Friday, September 27, 2019

A Harrowing Journey

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris follows a young woman who literally goes from one hellish experience directly to another. In brief, Cilka, a young Jewish woman, survived the horrors of Auschwitz only to find herself in the Soviet Gulag prison camps in Siberia. However, she is a survivor and endures all of the mistreatment that is endemic to both camps. As the camps were horrific, hard places, the story is hard. Morris does not sugarcoat these experiences. The language is at times coarse and the book does not hide the frequent instances of rape the women of the hut endure nightly. These items are necessary in order for the reader to fully grip how difficult Cilka's life was.

Cilka's Story is the sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz. I have not yet read the earlier book (although I certainly intend to!) but found I was easily able to jump into the story. Author Heather Morris provides enough background for those who are meeting Cilka for the first time as well as sufficient connections to the earlier book to tie them together. An amazing aspect of this book is that it is based on a true story. Morris provides information on the research she did concerning the real-life Cilka and a brief synopsis of her life after the book. Knowing that this wasn't just fiction but real makes this story even more memorable. Readers who enjoy World War II fiction or other historical fiction will enjoy this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Cilka's Journey via NetGalley.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Learning to Engage in Civil Discourse

In the current politically charged climate, discussing any issue is difficult and can sometimes feel dangerous. The lack of civil discourse in society is concerning. In the book I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Conversations, Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth A. Silvers tackle this issue and provide readers with skills and resources to discuss issues in a productive manner. The authors not only write about how to discuss issues productively but also live out these concepts in their podcast Pantsuit Politics.

The two co-authors both identify as people of faith but are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. However, they do not let that stop them from fruitfully discussing a variety of issues. Throughout their book, Holland and Silvers emphasize researching and discussing actual issues and to engage in nuanced conversation. They encourage individuals to focus on what we can agree on and to look at the larger picture instead of just taking sides. Readers will enjoy the introduction to civil discourse but also the civics refresher.

I particularly enjoyed how Holland and Silvers remind readers that you can't make knee-jerk assumptions about anyone's beliefs or viewpoints simply because of their political persuasion or their view on one issue. We have bought into a strict two-party political system where individuals are strait-jacketed into one slate of opinions and not allowed to express opinions that may fall "in-between." While reading I Think You're Wrong, I found myself cheering and agreeing with the authors frequently and yearning for the opportunity to engage in civil discourse with others. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is civic-minded and cares about our country no matter your political persuasion. Book clubs would enjoy reading and discussing this book and then engaging in practical application of the content.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening) via NetGalley from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Under Moonlit Skies

I recently finished Cynthia Roemer's newest book Under Moonlit Skies. This book is the most recent in her Prairie Skies series which includes Under Prairie Skies and Under This Same Sky.

Under Moonlit Skies focuses on the story of Esther Stanton who had been a minor character in the previous books. Esther takes center stage as life circumstances bring her back to the familiar Illinois prairies. While helping her sister's family, she becomes familiar with the hired man "Stew". Life situations take them far from each other physically although they are never far from each other's minds or hearts. Esther soon finds herself resigned to following the rules and expectations others have placed on her. However, a a change of circumstances occurs when Stew uncovers evidence of wrong-doing by her high-falutin' fiance.

Readers who have not yet read the previous books in this series will have missed some background insights into the relationship between Esther and her sister and Esther and her mom but not enough to keep from enjoying the book. In this title, I enjoyed that Roemer effectively pulls in social issues of the time period which provides the opportunity for Stew to show himself worthy even though he lacks in material possessions. This addition adds adventure and depth to the prairie romance. I also enjoy the colorful prairie language the characters utilize. The addition of some varmints and victuals bring about a smile while reading and fond recollection of hearing family members use the same terms. I found myself enjoying this book even more than the previous titles. I can't wait to find out what new stories we can expect from Cynthia next!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book via Kindle of my own volition. I am slightly favorably disposed to the author as we are alumni of the same high school and thus have many friends and acquaintances in common. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Life Update

While this space most frequently hosts book reviews, I thought readers may enjoy a peak into my life and our family beyond the books.

My husband is also a librarian and works in a public library. He is also a doctoral student and is starting his dissertation phase. Outside of school and work, he is active as a Master Naturalist and in other community activities.

My daughter has started her senior year of high school. That means that we are in the midst of college applications, scholarship applications, and auditions in addition to all of the usual activities. My plan is to enjoy the year as much as possible as we celebrate a variety of "lasts" but also look forward to many new opportunities.

On the other hand, my son has just started his freshman year. So, we are enjoying many high school firsts particularly as he is involved in different classes and some different extra-curricular activities than my daughter.

As my blog biography indicates, I'm a librarian at a small private Christian university. Outside of work, my time is spent being supportive of my family, community activities including being a 4-H leader and BSA advancement coordinator, and church. I enjoy reading a wide variety of books and sharing them with you. This year I did head back to the classroom as I am enrolled in Biblical Greek. As such, my posts and book reviews may be less frequent.

New Take on The Lord's Prayer

Many individuals are familiar with the Lord's Prayer and memorized it ages ago. Different church traditions vary on the frequency and extent that it is used. However, often times because it is used frequently in a variety of situations and because you may have memorized it as a child, the Lord's Prayer may be just words instead of a meaningful example of how to pray. The new book May It Be So: Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer by Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson sets out to change that.

May It Be So provides devotional thoughts related to each phrase of the Lord's Prayer. The sections are a bit longer, but not too long that they can't be read at one time. These 7 sections provide marvelous information on the Lord's Prayer and suggestions on how to plumb the phrase to its full extent. Some readers may be wondering how these 7 sections on phrases form 40 days with the Lord's Prayer. In between each longer section, there are numerous quotes and images that relate to the phrases. These quotes, which the author calls guided prayers, and the images are designed to be contemplated and to inspire prayer as well. While the longer sections are wonderful, the images and guided prayers are extremely thought-provoking. Although only a line or two, these guided prayers are meaty and designed to be chewed on and deeply considered.

This book provides a wonderful devotional resource to use on its own or in conjunction with other Bible reading. As it provides 40 days of reflections, it would fit well as Lenten reading but would be marvelous for use during Ordinary Time over the summer months or in the time period between now and Advent. As it is only a 40 day resource, this book could be pulled out numerous times and continue to provide spiritual nourishment. Highly recommended as a resource for yourself or as a gift for others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received May It Be So via NetGalley from Waterbrook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.