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RE: Book Review - 11/2/2008 11:04:03 AM
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gratefulforgrace
Posts: 242
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Near Spokane Washington
Status: offline
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The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones
This book has been getting a lot of press and controversy lately. Many of my customers at the library have been reading and requesting it so I decided to pick it up. I actually gave it up. It was just not good. Here's how to sell books: write awful, trashy romance featuring secondary historical figure. Make sure religion features prominently. Then proclaim that your book will change the world. Make sure bomb threats and controversy follow your book. Bingo! Best seller! No matter that it is an awful book.
Ah, when will I come up with such an idea?
_____________________________
Proud Follower of Christ
Wife of Chris
Mother of Helen and #2 due March 23!
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RE: Book Review - 11/10/2008 4:11:00 PM
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gratefulforgrace
Posts: 242
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Near Spokane Washington
Status: offline
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Home by Marilynne Robinson
This is one of the loveliest books I've ever read. Marilynne Robinson deals with matters of faith and family better than any other writer today, IMHO. Home tells the story of the Boughton family. Reverend Boughton is the best friend of Reverend Ames (from Gilead) and the family is mentioned from time to time in that book. Home is primarily about Reverend Bougton's son Jack and daughter Glory. In many ways they live parallel lives and there are interesting threads about the different ways they've dealt with similar situations. The book is also about Jack's uncertainty about the state of his soul and Reverend Boughton's concern for his son and the disfunctional relationship they've always had. I really can't remember when I last read a more moving and beautiful book.
Highly recommended.
_____________________________
Proud Follower of Christ
Wife of Chris
Mother of Helen and #2 due March 23!
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RE: Book Review - 11/16/2008 1:01:58 PM
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soma77
Posts: 19
Joined: 6/3/2008
Status: offline
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"Evolution of Consciousness" by John Kuykendall is appealing in particular because it explains the Christian mysteries so everyone can understand them. The book evolves in stages as the reader is taken on a transforming journey through the layers of the mind, the parts of the mind and evolution. Among the themes explored are: Christ Consciousness, Trinity, and the Soul. It answers many questions and leads one to Christian Mysticism. I would recommend "Evolution of Consciousness" as a resource for spiritual renewal because the book outlines, with specific and practical guidelines, a life any person in the world—no matter their station—might adopt with great benefit. Here is ancient Christian wisdom written so contemporary Christians may understand.
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RE: Book Review - 12/24/2008 1:20:24 PM
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Auben
Posts: 1608
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Where pines tower and cranberries float
Status: offline
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Hi Kristin. Nice to see another Robinson book is out.
I've slowed way down this year. Sorry folks. It's just hard to get into reading at the moment. Trying to finish some things up.
As They Were by MFK Fisher
Fisher is a famous food writer of the 20-70s. She's revered by a number of people for her writing and observational skills so I thought these kind of biographical essays of place and time might be interesting. This ranges from remembrances of California in the teens and twenties while she was growing up there to her many years lived in France and her travels here and there.
I will give her something, Fisher is a very observant person. She's also a bit detached, which I think aids the descriptive power, but sometimes I just find her detached enough that she lacks compassion. She has an edge to her. I suppose that is what some people like that because it lends an air of frankness about the people and things that we will never know.
Grade: 7
Unless you have an interest in the past I wouldn't bother. If you do like history and people you might enjoy this.
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Other than several essays in college and her enormous biography (written by nephew Quentin Bell) I've never read any Woolf. I did read The Hours a few years ago (based loosely on Mrs. Dalloway) and it made me curious so this copy has been sitting on the shelf.
Here Woolf endeavors to express the extraordinary range of feelings, thoughts, and emotions people have in the ordinary moments. The walk downtown to get flowers for a party. A luncheon with old friends. A walk in the park. Threw this we follow a dozen characters or so as they shift off from one to another in stream of consciousness.
It reaches a few moments of greatness. It was observant and (in many ways) honest. One can't shake Woolf's own prejudices though. The authoritative doctor is disliked by everyone for his very authority. The poor, plain, angry woman turns to God for her anger and frustration and is 'disgusting.' While the main characters always seem very balanced between good and bad characteristics a few villains stay roughly on the outside.
All in all I'm glad I read it. It was bright and fresh and interesting, but I couldn't help but feel some sadness for Woolf who seems to hold Christians and other 'do gooders' in the same light as Wilkie Collins...humorous cranks.
Grade: 8
_____________________________
Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
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RE: Book Review - 1/6/2009 5:19:09 PM
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Auben
Posts: 1608
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Where pines tower and cranberries float
Status: offline
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The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
In many ways this was a beautiful and poetic book. A group of essays regarding her time as a Benedictine layperson and her studies into the monastic tradition.The portions on women and celibacy and women in the church were particularly interesting.
At a few other times it seemed like she had problems with Christians in general and evangelicals/charismatics in particular.
I would definitely recommend this book if you're interested in the monastic tradition, especially how it's interpreted in the modern age. I found myself jealous of them singing Psalms daily and other little rituals. It's heartening to read about realistic struggles and small kindnesses learned.
Now I should read a little history of the early church fathers and mothers
Grade: 7.8
_____________________________
Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
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