie is nasty
• cousin Leroy, tattler Earl, Molly is MEAN but Carrie is worse!
• trivializing marriage, Christian faith, . . 
  
• sixth grade, 11 y.o. Molly and Liota exploring one another sensually 
• Part Two:
• move to Florida
• "queer"
• "Keep doing it if it feels good."
• Connie, Caroline - negative peer pressure
• F-bombs galore . . . 
• devaluing sex, relationships
• college roommate Faye / psych ward, scholarships removed
  
• Part Three:
• 1960s, home, hitchhiking, NYC
• Ronny - throwing grapefruits
• $62.50/month for rent in a NY apartment!!!?? 1962 seems unreal in this regard . . . 
• convo with Holly re: money, morals, race, etc. I found this part to be ho-hum
• Holly leaves
• Part Four:
• Silver Publishing, Stella, Mr. Cohen
• Paulina and Paul . . . yuk
• "incest doesn't seem like such a trauma to me" 
• and Alice! This was too much for me. Molly is having sex with the mom, the dad, and the daughter. Just no.
• film school and sexism, equipment, professor 

 

This isn't actually a review, is it? There were places in the book that had beautiful language. I loved Molly's final film school project. I think Carrie was suffering from some serious mental illness. I'm glad we got to revisit Leroy and where life took him. I did not enjoy this book.

Oh! And the title refers to a woman's genitals.

Sensible Shoes: A Story About the Spiritual Journey

by Sharon Garlough Brown

Deb T's paperback 343 pages

genre: Christian fiction

Published: 2013

I read this a few weeks ago up at the lake and *loved* it! It was so engaging that I read it in just a few sittings. Four different women are introduced and followed through this story. From the back flap:

Hannah, a pastor who doesn't realize how exhausted she is.

Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past.

Mara, a woman who has bounced from relationship to relationship, trying to navigate a difficult marriage.

Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right.

 

None of these women was "me" but all of them had attributes or attitudes I could really relate to. I cared about them and thought about how all of us have our own story, struggles, perceptions, etc. I cried more than once while reading!

 

Page 81 - "'Sailing isn't efficient. That's why I use it for my own spiritual growth and discipline.' He paused. 'For a Type A personality like me, it's hard not to be in control. I much prefer setting a course and getting there without detours or distractions - motoring through life, if you like. So sailing has been good training for me to learn how to be patient, to wait for the wind, and to discern how to set the sails to maximize the wind's power. Even though I have absolutely no control over the wind, I can respond to it if I'm paying attention.'"

 

I think I loved this as much because Louie loves to go sailing as I did because the spiritual parallel is great. I definitely need to pay more attention to the Holy Spirit and stop trying to be in control!

 

Page 91 - "Dawn replied, 'Jesus also said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you." Jesus has chosen you, Mara. You weren't just the leftover God had to take, simply because you were standing there. God didn't choose you out of pity. Jesus really has chosen you to be with him because he loves you and wants to be with you.' Mara's eyes filled with tears, and she looked away. 'The moment you truly believe that,' Dawn said quietly, 'is the moment everything shifts for you.'" 

So many people feel unworthy. And we all are unworthy of God's love, but He loves us anyway! That's what's so amazing about His grace, mercy, and love. It's heartbreaking that so many people just feel sad, bad, and unloved.

 

Page 137 - "'I'm not standing in judgment over you,' he continued. 'I'm not criticizing or condemning you. I only see your struggles because I have the same ones. It's hard for a good rule follower to be converted to grace. There are so many defenses we perfectionists hide behind, especially the impulse to trust our own efforts to live rightly and faithfully. Believe me. I know what it's like to try to add to Christ's work of salvation by striving to be perfect. But God doesn't need you to be good, Charissa. It's not your goodness that saves you. Or your performance. It's grace. All grace. And God wants to soften your heart and open your eyes so that you see how desperately you need that grace.'"

 

Dr. Allen was one of my absolute favorite characters. I wish more teachers, counselors, and pastors had this kind of wisdom and advice!

 

Page 219 - "'I've learned over the past few years how important the body of Christ is. Sounds dumb for a former pastor to say I've only just learned that, but it's true. We can't be lone rangers. You need to be fed, Hannah - not just in the sacred journey group or in your private devotions. You need other believers around you, woshiping with you and encouraging you. The very thing you've been avoiding is exactly what you need. Even if it's a struggle - even if it makes you feel lost and uncomfortable.'" 

 

Dr. Allen again, as Hannah's old friend Nate . . . reconnecting after many years.

 

The other seven post-it notes I stuck in this book mark the different stages of the "Sacred Journey" retreat / workshop these women took. I love how the author brought them together and brought out their unique stories. This book would be a great book club title or even a re-read at some point.

 

Session One: A Path for Prayer (pg. 55) - walking and praying a labyrinth, taking time for prayer, reflection, and listening for God's direction

 

Session Two: Praying with the Word (pg. 102) - Lectio divina (sacred reading) - slow, prayerful digesting of God's Word

 

Session Three: Praying the Examen (pg. 178) - review your day prayerfully, striving to see where God was in each situation, use great list of questions

 

Session Four: Wilderness Prayer (pg. 225) - Read from Genesis 16:7-10 slowly and out loud. Where have you come from? Where are you going?

 

Session Four (2 that day): Praying with Imagination (pg. 242) - Read one of the stories from the gospels and take time to picture it, smell it, hear it. How does it make you feel? Start with Mark 10:46-52

 

Session Five: Self-Examination and Confession (pg. 291) - Read Genesis 3:1-9 slowly and prayerfully. Answer the five questions.

 

Session Six: Rule of Life (pg. 321) - draw nearer to God. Give Him your all.

 

I've grossly simplified these sessions, but that's the gist. I thought about scanning them and including them here, but it's worth re-reading the book. These sessions were only a part of what helped these women to come to a better understanding of God's love for them and how their lives could change for the better with Him.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

by Brene' Brown
Amazon purchase, paperback, 130 pages
genre: non-fiction, wholeheartedness

This wasn't quite what I expected, but there were some interesting observations. Brown is a researcher and down-to-earth person who started studying the areas of guilt and shame, but turned to wholeheartedness as she interviewed more and more people and saw some interesting connections.

Although I underlined a lot, I want to give it to someone else for whom I think it will resonate more than it did for me. I just want to record her "guideposts" here.

1 - Cultivating Authenticity (Letting go of what people think)
2 - Cultivating Self-Compassion (Letting go of perfectionism)
3 - Cultivating a Resilient Spirit (Letting go of numbing and powerlessness)
4 - Cultivating Gratitude and Joy (Letting go of scarcity and fear of the dark)
5 - Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith (Letting go of the need for certainty)
6 - Cultivating Creativity (Letting go of comparison)
7 - Cultivating Play and Rest (Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth)
8 - Cultivating Calm and Stillness (Letting go of anxiety as a lifestyle)
9 - Cultivating Meaningful Work (Letting go of self-doubt and "supposed to")
10 - Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance (Letting go of being cool and "always in control")

One part I marked is page 90 - "I also learned that it's not always the scientists who struggle with faith and the religious who fully embrace uncertainty. Many forms of fundamentalism and extremism are about choosing certainty over faith." As a Christian, I am okay with "not knowing" all the answers . . . yet at the same time, there are things about life that I am extremely confident in because of my faith in God.

I like her guideposts, but this was not a book that resonated deeply for me. I feel as though I'm in a different place in my life right now . . . and this might have been more helpful a decade ago. I had also thought that it was a Christian book, and though she talks about spirituality and prayer, it's not quite what I had expected.

Tetris: The Games People Play

by Box Brown
Hennepin County Library paperback 253 pages
genre: YA graphic novel non-fiction

I had not heard of Box Brown before this title started showing up on recommendation lists (and he's an author at next month's Teen Lit Con). I am not a huge fan of his art style, but I found the story very interesting. It was hard to keep all the "players" straight, but the Russian who truly created Tetris (Alexey Pajitnov) was definitely my favorite. His love of games, logic, and desire to share something cool he had made was the best!

The larger history of games and humanity didn't engage me as much . . . but there was definitely some interesting history from the Ancient Egyptians to the start of the Nintendo company (trading cards, then video games). I'm not sure if I would buy this for a middle school collection - the non-fiction aspect is harder for me to "sell" to my readers - but they would be drawn to the video game theme.

The Boys in the Boat: The True Story of an American Team's Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics

by Daniel James Brown
CHS hardcover 236 pages
genre: non-fiction history

I'm glad I borrowed this from Chaska High School . . . I had tentatively thought about buying it for my collection, but with my budget in decline and not many students reading non-fiction . . . it wouldn't be a wise purchase for me.

It was, however, a wonderful book to read! This is the "young readers" edition. The story of the young men who rowed for Washington in the early 1930s (and especially the story of Joe Rantz) was captivating. The author alternated between the rowing story and Rantz' life story. Rantz' mom died when he was only three or four, he went to live with an aunt but got scarlet fever and was deathly ill, his stepmom convinced his dad to leave him to fend for himself when he was only ten, and on and on it went. His fortitude and perseverance amazed me. I loved his personal story the most. The "boys" and their strength, talent, and hard work took them to the Olympics in 1936 (Jesse Owens, Louie Zamperini, . . . ) What a great story!

I love the part on page 168 when he is looking out over Lower Manhattan and sees the Statue of Liberty. "For the first time, Joe realized that he and the boys would not just be rowing for gold. They would be rowing for a way of life, a shared set of values. Liberty was perhaps the most important of those values. But to the boys from Washington, America also stood for trust in one another, for mutual respect, for humility, and for fair play. These ideals were part of what had drawn them together as a crew."

This is a very worthwhile title and I'm so glad that the author got to meet and interview Rantz prior to his death in 2007.

My Teacher Is a Monster! No, I Am Not.

by Peter Brown
Hennepin County Library
genre: picture book

Bobby's teacher is portrayed as a hideous green-skinned monster as she gives directions, yells at Bobby when he throws paper airplanes, etc. But when he runs into her outside of school, helps rescue her hat, quack with the ducks, etc. she becomes a normal human teacher.

Cute, interesting. Still not sure I'll buy one for my collection.

The Lost Symbol

by Dan Brown
my sister's copy, hardcover, 506 pages
genre: thriller, mystery, suspense

I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as The Da Vinci Code. There didn't seem to be a compelling reason for the CIA to behave the way it did (both initially, when they were draconian, and later when they were lenient). The "national disaster" seemed overwrought. The nasty gory stuff was interspersed with long diatribes about ancient mysticism and it just didn't work for me.
What did I like about it? The Washington D.C. lore - I love that city! It's gorgeous and I could spend weeks there, exploring its treasures. An interesting note about this book - really short chapters make it seem more like a "quick" read (133 chapters plus a prologue & an epilogue).

That said, I'll put other people's opinions in the comments below.

The Wicked History of the World: History with the Nasty Bits Left in

by Terry Deary and Martin Brown

CMSW, hardcover, 98 pages

Reading this actually depressed me. There are plenty of "nasty bits" throughout human history. There was a good message at the very end - that kids can learn from history and not do some of the terrible things that humans have done to one another throughout the years - but I wonder how many kids will read to the end of this book!

My least favorite part was the mocking tone toward God and the Bible throughout the book. Granted, items like the Crusades are ripe for ripping open in this type of book, but I hate to see the Lord maligned.

The illustrations are cartoonish yet also horrible, with lots of blood and gore. I thought that it would be a somewhat "fun" book when I bought it, but it really just saddened me. It was informative and a fairly easy read, but not a positive one.

The Great Expectations School by Dan Brown

Hennepin County Library
hardcover, 267 pages

Wow. The author graduated from film school and participated in the Teaching Fellows program in NYC. After a crash course and some summer school experience, he received a class of notorious fourth graders in the Bronx. His day-to-day reality horrifies me (both for him and for his students). No wonder it's hard to retain teachers in those schools!

More than classroom horror stories, Brown shares some really cool success stories, some observations about what needs to change, and some real insight into disparities in education. (The following year, he was hired at a private school to teach visual media.) The contrast is stark!

This is a worthwhile read for educators. It sure made me appreciate my teaching community even more!