Behind the Beautiful Forevers.

My Dad gave me this book to read.  It was another truly story about a family living in a dump.  Another fascinating story, one that will make you cry.

Finding Hope

I heard Michael Wicox talk at Time our For Woman and really liked him.  This book was short and sweet.  Hope is really something that you have to have.  He explains why.

2 Kisses for Maddy

I found this book at a Book Fair and it looked like my type of book.  It was (besides the swearing).  I true story of a man who loses his wife after delivering a premature baby.  He talks about love and loss.  I cried.

The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

A friend recommended this book.  It is based off a truly story of a family living in a dump in Cambodia.  Life is simple for them.  You find recycling... you eat.  You find clothes... you wear them.  And then the main character learns to read.  And her life changes.  Loved this story.

A Daughter of Han

 My Mom recommended this book to me.  I love China, and she knew that.  It was a very interesting story, of life back in the 1800's.  Very sad events that happened in her life.  But it was also a slow book.  I would give it 3 stars.

Surviving Hitler by O. Hakan Palm

My mother reccomended this book to me.  She read the whole thing in a few days and couldn't put it down.  My husband and father then read it and so it came highly recommended.  This is the first WWII book that I have read from a Jewish solders point of view.  As well as a rich, privileged Jewish woman.  These two find eachother and find The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It's a love story and a very sad story. 

The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell

My mother gave me this book for Christmas and I had it sitting on my shelf for way too long.  My sister Josett called and told me that she finished it and LOVED the book.  And now I can say that I do too.  This is a book where you need to have a notebook next to you as you read.  I learned so much about the atonement of Jesus Christ. 
Things I learned;   We all need to forgive.  Not forgiving is a sin, since what we do to other we are in aspect doing to Christ.
We all need never judge.  They who judge are no better then the people they are judging.  For if we were perfect as Christ we would love everyone uncontrollably.
We need love our neighbors.  That is a commandment.  Doing nothing is NOT loving.   

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

This is our book club book for the month of January.  I will let you know what I thought

Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.

 

My mother recommended this book to me.  I had my husband read it first who said, "This was the best book he has read in a long time."

I was a slow read for me but I did enjoy it.  It was interesting reading a book about the Olympics right before WWII.  And it was amazing to read the true story about these boys and there fight for gold. 

A Train To Potevka by Mike Ramsdell

This book was going to be our book club book for January, but there were not enough copies, so I just read it on my own.  At first I was skeptical since it's about an American Spy, but I ended up loving the story line and couldn't put it down. 
This young spy is stuck in Russia after WWII.  HIs mission has been terminated and he is therefore trying to escape the city.  One things goes wrong after another and he finds himself in some very troubling situations.  It reminded me a lot of a James Bond book, only this one is true.    

Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren

I never meant to read this book.  I reserved it thinking it was a completely different book that my mother recommended.  But it was a short read and was a Honor Book so I thought I would give it a try. 
And it was well worth it.  It's a true story of a rich,12 year old, Polish boy who fights all odds and survives the consecrations camps.  He lied about his age and gained entrance into the camps, and then meets a friend who teaches him how to survive.  This is a very heart warming story that will make you cry.

Endenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

My mother recommended this book to me.  My father gave it to her as a gift for Christmas last year.  I'm really not a fan of Romantic Novels, but I thought I would give it a try.  It is the story of twins sisters living in the early 1900's who go to live in a mansion in Endenbrooke.  These twins are completely different.  While there, one twins tries to fall in love and the other lets love find her.  I loved how proper and romantic these relationships were.  I found myself smiling ear to ear when the man "touched" her arm. It was a nice break from living in the 20th century. 

The Gateway we Call Death by Russell M. Nelson

I picked up this book because I love Russell M. Nelson and because he is a heart surgeon who I believe knows a lot about death.   He recalls a lot of personal stories about meeting people who have passed through the veil and come back.  That was so very interesting to me.  In the end I realized that this life is short and we need to do our best. 

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

This was the first book club book I read here in Clarkston.  I am always a little nervous to read novels and youth novels combined.  If I didn't like running so much I probably wouldn't have liked this story at all.  But I did, and really only because I could relate.  Jessica was an active lady on the high school track team, who lost her leg and had a prostatic. The book is a journey through her recovery and her attitude about living.  What I realize mostly is I love to run.  I sometimes take it for granted.  I love the feeling running gives me.  And that is what Jessica loved too.

The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstin

I started reading this book a year ago and just restarted it when it was recommended again.   Well, I am glad I read it through.  It is the true story of Harry who lived through the after math of WW11 as a Jew.  He lived on a street that was half Jew half Christen.   And it was very interesting to see how these 2 religions treated each other.  I really enjoyed this book.  Expressly from a child's point of view.

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

Very Funny!!! Leif and I read this book together.  We laughed a lot and talked about our kids a lot.  So Jim is a truly funny comedian who lives in New York City with 5 kids.  This whole book is just about that... raising 5 kids in NYC.  I really do appreciate Jim's humor and really enjoyed this book.

The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton M. Christensen

There isn't much to say about this book.... it was an inspiration to be a better member of the Church.  It helped me realize that you don't have to change your lifestyle.. you just talk about the church.  It's easy right?  Well.. this book should be read by every member.

Wonder by R.J Palacio

I rented this book because my new book club read it last year.  I normally don't like reading youth books, but this one really impacted me.  It was written from the point of view from a number of people who all befriended Jonny.  Jonny was a child born with a face deformity.  His disability created lots of trials in his life.  But I found it most interesting to see how others reacted to him.  In the end he does make a difference and changes his image about himself.  A very compelling book .

Before the Dawn by Dean Hughes

My dad let me borrow this novel and said I would really like it.  It was about a R.S president in the 1930's who didn't have faith in herself and didn't think the Lord really was calling her to be President.  But to accepted the calling and her life changed.  She saw the woman in the ward different and realized that her problems were miner to others. 
This was an inspiriting book about trials, faith and how to not judge.  I really did enjoy it.

So Much of Life Ahead

I FINALLY finished the series "hearts of the children".  I had started this way back before Eli was born.  Even though I read this series slow... I loved them.  It was nice to see each character grow up.  And that's all I have to say.  

The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright

 A friend of mine gave me this book to read.  She is from Australia, isn't a reader, but loved this book.  So I gave it a try.  It is a bout this man who loses his wife and unborn child in a car crash.  To help with his depression and loss, he goes daily to the crosses on the side of the road.  And that is where he meets "The cross gardener". 
The relationship between these 2 men is unique.  They both teach each other and help with reality.  I cried at the end when the true identity of the cross gardener is identified. 

When Thou Art Converted by M. Russell Ballard

Loved this book. Brother Ballard talked about our life being a boat and the anchor holds us stable.  Well you have to have a good chain in order to stay grounded.  So he goes on and talks about those chains.  The chains are the everyday things, read your scriptures, go to church, say your prayers, BUT he goes into detail about them.  And since he is an disciple, he has great stories and details about each chain.  I really truly enjoyed this book.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I like Sue Kidd so thought I would give this book a try.   And I am glad I did.   The story started out with a 11 year old girl (Sarah) and for her birthday she gets a slave (Hetty).  The book is about their relationship.  They grow up together yet so far apart due to living in the South and in a slave state.  I couldn't believe how horrible slaves were treated.  I couldn't believe how cruel slave owners were.  Even though the book was fiction, it opened my eyes to the relativity of slavery. the end was great so I do recommend it to anyone.  

The Story of My Life by Hellon Keller

I am in wow of this woman.  She accomplished much and at such a young age.  I used to think of Helen Keller as a spoiled-rich-girl who had to be tamed by Anne.  Now I realize that she was a determined-bright-spiritual-spirited young woman who loved the life she was given.  
Helen taught herself to talk, read braille, speak German and Latin, appreciate art, and love books.  She reminded me that I have 5 senses.  She used only 3, and learned to love life.  We all take our eyes and ears for grated.  I have a new respect for anyone who is blind or deaf.

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Very interesting book.  I read it because it was a New York best seller and I thought it was going to be about David & Goliath.  It kind of was, because it talked about how "big" isn't always better.  How disabilities aren't always weaknesses.  And how more isn't always the best. 
There was examples and stories or how these  principles are true.  I enjoyed it, but did skim through some parts.  In the end I was happy with where I am in life.  I have little and that's ok.