Category: Reading List

Books Glorious Books

I need another bookcase. The four I own are overflowing. Books also fill the corner shelves made for knick-knacks and cover the end tables. More volumes line the stairs.

Please don’t suggest I ‘get rid’ (cruel expression) of some of these books unless you yourself are willing to give one a good home. Then I’ll decide if it’s something I can part with.

Okay. I know it would help if I would stop buying used books. But I have a good reason for each one I buy: I haven’t read this book and I like the author’s work; this book is a classic and/or old; I read this book before and liked it but I don’t think I own it. As you can see, these are all valid excuses for adding to my collection.

Recently I went Goodwill shopping with my BFF, Pat. (Cabot, AR has the best Goodwill store ever!) As we entered, I said to Pat, “Don’t let me buy any books.”

Well, not only did she not prevent me from buying, she was an enabler! “Look, this is by Lynne Truss who wrote Eats Shoots and Leaves. You’ll want this.” Of course I did. That was in the I-like-the-author’s-work category so I bought Talk to the Hand. And before I left the store I chose three more.

I found Mister God This is Anna by Fynn. In 1974 this was the Christian book to read, but I never did. It is a small paper back, rather yellow and brittle and I fully intend to read it one day.

I also bought a 1924 edition of The Methodist Hymnal with shaped notes. The topical index in the back is in 3 point type. (I have 1939 and 1966 editions of TMH, plus newer copies of the The United Methodist Hymnal.)

The last book I purchased that day is a 1954 Summer Edition of Readers Digest Condensed Books. I subscribed to this series when I was a young stay-at-home mom without much time to read. I particularly remember this one that contains The Desperate Hours by Joseph Hayes (later to be made into a movie with Humphrey Bogart) and Tomorrow by Philip Wylie, a tale of what could happen if the Russians launched an atomic attack on the United States. (This was 1954, remember.)  I enjoyed these stories the first time around and plan to read them again.

Someday.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird

Last night I watched the American Film Institute’s 50th Anniversary presentation of To Kill a Mockingbird. This was shown on the USA Network with only four well-place commercial breaks.

This is my favorite movie, and possibly the best movie ever made.  An AFI survey a few years ago listed Citizen Kane as the number one film of all time, but I can’t stand Citizen Kane, so I just might be biased.

Earlier last week I also watched (on Netflix) the documentary, Hey Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird, made in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of the novel.

The book and the movie can almost be reviewed as one, they are that close in plot and dialogue. Harper Lee was a consultant on the movie and much of the original writing from the novel made it into the screenplay.  This happens so seldom it is worth mentioning.

I fell in love with the book 52 years ago when I bought it from the Book of the Month club. Not only did I love the book, everyone did. It later won a Pulitzer Prize.

Today, watching the movie, most agree that no one but Gregory Peck could have played Atticus Finch.  That’s certainly my point of view. However, in casting the part both Spencer Tracy (well maybe) and Rock Hudson (shudder) were considered.  The casting director combed the South for the perfect Scout and Jem, locating newcomers Mary Badham and Philip Alford.

Mary Badham received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Scout (She lost to Patty Duke in The Miracle Worker). She never appeared in another major film production, though she has made a decent living with television work. Philip Alford later won a role as one of James Stewart’s sons in Shenandoah, but since then has had small roles in big movies or vice versa.

Some said To Kill a Mockingbird, both book and movie, rode the wave of the Civil Rights movement to achieve the success it did. Actually, the book seems not so much about race relations as it is about human kindness and respect for others. Atticus gathers Scout in his arms and talks to her about ‘climbing into the other person’s skin and walking around.’ Thus to find understanding and empathy for the new trying-too-hard teacher, the poor kid in class with no lunch money, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.

The book is now required reading in most junior high and high schools, often initiating discussions about the characters and their motivations.

For whatever reason, Harper Lee never published another novel. I’m sure she was encouraged (hounded?) to write a sequel. That’s a compliment; it means your characters are strong and likable. But how could she craft a story that compared in any way to the one she had already told?

She reportedly started another novel and got bogged down in the research. She told a close friend she had ‘nowhere to go but down.’   She tired of the limelight and declined to give any more interviews.  Even Oprah could not lure Nelle Harper Lee to sit on the couch with her.

To Kill a Mockingbird. Read it or watch it. With my recommendation.

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Books I Read in 2011

Since I’ve had this blog, each January I have listed the books I read the previous year.   Here are 2011’s books with one-sentence synopses.

1. Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury – Christian Fiction. A teenage girl, sensitive to the needs of an autistic classmate, takes a stand against her popular friends to look for a miracle.

2. Witness by Karen Hesse – Young Adult Fiction. Written in blank verse, this is the story of the Ku Klux Klan’s attempt to move into a small town in Vermont. I reviewed this book in January.

3. Blue Like Jazz –  Christian Non-Fiction.  Donald Miller tells of his faith walk and the people he meets along the way.

4. Critic’s Choice by Ira Levin – Play.  The wife of a literary critic for a large New York City newspaper write a mediocre play and manages to get it produced.

5. The Outlander by Gil Adamson – Fiction. A woman running from an abusive husband finds help, comfort and love with a reclusive mountain man in the far reaches of Canada.

6. Wedding Belles by Alan Bailey – Play. Delightful tale about three spinsters who volunteer to provide a wedding for a young girl with no family.

7. True Grit by Charles Portis – Fiction. The classic story of Mattie Ross’ pursuit of her father’s killer.

8. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller – Christian Non-Fiction. Story of the making of Donald Miller’s book Blue Like Jazz into a movie.

9. Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury – Christian Fiction. A couple learn that their five-year-old son’s birth parents plan to sue for custody.

10. The Captain’s Dog by Roland Smith – YA Creative Non-Fiction.  Adventures on the Lewis and Clark Expedition from the point of view of Captain Lewis’ dog.

11. A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen – Christian Essay. Perspectives on how to lead a life of contentment.

12. The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve – Fiction. When her husband is killed in a plane crash, a widow finds about his secret life, including another family in Europe.

13. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult – Fiction. A prominent prosecuting attorney kills the priest accused of abusing her child. This book was reviewed here in May.

14. The Trial by Robert Whitlow – Christian Fiction. An attorney with a lot of baggage of his own, takes the case of a young man accused of murdering a young girl. The Trial was reviewed in June.

15. God Came Near by Max Lucado – Christian Motivation. Scripture-based readings about God coming to earth as Jesus.

16. Hotel by Arthur Hailey – Fiction. Plush hotel in New Orleans faces bankruptcy while several sub-plots are taking place.

17. Mosaic by Verna Lee Hinegardner – Poetry. Chapbook by the former Arkansas Poet Laureate.

18. The Helper by Catherine Marshall – Christian Essays. The author shares stories of encounters with the Holy Spirit.

19. Same Kind of Different Than Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore – Christian Non-Fiction. Story of the unexpected friendship between a homeless man and a wealthy art dealer. This Book was reviewed in August.

20. The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt – YA Fiction. Life along the Northwest Passage is hard and sometimes tragic for a young boy and his family.

21. Just Like Jesus – Christian Motivation.  Max Lucado writes about Jesus’ attributes and how we can immulate them in our lives.

22. An Uncommon Crusade by Caron Guillo – Christian Fiction. Story of three youth involved in the Children’s Crusade during the 12th Century. This book was reviewed in October.

23. Like a Rock by Steve May – Christian Motivation. Studies on character building from 1 Thessalonians.

24. The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo – Biography. Minister’s family is persecuted and beset by problems created by an angry church member.

25. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck – YA Fiction.  Two pre-teens travel from Chicago to visit their grandmother in rural Illinois with resulting culture shock.

26. House Rules by Jodi Picoult – Fiction. Teen age boy with Asberger’s Syndrome is accused of murdering his social skills mentor.

27. Near to the Heart of God by Robert J. Morgan – Christian Devotional. Daily readings based on a connection with favorite Christian hymns.

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An Uncommon Crusade by Caron Guillo

Author Caron Guillo says An Uncommon Crusade is a work of fiction based on a mix of fact and legend.

The setting for this story is the Children’s Crusade of 1212, when thousands of children were released by their parents to follow 12-year-old Nicholas of Cologne on a crusade to Jerusalem. The group is largely dependent on the generosity of the townspeople as they travel through small hamlets and larger cities preparing to cross the Alps.

Illness, accidents and other misfortunes plague the group as it makes its arduous trek through the mountains. When they reach Genoa, the crusade fails and the story continues  to follow the three main characters.  Hugo, Simon and Elizabeth, teens who each have their own reasons for following Nicholas: searching for faith, forgiveness, or adventure.

As with most quests, there is much heartache along the way as the friends are separated by death, slavery and tragic circumstances. Though this is not marketed as a historical novel (the genre is Christian fiction) the extensive research that went into the writing of this novel makes it ring true to this particular period of history.

Caron Guillo is a former world history teacher from Texas, who became interested in the Children’s Crusades and chose this setting for her book.  She has crafted a story that is gripping and emotional.

I met Caron at an event introducing this book, so I have one of the early editions. Since that day, An Uncommon Crusade has won the 2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Religious Fiction and received a new cover design. This novel is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.  Read more about Caron Guillo at her website www.caronguillo.com

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Same kind of different as me

This book is by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, published by Thomas Nelson.  This is the true story of the unlikely friendship between a homeless black man and a wealthy art dealer from Fort Worth. It’s also the story of Deborah Hall, Ron’s wife, a Christian who was called — driven — to minister to homeless persons in the poorest section of the city. One day while volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission, Debbie nudged Ron to reach out to Denver, who had wandered in for a free meal.

Leading up to this moment, Denver tells us how he came to be homeless on the streets of Fort Worth and Ron relates his journey to become one of the richest men in Texas.

Though the friendship begins at Debbie’s urging, it develops into a deep and supportive relationship.  Then, Deborah is diagnosed with cancer and dies after a short battle with the disease. We all are left to wonder why this happens when someone is doing so much good in the world and living a life devoted to Christ. Denver, though crushed himself, is able to offer comfort, spiritual wisdom and insight to Ron during this time.  Together they vow that the work Deborah started will continue.

Same Kind of Different as Me was on the New York Times Bestseller List in 2008 and has since been added to many high school reading lists, a fact I find surprising for a story about the Christian faith.

Denver and Ron are sill friends and continue to minister to people who need to experience God’s love. Denver says at the end of the book, “So, in a way, we is all homeless — just workin our way toward home.”

For more information about the book and authors visit samekindofdifferentasme.com

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