Last night I was at a basketball game and a friend asked me how many books I read a year. I told him that my goal for this year was 100 and I had just passed that goal with my October reading- 101 books read. He said something to the effect of "you must read all the time". My answer was it's my therapy. He responded, "it's a way to escape". I agree with the escape, but it is even more. It is in some ways a way to improve myself through my interest in self-help books. It is away to learn about history through my love of historical fiction. Lastly, its a way to believe in perseverance, friendship, family, relationship and love- all through reading both nonfiction, fiction, poetry and good old YA/Children's books.
Life is sometimes hard from a personal level- challenges of daily living (wife, mom, friend, daughter roles), professional stress (feeling like I'm not making a difference or helping patients get better), and then the bigger picture- these are the things that have been sometimes halting me in living in contentment this past year: politics, gun violence, violence, racism, immigration (those that don't want to welcome), religious questions- the big one "where is God" in all this crazy/chaotic/messy/sad life.
So I read. I read to model reading as a way to educate myself to my kids. I read to find some peace in this sometimes broken world. I read to connect with others. It never fails to amaze me how I can find myself in conversation with friends/strangers about the books I read or want to read. It is I believe a way we all could become more connected. Maybe this could be the answer to the great division our country seems to be experiencing. So as always- thanks to those who read my blog posts about the books I've read. I always love to hear comments/feedback/opinions about what you think about my "reads".
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
This was the Bookies read for our October book club. I didn't enjoy it- 2 stars. I found the writing style hard to follow- which is unusual for me- as I normally enjoy the time travel of back and forth among time periods in a book. However, this book has time travel changes multiple times within a chapter and I felt like I was distracted in trying to keep up with figuring out what time period it was in, instead of actually paying attention to the story.
The story primarily takes place in California. A story of an American Muslim family. Main characters Layla, Babb, Amar, Hada and Huss make up this family. The story covers family life, impact of culture and religion within the family, friendship and love. I struggled with the patriarchy in the family, subservient nature the women of the family were supposed to follow and just overall wasn't connected with any of these characters.
As with book clubs around the world some of my Bookies didn't agree with me and really enjoyed this book- again a reminder that we all take different things from our reading experience.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Overall too much hype about this book. I liked it, but thought it too predictable- 3 stars. Hannah Baker commits suicide (Not a give away as you find it out within first pages of book). The book follows tapes that 13 different people will listen to explaining what part of her story/suicide they played in. I think it is a good read for Junior High and High school students. Stories like this get people talking about suicide, mental health, bullying, rape and sexual assault. I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed it. Felt like I was listening to a play/movie.
It's All Under Control: A journey of letting go, hanging on, and finding a peace you almost forgot was possible by Jennifer Dukes Lee
This was another book I took a lot from- 4 pages of notes and several quotes added to my "quote book". I'd describe this book as a Christian "self-help" book. How to identify and work on one's control issues, how to work on quieting your life, figure out some of the purpose/plan of one's life, and presence in one's life.
Jenny does a a great job of introducing her own struggles with God's plan, control issues and figuring out who she is. I loved how she opened with the following in her intro...
pg xiii "She has lived by fear, instead of by faith. She worries about things more than she prays about them. She wants to let go and she doesn't. Can someone show her where to start? This is her life. She wants to live it. She is me. And maybe she is you too."
A couple of more to good not to share...
pg 13 " I see how you never say no because you can't handle the ideas of disappointing anyone."
pg 36 "We manage our lives instead of living them."
pg 145 "When frustration comes, remember this: The most important work you ever do might out live you." I took this one to heart in the form of parenting/raising our children.
pg 153 " A quiet space exposes truth."
4 stars read.
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Great book to read with my 5th grader. 3 stars for this adult- I think she would give it 4.
Pacy and her 2 sisters and their parents live in New Hartford, NY. The story starts with the Chinese New Year... The Year of the Dog. It ends with the Chinese New Year. The story looks at Pacy's present day, but also flashes back to some stories about her parents and grandparents. Pacy goes by Grace at school and much of this book is about finding new friends, and figuring out who Pacy/Grace is . My daughter really enjoyed it.
The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
Fiona Davis is one of my new found authors this past year. I am so glad I found her. She does an amazing job of interweaving two stories into one. This one stars Virginia, from early 1970's, who is recently divorced, single mom, raising her daughter who has recently dropped out of her freshman year of college. Virginia has found a job working at the Grand Central Terminal. During her job she discovers the previous rooms that housed the Grand Central Art School. Enter Clara Darden, an art teacher, from the 1920's who taught at the art school. Clara is an illustrator and trying to break into the art world. Meanwhile flash forward and Virginia is coming to terms with her place of employment being at risk of extinction as the Grand Central Terminal is likely going to end up being bought and converted into a high rise condo building (true story). How Clara's story influences Virginia's story will be found out for those who chose to read this great book- which I gave 4 stars.
A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson
I had already posted this review. Here's that link for those who missed it: http://imchattynatty.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-sparkle-of-silver-by-liz-johnson.html
Thanks again Revell, division of Baker Publishing Group for sending me this book to review.
The Red Ribbon by Lucy Adlington
5 stars read! This was a new view of a part of historical fiction I love reading about- WWII. "Birchwood" is the setting for this book. It is better known as "Auschwitz-Birkenau". The story follows Ella "who sews" in the the Upper Tailoring studio. Ella is one of a few "chosen" whose job is to design clothes and sew those patterns to cloth the elite Germans, including the commandant's wife of Auschwitz- Hedwing Hoss. The story was just another view of the wrongs that occurred to many (estimated 11 million including 1.1 million children, who died). It is unknown how many total perished when the camp closed and prisoners were forced to walk away from "Birchwood"- death marched.
Happily: 8 Commitments of Couples Who Laugh, Love and Last by Kevin Thompson
Another book I previously posted on. Here is the link: http://imchattynatty.blogspot.com/2018/10/happily.html
Again thanks to Revell, division of Baker Publishing, for sending me this book to review.
Well that's all for October. Looking forward to seeing what the last two months of 2018 reading have to bring. Happy Reading!
