TSCPL | Non-Fiction Books

Thoughts on recent reads

2008-06-16T03:06:01-06:00

Here is what I thought of a new travel book and a couple of inspirational novels I just finished reading.Best Girlfriends Getaways Worldwide by Marybeth Bond

My thoughts: You will be dreaming of new ways to get away from it all after flipping through this book. The author, an experienced traveller, has arranged it by topics of interest such as "walking" "volunteering" and "cooking" (some of my favorites). Each topic includes several locals abroad where these interests can be indulged with your best girlfriends. Often there are real life stories from women who have been there, and sidebars with helpful travel tips. Contact information for the destinations mentioned are included as well. An index and a list of helpful resources in the back round out the usefulness of this little guide. It's so much fun to browse through it and imagine the trips you could plan--time and money permitting. Definitely pick this one up if you are in the planning stages of a getaway--it will give you some great ideas.

Embrace Me by Lisa Samson

My thoughts: A cast of quirky characters who have a lot to learn about forgiveness make this a heartwarming and intriguing story. Two intertwining stories are told, one of a former paster named Drew who once headed up a mega-church. A crisis of faith has him taking a sabbatical from his former glitzy life and seeking to confess his sins to a Catholic priests. Meanwhile, a performer in a sideshow dubbed the "lizard girl' because of her disfigured skin is just trying to find some measure of happiness with her best friend--another "freak" who has no arms or legs. How their stories come together is suprising at times, as past secrets are revealed bit by bit. I questioned some of the choices that the characters made at times, but I also heartily enjoyed their foibles. A strong theme of social justice, typical of Samson's books, prevails as well as the characters illustrate what it means to serve the poor and downtrodden among us. This aspect I found particularly inspiring. I highly recommend this to fans of Christian fiction.

Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz

My thoughts: Get out the tissues out for this one. Honor is on the verge of suicide when she is rescued by a group of Gullah nannies. This community of woman on the island community of St. Anne's set about to heal Honor's body and spirit. This involves bringing her to live with the Duchess--a once rich socialite who now runs around naked most of the time and has a fragile hold on reality herself. This unlikely pair does bring a lot of healing to each other, but heartwrenching surprises lie ahead for Honor when she is reunited with her sister. This story is full of picturesque island scenes and lore, but also will tug at your emotions with all the suffereing that these women endure. It reminds me a little bit of Steel Magnolias, though not quite as well told it has the same kind of flavor.

Thoughts on recent reads

2008-05-30T22:00:00-06:00

Here is what I thought of a few a my recent reads.Amish Grace: How forgiveness transcended tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill

My thoughts: An excellent coverage of the Amish reaction to the Nickel Mines school shooting. The authors show great understanding of Amish theology and thinking. The book is well written, allowing the reader to ponder the Amish way of practicing forgiveness. I found their example to be an inspiration and it challenged me in how I live my own life. I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in reading about the Amish, forgiveness, and Christian living.

The Pawn by Steven James

Steven James is the new thriller writer I've been waiting to discover! This first of a series features a FBI agent named Patrick Bowers whose specialty is environmental crimonology. Bowers has a different method of criminal investigation, as he analizes the geography of the crime scenes to predict where the killer lives and where he will strike next. He is called in to help investigate a series of murders in which the killer leaves a chess piece at each of the murder scenes. As Bowers uncovers the truth of what is going on, he discovers that more is at stake than just stopping this murderer--including the safety of himself and his stepdaughter--but will he be able to figure out the entire truth before it is too late?
My Thoughts: I heartedly enjoyed this read, the danger factor kept me turning the pages, but the emotional crisis that the main character was going through kept me just as involved. At the time of this story Patrick Bowers has just lost his wife to cancer, and her recent death and the problems he is having with his stepdaughter create another challenge for him throughout his investigation. He also has questions of faith--namely why did God let his wife die--and it was interesting to see his struggle with those as well. Some of this is left unresolved--but then this is the first of a planned series so it gives the reader something to look forward to in future installments. I highly recommend this book, especially for those that like thriillers, and I will definitely want to check out the next in the series!
Bonus: Check out the book's trailer on You Tube

A Crooked Path by Annette Smith

I heartily applaud this Christian novel with a different point of view. The main character is Manny Ortega, who we meet in the prologue of the book as a 12 year old boy living a dirt poor existance with his family in Mexico. One day he is abandoned by his father at a bus stop, and from then on he works hard to provide for his mother and sisters. This leads him to America and the story centers around his experiences working for a Texas rancher whose failing health causes him to rely on Manny despite his pride and racism. Yet Manny finds himself growing genuinely fond of the old rancher, despite the way he is treated sometimes. Through Manny's eyes, the reader is able to explore how Mexican immigrants are treated in this country. Family issues are also explored, as Manny continually wonders about the father that abandoned him, but finds comfort in his faith and in his surprising new found family.
My thoughts: I loved the multicultural perspective that the author gives us in this book, it is a refreshing change to see in a Christian novel. My only criticism is that the romance seemed much too rushed for me. I think it has enough depth and the issues explored are big enough for it to make a good read for a book discussion group--and I don't often think that about Christian novels. Definitely pick this one up if you want a Christian fiction read that will make you think about things from a different perspective.

Spotlight on History: Edward R. Murrow

2008-04-25T16:13:00-06:00

Edward R. Murrow, one of the greatest journalists in US history, was born 100 years ago on April 25, 1908.

Some of you may remember Edward Murrow, who became one of America's most prominent journalists after working as a war correspondent for CBS during WWII. He was known for his dramatic and vivid radio broadcasts, and later CBS moved him to television where he was the host of the See It Now news magazine show. He is also known for reporting on the tactics of Senator McCarthy during the 50's and hosting a celebrity inteview show called Person to Person. He is also a significant figure in the movie Good Night and Good Luck where he is played by David Strathairn. Check out our books and DVD's about Murrow and his career to learn more about this significant figure in American history.

The picture of Murrow is courtesy of wikipedia.

Thoughts on recent reads

2008-04-22T14:00:00-06:00

Priests, actors, and school teachers wrestle with secrets and life issues. Here is what I thought of a couple of books I recently finished reading.

A Jesuit Off Broadway by James Martin

It's amazing how the timeless stories of the Bible can have a powerful effect on people living in the 21st century. The author of this book is a Jesuit priest who is asked by the creator of a play about Judas to act as a theological advisor to the production. The actors and playwright wrestle with the story of Judas and whether he should be considered as a villian or an object of sympathy. The author in his priesly role finds himself having deep spiritual discussions with them, sometimes filling them in on religious history and thought, sometimes just being a kind ear for them to talk to. The result is a fascinating look at what goes on behind the scenes in a theatrical production, as well as a very human story of people wrestling with the Biblical story of Jesus and Judas. I found myself as a reader being drawn into thought about the same issues that the actors were struggling with. I highly recommend this, especially for people curious about spiritual issues or about theatre.

Every Secret Thing by Ann Tatlock

This book tells a powerful story that explores the effect secrets can have on us. Elizabeth Gunnar accepts a teaching position at the preparatory school she attended as a girl, and the move back to her old stomping grounds stirs up a lot of memories and an old mystery. The mystery if what really happened to her favorite teacher--right before the end of her senior year he tried to commit suicide and they never saw him again. The official story was that he had a heart attack--but Elizabeth's friends were the ones who found him, and so she knows better. Now that Elizabeth is back at the school and with her old friends she keeps wondering what really happened to him. She also befriends one of her students--a precocious girl with a terrible home life. As a mentor to this young girl she hopes not to fail her in the same way she feels her teacher failed her. Ann Tatlock is one of my favorite authors, and she definitely didn't dissapoint me with this heartwarming story. Fans of fiction that makes you think, especially with a Christian influence, will enjoy this one.

The Film Club by David Gilmour

2008-03-31T17:17:01-06:00

What happens when a father allows his son to drop out of school as long as he watches three movies a week? This memoir draws a reader in with this question and lets them find their own answers.

Gilmour’s writing is lovely and thick with emotion at times for a son who has faced the divorce of one set of parents and a remarriage. Jesse is 16 at the beginning of the story and plagued with an inability to care about school. His father, seeking a way to alleviate the son’s obvious misery, gives him the choice to drop out and learn movies from dad, or try to bore himself to death in school. The decision is an obvious one.

The best bits in this book are the coming of age stories seen through the lens of some classic movies. David Gilmour has written and continues to write movie reviews and is an obvious connoisseur of the big screen. Learning from him is learning from a master.

Sometimes the honesty in the relationship between father and son is difficult to read through. It’s easy to see oneself in the lack of communication, the trials of young women who break a teenager’s heart, the drugs, the alcohol, and the pain inflicted on all parties.

This book is one that I was glad to have read and would recommend to anyone. It’s strength lies in its ruthless devotion to the fact of a relationship and the author’s ability to demonstrate the tie-ins between what the characters are seeing on the big screen and filtering through into their own lives. Give this one a read!

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Who Do You Think You Are? by Alyse Myers

2008-03-28T16:36:00-06:00

I have great expectations of a New York Times writer tackling a memoir. While I can relate to the almost comically painful interactions that take place between mother and daughter in this slim volume, I find many of them hard to believe. In many instances, the book takes on an almost perceptible whiny quality.

The story begins in Queens, New York, in a tenement building. It traces the development and disintegration of familial relationships and attempts to teach a lesson about love. The memoirist’s recollections are clearly one-sided and the characters reflect this quality. Readers will experience no feeling for the author, only a mild disdain for her seeming lack of ability to learn anything from her experiences.

We learn that Myers’ father has a terminal disease, that he’s a heavy drinker, that he dies when she’s 11, and that her mother is taking her inability to cope with that out on her child. Myers’s only real happiness lies in her maternal grandfather, who slips her money after weekly poker games.

Even after her father’s death, the mother character goes out of the way to ignore, infuriate, and berate the author. After about 200 pages of that, it’s not unfortunate to experience the mother’s decline in health. A reader will be left wondering, why all the fuss for such a hideous mother? I have to admit, I’m still not sure of the answer myself.

Thoughts on recent reads

2008-03-28T15:48:00-06:00

Once again, here are a few of the books I recently finished reading and what I thought of them.

Plain Secrets: An Outsider Among the Amish by Joe Mackall
The author and his family live across the road from an Amish family and in the course of time he develops a close friendship with them--as close as a non-Amisher is allowed. The family he befriends are of a very strict order and his friendship with them starts when he gives the husband a ride to a funeral. Through the years of interacting with this family, and through his own research, he has discovered a lot about Amish life which he shares along with his stories about how these things play out in real life. He also talks about a young man he knows who left the Amish order and much of a struggle it was for him to establish himself in the modern world. The result is an utterly fascinating look into another world, told in a real and heartfelt way as the author also discusses his own reactions to the ways of his neighbors. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good non-fiction read.

Scaramouche a Romance of the French Revolution by Rafael Sabatini
I didn't think I would like this at first, I've never been much interested in the French revolution and I thought the language would be challenging. But the language wasn't too much of a problem and I got caught up in the drama of the story. The man character's best friend is killed--murdered, really--in an unfair duel and Scaramouche vows to avenge his death and continue to speak out for his cause. The rest of the book deals with his struggles to survive and carry out his pledge, which isn't easy since the guy who killed his friend is a rich and powerful man. Along the way he has many adventures, romances, and encounters interesting characters. Fans of historical fiction and rollicking adventure should highly enjoy it.

Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God by David Jeremiah
In this devotional book the author expands on the way God captures us with His grace using the lives of Paul from the bible and John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace". I found the details about Newton's life particularly interesting. The author also includes practical suggestions for how to meditate on and incorporate the lessons used in the reader's own life at the end of each chapter. It was a very easy read, harder to actually live out but it's alway good to be challenged to live a better life.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
An encounter with a girl at a lemonade stand starts the main character, Reese, on a journey out of his self-imposed isolation. Reese was once more than a man who likes to restore boats and pal around with his brother-in-law. And the secret to who he once was may be just what Annie--who has a terminal illness--needs.
This is a heart-felt story, if you are prone to cry be sure to have plenty of kleenex on hand as you read it. Out of tragedy comes hope and a chance for redemption and a brighter future. This is a good story to savor and the characters will stick in your memory for a long time. I definitely recommend it.

Librarians Are Reading

2008-03-16T23:00:00-06:00

At a recent meeting TSCPL staffers shared what they were reading.

At a recent meeting TSCPL staffers shared what they were reading. Here's the list, with comments from the readers:

Gluten Free Girl by Shauna Ahern --Not just your typical recipe book, but also her story. She writes so well, it's a fun read.

The First Patient by Michael Palmer --Better than his last one, a medical thriller, an easy read and quick.

The Appeal by John Grisham --Not one of his best, different, especially the ending.

Ciao Italia Slow and Easy by Mary Ann Esposito --(a cookbook) I'm not so sure, it doesn't have very good pictures, but I am going to try a recipe from it.

Fowl Weather by Bob Tarte --It's really, really good, very involving.

Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough --Extremely historically detailed

Bird of Another Heaven by James D. Houston --The story of the last King of Hawaii, fascinating.

The Summer of Ordinary Ways by Nicole Helget --A memoir, the chapters read like short stories, full of indelible images, grim yet beautiful writing.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe --Still a really good book, really great characters, her favorite was Ophelia.

Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins (a Printz honor book) --A demon vacations by possessing a human teenage boy, it takes you through what it means to be human in a fun story.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale -- A fractured fairy tale, she loves stories like this where the female characters get to be the hero.

The Galton Case by Ross McDonald --An excellent hard-boiled story in the vein of Dashell Hammet

Against the Machine by Lee Siegel --A Cultural Study of the Internet and how it has affected human interactions.

Food Fictions (From the Selected Shorts audiobook series) --I highly recommend the selected shorts recordings--they are the perfect thing to listen to on short drives. My favorite from this one was John Lithgow's performance of "Taste" by Roald Dahl--hilarious!

Madness: A Bipolar Life by Marya Hornbacher

2008-03-10T19:36:00-06:00

From the author of Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia comes this enlightening book about living with bipolar disorder.

From the author of Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia comes this enlightening book about living with bipolar disorder. You must read Madness: A Bipolar Life.

I've got a reason to be interested in this topic. Depression and mental illness run in my family. I picked it up, honestly, to read about someone else's madness for awhile and to escape the grinding rigidity of my own personal struggles. This book does not disappoint insofar as providing an honest glimpse into years of grappling with the highs and lows of manic depression.

I plunged through chapter after chapter, inspired by Hornbacher's ability to be funny about the most painful incidents in her life. She describes how the disease cycles for her, with its peaks at hypermanic into full-blown manic phases, then sometimes into psychosis, and back down into black depressions. This woman has had ECT, self-medicated to alcoholism, and been on so many different meds it staggers the imagination. All of this to control a disease that wreaks havoc on the mind.

She lists medications; doses so dizzying to me that I'm surprised and elated when she can stand up straight, or get up out of bed. I believe it's the first time I've not felt sorry for someone with a mental illness. She just doesn't make that possible, even though many of the episodes she describes are too horrible to imagine.

Hornbacher is my new hero. Why? She lives with this disease, has fought it and lost sometimes; yet she still continues to get up, go manic, get psychotic and then write about it. This is well worth a read.

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Travelogue Follows In the Steps of Austen

2008-02-23T14:50:01-06:00

Review of: A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith by Lori SmithAttention all Austen lovers out there, you have to read this book!
In it Lori Smith writes about her trip to England to experience the places Jane Austen lived and wrote in. While there she hopes to experience an Austen like romance and to find some spiritual comfort as she suffers from a mysterious illness. She is remarkably candid, sharing quite a bit about her inner life including her romantic hopes and dreams and depression about her illness. I enjoyed these personal aspects, and I also learned a lot about Austen's life and the places she frequented while reading about Smith's trip. I liked how she linked bits and pieces of Austen's life to her own, such as talking about Austen's siblings and then comparing her own sibling relationships. Smith also included a nice map and summary of the places she visited which was very helpful. I definitely recommend this book to anyone with an affection for Jane Austen, especially if they want to see how her writing meshes with the life of a young, single American in the 21st century.
Smith also has a couple of Austen related blogs, I highly recommend her Jane Austen Quote of the Day blog for a daily dose of Austen. Her Following Austen blog is a more general blog on Austen related news and musings.