An Unexpected Tale About Good and Evil

Bohemian Gospel by Dana Chamblee Carpenter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you're looking for a book to take you away, this fit the bill for me. It's fantasy, and somewhat dark, but full of adventure and mystery.

Mouse is abandoned as a child, with no knowledge of her mother or father. She is loved and educated in an Abbey by one of the monks, Father Lucas. She is trained to be a healer by a Nun, Mother Kazi. Although Father Lucas and Mother Kazi love her, they are a little afraid of her, and she senses that from them. Mouse has mysterious gifts, like hearing things long before anyone else hears them, and her body heals itself very quickly. Mouse doesn't know if these are good or evil things.

One day, a young king is injured and Mouse is instrumental in his healing. From that day forward, their lives are intertwined. Their journey leads to love, sadness and sacrifice. There are adventures, and there are questions. When Mouse learns the answers, will she be happy?

The ending was a little flat for me, but I would still highly recommend this read.


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The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewers were really varied on this book, from 1 star hated it to 5 stars. Most all like the first part of the book, but then were disappointed with the character development choices at the end. For me, I was interested all the way through. I didn't want to give this 3 stars, I thought that was too low, but a 4 seems a little high. So know that this book fell between those choices for me.

Carrie's boyfriend, Mike, dives off Clausen's Pier and becomes paralyzed. Carrie was conflicted about their relationship before the dive,and now she is placed in the unenviable position of being a "lifeline" for Mike. The choices she now makes will affect Mike, Mike's family, herself, the friends that she and Mike hung out--that's a lot of pressure for a 23 year old. We follow Carrie's journey as she tries to figure out who she is, and what role she will play in Mike's life.

Do I agree with the folks who were disappointed in what they perceived as shallowness in the character development as the book moved forward? Well, yes, in some ways--but then again, the 23 year olds of today are not exactly mature. They do make debatable choices, and some of the choices they make are based on how they think other's will make judgments about them. And some of their choices are selfish. I think so many young people are so confused about life, themselves, and how they work together.

One of the things I liked about this book, is how Carrie used sewing as an escape. I love to sew, so her descriptions of fabric, and fashion, and how she used those as an escape were interesting to me.

In the end, Carrie makes a sort of peace with her life and choices. I'm not sure it would have been quite that neat in real life, but it fit Carrie's life, and so it was a just right ending.


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What Story is Your Life Telling?

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Donald Miller's writing, and I like this book even better than Blue Like Jazz.

Basically this book encourages us to think of our lives as story. Don't like the story you're in? Then why don't you look at changing it into a better story? That's what Don did, and along the way he made new friends, went on some adventures, and made a difference in the lives of boys that don't have fathers through a mentoring program. There were portions of the book where I was just chuckling out loud, particularly the chapter featuring snow and kayaks. Don't think the book is all humor though, he also covers hard subjects like losing people you love to cancer.

There are so many great things to quote from this book, but I'll have to restrain myself. Here's a few of my favorites:

"I wonder if that's what we'll do with God when we are through with all this, if he'll show us around heaven, all the light coming in through the windows a thousand miles away, all the fields sweeping down to a couple of chairs under a tree, in a field outside the city. And we'll sit and tell him our stories, and he'll smile and tell us what they mean."

When Miller tries to comfort his cousin about the loss of her father, his Uncle Art, who was like a father to him. He can't find the words, but:

"later that night I pictured Uncle Art, and I could see him in heaven, and he was sitting at a table and there was a celebration. There was dancing and bottles of wine, and there was music. I could see him at a wedding, and I realized that's what I should have told Carol, that her dad was at a wedding."

Miller's friend Kathy is struggling with God and the events he allowed to happen in her life and the life of others. She goes to visit Ntarama in Africa, to visit the church which is the memorial to the people who died because of the terrible atrocities that occurred in the war between the Hutus and the Tutsis people. It's there she heard God's voice

"This is what happens when people walk away from me, Kathy. I have brought you to this place to show you something important.This is what happens when my compassion and love leave a place."

Such a good reminder that we are responsible to be God's hand and feet in this world.

This book is full of stories that will make you think of your life differently. I guarantee you will enjoy it!


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Beryl Markham: Fact or Fiction?

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I may be getting frustrated with books that are part biography and part novel. While I enjoyed getting to know about Beryl Markham's life (her accomplishments as a woman are amazing), I kept wondering how the author could know what she (Beryl) was really feeling. Of course she can't, and she has every right to take creative license as it is a novel, but I find myself wanting to know the real bits. That said, I am intrigued to read Beryl's book, West With the Night, so I can see what she has to say in her own words.

To be fair, as a story, I would give it 4 stars, the 3 stars are my frustration with not knowing what is truth and fiction.


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The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was pulled into this story of Rachel, a daughter of a Norwegian and a Black American GI. It is a story of loss and despair, with some hope pulled in. I thought the ending was just right. You can view a good synopsis on Heidi's website.

I think this would be an excellent classroom or book club discussion book.


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Yeah! Flavia's Back!

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm glad to say that Flavia is once again back on the job! I was concerned that with her growing older, and going away to boarding school, we would lose some of the Flavia that I've grown to know and love. Thankfully that was not the case.

Flavia is leaving home to attend boarding school. The unjustness of being banished from her home has laid her spirit low. She even misses her cruel sisters.

Flavia arrives at Miss Bodycote's Female Boarding School in the dead of night. If you are a fan of Flavia, you know that something is bound to happen sooner, rather than later, and you would be right. She's barely asleep when there is a knocking at her door and a body drops from the chimney into the hearth in her room. Before authorities get there, she manages to pocket a small token that was clutched in the body's hand, starting Flavia on her next adventure.

Thoroughly enjoyed this most recent book in the series and the ending made me happy.



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Fun Adventure Series for Adults and Children

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book series, which contains, The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and A Conspiracy of Kings. This review really encompasses all four books which I read over a weekend. Let me just say, I am very sad that books 5 and 6 are not out yet.

So, disclaimer here, these are children's books, for ages 10 to 14. I don't think I'll disclose my age, but I am well past that, and yet became thoroughly caught up in the story. I say story because even those these are 4 separate books, they are the continuation of the lives of Gen, Irene, Helen and Sophos.

The stories have a feel of Greek myths, although the gods have been created from the author's imagination. There is adventure, betrayal, forgiveness and love (both true love and friendship love).

Gen says he can steal anything, and sets out to do just that. The whole series is based on this premise.

Gen is adept at hiding who he really is, but that doesn't keep him from being captured by the Queen of Attolia. The consequence of being a thief in her kingdom was a truly shocking one. What happens after the consequence is even more surprising.

This quote from the goodreads book description captures some of the intrigue of Book 2:

When Eugenides finds his small mountain country at war with Attolia, he must steal a man, he must steal a queen, he must steal peace. But his greatest triumph, and his greatest loss, comes in capturing something that the Queen of Attolia thought she had sacrificed long ago

Whether you are adult or child, pick up this series for a quick and adventuresome read!



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