Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the e-book library.
I was surprised to find that this book was also set in France during WWII, like the book I just finished. (See previous post.)
Overall, I liked it and would recommend it. It was hard to read, because WWII was such an awful time. It's hard to wrap my mind around the cruelty and inhumanity. But I think it's good to be reminded of what has happened (and still is happening) in our world, even if it's difficult to think about.
There are some swear words and descriptions of the horror of wartime.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr)
Why I have this book: I bought it because we are reading it for book club.
I'm not really sure what I think of the book. I know, I'm supposed to have a glowing review and be amazed by the writing!
The author definitely has a lyrical style of writing, but it almost was a bit too much for me. I found myself skimming paragraphs at times just to get through it.
I liked how the story focused mostly on the two main characters and their circle of influence, and didn't get too involved in the "bigger picture" of WWII. I am totally aware of what was going on in Europe in WWII because I've read so many books about it (and learned about it in school, of course), so it was an interesting change to read a book set in WWII that wasn't about everything that was happening and was only about individuals. I didn't mind that, although I know it's a point of outrage for some readers. (Read the one-star reviews on Amazon.) I guess if a reader didn't know a lot about WWII, it could be a problem. This book is definitely not a good overview of the war from an educational standpoint.
I found the beginning confusing, but once I got used to the author's style of jumping back and forth, it was fine. I felt the story became more intense as it went on, mostly because I was waiting to see how the characters would come together and what would happened to them. Unfortunately for me, I had already read a spoiler about one part of the story, so when it happened, I didn't feel what I maybe would have felt had I not known. In any case, I was disappointed by how things went from the time the two main characters separated. There is not a satisfying conclusion to any of the story lines, in my opinion. It just sort of… is done.
On one hand, I'm left wondering what I was supposed to learn or feel at the end, and I wonder why I don't really feel anything. I assumed this would be a book that would sit with me for a long time, but it doesn't. I felt invested in Werner and Marie-Laure, and it seems like the author failed to complete their stories. It makes them easy to forget, and that's not really fair to them.
On the other hand, I feel sad. War is sad and horrible and that point definitely comes across.
So all in all, I mostly feel depressed and disappointed and bothered all the way around...
There is some swearing, including one soldier who uses the F-word more than a few times. (But his part in the story is fairly contained in one time period.) There are plenty of war atrocities… some are more graphically described than others.
I'm not really sure what I think of the book. I know, I'm supposed to have a glowing review and be amazed by the writing!
The author definitely has a lyrical style of writing, but it almost was a bit too much for me. I found myself skimming paragraphs at times just to get through it.
I liked how the story focused mostly on the two main characters and their circle of influence, and didn't get too involved in the "bigger picture" of WWII. I am totally aware of what was going on in Europe in WWII because I've read so many books about it (and learned about it in school, of course), so it was an interesting change to read a book set in WWII that wasn't about everything that was happening and was only about individuals. I didn't mind that, although I know it's a point of outrage for some readers. (Read the one-star reviews on Amazon.) I guess if a reader didn't know a lot about WWII, it could be a problem. This book is definitely not a good overview of the war from an educational standpoint.
I found the beginning confusing, but once I got used to the author's style of jumping back and forth, it was fine. I felt the story became more intense as it went on, mostly because I was waiting to see how the characters would come together and what would happened to them. Unfortunately for me, I had already read a spoiler about one part of the story, so when it happened, I didn't feel what I maybe would have felt had I not known. In any case, I was disappointed by how things went from the time the two main characters separated. There is not a satisfying conclusion to any of the story lines, in my opinion. It just sort of… is done.
On one hand, I'm left wondering what I was supposed to learn or feel at the end, and I wonder why I don't really feel anything. I assumed this would be a book that would sit with me for a long time, but it doesn't. I felt invested in Werner and Marie-Laure, and it seems like the author failed to complete their stories. It makes them easy to forget, and that's not really fair to them.
On the other hand, I feel sad. War is sad and horrible and that point definitely comes across.
So all in all, I mostly feel depressed and disappointed and bothered all the way around...
There is some swearing, including one soldier who uses the F-word more than a few times. (But his part in the story is fairly contained in one time period.) There are plenty of war atrocities… some are more graphically described than others.
Friday, June 12, 2015
The Bishop's Wife (Mette Ivie Harrison)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the e-book library.
So on the one hand, I really liked this book. A lot. I liked the way it was written and the storyline was completely engrossing. I liked the "feel" of the writing… I don't know how to describe it, but it just sucked me in.
On the other hand, it felt a bit like the author had an agenda. The story is set in an LDS community, with the protagonist being the bishop's wife. Pretty much every "hot topic" in LDS culture and history is brought up throughout the book. It actually was a bit of overkill, in my opinion. A little like the author was trying too hard to put it all in there… and not in a way that sheds a positive light on the LDS Church.
(In the author's notes at the end, she makes a comment about her Mormonism, which might not be the reader's Mormonism. In other words, she has shaped her testimony after taking into account these hot topics - and likely other things - and deciding where it all works for her. She obviously modeled her protagonist after herself in that regard.)
There were a couple of things she said that I disagree with… things that she stated as if it were doctrine, when it isn't. Some things she said are things I've never heard before… "Mormon Folklore," or ideas and supposed beliefs in the Church. I'm not sure where she came up with those things. Those were the times when I wondered if she really is LDS, because it felt like it was written by someone who was just going off of myths or rumors about Mormons. There were some things that were misrepresented, and other things that I felt were inappropriate and not necessary to the storyline. At times, it felt like there was a mocking tone towards the Church. So there were definitely things that annoyed me there, and it added to my wondering if there was an agenda here.
There were also some unrealistic "conclusions" to the mysteries… I had a hard time buying how things wrapped up. (Be sure to be grateful if you have a normal dad in your life, because apparently, it's not very common)
There were a couple of editing issues in the Kindle edition, one of which was noticeable enough that it should have been caught in an early reading.
So setting all that aside (haha), I was intrigued enough with her writing that I would probably read more of her books. That could change, though, if I come to the conclusion that she is using her writing to plant seeds of discord with believers of the LDS faith. The jury is still out on that for me.
There were a couple of swear words. The story dealt with murder, sexual abuse, and other difficult subjects.
So on the one hand, I really liked this book. A lot. I liked the way it was written and the storyline was completely engrossing. I liked the "feel" of the writing… I don't know how to describe it, but it just sucked me in.
On the other hand, it felt a bit like the author had an agenda. The story is set in an LDS community, with the protagonist being the bishop's wife. Pretty much every "hot topic" in LDS culture and history is brought up throughout the book. It actually was a bit of overkill, in my opinion. A little like the author was trying too hard to put it all in there… and not in a way that sheds a positive light on the LDS Church.
(In the author's notes at the end, she makes a comment about her Mormonism, which might not be the reader's Mormonism. In other words, she has shaped her testimony after taking into account these hot topics - and likely other things - and deciding where it all works for her. She obviously modeled her protagonist after herself in that regard.)
There were a couple of things she said that I disagree with… things that she stated as if it were doctrine, when it isn't. Some things she said are things I've never heard before… "Mormon Folklore," or ideas and supposed beliefs in the Church. I'm not sure where she came up with those things. Those were the times when I wondered if she really is LDS, because it felt like it was written by someone who was just going off of myths or rumors about Mormons. There were some things that were misrepresented, and other things that I felt were inappropriate and not necessary to the storyline. At times, it felt like there was a mocking tone towards the Church. So there were definitely things that annoyed me there, and it added to my wondering if there was an agenda here.
There were also some unrealistic "conclusions" to the mysteries… I had a hard time buying how things wrapped up. (Be sure to be grateful if you have a normal dad in your life, because apparently, it's not very common)
There were a couple of editing issues in the Kindle edition, one of which was noticeable enough that it should have been caught in an early reading.
So setting all that aside (haha), I was intrigued enough with her writing that I would probably read more of her books. That could change, though, if I come to the conclusion that she is using her writing to plant seeds of discord with believers of the LDS faith. The jury is still out on that for me.
There were a couple of swear words. The story dealt with murder, sexual abuse, and other difficult subjects.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Alive Again (Scott Mitchell)
Why I have this book: I'm not sure if it was an Amazon recommend or what, but you know I like a good success story.
This is about Scott Mitchell, former NFL player, more recently a contestant on The Biggest Loser.
I had never heard of him (gasp!), but I now know more about his sports career than I ever wanted to know. A good 80% of the book was about his life before The Biggest Loser. There really wasn't much depth to the actual experience he had in his weight loss journey. It was pretty surface stuff.
The writing was mediocre. At one point, he states that he and his wife decided their ten-year marriage wasn't going to work. WHAT? I didn't even know he was married. He had never mentioned it. He had covered all his growing up years, all his sports achievements from childhood through high school and college and beyond. Never once did he mention that he got married. I just thought that was an odd thing to leave out of the story, especially when you were going to mention that you were getting divorced. (I even did a search for "wife," "married," and "marry" to see if I had blinked and missed him mentioning the marriage earlier. Couldn't find a thing to indicate that at some point he got married.)
I'm sure he's a good guy, but the book was a disappointment. There were a couple of tidbits in the very last of the book that were a bit deeper and meaningful, but seriously, this book was not inspiring for me. I just really thought it would be more about his journey BACK to life (Alive Again being the title), not mostly a memoir of all his athletic accomplishments.
Clean.
This is about Scott Mitchell, former NFL player, more recently a contestant on The Biggest Loser.
I had never heard of him (gasp!), but I now know more about his sports career than I ever wanted to know. A good 80% of the book was about his life before The Biggest Loser. There really wasn't much depth to the actual experience he had in his weight loss journey. It was pretty surface stuff.
The writing was mediocre. At one point, he states that he and his wife decided their ten-year marriage wasn't going to work. WHAT? I didn't even know he was married. He had never mentioned it. He had covered all his growing up years, all his sports achievements from childhood through high school and college and beyond. Never once did he mention that he got married. I just thought that was an odd thing to leave out of the story, especially when you were going to mention that you were getting divorced. (I even did a search for "wife," "married," and "marry" to see if I had blinked and missed him mentioning the marriage earlier. Couldn't find a thing to indicate that at some point he got married.)
I'm sure he's a good guy, but the book was a disappointment. There were a couple of tidbits in the very last of the book that were a bit deeper and meaningful, but seriously, this book was not inspiring for me. I just really thought it would be more about his journey BACK to life (Alive Again being the title), not mostly a memoir of all his athletic accomplishments.
Clean.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
The Measure of Katie Calloway (Serena B. Miller)
Why I have this book: I bought it on Kindle one day, just because a friend was reading it and it looked good.
It was kind of predictable, like these books can be, but I still enjoyed it. It was a good "escape" book… a nice, light read for the summer activity of waiting for my kids while they are at tennis lessons or Lego Art Class. :) (Best thing I signed up for this summer!)
Clean.
It was kind of predictable, like these books can be, but I still enjoyed it. It was a good "escape" book… a nice, light read for the summer activity of waiting for my kids while they are at tennis lessons or Lego Art Class. :) (Best thing I signed up for this summer!)
Clean.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love (Sue Johnson)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library after a friend was telling me about it.
I made so many highlights in this book that I will likely buy it at some point. (Highlights that you put in a borrowed ebook show up in the book if you purchase it later.) From a psychological standpoint, this book fascinated me… especially the sections on forgiveness and trauma.
The premise is that there has been a lot of study and acceptance on the idea of infant/childhood attachment, but that we also have need of attachment as adults. Not just casual, surface, or broken attachments, but solid, deep, and trusting attachments. And just like with infants and children, a lack in those attachments prevents living a complete and fulfilling life.
The focus in on marriage, but I think it really can apply to any relationship.
There is a bit of swearing when the author quotes her clients, and there is a section on sexual relations. She also has a couple of client studies that involve homosexual couples.
I made so many highlights in this book that I will likely buy it at some point. (Highlights that you put in a borrowed ebook show up in the book if you purchase it later.) From a psychological standpoint, this book fascinated me… especially the sections on forgiveness and trauma.
The premise is that there has been a lot of study and acceptance on the idea of infant/childhood attachment, but that we also have need of attachment as adults. Not just casual, surface, or broken attachments, but solid, deep, and trusting attachments. And just like with infants and children, a lack in those attachments prevents living a complete and fulfilling life.
The focus in on marriage, but I think it really can apply to any relationship.
There is a bit of swearing when the author quotes her clients, and there is a section on sexual relations. She also has a couple of client studies that involve homosexual couples.
Two books by Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Skylark
Why I have these books: I have them in "real" book form from years ago. Then I go the Kindle version of the first one when it was on sale for really inexpensive because I was thinking my print version was ripped or something. Turns out it wasn't.
I don't know if I have any other books in this series. (Maybe I have the third one, but not any after that one, for sure. I'll have to check through our bookcases on the third one, though. I'm just not sure.)
I liked both these books… the second more than the first, for some reason. If my daughter likes them when she is old enough, and she wants to read more in the series, I will buy them for her.
Clean.
Skylark
Why I have these books: I have them in "real" book form from years ago. Then I go the Kindle version of the first one when it was on sale for really inexpensive because I was thinking my print version was ripped or something. Turns out it wasn't.
I don't know if I have any other books in this series. (Maybe I have the third one, but not any after that one, for sure. I'll have to check through our bookcases on the third one, though. I'm just not sure.)
I liked both these books… the second more than the first, for some reason. If my daughter likes them when she is old enough, and she wants to read more in the series, I will buy them for her.
Clean.
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