Book Review: Dear America, My Secret War

I found this book for 25 cents while out thrifting with Michelle. I read many of the Dear America series when I was younger and had forgotten about them until stumbling across this. 

I read it this past weekend on the ride to Texas. It only took me a couple of hours because it is written for beginning chapter readers. 

Each book in the series is set up like a diary from a girl during different time periods. The people are fictional, but the events, like WWII here, are not. 

I recommend these to anyone with young girls because they contain strong young female characters who seek to make a positive difference in their community. I think each book could be used to open the doors for deep discussions with children. In this example alone one could broach the topics of: 

• War
• How war affects families and children
• Romantic relationships between boys and girls (Madeline is more focused on helping the war effort than Johnny, although they do hold hands and kiss once or twice)
• Being a leader at school (Madeline reports on the war to her classmates and eventually starts a club to help the war effort
• Being different (Madeline is the only student with a dad in the military)
• The challenges of making new friends (Madeline is new at school)
• Bullying (Some of the girls at school are mean to Madeline, but she eventually befriends them)
• Trauma (Madeline becomes friends with a Jewish girl from Germany and Madeline later faces her own trauma when her dad is injured in the war)
• Coping skills (Madeline withdraws from friends during her traumatic experience)
• Standing up to friends (Johnny calls out Madeline when she stops being a leader)
• And many more. 

It was fun to read something from a series I loved as a child. I'm so glad my parents encouraged and fueled my love for reading when I was younger. I think it has made all the difference. 

Book 13 of 50: Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard

Here's the description (because it's just too complicated for me to describe):

Recently widowed mother of two, Sylvie Bates-McAllister finds her life upended by a late-night phone call from the headmaster of the prestigious private school founded by her grandfather where her adopted son, Scott, teaches. Allegations of Scott’s involvement in a hazing scandal cause a ripple effect, throwing the entire family into chaos and exposing a tangled web of secrets that ties the family together. The quest to unravel the truth takes the family on individual journeys across state lines, into hospitals, through the Pennsylvania woods, and face-to-face with the long-dormant question: What if the life you always planned for and dreamed of isn’t what you want after all?


Sounds exciting doesn't it? Here are my thoughts:

The characters were well developed, although there were many and sometimes I got them confused. All of the characters had the same flaws: dependence on others, skewed perception of reality and self, selfishness. They often became annoying because they were such juvenile people making such immature decisions. It's obvious to the reader that the characters don't want the life they're leading. It became such a bore to trudge through page after page of such sadness. 

I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't recommend you read it either. 

Book 12 of 50: Amish Grace

The original twelfth book was Truman's War, but I just couldn't stick with it. It was very interesting and I learned a lot, but I can't even tell you where it is now. 

I didn't pick up anything to read for a long time. Well, I picked them up but put them right back down. Once I started reading something, but it became too predictable so I just read the last few pages and didn't feel the need to read the middle parts, so that doesn't really count. 

Then I found Amish Grace lying on a table at work. Apparently someone had left it there weeks before so I was given the green light to take it if I wanted it, so I did. And I'm glad I did.

Not only did I learn so much more about the Amish culture, I was truly challenged on my views of forgiveness, pardon, reconciliation, revenge, submission, and self-denial. I was challenged to question what the Bible says, what Jesus says, about forgiveness. 

Does forgiveness have a limit? Is there something that we're allowed NOT to forgive? What about the murder of a child? Because that's the basis of this book, a true story that occurred where a man murdered 5 children, then himself. Within hours, the families of those whose children were murdered, were visiting the family of the murderer and offering forgiveness.

This raises many questions. How soon is too soon to forgive? How can one forgive someone who is dead? What does my forgiveness of another person have to do with how God forgives me? What about shunning; why can't the Amish forgive their own people?

All of these questions and more are answered in this book. I highly suggest you read it and find your own answers. I did. 

Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget; it doesn't mean the consequences disappear. Forgiveness is simply not holding a grudge any longer; letting go and moving on with life. Forgiveness is hard to live out, but it must be done. Especially if one claims to believe the words of Christ. To be forgiven, we must forgive. 

Those are just a few tidbits I am still chewing on. I don't think I'll ever have all the answers, and I'm darn sure having the answers wouldn't make the act any easier, but I feel that I have a clearer understanding of the concept of forgiveness and the importance it should have in my life. 

Book 11 of 50: Picture Perfect by Jodi Piccoult

Ok, so I finished the book a way long time ago and just never wrote the blog. But I do oh-so-love having these posts to go back to and help me remember what I've read so far this year. So I'm going to write this one any way. It will be short, I promise. 

SPOILER ALERT: I am about to spoil some stuff, so if you ever plan on reading this and you want to figure it out as the author intended, stop reading, NOW.

Ok, so this book, like all Picoult books, addresses a serious and touchy issue: domestic violence. The main character is a woman who falls in love with a famous actor and they have a seemingly picture perfect relationship. In reality, he has untreated psychological issues from his father and the only coping mechanism he knows how to use when he is triggered is to beat up his wife. He fears becoming a father himself which is borne from a desire to stop the violence and abuse from continuing for another generation. 

She becomes pregnant and when she tells him, he beats her to the point that she blacks out, after walking to the middle of a cemetery. She wakes up not knowing who she is. She meets a man with his own issues, but who agrees to take her in until they can find someone who knows her. 

Eventually her husband finds her and acts like an angel. She can't remember the abuse, at first. Her memories slowly return and she leaves him to have her child in a safe and peaceful environment. She wrestles with what to do with her husband: stay and try to work it out while putting her child and herself in very real and serious danger OR publicly humiliate the man she truly loves and possibly ruin his entire career and most definitely end any possibility of a future reconcilation. 

Which would you choose? 

What I found most intriguing, and what pulls me back repeatedly to this author, is how I begin considering options I have never thought as even remotely logical before. She didn't just write a story about hating on men who physically abuse their significant others, but addressed the possible sources of that abuse. She never excused what he did as appropriate, healthy, or acceptable, because it isn't. Abuse isn't okay, but she did tell the story from both sides, how neither wanted to leave the other, but both realize they can't live like this any more, but it seems impossible to change. It just really wrenches your heart, and doesn't end happily ever after either way. Especially with a child involved. 

Disclaimer: I've never been in a physically abusive relationship, and I don't dare step into that realm and claim to know what is best. I'm just trying to share my simple understanding of this particular book and the specific, fictional characters it holds.

If you or someone you know is in a physically abusive relationship, please get help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

Book 10 of 50: He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado

Book description:

"The wood. The thorns. The nails. Christ's sacrifice has defined the very essence of mankind's faith for the past 2000 years. And now, Max Lucado invites you to examine the cross, contemplate its purpose, and celebrate its significance with He Chose the Nails. With his warm, caring style, Max examines the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion, revealing the claims of the cross and asserting that if they are true, then Christianity itself is true. The supporting evidence either makes the cross the single biggest hoax of all time, or the hope of all humanity."

My description:
Ok, so the first Max Lucado book I read, When God Whispers Your Name, didn't quite live up the Max Lucado reputation.  I mean, it was about Jesus, and it was inspirational, but ... it just wasn't what I thought it would be.

So I thought I would give him another chance.

I really liked how this book took a deeper look at the various parts of the crucifixion.  There's a lot that can be missed when the small details are ignored.

But... I don't really know where he got these things.  He writes very eloquently and smoothly and uses Bible verses throughout, but I still felt that I was reading his interpretation of it all.  And what else is a book, even one about the Bible, except the author's interpretation?  So maybe it doesn't mean anything. I was just very skeptical and hesitant to accept it all as God's truth.  Someone else could look at these details and see some other symbolism.

It just wasn't my kind of book.

I didn't feel challenged.

And nothing really stood out to me.  Nothing stuck with me.  As I write this I barely remember the book.

So there ya go.

If you have a different opinion of this book, please let me know.  Maybe I need to give it a second look...

Book 9 of 50: When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado

Time for another book review.  Still trying to catch up :)

Available for Purchase Here

I was given this book, along with many others, by a friend.  I had just recently finished the Inkheart series on my Kindle and was looking for something to read on paper.  I have never read a Max Lucado book but I know he is famous for his Christian writing and is possibly the most famous inspirational author in America.  So I thought I would give it a try. 

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Here's the book description: "Do you find it hard to believe that the One who made everything keeps your name on His heart and on His lips? Did you realize that your name is written on the hand of God (Is. 49:16)? Perhaps you've never seen your name honored. And you can't remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. In this book, Lucado offers the inspiration to believe that God has already bought the ticket-with your name on it."

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Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"We treat others as we perceive God is treating us."

"Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and he will do what is right."

And a very long quote that is totally worth reading!

I choose love...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.  I choose love.  Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.  I will refuse the temptation to be cynical - the tool of the lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.  I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace...I will live forgiven.  I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.  Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so.  Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.  Instead of clinching by fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.  Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.  And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.  I will be overlooked before I will boast.  I will confess before I will accuse.  I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness...Today I will keep my promises.  My debtors will not regret their trust.  My associates will not question my word.  My wife will not question my love.  And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness...Nothing is won by force.  I choose to be gentle.  If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.  If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.  If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control...I am a spiritual being.  After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.  I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal.  I choose self-control.  I will be drunk only by joy.  I will be impassioned only by my faith.  I will be influenced only by God.  I will be taught only by Christ.  I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  To these I commit my day.  If I succeed, I will give thanks.  If I fail, I will seek his grace.  And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest. 

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Ultimately, I did like the book, but it didn't really live up the Max Lucado hype.  Also, it wasn't a novel.  Each chapter was a short look at life and God.  I was expecting a story with characters and plot, so it was difficult to adjust.  It would make a great bathroom book...ya know, something to read while you're "dropping the kiddies off at the pool" (My college roommate said that once and I love it sooo much! LOL) because each section is meant to be read quickly. 

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K, thanks, bye. 

Books 6, 7, and 8 of 50: The Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke

Next, I was ready for another series.  If you can't tell yet, I love fantasy series.

I had heard about this a while ago when I watched the movie with some friends.  The movie came out in 2008.  I have no idea when we watched it.  Oh, and only the first book made it to film.  I guess it didn't do well at the box office or maybe fans shut it down, but I liked it enough to want to read the books.

Well, I'm glad that I've read them and now I know that they aren't really worth it.  There, I said it.

Ok, before I go telling you what I think of them, I might as well tell you what they're about.

Everyone once in a while a person is born in our world with a special ability to read things to life. Something in their voice draws people out of their home story and into ours.  But something from our world must go to their story in exchange, and the reader doesn't have a choice of what is taken.

The first of the three, Inkheart, follows a dad who has lost his wife in exchange for a fire-breathing man and two villains who came out of the book called Inkheart.  I know, that confusing.  He has since refused to read anything aloud to his daughter who has grown up thinking that her mother died.  But their world is changed when the villains kidnap dad and daughter because they want something specific read into this world, something bad.  SPOILER: In the end, good wins.  The evil people get sent back to their original story. But not all of them.

The second of the three, Inkspell, chronicles more of the Inkheart world and less of ours.  Why? Because the villains who are left make everyone go into the other world.   A bunch of not really interesting stuff happens and its dragged out over about 600 pages. There's a bad guy and a good guy and they fight.

The third of the three, Inkdeath, was my favorite.  This is where the characters must choose a world to live in because they can't go back and forth.  I guess this may have been my favorite because it was ending.  There was a giant and a love story which makes everything better.

I would not recommend this series to anyone.  Unless they want to be bored.  It just doesn't compare to others out there.  Now, I do want to give a disclaimer: this book was translated to English from German, so maybe something got lost in translation.  If you read them, please let me know what you think. :)

I would also like to point out that this blog confirms that I'm not just going to tell my readers that I like everything.  I'll tell you the truth. :)

Book 5 of 50: Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

After finally finishing the LOTR Trilogy I wanted to read a single book, not a series.  I had found this novel at a local thrift store and bought it solely because of the author.  Not sure I even read the book description.  For those of you who don't know, Jodi Picoult is also the author of My Sister's Keeper, which was turned into a movie in 2009.  As usual, the book is better, but the movie is still worth seeing.

Anyway, back to this book.  Jodi Picoult has definitely found her nitch in the book-writing world -- moral dilemma.  The moral dilemma of Handle with Care is this: a girl is born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease in which her bones break more easily.  The family is stressed in every way possible: financial, emotional, marital, etc. Then, the mother is told that it all could have been prevented.  There was a moment in an early ultrasound that her daughter could have been diagnosed and the mother could have chosen to abort.

DUN DUN DUNNNN!

The mother chooses to sue her OB/GYN (who happens to be her best friend) for wrongful birth, which basically means that if she had known, she would have aborted the child, Willow.  If she wins, she could get enough money to provide for Willow throughout her life - medical bills, casts, wheel chairs, treatments. If she loses, she risks losing everything: her best friend, her marriage, her older daughter who gets forgotten in the process, and Willow's faith that her mother loves her no matter what.

Willow is very intelligent and knows what is going on.  She hears the discussions on TV and at school. She is a child trying to reconcile her body that keeps breaking with the pain she's causing her family.

Each chapter is from the voice of a different person in the story: mom, dad, sister, lawyer, doctor, and the final chapter is from Willow.

And true to Picoult's legacy, someone dies.

This book was almost impossible to put down.  I felt every emotion for every character: happiness, confusion, joy, frustration, anger, hatred, self-pity, selflessness, exhaustion, hopeful, and loving.  I definitely recommend that you read it. It's not a skinny book, so don't give up just because you started hating someone.  They're all redeemed in the end.

If you don't trust me, here is a video of Jodi Picoult herself telling you all about it.

Book 3 of 50: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

So, I was struggling through Book 2 of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I needed a break.  I went to our local Barnes and Noble and started roaming through the children's section.  This is my favorite section of any book store.  Not because I'm a creeper, but because they are easily the most entertaining, the most imaginative, the most memorable books you will ever read.

Lo and behold, I found a Harry Potter related book I haven't read before.  The Tales of Beedle the Bard plays a pivotal role in the finally HP book, HP and the Deathly Hallows.  It is a collection of 5 children's stories for young witches and wizards: "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot;" The Fountain of Fair Fortune;" The Warlock's Hairy Heart;" "Babbity Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump;" and "The Tale of the  Three Brothers."  As much as I would love to tell you about each story, for the sake of blog-brevity, I won't.  You're welcome. :)

I read this from cover to cover in about 20 minutes.  I was smiling and giggling the whole time.  Not necessarily because the stories were giggly, but because I just so enjoyed being in the world again.  I'm just amazed at how J.K. Rowling really did create another world of information, people, culture, and ideas.  And the icing on the cake is the commentary by Dumbledore.  That's right, Dumbledore comes back to life in this short collection of stories to teach us again! :)

It was the perfect small break I needed.  I could easily see myself reading this book to my nephews and niece in the future.  Who am I kidding? I would read it to me over and over again! :)  I definitely recommend it to HP fans and to anyone who loves children's literature.

Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Ok, so I promised this a long, long time ago.  But here is my review of the Hunger Games trilogy.  And yes, I realize that everyone who wants to read it probably already has and those who don't want to read it won't have to after all the movies are out.  But even still, its good for writing practice and getting in the habit of blogging when things are slow. 

I appreciated that it was a complete story.  At the end of the third book, it felt like an actual ending, not a cliff-hanger that would never be answered.  Each of the main characters' stories was finished.  And I liked that.

Each novel was very well-written, in my opinion.  The main character was new to me. Katniss Everdeen was not like any other girl I had encountered or loved to read before.  Definitely not a Bella, nor Hermione.  Maybe the closest was Jane Eyre. A girl forced to become an adult earlier than desired.  

Although her circumstances are certainly unique.  I enjoy dystopian literature, and I have never read something quite like this.  Of course it had the common features of a dystopia: controlling government, a strong connection to the rebel, lovable characters who must die in the end, and a selfless internal driving force. 

From the first chapter, I couldn't put it down.  I was amazed at how quickly I became attached to Katniss and Primrose.  The development of The Hunger Games kept me guessing.  I knew that she had to survive for their to be a second and third book, but I could never guess how.  It inspired questions in me that I wasn't necessarily prepared to answer:

Did I want her to kill others in order to save herself?

Could I really blame the other tributes for trying to kill her in order to survive?

Would I kill others in order to gain a better future for myself and my family, my entire town?

I did not enjoy the second book, Catching Fire, nearly as much as the first.  I began reading it with the persistent question of How can this continue on?  I didn't want to just read two books of her on-again/off-again love/hate relationship with Peeta.  That wasn't what drew me in in the first place. This was probably my least favorite of the trilogy.  

So that's that.

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And then there was Mockingjay.  I know a lot of people didn't like this one, but I wholeheartedly disagree.  I loved this one for the even more intense setting and the way each character was forced to progress even more in their development.  This was when I really began to respect Peeta as a possible partner for Katniss.  It seems that each of the main characters: Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Finnick, Johanna, and Haymitch, all hit rock bottom here.  It is definitely the least happy of the three.  Maybe because I'm not always such a happy, optimistic person, I loved this. 

The ending wasn't necessarily a Happily Ever After conclusion, but it did seem the most realistic for this set of fictional characters.  

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All in all, it was a very enjoyable and satisfying read from beginning to end.  I would definitely read it again (I already have once) and recommend it to others.