false 11 171 162 true 5668736 read 7 true 1889259 currently-reading 2 true 1889258 to-read 28 false 3182252 read-aloud-to-my-bunch 7 false 3182255 read-by-me http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59532055 Sally's review of Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously
by William Gurstelle

um, wow, Sally. Been in small town too long? :) ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65684221 K.'s review of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo, Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret (Leven Thumps, #1-2)
by Obert Skye

Glad I'm not the only one feels this way about this book. It reminds me of why I always used to hate Richard Scarry books. Chaos on all the pages and a completely missing story line. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63937280 to: Beau Geste (Library Binding) by Percival Christopher Wren
Interesting mystery. Now know not to ever sign up for the foreign legion. :) A bit wordy and I admit that I'm not sure if the drastic measures taken by the characters are justified. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59265671 to: Dragonhaven (Hardcover) by Robin McKinley
I liked Spindles End so when I only had a few moments to grab a book I grabbed this one by the same author. The librarian warned me it was a bit slow but pretty good once you got into it.
I made it to page 100 and had to stop. It should be called, "The ramblings of a traumatized teenage boy." The narrative voice she chose was hard to follow and honestly, it was down right boring. I kept waiting for the story to start. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59265627 to: In the Coils of the Snake (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy: Book III) by Clare B. Dunkle
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59265425 to: Close Kin (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy: Book II) by Clare B. Dunkle
Still and interesting read, but a bit gruesome and brutal when the preservation of the species comes first. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59265086 to: The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy: Book I) by Clare B. Dunkle
Librarian suggested this series. I though it was an interesting twist on the usual fairy tale. The young maiden tries desperately to avoid the clutches of the evil goblin king, but somehow you find yourself liking, the goblin king. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48816545 to: The Dim Lantern by Temple Bailey
Yes, I go on author binges.
One suggestion that Temple Bailey books have are that you overcome yourself, before you offer yourself to someone in marriage. Those who do have confidence in their marriage and those who don't struggle.
This book is about a man who is struggling from the mental, physical, and emotional effects of war. He loves a girl named Jane. The story is about how he overcomes his demons in order to make himself worthy of her and about her learning what is most important in a man and marriage. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48814400 to: Contrary Mary (Hardcover) by Temple Bailey
Went back to the library to explore some more Temple Bailey books.
It is fascinating to read the point of view of an author who saw woman's suffrage begin, when the only occupations you found women in outside of the home were teacher or stenographer.
Her characters have depth, come to see God in their life in simple and profound ways, and they learn how to become their fullest selves.
I enjoyed Contrary Mary a great deal. One of my favorite parts is a discussion about men showing interest in how women dress and present themselves and women starting to go out into the working world. The discussion takes a turn that I had never thought of before.

"That's the funny part of it," Cousin Patty ventured; "women are taking up men's work, and men are taking up women's-it is all topsy turvy."
The little artist pondered. "Perhaps in the end they'll understand each other better."
"Do you think they will?"
"Yes," The woman who does a man's work learns to know what fighting means. The man who makes a study of feminine things begins to see back of what has seemed mere frivolity and love of admiration a desire for harmony and beauty, and self-expression. Some day women will come back to simplicity and the home, because they will have learned things from men and will have taught things to men, and by mutual understanding each well choose the best." (p. 319)


I love this idea. That women can learn what fighting is and men can learn that women are not necessarily frivolous but have a desire to create and beautify their world. And that these two things can bring them closer as they both choose the best role for their natures and treasure the others efforts. It's sad that Bailey's suggestion that eventually we would return women to the home and understand one another better hasn't happened in many instances.
However, I admit to sometimes feeling like my husband has the "easy" role out in the "adult"world while I struggle with children at home. This discussion reminded me once more that he is "fighting" (especially in this economy) and that he is my knight (cheesy I know) and that it's okay for me to have a desire to beautify myself, and my home to create harmony. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48814050 to: Ever (Hardcover) by Gail Carson Levine
Gail Carson Levine is someone who is either "on" or "off." This book was an "off" in my opinion.
My favorites of her books are simple with interesting, believable characters. This book tried to be a bit to exotic for my taste. ]]>