false 22 171 80 true 5711302 read 0 true 3303287 currently-reading 91 true 3303286 to-read 21 false 3314104 nonfiction 14 false 3881518 biography-memoir 7 false 4222471 history 2 false 5559830 homeschool 1 false 3881533 political-science http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80040640 to: The Shack (Paperback) by William P. Young
I really enjoyed many of Young's refreshing approaches to theology. I found a lot to appreciate in his depiction of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit despite some differences in my personal views. I also liked his thoughts on power and relationship. I think he does an especially nice job of depicting the principle of forgiveness.

This book is well written and flows smoothly. Some of the descriptions are a little effusive and sometimes a little trite but there were no jarring flaws. When I learned the origins and original purpose of the book I was even more impressed. This book wasn't life changing or revolutionary for me as it has been for some. Nor did I find it exceptionally controversial. I think if you keep perspective on the fact that this is one man's description of his personal relationship with God it's easier to drop the defensiveness. I think that most thoughtful Christians will find much to enhance their understanding or a fresh perspective on their faith and be able to leave what doesn't fit for them.

Give it a try and read past the first five chapters before you give up on it. I think you'll find some gems that will be worth the effort. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78777418 to: Middlesex (Paperback) by Jeffrey Eugenides
After much inner and outer debate I finally settled on two stars. I liked his story-telling style and craftsmanship but I just didn't relate to the book. Pulitzer or no, I would have continued living happily had I not read this book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80038755 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (The BuckShaw Chronicles, #1) by Alan Bradley
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77488092 The Birth House (Paperback) by Ami McKay
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77009261 to: The Genizah At The House Of Shepher (Hardcover) by Tamar Yellin
The story is well written and wonderfully characterized. I really enjoyed the way the author wove the past and present into a concise and interesting narrative. I found the bits of Jewish history and tradition to be welcome elements as well. I did not like the codex plot line. It was jarring, vague and uninteresting. It felt like the author presented a complete and beautiful manuscript to her editor and was told to add in a mystery to make it sale-able. The codex plot line adds a discordant thread that feels like an incomplete afterthought. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77009365 Kafka in Brontëland and Other Stories (Paperback) by Tamar Yellin
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76615453 Curious?: Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life (Hardcover) by Todd Kashdan
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76615262 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Hardcover) by Mary Ann Shaffer
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/226884-snow-flower-and-the-secret-fan Heather made a comment in the LDS Ladies Book Club group:

Me too! I kept thinking about the concept of "mother love" she discusses in the book and the principle of putting a child through a hard thing to improve their future. The closest I can come to foot binding is immunizations and the like. This is no comparison to the years of intense pain a mother had to personally inflict on her daughter in order to bring about the perfect lily feet that helped secure a good marriage match and thus future security. This idea of a mother willingly inflicting pain seems so extreme and foreign to me but I think there is a universal truth in the concept. I think of the tough love that some other women have had to use such as the pioneer mothers who helped their children walk across a continent to be able to live their new faith. Or, more currently, immigrant mothers who bring their children to a strange country to escape violence or find economic stability. Or mothers who hold their seriously ill children as they endure painful medical treatments. These mothers must know that physical and emotional trauma are likely to occur as a result of their decisions but they must believe that the benefits outweigh the costs. If I absolutely believed that foot binding or something equally intense was so crucial to my daughter's future survival would I be able to do it? It seems to me that this level of mother love requires a courage that I am grateful to have not yet required. But, if we truly believe that these are the last days, what might the future require of us and our children? ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75968475 On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears (Hardcover) by Stephen T. Asma
bookshelves: to-read
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