"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

This was a very interesting book. This was one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. I had trouble putting it down.

Okay, let's get started. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is set in the middle of the Civil Rights era in mid Mississippi, in the middle of the 60s. Ms. Stockett does a wonderful job in exploring the mindset of that age. I found it really interesting how peculiar the white people in this book think. Especially regarding colored people and diseases. I really found myself wondering if people back then were really that stupid in their thinking.

It was also interesting the love that the maids had for the children they cared for. They took care of and trained these children, doing the job that the mothers should have done. Their payment: more prejudice.

Ms. Stockett takes a tremendously touchy subject and treats it with the respect and humanity it deserves. I really enjoyed this book and felt like I learned a valuable lesson in the process. Treat others, regardless of skin tone, the way you want to be treated.

Hugs,

Melinda

Joshua and The City

I don't know one person who doesn't like Joshua by Joseph F. Girzone. The modern day parable of Jesus come today touched millions of hearts and minds and inspired us all to live in peace.

That said, it is with some sadness that I have this review to write. I actually didn't like Joshua and the City. Well, I started off liking it. Joshua rescues a young girl and heals another lady. He rescues a "family" from drugs and Satan worship. He teaches two young boys how to upholster furniture and thereby gives them a career and a purpose in life.

But the more I got into this book, the sadder I got. Joshua very rarely appeared in the latter part of the book. It seemed less about how God works and moves in our lives in mysterious ways, and more about how to cure poverty. Don't get me wrong here. I don't want people to live in poverty. I work as hard as I can to help those in desperate situations. But this was how to cure a whole city of poverty, and unfortunately, I don't think that's possible.

Jesus (the real Jesus, not the Joshua version) says in Matthew 26:11 "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."

I know he also says in the chapter before "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40) I get that. I do. That's why I work so hard in the pantry. But the verse in chapter 26 kinda makes me think we're fighting a losing battle.

Anyway, again, I recommend reading this book for yourself. However, I HIGHLY recommend reading Joshua and Joshua and the Children before reading this book.

Hugs,

Melinda

Sonnet To a Dead Contessa

Gilbert Morris has been one of my favorite authors since I was in high school. I loved the House of Winslow series and followed it as long as I could. I had been searching the library for a new book to read when I ran across the section with Mr. Morris's books. I was hoping to catch up on the Winslow's, but instead picked up a book with a rather interesting title.

Sonnet to a Dead Contessa is the third book in the Lady Trent series. Serafina Trent is what amounts to a female detective back in the era of Queen Victoria.

I don't know exactly what I was expecting when I started this book, but I must say it was a great read. There's romance, a love triangle, three murders, snobbery, suffragists, aristocracy... and it's laced with the word of God throughout. I really did enjoy reading this book.

I do want to state however, that I started the series at the end. I have every intention of going back and reading the first two.

Hugs,

Melinda

P.S. I'm not real sure that I'm giving good reviews, but I'm learning. If there's something more you want to know on any book I've already reviewed, or if you have any advice for future reviews, please feel free to leave a comment. I would appreciate it.

The Murder of King Tut

I am not necessarily a reader of non-fiction, so I was a little bit surprised with myself when I picked up The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson. But this did not read like a "normal" non fiction book. Mr. Patterson worked with Martin Dugard and did an amazing amount of research on both King Tut and Howard Carter, the man who discovered Tut's tomb.

I found this book to be riveting. I was thoroughly entranced with the love story between the young Tutankhamen and his bride. Even more amazing was the story of the trials and tribulations of Howard Carter and how much trouble he went through before he actually found the tomb.

This was a really good book to read, and it fed my fascination with Egyptology just enough that I'm ready to find a ticket to the traveling King Tut exhibit. :) If you don't generally like non-fiction, this is a good book to read.

Hugs,

Melinda

Oh my word!

Dale just said "there's a methodology to my madness." Do what?? O_o

The Faerie Path

The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones

This was an interesting book. Anita Palmer is a sixteen year old on the brink of great things in her young life: the lead in the school play, good friends, young love.

Or is she?

After an accident lands her in the hospital, Anita is whisked away to the Faerie Realm, where she is told she is actually Tania, the seventh daughter of Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the Faerie Realm.

This story follows her journey through acceptance and betrayal.

My first thought on picking up this book was, "I need to make Sweet Pea read Midsummer Night's Dream before she reads this." But even though she is a very good reader, that one's just a bit advanced for her.

This book felt a little rough and choppy in the beginning half of this book. But being the lover of books that I am, I persevered. I'm glad I did. It ended up being a good book, and I enjoyed it.

Enough that I just picked up the second and third books in the series.

Hugs, Melinda

[eta] The second book, The Lost Queen is the story of how Tania finds her long lost Faerie mother, Queen Titania, but other than that, it is basically a transition between books 1 and 3.

The third book, The Sorcerer King is the story of how the Faerie Realm has been threatened, and how Tania and her six sisters have to fight the bad guy and free her Faerie father in order to save the kingdom.

The only reason I picked up the next two books is because I'm one of those that I HAVE to finish the story. I see now that there are 2 more books in this series. I'm not sure if I will track them down or not. The over all story is good, and I really enjoy the plot, but the writing hasn't really improved. I don't know. Maybe I'm just expecting more from the writer than I should.

I can only say this: Pick it up, read it, and decide for yourself.

Hugs, Melinda

A new twist?

I've been so lax in my blogging. To tell the honest truth, I'm spending way too much time on Facebook.

Well, that and teaching school.

Regardless, my poor little blog is being ignored. In order to change that, I'm going to start reviewing some of the books I've been reading. Library day has become an event in our household, and hopefully I can share some of that excitement with you.

Hugs,
Melinda

Hug your child today

I have just finished reading this post on Beauty for Ashes, and several other related posts.

Hug your children. Love your children. Love works so much better.

I am overwhelmed with sorrow and grief for this family. Pray for them.

Hugs,

Melinda