false 31 294 279 true 5706104 read 0 true 1689853 currently-reading 15 true 1689852 to-read 81 false 1785760 favorite-kid-reads http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77198987 to: Falling Up (Hardcover) by Shel Silverstein
bookshelves: favorite-kid-reads
After reading "A Light in the Attic, my daughter was eager to read this one, too - - and they just seem to be the most fun when read together, and out loud - - almost all are followed by a stream of giggles from her. The most laughs came from Unfair, Carrots, Help!, and A Use for a Moose. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77198277 to: A Light in the Attic (Hardcover) by Shel Silverstein
bookshelves: favorite-kid-reads
Re-read this recently with my daughter, and all of these short poems are just as good as I remember. I started introducing my daughter to poetry several years ago, but this seemed to make her eyes twinkle with laughter a little more than others. Her favorites: The sitter, Messy Room, Zebra Question, and In search of Cinderella. Mine? Kidnapped. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67628487 to: The Quiet Little Woman: Tilly's Christmas, Rosa's Tale : Three Enchanting Christmas Stories (Hardcover) by Louisa May Alcott
An uplifting and quick read, full of good morals and reminders of what is really of value around the holidays - the most important simply being that of good character. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67628197 to: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (Hardcover) by L. Frank Baum
A very interesting story of the origin of Santa Claus, how he came to be Santa, how he got involved with toys, how he became immmortal, why the chimneys, and who he really is. Having been written by the "Wizard of Oz" author, I only expected it to be more engaging. It was actually pretty dully written, mostly presenting facts in chronological order without sentiment. Still, interesting and sweet theory of how the Jolly Elf came to be. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70719952 to: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Hardcover) by Mary Ann Shaffer
The first epistolary novel that hasn't driven me up the wall, and actually engaging at the same time. This book gives you the realities and history of the German Occupation of the Island of Guernsey during WWII. Through letters, you learn of the demoralizing effects of living in occupied territory, but also the humanity and relief and solice the people of Guernsey found through reading. The characters feel like people you know, the letters connect well, and the themes are thought-provoking. And, although I didn't expect to, I laughed out-loud often (and, even more rare, teared up once, when Kit showed Juliet her special box containing the only things she had left of her parents). ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65894081 to: The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon, #3) by Dan Brown
Not nearly as suspenseful as his past books, but by far, the most interesting. All four of his other books follow a very precise formula and blueprint, and, refreshingly, this is the first one to vary on some of his usual stategies. I found two plot lines to be particularly ridiculous - one involving the true identity of the antagonist (Really? **sigh**) and the other involving the Redskins in the Playoffs (whatever.)
I was, however, really impressed by two excerpts - - the first being a brief narrative by Mal'akh about his sacrifice, his art, and his "Great Work" which, to me, clearly parallels the Apostasy, the Atonement and Resurrection, and the Restoration (found on pg 359-360), and the second being a memory of Langdon's from a seminar given by Peter about the origin of Truth, Enlightenment, and the Book of Revelation (found on page 405-410).
Along with this, I also appreciated his commentary regarding the rituals and traditions of many religions and cultures that are frequently criticised and demonized simply because they are taken out of context, and not understood with the knowledge and faith of those who practice them, and meant to be symbolic rather than literal (i.e. the sacrament, communion, baptism in its many forms, Ramadan, Shaman Healings, and in the case of this book, Masonic Initiation)...all of these things have truths that get twisted and, as Brown states, "All spiritual rituals include aspects that would seem frightening when taken out of context", but these things are rooted in the faith, spiritual enlightment, and understanding of those who believe in them and are guided by them. As a believing and practicing Christian, I appreciate this acknowledgement.
As far as his many references to Christianity, I obviously disagree with some if his ideas--most specifically, Katherine's statement that when the Bible says we are created in God's image, it was not meant physically, but mentally. I don't see how, or believe, you can have one without the other; but really enjoyed the discussion throughout the whole book about the power of the human mind, the true potential of mankind to become God-like, and the source of Enlightment and the Great Mysteries of all time.
Dan Brown is not perfect, but his books are a darn fun read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72099592 to: Digital Fortress (Paperback) by Dan Brown
One of his earlier books, and the hardest to follow, for me, becuase of all of the computer lingo and jargon. Still, Brown is very good at suspense and connecting all of the dots. He is also very good at misleading you, and saving the big curveballs all the way up until the end. A great sweats-and-hot-cocoa book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15346897 to: The Poisonwood Bible (Paperback) by Barbara Kingsolver
It is a testament to Kingsolver's writing that I felt such a range of emotion reading this book. With unapologetic straightforwardness, this book takes you through the political upheaval, civil unrest, poverty, disease, and futility of life (not to mention culture collision)for a White Missionary family in the Congo during it's attempt at independace from Belgium. I hated Nathan Price, ached for Orleana, and related to Leah. And I felt grief for Africa, and ached for the broken missionary programs that have filtered the world with gross misinterpretations of scripture and gospel doctrine, without knowing the true nature of the Savior, and how He intends for his sheep to be ministered to.
My hang up is that, as usual, the constant change of voice - - most authors don't know how to make this flow. You get invested in the story, but the change of view in every single chapter makes it feel choppy and confusing. I understand, though, that this is the kind of story that needed to be told from several sides, however unsuccesfully. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21593617 to: Rules (Hardcover) by Cynthia Lord
I almost always enjoy the Newberry's, but this one is particularly touching (and that is not a word I throw around, being the non-sentimental sort)simply because so many of Catherine's experiences with her autistic brother David mirror my own childhood and upbringing with a somewhat distant parent and an autistic little sister. As a child, I remember having the same anxieties about my sister's behavior, the same guilt when I was embarrassed, the same battles between my mother and her home business and having to care for my sister when I was so young, too...and the thing that makes it most realistic is that the end of the book is not a moment of truth or compassion, or a reconcilation with all of the feelings and turmoil - - it is simply a moment of coming to terms with "right now", knowing she will continue to have to come to terms over and over again down the road. The ending alludes to the fact that there is more "life" coming, and the problems and challenges will evolve, but so will she - - and the feelings she has towards her brother, and her relationship with him, will also evolve, and she will look differently at him and her life at each different stage she goes through. I love the use of the "rules" to express her feelings through out the book,and the way she makes word cards for Jason that, indirectly, help her to begin to sort through her turbulent emotions and learn to cope. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/40680416 to: Peony in Love (Hardcover) by Lisa See
This is historical fiction, Post-Ming Dynasty, that gives voice to the many women writers and poets in 16th/17th century China. It is based on a work by three wives (done over two to three decades) of commentary on the classic opera "The Peony Pavillion",and how it takes them through love and all of it's phases (from lustful to selfish to selfless, etc) and gives insight about the depth and symbolism of the opera (which was written by a man) than women were "not supposed" to have possessed in that era. Because of the title alone, I would never have picked this up. But a friend I trusted suggested it, and while a "love story" is what starts the whole plot, it evolves into several other journeys into the culture and daily lives of chinese women, ancient rituals and traditions (including a horryfing description of the barbaric practice of foot-binding), and most interesting, the path and existence of the chinese soul after death. It is also, ultimately, a book about women wanting to be heard.
Having said all that, the story (while interesting from a historical perspective) was not that engaging. But I am glad I read it once. ]]>