Book Review: The Chilbury Ladies Choir

To be totally honest, I feel strapped for time to read simply for pleasure. In dedicating the five weeks starting November 1st to writing for the Lord, I settled in on a non-fiction project (not ready to disclose the details yet, but definitely excited about the prospects). The historical research for this project will take hours upon hours of time. I'm not reviewing the books I'm devouring and utilizing for the project.

In the meantime, I signed on to read The Chilbury Ladies Choir for an on-line book club Sheila from The Deliberate Reader hosts. I haven't taken much time for interacting with the group discussion, but did enjoy this book. It was an easy read about a small village enduring World War II. The book highlights the power of music to lift the soul amid the perils of war.

Jennifer Ryan presents realistic characters facing difficult quandaries. The book is told through the entries of war journals, diaries, and letters. The reader encounters a widow dreading her son's involvement in the war, two sisters seeking love relationships, a mid-wife willing to take a bold step for monetary gain, and a young Jewish refugee trying to find a new place in the world. By the end of the book, you know the village well and care about its occupants. If you are looking for a war story that highlights the resounding strength of women and the transformative power of music, this is the book for you!

Book Review: At the Water's Edge

A good many Nanowrimo novels will never see the light of day. Some writers will fail to finish the novels they begin. Some novels will remain in computer files without a single beta reader (many of mine). Others will receive unfavorable feedback from beta readers. Still, a few novels break out from the Nanowrimo birthing process to become full-fledged books you can find in your local library.

Well aware of Sara Gruen's reputation as one of the premier Nanowrimo success stories (for Water for Elephants), I have long wanted to attempt one of her books. I am not sure I would enjoy a circus book about elephants, but you never know; I loved The Night Circus, another Nanowrimo success. When I noticed At the Water's Edge in audio form, I bit the bullet and gave this author a try. I worried it could prove too racy and I might have to toss it aside. Thankfully, by the time risque sections popped up, I was in too deep to jump ship and more than willing to push the skip button to advance to the next track.

At the Water's Edge tells the story of a high society couple, Ellis and Madeline Hyde. After disgraceful drunken behavior at a party, Ellis' parents confront the two and throw them out of the house. The only way Ellis can think of regaining his father's respect (not to mention his money) is to flee to the Scottish Highlands to pursue his father's past quest to find and document the Loch Ness monster. Both Ellis and his friend, Hank, are despicable privileged men reeking of a sense of entitlement. The two men have evaded service in WWII on false pretenses and think nothing of taking Maddie across the seas during a war. Meanwhile, the author portrays Maddie as kind and down-to-earth but trapped in a marriage based upon a wager. While the two men repeatedly leave Maddie alone in their search for the monster, she befriends the laborers at the inn and steps out of her ordinary shoes to discover a whole new world.

While I didn't dislike the novel, it wasn't one of my favorites. Although the author did a fine job of creating believable characters and putting them in harm's way, I never really grew to like those characters. The author wanted the reader to sympathize with poor Maddie and her loveless plight, but apart from a willingness to help with the chores, she really didn't display many admirable characteristics. It presents her love for another man as justifiable and a positive thing among so many negatives swirling around her life. Plus, it is all wrapped up with a tidy bow; problem solved without lifting a finger, leaving the way open for Maddie to marry a much more deserving Scotsman.

Book Review: Peace Like a River

Years ago, when we moved from Illinois to Indiana, a dear writing group friend presented me with a parting gift, Leif Enger's book Peace Like a River, telling me it was one of her favorites. I'm guessing I consumed the book quickly not long after arriving. When the title appeared on this year's book club list, I tried hard to remember details but could only recall the vague impression of a chase after a fugitive from justice and a highly western feel (not my typical choice in books). I must have liked it enough to keep my copy all these years, so I was game to give it a second read.

Perhaps I liked it better the first time around. This time, it seemed an okay book, but I marveled that the L.A. Times considered it a "Best Book of the Year." The back cover declares it "a heroic quest, a tragedy, and a love story," rolled up in one. The endorsements reflect a general desire to see the ordinary become the extraordinary. The book released in 2001, so possibly we were simply a nation desperate for hope and faith amid gritty tragedy.

Reuben Land has always had difficulty breathing. From his first moments of life, when his pious father prayerfully commanded him to breathe, Reuben has believed in miracles. He tells the story of his eleventh year, the year his older brother, Davy, took justice into his own hands. Reuben's precocious younger sister Swede copes with the ensuing confusion by writing polished western ballads fraught with conflict between good and evil. However Reuben is intent upon bearing witness to the miraculous events surrounding his father and remaining loyal and true to his family.

The writing was splendid, and I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout (My favorite was a humorous passage where the brother and sister create sing-song rhymes about approaching a roadside gas pump and then the proprietor's hilarious responses to their interactions.) I appreciated the gentle nudge toward faith and belief in miracles, without heavy-handedness. This secular book with faith elements offers enough fodder for thought to get the reader pondering deeper issues of life.

Who knows? Maybe I was more in need of the miraculous myself at that earlier time in my life. Although it wasn't my favorite book club selection, I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion of the book. It enhanced my understanding of the themes and symbolism. I would call it a decent read, but I'm perplexed by the extent of favor. Enger's newest book, called Virgil Wander, released in early October and I'm tempted to give it a try.

A Boot At Last

Trevor broke his leg on August 14th. At the nine week point, he was so sure they would remove the cast and put him in a boot. He was heartbroken when they removed the initial cast and put on another one (this time one he could walk on with a special shoe) for an additional four weeks.

On Monday, he finally had that second cast removed and received the anticipated walking boot. At home, he can walk around on the leg (although he says it is quite weak - naturally - from months of disuse). Still no further word on the bone cyst, but at least he feels a bit more freedom:

90th Birthday Celebration

My husband comes from hearty stock! His grandmother lived to 92 and his mother celebrated her 90th birthday on Veteran's Day. She is healthier than most who live to be her age. No walkers! No canes! Few memory issues and minimal nuisance health complaints. Still as feisty as ever!

Most of the family (minus a few grandkids - 2 in colleges in Colorado and Washington, 2 who, as grown adults, work in distant states, and 1 who lives in Estonia) gathered to celebrate this grand achievement. She is thriving in her new apartment in a retirement community where she knows many other individuals. The facility is magnificent. I would welcome a visit anytime as they have an extensive library in the building and even a small puzzle nook. We enjoyed a family dinner in one of their private dining halls on Saturday evening:

Sunday morning, we all attended her Salvation Army corps (John and I even played in the band). The corps officer did a fine job of recognizing my mother-in-law's impact: first, she had all family members stand, then all individuals who had been touched in any way by Marilyn's generosity, witness, or influence. While my mother-in-law doesn't welcome attention drawn to herself, I think it was evidence of her intense desire to serve others.

After the service, church members gathered to celebrate her and enjoy cake together:

Several posters highlighted her full life. My boys reveled in one particular photo from the 80s, where John's hair is wavy and full - ha! Jill and her husband Bob arrived in time for us all to enjoy one more meal together in celebration (they had a wedding and couldn't make it for the first family meal on Saturday):

After a hushed word with the waitress, they brought out a huge dessert. But, I'm sure, the best gift of all for her was the joy of having so many family members gathered together in one place (something that doesn't happen often enough on my husband's side of the family).

Book Review: Hiking Through

Sometimes book recommendations come from unexpected and obscure sources. My cousin Karin (who came to visit back in July) has a young relative who is thru-hiking along the Appalachian Trail. She keeps us up-to-date with his progress, and in the comments one friend mentioned a book written by a man who hiked the AT after losing his wife. I immediately checked our library and secured a copy of Paul Stutzman's Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail.

It must be hard to write a memoir of the trail experience because although each day brings new adventure for the hiker, a reader requires constant escapades to maintain their attention. I worried the day-to-day monotony of hiking would flag my interest. However, Stutzman did a decent job of providing stories and details that kept me turning pages. I appreciated his reflective writing. I marveled at the joy of encountering "trail magic," small gifts and sustenance provided by complete strangers to hikers along the trail. It made me wish I lived close to such a thoroughfare and could pop in unannounced and make someone's day with a hot cup of coffee or a small candy bar for warmth and energy.

I know of a remarkable 17-year-old who has only months to live due to an unceasing battle with cancer. She's fully aware that her journey is ending (for an outstanding Riley Children's Hospital blog article/video about her own FUNeral that she planned to celebrate her life and say good-bye intentionally click here). I wrestle with what to say. For one thing, she's merely an acquaintance. For another, I don't want my words to sound trite or, worse, wounding. But I thought one passage in this book spoke particularly to this young girl's dilemma:

"Many folks remain stuck in grief because they can't comprehend why God would take their loved ones. We get angry with God and question why He would subject us to such terrible loss. But if it were up to us ... we would never choose it. We don't want to die and we don't want our loved ones to die... Each of us lives in a small slice of measured time, inserted here between eternity past and a never-ending life hereafter. From the moment of your birth, death becomes inevitable. Your little slice of time is so fleeting. Whether you live on this planet ten years or eighty is insignificant to God. What is significant is your choice of paths that will lead you to the end of your time here...

"We question, Why, God, why? Each ... must answer one question ... Is God in control or not? If you believe He is in control, then He knows the whys and the whens and the wheres of your loss."

Basically, through his journey, Stutzman came to accept the loss of his wife and to bask in the love of his heavenly Father. In his book, he urges readers to make the most of the time they have and to decide for themselves whether they will trust God is in control. While we may never understand the purposes in the brevity of some lives, I agree with Stutzman. God has a purpose, a plan, and even a provision for those left behind; He is sufficient and He is sovereign.

While I may never feel an urge to hike across the country several thousand miles, I can appreciate what he went through and how much he gained from the experience. I also noted at the back that Stutzman has a follow-up book that chronicles a further adventure biking coast-to-coast across America. It is comforting to know that through books I can hitch a ride for someone else's grand adventure.

Book Review: In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It

I only cracked the cover of this book, In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It, out of love for Lorelai Gilmore. Lauren Graham, the actress who plays Lorelai on the famous Gilmore Girls series is the author of a novel (which I've not read), a memoir (which I listened to), and now a graduation speech stretched out into a small motivational book. As commencement speeches go, it was fair. Nothing as inspirational as Admiral William McRaven's "Make Your Bed" speech, nor as entertaining as Will Ferrell, Jim Carey, or Conan O'Brien (Graham even mentions her inability to match Will Ferrell's commencement speech). But, it's such a small investment, at 45 space-filled pages. Indeed, I nearly read the whole thing in one sitting while waiting for my crippled son to come out of school on his crutches a tad bit early to miss the post-school rush. So, if you love all things even peripherally related to Gilmore Girls, as I do, you might just squeeze in a moment to receive Lauren Graham's wisdom on life and achieving your goals.

A Tithe of My Talents

Photo by Gregor Moser on Unsplash

Today is November 1st. Every year, since 2009, I have started a new novel/work at the outset of November with the Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge (a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel within the space of November's 30 days). Throughout the past three weeks of my writing sabbatical, an internal argument raged over this year's participation. I'm fatigued and broken, not in a position to begin a new novel. The novels I've written languish in files, unworthy of agent/editor attention. Thanks to my Write-to-Publish critiques, my writing mojo has vanished, replaced by insecurity over my ability to pull off a well-written novel. The problems seem myriad: inconsistent point-of-view usage (head-hopping), insufficient world-building, passive voice construction, weak characters the reader cannot get behind, too much back story (information dumps), too much telling instead of showing, and secondary characters overshadowing the heroine. That's a lot to swallow, a tremendous amount to overcome. I feel paralyzed just trying to approach these weaknesses in my writing.

Yet, deep within, I cannot believe my writing efforts are hopeless. I know that God has given me some talent (even if insufficient at this point). I'm also convinced He intends me to use the talent He has given. So, in thinking about this significant day, I made an alternate decision. I will use this month to tithe on my talent, giving every word written in November back to Him. I will focus my efforts on words devoted to His glory.

Christians often emphasize the imperative to tithe on the monies that God puts at our disposal. I have no personal money. I make no income (perhaps that is why I fight those feelings of uselessness). But I desire to write and give my words back to Him. With the little drummer boy, I offer my humble rat-a-tat-tat. Like the young boy in the crowd listening to Jesus, I give up my meager loaves and fishes for His use.

Even though my novels build on a Christian framework, I have no fresh ideas for stories to glorify God. Perhaps, as my husband has suggested, I am supposed to focus on non-fiction words dedicated for His interest. Even as I enter this set-apart month, I don't know fully what that looks like, but I'm determined to live out my "nothing wasted" mantra and committed to tithing this month's words to His purposes.

If you are a Christian writer, how do you tithe on your talents? What does that look like for you? How do you give a tenth of your talents and efforts to God's glory? I guess if Christian practice suggests a tenth, one month doesn't even suffice. If I'm eager to devote a tenth, I should give the whole month of November and one week of December. Everything I have comes from God. I'm ready to give Him the "first fruits" of my labors. I'm ready to use my words solely for His glory and to win others to His kingdom.