Book reviews – Page 2 – Letters from Home

Thankful for work

I prescribed another reading of The Secret Garden for myself because I think it holds many of the keys to a good life.

I love to read about Mary’s transformation from a sickly, weak, lonely girl, to one who has energy to love people and life.

She had to work to get there, along with the play and self care.

I tackled a closet cleanout yesterday that I have been putting off for a long time. It was a lot of work, and I was tired when I finished, but also invigorated! With this momentum, I sat down at my desk and finished some more neglected projects.

I am thankful for the nature of work, how it forces me to move, build strength, go outside, and then it gives back the impulse to do more. Isn’t it funny how the most difficult step is usually just to begin?

I want you to see Paige’s reworking of her Secret Garden illustrations, so I am prescribing a visit to her website, www.paigemclaughlinart.com. The Secret Garden project can be seen by clicking this LINK.

In an acceptable time

I am grateful I got to see our Tim speak in sacrament meeting in Canada today via Zoom.

I finished reading Saints volume 2, and it had a LOT about opening the missions of the South Pacific in the mid-1800s. One takeaway is that the Lord had specific people in mind to introduce the gospel to the Pacific, and He even used them multiple times throughout their lives. I know the Lord loves all of his children and He has a plan for gathering them.

Timothy’s grandfathers served missions on isles of the sea, in Samoa and Puerto Rico.

I keep a list of scriptures about the promises to the isles of the sea, as I continue to pray that missionaries can return to areas that are currently closed.

“In an acceptable time I have heard thee O isles of the sea…and helped thee, and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people.” (1 Nephi 21:8, Isaiah 49:8)

“Great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea.” (2 Nephi 10:21)

“I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea, and will bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth.” (2 Nephi 29:7)

Of course, Jacob considered the Americas an isle of the sea, so Canada counts, too. (2 Nephi 10:20)

Is it too late for a summary post of the things I read in 2021?

2021 was a weird year, wasn’t it? For me, I was dealing with grief, preparing to send Tim away, and stretching a lot in church work. I was sick more than I wanted to be. It seems I read either fluff or lead. I read consistently and intentionally, which I learned was better for me than trying to read a certain number of books. I have highlighted the books that I think will stay with me the longest.

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (I loved it in a deeply personal way.)
The Great Silence: Britain from the Shadow of the First World War to the Dawn of the Jazz Age by Juliet Nicholson (I liked the variety of accounts the author found from the time. It opened my mind to the idea of collective national grief.)
Recollections of my Nonexistence by Rebecca Solnit (I really like the things she shares about writing and influence and women. I also appreciate her earnestness, even if I can’t embrace all she says.)
Gideon’s Trumpet: How one man, and poor prisoner, took his case to the Supreme Court — and changed the law of the United States, by Anthony Lewis (Just excellent)
The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ (focus: the ministering of angels; the Lord’s promises to the House of Israel)
Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump (This is the book from which the movie, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is based. It was fun.)
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster (Just an escape, quick and easy to read.)
My Antonia by Willa Cather (I liked the chapters about childhood best. There are stories while they lived on the plains that are unforgettable.)
Dusk, Night, Dawn: on Revival and Courage by Anne Lamott (She shows me how memoir can help someone with a very different life feel less alone.)
Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris (This was difficult for me to finish because it was focused more on policy than Roosevelt’s sparkly personality.)
Guilty Admissions: The Bribes, Favors, and Phonies Behind the College Admissions Scandal by Nicole LaPorte (The author helps explain how this could happen, from cultural expectations, wealth and privilege, and helicopter parenting, to the lack of oversight in college admissions and the greed of Rick Singer and elite schools. I felt the fascination-repulsion reflex throughout.)
Freely and Lightly by Emily Lex (I absolutely loved this.)
A New Song by Jan Karon (The fifth novel in the Mitford series)
Recipes for a Sacred Life: true stories and a few miracles by Rivvy Neshama (I loved the short vignettes of sweet moments in life. Lots of different countries and traditions represented here.)
Iron Rose by Lorie H. Nicholes (An out of print page-turner.)
Angels Round About by Lorie H Nicholes (Not as good as the previous book I read by this author.)
I am Malala by Malala Yousefzai and Christina Lamb (I loved it.)
A Rose in War part 1: Barbed Wire by Lorie H. Nicholes
A Rose in War part 2: Rebirth of Hope by Lorie H Nicholes
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather (I wish I had been warned how sad this story is. I really like the writing.)
Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson (fun)
Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson
The Two Mrs. Abbotts by D. E. Stevenson
Freely and Lightly by Emily Lex (second reading)
One of Ours by Willa Cather (W.C. is my author of the year. This book wasn’t rosebuds and butterflies but it felt more real than most things in books.)
Simple Justice: the History of Brown v. Board of Education and Black America’s Struggle for Equality by Richard Kluger (This changed my thinking more than any book I have read this year, and maybe many years. The author chose to focus not just on the legal questions involved in school segregation, but the history and culture of our nation and the stories of the individuals involved. Some people were so inspiring. Some things were so revolting. It was a difficult book and a difficult topic, and I needed this education. The author forgot the people in his telling of the Supreme Court decision at the end, and I was left to wonder what happened to all those attorneys from the NAACP and the specific people they represented in their cases that were bundled and presented before the Supreme Court. I would like to read their biographies.)
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Now it’s time to watch the 2002 film starring Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Judy Dench, and Reese Witherspoon.)
A Common Life: The Wedding Story by Jan Karon (This book is like a comfy robe and slippers. Mitford book #6)
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde (Now it’s time to watch the 1999 film adaptation starring Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy North, and Minnie Driver.)
In This Mountain by Jan Karon (Mitford #7)
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon (Mitford #8, I really love this one. It’s a Christmas story.)
Light from Heaven by Jan Karon (This inspires me to be a better minister. Mitford #9)
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (I studied very slowly and deeply this time, looking for answers in several personal dilemmas. It works.)
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (It was fine. A quick read.)
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon (This was a heavier read than the usual Mitford fare by this author.)
Seekers Wanted: The Skills You Need for the Faith You Want by Anthony Sweat (This was really good, especially for a young adult audience, but the chapter on sustaining the prophet is the best I have read anywhere on the topic.)
In the Company of Others by Jan Karon
Somewhere Safe With Someone Good by Jan Karon
Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon
To Be Where You Are by Jan Karon
The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (This is about grief, and her writing is beautiful.)

Grab Bag

There’s just a random collection of things to share this week.

Reading: Simple Justice by Richard Kluger (history about Brown v. Board of Education) and Miss Buncle novels (fun)

Eating: corn on the cob and every fruit

Thinking about: my next writing project (Which project do I choose? How long will I spend each day working on it? Who is my audience? How will I find the solitude to do it?)

Looking back over the month of June: We got through all the doctor checkup appointments and wisdom teeth extractions. I hiked more than I have in years. We finished and ordered 50 copies of my dad’s book.

Watching: a broad variety of things, mostly with Mark, who is also a cinephile. If you like biography, the Garth Brooks documentary on Netflix was interesting and inspiring. For kids, we liked Luca and The Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+. Richard and I enjoyed The Terminal with Tom Hanks.

Listening to: Elmer Bernstein’s To Kill a Mockingbird soundtrack; Josh Groban (His duet, Both Sides Now, with Sara Bareilles is really good, but it’s impossible for me to sing along); silence.

Relieved about: the dogs behind our house are gone.

The sounds of their panting and long-nailed feet as they scrambled down rotten deck stairs when they heard me open the back door were nightmarish. But the barking was terrifying.

Wondering: if this blog is worth anyone’s time.

Inspired by: the people of Ammon in the Book of Mormon (Alma 26; 27:10, 29-30) What acts of courage are required of me? Also, Doctrine and Covenants 67 is a beautiful formula and foundation for staying true to the faith: trust the Creator, don’t focus on flaws of leaders, don’t fear, don’t be prideful and jealous. God will reveal himself to you as you are humble. Continue in patience.

I recommend this book.

This book has thoughtful, Christ-centered writing and beautiful watercolor illustrations. It doesn’t have the usual jargon that Christian books use, and the author is sincere in telling her personal journey. Bible verses are hand-written and come from a variety of translations, which I found helpful. Peace settled within me as I read this book. It’s beautiful enough to keep on your coffee table and full of wisdom. I loved it.

Doll Work 5

There is something I need to fix, but her face is almost the way I like it. I love how her smile turned out. The next step is hair, and I will take some pictures of that process. I think the hair is the biggest hurdle. The trick for me is not to think too much and get trapped in a planning loop. It really just takes some courage to BEGIN.

I finished a really good book this week called Gideon’s Trumpet by Anthony Lewis, which is about the journey toward the right to counsel. It’s only the second book I have ever read about the Supreme Court, and you know what, I loved them both. The other was called The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind and changed the History of Free Speech in America by Thomas Healy.

Law literature and facial features. These are just two parts of the odd mix knocking around in my head.

Not much to say but hello

Hello, friend! I have been so cooped up this week, hiding from the snow and working on the nest. I needed to make a path through the craft room so I could reach my sewing table. I *think* I am ready to put together a quilt. I am reading a long biography of George Washington and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I can see the floor of every room in the house but one. I am writing a lot. The Valentines Day decorations are up, and the pops of red on my shelves make me happier than any other color. See, not much to report. But I think of you and this makes me smile.

Books I read in 2019

Jeremy Poldark by Winston Graham (PBS followed this really closely.)
Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson (fluff)
Refugee by Alan Gratz (Very good.)
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (Wow. Great book.)
Growing Up by Russell Baker (excellent)
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (a page-turner)
Gmorning, Gnight: Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin Manuel-Miranda (A kind reminder that positive, online written words matter to people.)
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Life Below Stairs: True Lives of Edwardian Servants by Alison Maloney (This was mostly familiar because I watched Downton Abbey!)
Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler (About as real a telling of midlife and large family dynamics as could be.)
Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar (I read this for book club. Easy read. Lots of Evangelical Christian vernacular.)
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (I read it breathlessly and quickly, since I could not put it down.)
The Book of Mormon (focus: how to declare the word of God)
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (I loved it because I love philosophy, natural history, astronomy, Russian literature, Casablanca, Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (His foul language crossed a line with me. This came highly recommended. I can recommend my personal copy, covered in correction tape.)
Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis (Masterful writing.)
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (pretty good)
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns, M.D. (I skipped the reference chapters about medications. This book was recommended by a friend to help identify distorted or unreasonable thinking. It was entertaining and informative.)
The Witness of Women: Firsthand Experiences and Testimonies from the Restoration, edited by Janiece Johnson and Jennifer Reeder (I struggled to stay interested for many reasons. It would probably work better as a reference book, as it’s organized by topic.)
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery (The woman is inspiring. The book was ok.)
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson (My Swedish great-grandmother left behind only a few boxes of special things and minimal belongings to sort. My grandmother praised her name for it. This book was just ok, but the concept is awesome.)
Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene (Raw and honest memoir of grief, but with hope. The writing is very good. The mystic and spiritualist journey he chose made me uncomfortable at times.)
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown (Some good stuff here about the need to mourn and rejoice with people of every background and idea. The paradox is that when we divide into like-minded groups we feel less connection than if we build respectful bonds with people with whom we differ. The wilderness is where we step away from cliques and political parties and experience humanity. It’s being brave enough to respectfully stand up for beliefs without tearing down others.)
Beloved Bridegroom by Donna B Nielsen (I read this little book every few years to remind me that interpreting the Bible is not like solving an equation but interpreting rich literature.)
A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard Based on Her Diary 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (An important book for me to read at this moment. I have had a profound experience reading it. I chronicle my life, too, you know.)
Still that Summer Girl by Elaine Wright Christensen (I love this poetry and I love the poet, my neighbor and friend.)
All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience by Neal A. Maxwell
The Book of Mormon (focus: what influences righteous behavior and God’s accompanying grace)
A Year with C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, PhD (Highly recommended. I loved the research and the defense of sleep, including naps. We should honor our need for sleep. It affects everything.)
And there was Light by Jacques Lusseyran (Beautifully written, deep truths.)
The Majesty of Calmness by William George Jordan
The New Testament

I keep track of books so I am accountable to finish what I begin. It was a funny reading year, an in-or-completely-out-of-it kind of year. Some of these books will remain with me forever. Others I have forgotten already.

I am still in the middle of two books, and have been since about, um, summer: Middlemarch by George Eliot and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

My favorites are in bold. I didn’t put books of scripture in bold, but trust me, I love these, too. 😉

Little things this week

These ideas for family history at a friend’s home were inspiring. It was an honor to see their family’s testimonies and how they celebrate their ancestors.

Tim has another black eye but declined to be photographed.

I kept the conference block tower for several days because Mark did a brilliant job.

I Read It Aloud

“Read the Gospel of Mark aloud,” I have been told several times in my life. “That’s the way it was meant to be experienced, aloud and during one sitting. It will take you a couple of hours.”

Well, today I did it, using Julie Smith’s rendition. It took less than two hours to finish. The King James Version is still awesome, but a modern language translation helped me see things I did not see before.

Her rendition is free on the Kindle. (LINK) If you have two hours alone, I recommend you read it aloud (or any way you like) and enjoy the good news.