Same Kind of Different as Me

by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent 

Hennepin County Library hardcover 235 pages 

genre: true life story 

subtitled: a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together 

 

Amazing. Absolutely incredible story told in alternating chapters between Ron Hall (the art dealer) and Denver Moore (the black homeless man). This book had SO much going on that I want to own a copy. I love the life lessons that Ron learned. I cried. It is a beautiful book. Everyone in book club today enjoyed it. Excellent read!

 

<Above posted 3.26.2012. Below added 12.08.2020.>

 

I thought about buying a copy of this to own, but decided to re-read a library copy instead. (I've been trying to decrease my possessions . . . ) This is truly an amazing story. 

 

The pieces of Denver's story told in his youth in Louisiana really struck me. The time three white teenagers roped him and dragged him because he was helping a white woman change the tire on her car. Why didn't she speak up?! And seeing the house burn with his grandma inside, not being able to wake her up. How awful!

 

There are so many times that Ron's attitude and language bug me, but I appreciate that he is honest about his own skewed perspective. And I love the truth of what believers can do - share their own story. Amen! On page 61, I loved this observation:

Looking back now, I mourn the mutual wounds inflicted in verbal battles with the "unsaved." In fact, I have chosen to delete that particular term from my vocabulary as I have learned that even with my $500 European-designer bifocals, I cannot see into a person's heart to know his spiritual condition. All I can do is tell the jagged tale of my own spiritual journey and declare that my life has been the better for having followed Christ.

 

 All of Debbie's cancer journey was so very hard to read . . . the pain, the faith, the prayers, and the challenges. I loved how God spoke to and through Denver throughout this journey.

Page 143 has an example of Deborah's faithfulness. What an amazing woman!

"Let's praise God," she said.

"For what?" I thought without saying it.

"Let's forget what he (the doctor) said about only living one year, and let's just trust God," she told me. "Dr. Goldstein is just a doctor. We serve the living God, who knows our number of days. I intend to fulfill each one of mine."

There was some humor mixed in, mostly from Denver's perspective. At a fancy dinner honoring their work with the homeless, Denver made this observation (page 200-1).

When the food come, I took my cloth napkin and put it on my lap. And I kept a eye on Mr. Ron to make sure I was usin the right fork. I had learned by then that rich white folks got a lotta rules 'bout forks. I still ain't figured out why they got to use three or four different ones and make a lotta extra work for the folks in the kitchen.

Page 211 at Deborah's funeral from Denver's perspective (my bolding):

Then I felt like the Lord had given me a word for the people that was gathered there. And when the Lord say "speak," ain't much you can do but get up, open your mouth, and see what comes out.

Here's what come out that day: "Miss Debbie was a close enough friend a' mine that I prayed and prayed for her, day and night - even to the point of offerin God life for life. 'Let me go in,' I said to Him. 'Let her stay here, 'cause she more worthy than me to stay here on this earth, and I would be better off to go on up to heaven 'cause I ain't had no kinda luck down here.'"

Finally, on page 230, Ron's humble honesty resonates with me.

The pain of losing Deborah still brings tears. And I cannot mask my profound disappointment that God did not answer yes to our prayers for healing. I think He's okay with that. One of the phrases we evangelicals like to throw around is that Christianity is "not a religion; it's a relationship." I believe that, which is why I know that when my faith was shattered and I raged against Him, He still accepted me. And even though I have penciled a black mark in His column, I can be honest about it. That's what a relationship is about.

After re-reading this, I went online to "catch up" with these people. Ron Hall has remarried. Denver died in 2012. Ron's and Debbie's kids have families and careers of their own. Life goes on. God is good.

 

 

A Sound Among the Trees

by Susan Meissner
Hennepin County Library paperback 324 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction

Marielle marries Carson knowing about his dead wife, two wonderful children, and the historic home in Fredericksburg where his grandmother-in-law Adelaide resides. But she has no idea the stories that have become engrained in people's minds about the house, Adelaide's great-grandmother Susannah, and the potential for ghosts and spirits to continue wreaking havoc on the lives of those who live at Holly Oak.

I enjoyed this story and look forward to tonight's book club discussion. My favorites were the old letters Susannah wrote during the Civil War and Caroline's impact on modern-day events. I didn't like the eerie house-is-haunted nonsense. Some people!

The Upstairs Room

By Johanna Reiss
PRMS paperback 179 pages
genre: autobiographical, WWII

The author wrote down her story for her children to understand and ended up publishing a Newbery Honor book. Johanna "Annie" is only ten ("almost eleven!") when the Nazis are rounding up Jews. Her father wants to leave for America, but her mother suffers from headaches and wants to stay. Thinking they are safe in Denmark, it is too late to truly escape when the dangers grow. The family goes into hiding in three different places - the mother dies in the hospital.

I hadn't read this before giving it to my sixth grade book club and was concerned when a student said they had to stop reading because of all the swear words. The family that Annie and her older sister Sini stay with for over two years are simple farm folks. Johan has a penchant for rough language, Dientje is afraid of her own shadow, and Opoe (grandma) has a soft spot for the girls.

Good story. Much less disturbing than most Holocaust fiction. Discussion today. It will be interesting to see what the kids say.

Beauty

by Robin McKinley
PRMS paperback 325 pages
genre: fantasy, romance

For 8th grade book club, as a counterpoint to Beast (read earlier this year). Fun basic retelling of the classic story. I enjoyed it but the ending was surprisingly quick.

This Book Is Overdue! How LIbrarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All

by Marilyn Johnson
Hennepin County Library audiobook 6 discs
read by Hillary Huber
genre: non-fiction librarianship

I had read a review of this book and jumped when I saw it on the shelf. The author does a great job of sharing her impressions (mostly positive) of the many librarians she interviewed during research for this book. Especially when I experience that mix of old-fashioned sensibilities and techie newness . . . it was an interesting book. Made me wonder if anyone actually spends time on Second Life anymore, though . . . enjoyable book overall.

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini
home copy hardcover 497 pages
genre: fantasy

I can't read Inheritance until I re-read the first three books. This took me a few chapters to get into (again), but then I enjoyed the ride. Yes, Paolini borrowed heavily from Tolkien and other great fantasy writers, but he was only a teenager when he wrote this. Eragon is a delightful innocent, Saphira is magical, and Brom remains my favorite. One of my sixth grade book clubs read and discussed this, but I don't think they all *finished* it. Too bad, since it's a story worth reading. Not sure if I find the Ra'zac or the Shade to be creepier . . .

Brother Odd

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 8 discs
read by David Aaron Baker
genre: supernatural mystery

The third Odd Thomas book, this one has Odd staying at a monastery as a guest so he can get a break from the ghosts of Pico Mundo. Then a new danger and mystery arises. I definitely liked this one better than the second one, though I missed Little Ozzie (only in this at the end) and some of the other characters of Pico Mundo. I'm really enjoying this quirky series. Part of the appeal is Odd's personal qualities. He's very unassuming. I especially like how he calls himself innocuous and the Russian stridently disagrees. Nice!

Forever Odd

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7 discs
read by David Aaron Baker

This one was much creepier than the first Odd Thomas book I read. Doctor Jessup's ghost leads Odd into a new situation, one that feels "wrong." Danny (Jessup's stepson & Odd's friend) has disappeared and Odd knows that he alone must find him. The evil people in this story are truly disturbing and scary.

Liked: Odd's communication with Elvis and the ghosts in the casino
Disliked: too much repetitive info (for those who haven't read Odd Thomas, I assume)

Overall, enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book.

Crossing Oceans

by Gina Holmes
genre: Christian fiction, relationships

Right after blogging about our (tonight) book club title, I looked to see what I had written about this author's first book. Nothing! I'm not a super-efficient (or effective) blogger . . . but I like having this repository of my responses to what I've been reading.

We read this title in September 2010 for the Spirit of Life book club. It was about a woman who was estranged from her family. She left home pregnant and lived her own life for a while. She returned home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer so that her daughter could be cared for by her father and grandmother when she is gone.

Her ex-boyfriend (and father of her child) is now married and since they are unable to conceive, they want the child.

Legal, emotional, ethical issues ensue. Very interesting and engaging book. I *loved* the grandma!

Dry as Rain

by Gina Holmes
Hennepin County Library paperback 373 pages
genre: Christian fiction, relationships

I had to force myself to read this one. I just couldn't empathize with the protagonist (Eric) who cheats on his wife but blames her for the distance in their marriage while also feeling deep love for her and intense guilt about his infidelity.

Kyra has suffered amnesia (but no other damage) in a car accident and doesn't remember that they're separated.

I spent the first half of the book just saying "TELL HER THE TRUTH!!!" and the second half saying, "Is this over yet?" Needless to say, I didn't like this nearly as much as Holmes' first book and I'm not super-eager to read more from her.

Alanna: the first adventure

by Tamora Pierce
PRMS paperback 274 pages
genre: fantasy adventure

Alanna and her twin brother want to trade places - she wants to train to become a knight and he wants to continue his education (albeit as a sorcerer, not as a lady). Their distracted father doesn't know the switch has been made and Alanna becomes Alan of Tremond. She makes friends and one enemy with the other pages, squires, thieves, etc. in the city.

Dashes of coming-of-age, magic, and a portent of romance to come. Interesting, but it didn't blow me away. It will be fun to hear what the 7th grade book club girls thought of it.

The Appeal

by John Grisham
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10 discs
read by Michael Beck
genre: legal thriller

This book had a profound impact on me. I thought about it a LOT over the week or so that I listened to it. I really struggled with the realization that although this is fiction, much of the content is extremely true-to-life.

Basically, it is the 1% vs. the rest of us. Carl Trudeau, obscenely wealthy New York businessman, rejects the court ruling that his chemical company polluted, poisoned, and killed people in Beaumore, Mississippi. He connects with other powerful and corrupt people to "buy" a seat on the state Supreme Court so that the ruling will be rejected and he doesn't have to pay for the damage done by Crane Chemical.

Ugh. This was really hard for me to read, especially the conservative Christians overwhelmingly (and unthinkingly) supporting newcomer Ron Fisk for a judge seat he isn't qualified to occupy. The tactics and politics ring far too true.

Favorite character: Denny Ott! (Pastor who "gets it" and yet truly cares for his congregation as a genuine Christian.) The ending stunned me, yet makes perfect sense. Six billion. Of course.

The Lost Years of Merlin

by T.A. Barron
PRMS hardcover 326 pages
genre: fantasy

This took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to read. I started it via audiobook while working on the elliptical. Then I finally finished with the book. I just didn't get into it that much. Not the right book at the right time? I usually enjoy Merlin legends.

A boy washes up on a beach with no memory of who he is or where he belongs. A woman is also there. She claims to be his mother, but won't answer his questions. He has powers, leaves town, gets to the mythical Fincayra, meets Rhia, befriends a merlin he names Trouble, . . . yeah. It had a lot going on.

I'm not giving up on this author, but I'll definitely just grab a physical copy of the next title of his that I try.

Made to Crave: Satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food

by Lysa TerKeurst
Hennepin County Library paperback 217 pgs
genre: Christian self-improvement ?

Interesting to claim a genre for this . . . I almost put "self-help," but she's recommending reliance upon God not self. I almost wrote "dieting," but that's not her stated focus either.

Another interesting note: the cover image is IDENTICAL to the one on the Valerie Bertinelli book I read a little while ago. I knew that publishers did this . . . and read a cool blog entry last year about the phenomenon. I just don't understand WHY. It's an eye-catching image, yes, but I see lots & lots of photographs that are expressive. I think there are enough photos they could use without duplicating.

Anyhow, I liked the Scriptures she used. I wish I'd had time to read the whole thing, but someone's waiting for it so I need to return it today. Some of her "can't eat" food makes me wonder how it is part of God's will for her. No bread, rice, potatoes, etc.? Really? I know I need to pray more, but I don't think He's asking me to give up all the foods that she has decided to do without.

It would have been smart of me to just grab the list of Scripture verses at the end and skip the chapters on her struggles. I can't relate to her very much. Or perhaps this just isn't the right book at the right time for me.

Things Not Seen

by Andrew Clements
Carver County Library paperback 252 pages
genre: YA SciFi, relationships

Bobby Phillips wakes up invisible one day and embarks on an identity crisis that helps him to mature. His parents tell him to stay home and not let anyone know, but he goes out (fully clothed head to toe) just for something to do. Once indoors at the library, he removes all his clothing in the men's room so he doesn't look suspicious. His naked invisible self bumps into a blind girl and a friendship with the beautiful Alicia changes his world.

Cute story. Okay book club discussion with the eighth graders yesterday . . . too many had not read it or had read it a few years ago.

Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne
Carver County Library audioCDs
read by Patrick Tull
genre: hist fic, adventure

I enjoy this story, though Phileas Fogg's "cold" responses and logical approach to everything gets a bit old. I hadn't remembered the story being so incredibly racist and stereotypical (especially in America, where the Indians are encountered). Still, I like Verne's story and the characters who travel with Fogg - Passepartout, Detective Fix, and Aouda.

One thing that makes me CRAZY, though, is how many versions of this story show a hot air balloon on the cover. And this audio version has on the back: " . . . must use every means of transportation known to 19th century humans - including a hot-air balloon, a locomotive, and an elephant . . . " NO!!!! There is NO hot-air balloon used in this story! Verne mentions one as a possibility to get across the Atlantic, but Fogg NEVER gets on one in this journey.

There. I feel better now.

The Pelican Brief

by John Grisham
PRMS paperback 436 pages
genre: mystery, suspense

This was a re-read, but it's been such a long time that I honestly didn't remember the story. I just finished it last night, so wasn't able to share at our Monday book club meeting ("any" Grisham book). Darby Shaw is a bright & beautiful law student who unravels some threads tying a wealthy businessman to the murders of two Supreme Court justices.

Fletcher Coal is the powerful man behind the president.
Khamel is the expensive and talented assassin.
Thomas Callahan is Darby's professor and lover.
Gray Grantham is the intrepid reporter.

I like the suspense so much more than any lawyer stuff . . .

Some of my Bets Friends Are Books: Guiding Gifted Readers

by Judith Wynn Halstad
Hennepin County Library paperback
genre: NF reading guidance

Kate Martens recommended this. I wasn't able to do more than skim it, since I'm at my limit in the Hennepin County system. It looks valuable, but my time management skills are poor and I don't have much in the way of budget. I'm blogging just so I can easily find it again.

In Odd We Trust

by Dean Koontz
illustrated by Queenie Chan
Hennepin County Library paperback
genre: YA graphic novel, paranormal mystery

Interesting little graphic novel - the psycho killer is targeting Stormy's friend, but brutally murders a little boy who's in her care. Nicely done both storywise & artwise.

Odd Thomas

by Dean Koontz
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 9 discs
read by David Aaron Baker
genre: paranormal mystery

I'm surprised I haven't already blogged about this book. I listened to it a year or so ago and was impressed. Odd Thomas can see the dead, but few people know about his "gift." The love of his life, Stormy Llewellen(?), and he are unusual people and perfectly compatible.

Interesting story. I re-listened so that I can continue with the other Odd Thomas books (one in my car already and one on hold at the library). Baker voices Odd Thomas well.

 

<Above published 2.2.12. Below added 1.1.24.>

 

I listened to this story again. I don't love the author's / main characters' perception of life after death (with Stormy's description of this life being "boot camp" . . . ) but this is a very creative work of fiction. The "bodocks" (sp?) as evil spirits is very realistic from a Christian perspective! The theological issues I have with the story don't really detract from all the things I like about it.

 

Little Ozzie, Chester his cat, Odd's own sweet strange self . . . I stopped to write down (pausing, going back, etc.) one quotation that jumped out at me.

 

"Guilt and shame have until now kept me silent on this issue. I am old enough even if just twenty to know that I have no logical reason to feel either guilt or shame, that I was the victim, not the victimizer. Yet I've been so long marinated in both emotions that they will forever flavor me."

 

The language here really struck me. Being marinated in guilt and shame . . . made me think of the household I grew up in. I'm not sure my parents even realized how much these tools were used. Of course, Odd's mother was really mentally ill. My parents were just raising us the way they had been raised.

 

I don't plan on continuing with the Odd Thomas series this time. In fact, I may weed out the Odd Thomas books I own (at the lake). There are so very many other books I want to read!