May Reads

The Help by Kathryn Stockett was last years "it" book. So many bloggers read it and loved it. Being skeptical, I just didn't think the book could be as good as everyone said it was. Well I finally read this book. I did enjoy it. It is set in Mississippi in the 1960s and tells the story of African American maids who work for white families. The story is told from the point of view of three ladies, Abileen and Minny- both maids, and Skeeter a daughter of white, wealthy parents. I cheered along as the ladies each attempted to bring about change to the racial inequality and prejudice in their circumstances and city. This book is outstanding and an excellent read. The movie, based on this book, is opening August 12th.

One small complaint, I would have loved this book so much more if it was a true story. But guess what? It's not a true story. There were many African-Americans who lived the same life as Abileen and Minny, but didn't get the same ending as the characters in the book do. Where's the book about real life help in the South?

I do recommend The Help to anyone who likes to read. I don't know if it quite lives up to all of the hype, but definitely read it before you see the movie.






An author I like to read, on her blog recommended The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This book is also being turned into a movie that comes out this December. It is being touted as "the feel bad movie of the year". Um yeah, I should have considered that before reading it. I picked this book up from the library and read it. I know many people love this book, but I did not. It might be because I am not a fan of the crime drama genre. Or it might be because everyone is so promiscuous in this book. Or maybe it's because the author gives so many details. Whatever the case, I read it and do not recommend it. It may be well written but I just had a hard time getting by everything else. I do like the character of Lisbeth Salander and how she fights back against people who abuse and mistreat women. She is somewhat of a female Jason Bourne, with tattoos, piercings, and a bad attitude. Lisbeth is flawed, damaged, and way out there, but I still was pulling for her to get the bad guys and find happiness and peace in her life. She gets one of those things at the end of this book.

Did you see The Blind Side? It was based on Michael Oher's life. He wrote I Beat The Odds to encourage kids who are living the same kind of life he had and to speak out about inaccuracies in the movie. This book is excellent and inspiring. I am fascinated by his story. His story is like a fairy tale, but it is a true story. Although, it is not really a fairly tale because he worked hard and endured things no kid should have to, that lead him to his success today. He tells how the movie portrayed him as not very smart (wearing shorts in winter, not understanding the game of football, and acting dumb) but that those things never happened. The real story was a slow and gradual change from him being a son of a women hooked on crack, in and out of foster care, homeless with no place to go, to being admitted to a private Christian high school with mainly rich students, and then being taken in by a rich family and finding his home and a place to belong. Amazingly, he now plays football professionally and is one of the good guys in the NFL.

Francine Rivers Giveaway

1993 was a big year for me. In the spring my family moved from Maryland to Texas. Texas was a whole new world. We came from a somewhat rural area and were now in the city of Beaumont. One of the things we were excited about was that our new city had a Christian radio station. I remember being in my sunflower room, with the windows open, listening to the radio, and a commercial came on for a new book by a new author. The book being advertised was "A Voice in the Wind" by Francine Rivers. My 16 year old self, with plenty of money from my part time job, drove down the road to the Christian General Store and purchased "A Voice in the Wind". This book was and is life changing to me. I had never read a book before that I loved so much. Hadassah's story was compelling and intriguing. What spoke to me was the way Hadassah chooses the right path even though it comes at a great cost to her and causes much pain. Additionally, Hadassah is a servant to all and selflessly serves others. I have read this book and the two others in the series many times. These books spoke to my teenage self and still speak to me as a 34 year old mom. I need to be reminded to put all my trust in God, to serve others, and to always follow God's commands and do what is right. Hadassah is a perfect example of that. I love "A Voice in the Wind" and the other two books in the Mark of the Lion series. I love all of Francine Rivers books! She is one of my favorite authors, and she continually puts out entertaining but thought provoking books. Tyndale House Publishing is giving away a complete Francine Rivers giveaway. You or I could own all of her books. I would love to win, but I would love for you to win too! Her books are so good. Go here for your chance to win. If I win I will have a giveaway for the Mark of Lion series, as I still have my first edition books on my shelf. Please, please if you haven't read the Mark of the Lion series, seek out these books. Happy Reading!

Scott O'Dell

Recently I have been on a Scott O'Dell kick. I love, love his books. He wrote 26 books for children. Amazingly, he won five Newberry awards for his books.



Island of the Blue Dolphins is a intense book that tells the story of an Indian girl who is left alone on an island for years. Karana has adventures, troubles, has to face wild dogs, and loves her animal friends. This is such a great book for children or adults. Eventually Karana thrives on the island and enjoys happy days, while longing for the day that a ship will come and reunite her with her people. Will the ship come to her island?

The Black Pearl tells the story of a 16 year old boy named Ramon Salazar. Ramon's father is a successful pearl dealer. Ramon is made partner in the business. On a pearl hunt he finds the Great Pearl of Heaven, an enormous black pearl. An old Indian tells Ramon it belongs to the great manta ray and that he must return it to the ocean or be cursed. Events occur that convince Ramon that the old Indian is right. What will Ramon do? I love the family interaction in this book, how Ramon matures, the good vs. evil tale, the description of the pearl hunts, the water, and the great manta ray.

Lastly is Sing Down the Moon. This is the chilling tale of a 14 year old girl named Bright Morning, a Navajo Indian living in Arizona. She has to face the threat of Spanish slave traders and then the forced migration of her people to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. So, so sad that this really happened in America's past. Bright Morning's story is compelling.

Book Review- An Amish Love

This week I received An Amish Love in the mail to review. I must say first off that I am not the biggest fan of Amish fiction. The Christian fiction market is flooded with books about young Amish girls and their quest for love. Again, not my favorite. I thought I wouldn't like this book that contains three novellas written by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. Surprisingly, I enjoyed all three of the novellas. Each one is well written. Not only do they contain sweet love stories, but each contained life truths that challenged me in my own walk. Themes of forgiveness, mercy, kindness, and love are all explored. The conflicts each of the main characters faced were original and not cliched. This would be a wonderful addition to your library or a great gift for a woman in your life. These Amish stories will be enjoyed by whomever reads this book.

Book Description (From the publisher)
Two of today's most popular genres--Romance and Amish fiction--together in one volume.

"Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman: Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman are alone for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman left to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina wasn't expecting him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and fall in love again?

"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller: A tragic accident rocks a peaceful Amish community, leaving Ellie Chupp blinded and Christopher Bender's future shattered. But they find love and forgiveness in a place they least expect.

"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long: Rachel Yoder is tired of her Amish lifestyle and her domineering father's ways. When handsome Joseph Lambert comes back from the Englisch, she lies to force a marriage of convenience, providing the perfect means to escape her father's rule. But Rachel never imagined she'd fall in love with Joseph so quickly or irrevocably.



I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

I loved Andy Andrews' new book The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters. This book illustrates that point in such a beautiful way. I think everyone needs reminding that each decision we make affects others and could impact the world for years to come.

This short book is an easy read. I think I read it in less than an hour. But the truths contained in this small book will stay with me for life.

I think this book could be especially impactful to young people ages 10 and up. I am going to require my 5th/6th Literature class to read this book this year. As I think all of us have this desire deep inside us to impact and change the world for the better. This book illustrates how choosing to do the right thing can have far reaching consequences. And that each person's life matters.

I highly recommend this book. This book spoke to me in a very personal way, as I felt God speak to me through other people on two occasions, that I was like a butterfly to God. I understood this to mean that I was changing and becoming something new. But through this book I am challenged to see the "butterfly" in a different way. That the butterfly is more than me just changing, but that through my life I can start a chain reaction to change the world.

I received an advance copy of this book for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

I came across a delightful blog a few months ago. Grace Lin is an children's book author and illustrator. Her newest chapter book, Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, won the Newberry Honor Award this year. Grace Lin's blog post on the Newberry Banquet was delightful to read. How fascinating it was to read about her experience receiving her award.

Minli spends her days working hard in the fields with her parents. They are poor and Minli decides she will go on a journey and find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune. Minli encounters people and creatures, including a dragon, who help her on her way.

Where The Mountain Meets The Moon is a masterpiece from Grace Lin. The story, the writing, the stories within the story, the art work, even the font used in the book all show such amazing attention to detail. I understand why this book was given the Newberry Honor.

I feel like I need to read this book again to glean the truths that it contains. The book explores making wise choices, treating people right, doing good, and putting others before yourself. This book also explores the theme of contentment and how to go on when life disappoints.

Please read this book, you will so enjoy getting to know Minli and discovering where her journey takes her.

New CF books from the library

I love my library. I keep requesting books and they keep ordering them for me. Last week three new books were waiting for me. All three were great reads!


First is Limelight by Melody Carlson. Claudette Fiore used to be beautiful and somebody in Hollywood. Now she is old, poor, and alone. She thinks her life is over, but returning to her hometown and the house she grew up in, she learns about what is really important in life. I so enjoyed this book! It is well written and life affirming.

Next is Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh. Tamara Leigh's books are Christian chick lit, with thought provoking deeper issues included. Splitting Harriet was a fun read. I especially appreciated the depiction of the inner workings of a church that are spot on. Harriet is a pastor's daughter who rebelled in her life but has since returned to the church and works part time as the Women's Ministry Director. Her Dad retires and his new replacement at the church wants to change things and brings in a consultant to bring new life to their church. Harriet does not want anything to change. She bumps heads with the consultant, but ultimately learns much about herself, forgiveness, grace, and freedom in Christ. Highly recommended!

Last is Women's Intuition by Lisa Samson. I LOVE Lisa Samson. Her book Embrace Me is one of my all time favorite books. Women's Intuition was written in 2002, so it is not one of her new ones. I loved Women's Intuition, too! It is the story of a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter, and a housekeeper. You will have to read the book to find out more. There is something about Lisa Samson's books that just make me happy to be alive. I so enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of Lisa Samson's books.