Book Review -- Jesus Feminist

Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women by Sarah Bessey

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book hangover rating: 5

Source: Personal copy

Genre: Non-fiction; Christian

Objectionable material: None

"The people of God have a unique and beautiful message for the women of the world: You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your Abba (Father) delights in you. You are equal. You are lovely. You are called; you are chosen; you are beloved. You are gifted. You belong. You have worth and value. You matter." ~Sarah Bessey, Jesus Feminist

I'm not an Evangelical Christian and don't really "speak" the evangelical vernacular, since I wasn't raised as an evangelical, so it took me a bit to get the feel of this book. But once I did, I was wrapped up in her stories and faith of the ministry of Christ.

It gave me hope as a woman in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The last chapter was profound and beautiful.   Dare I say, life changing?

 

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Book Review -- The Cracks in the Kingdom

The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book hangover rating: 4

Source: Library copy

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Objectionable material: None

Elliott is still fighting colors in the Kingdom of Cello; Madeleine is still hanging out in Cambridge, England. They are both still communicating via the crack in the universe that is housed in the parking meter at the end of Madeleine's street, and the search for the Royal Family of Cello continues.

Part II of Jaclyn Moriarty's The Colors of Madeleine series is just as whimsical, quirky, original, unique and fun as the first! This is the ONLY series I've continued since Harry Potter -- that's saying something!

There are some holes (pardon the pun) in the narrative -- links in the story that don't quite fit or work -- but I enjoyed both "worlds" so much and all the characters that I didn't really care.

If you are looking for a delightful and clever series, that doesn't involve dystopian death, depression, bleakness -- this should be next on your list.

Now...as with any series...I have to wait for the final book!!

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Listen to Your Mother

Picture by Kerri Case

I don't know why they picked me.

My essay was old.

My kids were grown (relatively speaking).

I'd seemingly recovered from that intensely bleak period of my life.

But they did. They picked me.

And 14 others like me.

14 others who participated in a nationally recognized public forum called Listen to Your Mother  -- to share our stories -- so fiercely & uniquely ours -- yet so universally shared among this tribe we call motherhood.  A tribe you belong to regardless of your "mother" status, because you simply inhabit Mother Earth and are loved by a Heavenly Mother.

14 others with stories of motherhood -- joyful, personal, emotional, painful, beautiful, hilarious, genuine, true -- a grand chorus of impassioned voices sharing their hearts.

I'm completely tethered to these 14 now -- some of whom I still barely know.

It was a sacred experience.  The stage...consecrated ground.

And I will be blessed by it forever.

Picture by Sarabeth Jones

 

Book Review -- The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
My enjoyment rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hangover rating: 1
Source:  Library copy
Genre: General fiction
Objectionable material: minor language

An homage to books, bookstores, book lovers, book readers, writers of words, seller of books; quaint, cute, charming; choppy narrative, odd-duck characters, abandoned baby, romantic coupling, all centered in a dusty bookstore.

 

Best quote, "You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question: What is your favorite book?”  

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Book Review -- The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

My enjoyment rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Hangover rating:  3

Source: Personal copy

Genre: Literary/general fiction

Objectionable material: mild sexual innuendo

Narrated by Victoria in flashbacks, this novel follows her life as she bounces from one foster situation to the next until she "ages out" from foster care at 18. Her most significant relationship is with Elizabeth, a gardener who grew up on a Northern California vineyard and is now estranged from her family. Elizabeth introduces her to the Victorian-era symbolism of flowers and their secret meanings, and Victoria embraces it as a way to express difficult emotions to the adults in her life. She describes the situations that led her to become an often abrasive young adult, the self-sabotage that left her homeless in a San Francisco park, and the twists of fate that lead to her work with a high-end city florist and her guarded relationship with a Napa Valley farmer who understands her secret language like no one else. Book Page

This was a rich novel full of beautiful prose -- both functional and floral. The author, who is a foster parent as well, seemed to nail the plight of an emancipated foster child and their difficulties assimilating themselves into society. Victoria's insecurity, fear, hunger and homelessness was heartbreaking. I loved how the author turned one of Victoria's few "talents" (her knowledge of the meaning of flowers) into her societal salvation. What a learning experience.

However, I felt Victoria, the character, was unevenly written -- as a 18 year old foster-releasee, she seemed much OLDER on the written page. Also, the latter half of the novel -- once it gravitated towards Victoria's personal life -- was awkward and overly complicated...and I would say more, but it would reveal too much.

That being said -- overall I enjoyed this novel and would read future works by Ms. Diffenbaugh.

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Book Review -- Burial Rites

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

My enjoyment rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hangover rating: 2

Source: Personal copy

Genre: Historical fiction

Objectionable material: Sexual innuendo, some violence.

Agnes Magnúsdóttir (that's the last time I spell out that name!) has been convicted of murdering her employer (and lover) and sentenced to death. Until the ruling monarch in Denmark can set an execution date, Agnes is sent to work and live on an isolated farm in northern Iceland. With rumors about her crime and guilt flourishing among the villagers, Agnes must maintain her privacy, dignity, and hope, all in the face of tremendous uncertainty.

Based on an historical event, author Hannah Kent has written a vivid atmospheric novel about the heartbreak of Anges' life: her pain, sorrow, her fleeting joy, and her ultimate demise.

Burial Rites was very reminiscent of another "Kent" author -- Kathleen Kent's The Heretic's Daughter -- a telling of the Salem witch trials. It had the same sense of place and foreboding, as well as the damnation of a woman accused of murder.

Hannah Kent wrote lyrically about the landscape and harshness of Iceland -- the severe weather, the farmlands, the seas, -- it was stunning and harsh. However, the overall narrative I found uneven. With a mix of characters all telling the story from different points of view, the last 1/3 of the book was told in Agnes' voice, in a long, drawn out account that seemed never-ending.

Overall an interesting, albeit bleak, re-telling of an Icelandic saga.

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Book Review -- I'll Be There

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

My enjoyment rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hangover rating: 2

Genre: Young Adult

Source: Library

Objectionable material: None

 

After a chance meeting in a church sanctuary, Sam Border and Emily Bell knew instantly that each other was special. But Sam's family circumstances were mysterious -- he doesn't go to school, doesn't have a cell phone, and his little brother, Riddle, was always at his heel. After an act of vandalism at Emily's home, Sam and Riddle disappear. And Emily isn't sure she will ever see either one of them again.

After reading Holly Goldberg Sloan's 2nd novel, Counting by 7s, I knew I wanted to back track and read her first. It had great reviews -- I knew I'd love it...well...not so much.

And here's the thing -- has anyone read Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle? Well --for me -- that's what this book was -- a fictionalized, Young Adult, male version of her story. Sure there were differences: Sam was Jeannette, he only had one sibling, and there was a love story involving Emily and a happy family ending, but it was like the author decided, "wow -- what a great idea for a book!"

There were other issues -- weird characters, unbelievable coincidences, death defying injuries -- so for the most part, it just didn't work for me.

That being said, Sam and Riddle were the best parts of the book. I loved reading about their relationship and intimate bond. Beautifully done.

This was highly rated, so I'm in the minority. You may want to still give it a try.

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Book Review -- Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hangover rating: 4

Source:  Library

Genre: Juvenile fiction

Objectionable material: None

 

In honor of Willow Chance's affinity for the number 7, I offer 7 reasons why I liked Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan:

1. Being adopted is awesome.

2. You may find friends in the most unexpected places.

3. Do not take anything for granted -- tragedy may be hiding around the corner.

4. I learned more about botany and infectious diseases than I ever wanted too.

5. Families come in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. All that matters is that your are loved.

6. Be careful of your school counselor.

7. This book is the literary equivalent of the Island of Misfit Toys(remember the Christmas animation movie?) -- the most oddly sorted collection of characters I've ever read about.

Truly a unique and tender reading experience.

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Book Review -- Glitter and Glue

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hangover rating: 4

Source: Library

Genre: Memoir (mothers/daughters/relationships)

Objectionable material: One F-bomb, but it was so worth it.

 

"What is it about a living mother that makes her so hard to see, to feel, to want, to love, to like? What a colossal waste that we can only fully appreciate certain riches -- clean clothes, hot showers, good health, mothers -- in their absence."

Thus laments author Kelly Corrigan, while on an extended journey to the Outback, when she becomes a nanny to a recent motherless family (and who is also reflecting on the value of her own mother).

After reading and LOVING both The Middle Place and Lift, Ms. Corrigan's previous memoirs, I knew Glitter and Glue would be something special. And it was. Every word.

She has a keen ability to take the pedestrian-ness of life, the thoughts, feelings, the doubts that we all have (and are afraid to speak, in most cases) and turn them into a poetic and glorious reminder that life is damn good. Do not take it for granted. One second of it.

Like in her first two books, Ms. Corrigan has a theme: Mothers. Any mother daughter combination on the planet has issues. And the Corrigans are no different. What makes this book so special is just that: we are no different. We screw up, we yell, we regret, we say the wrong thing, and somehow, mothers and daughters all survive and end up normal (whatever that may be). The fact that Kelly Corrigan is "normal" gives me hope that my 13 year old daughter will survive me and turn out OK.

Now...I need to pick up the phone and tell my mom I love her. While I still can.

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Book Review -- Under the Jeweled Sky

Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen

My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hangover rating: 4

Source:  Received review copy from publisher; was not compensated in any other way for my review.

Genre: Fiction; historical fiction; women's fiction

Objectionable material:  None

What would you do for love? To what lengths would you travel?

Sophie Schofield, a young British colonialist living with her parents in India after WWII, learns that true love knows no boundaries, even if it is love for a servant boy within the maharaja's palace, for whom she is forbidden to see.

Author Alison McQueen, in epic form, recreates the life of British colonialism in India with a story that is as vast as the country itself.

I was swept away by the love story of Sophie and Jag, the boy she loved and would spend her life yearning for.

I was transported back to a time, that I knew very little about, when India gained Independence from Britain and chaos and mayhem reined. I felt like I'd traveled the entire country with both Sophie and Jag as their lives transversed in unexpected, and sometimes very tragic ways.

But where the story (and author) truly shined, was when Sophie, in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy, expresses unyielding love and grief over a baby that would be taken away from her, for no other reason than she was unmarried and the child was of mix race. It was a beautiful, if not tragic scene that made this mother (and adoptee) weep.

In the tradition of The Thorn Birds, where characters, forbidden love, and a continent play such a vital role, Under the Jeweled Sky, was an unexpected, but treasured gem.

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