Jan 23: Week 4

"Surprised by Truth 3" by Patrick Madrid

This book holds ten stories of individuals that have converted to the Catholic faith. A friend of mine loaned it to me when my husband and I began thinking of joining the Catholic Church and it definitely gave me some insight on Protestant vs Catholic. Funny enough, there was a lot of Baptists that converted and coming from an E-Free church whose pastor was from a Baptist background, I felt I could relate.

Some of the stories were a little deep for me, over my head on terms and practices that I've only begun to dive into on my own faith journey. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of converting or just curious as to Catholic teachings. It can be a real eye opener!

Jan 16: Week 3

"Twelve Years a Slave" - Solomon Northup

This is the amazing true story of a freeman, Solomon Northup, that was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the mid 1800's. The details he gives and the details he dedidedly omits, makes you cringe at the thought that such a thing existed in our country that promotes freedom and equality. Slaves were so often looked at as less than animals and treated just as harshly. It's no wonder there's still hositlity between the races.

I love a book that can bring out emotions in me. The most emotional part for me was when Solomon witnessed the separation of a mother and her young children. Just the thought of having your children taken from you and there is nothing, absolutey nothing you can do about it. There's no one to sympathize with you, no one to fight for you, only despair that you will never see your children again and not knowing what will happen to them without you to look over them. You are left with only the most evil thoughts of what your children will go through.

What Solomon was forced to do and how he was able to live through the hell he was put in, is a test of true perseverence.

I did see the movie before reading the book and I enjoyed both. One did not ruin the other. I recommend this book!

Jan 9: Week 2

"The Forgotten Girls" by Sara Blaedel

This book tells the story of hidden crimes in the lead character's hometown. A woman is found dead and other assaults and disappearancs seem to be linked, going back decades. I enjoyed the suspense but some roads were left open. There are other books with the lead character and I'm sure if I read those I could find the ends to those roads. The linking of the characters was something that frustrated me, also. In a town supposedly that small, you would think the lead character would know more about the residents. But, it is fiction and anything can happen. A good read but not one I was overly intriged with.

Jan 2: Week 1

"My Name is Lucy Barton" by Elizabeth Strout

This is a story of the relationship between a mother and daughter. They have not seen each other in years but an illness brings them together once again. Old wounds are opened and some are never closed. It was a good story of how our history shapes our lives but the bouncing around made it feel jumbled to me. The book did tug at my heart, making me think of my own relationship with my mother and famiy secrets that I so badly want to uncover but will probably never take the opportunity. It was overall an easy read but I have yet to decide if I want to read another one of her books.

New Year's Goals

Hello All!

New Year's is always a good time to reflect on goals you have for the year; there's the exercise goals, the behavior goals, the money goals. I went in a different direction and decided on a book goal. I love to read but don't give myself enough time to dedicate to it so my goal this year is to read one book a week for the entire year.

I have no preference on genre which is probably good because it would limit me too much and make me flustered and I would completely give up. Isn't that usually how New Year's resolutions go? At least I know I enjoy reading so it shouldn't be too terribly hard, should it?

To make it a little more interesting, every week after I finish the book, I will add a little "book review" to help others trying to find a good read!

Stay tuned!