Grounded by Neta Jackson
I have read a couple of series from this author, and what's kind of cool about them is that the characters are intertwined. This is the first book in Jackson's newest series, Windy City Neighbors. Grace Meredith is a Christian music star whose personal life is falling apart. I wasn't wild about Grace throughout most of the book, as she seemed very shallow and selfish. But I remembered how much I disliked Jodie in the first Yada Yada Prayer Group book--and how throughout that series, Jodie became much more likeable as she grew in her faith. I ended up liking this newest book, along with Grace by the time it was done.
My biggest disappointment is that the next book in the series again revolves around Harry Bentley, who is Grace's new neighbor. Bentley's mostly been a peripheral character in the past, although there was one series that centered around the Yada Yada men. I assume Harry was in those books quite a lot, but I don't have any interest in reading a book about him. I did get the book from the library though, so there's a chance I could pick it up.
The third book in the series is already written, and it is about another neighbor who was introduced in this first book. Again, I have no interest. I'm hoping for more on Grace, to see what happens next for her!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, June 09, 2014
The Cooked Seed: A Memoir by Anchee Min
Following her first book, Red Azalea, the author continues her personal story as she is able to escape China and pursue an education in the United States. Through her lies and luck, she is accepted into the Art Institute of Chicago, saves money by living in conditions none of us could imagine, and is grateful for any job she can find. While much of her story is well written, the end dragged greatly as she went into far too much detail about her life with her current husband.
It's quite humbling to think that there are many people here in this country with similar stories.
Struck by Genius: How a Brain Injury Made Me a Mathematical Marvel by Jason Padgett
Recommended by my sister, who's pretty good at knowing what I might like. This was an interesting book about a man who partied his life away, was mugged in a seedy bar, and suffered a life-altering brain injury--resulting in "acquired savant syndrome" and is now a math genius.
He describes much of the struggle in his personal life, including relationships, mild mental health disorders, and seeing patterns in every.single.thing he sees. It was not a well written book (thanks to the awful co-author), but it held my interest enough to the end.
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad
An older book that I tried to read once before but was suggested to me again. In general, I really like books about other cultures, particularly the Middle East. The writing in this book was not my favorite, written in present tense by a Western woman whom the bookseller allowed to live with his family. The book follows the lives and separate dramas of the bookseller, his two wives, children and extended family members. It was okay--I've read better but finished this.
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Book Reviews
Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story by Brian "Head" Welch
Rock star-turned drug addict-turned born again Christian. I first saw Welch as a youtube video someone posted on Facebook. It was a short but amazing interview, and I checked the book out that day from the library. A somewhat predictable storyline, you pretty much know the ending, but it was interesting and inspiring to read this journey.
Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef
Son of Hamas leader, turned Israeli spy, turned born again Christian. I sense a theme in these books, lol. A truly sometimes unbelievable story about a man whose family is one of the most religious Islamic familes in the Middle East, and whose father is the co-founder and leader of Hamas. As a teen, Mosab was drawn into the violence of the West Bank and eventually imprisoned. Disillusioned by Hamas's treatment of fellow prisoners, Mosab is easily persuaded to become a spy for Israel upon his release.
Some of his testimony is truly unbelievable: For a period of time, to meet with his handler, he claims to have successfully snuck into "one of the most secure military installations in Israel," Ofer Military Base. During the Second Intifada (2002), the largest military operation in the West Bank since the Six Day War in 1967, Mosab claims to have called his handler to pull back the troops and tanks for a few hours to allow his escape.
Honestly, unbelievable.
During all of this time, Mosab attends a Christian church and wants to learn more about Jesus. He sees the only possibility for peace in the Middle East is to follow Biblical teachings, instead of the Quran. In 2007, Mosab leaves Ramallah for California, and a year later, publicly renounced Hamas and revealed his Christianity.
I did a bit of follow up, picking up where the book left off. Mosab eventually sought political asylum. His handler revealed his own identity to testify, describing Mosab as a "true friend" who "risked his life every day in order to prevent violence."
Mosab someday hopes to return to a peaceful Israel. Fascinating story. See more at Wikipedia and Haaretz (Israeli newspaper).
Amazing testimony, on every level.
Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson
Not much to say about this book. As with the earlier Duck Dynasty book I read, these are simple, happy reads that require no active thinking on my part. How could one not want to spend an afternoon with Phil, whether it's reading his book or otherwise?
Rock star-turned drug addict-turned born again Christian. I first saw Welch as a youtube video someone posted on Facebook. It was a short but amazing interview, and I checked the book out that day from the library. A somewhat predictable storyline, you pretty much know the ending, but it was interesting and inspiring to read this journey.
Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef
Son of Hamas leader, turned Israeli spy, turned born again Christian. I sense a theme in these books, lol. A truly sometimes unbelievable story about a man whose family is one of the most religious Islamic familes in the Middle East, and whose father is the co-founder and leader of Hamas. As a teen, Mosab was drawn into the violence of the West Bank and eventually imprisoned. Disillusioned by Hamas's treatment of fellow prisoners, Mosab is easily persuaded to become a spy for Israel upon his release.
Some of his testimony is truly unbelievable: For a period of time, to meet with his handler, he claims to have successfully snuck into "one of the most secure military installations in Israel," Ofer Military Base. During the Second Intifada (2002), the largest military operation in the West Bank since the Six Day War in 1967, Mosab claims to have called his handler to pull back the troops and tanks for a few hours to allow his escape.
Honestly, unbelievable.
During all of this time, Mosab attends a Christian church and wants to learn more about Jesus. He sees the only possibility for peace in the Middle East is to follow Biblical teachings, instead of the Quran. In 2007, Mosab leaves Ramallah for California, and a year later, publicly renounced Hamas and revealed his Christianity.
I did a bit of follow up, picking up where the book left off. Mosab eventually sought political asylum. His handler revealed his own identity to testify, describing Mosab as a "true friend" who "risked his life every day in order to prevent violence."
Mosab someday hopes to return to a peaceful Israel. Fascinating story. See more at Wikipedia and Haaretz (Israeli newspaper).
Amazing testimony, on every level.
Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson
Not much to say about this book. As with the earlier Duck Dynasty book I read, these are simple, happy reads that require no active thinking on my part. How could one not want to spend an afternoon with Phil, whether it's reading his book or otherwise?
Saturday, June 07, 2014
The week, briefly
Trevor got together with more than a dozen other guys from soccer and played for three hours on Monday.
Hilarious. By the time I went to pick him up, many of the players were half-heartedly running up the field and then dropping to lie down. They let another kid take the ball right up to the goal and shoot--but I think he missed. By default, Trevor ended up goalie, and as the ball came toward him, he shouted, "No, no, no!" One of the best players in the league shot, and Trevor caught it. They were completely exhausted.
They closed in prayer. Loved this!
Holly went to her first science lab. Her class is supposed to be online, but they have a four hour lab scheduled every Monday night. The lab is in a brand new building, and I think that this summer semester its opening semester.
Kurt came over for the day to hang out with Trevor. We grabbed the chance before he spends the next several weeks out of state.
In general, it's been warm out. Windows are shut for the summer day and night, warm (or humid) enough in the morning to open even briefly. I have been gathering up homeschool materials to sell and have started buying a few things for next year. We've been taking Kota for walks in the evening, and Lucky even came along one night too. I worry that he's too old to handle it well, but he loved it and didn't seem to need any recovery time. Trevor and I began working on chemistry lab experiments at home as he finishes up his final week of his online class.
Hilarious. By the time I went to pick him up, many of the players were half-heartedly running up the field and then dropping to lie down. They let another kid take the ball right up to the goal and shoot--but I think he missed. By default, Trevor ended up goalie, and as the ball came toward him, he shouted, "No, no, no!" One of the best players in the league shot, and Trevor caught it. They were completely exhausted.
They closed in prayer. Loved this!
Holly went to her first science lab. Her class is supposed to be online, but they have a four hour lab scheduled every Monday night. The lab is in a brand new building, and I think that this summer semester its opening semester.
Kurt came over for the day to hang out with Trevor. We grabbed the chance before he spends the next several weeks out of state.
In general, it's been warm out. Windows are shut for the summer day and night, warm (or humid) enough in the morning to open even briefly. I have been gathering up homeschool materials to sell and have started buying a few things for next year. We've been taking Kota for walks in the evening, and Lucky even came along one night too. I worry that he's too old to handle it well, but he loved it and didn't seem to need any recovery time. Trevor and I began working on chemistry lab experiments at home as he finishes up his final week of his online class.
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