Which is better, the book or the movie?

"I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense." 

 -Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People and more than a dozen other books (from ebookfriendly.com).



What a great quote from an 80 year old man who has makes a monumental difference in the world. I agree with Kushner here - as I get older, more and more things tend seem make sense to me. But I also scratch my head and wonder, "Why in the world would someone do something like that?" This thought comes to my mind every single day when I watch the news and read the newspaper, yet I still don't know the answer to that one. I do know, though, that God is love and peace. He doesn't want any of His children to suffer, and yet there is free will in the world, and with that comes evil. Just as a book is often hard to get into, if I just keep working through the book, I will eventually "get it" and I'll be able to make sense of the plot. So are our lives. It's not until we've been through many storms and trials that we begin to make sense of it all. But if you deny that we are all spiritual beings, things might not ever make sense to you.

Today I'd like to discuss books that have become movies. Which do you usually prefer? My experience is that I usually prefer the book, but I enjoy the movie for the artistry and the acting. The first book that comes to mind during this time of the year is a holiday book that is also a movie. The book is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, a short book that is about a middle-aged couple who decide to skip Christmas and spend their money on a winter cruise instead. The movie version is called "Christmas with the Kranks" and stars Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The book was pretty good but the movie is hilarious, so if you've never seen it, be sure to watch it this year. It will be on TV sometime this month, I'm sure. Other books that have been made into movies include Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner, and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. These are just a few of the books that I've read that are also movies. I think that of these, Kite Runner is the best film. The music, cinematography, acting, the realistic plot, and the scenery make it a great film. But I still argue that the book is always better.

There are definitely some good movies out there that are based on books, but what about the books that have yet to be turned into movies? I thought about some of the books that I think would make good movies. I think the book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Ehrenreich would make a good documentary film. I can envision it being shown at a theater such as The Carolina Theater here in Durham where documentaries are often shown. I think the subject matter would make this film a very important one to see. A memoir that would make a good movie is Helene Cooper's The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood. My co-worker who is originally from Liberia told me about this book and I'm glad I read it a few years ago because it helped me realize the depth of pain that many people have experienced. The book is very well-written and easy to follow, but I think that even more people would become aware of the suffering of the Liberians during a time of war if they at least saw the movie. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown is another good story that would make a good movie because it's about real people who are unlikely winners, and yet they struggle through college, rowing training, and more to become gold-medal recipients at the Berlin Olympics. Everyone loves an underdog who wins.

I've also read some good historical novels that would make good movies. How about watching The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street: A Novel by Susan Gilman on the big screen? What a great book - so full of twists and turns and with tons of interesting character development.  Or how about All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel by Anthony Doerr? Or why not go see War Brides by Helen Bryan if it was also on the big screen? Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese would make a good movie too. It's not really a historical novel, but it's a great read for anyone who likes complicated characters who are followed for many years throughout the plot. There is so much going on in this book, that you will never get bored.

What are your thoughts on the topic of books as movies? I'd love to get your feedback, and nothing you write will be "wrong." What's your favorite book that is also a movie? Why do you enjoy it? Have a wonderful day...

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used bookseller:mch seller

A Great Christmas Book for Children

"That day, Jonathan went to the Christmas service with the widow McDowell and Thomas. And that day in the churchyard the village children saw Jonathan throw back his head, showing his eyes as clear blue as an August sky, and laugh. No one ever called him Mr. Gloomy again."

-The last page in The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski



Jonathan Toomey was a sad, sad man. He was known all over his village as a man who never smiled. He was always gloomy and complained about loud noises or just about anything that annoyed him. He was a miserable man, but the people of the village didn't seem to know WHY he was this way. As the story unfolds, we find out that Jonathan was sad because his wife and baby had died unexpectedly from an illness, and he couldn't seem to find any happiness after that. He moved to a new village where no one knew him, and he spent his days alone doing his work as a woodcarver.

In 1998 my grandfather gave my mother some money to buy two of his great-grandchildren some books for Christmas. Our son was 7 years old at the time. in 1998.  The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a beautiful story of love, joy, hope, and redemption, and the illustrations are beautiful. The book comes with a CD, but I don't think we have ever listened to it -  I always preferred to read to our kids myself. This book contains a lot of words, so I wouldn't recommend it for very young children unless you are willing to wait until the child is at least 5 or 6 years old. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for your child, grandchild, or friend.

As the story unfolds, the widow McDowell and her son, Thomas, knock on Jonathan's door on a cold December day. They were new in the village and had been unable to find their nativity scene when they unpacked their belongings. They came to Jonathan because they had heard that he was a good woodcarver. They asked Jonathan if he would carve a new set for them because they couldn't imagine a Christmas without their manger scene. The three characters gradually become friends as Thomas, the boy, spends time at Jonathan's house. He watches Jonathan work and offers advice from time to time. For example, Thomas didn't like the way Jonathan made the cow, so he asked him to make the cow look less proud. Jonathan carefully carved all of the figures of the nativity scene and completed his project in time for Christmas.

Books always make great Christmas gifts, no matter the age. Of course, you want to make sure that the gift recipient appreciates narratives. I think books are especially great gifts for children because they have so many toys already. You don't need batteries for most books, and they aren't easily broken. And you don't have to worry whether or not the book will fit. You will know that your children or grandchildren are beginning to appreciate books when you see them spending their OWN money on them. Our grown children began doing this several years ago, and it made me smile. I remember many years ago when I took them to the library regularly. One summer they started having their "reading corner" as they called it, and they would spend the entire afternoon reading together. The reading "corner" consisted of a large blanket spread out on the floor where they would sit and read for an entire afternoon. I think that was also the summer when I started allowing them to read Goosebumps books. I think we checked out at least 30 books at a time that summer!

I hope today's post has been of interest to you as you prepare for the holidays. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a beautiful book that tells the true meaning of Christmas through the carved figures of the nativity scene. Jonathan realized that life is just too short to sit around feeling sorry for himself. He found hope in a manger as in the life of a little boy, Thomas.

Have a wonderful week,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger: www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used book seller: mch seller

Another look at Hemingway

I finished reading the novel by Paula McLain, The Paris Wife, and I've realized that many of you have read it. It's always good to know that your friends and readers enjoy some of the same types of books that you do. I'm now thinking about continuing the theme of Paris throughout my reading selections, but we will see. I need a book suggestion TODAY, so if you have an idea of what I should read, please let me know. Keep in mind the types of books that I like, historical fiction and memoirs. As I've noted before my taste has changed throughout my lifetime, but for the past few years these are the types of books that I've enjoyed. And I don't even mind a good history book every now and then, books by people like David McCullough. I'm still on a waiting list at the library to get McCullough's book about the Brooklyn Bridge, by the way, so if you happen to have it and you'd like to loan it to me, I'm in.

I learned a lot by reading The Paris Wife. Although I've read several books by Hemingway, I didn't know anything about his travels, his personal life, and his wives. I've read The Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises, and I'd like to read A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hemingway was a complicated man and had personal demons that haunted him throughout much of the time that he was married to his first wife, Hadley. Some of this stemmed from his time of active duty in the armed forces, and some of it may have stemmed from a genetic predisposition to being psychologically troubled troubled. The Paris Wife depicts his early years as a young married man in Europe. He was known as a lady's man and this ultimately ended his first marriage to Hadley, the mother of his first son. He had an affair with one of Hadley's friends, and although they tried to pretend the affair wasn't going on, it ultimately caused the breakup of the marriage. Hemingway went on to marry the woman. Hadley returned to the U.S. with her son and eventually remarried. Hemingway was married a total of four times. He and Hadley traveled all over Europe during the six years or so of their marriage, even though they never really had any money. Gertrude Stein and the other authors that he befriended while in Europe always had more money than the Hemingways did, but they tried to fit in. These relationships helped Hemingway's career, as his friends offered writing advice and encouragement along the way.

Hemingway was always very driven in his career, but drinking too much and his eye on the women sometimes created problems. Somehow he managed to become very successful, of course, and according to the novel, he gave Hadley all of the proceeds of his novel, The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway went on to marry a total of four times, and he ended his own life at the age of 61. Years earlier, his own father, sister, and brother had also committed suicide, perhaps revealing a genetic link to depression, anxiety, or other psychological problems. It's a tragic ending to a very talented man who skillfully crafted all of his works. We will never know what additional novels or poems he could have written.

I want to end today's post with a humorous experience that I had yesterday at my school. As you know, I teach English as a Second Language at a public elementary school here in Durham, NC. This is my tenth year there, and I love my students. All of my students this year come from Spanish-speaking families, so they often need extra patience when it comes to learning new vocabulary. When they are at home, the language that they hear is Spanish, but they seem to easily change over to English when they are at school. It's really quite remarkable to see how well they speak English when many of their parents don't speak it. Yesterday afternoon one of my students said something funny. I was asking the group what a "picnic" was. This particular group seemed to know the answer, but my earlier groups didn't know until I acted it out and described a picnic. This particular second grader, we'll call him ""Pablo," said "Oh yeah, I know what a picnic is. It's when you go somewhere like Duke Gardens and you lay something down on the ground and you get out your carnitas and you eat!" His cultural experience with picnics is obviously that they involve carnitas, not sandwiches, fried chicken, or hamburgers. It was very funny to me because his statement showed a blending of his cultures. Pablo is such a cute, smart boy who loves to learn new things, and so he was thrilled to be able to share the answer to my question. So, if you've never had carnitas, you should try them. They involved shredded pork and taste good. I enjoy carnitas in a tortilla at my favorite Latino restaurant in Durham, Chubby's Tacos, on Ninth Street near Duke. It's just a tiny restaurant with a few tables, but the food is cheap and very, very good. So, now you have my favorite anecdote of the week. I really should write these types of things down, because my students provide me with so many laughs.

Have a wonderful Veteran's Day,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger: www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used bookseller: mch seller

Hemingway and The Paris Wife

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."         -Ernest Hemingway (Brainy Quotes)

 

I've been reading a good book this week, but I haven't gotten very far. Still, it's hard to put down. I'm reading a historical novel, The Paris Wife by Paula McClain, 2011.  I was reading something else, but once again, I took a detour and I'm not sorry about it. I've been attracted to books set in Paris ever since I had the opportunity to visit Paris for the first time just three years ago. So when my friend loaned me her copy of McClain's book, I couldn't resist. The reader must realize that this book is a novel, not a documentary or a biography, and yet it provides us with some thoughts as to what Hemingway's life might have been like. McClain used historical documents to frame her story, yet some of the details are "filled in" by her as they relate to the things about Hemingway that no one could really know. At the end of the book there are some questions provided for group discussions so that literature students or reading groups may find a jumping off place for their discussions.

The narrator in the story is a young woman, Hadley, who is in her late 20s and on the verge of being a "spinster" according to the "rules"of society at that time in 1920. She meets a young man named Ernest Hemingway in Chicago, and she is intrigued by this young man who is several years younger than her. After a short courtship, mostly a long-distance relationship, they get married. Hadley has been warned by her friend, Kate, that she shouldn't get involved with this man, but she ignores that advice. Kate had said that Ernest was something of a lady's man, and that "He likes women, all women, apparently..." so Hadley should stay away from him. But there were things that drew her to the young writer, and she fell in love. They got married and struggled financially as many young couples do, but when Hadley's relative dies, she receives $8,000 so they finally realize Hemingway's dream and they set off for Paris. Hemingway had been told that Paris was the place for writers to get their start, so they heeded the advice and set sail for a new life. When they arrived they found that they couldn't afford to live in the area of Paris where most of the writers and artists lived, so they had to settle for a run-down apartment in a poor neighborhood. After a while, the couple is drawn to people such as Gertrude Stein, Sinclair Lewis, Ezra Pound, and others. Hemingway learns from these authors, and the feedback that he receives from his work is invaluable. This is about as far as I've gotten in my reading, so I'll make more comments about it after I have finished the book.

I've read quite a few books set partially or completely in Paris or France during the past few years. I've read War Brides; All the Light We Cannot See; Paris: The Novel; A Year in Provence (memoir); The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris; The Wright Brothers, and others. Of these books listed here I think I enjoyed The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris by David McCullough and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr the most. The former is yet another example of the amazing research McCullough does in order to write the facts about the person, place, or thing that he is writing about. His book is a word of history, for sure, so I learned a lot about the many American doctors, writers, and artists who traveled to Paris to learn and to "make it big." While All the Light We Cannot See is a novel, it reveals the war-time culture that destroyed much of Europe. It tells the story of a blind girl who is wrapped up in the suffering that so many people had to endure during a very dark time in Europe.

Now that I've been able to visit Paris myself, these types of stories come alive for me. I'm drawn to books and movies set in France. Have you seen the movie, "Midnight In Paris" (2011) starring Owen Wilson? It's a fun romantic comedy in which Owen Wilson's character meets many of the great writers and authors from the past, men and women who once lived in Paris. He meets Picasso, Stein, Hemingway, and others sometime after midnight each night. If you're interested in history, literature, or Paris, you'll enjoy this movie. You can probably borrow it from your public library as we did.

Have you seen the new movie, "Suffragette"? Chances are you haven't made it to see this one yet, since it just came out. Meryl Streep has a small role in this movie, but it carries itself very well with leading ladies Carey Mulligan and Helen Bonham Carter. I saw this movie yesterday at the Carolina Theatre, and I enjoyed it a lot. The movie is based on the true story of the fight for voting rights for women in London. The story begins in 1920 during a time when many women were mistreated in the workforce and were not allowed to vote or to have any say in the government. The suffragette movement was led by Emmeline Pankhurst, played by Meryl Streep in the movie, and it led to the eventual acquisition of voting rights for women in England and elsewhere. Practice up on your British accents before you go - you may find some of the dialogue difficult to understand but this won't detract from your understanding of what's going on. 

I'm off to go work at the school magnet fair now...have a great weekend. A penny for your thoughts about Hemingway, Paris, or anything else that you're interested in!

-Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Amazon used book seller: mch seller

Christmas Favorites

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."     -Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States (Brainy Quotes)


Calvin Coolridge had the right attitude about Christmas. I've realized that over the years my own attitude about Christmas has changed. At Christmas I realize that I don't need anything at all. There is no object that I want or need. So why do I celebrate it? First of all, because it's a spiritual time, a time to think about the birth of Christ and to pray for world peace. Christ is peace, not war, and we must apply this to our own lives. Everywhere we look these days people are acting out on their anger and misery, causing destruction everywhere they turn. But true peace begins with a kind gesture to someone. It beckons me to be a peacemaker, to see the good in everyone, and to always hope for the best. The second reason that I enjoy Christmas is that I get to spend time with my family. With our son living in Northern Ohio and our daughter away at college for her Senior year, these moments are priceless. The time that I spend with my daughter baking Christmas cookies is my most cherished Christmas tradition, and I look forward to it so much. By the way, Lydia, I've penciled in our cookie day for Saturday, December 12, so don't plan anything else then! We love to bake, decorate, and arrange a variety of cookies. Then we divide them up among friends and put some in the freezer. You can never have too many Christmas cookies, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and pumpkin logs. Everyone seems to appreciate receiving something that is homemade.

I've read several Christmas books in the last few years, and I thought this would be a good time to share them with you. My favorite one is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. I read this book about 20 years ago and laughed all of the way through it. This little book will help you get in the true Christmas spirit. It's about some little ragamuffin children who go to the local church for the first time and want to be in the Christmas play. You can imagine what sorts of things happen when these poor, dirty kids get involved. Another great little book is Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. This fictional account of the birth of Jesus gives you some things to think about as you read the real Christmas story this year. After reading this book you may want to read the sequel, Three From Galilee. Another one of my favorites is Christmas in Plains by Jimmy Carter. The Carter family celebrated the birth of Jesus in meaningful ways, always emphasizing their deep faith and reliance on Christ. I remember meeting Carter here in Durham about ten years ago when he visited The Regulator bookstore. I waited in a long line to get his autograph in several copies of his books. As the line winded down the stairs to the basement of the bookstore, I saw the secret service agents and realized that none of us were allowed to shake Carter's hand. Still, I remember that he said "Hi, thanks for coming" to me, and it was special. I was able to take some quick pictures too. I've read several of Carter's books and enjoyed them all, but I have to admit that I just couldn't get into his novel, The Hornet's Nest. I never finished that book. He was here in Durham, in fact, to promote The Hornet's Nest that was hot off the press at the time.

Some other good books for adults are Skipping Christmas (the basis of the movie, "Christmas With the Kranks"), Blue Christmas, and The Christmas Train.There are many, many more Christmas-themed books out there for us to enjoy this Christmas, so if you need a little nudge to help you get into the Christmas groove, these might help.

There are a lot of great Christmas books for children as well. All of the books that I read to my children at Christmas are still on a special shelf. Here is a list of some of our favorites:

1. Luke 2 in the Bible, the real story of Christmas
2. The Small One by Alex Walsh (it's about a boy and his beloved donkey)
3. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski (this one has to be my favorite for the beautiful story that it tells and the beautiful illustrations)
4. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg (a MUST-READ)
5. Santa's Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki
6. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
7. Country Angel Christmas by Tomie de Paola

There are many other good books to read during the month of December, so in my next post I may add some additional books to my list. I'll also discuss the book that I started reading yesterday, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It's a novel about Ernest Hemingway and other writers. Thank you, DH, for loaning this book. I'm enjoying it already. I had started one of the classics that I recently bought, but I just can't "get into it" right now. If you are an avid reader, you know what I mean. I'm sure I'll get back to it soon.

There's so much to read and so little time, so I will close. Any thoughts on the books that I've discussed? What are some of your Christmas favorites? Hey, our son is now a part-time writer for www.epicstream.com so check it out! Look for Ben Hill's name. His first article is about horror films that people might like to watch this Halloween weekend. As they say, the nut doesn't fall far from the tree - this young man really likes to write.

Hey, have a great Fall weekend!

-Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Amazon used book seller: MCH Seller

Memoirs and More

"I tell of a time, a place, and a way of life long gone. For many years I have had the urge to describe that treasure trove, lest it vanish forever. So, partly in response to the basic human instinct to share feelings and experiences, and partly for the sheer joy and excitement of it all, I report on my early life. It was quite a romp." -Mildred Kalish, author of Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression


It's a beautiful Fall day here in North Carolina, a good day to meditate on a busy week. I want to thank all of you for reading and sharing my post from last week. Some new readers read my thoughts on the life of Corrie ten Boom, the Christian who suffered horrific persecution at the hands of the Nazis in the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany. I even had the opportunity to share the post with a man who I met in Starbucks. He started talking to me and commented that I must be working very hard, but I told him that it wasn't actually work, but it was an interest of mine, my blog. I gave him my card with the web address of my blog and felt confident that he would read my posts sometime. Some of you shared my post with your friends or family members, and I want to thank you for that as well.

Last night we had our annual Hispanic Heritage Night at our elementary school here in Durham. I can't even describe how much physical and mental work that it involved, but I had great people to work with and the event was a great success. I would guess that there were approximately 200 people present for our program and potluck meal. There was standing room only during the program, and the cafeteria was so crowded that many young people sat on the floor in the gym to eat their food. The children of our school sang songs such as "De Colores," "Bienvenidos," and "Somos el Barco" and shared information that they had learned about famous Latin Americans. There were displays of student work in the large hall as well. The projects that were shared were amazing this year and showed the great talent of our students and staff. I'm thankful that our event was a great success as we celebrated the heritage of many of the children in our school.

Now to proceed to something else that I love to talk about...books. I've been thinking about the memoirs that I've read over the years, some that are funny and some that are both funny and inspiring. Then there is the category of "memoirs that are very serious." Rhoda Janzen wrote two very funny memoirs about her life as a Christian and spiritual seeker. These books will probably make you laugh out loud. The first one that I read is entitled Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? As you can imagine, this book is hilarious as Janzen reflects on her church life, what others think of her, etc. As a church-goer myself, I have seen a lot of funny things happen in church as well, but I don't think I've had the kind of experiences that Janzen has had. Of course, it helps that she has the talent to make just about anything sound funny. Her other funny book is called Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.

Tina Fey wrote a well-known memoir called simply, Bossypants. She cannot help but be funny, so if you're looking for some laughs, this is a good one. Doris Roberts, the actress who played the mother on "Everybody Loves Raymond," has a fun memoir as well, Are You Hungry, Dear? Her book is full of funny anecdotes of things that happened behind the scenes during the production of the show. You also get a recipe at the end of every chapter. Another funny memoir that I enjoyed is Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish. I read this book in 2009 and sent an email to the author when I finished it. The book is about the childhood of Kalish as she grew up on an Iowa farm during the depression. Her family was very poor and often neglected to be an emotional presence in the lives of their children, but Kalish made it through tough times. I was very excited when Kalish responded to my email immediately. At that time she was living in a retirement community in California. If you've never corresponded with an author that you admire, I recommend it because they might actually respond. This has happened to me before as well. Little Heathens has a lot of humor, but it's not strictly a funny memoir - it's more of an "inspiring" story that has funny aspects throughout it.

Here is a list of some of the other memoirs that I recommend.:

Angela Ashes, 'Tis, and Teacher Man by Frank McCourt, the Irish immigrant.
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
My Life in France by Julia Child (she was pretty amazing!)
My Life in Orange by Tim Guest (it's about a boy who grew up in a cult)
How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill (excellent & interesting story!)
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Swimming Across by Andrew S. Grove (one of my favorites)
An Hour Before Daylight and Christmas in Plains by Jimmy Carter (must-reads)

What memoirs can you recommend? Why did you enjoy them? A penny for your thoughts...keep reading, and keep writing.

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger: www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Amazon used bookseller: MCH Seller

The Loud Stillness of Corrie ten Boom

"...the Lord gave Lotte a hymn of several verses, in Dutch, which she translated into German and English, and which we sang to a seventeenth century Dutch tune. Tante Corrie was so happy with it, doubtless, also, because she had been instrumental in its being written in that she had prayed for it. She liked us to sing it to her often:

"Jesus Christ alone is Victor
     now and in eternity!
In His sovereignty He reigneth,
     great in power and majesty."

I read a powerful book this weekend that has greatly encouraged me. The book, The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom, is about the last few years of Corrie ten Boom's life. "Tante Corrie" as she liked to be called, was a Christian missionary and servant of Christ for the entire 91 years of life, and she became known after her miraculous release from a concentration camp during WW II. I remember hearing about Tante Corrie way back in the '70s. I believe it was around that time that I read her book, Tramp for the Lord, and soon thereafter I saw her movie, "The Hiding Place." The movie was based on her book by the same name. If you have never seen this movie, PLEASE get in from Netflix or your local library. It describes Tante Corrie's life as a watchmaker, a Christian who was always fervent in prayer for the Jews, and a person who helped her family hide many Jews in a small "closet" that they had built behind her bedroom wall. Three years ago my daughter, Lydia, and I had the opportunity to visit the home of the ten Boom family in Haarlam, the Netherlands, and I will never forget the lessons that I learned there as a born-again Jew told us all about the ten Booms.

The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom begins with the author, Pamela Rosewell, thinking about her upcoming interview with Tante Corrie in her home in a suburb of Haarlam, her hometown. This unmarried British woman is about to interview with Tante Corrie for the position of companion. She knows that this will be a position that will require a lot of patience and prayer, but she doesn't realize the full extent of how this woman will change her life. At the time of the interview, Tante Corrie is at the age of 83, and Rosewell serves as her companion for the nine years until her call to heaven at the age of 91. Rosewell didn't expect to work for a woman who was so energetic at her age, yet she found that many times she couldn't keep up with this fervent Believer. They traveled together, hosted many visitors from all of the world, and shared the Gospel in airports or wherever they happened to be. Tante always carried copies of Tramp for the Lord to distribute to people who she meant along her days of travel, speeches, and writing of books. It is fair to say that Tante prayed about everything. She lifted up her hands in prayer to God, seeking His will in everything. To her, everything was worthy of bringing before the Father, and He led her all of the way. She was so driven to share the Gospel at all times. She enjoyed getting up early in the mornings to talk to Pamela about their plans. Even at her advanced age she always had many plans, plans to share her message, "Jesus Christ is victor," with everyone she encountered.

Eventually Rosewell and Tante Corrie settled in California in a home that was provided for them. After several years of traveling, writing books, and more, they continued their ministry in this suburban neighborhood where they could enjoy roses, orange trees, and the heavy traffic of constant visitors who wanted to meet her or to ask her for her prayers. Although this was Tante's final earthly home, she never saw herself as "retired." Instead, she remained very furtive in ministry even though her traveling days were over. At approximately the age of 86, Tante began to have strokes that caused her to lose her speech and some of her mobility. After her third stroke, she never spoke again. It is amazing how these days that were very trying for her and her care-givers, Tante was able to communicate somewhat through gestures or looking at things that she wanted to talk about. Even when she could not speak a full sentence, she could at times respond with the Dutch "ja!" to express that she was in favor of what was being discussed. She still closed her eyes in prayer, even though she could no longer lift her hands toward heaven.

Corrie ten Boom left this earth quietly on April 15, 1983, when she was 91 years old. She was bedridden for the last three years of life, taken care of by her faithful companion and other helpers. Everyone involved believed that God would take Tante home at the appointed time, and not before, because they could see how God continued to use her even though she was in a diminished state and unable to communicate with words. Even in death, her voice sang out, "JESUS CHRIST IS VICTOR" and people were greatly encouraged by her faithfulness. You see, Tante Corrie and her sister, Betsie, had suffered greatly in Ravensbruck concentration camp. They and their father were arrested because a traitor told the authorities that they were hiding Jews. They had always prayed for the Jews and felt strongly that they should protect them, no matter what the cost. Betsie died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie was released due to a "clerical error" that no one has ever explained. I call that a miracle of God, for He had important plans for her. For the next decades of her life she helped people who were displaced due to the war by setting up rehabilitation centers. She went on to speak to great crowds of people about hope, forgiveness, and the power of God. Her books, movies, and Bible studies leave a legacy that still encourage many people to this day.

I believe that this book about Corrie ten Boom will encourage every person who reads it. If Tante Corrie could be hopeful in all of the circumstances of her life including the years in a concentration camp, then surely I can get through my own difficulties. One of her themes that she and Betsie clung to when they were imprisoned goes something like this: "There is no pit too deep that God's love cannot reach into it." So be it. Corrie ten Boom's message is still spoken loudly for all who will hear it.

Here are the very last 11 books in my card catalog. I should start over because I've added books since I began typing this list that goes back to 1984, but I won't do that. Instead, maybe I'll come up with some other type of list, such as my favorite poems, memoirs, etc. So, drum roll please....

1. To Know Her by Lori Wick
2. Night by Ellie Wiesel
3. What is Theology? by Maurice Wiles
4. Sighing for Eden by William H. Willimon
5. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield
6. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
7. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (one of the best novels that I've ever read)
8. Coffee Lover's Bible by Jill Yates (a gift from Rod many years ago - great fun)
9. The Shack by William P. Young
10. The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (great book and movie)

Have a blessed day,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used book seller: MCH Seller

Bookstores: A Great Escape

Edith Wharton, author & poet
 

"We don't need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shall not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever."

 -Phillip Pullman as quoted on www.flavorwire.com.


It's a beautiful day here in North Carolina and the weather in general has been very good this week. Popping my own bubble, I checked the forecast and saw that tomorrow the rain returns once again and the high temperature will be in the 60s. Some of us haven't had a chance to work on our yards for some time now because it has been rainy on almost all of the recent Saturdays. Nevertheless, we will make the best of this one day of sunshine that we have this weekend.

This morning I stopped in our local Barnes & Noble store just to browse. I didn't see anything on the bestseller paperback shelf that interested me, so I wandered into the "classics" section as I often do. Before I knew it I had bought three classics. They were BOGO and I had a 20% off coupon plus my membership card, so I got all three books for $16. I'm looking forward to reading Thoreau's Walden and Civil Disobedience, plus This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. While I've read a small portion of Walden in the past, I'm looking forward to reading the entire book. I had good English teachers in high school and college, but I never had the opportunity to read these recent purchases. I won't be hard on myself about that though, because I've continuously been reading other things. Incidentally, if you love to read you should see the movie "Midnight in Paris." It's a romantic comedy of sorts where some very famous artists and writers appear as characters: Picasso, Hemingway, and others. You can get this movie at your local library as we did and I'm sure you will enjoy it.

The next few days will be very busy for us. Tomorrow we're taking a day trip drive down to our daughter's college, Gardner-Webb University near Charlotte, to visit her and to watch her in the homecoming parade and half-time festivities at the football game. Lydia surprised us when she told us on Monday that she was one of four candidates for homecoming queen. Only seniors are allowed to be nominated, so apparently one of Lydia's roommates nominated her. We will leave home at
8 a.m. and should arrive back home sometime after midnight. Unfortunately, the game doesn't start until 7 pm, and we need to stay at least through half-time to see our daughter and her fiance walk out on the field. It will be a fun day. We'll go preparing to sit through rain but we will make the best of it. We're so proud of Lydia and the kind soul that she is. We haven't seen her since she returned to college in August so a visit is long overdue. Gardner-Webb University is about 3 1/2 hours by car from our house, but it's mostly interstate. Her college town only has one traffic light so the students go to Gaffney, SC or Shelby, NC when they need to shop or get gas. We've been very happy with Lydia's college experience and she will soon be a proud alumnus.

On Monday I have the opportunity to take a day trip to the N.C. mountains with a group from our church. We will depart at 8 a.m. to drive to Boone where we will drive around and see the fall foliage, eat lunch, etc. I'm looking forward to this "mini-vacation." It's been a very long time since we've been to our mountains during the fall. We're hoping for a beautiful sunny day, of course.




For over a year now, I've been sharing the list of books that I've read since 1984. Today I noticed that my list is dwindling, so I'm almost caught up on them. Here is my list for today:

1. Yesterday I Cried by Iyanla Vanzant
2. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (one of my all-time favorite novels)
3. Stuffed (Adventures of a Restaurant Family) by Patricia Volk
4. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
5. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
6. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (this one will help you live a life that is meaningful)
7. Father, Son, & Co. by Thomas J. Watson Jr. (the history of IBM written by its founder)
8. General Washington's Christmas Farewell by Stanley Weintraub
9.  Quite a Year for Plums by Bailey White
10. In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White

Have a wonderful weekend,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger: www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used Bookseller on Amazon: MCH Seller

"Life is more important than death." -Thoughts of Addie Baum upon the death of her mother in The Boston Girl, 2014, by Anita Diamont.


"When they lowered the coffin into the ground, I remember thinking, She won't be able to make me feel like there's something wrong with me anymore.

But when the first clump of dirt hit the coffin, I realized that I would never stop wanting my mother to tell me that I was all right and that's when I started to cry."

These again are the thoughts of Addie Baum, the main character in The Boston Girl, a historical fiction book that I read this weekend. You may remember that Diamont also wrote The Red Tent, a popular book that I read several years ago. Diamont wrote other novels and non-fiction books as well, so she is very prolific. I'm glad that my friend, Anita, recommended this book because she understands what kinds of books that I read. There's nothing like an "old" friend of 40 years who shares your love of reading and knowledge, so I often ask Anita to recommend a book for me. I'm so thankful for Anita because she has been invested and committed to our friendship since the 9th Grade at Scott County Junior High School. We remained friends through high school, college, grad school, weddings, the births of our children, and beyond. The last time that I saw Anita was in May of 2014 when our son graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. We met at the Waffle House in the Mt. Juliet area and had a great talk. So Anita, THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU.

I got The Boston Girl from the library and read it in just a few sittings. I didn't want to put it down because the main character's life was so interesting and emotional. Addie was born in America to Jewish immigrant parents in 1900, a time of uncertainty and great difficulty for most Americans, and especially the immigrants. As I read I realized how this story brings to mind other historical novels that I've read in recent years, books such as War Brides, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. While War Brides is about young women who lived through deplorable conditions during World War II in Europe, the others are about people who endured poor living conditions, unfair treatment, and a suppressed economy in the cities of America. I highly recommend all of these well-written books because they depict an important part of our past.

The Boston Girl begins with a chapter set in 1985, when the speaker/narrator is a grandmother. The next chapter goes back to the year 1915 when the speaker, Addie Baum, was a child. As the story begins, Addie and her family live in a one-room apartment in a Boston neighborhood that smelled of garbage. There was no indoor plumbing, and a trip to the outdoor toilet wasn't pleasant due to the filthy floors that were covered in dirt and grease. Addie was considered the "smart one" in the family so she got to go to school all the way through some of high school. She was a curious person and loved to learn. As she grew up she acquired some secretarial skills that helped her avoid some of the more severe types of work that her sister had to do. Her life at home was very difficult because her parents were constantly fighting. Her mom never said a kind word to her, as is reflected in the quote above. She desperately wanted her mother to say something positive about her, but she never heard it until her mother was somewhat delirious at the time of her death. I think there are a lot of people like this - even though a parent has hurt them so badly, they still cling to the hope that someday, somehow, somewhere, that parent will show that he/she loves the child. Although Addie didn't feel loved by her parents, she did get emotional support from her two older sisters. Yet her life was filled with sorrow and loss - she lost her sister, two nephews, and her mother too early. But at least she knew her sisters cared about her. It was through a Saturday girl's club that Addie began to feel positive about herself, and she received mentoring from the women who led the group. This was her salvation out of despair, and it made all of the difference. As the story continues, Addie works as a secretary and a newspaper journalist before she marries the love of her life, a young lawyer who genuinely cared for people and was eager to share his life with Addie. I hope you will take the time to read this book.

Here are the next ten books that I've read since 1984:

1. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
2. The Pearl by John Steinbeck
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. Wild by Cheryl Strayed (a memoir - I enjoyed the movie too)
5. The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
6. Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler
7. Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler
8. Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler
9. Cabin by Lou Ureneck (nice story about a man who built a cabin)
10. Finding Grace by Liere Van

Have a great week -

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Seller of used books on Amazon: MCH Seller

Rainy Weekend - why not read a good book?

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austin


Who doesn't love Jane Austen? Her language is so lucid and beautiful, and in this quote she is a straight-shooter. I must agree with her, although I wouldn't actually call anyone "stupid." There are so many great novels to enjoy, and I've discussed many of them here. I've realized that the genres I enjoy have changed over the years, but I can't pass up a good novel that has been recommended to me. If the book is a historical novel, all the better. A good novel is enjoyed for the great story that it is, but it also is a beautiful work of art that has been very carefully crafted. Some of my all-time favorite novels are The Poisonwood Bible, Edgar Sawtelle, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Cutting for Stone, The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street, Huckleberry Finn, and Uncle Tom's Cabin. What is on your list of favorite novels?

During the past few weeks I've enjoyed writing about my grandparents on both sides of my family. I hope it has invoked memories of your own grandparents. My adult children don't have many memories of their great-grandparents, so I enjoy telling them about them. They might roll their eyes occasionally, but I think they need to know something about this part of their heritage. I have so many stories that I could share of my grandparents - too many stories and so little time. One thing that I remember about Grandmother Brame is that she was a great cook and liked to buy us clothes. She made the best milkshakes and bought potato chips in large cans. We spent a lot of time at her homes in Madisonville, Ky and Hopkinsville, Ky. I cherish every memory.

I want to share that one of my readers enjoyed a book that I recently read, Rising Strong. It's good to know that readers find this blog enjoyable and useful at the same time. If you are reading a good book, you can leave a comment below and I'll look at it to see if I want to read it. Some people keep a running list of books that they want to read, but I just look for one or two at a time. Right now I'm on a long waiting list at the library to get John McCullough's book about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. I might be a year older before I get it, but it gives me something to look forward to. I've read several of McCullough's books and I haven't been disappointed yet.

This morning I swam laps at a public indoor poor here in Durham, NC. I've been going there for several months. Although it seems difficult to get myself down there, once I get into the heated water, I feel great. Sure, the old shoulder bothered me, but it was very relaxing. I try to exercise several times per week, and now I've added swimming to my routine. I alternate it with brisk walking. All of my adult life I've been sort of "obsessed" with getting regular exercise. It's really the best medicine that there is.

Next time I think I'll write about some of the best autobiographies that I've read. Some of them are well-known, but over the years I've also found some lesser-known books that have been fun to read.

Here are the next ten books that I've read since 1984 (with a few brief comments):

1. Love is a Decision by Gary Smalley & John Trent
2. The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidia Newton by Jane Smiley
3. Some Luck by Jane Smiley
4. The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander Smith
5. Love Over Scotland by Alexander Smith (Fun to listen to on CD after you've been to Scotland)
6. The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander Smith
7. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (I recommend this classic!)
8. The Lost Girls by Lee Smith
9. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor (a very interesting autobiography)
10. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks (I can't believe that I read a book like this!)

Have a great weekend,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used books on Amazon.com: mch seller

Grandmother said, "No wonder you're hungry all the time."

"How will I live without her?" I whispered. 
"I'll tell you. It's a game I know. It works for me. Just close your eyes and think of what you'd be willing to die for, and then...live for it..."
"The only rule of this game is that whatever you choose has to be alive." (Anne Rivers Siddons, Low Country, pg. 190)

***********************************************************************************

This sounds crazy. I know it does. But one of the things that I remember my Grandmother Cruse saying is that the reason that I'm always hungry is because I chew gum. Have you ever heard of that? It never really bothered me when she said it, but it stayed with me all these years. Even though I no longer chew gum, I still get hungry often, so go figure.

Last week I wrote about my maternal grandparents, primarily Grandad Brame. I'd like to continue this theme in honor of Grandparents' Day. Even though we never lived in the same town as any of our grandparents, we visited them often. Since my sister and I are the oldest grandchildren on both sides of the family, as I stated last week, we probably have the most memories of our grandparents. So, let me introduce you to my paternal grandparents, F.L. and Clara Thompson Cruse. My grandfather died when I was about 10 years old, and we had lived in Brazil for several of the years preceding that time, so I didn't really know him well. But I remember that he was tall and hard-of-hearing, and he drove a black car. I remember that he sometimes gave us Juicy Fruit chewing gum. He was much older than Grandmother, so she must have lived another 30 or 40 years after he died. I do know that Grandad was a hard-working farmer, and he didn't have indoor plumbing until they moved to Upton, Kentucky when I was around 9 years old. The years before that they had raised their five children on their farm near Sonora, Kentucky. Incidentally, Carl Brashear, the first African American to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver was also from Sonora, Kentucky. A movie was made about him starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert DeNiro called "Men of Honor." I highly recommend this movie.

So, I digressed...so what do I remember about visiting the Cruses' farm in Sonora? Well, it was hard to sleep because I wasn't used to the sound of the grandfather clock. There was no central heat or air conditioning, of course, so you just had to deal with it. And if you needed to go to the bathroom during the night, be very, very careful because this required a short walk downhill to the outhouse. I didn't enjoy that at all. But we did have good times there. I remember playing with my cousins, Todd and Andrea, when we were very young. They were close to my age so we had fun. I remember the honeysuckle that we used to suck on - that's actually the first time that I ever saw honeysuckle.

Clara Cruse, my grandmother, was a memorable person. Even when I was grown and on my own, I would visit her anytime that I could. I stopped by her small house many times unannounced, and she was always home. One time when I was in my 20s I came down from Louisville to take Grandmother out to lunch for her birthday. I told her that we could go anywhere that she wanted, and she requested "Po Folks" in Elizabethtown. I don't even know if that restaurant chain still exists, but Grandmother loved their beans and cornbread. Dad said that they grew up on this very meal, and so when there wasn't much else, there was usually beans and cornbread. Today my dad still loves beans and cornbread, and so do I. While Grandmother wasn't formally educated, she one taught school in a one-room schoolhouse. She liked to read, especially books by Jesse Stuart of Kentucky, and she knew all about her country music favorites. I think I have a Jesse Stuart book on my shelf that she gave me, and I believe it has a typed letter from Jesse Stuart inside of it. I read several of  his books when I was a teenager.

I pay tribute today to two very different sets of grandparents, Dan & Louise Brame, and F.L. and Clara Cruse. They were all exceptional people, and I am blessed to have been able to spend time with them. My grandparents wrote me many letters over the years, and I saved most of them, so that communication means a lot.

I'm currently reading a self-help book, Rising Strong, by Brene Brown. The author earned her PhD in Social Work. In this book she explores themes such as courage, vulnerability, and shame. I'm not quite finished with the book, but it has given me food for thought. One of the topics in her chapter entitled "Sewer Rats and Scofflaws" is that when people disappoint us, we should ask ourselves, "Do you think, in general, that people are doing the best they can?" Brown suggests that when we ask this we become more compassionate and understanding people.Instead of becoming angry and judging people as we often do, we need to ask ourselves if we think they are acting like this on purpose, or whether they are doing the best that they can. She suggests that when we look for the worst in people, that's all that we will be able to see. I think that this is a very good point. Another chapter is entitled "You Got to Dance With Them That Brung You." It's one of the many "colorful" chapter titles in the book that will hook you.

Here are the next ten books that I've read:

1. Low Country by Anne Rivers Siddons
2. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald J. Sider (very compelling book on ethics)
3. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijia
4. Issues in Christian Ethics by Paul Simmons
5. Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson
6. New Life for Dying Churches! by Rose Sims
7. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (a classic that everyone should read)
8. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot (an amazing story that raises ethical questions that will make you stop and ask, "Where is the justice?")
9. The Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent
10. The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent

In honor of all of our grandparents, WE LOVE YOU ALL and we hold dear our time with you.
Blessings,

Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoobookblog.blogspot.com
Used books: MCH Seller