Tuesday, June 10, 2014

To: A Reading Frenzy

I realized this past week that I haven’t blogged in quite some time.  I knew this was inevitable, though my initial goal was “one post per week”.  But, come on, what’s a goal if you can’t miss it every now and then?    

Well, the reason this ol’ blog has been on the back burner lately is because I have actually been in a reading mood lately, a “reading frenzy”, if you will.  I find a space of free time here or there and, instead of writing words, I want to read them.  I have gotten lost in several stories and works of fiction over the past couple of months, and I want to make sure I record all of them.   

If you’re not a reader of novels, I apologize for this entry.  I began this blog to “document” life, books I read included.  I borrowed some of these books from the library (which means they aren’t in my Kindle for life), and if I don’t write them down I’ll forget I ever read them!!  We can’t let them happen, can we?

Quick Disclaimer:  These aren’t necessarily book recommendations.  I’m very particular when I’m recommending a book to someone.  I say that because most of these books contain heavy “adult” content in them.  No, not in that way, but for whatever reason, books with intense storylines and mature themes have found their way into my library lately.  While I did enjoy all of them for their literary features and the reading experience, understand they may not be your cup of tea… “To each his own” is how I think they say that.  J

That being said, here are my recent reads…




The Rosie Project
By: Graeme Simsion

This book was witty and well written.  I definitely laughed a lot in this one, but it was more of a smart and creative humor, not a knee slapper.  The protagonist, Don Tillman, is a geneticist. He is quirky, book smart, and it is inferred he has Asperger’s.  The book centralizes around him trying to find a girlfriend, and though is social skills are lacking, the reader can’t help but find him charming.  Rosie and him meet and start on a quest to find her biological father.  Rosie is nothing like the partner Don is looking for, but through many bizarre and awkward moments, he realizes she is even better.  A very sweet and surprising story.  Some of the dialogue and internal thoughts of Don are hilarious and will have you reading certain paragraphs again and again.  I didn’t want to miss a detail of this story!






The Orphan Train   
By: Christina Baker Kline

This was one of those “sad but good” kind of reads.  Very compelling writing that captures your attention immediately.  Molly is the first main character we meet, and she is about to age out of the foster care system.  She has bounced around from home to home her whole life and feels minimal connection or purpose in life.  She meets Vivian, a sweet lady in her 90s, during a community service project.  We quickly find out that the two women have much in common: Vivian was brought to the Midwest from NYC as a young orphan girl herself via what became known as the Orphan Train.  The story goes back and forth between modern day and Vivian’s memories of her childhood.  The flashback stories were the most heartbreaking yet most incredible.  Vivian’s history is told in such an engrossing fashion, I read this novel in a very short time.  The end felt a bit rushed and sad but there were slivers of hope and redemption as Molly helps tie loose strings of Vivian’s history.  The historical context of this book was also fascinating, and the author details a lot of her research and findings in the last pages.  The orphans who rode the trains out west in search of new homes were real stories, and she captures the experience with sensitivity, respect, and grace.  Heavy and thoughtful read. 






The Housemaid’s Daughter
By: Barbara Mutch

This book was a beautiful and heart wrenching.  The history and setting were one I knew little about but quickly found very intriguing.  Set in South Africa during the Apartheid-era, Barbara Mutch brings to life the bond between two unlikely women:  Cathleen Harrington and her housemaid’s daughter, Ada.  Their story weaves together for decades as Cathleen takes Ada under her wing and wants to provide many opportunities for her growth.  They love each other deeply, but tragedy strikes.  Ada quickly finds herself as a key character in an act of betrayal against Cathleen.  Compelled by her naivety and selflessness, she runs from the disgrace and shame, not knowing Cathleen’s love for her is unconditional.  My heart broke for Ada so much in this story but her unshakeable loyalty to those she loves is her foundation and compass, therefore her journey, full of heart ache, loss, and hardship, eventually lead her home.  Ultimately an excellent novel of loss and redemption through several generations. 






Bridge to Haven
By: Francine Rivers

I think it’s impossible for Francine Rivers to disappoint.  I read about this novel several months ago and the anticipation I felt was worth it.  She brings to life the story of an orphaned child, and her struggle with accepting love and finding peace in her story.  I cried.  I felt angry.  I was happy.  I was sad.  This story sent me on an emotional rollercoaster, to say the least.  In true Francine fashion, the history and context were also an experience.  Abra grew up in the 50s and seeing how the culture and time shaped her story was incredible.  The story always points back to Christ and His redeeming love, which Francine does with grace and compassion.  The story of Abra is one I will probably read again and again. 






Labor Day
Joyce Maynard

I had seen the preview for this movie and thought the story would be intense and dark.  Boy, was I wrong.  Instead of watching the movie, I opted to read the book.  So glad I did.  Told from the perspective of 13-year-old Henry, the story brings to life the Labor Day weekend that changed his world (& his mother’s) forever.  The writing style was immaculate.  I laughed and cringed for Henry as he confessed of different struggles and thoughts of an average boy enduring the awkward ride of puberty.  There are so many things he is confused by but the weekend him and his mother spend harboring Frank, the escaped convict, shed much light on his place in the world.  This story was endearing – full of love and heartache.  Adele was an incredible character, and I enjoyed reading about her circumstances through the eyes of her teenage son.  A very unique and lovely story told through an innocent perspective.  Genius work. 







Rebellious Heart
By: Jody Hedlund

This is the type of book Daniel usually teases me about … cheesy cover, cheesy title.  While those two things may be true in this case, the story was anything buy cheesy (sans a few scenes of chaste kissing).  Through her commitment to historical research, Jody Hedlund used the lives of John and Abigail Adams to inspire this novel.  It was full of excitement, mystery, cries for independence, and the search for true justice.  The two main characters, Ben and Susanna, fight for those without a voice or a right, and end up in each other’s paths over and over.  Their friendship blossoms, and the rest is history, I guess.  Anyway, this was a very sweet and interesting read.  Jody Hedlund is always a favorite of mine.  She blends history, fiction, intriguing characters, love, danger, and Truth in such a thought-provoking manner, I enjoy all of her writings.  






A Broken Kind of Beautiful
By: Katie Ganshert

I had never heard anything about this author or this book when I made this purchase.  And let’s just say, I was very pleasantly surprised.  I love when I pick a random book due to reviews and summary (and Kindle price, of course), and it ends up being a fabulous read.  This was a modern story about a model named Ivy.  The main story is one of reconciliation between the family of her estranged father and herself.  Ivy is beautiful but wears a mask of seduction and glamour to cover her hurts and insecurities.  When she finds her modeling career on the line, she returns home for what may be her last assignment: modeling wedding dresses.  The irony of the situation is not lost on Ivy, for she believes that her past merits anything but a pure and white wedding dress.  However, through new friends, unconditional love from a stepmother, and a mysterious photographer, Ivy finds more than she knew to search to for.  Beautiful story of healing and grace.  This won’t be the last story of Katie’s that I will read.  


Here's to reading.  

From: Paige