 | Everything Happens For A Reason and other lies I've loved by Kate Bowler 166 pages What’s it about? Kate Bowler is an assistant professor of theology at Duke Divinity School. Her area of study is the prosperity gospel- the idea that all the good fortune in our lives is a blessing from God and all the misfortune is a sign of God's disapproval. At the age of 35 Kate is a young professional, wife, and mother, but then she is diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. This is her story. What did it make me think about? This book was so honest, and sad, and funny- yes funny. "Laceye learns where all the diaries are kept that I would rather not leave for posterity. The diary of twelve-year-old Kate will be allowed to remain, because it is a daily account of what boy named Colin was doing and I am convinced that if Colin committed a crime in 1992 and is later put on trial, my diary is so thorough that it would either convict or exonerate him." This story, which is tragic in many ways, would have been too much to bear if Kate Bower did not view the world with humor. Should I read it? So, this is my 2nd book in a row that I saw on some list and picked up from the library on my way to the airport. No turning back now.... luckily two pages in I was hooked. So how do people of faith handle death and dying? How does this fit in to the idea of a prosperity gospel? In this book Kate Bower sheds some light on her own journey, and also shares some ideas of how to help those who are working through difficult experiences. Interesting indeed..... Quote- "But what gives the prosperity movement breadth and depth for many is its thorough accounting for the pain of life, and for the longing we have for restoration. Those Americans trapped in failing bodies or broken relationships or the painful possibility that their lives may never be made whole can turn to this message of hope. If it is a game- with rules for success that anyone can use- then maybe they can win." "I failed to love what was present and decided to love what was possible instead. I must learn to live in ordinary time, but I don't know how." If you liked this try- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande H is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald On the Move by Oliver Sacks The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion 9 stars |
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 How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
325 pages What’s it about? How would you choose to live if you were going to live centuries? How would your relationships work? How would people receive you? Well in this novel we meet Tom Hazard. It is the present day and Tom is still alive and well, yet Tom was born in 1581… What did it make me think about? This is an imaginative story of a man who does not age at the normal rate. I am a sucker for time travel novels and this book shares some with that genre. Should I read it? This was a fun book that also made some interesting observations. It has a good main character and a plot that moves along. It would make a great vacation read! Quote- “I often think of what Hendrich said to me, over a century age, in his New York apartment. ‘The first rule is that you don’t fall in love’, he said. ‘There are other rules too, but that is the main one. No falling in love. No staying in love. No daydreaming of love. If you stick to this you will just about be okay.’” If you liked this try- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His yeats of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami Exit West by Moshin Hamid *Levels of Life by Julian Barnes 8 1/2 stars  Brain Food by Lisa Mosconi, PhD, INHC
326 pages What’s it about? Lisa Mosconi is both a neuroscientist and a certified integrative nutritionist. In this book she delves into the question of what to eat for the health of your brain. Here is link to her TED talk that covers a lot of the same material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0 What did I learn? my biggest take aways- in no particular order -drinking natural spring water is really important. Think 8- 8oz. glasses a day. -try to eliminate white sugar/ white flour foods. -Try a little honey, coconut sugar, or maple syrup to sweeten foods. -eat plant based foods -best overall brain food is caviar... -eat cold water fish a couple of times a week wild caught salmon, mackerel, blue fish, sardines, and anchovies -eat 2-3 eggs a week -exercise -sleep well -play board games or card games for maximum benefits If you drink make it a 5 oz. glass of Red wine and not too often... red meat and pork- only 1 to 2 times per month Should I read it? If you have any interest in brain health then this book is informative. Quote- "In terms of brain activity, foods that metabolize quickly into sugar and contain very little fiber are the worst you can eat. These include sugary beverages, sweetened fruit juices, baked goods, and candy, as well as white-flour foods such as pasta and pizza". 8 1/2 stars  And Now We Have Everything by Meaghan O Connell
226 pages What’s it about? Meaghan O’ Connell is in her late twenties when she finds herself engaged to be married, and then unexpectedly pregnant. This is the story of her journey into motherhood. What did it make me think about? This is a honest look at a hard transition in life. Meaghan is brutal about the good and bad of becoming a mother before she was ready. Not only how it changed her body- but how it changed all the relationships in her life. Should I read it? A big takeaway from this book is how self-aware people are these days. I am sure social media has played a role in this- and this trend is endlessly fascinating to me. Meaghan’s ability for self-examination is quite remarkable. In many other ways this book took me back. Although I did not always feel as Meaghan did- her honesty was refreshing and it made me remember days where my biggest accomplishment was getting a shower and wearing clean clothes. Quote- “Most of us swore we were not interested in having children, and those who might be were supposed to act blasé about the idea. The only acceptable response other than "God, no" to the question of wanting children was "Oh, maybe someday." Wanting to have a baby was desperate quality in a woman, like wanting a relationship multiplied by a thousand, and it got more desperate with age. " If you like this try- The Nest by Cynthia D''Aprix Sweeney Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller 8 stars
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A sad, poignant, mystical read. I won't give too much away. Quick and well worth it!
9 1/2 stars!
A coming of age story set in Mexico. It certainly gives you a whole new view of all the people coming over the border.
9 stars
Quirky characters and the story told through letters to Richard Gere. Who could ask for more? 9 stars
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“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles William Eliot
― Charles William Eliot
ratings
1 to 2- I did not enjoy this book.
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!