Defection from Communist Czechoslovakia
by Peter Vodenka
It was an extremely intriguing book. A co-worker of my husband lent it to him. His co-worker knows the author as they are in the same line of work. Small world syndrome, I guess. This book told the story of a husband and wife who planned their defection from their communist country. They took with them their two small children, ages 2 and 4. Not only did it tell of their escape, but also of their start in America and their life prior to defection in Czechoslovakia. For anyone who has not lived in a communist country, it was eye opening. Made you very appreciative of living in America and all the freedoms we have.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Book # 11: Angry Conversations with God
by Susan E. Isaacs
My sister left this book for me to read as she has seen Susan Isaacs speak in person and really enjoyed hearing her talk. I, however, did not really get it. The book is set up in two ways: one part follows Susan through her spiritual journey detailing her actions and life, the other part takes place in therapy and is a dialogue between Susan and God, sometimes as the Father and sometimes as the Son. These conversation pieces I never truly felt I could relate to. There was a lot of sarcasm, blaming, and petty fights. I frankly found myself skimming them to get back to the meat of the story.
As for her life, I will say it was intriguing. She has certainly had her battles and hardships to face. However, once again there were a lot of times I felt that the problems could have been avoided with a little bit of thought and maturity. There was a lot of blaming God for not doing or giving what Susan wanted at the time. Which frankly, if your will doesn't match God's, you aren't going to get your every wish to come true. There was also an inordinate amount of time spent trying to read the "signs" around her even to the extent of trying to interpret her dreams. The end seemed to conclude correctly, but the journey there left me scratching my head, confused that it could take that long to get there. Maybe it is my background that makes it hard to relate to, or maybe things were exaggerated for the book. I admire Susan for sticking through everything and continuing to seek God, but overall, it is not really a book I would recommend.
My sister left this book for me to read as she has seen Susan Isaacs speak in person and really enjoyed hearing her talk. I, however, did not really get it. The book is set up in two ways: one part follows Susan through her spiritual journey detailing her actions and life, the other part takes place in therapy and is a dialogue between Susan and God, sometimes as the Father and sometimes as the Son. These conversation pieces I never truly felt I could relate to. There was a lot of sarcasm, blaming, and petty fights. I frankly found myself skimming them to get back to the meat of the story.
As for her life, I will say it was intriguing. She has certainly had her battles and hardships to face. However, once again there were a lot of times I felt that the problems could have been avoided with a little bit of thought and maturity. There was a lot of blaming God for not doing or giving what Susan wanted at the time. Which frankly, if your will doesn't match God's, you aren't going to get your every wish to come true. There was also an inordinate amount of time spent trying to read the "signs" around her even to the extent of trying to interpret her dreams. The end seemed to conclude correctly, but the journey there left me scratching my head, confused that it could take that long to get there. Maybe it is my background that makes it hard to relate to, or maybe things were exaggerated for the book. I admire Susan for sticking through everything and continuing to seek God, but overall, it is not really a book I would recommend.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Book # 10: Saint Innocent of Alaska
by Sarah Elizabeth Cowie
It was an easy read and included a simple and understandable description of Saint Innocent's life. It is designed more for teenagers, so it will definitely be one I will save to share with Madilyn later on. I could have used more descriptions and stories surrounding his life, but for the audience she intends it for, it was a good amount.
And seeing as I knew very little about his life, except that he was a missionary to Alaska, I learned a great deal. As always I am amazed at what one Saint can accomplish with the help of God.
It was an easy read and included a simple and understandable description of Saint Innocent's life. It is designed more for teenagers, so it will definitely be one I will save to share with Madilyn later on. I could have used more descriptions and stories surrounding his life, but for the audience she intends it for, it was a good amount.
And seeing as I knew very little about his life, except that he was a missionary to Alaska, I learned a great deal. As always I am amazed at what one Saint can accomplish with the help of God.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Book # 9: The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Being an English minor and loving to read (especially classics), this is one of those books I've been meaning to read, but never got to. Finally did. It was a slow start, as it is with Shakespeare, due to the language being more cryptic. But once I got through the first scene or two, I was hooked. This is one of his plays that I have never seen performed, and I would love to after having read it. Not his most complex play, especially plot wise, but it would be interesting to see how they presented it on stage. Maybe in a few years, when I'm not pregnant and running after little kids, I'll be able to get out of the house long enough to see it!
Being an English minor and loving to read (especially classics), this is one of those books I've been meaning to read, but never got to. Finally did. It was a slow start, as it is with Shakespeare, due to the language being more cryptic. But once I got through the first scene or two, I was hooked. This is one of his plays that I have never seen performed, and I would love to after having read it. Not his most complex play, especially plot wise, but it would be interesting to see how they presented it on stage. Maybe in a few years, when I'm not pregnant and running after little kids, I'll be able to get out of the house long enough to see it!
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Time Traveler's Wife--The Movie
I saw the movie, so I thought I'd let you know: THE BOOK IS WAY BETTER! As most books are. The movie skipped soo much, and while some of it I understand (such as Clare and Henry making love for the first time when she's 18 and he's 43), some of it was what gave the characters their depth. They especially cut out a lot of their meetings when Clare was a kid and teenager. This is what provided us with an understanding of why Clare loved him. We didn't get much of a reason for that from the movie. In a sense the movie threw things at you and expected you to buy into it, while the book actually gave you reasons for it. There was no courting in the movie--it went from meeting, to a few dates, to a proposal, to a wedding. We missed Clare falling in love with Henry, and Henry falling in love with Clare.
That being said--the ending of the movie was way better! (Spoiler alert) In the movie after Henry dies, when he time travels to spend time with his daughter he also gets opportunities to see Clare. Even better than that was the interaction between Alba and Clare after he vanished from the final meeting we see. They connected; they understood each other; the look between Alba and Clare showed us that it would be okay, Clare could and would function as a mother. The book never gave us this hope. All we saw was a shell of a person who was waiting for her final meeting with Henry (when she's 83) and who was kind of resentful that her daughter got to see him. Not a happy ending for Clare, Henry, or Alba.
That being said--the ending of the movie was way better! (Spoiler alert) In the movie after Henry dies, when he time travels to spend time with his daughter he also gets opportunities to see Clare. Even better than that was the interaction between Alba and Clare after he vanished from the final meeting we see. They connected; they understood each other; the look between Alba and Clare showed us that it would be okay, Clare could and would function as a mother. The book never gave us this hope. All we saw was a shell of a person who was waiting for her final meeting with Henry (when she's 83) and who was kind of resentful that her daughter got to see him. Not a happy ending for Clare, Henry, or Alba.
Book # 8: The Guinea Pig Diaries
by A.J. Jacobs
This is the third book by A.J. Jacobs that I've read, and it is my least favorite. I think the main reason is that this is a series of small experiments, while the others were longer and more involved. This book felt more disjointed, maybe even a little forced. That being said, there were a number of laugh-out-loud moments, especially in the final projects. A couple of his projects included: outsourcing his life to companies in India--both professional and personal, trying to practice radical honesty, and letting his wife be in charge of everything. Parts were intriguing, but it's not a book I would necessarily reccomend. Read his other two first at least.
This is the third book by A.J. Jacobs that I've read, and it is my least favorite. I think the main reason is that this is a series of small experiments, while the others were longer and more involved. This book felt more disjointed, maybe even a little forced. That being said, there were a number of laugh-out-loud moments, especially in the final projects. A couple of his projects included: outsourcing his life to companies in India--both professional and personal, trying to practice radical honesty, and letting his wife be in charge of everything. Parts were intriguing, but it's not a book I would necessarily reccomend. Read his other two first at least.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Book # 7: Stones into Schools
by Greg Mortenson
This is the second book about Greg's inspirational work of building schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The first, Three Cups of Tea, was lent to me by my sister and was an amazing story. This one is nothing less. It is well-written, intriguing, and meaningful. I highly recommend it as it gives a glimpse into the society of Afghanistan and Pakistan, while documenting the work that the Central Asia Institute (a group Greg set up) is doing. The tasks and undertakings that are overcome are unbelievable; and frankly, I can't even begin to do the book justice. So just go get a copy, make a cup of tea, and read it! You won't regret it.
This is the second book about Greg's inspirational work of building schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The first, Three Cups of Tea, was lent to me by my sister and was an amazing story. This one is nothing less. It is well-written, intriguing, and meaningful. I highly recommend it as it gives a glimpse into the society of Afghanistan and Pakistan, while documenting the work that the Central Asia Institute (a group Greg set up) is doing. The tasks and undertakings that are overcome are unbelievable; and frankly, I can't even begin to do the book justice. So just go get a copy, make a cup of tea, and read it! You won't regret it.
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