book seven

This novel has definitely touched my life in such a way very few things can. My interest in The Shack by William P. Young began one afternoon when I searched the New York Times website and went to their books page. The main story of the day was about Mr. Young, and how this spiritual book has become a bestseller, even after publishers refused to publish it because they felt it was "too christian" or "too controversial." I continued my research of the story, and read many reviews that were very different on the good-book scale. Readers said they either loved it because it changed their lives, or they thought this book was heresy because of the unorthodox way of how Young portrays the Trinity. After reading both sides, I decided the only concrete opinion I could trust is my own.

A quick synopsis, because there is nothing I could really tell you about the story that would prove to you how brilliant it is. The main character is a man named Mackenzie (Mack) who is deeply troubled and traumatized by the abduction and murder of his youngest daughter Missy. After a significant amount of time goes by, a mysterious letter shows up in his mailbox with no writer except the name Papa. The note asks him to meet up at the shack where clues were found of his daughters murder. After contemplating the many reasons for the note, he decides to go, and this weekend trip changes his life forever.

This book really hit a deep, spiritual note with me, because it felt as if God was directly speaking to me through this book, not William P. Young. After reading each chapter, I had to put the book down for a few moments just so I could try to fathom what I had just read. It answered so many questions for me, along with finalizing instincts I had about my own faith, knowing that what I felt was real and true. I felt so at peace while reading this book, and still do. I feel as if I have gained a second knowledge about my belief in God, and it allows me to take a step back from this humane world and know in my heart that everything is as it should be, even if beyond my understanding.

I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to read this book. If you have ever had questions about God or how faith works, this is the book that can bring answers in a wave of grace. No matter what others say about this story, it is up to you to find out what you believe, so don't let anyone telling you it is wrong to stop you. No one is the judge of what is right or wrong, except for God alone. If you want to find out more, go to www.theshackbook.com.

book six

I flew through book number six! Not because it was fabulous or anything. Simply because I was driven to get it finished before my trip back to the South. It was however mind tossing. I knew the ending from the very beginning, but I read with a force hoping that I was going to be proven wrong. Unfortunately I wasn't.

For a book so predictable in my eyes, Tracy Price-Thompson kept me interested with her quite bold culture that jumps out and punches you in the forehead. Gather Together In My Name is a story of turmoil that turns into a disaster. Having a mother who was psycho from their birth, three little black boys had a minuscule chance to survive in a world full of crime and racism.

The part that took my breath away was close to the ending where the tragedy happens, and Thompson makes you fall in love with a criminal. Her talent to make you fall in love with the unlovable is impeccable and unmissable in this novel. It just goes to show that this world has very little to offer, and love is the most important thing to keep a family together.

book five

It took me a little longer than I thought it would to finish my fifth book, but I finally have. I have two days left of my vacation which is plenty of time to begin my second book for the trip. But I couldn't do it without blogging about The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This book I found in the school reading list section, well actually my mom found it and commented how she heard it was supposed to be really good. I silently agreed when I saw the soon-to-be-a-motion-picture sticker posted on the cover.

Once again I have been sucked in by another writer's first novel, also written in the setting of South Carolina, like my first book Girls in Trucks. This story is about a fourteen year old girl with a complicated life. Since she was four, she was told she was the killer behind the gun that accidentally shot her mother. Her angry father changed from that point and treated his dog better than his own daughter. One day this girl, named Lily, decided to runaway after rescuing her nanny from jail after being beaten almost to death by some racist white men. Where they ended was so ironic and heartwarming.

The story turns into a twist of coincidences, connecting the empty spaces for Lily about her mother. This is a fantastic story of family, selfless love, and the power of women who stick together. Once again I am sucked into the story, not wanting it to end, but racing to find out what the finale has in store. This novel will make a heartwrenching movie in the next coming years, that will empower women all over the nation.

Looking more closely to the format of the story, I fell in love with the beginning of each chapter which starts with a quoted fact about bees. Each one contributed to the bigger meaning of the story. It was so interesting and had me wondering more and more about bees. Great tactic!!
All in all, I love this story and if i was still in school, would be blessed to read it.

book four

Never judge a book by the cover - well I disagree. It is some odd habit of mine to only pick up a book if it has an interesting cover. The plainer, duller covers always catch my eye. To me it says, my story is strong enough that I don't need an elaborate picture to lure people in. Maybe it is just my eye telling me so being a writer and an artist. I always look at the romance novel illustrations and just gag. All the detail and bright colors turn me off. If the picture is gussied up or romanticized, then I assume that the language and detail is too. However, from time to time I am proven wrong.

Most of my mother's novels are romance, Christian, or Christmas stories. For the most part they have the cover that is trying to lure you in with color and detail. So as usual I stay away from her book stacks. But once again she suggested a book to read, and after reading the back it had my attention, but I still have the doubt that it was going to be another sobby love story. I was wrong. It was a beautiful, engaging love story, that was way more about the life than romance.

Free Fall by Kristen Heitzmann is a mystery that turns out to be part of God's plan in many lives connected to main character Gentry Fox. After a potentially fatal fall off of some waterfalls in the mountains of Hawaii, she miraculously survives, but suffers from amnesia. After fighting her way through rough terrain she ends up on the doorstep of a local who brings her back to health, and that is when all the fun begins. After learning that she is a new successful actress, and other pieces of her memory fall into place, it is a hunt for her failed killer.

This book has recaptured my excitement for my summer of reading. It is definitely right next to Crouch's Girls in Trucks, with the intensity of the subject capturing my full attention, making my hands tantrum when I try to put the book down. I am learning that I love stories that keep a little mystery to keep endless twists and turns waiting at the end of all chapters. Now I am ready to journey up north, and hopefully have the same fulfillment from my next two or three reads.

Book Three

I have just finished my third book of the summer. It was one that my mother suggested out of her own library. Asylum by Nan Corbitt Allen is a Christian novel written about a runaway 10 year old boy. He had just lost his alcoholic parents in a house fire. The incident was under investigation when the young boy ran away, afraid that he was to blame for the death of his parents. He then sets up house in a church. He survives off of baptism juice and crackers and takes bathes in the baptism spa. With the search in full speed, it leads to a conspiracy dealing with the real cause of the fire, leading to a dark past of murder and deals.

The actual story was very interesting. What I learned from this format is that I don't like jumping images back and forth from one perspective to another. Allen would switch from scene to scene, introducing different parts of the story. It as a little confusing at first, but once the pattern was learned, it was a good way to lead up to the finale. However with this format it was hard for me to get into the book. The first half I only read because I hate starting a story and not finishing it. After the mid point it became to complicated and interesting to stop.

Now I have to make my way over to the bookstore to buy a few before I venture up North for a two week vaca. Visiting with family is my priority, but the 8 hour drives and few hour plane rides will be plenty of free time to read.