Paula Vince's Blog: The Vince Review, page 78

'Brother and Sister' by Joanna Trollope

 
2015 Reading Challenge Week 7 - A Book you own but have never read.

I bought this novel from a second shop quite a long time ago and it's been sitting on my shelf. Since I've enjoyed another novel by Joanna Trollope, I thought it's time to take it down for a read, to fit this category of the challenge. 

 Brought up by the same parents, but born to two different mothers, Nathalie and David have grown up as brother and sister, and share a fierce loyalty. Their decision as adults to try to find their birth mothers is no straightforward matter. It affects, acutely and often painfully, their spouses and children, the people they work with, and, most poignantly, the two women who gave them up for adoption all those years ago. Exploring her subject with inimitable imagination and humanity, the celebrated author of Marrying the Mistress and The Rector's Wife once again works her magic.

MY THOUGHTS:

Nathalie and David are the adopted children of Ralph and Lynne Dexter. Now in their 30s with families of their own, they decide to search for their birth mothers. It's easy to see why Joanna Trollope is such a well-known writer of domestic dramas. I feel if she were to discover the secret feelings of any of our families and households, she could probably spin a pretty interesting yarn, with the blends of personalities to be found beneath one roof.

I think another of Trollope's trademarks is giving every character a chance to have a scene written from their point of view, including not only Nathalie's five-year-Polly but David's two-year-old Petey. I was once told that authors should limit point of view characters to six at the most. This is definitely not a rule Trollope adheres to. I tried to think of a character in this novel who didn't get a point of view scene, and there were very few. For her, having so many works well. I think this is partly because it shows how our own lives may be impacted by the decisions of people who remain total strangers to us. To give just one example, David's antagonistic half-brother, Martin, never meets Nathalie, but unbeknown to him, it was Nathalie's idea and pressure which brought David into his life. There are many more such as these. It's interesting to think that ripple effects are often taking place in our lives.

It's interesting to see the number of people affected by the decisions of two people to delve into their pasts. The adopted siblings believe it has nothing to do with anyone but them, yet not only their birth families are affected, but their own spouses, children and adopted parents. Their partners, Steve and Marnie, take Nathalie and David by surprise with their reactions. And although it's never stated outright, it seems that neither of them ever forget that Nathalie and David are not really blood siblings at all. There's always an undercurrent of jealousy.

The other thing I noticed is that it's easy to fool ourselves into thinking something we really don't. Nathalie always convinced herself that she found being adopted liberating because she could forge her own path and wasn't bound by expectations based on her bloodline. However, it comes out that she really feels the lack of knowing her background and the hurt from wondering why her birth mother felt the need to give her away.

I was quite satisfied with the conclusions each of the siblings came to when they finally met their biological mothers.

4 stars

'Tied in Pink' by Mirren Hogan et al

2015 Reading Challenge Week 6 - A book of short stories.
 As three friends of mine have contributed stories to this collection, I was happy to choose this one for this category. 


Fourteen authors from across the globe have joined forces to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research with this anthology of romance short stories. Every fictional story is unique and ranges from romance to romantic suspense and fantasy. Within these pages you will find stories of love, loss and determination. Each contains a pink ribbon – the international symbol for breast cancer awareness.

All proceeds of the sale of this anthology will be going towards the Victorian Cancer council’s research into breast cancer.

Inspired by those we love, those who fight, and those who we have lost; this is our gift to cancer sufferers and survivors, and their families, who have inspired and continue to inspire us.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is an anthology of romantic short stories by Aussie authors from various walks of life. Some of the stories are fantasies, some are contemporary and some have historical elements. Some are quite steamy while others are more subtle or sweet. One thing they have in common is a united desire to earn money for breast cancer research, so I hope they sell like hot cakes. The price is very reasonable.


Some of the stories deal with breast cancer patients and survivors as main characters. Even the ones that don't directly deal with breast cancer have little hidden motifs. I found myself beginning to look out for references to pink ribbons - a bit like a 'Where's Wally' book for an excellent cause, so good on them.

I liked some of the stories better than others, which I guess is bound to be the case when so many different authors are involved. Most readers will probably say the same, and prefer different selections. I've heard it said that a book of short stories is a bit like a box of chocolates. Every reader will find something that suits them.

3.5 stars

'Beyond All Dreams' by Elizabeth Camden

Sweeping and Romantic Historical Drama from an Award-Winning Author
Anna O'Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across a baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. She is thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, but her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.
Luke Callahan was one of the nation's most powerful congressmen until his promising career became shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is another well-researched novel by Elizabeth Camden, set around the turn of the twentieth century. It's fun to see a library setting for a budding romance.

Anna O'Brien is a map librarian who discovers some inconsistencies in a report about the sinking of the Culpeper; the ship on which her father supposedly drowned. Not expecting to ticked off for meddling when she makes a report, she wonders whether something unsavoury is being hushed up. Luke Callahan is her likeable, impulsive congressman admirer, who decides to look into the fate of the Culpeper to please her. He has no idea about the tinderbox it will turn out to be.

Anna and Luke seem to be total opposites on the surface, but share traumatic childhood memories, a love of books and a passion for possessing knowledge. Luke once aspired to be a great poet, but realised he wasn't very good at it. I like his advice to his nephew, Philip, that if you don't reach your dream, you can channel the passion and energy into something equally worthy. I also like Luke's funny intolerance to modern contraptions, which now themselves seem very outdated and old-fashioned to us.

His family are interesting secondary characters, all full of enthusiasm and bluster. His brother Gabe's 'infamous stairway to nowhere' is such a good analogy for the way they choose to live.

As for Anna, I'm glad she's able to stick to her desire to live a quiet life. This isn't one of those novels about a shy girl who who finds the courage to step out of her comfort zone for the long term and live happily ever after, as if the limelight is better than behind the scenes. The author understands that introverts can't change their colours, and that they wouldn't even want to. The author bio tells us that Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian herself, so I can see why Anna's voice rings so true (although thankfully they are permitted to marry in the 21st century without being expected to resign).

Perhaps Luke's quote to Anna is a good take-away from this book. 'The world can be a tough and gritty place. We need to seize beauty wherever we find it.'

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for my review copy.

4 stars

'March' by Geraldine Brooks

 
2015 Reading Challenge Week 5 - A Pulitzer Prize Winner

 Some time ago, a friend recommended 'March' and the following day, I was browsing the bookshelves of a second hand shop when it tumbled down and fell at my feet. I felt I had to buy it, although I never got around to reading it until now. When this option for this year's challenge came up, I decided it would be the one. This novel was the 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner.

Winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize For Fiction. From the author of the acclaimed YEAR OF WONDERS, an historical novel and love story set during a time of catastrophe, on the front lines of the American Civil War. Acclaimed author Geraldine Brooks gives us the story of the absent father from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women - and conjures a world of brutality, stubborn courage and transcendent love. An idealistic abolitionist, March has gone as chaplain to serve the Union cause. But the war tests his faith not only in the Union - which is also capable of barbarism and racism - but in himself. As he recovers from a near-fatal illness, March must reassemble and reconnect with his family, who have no idea of what he has endured. A love story set in a time of catastrophe, March explores the passions between a man and a woman, the tenderness of parent and child, and the life-changing power of an ardently held belief.

MY THOUGHTS:
Remember the first chapter of 'Little Women' when Meg says, 'I think it was so splendid of father to go as chaplain, when he was too old to be drafted and not strong enough for a soldier'? This is his story, told in first person about his experiences in the Civil War, and also includes flashbacks of his youth and life with his wife and daughters.

His story is based on research Geraldine Brooks did into the life of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott's father. March (for his Christian name is never divulged) was a peddler in his late teens when he first experienced the southern way of life. Prosperous in his twenties, he lost his fortune investing in John Brown's underground railway. It's interesting seeing local historical figures such as Brown, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau appear in the story. Concord, Massachusetts, had its fair share of celebrities back in the mid 1800s, and probably hasn't had many since. 

March comes across as an idealistic thinker. His planned Utopian community, where men and women could live with nature but without its exploitation, sounds like a forerunner of similar twentieth century attempts. Perhaps this goes with his vegetarianism, a principle he stuck to all his life. He always put himself in the place of humans and animals alike, making me applaud his empathy. March brought to mind the quote I once read that a man's character is measured by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him. Regardless of the opinions displayed by those around him, he found the ex-slaves in this novel to be 'God's image cut in ebony.'

It's easy to recognise members of the 'Little Women' family, making this book quite clever. It contains an earlier version of Marmee, while she still hadn't controlled the fiery temper she mentions to Jo in the classic. But I definitely wouldn't consider this novel to be a prequel, sequel or companion volume. The genre is way too different, with its in-your-face horror stories of war. I feel sorry for any young girls who may like the blurb and decide to read it, based on their fondness of 'Little Women', with its warm, cosy, wholesome themes. 'March' is way different.

Even though the book was published in the twenty-first century, Brooks keeps the lofty style of voice used by the father in 'Little Women', and somehow the preachy, outdated nineteenth century tone comes across OK. She plants lots of thought-provoking quotes in his mouth.

On education and his passion for teaching - 'My objective was to awaken their hearts to the ideas dormant there, rather than to implant facts in their memory.'

On courage - 'Who is the brave man, he who knows no fear? If so, then bravery is but a polite term for a mind devoid of rationality or imagination.'

On poverty - 'I was glad to give up the garments on the peg rail that spoke to me of slave labor, worm slaughter and sheep theft, for is not the fleece the rightful property of the sheep? And why should the humble silkworm be sentenced to death for our finery?'

As for ranking this book, I usually love to escape with uplifting stories that end happily for the good characters. This is full of tragedy, made even more heartbreaking by Geraldine Brooks' descriptive writing which leaves nothing to the imagination. It's not my favourite type of book, yet I can see why it's very good. Although some books are great for escapism, others are written from a sense of responsibility that we should understand our world history, and the sacrifices some made for others. This is one of those types of books.

The best quote by March to end with might be this one. 'How could one turn the other cheek to this evil when the cheek being turned was not one's own, but that of innocents?'

3.5 stars.

 

'The Book of Strange New Things' by Michel Faber

 

2015 Reading Challenge, Week 4 - A Book with non-human characters.

It's easy for the non-human folk in this novel to grow on you. 
 
It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter’s teachings—his Bible is their “book of strange new things.” But Peter is rattled when Bea’s letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea’s faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is expansive, original and amazing, but the plot can be summed up in one sentence. Peter is a Christian missionary to aliens on another planet.

A lot of the action takes place among the people of the land, who consider the Bible to be their 'book of strange new things'. Peter considers himself the luckiest Christian minister with the cushiest job. Why do the locals consider Jesus their redeemer when they apparently have no human pride issues to be redeemed from? The truth of their situation turns out to be more bizarre than he had imagined. Their odd characteristics end up making perfect sense.

Peter also mingles with his fellow humans back at the USIC base, who are mostly the scientist/engineer types. Although he can understand their presence at the new space base, he has more trouble trying to justify the big money necessary to get him there too. Two members from a previous mission have mysteriously disappeared; Kurtzberg, the prior pastor, and Tartaglione, the linguist. Alex Grainger, the pharmacist who drives him out to the natives' village, is an interesting lady who often seems to be holding something back. Meanwhile, Peter's wife, Bea, keeps writing to him about the state of affairs back on earth, making him feel helpless.

I really like the hero. Peter is always apologetically awkward and prone to self doubt, but he's astute, perceptive, and genuinely humble. 'I try not to think about myself too much. I'm just a man who loves God.' An old pastor from back on earth had him summed up neatly as a man who genuinely loves people, a rare thing even for a pastor. At one stage, Peter considers that there are many ways of becoming a Christian but the one that worked for him was switching off his capacity for cynicism and switching on the light of trust. He's a bit like a fish out of water among his sarcastic team members who never seem to take anything seriously, but survives because of his faith and straightforwardness.

I love his concept of how prayer works. 'It's not a matter of asking for things and being accepted or rejected. It's a matter of adding one's energy, insignificant in itself, to the vastly greater energy that is God's love.' And simple, infantile prayers are often the best sort.' Although this book isn't without sadness, it's the sort of novel which makes you feel better for having read it. If those Oasans can be content in their circumstances, why should we humans make our deeper blessings so complicated? It might be good to sum up this review with the quote from Peter's predecessor, Marty Kurtzberg. 'For all I've had and seen, I'm truly thankful.'

Actually, I'll finish with some logic from the USIC base, when Peter first arrived, felt hungry, and was refused.
Peter: I was told by the USIC people that food was available whenever we need it.
Stanka: Correct, bro. You gotta make sure you don't need it at the wrong time.

Although this is Christian novel, if you don't like profanity, swearing and sexual content, this might not be the right book for you.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for my review copy.

4.5 stars.

'The Book of Strange New Things' by Michael Faber

 

2015 Reading Challenge, Week 4 - A Book with non-human characters.

It's easy for the non-human folk in this novel to grow on you. 
 
It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter’s teachings—his Bible is their “book of strange new things.” But Peter is rattled when Bea’s letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea’s faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is expansive, original and amazing, but the plot can be summed up in one sentence. Peter is a Christian missionary to aliens on another planet.

A lot of the action takes place among the people of the land, who consider the Bible to be their 'book of strange new things'. Peter considers himself the luckiest Christian minister with the cushiest job. Why do the locals consider Jesus their redeemer when they apparently have no human pride issues to be redeemed from? The truth of their situation turns out to be more bizarre than he had imagined. Their odd characteristics end up making perfect sense.

Peter also mingles with his fellow humans back at the USIC base, who are mostly the scientist/engineer types. Although he can understand their presence at the new space base, he has more trouble trying to justify the big money necessary to get him there too. Two members from a previous mission have mysteriously disappeared; Kurtzberg, the prior pastor, and Tartaglione, the linguist. Alex Grainger, the pharmacist who drives him out to the natives' village, is an interesting lady who often seems to be holding something back. Meanwhile, Peter's wife, Bea, keeps writing to him about the state of affairs back on earth, making him feel helpless.

I really like the hero. Peter is always apologetically awkward and prone to self doubt, but he's astute, perceptive, and genuinely humble. 'I try not to think about myself too much. I'm just a man who loves God.' An old pastor from back on earth had him summed up neatly as a man who genuinely loves people, a rare thing even for a pastor. At one stage, Peter considers that there are many ways of becoming a Christian but the one that worked for him was switching off his capacity for cynicism and switching on the light of trust. He's a bit like a fish out of water among his sarcastic team members who never seem to take anything seriously, but survives because of his faith and straightforwardness.

I love his concept of how prayer works. 'It's not a matter of asking for things and being accepted or rejected. It's a matter of adding one's energy, insignificant in itself, to the vastly greater energy that is God's love.' And simple, infantile prayers are often the best sort.' Although this book isn't without sadness, it's the sort of novel which makes you feel better for having read it. If those Oasans can be content in their circumstances, why should we humans make our deeper blessings so complicated? It might be good to sum up this review with the quote from Peter's predecessor, Marty Kurtzberg. 'For all I've had and seen, I'm truly thankful.'

Actually, I'll finish with some logic from the USIC base, when Peter first arrived, felt hungry, and was refused.
Peter: I was told by the USIC people that food was available whenever we need it.
Stanka: Correct, bro. You gotta make sure you don't need it at the wrong time.

Although this is Christian novel, if you don't like profanity, swearing and sexual content, this might not be the right book for you.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for my review copy.

4.5 stars.

Interview with Paul Daniels from 'Secrets and Lies'

Welcome to this year's first interview. Today on my blog, I have the privilege of talking to an interesting and talented young man named Paul Daniels. He and his mother, Carol, are a couple of main characters from suspenseful novel, Secrets and Lies, which I've reviewed here.

 
1) Those who read this blog are probably aware of a family member of yours who you're not proud to claim, to say the least. You're among friends here. How has having Harry Silver for an uncle impacted your life?
When I was little, he was this famous racing driver and being related was awesome. Then he got arrested. Mom just said it was for murder, but it didn't take long to find out the rest from the older kids at school. That was a pretty dark time for me. One day my uncle was a hero, then suddenly he's this monster. My whole family took some abuse over it, and we learned not to talk about it. It's kind of our deep, dark secret. Especially for me now, growing up – if I ever get serious with a girl, how am I supposed to tell her about him? And if I don't, you can be sure it'll come back to bite me.

2) I can understand your dilemma alright. Awkward, to say the least. You've recently made a big move right across the country. Was that your idea or your mother's? And was escaping to a place where people don't know your relationships to Harry the only reason for the move?

Don't get me started on moving! I love my mom, but she ripped me away from my friends for no reason. Fitting into a new high school wasn't fun. She says we're in hiding. Sometimes people who find out we're related to Uncle Harry get nasty, but did that mean we had to move? You'd think we were in danger or something.

3) Has your quality of life improved since the move?
Actually, it's great. Don't tell Mom, but I found a music store where the owner lets me work for lessons. Through him, I met some guys at school and we've started a band. Mom won't let me play – she's afraid I'll turn out like my dad – so it's one more secret to keep.

4) Better not to go there, hey? The band and lessons sound great. But living with a jittery, anxious mother who always feels the need to watch her back can't be easy. Is there anything you feel you have to hold back from your mother that you wish you could say?
I wish she could just trust me. I saw what drugs did to my brother, and I'm not going there. Ever. And maybe Dad wasn't a great father, but I'm going to be a musician like him. Mom wants me in some kind of corporate career with a steady salary. Music means crazy hours and hard work, but I need to play. I wish she could accept that, but I don't dare even mention it.

5) Doesn't sound easy but I hope you can come to some sort of understanding. Sounds so tricky, when you both feel as if you have good reasons for your own stances. Perhaps when she sees how good you are, she might come around, but you know your mother best. Can you tell us a bit more about your goals for your own future? We'd heard rumours that they might include music.
Mom didn't say anything, did she? No, if she suspected, she'd be all over me. I do have goals – Mr. Morelli, my guitar teacher, is the best in the city. Our band at school is pretty novice, but it's a start. As I develop my talent, I may move through a few bands until something clicks. With the right mix, we'll have a chance. Right now it's all about developing. And keeping up with school work. That's why I'm single. Thanks for giving me a place to vent, Paula. It was good meeting you.

Great to meet you too, Paul. I'll be hoping things work out for you.





Janet Sketchley is the author of Heaven's Preyand Secrets and Lies, two novels of suspense and redemption. She also blogs about faith and books. Janet loves adventure stories, worship music, tea and Formula 1 racing. Like Carol in Secrets and Lies, she loves music and tea. Unlike Carol, Janet isn't related to a dangerous offender, has a happy home life, and has never been threatened by a drug lord. May those tidbits continue to hold true! You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca. Fans of Christian suspense are invited to join Janet's writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
Website: http://janetsketchley.ca/Join Janet's author journey – sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNewsSecrets and Lies page (includes purchase links): http://janetsketchley.ca/books/secrets-and-lies/Sample Chapter: http://janetsketchley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Secrets-and-Lies-Chapter-1.pdfFacebook: www.facebook.com/JanetSketchleyTwitter: twitter.com/JanetSketchleyAmazon Author Central: www.amazon.com/author/janetsketchleyPinterest: pinterest.com/janetsketchley/

'Emissary' by Thomas Locke

 

2015 Reading Challenge Week 3 - A book with magic

This novel fits the bill. What more can I say?

Hyam is a likeable lad who will make a fine farmer someday. But he carries a burden few can fathom. As his mother slips toward death, she implores him to return to Long Hall, where he spent five years as an apprentice. It was there that Hyam's extraordinary capacity for mastering languages came to light--and soon cast him into the shadows of suspicion. How could any human learn the forbidden tongues with such ease? When Hyam dares to seek out the Mistress of the Sorceries, her revelation tears his world asunder.

He has no choice but to set out on the foreboding path--which beckons him to either his destiny or his doom. An encounter with an enchanting stranger reminds him that he is part hero and part captive. As Hyam struggles to interpret the omens and symbols, he is swept up by a great current of possibilities--and dangers. 


MY THOUGHTS:
Hyam's mother dies the week he turns 21, and he returns to a Long Hall where he used to be an acolyte, to tell his father of her passing. He hates having to go back, as he has traumatic memories concerning his time spent there. Hyam learns that his father is deceased, but that he himself was actually an orphan with unknown origins who his parents took under their roof. Although Hyam is willing to return to his village and farm his land, his magical heritage catches up with him now that he is of age. In fact, his powers turn out to be so vast that he must fight to ward off evil powers which are threatening the whole world.

Allies he teams up with along his journey include his faithful animal sidekicks, Dama, his wolfhound and Matu, his noble steed. They are joined later by Joelle, the beautiful young woman Hyam rescues from a hostile Long Hall, and Trace, the wise old Mage.

I've got to admit this isn't one of my favourite fantasies. A fair chunk of the magic seems to happen unintentionally, giving the plot an impression of randomness at times. The astral travel which both Hyam and Joelle embark on at different stages seemed so out there (excuse the pun), my head was spinning. I found this way of whizzing out of their human bodies to be present at various significant gatherings verged on making discoveries a bit too convenient at times. Sometimes it even happened while Hyam was trying to have a good night's sleep. Having said this, there were always huge challenges ahead of the protagonists, no mistaking that. To judge from other reviewers, it seems I might be in the minority with these misgivings anyway, so you may choose to take them with a grain of salt.

This novel's author and publisher are Christian, and I found the themes to be hidden rather than in-your-face. Some of the imagery and storyline I did find interesting include the following.

* The user/bearer of the powerful orbs is the one who determines how the force is to be applied. The power is present for anyone who can tap into it, and the orbs take on the colour red for those who wish to use them for destruction.
* Hyam gets a chance to reveal the supposed experts, the controlling mages of the Long Hall, to be not as adept in their magical arts as they think they are.
* The setting has a Medieval feeling I liked a lot.

Yet overall, although there's a lot that's good, I'm not sure I'll be interested enough to read the sequel.

Thanks to Net Galley and Revell for my review copy.

3 stars

Prevent Reading Indigestion

I've been reading a book by Eugene Peterson, whose name many of us may recognise as the author of 'The Message' Bible translation. He believes that writing is intended to change our lives, rather than simply stuffing information into our brain cells. Reading should be a ruminative and leisurely experience, as if we're actually eating.

On a few occasions in the Bible, people were told to physically eat books. In Revelation 10:9-10, the Angel of the Lord tells Saint John to eat a small scroll, which turns out to be as sweet as honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. I used to think that was a weird, symbolic occurrence which I couldn't understand, but can't help remembering that both Jeremiah and Ezekiel before John, were also told to eat books on earlier occasions. I've been told that the Bible never wastes words, so when something unusual happens more than once, it's evidently quite important.

Okay, when we eat food, we take it into our bodies where it gets digested and makes its way to our bloodstream and our cells to be assimilated as part of our bodies. We all know that this is why we're counseled to eat healthy, rather than junk food. And we're probably all familiar with the slogan, 'You are what you eat.'

Peterson suggests that the same is true of what we read. We're meant to chew and ponder, to mull over healthy books until the words strike a chord and become absolutely true for us. He's speaking especially of holy scriptures. The truth gets into our imagination and spirit, and becomes part of us. It's a similar sort of process to actual, physical eating. It's surely more than just a good analogy, as we know there's a strong link between the mental, spiritual and physical parts of us. I believe that something grasped strongly in the mental and spiritual planes, does become manifest in our physical bodies.

At the same time, I've been dipping into another book. Coincidentally, they complement each other. The author, Ruth Haley Barton, describes the serious scripture study she did as a young adult at Bible College. She discovered that it helped improve her grades when she got really good at memorising verses, filling in blanks, ticking chapters off a 'To Read' list, and coming up with clever, gimicky, creative ways to impress the staff and fellow students in class. One day, it dawned on her that she was tired and what she was reading seemed lifeless to her. She realised that she was approaching scriptures as a tool people were using to rein her in or coerce her to their way of thinking. And it was a very subtle shift. Those purposes totally squashed the greater purpose of reading them, which she believes is similar to what Peterson said, to allow it to sink into her heart and soul, becoming part of her make-up.

She had to re-train herself to chew slowly and savour each word, letting its meaning sink into the deeper part of her, instead of rushing on to the next chapter to complete whatever assignment she was working on. She learned to allow change to take part at deeper levels of her being as she slowed down and meditated on those words.

I found myself nodding, "Yes, yes, yes" time and again. That's the way many of us are taught to function. We are even given recommendations of books which help us to speed read. I remember facing a thick pile of old British classics on the English syllabus back when I was a student. There was no way we could have read them all with the attention they deserved, and I'm sure the lecturers secretly wouldn't have expected us to. They were just trying to cram as much into a semester as possible.

I see the same habits in my 19-year-old son's approach to his studies. We aim to develop techniques which enable us to read as little as possible for the best grade possible. Barton says we get pretty good at cramming information into our heads to keep there just long enough to regurgitate onto exam papers. I thought it was an interesting choice, that word 'regurgitate'. Getting back to the physical analogy, it's like eating so much and so fast, we can't contain it and throw up.

So that's how I was when I was a student, and I had to ask myself if I'm still like that. I've got to admit the answer is often yes, even though I can try to convince myself it's for the best intentions. I like to read several blogs, along with interesting articles I stumble across through Facebook or Twitter links. I instantly see many of them will take some time to read. It's evident that it would take all day if I was to read them all carefully, so I find myself skimming hurriedly to get the highlights, gulping down the points that seem most important. Sometimes I don't even finish them. With books also, I want to find out what will happen next or what life-changing advice may be contained within the pages, so I gallop ahead. And it does give me something similar to physical indigestion when I eat too fast. I'm bloated in the head instead of the belly.

I'm taking these books as a wake-up call and training myself to chew more slowly, when it comes to both food and whatever I'm reading. It'll be worth the effort, I'm sure. Although these authors were focusing mostly on Bible reading, I think that what I've spoken about in this blog will apply to a broader range of good books.

*If you're interested in reading those books I quoted, here they are.
1) 'Eat this Book' by Eugene Peterson (It's a great name)
2) 'Sacred Rhythms - Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation' by Ruth Haley Barton
3) 'Choking on a Camel' by Michal Ann McArthur (This is a good novel about a heroine who finds herself grappling with just this sort of thing. It'll stay in my memory.)

'A Thing of Beauty' by Lisa Samson

It's a wonder to behold what happens when love moves in . . .

Former child star Fiona Hume deserted the movie biz a decade ago--right after she left rehab. She landed in Baltimore, bought a dilapidated old mansion downtown, and hatched dreams of restoring it into a masterpiece, complete with a studio for herself. She would disappear from public view and live an artist's life.

That was the plan.

Ten years later, Fiona's huge house is filled with junk purchased at thrift stores, haggled over at yard sales, or picked up from the side of the road. Each piece was destined for an art project . . . but all she's got so far is a piece of twine with some antique buttons threaded down its length.

She's thirty-two years old and still recognizable, but Fiona's money has finally run out. She's gotten pretty desperate, too, and in her desperation she's willing to do almost anything for money. Almost. So it is that she comes to rent out the maid's quarters to a local blacksmith named Josia Yeu.

Josia is everything Fiona isn't: gregarious, peaceful, in control without controlling . . . in short, happy. As the light from the maid's quarters begins to permeate the dank rooms of Fiona's world, something else begins to transform as well--something inside Fiona. Something even she can see is beautiful. 

MY THOUGHTS:

Fiona (Fia) Hume is the daughter of a pair of movie stars. She grew up taking on several high profile roles herself, but was hurt in the show-biz world and wanted out. She divorces her parents and buys a run-down old mansion, where she's hidden for years. Fia is a hoarder with good intentions. She's collected all sorts of knick-knacks and bric-a-brac which she intends to make into art, but never gets around to. Into this haphazard world steps Josia, the boarder in her only clean room.

This is a cruisy sort of story with a sudden, non-traditional wrap-up. Maybe as it's an anti-Hollywood story, it doesn't need a Hollywood sort of ending. In fact, readers are left to make up our own minds about many things. Josia is a strange character with a touch of the supernatural, just enough to intrigue us. I was more than half expecting him to be revealed as an angel, but others may decide he's just a lonely guy with a great talent, amazing intuition and the constitution of Superman.

It's a story that makes us question what it was all about. To the world, Fiona has squandered all the advantages she was born with, which many would kill for, to the point of actually misplacing her Oscar in her mess - the ultimate loser. Social media is quick to put her down whenever she has a brush with the paparazzi. But Fia might have latched onto something of far more value than all the baggage that goes with being a celebrity. And thanks to the care of other characters, she begins to learn to see herself as a treasure too, just like the sort of discarded and used items she's been collecting.

(I can imagine some ladies saying that anyone might recover with men like Josia and Jack in their lives. I tend to agree.)

It's the sort of thoughtful story whose appeal is in the quotations rather than the action. The characters are fresh and original enough to spout the sort of quotes worth recording. Fia herself has a perceptiveness coupled with a dry sense of humour. She finds herself wondering why someone doesn't write a self-help book about the three steps you need to take before you're ready to take any steps at all. "But so far I haven't found anything like it."

And Josia fascinates me with his aim to help unkempt, uncared for things look like how they were intended in the first place. "This place was made to be beautiful. It's pretty now, but just now how it was made to be."

Any novel which may help us question the value of what 'the world' tells us we should be pursuing is worth a read in my opinion.

Thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my review copy.

4 stars