Book Art

It is safe to say that reading is one of my greatest passions. However close in the running is photography. I did a wonderful photo-shoot with Mel today and since those photos will not be released until later when she sends out her graduation announcements I needed something to get through this photo blogging fix. I chose to take a few photos today that I can share a little early! Cheers!

These American history books were printed in 1909.

(5 books standing up on the lawn as if on a shelf with one of the left tipped in towards the rest leaning on them. Monarch butterfly on the top, stack of books in the background)

Self portrait with a 1901 edition of Shakespeare's King John

Books for lent

As those of you who are of the Christian (both Protestant and Catholic) faith and those familiar with the church's liturgical calendar know, now is the time of lent. To different people this means different things but the commonality we share is that this is a time to prepare ourselves for the Easter celebration by looking at ourselves more closely, replacing ungodly habits with devotions to God and being mindful of The Lord amongst out busy lives.

Often times people give up something they crave or depend on during this time. The idea is to replace this with prayer and bible reading: to crave The Lord as we crave these physical things. It is also to remember Jesus' 40 days of fasting and praying. For many it's a challenge to see if you can give up something, typically a good item, or a way to diet and therefore accomplish two things at once. Our pastor last Sunday touched on this saying this is not a time to diet, that is missing me entire point. It is for that reason that though I have decided to give up sweets I took it one step further. I was sitting in church the sunday before ask wednesday when it occurred to me that the thing that gets me through the day, that I turn to constantly is reading. Novels primarily. I constantly have a novel in my purse or work bag and another downloaded to my phone in the form of an audiobook to use while driving or hiking with the dog. If I were to truly give something up for 40 days and replace it with God and really go all the way with this, reading would be the way to go.

So last week I set aside my novels and began turning to Christian literature. There is quite a bit out there. I will certainly not be without something to read. To you, my blog readers, please do not stop reading my blog at this time. I will still be reviewing books, posting book art, and exploring other people's blogs. As always leave me your comments! I would love to see what my readers have to say!

Cheers!

Review: The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

I actually read this one before I read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt but I hadn't reviewed it as of yet. I'm not sure why. It actually was the first book I read this year.

I loved this story! It is yet another coming of age story featuring a female lead and strong female characters set in the south. This novel and Saving CeeCee are so similar yet each is unique. This novel touches on the issues of mental illness, abuse, guilt, coming of age, the power of women, racism, the south, faith and most important of all family.

Once again we see a beautiful story of a young woman making a new family in an unconventional way. Along the way we see the power of faith, though the characters take a non traditional approach to a highly tradition based religion. The imagery in this novel is impeccable from the black Madonna to the wailing wall and so many more!

The main character is a very believable teenage girl who runs away from her abusive father and rescues her nanny from jail along the way. The home in which she by fate takes refuge is one run entirely by women. From a relic of her mothers past she is led into this endearing and often amusing family whose lives had crossed paths with her long ago unbeknownst to her.

I strongly recommend this novel but make sure to pair it with Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. Look for a post to come in which I plan to compare the two!

Cheers!

Review: The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller

First off I would like to say that I have not read very many biographies or auto biographies before. I'm finding I enjoy them. But then again I've also gotten into watching documentaries on Netflix.

We all have heard of Helen Keller but most have not read her own words. It's hard to imagine how someone both deaf and blind can be taught. That is not an ignorant thought but instead is one that proves just how much dedication Helen's teacher, Ann Sullivan, poured into her job. Her job was to teach one single student and she did it well. Helen demonstrated great intelligence in her ability to overcome her disabilities.

Hearing the words of Helen Keller help to make her a "real person" rather than just a history lesson that one is barely even attached to. It shows how much spunk and mischievous energy she had. It shows the will she possessed to learn and the capacity in which she learned to love.

I am now interested in reading more on Ann Sullivan and probably will in the near future.

Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Wow! I love when I find a book that I really want to hold on to even after finishing the last chapter. This book certainly was one such book! As those who know me already know, I simply adore stories of ordinary life. I'm not a huge fan of science fiction or fantasy. For this reason, books like Saving CeeCee Honeycutt draw me in and keep me wanting more.

This is yet another coming of age story. I never get sick of those. This one is unique as it deals with coming of age amidst a home life shattered by mental illness and tragedy. It also challenges the convention of what makes a family. I believe this will hit home for many as more and more we see homes consisting of many different combinations of family members (blood related or not).

This book also shows the power of women alone, stating that a woman does not need a man at all times to be happy. However it does not show men as the perpetual bad guy either. Several of the characters are widowed or divorced. Only a few men actually make appearances throughout the course of the story. There also is no love interest for our lead character.

Above all this is a story of self love, kindness to others and forgiveness to all. The characters are unique and interesting. I was left wanting to meet each one and visit their homes because of the wonderful descriptions Hoffman told of them.

There is quite a but of humor peppered through this novel which is crucial in balancing out the awful circumstances CeeCee faces in the first few chapters. One such part caused me to laugh literally out loud one night while playing the 'just one more chapter game. CeeCee is an observer in her new home and neighborhood with her great aunt. One such neighbors is a particularly bitter woman who has disrespected others on the community am who is having an affair with a married police officer. For some reason this fascinates CeeCee and she chooses to deal out karma in her own silly and youthful way: with @the photo exposé of the unpredictable escapades of Miz Hobbs remarkable traveling brassiere" (Hoffman, 203)

I would highly recommend this novel and send a shout out to the lovely, powerful woman who gave it to me! Thank you Mel Finefrock!

Cheers!

Review: Shades of Blue

Shades if Blue by Karen Kingsbury

I will admit right off that I picked this book for its pretty cover, title which included my favorite color and because I had just finished a different book by the same author. (It was also on clearance at Half Priced Books) I am thrilled that I did.

This book has a powerful pro-life message. I've actually put off writing this review several times due to the fact that this book has such an important message and I wanted to do it justice.

Kingsbury has been wildly successful in the Christian fiction genre with over 40 novels and counting! Typically if I encounter an author with that many novels under his/her belt it's an instant red flag. Much like the romance novels which I stay away from a much as possible I expect Kingsburry novels to be somewhat shallow as they were pumped out quickly. Good stories, thin writing. Most of the time I would say that's the case with Kingsbury. She in the opinion of many is a great story teller. I would agree. However I wouldn't write a term paper on her novels.

This story however is written more richly than many of her others. It shows, from three different characters perspectives the damaging effects an abortion causes. It demonstrates ways in which those who suffer from the guilt and sadness of an abortion can heal and find forgiveness and exposes the fear and lack of guidance pregnant teen girls experience.

I believe that though this book is not one for a literature course at a university, it is a must read for young women and those who have had abortions.

Review-Little Bee

I am a bit behind on my book blogging...fortunately not on my reading. Book number nine "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave, not only is now filed away under 100 books in 2013, it also checks off a square on my book bingo board. Yes I realize I am a total nerd. I've decided I just don't care. :)

Mike and I were hanging out at home a few weeks ago and I decided I really wanted to get out and do something. I suggested we head up to Half Priced Books to browse around. I went straight to the clearance section and began flipping through the fiction novels. I began reading the backs of various paperbacks when I stumbled across this intriguing little book that now became a mystery I had to solve. (See photo below of the back cover "blurb") I will agree in part with the reviewers who thought the blurb was unnecessary but hey it got me reading the book didn't it?


I flipped to the first page and began reading:

"Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl. Everyone would be pleased to see me coming. Maybe I would visit with you for the weekend and then suddenly, because I am fickle like that, I would visit with the man from the corner shop instead – but you would not be sad because you would be eating a cinnamon bun, or drinking a cold Coca Cola from the can, and you would never think of me again. We would be happy, like lovers who met on holiday and forgot each other’s names." -Cleave, page 1

This book certainly takes up the bingo square for "a book with a great first line"

As for the book itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This author wrote in first person alternating between the two female lead characters. I am happy to say that there is a distinct difference between each characters voice which is rare. Though the book was a bit slow as other reviewers have said, I found it to be captivating as well. You do not know until literally the final page what the fate if each character will be. New pieces of the story unfold constantly. I cannot speak for its historical and cultural accuracy, however, it is very believable. Little Bee is such a sweet and strong character and her story is very beautiful. It certainly shows that there is beauty in adversity. I would strongly recommend this novel!