"All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel"

"When the Day of Judgment dawns and people, great and small, come marching in to receive their heavenly rewards, the Almighty will gaze upon the mere bookworms and say to Peter, 'Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them. They have loved reading.'"

-Virgina Woolf


Today is Friday, November 21, 2014, and it has turned out to be another cold day here in North Carolina. I suppose that "cold" is relative when you consider the cold temps that my parents, in-laws, and son are experiencing in Kentucky and Ohio. We once lived in cold country in Upstate New York, but I don't know if my blood could adjust to that again. - I've gotten used to the moderate temperatures of North Carolina. The sun shines more often than not here, and that's a good thing. It's not unusual for there to be a traffic standstill on the Durham Freeway at 7:15 am because the drivers must face the sun and they slow down because they are blinded by the sunlight. I think it's pretty funny. Nevertheless, this week has been a very cold week for us compared to the normal temps before Thanksgiving. Our first propane tank of the season was delivered late yesterday, so I look forward to using the propane fireplace a lot this weekend.




Last week I wrote about two books that I had read: The Boys in the Boat and Beautiful Eyes: A Father Transformed. I recommend both of these books for the non-fiction reader who enjoys a good story as well as one that inspires and urges us to become better people. The book that I am currently reading is a historical novel, All the Light We Cannot see: A Novel, by Anthony Doerr. Once again I found myself selecting a book that is set in Europe during World War II. This year I've read several books about this historical period that changed the world forever. And each time that I've read one of these, I've seen World War II from a slightly different perspective. Prior to this year, I didn't really think much about how Hitler and the Nazis affected every country in Europe. Of course, I've studied the horrors of the concentration camps and the plots to kill Hitler, but the war also affected every part of European society such as the lack of food, the lack of men to help at home, the terror of hearing air raids, and masses of people running to their shelters, etc. There were many, many people who were displaced during the war, especially children. All the Light follows two such stories, the story of a blind French girl named Marie-Laure, and a young German teenager named Werner. Marie-Laure and her father must leave Paris due to intense fighting there, and they find protection for a while with a relative in another town. Incidentally, the memorial to the Parisians who died in the Holocaust is located right in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. There is a light to represent each of the 200,000 French people who died.

  After their move, Marie-Laure must memorize a new community by counting the paces to the bakery, etc. In their Paris community, her father had built a model of the neighborhood so that she could "feel" what the buildings were like. She knew her way around quite easily there, but after the move she has to learn how to get around once again. Here it's not safe to go outside very often, however, so Marie-Laure must be content to stay indoors most of the time. In another setting in Germany,  a young orphan named Werner gets accepted into a Nazi school for exceptional young men who can help the Nazis. Werner has an amazing way with wires and radios, so even though he is small in stature and physically weak, he is accepted into the school and the Nazis begin to admire him for how quickly he can repair radios. Although he is glad to be out of the orphanage, Werner misses his younger sister and wants them to be together. I have a feeling that the two main characters in this book are going to somehow meet, but since I'm not quite finished with it, I can't say for sure.I'll write more about the ending of the book next time.

Here is the list of the next ten books in my card catalog. These are some of the books that I've read since 1984:

1. My Life in France by Julia Child
2. Walking Wisdom by Gotham Chopra
3. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
4. Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark
5. We'll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark
6. Opening Blind Eyes by John Claypool
7. What looks like crazy on an ordinary day by Pearl Cleage
8. Basic Types of Pastoral Care and Counseling by Howard Clinebell
9.  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
10. Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell

Sending you warm thoughts,

Melissa
 

Two great reads for November

The men of the University of Washington rowing team circa 1935

"Where is the spiritual value of rowing?...The losing of self entirely to the cooperative effort of the crew as a whole." - George Yeoman Pocock, in The Boys in the Boat
 
 Since my last entry, I was able to finish reading two great books: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, and Beautiful Eyes: A Father Transformed by Dr. Paul Austin. I'm still reading a lot of non-fiction books as well as historical novels. I've been reading so much lately that the things that I'm learning are beginning to overlap. I admit that I read for the mere enjoyment of it, but I also read because I LOVE INFORMATION. Nowadays I guess the young people would call me a "nerd," but in many ways I think "nerd" is in now, especially here in Durham. There are a lot of smart people here, and people are not afraid to show it. Nerd is in, nerd is cool, and nerds are proud to quote the information that they know if it can be of help to someone. Information is readily available to all of us now with the use of technology, and I'm very thankful for that. I don't have to drive out to the other side of town to buy a book. I don't have to wait for the library to have a book available at the library. I can download the book onto my kindle if I just can't wait. I try to keep my options open.

The first book that I finished this week is The Boys in the Boat. This book was inspiring, to say the least. It's a story that we all love to hear about unlikely winners. The college rowers of the University of Washington didn't really expect to beat other colleges at all, much less go to the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Brown focuses on one special young man, Joe Rantz, as he tells the story of some amazing young men who worked incredibly hard to become victorious. Joe was a young man from a difficult past. His mother died when he was young and soon after that his stepmother didn't allow him in the house any longer. He felt very abandoned and alone with no one to love or encourage him. His father never stood up for him or sought his love. Joe had no resources, no emotional support, and no prospects, but when he scraped together the money to attend the University of Washington, his fortune began to slowly change. He found that he could achieve something incredible with the guidance and support of his teammates and coaches. Joe overcame many difficult times on the rowing team, but he NEVER gave up. He could have easily given up but he kept giving it his best. In the end, his team went to the 1936 Olympics on a ship as enjoyed the entire journey. They were on the same ship with athletes such as Jesse Owens and Louis Zamperini, the great long-distance runner and World War II P.O.W. survivor. Incidentally, if you haven't read Unbroken, the book about Zamperini, I strongly encourage you to do so. Zamperini died earlier this year at the age of 97. The movie version of Unbroken comes out in December, so you will want to read the book BEFORE the movie comes out (the book is always better). When I read that Jesse Owens and Zamperini were both on the ship with the rowing team, it helped me to grasp the historical period in which they all lived. There were 49 nations represented at the games, with almost 4,000 athletes participating in 19 sports. The games were opened by Chancellor and Fuhrer Adolph Hitler.

It's important to realize that during this time, Hitler was in control of Germany. The Germans beat out Spain to host the Olympics and they put on a big show for the world. While the U.S. almost boycotted the Olympics due to limited knowledge that the world had about Hitler harming Jews and others, they decided to allow the athletes to participate. By the time the world arrived in Berlin, the Nazis had hidden all of their anti-Jew propaganda and other evidences of crimes against humanity. When the athletes arrived, they quickly noticed the Nazi flags everywhere and the "Heil Hitlers" and continuous salutes. It was after the Olympics that the situation in Germany greatly worsened, and the world soon learned how serious the situation was.


Before I finished The Boys, I began reading Beautiful Eyes: A Father Transformed, because I read a paragraph in our local newspaper stating that Dr. Paul Austin would be doing a reading at The Regulator Bookstore nearby. I know the Austin family, an so I knew a little bit about their daughter with Down's Syndrome as well as their two sons. When our children were in elementary school, our son was good friends with the Austin's oldest son, John. I spent a lot of time with Paul's wife, Sally, and enjoyed those play dates and social times. A few years ago I read Paul's first book, Something for the Pain, so I wanted to read his new one as well. The book is about the experience of having a child with Down's Syndrome. The Austins had no idea that their first child would have this disease, so it was quite a shock. Over time and learning more about the disease, the family adjusted and learned a lot about what makes a person "human." It was interesting to read the scientific points that Paul learned along the way. In this memoir, Paul interweaves scientific information that is helpful to the reader in understanding many of the conclusions that he makes. In short, his book explores what it means to be human from the perspective of parents who have thought long and hard about it.

I have a lot more to say about the two books, but I will save that for another time. Now for the next five books in my card catalog.

Sharing Good Times by Jimmy Carter
My Antonia by Willa Cather
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
Your Attitude is Showing by Elwood Chapman
Married Lovers, Married Friends by Steve & Annie Chapman

Have a sublime week,
Melissa

"A great stroke is mostly a fighter and racer; someone who loves going into battle and always thinks that he can win. Attributes: Unshakable confidence in himself. Always tries to win no matter what the circumstances or the activity. An iron will." John Pescatore

This weekend we welcomed November into our lives with a cold, brisk shout. As snow blanketed the North Carolina mountains, areas further south, and many cities to our north, here in Durham we clung to our sweaters in hopes of at least a little bit more warm weather before the winter chill sneaks in. At least my sweaters will seem like new clothes to me since I haven't worn them in such a long time. Wherever you are today, I hope that at least the sun is shining and you can find a warm spot.

Before I discuss the book that I'm currently reading, I'd like to share the next five books in my card catalog. Again, note that these are some of the books that I've read since 1984 when I started keeping a record of them. Here are the next five:

Paris to the Past by Caro
An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
Christmas in Plains by J. Carter
Living Faith by J. Carter
A Remarkable Mother by J. Carter

As you can see, I've read these four books by Jimmy Carter as well as one other. I tried reading his only novel, The Hornet's Nest, but I found it exhausting and uninspiring. So, I stick to his nonfiction works that reveal much about what makes him tick and where he gets his inner strength and inspiration. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, one of the highlights of my life in the past 20 years was when I had the opportunity to meet Jimmy Carter here in Durham while I got his autograph.

Books can clearly be inspiring and a source of joy. I remember many books from my childhood, and I'm so thankful for a mother who read to us and still reads many books herself. My dad is also a reader, so their quiet influences helped me to find the enjoyment in books. I remember books such as Robinson Crusoe, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlotte's Web, to name a few. These books are still being read by children all over the world.




Now to the book that I'm reading, The Boys in the Boat. When my aunt in Kentucky mentioned that she had this book in her pile to read soon, I thought that it sounded like something that I would enjoy. The book is about young men at the University of Washington who were boat rowers on the school team. The main character, Joe Rantz, overcame many personal obstacles such as poverty, family absence, and feelings of inadequacy to become one of the strongest rowers on the team. These men were on the team in the 1930s and set their hopes on competing in the Berlin Olympics with all of its controversies. I learned a lot about what goes into rowing. Unimaginable strength and perseverance is required, as well a rhythm and teamwork. These men rowed through snowstorms, rain, sleet, and wind. Many of them didn't have enough to eat and were always hungry, yet they loved to row. Joe Rantz was probably one of the poorest students on the team, so he worked hard with his back whenever he could in order to pay for just one more year of college. One year he was the night janitor at the local YMCA in exchange for a place to sleep. He cut down trees and did other physically challenging work just to survive. Most of his team members didn't know what he was going through, yet it all somehow seemed to help him to appreciate the opportunity to row on a strong team and to get an education. I'm eager to finish this book and to read about the outcome of the Berlin Olympics. I'm a little over halfway finished with the book but I still don't know if Joe Rantz gets to go to Berlin. This is clearly an inspiring true story, one which many of us have probably not heard about, but it is worthy of being read. So if you enjoy stories about unlikely heroes or people who overcame adversity, you will like this book.

Stay tuned for more thoughts about books and The Boys in the Boat. The boys were ordinary boys, but they did incredible things out on the water. Have a great week,
Melissa

Here Come the War Brides!

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." Franklin D. Roosevelt

This week I'd will write about the book that I recently completed, War Brides.
I enjoyed this historical novel very much and I will share my thoughts on it in a few moments.

Friday night we had the opportunity to attend a special dinner and program in recognition of the "Hometown Heroes" of Durham. First responders were acknowledged for their bravery and service in the line of duty. These men and women included police officers, a 911 telephone operator, EMTs, and others. The awards were given by the non-profit organization, Emergency Chaplains, which has been in existence here in Durham, NC for about 7 years. I estimate that there were about 200 people at this banquet, and none of us had to pay for our meal. It was an inspiring evening and we gave each award recipient a standing ovation. A brief video was shown about each person to share the reasons that they were nominated for each award. The job of the emergency chaplains is to minister to people who are in crisis when there is an emergency such as a deadly car crash. The chaplains also minister to the police officers and other first responders as well, providing them with the support they need to deal with the many trying tasks that they do each day. Not only do the chaplains minister to the people of our community and to the first responders, but they also provide the annual banquet to recognize the people who serve our community for their outstanding work. It was a positive and inspiring way to spend a Friday night, and I'm glad that we were invited.

Now for the next five books from my card catalog:

How to Really Love Your Child by Ross Campbell
Carpe Diem: Seize the Day by Tony Campolo
The Kingdom of God is a Party by Tony Campolo
The Plague by Albert Camus
The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton




War Brides is a good, enjoyable read that gave me yet another perspective on World War II, Hitler, Nazi power, and how the war affected the people of Europe. Most of the action takes place in England. The book's author, Helen Bryan, clearly knows her way around England, and her many years of living in London provide the background of the story. I've read quite a few books about the Holocaust, but this book is one of the few that I've read that lets me see how the war affected the Brits and others in Europe. This book reminds me of books such as The Nazi Officer's Wife, A Woman in Berlin, and Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship. Incidentally, Bonhoeffer was eventually beheaded for being a Christian in his own country (Germany). All of these books give us a glimpse into what people in Europe must have gone through as they worried about things such as being bombed and the food/clothing rations.

War Brides is about a group of women who find themselves living together in a small town near London, Crowmarsh Priors. These women are Elsie, Frances, Evangeline, Alice,and Tanni. We read about their lives as the war began and we learn how they met their husbands. Some of the men who married these women are Richard, Hugo, Bernie, and the Vicar. Even during war, weddings went on and neighbors helped each other with the things that were needed for a wedding and setting up a household. But this book isn't primarily about weddings or brides - it's primarily about relationships and how these young women helped each other get through days filled with fear, hunger, loneliness, pregnancies, and more. One example of this is that the young women decide to help Tanni find out what happened to her young sisters who were twins. As Jews, the girls had been taken from their mother to be hidden from the Nazis, but Tanni never found out what happened to the girls. Tanni's parents were killed in Auschwitz, but there was no record of what happened to the twins. The young women of Crowmarsh Priors used all of their resources to try to secretly find out where the twins were and to figure out an "underground" way to reunite them with Tanni. Most of the story takes place in the late 1930s, but at the end of the story, 1995, the women are reunited as elderly women and we find out what happened to them and their spouses after the war. I must admit that I did not expect this type of ending, but that's part of the allure of this book. I won't give away what the women DID when they came back to their old church as elderly women, so please do read it for yourself.

Now I'm reading The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. I'll write about it in the near future. Meanwhile, read on and on...

Melissa

"Librarians are generals in the war on ignorance." Grammarly.com

Last week I started my post by talking about coffee, a topic that is always fun for me to talk about. Since my post, however, I've decided that I need to cut back on the amount of caffeine that I ingest. So, since I had a new bag of Kirkland brand coffee beans from Costco (Kirkland Guatemalan), I decided to buy some good decaffeinated coffee and add it to my own coffee mixture to make my own "half-caf". I'm also drinking just one cup of this each morning, and no more caffeine for the rest of the day. Is it hard? YES. But I think it's going to be helpful for my overall good health. The taste of my half-caf is about a 6 on a scale from 1-10, but it's not half-bad (no pun intended).

Today I'll begin by listing the next five books in my index catalog:

1. This Time Together by Carol Burnett

2. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (I enjoyed the movie too - adorable little boy!)

3. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

4. Decision Points by George W. Bush

5. A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron

By now you know that "a few of my favorite things" are books, coffee, and traveling. I also like libraries, walking, listening to contemporary Christian music, and spending time with my family. It's the little things that make life fun. I also like to bake, especially for other people. I'm already looking forward to our Christmas baking day when my daughter and I bake cookies, pumpkin logs, and peanut butter balls for neighbors, friends, and our own family. No one seems to bake anymore, so I think people appreciate a sampling of delicious holiday treats baked with love. I keep holiday bags, holiday tins, etc. so that I'm always ready to give someone our treats. This is something that I look forward to very much, and if I could not do it for some reason, I'd be sad. I know that baking Christmas cookies is not the true meaning of Christmas, but it's a way that I show people that I care about them. It also helps to have treats ready in the freezer for holiday parties, church events, and for Christmas day itself.

Last week I wrote about the book, The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. It is the story of an immigrant named "Malka" who left Russia with her family and came to New York. Life was very difficult, of course, and they soon fell into a life of extreme poverty. Eventually Malka lost all contact with her family and often wondered if she'd ever see them again. Eventually the family who adopted Malka gave her a new name, "Lillian," and she became a Catholic. She helped the family with their home business, making and selling frozen treats. She became quite good at making new flavors and marketing their product. She was able to get some formal education and this led to her relationships with Albert Dunkle, the handsome illiterate man that she ended up marrying. Lillian had been Bert's tutor, so this is how they got to know each other. Later on, the Dunkles start their own business, "Dunkle's Ice Cream." They eventually get to hang out with the rich and famous as their brand is sold across the U.S. Lillian is not honest in her business dealings, and others aren't honest with her. Lillian met her father who had abandoned the family many years earlier, and she desperately hopes that he has changed and that he really wants to have a relationship with her. However, he is dishonest and selfish, and he steals from her. Later when he is dying, he sends someone to ask Lillian for money. Lillian is outraged by this and she turns the messenger away. At the end of her life she is a bitter, angry old woman who has no friends. I conclude that she was never really happy because she used deceit to put her company at the top of the ice cream world. She may have been the ice cream queen, but she was miserable for most of her adult life. I would have liked there to be a happy ending to the story, but it's not the case. I guess we all like to read about an immigrant who came to our country with nothing and yet became very successful. But money and fame do not make a person successful, and things are not always as they seem.

What am I reading now? I'm reading War Brides on my kindle, a book that I've seen as a bestseller. So far I'm enjoying it. It's a book with stories about various women who lived during war times. Their lives are interesting and typical of the times in which they lived. Hopefully I'll have time today to read more so that I can share more about it next time. Looks like I chose another historical novel!









Have a great week and read on...
Melissa

The Ice Cream Queen and more

"The only thing worse than a Monday is a decaffeinated Monday." (Maxine,
DealDash).

Did you have real 100% proof coffee today? I'm trying to cut back to one cup of caffeine per day, but I can't say that it's going to be easy. I need the kick, the jolt that helps me say, "I can do this today. I can face whatever happens." After I've had my allotment of coffee, I feel much better.  It's more important, I think, now that Fall has arrived and these cool mornings very brisk. Coffee says, "You are now a warm, friendly person who has plenty of energy to do everything that you need and want to do today." So, friends, if you must choose decaffeinated coffee for medical or sleep reasons, at least buy some decaf whole beans and grind a pot every day. So, have a great Monday...and enjoy your hot drinks. Oh, and if you are a coffee drinker leave me your comments about what kind and brand that you prefer.

Today I'd like to discuss the book that I finished this weekend, The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman. Thank you, again, 'Nita in Tennessee, for recommending this historical novel. I've known 'Nita for almost 40 years and I'm pretty sure she knows what kind of books I enjoy. It's so fun for me to share the love of reading with friends like 'Nita. She hit a home-run on this one, and I will continue to rely on her for book recommendations from time to time. I also get book ideas from looking at the bestseller list, talking to my parents, and more. OK, so I digress...getting back to the Ice Cream Queen...The main character in the book is a Russian immigrant, Malka, whose family was from Vishnev. They had planned to travel to South Africa by ship but due to Malka's father's acts of foolishness, they ended up bound for America. While they had planned to seek out Uncle Hyram in South Africa, their relative who promised them jobs and provisions, Papa exchanged their S.A. tickets for American ones. Mama was furious when she found out, and she never forgave him.

As the story unfolds, the family has to live in a filthy, crowded apartment where Mama and Papa do small laundry and sewing work. They never have enough to eat, and even the young girls are expected to get out and work. Malka and one of her sisters start to sing and dance for strangers on the street in exchange for a penny. Three months after they arrived, five year old Malka, is hit by a horse and carriage, and so for the rest of her life her leg causes great pain and limping. She is sent to "rehab facilities" but no one ever shows her any love or attention. Of course, her parents can't afford to help her, and Papa has left them. So, Malka is taken in by a family who sells frozen treats, but there are still times when she is hungry. Mr. Dinello, the Italian man who accidentally hit her in the street, takes her in because he feels somewhat sympathetic and takes her home, knowing that his wife won't approve. Mind you, Malka doesn't speak English or Italian yet, but she learned "on the job." She never sees her parents after the accident, but she longs to see them, to be loved, and to know that her family is still alive. The former Jew is baptized as a Catholic, an her name is changed to "Lillian Dunkle." Next time I'll share my thoughts of what happened to Lillian after that. As I read this book, I couldn't help but think about the life of Frank McCourt, an Irish immigrant who suffered greatly in both Ireland and in the U.S. I noticed that Gilman partially dedicates this book to Frank McCourt, for obvious reasons. I recommend that you read all three of McCourt's autobiographical books, Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, and Teacher Man.

The next five books in my card catalog are as follows:

1. Adulting by Kelly Brown
2. It Was Always Africa by Pam Brown
3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
4. Losing Mum and Pup by Christopher Buckley
5. The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

 So have a great Monday, and have it your way!

-Melissa

Fall into Fall

 

 

 

Autumn has arrived here in North Carolina! It's the favorite season for many of us, including myself. The colors and so beautiful and the weather is cool. "Sweatshirt weather" is definitely my favorite type of weather. I saw a quote recently that says, "It's October, so you know what that means...Merry Christmas!" (someecards) While I don't feel that way, the retail industry has gotten out of hand and is getting out the holiday gifts, decorations, and music WAY too early. And besides, that's not what Christmas is all about anyway! Nevertheless, enjoy today for what it is without dreading, fearing, or even eagerly anticipating the future. Today is a gift. Take it, strive to have joy in it, and you will most likely have a beautiful Fall day.

 

Last time I wrote about some of the books in a series that I've read. There are many, many more of course. What books in a series have you read? And do you have a favorite author that keeps you seeking his/her books? I've read seven of Barbara Kingsolver's books, as I mentioned last time. I kept choosing her books because I enjoyed the first book that I read so much, The Poisonwood Bible. Incidentally, Kingsolver is from my home state originally, Kentucky, so we claim her. After I read a seventh book by her I wrote her a letter. She responded with a form letter, but it had her real, fresh signature on it! I understand that she's a very popular author who can't possibly answer all of her own mail, but at least she signed it! In the case of Kingsolver, I've enjoyed both her fiction and non-fiction works. Her non-fiction book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, was just as good as her novels. I've found that as I get older I read more and more non-fiction. I think it's because I enjoy reading about people's lives and the interesting experiences that they've had. But many of the biographies that I've read are about very ordinary people. They're fun to read because the author knows how to tell their story in a funny, inspiring way. One such book is by Mildred Armstrong Kalish, Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression. Kalish tells about the things that she experienced as a poor farm daughter, but in the end you feel good because not only did she survive her upbringing, but she found some humor in it. I definitely recommend this book. Was it ever a bestseller? Not that I know. Was it ever mentioned on "Oprah" or in the news? Nope. Sometimes this kind of book is a hidden gem that needs to be discovered. So look it up. I sent Kalish an email a few years ago and she quickly responded. It was a thrill to hear directly from her. In my email I had told her that I greatly enjoyed her book. I also brought up some theological issues that she alludes to in her book. I basically told her that I disagreed with many of her theological conclusions and told her that I found the Christian faith to be truthful and reliable. Her problem was that she was often forced to attend church, but the family members who forced her weren't living a Christian life themselves. A good writer doesn't mind if you disagree with them at times - they are just happy that they created some conversation. So, in light of this fact, please leave me your comments in the space below. Tell me what you like or don't like about my blog. I'd also like to know the titles that came to mind as you read today's post. I'd like to know your favorite series books, your top ten list, and just about anything you have to say.

 

And now for the next five books that are in my card catalog:

 

1. There's Still a Snake in My Garden by Briscoe

2. Memoirs of James Pedigru Boyce by Broadus

3. Year of Wonders by Brooks

4. How Can We Get Lily Rose to Settle Down? by Brown

5. The DaVinci Code by Brown

 

So, fall into Fall, and fall into a great book!

 

-Melissa



NATIONAL COFFEE DAY and MORE...

Well, it's another rainy Monday here in Durham but after a great cup of coffee I'm doing well. As you probably know, today is National Coffee Day!  I found out via FB early this morning, so I planned my errands around my trip to Dunkin Donuts to get my complimentary medium cup of dark roast coffee. Unfortunately, DD is several miles away so I rarely get down there, but it's the nearest DD to our house and is located near Duke Medical Center. I didn't go during rush hour, of course, so I didn't have to wait at all! I always expect the worst whenever I hear that something is "free" but this trip was a breeze and worth the trip.

 I've been known as a "coffee snob" so I have a mental picture of coffees that I've had in various restaurant chains. Dunkin Donuts is my favorite restaurant coffee, followed by Bob Evans, Ihop, and Cracker Barrell. Fresh ground is always best, so at home I'm currently grinding my Costco coffee beans (the 2 lb bag with cat eyes on the front). All I really know about this coffee is that it's from Guatemala. Incidentally, when I was in Guatemala a few years ago and the family that I stayed with didn't even serve coffee at breakfast! So, early each morning, I walked a few blocks to the town square of Antigua so that I could buy a cup of coffee. Then I headed back to the house to have breakfast at 7 am. But I digress. I do hope that you've had at least one great cup of coffee today! I'll continue to be a coffee snob and refuse to drink instant, decaf, or McDonald's coffee. It's one of my simple pleasures.

In thinking about coffee, this leads me to think about books. There is no better aroma to me than the smell of fresh coffee, books, and newspapers. How can this aroma be described? I can't think of any great adjectives, but you know what I mean. When I walk into a bookstore where coffee is sold I purposefully inhale and take it all in. Wow - it's a warm, cozy feeling that helps me to leave my personal woes at the door.

Today I was thinking about the books that I've read that are in a series. I've had the opportunity to read books in a series such as the books of James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small, etc.) and C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia). I've also read multiple books by the same author such as seven books by Barbara Kingsolver, two books by Chaim Potok (My Name is Asher Lev and The Gift of Asher Lev), two by Vickie Myron (Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World & Dewey's Nine Lives), two by Haven Kimmel (A Girl Named Zippy & She Got Up Off the Couch), John Irving (A Prayer for Owen Meany & The World According to Garp), Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, and Teacher Man), and others. I read the series books when I was a child. I greatly enjoyed the stories of James Herriot who was a country veterinarian in the U.K. The Chronicles of Narnia were written by the great Christian author, C.S. Lewis and are filled with symbolism of spiritual truths. For me, I couldn't read just one book by each of these authors because they went together. I read the other books that I've mentioned simply because I enjoyed the first book SO much that I just had to read more books by the same author.

And now for the next five books in my card catalog. During the past 30 years I have also read:

 The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer

Midwives by Bohjalian

A Marriage Made in Heaven or Too Tired for an Affair by Bombeck

Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom

Save Karyn by Bosnak

Apples and Oranges by Brenner

Have a beautiful week, wherever you are.

-Melissa

 

Author Signings and More

"God's world is very large, a world we should always explore, to comprehend the problems of troubled people who may be hungry for what we could offer. It's like eating peanuts - if we can decide to be adventurous and generous once, it may be hard to stop!" - Jimmy Carter, Living Faith, 1996.

                                          Bath, United Kingdom, 2014 (look very closely)

We have lived here in Durham, NC for 18 years now. I remember the year because our daughter had just turned three years old, and she will soon be 21. Time sure flies - that three year old is now a junior in college. During these years I've had the opportunity to attend several author readings that were very inspiring and inspiring. The first one that I attended was held at the Regulator Bookstore on Ninth Street. I can't remember the title or the author's name, but I remember meeting in the basement of the bookstore to hear the author read selections from her book about her loss of her child. That was in 1997. The next book signing that I attended was also held at the Regulator. This time the book was a children's book, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. That year the Durham Public Schools gave each elementary school child a hardback copy of this book, so I took my daughter to get her copy signed. I think my daughter was in First grade at the time. I guess I was subconsciously trying to influence her in the area of reading, but I never really had to do that because she does enjoy reading today. I knew that our Saturday night family trips to a restaurant and Barnes and Noble were starting to pay off! When our kids started to buy books with their own money, I knew we were headed in the right direction.

I greatly enjoyed the opportunities to see Frank McCourt, Jimmy Carter, and Rabbi Harold Kushner on a person level, because I had read several books by each of these men and I found them all to be very inspiring. I remember how I stood in line to get the autograph of Frank McCourt at Durham School of the Arts. There was a large crowd there, and after McCourt spoke, we were allowed to get his autograph. At that time, I believe he had only written Angela's Ashes (also a feature film), and 'Tis. Years later I also read his book, Teacher Man, about his years as a vocational school teacher. The fact that McCourt somehow survived his upbringing in Ireland and went on to become a teacher and an author still amazes me. He stole the money for his passage to America when he was a teenager.

I've read several books by Jimmy Carter including Living Faith, An Hour Before Daylight, and Christmas in Plains. I hadn't planned to see Carter at the Regulator but my neighbor, Maureen, said I could get in line with her to see him. In order to see Carter, you had to go to the bookstore in advance and get a number. Only about 1,000 people were allowed to enter the small, crowded bookstore that night. Carter had just come out with his book, The Hornet's Nest, so he was there to promote it. I took several copies of his books to get autographed, and that Christmas I gave my father and father-in-law one of these treasured books. We weren't allowed to shake Carter's hand (secret service were everywhere!), but we could hand an agent our books who proceeded to hand the books to Carter for autographing. I'll never forget when Carter said hi to me and added, "Thanks for coming." Wow - that meant a lot! I took a few quick pictures of Carter, and a man behind me asked if I would email him a picture. I did that the next day. Honestly, I only read a few pages of The Hornet's Nest because I found it to be terribly boring, but I give him a lot of credit for trying his hand at a historical novel. I think he should just stick to non-fiction because his life has been so amazing and world-changing.

In 2003 I had the opportunity to see Rabbi Harold Kushner at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. My friend, Allison, and I went to hear him talk about his latest book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Kushner is probably best known for his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1978). This book has been translated into many different languages and has been seen at grocery-store check-outs. After Kushner spoke, I quickly walked over to his autograph table and got his autograph! I was the first person in line. In the front of my copy of The Lord is My Shepherd he wrote "Best wishes to Melissa - Harold Kushner." His books had meant a lot to me for a very long time, and I couldn't believe I was standing near a man whose theology I so greatly respected.

So...now for my next five books from my file boxes that I've had since 1984. Here goes:

1. Three Short Novels by Wendell Berry, 2002
2. The Nazi Officer's Wife by Beer, 1999
3. 1,003 Great Things About Getting Older by Birnback, 1997
4. Please Stop Laughing at Me by Blanco, 2003
5. On the Prowl by Block


I'm still reading The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street and look forward to discussing it with all of you soon. In the meantime, I'm striving to be adventurous and generous every single day. Leave me your comments on today's thoughts. Let me know what you think, what this reminds you of, etc. I'm looking forward to having some dialogue with you.

-Melissa

"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." -Thomas Jefferson

This summer I was able to realize one of my dreams, to visit England and Scotland for the first time. My husband I got to see many amazing castles, churches, memorials, and cities that helped us to paint a picture of some of the history that we'd previously only known through books and teachers. I'm always ready to learn something new, to do something that I've never done before, and to meet people who are different from me. I think Jefferson nailed it in this quote. Yes, there are many events in history that no one wants to repeat, but there were also glorious days that we may wish we could return to, a time when life was less complicated and people took the time to talk to one another. Still, I would really rather live in the present with a hopeful dream for the future of my family and my country. Obviously, none of us wants to repeat the sad, deadly events of the past. So let this be another gentle reminder to you...always have a dream before you so that you are always looking forward and not dreading the past.

On to our topic of BOOKS! Since my last entry, I can proudly say that I completed the LONG book, Paris: The Novel. Yes, I read all 805 pages but my enthusiasm was fading somewhat toward the end. Still, I enjoyed following several different colorful characters through various decades in the history of Paris. Some of the characters met well-known people such as Hemingway, Picasso, and Monet. These characters live through epidemics, the French Revolution, and Hitler's regime. I also learned a little bit about Charles de Gaulle, the French general for whom the large airport in Paris is named (CDG airport). If you are interested in French history I think you will enjoy this book.

Earlier I wrote about one of the best novels that I've ever read, Cutting For Stone, by Abraham Verghese. I would put this in the top 15 books that I've ever read. This is the book about twin brothers who were born in Ethiopia. Have you read this book? If so, what did you think? I would love to read your comments. I found it to be an amazing story of charismatic characters who loved each other deeply and who also loved the poor, suffering people of their country. This is the only novel that I've ever read about a nun who gave birth to twins and died in childbirth, leaving the father's identify a deep mystery. It's an intriguing plot with powerful characters.

I hope you're keeping up with my card catalog list of all of the books that I've read since 1984. Somehow, throughout various moves, I still have the two card catalogs. I recently had to buy a third plastic file because the first two were too full. It would be easier to put these books on a spreadsheet, but when I started the list I didn't own a computer and didn't know anyone who had one. So here are the next five books in my card catalog:

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank.
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Death of the Soul by William Barrett
The Work of the Minister of Education by Will Beal
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

I neglected to mention in earlier entries, that when I talk about the best books that I've read, I believe that the Holy Bible is the greatest, most important, and most life-changing book that has ever been written. It comes before all of the other books that I've ever read because it is the guide for all people on earth to live their lives, regardless of the language spoken or time in history. In other words, the Bible is for ALL people throughout all of history. It has probably been translated into more languages than any other book. In a day when people are searching for hope amidst chaos, suffering, sadness, and evil, the Bible has something to say that will encourage and guide everyone who reads it. When I read the Bible, I see how God has encouraged His people, and I know that He will surely rescue me as well, encouraging me all along the way.  This is a statement of faith, and people who acknowledge their "spiritual-ness" will also receive this hope through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is very, very powerful.

The book that I started today is The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman. My good friend, Anita, recommended this book, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far. It is a story of an immigrant and how she made it in America, so since I enjoy historical novels, I'm sure this one will not disappoint! Can't wait to dig deeper into it. Incidentally, this book is not out in paperback yet, so get it on your kindle or try to get it from the library.

It's officially Fall now, so enjoy it! I'm looking forward to a beautiful, cooler week here in North Carolina. I would appreciate any feedback that you can give me about my blog, so please leave me your comments when you have a chance!

-Melissa

"Rainy Days and Mondays"

Do you have the spirit of adventure? Do you long to have new experiences?  We certainly had adventures this summer in England and Scotland. Do you like to visit unfamiliar places and try unusual foods? Do you like to challenge yourself to tests of physical strength and endurance? I would definitely say that I am an adventurous person. Sometimes I'm would even call myself a "restless spirit." I get easily bored with the mundane aspects of life, but the wheels are always spinning as I think of new things to do and to try. I like the words of George Mallory. He said "For the stone from the top for geologists, the knowledge of the limits of endurance for the doctors, but above all the spirit of adventure to keep alive the soul of man." I hope you're having an adventure this week. It doesn't have to be something big. Just do something that you've never done before. Or do a familiar task in a new way. Do something more fun, more fulfilling, more imaginative than what you did yesterday. There is always something to reach for.

Last time I wrote about the book Unbroken about the WWII survivor. That is one of the most incredible and inspiring stories that I've ever read. Don't be too disappointed when the movie comes out in December - book lovers know that the book is always better.

I've been listing books from my card catalog. This is a list of books that I've read since 1984. The next five titles are:

Something for the Pain by Paul Austin, M.D. (local author here in Durham, NC)
The Idea of Revelation in Recent Thought by John Baillie
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

Recently I was asked to list the ten best books that I've read without giving it much thought. So, for my unscientific list, I'd like to list the following as my top ten:

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (she sent me a form letter but it had her signature!)
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
How My Mom Raised 10 Kids in 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan
Little Heathens by Mildred Kalish (she replied to my email!)
Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel (also from Durham, NC!)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Granted, these books vary in genre. A book's primary purpose might be to make you laugh, to inspire you, to provide you with words that are beautiful, or to give information. I should make at least two lists, fiction and nonfiction, because the two genres often vary in purpose. For simple enjoyment and inspiration, I highly recommend the following biographies:  How My Mom..., Little Heathens, and A Girl Named Zippy. My top three fictional works are The Poisonwood Bible, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and Edgar Sawtelle. But there are many books still to be written (hooray!) and many more to be read, so my favorites could change in the future.

Last time I stated that I would tell you about a book that I read a couple of years ago, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. This novel is about twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone. They were born to a nun,  Sister Mary Joseph Praise, in Ethiopia. I consider this a great novel because it weaves the story of this family from the birth of the boys to their adulthood when they finally solve the mystery of their paternity. The reader grows to know and greatly admire the missionary medical staff at the Missing Hospital of Addis Adaba, Ethiopia. Each character is carefully developed by Verghese in such a way that we feel that we know them or would like to know them. But the great mystery everyone wants to solve is, How did such a godly nun become pregnant? Who was the father? And who was to take care of these boys and to protect them during great political upheaval in Ethiopia?
 I consider this to be a great novel, the type that you don't want to put down, because many of the characters are very admirable and often mysterious. But the main reason that I consider it to be a great novel is that it discusses the important themes of relationships, love, self-sacrifice, and pride. Read it and let me know what you think.

It's still raining here in Durham, NC on this September Monday, so why not get out your book? Don't forget to let me know what your top ten books are, but don't think too much...just write down ten titles that you really enjoyed. And do something that you've never done before!

Hasta luego...Melissa
 

Weekend thoughts...

"I dream that one day I would be a published writer and people would read my books - if not, I would be living in the mountains in a small hut, near a pond where swans swim, writing a diary for myself." (Srindhi.R).

It would be so fun to retreat to a mountain house this weekend, but although I don't have such a place to visit, I do get to do something fun this weekend. Tomorrow I'm riding to my daughter's college with a friend whose son also attends there. I last saw my daughter just 2 weeks ago, but I'm looking forward to taking her some muffins and other things and just spending some time with this amazing creature who warms my heart every time that I see her. A day trip to Boiling Springs, NC will be great. I wish it were a little closer though - the 3 1.2 hours one way is tiring but can be done occasionally.

Have you ever dreamed about writing a book of some kind? Many of us who love to read also would like to write a book. People like us have a lot of thoughts to share because we are thinkers who contemplate on many subjects. Although some of my Bible study work for teenagers was published in 1993, I would also like to write some other type of work such as poetry, magazine articles, or something else. If you were published, what would be your genre? I would love to have your thoughts on this. I'd also like to know WHY you have thought about writing this.

And now...the next 5 books in my card catalog of books read since 1984:

The New Lottie Moon Story by C. Allen
I Gave God Time by A. Anderson
Alias Grace by M. Atwood
, by Laura Hillen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

What are your thoughts on these books? Like or dislike, and why? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I heard recently that one of my favorite books will soon come out as a movie, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. This book is am amazing biography of Louis Zamperini, a survivor of WW II. The book is undoubtedly a better rendition, but I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. Louis Zamperini survived as a POW against unspeakable atrocities, and he found his way to genuine peace and joy. Have you read the book? If so, what did you think? Do you plan to see the movie this Fall?




In my next entry I'd like to discuss a great novel, Cutting For Stone, by Abraham Verghese. I'm looking forward to reflecting on this book that I consider to be a very sound and complete novel. It should definitely be on your reading list. Until next time...keep on reflecting....

Final thoughts for August, 2014

"Rule number one of survival: Never, never tell anyone what you really think."(From the thoughts of a character, Charles de Cygne, in Paris by Edward Rutherford).

I'm still wading through the lively pages of Paris by Rutherford, and I'm enjoying the ride. In reality, this book should "count" as three books because it's so lengthy (805 pages). I'm currently on page 500, so the end is in sight and I'm eager to find out how the story lines conclude. Every time that I begin a new chapter I read the date at the beginning so that I can remember what has happened to the characters of this time period. Unfortunately, one of the characters from 1667, Amelie, was forced to marry an elderly widower against her will, Roland de Cygne. Although Amelie was merely 19 years old, her parents thought it was time to "marry her off" to a man of good standing and wealth. So, the unhappy marriage took place even though Amelie was in love with another man, Pierre Renard. Her parents forced her to go and work at Versailles for the dauphine, wife of King Louis, so that she would have the opportunity to meet a man who could provide for her and give her "standing". Amelie obeys the command of her parents and the king himself, even though she believes she will never be happy. The women of the court were not allowed to make their own decisions as is evident here. There were many abuses that occurred at the hands of the king and his sons. The women were powerless. I'm glad that things have improved for women of the 1st century.

Today I want to share the first five titles in my index file of the 430 books that I've read since 1984. The books are Kinfolks, falling off the family tree (Lisa Althar, 2007). Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (Maya Angelou, 1993),  A Woman in Berlin (Anonymous, 2000), The Family of Henry Clay (Lindsey Apple, 2011), and The Life of Antony and The Letter to Marcellinus (Athanasius, 1980). Be sure to leave your comments regarding my blog - I'd love to hear from all of you!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and be sure to read a good book and rest!

So, until next time...Melissa

Here is a picture from our July 2014  trip to England and Scotland. Can you identify the location?

Rich and I visited the _______________.

 

Reading and Writing again...can't wait!

"The secret of the mountains is that the mountains simply exist, as I do myself: the mountains exist simply, which I do not. The mountains have no 'meaning,' they are meaning; the mountains are. The sun is round. I ring with life, and the mountains ring, and when I can hear it, there is a ringing that we share." -Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard.

Do you know any secrets? Do your friends tell you secrets, confident in knowing that their secret is safe with you? Perhaps that's why I enjoy reading so much. There is always something to learn in a book, and some of it is not even expected. A book is like a hidden treasure that must be carefully opened before one can see and marvel at the contents within. It is a great joy for me to continue sharing some of the secrets that I have discovered in many great books through the years, dating back to 1984 when I began to record every book that I have  read. In these 30 years, I have read 430 books, which is an average of more than 14 books each year. In each and every book I have learned something about human nature, history, and truth. I have learned many facts along the way as well. I have seen both the good and the bad in characters and historical figures, people who are sometimes more similar to me than I will admit. I hope that as you read my posts you will be challenged to climb the mountains in your life without fear or any type of hesitation. Don't look back...just listen to your dreams and aspirations. Seek joy and you will surely find it.

I am currently reading a historical novel entitled Paris by Edward Rutherford. This book was published in 2013, and if you bought the book then, you might still be reading its 805 pages! But if you haven't read it, I do recommend that you put it on your reading list because it's a wonderful read. The book follows several well-developed characters throughout different time periods. For example, the earliest characters live in the year 1261, and there is action taking place as late as 1940. So, if you remember your French history, you will remember King Louis IX as well as all of the other kings of France throughout these years. Some chapters take place during the building of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty, and you will learn about the building of these as seen through the eyes of the character, Thomas, who was on the construction crew of both of these. Other characters in the novel include Roland de Cygne, Luc Gascon, Edith, Jacob, Simon Renard, and many others. There are references to historical figures such as Napolean, the kings of France, Monet, and others.

Although this book is lengthy, I think you will enjoy it. Since I was able to visit Paris in 2012, I was able to envision some of the sites in the book a little more clearly than I might otherwise. But Rutherford is an amazing author whose words flow easily and naturally, and I think this will allow every reader to picture all of the action in Paris.

So, my thought for today...read! There is so much out there for us to enjoy. Make time to do whatever you love to do - there is so much to enjoy. And find someone else who enjoys the same things that you do because sharing doubles the fun!