Tuesday, November 29, 2016

BREAKING BUSY BY ALLI WORTHINGTON

Image credit: goodreads.com
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

My women's group selected Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington as the focus for our Fall 2016 study. So, this will serve as my first non-fiction book review on A Page Before Bedtime.

The relatively short book features 10 chapters that provide insight on how to declutter one's life schedule resulting in a time investment allowing focus on more important things like family, friends, and faith. Worthington's southern charm and knack for humor made this book a delight to read. She offered practical advice and backed it with industry research as well as Biblical scripture.

This will be no surprise to those who know me. My favorite chapter was focused on the topic of communication; however, I think everyone person - not just women - should read the final chapter on worth and dealing with shame. Worthington posits that we often add things to our lives out of a sense of obligation and to cover shame. As a result of reading this book, I now choose to do the following:

  1. Savor my yes and use it wisely. No is a complete sentence, and it is better to disappoint now rather than resent later. 
  2. Focus on the greater purpose of doing something. All good ideas are not God ideas. 
  3. Honor the Sabbath and remember that resting is a necessary requirement of self-care. 

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book for a book club, Christian group, or independent study. The information shared can be applied to anyone's life; however, most of the examples and illustrations in the book are targeted toward Christian women.

Until next time ... Read on!

Thursday, November 17, 2016

SMALL GREAT THINGS BY JODI PICOULT

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
That is where Jodi Picoult came up with the title for her newest novel, Small Great Things. She put a great deal of thought and respect in using the civil rights leader's words as her title. This is illustrative of her entire novel. Any reader can clearly tell she read, researched, and reflected as she composed this work of fiction.

The story is based in the northeastern part of the United States in modern day and centers around an African American labor & delivery nurse who was prohibited by her employer from caring for a baby who had the misfortune of being born to parents who identify as white supremacists. As a result, tragedy ensues and a legal drama plays out in this 400+ page novel. As a literary device, Picoult employs varying points-of-view where the chapters switch between Ruth, the African American nurse, Turk, the racist and grieving father, and Kennedy, Ruth's privileged attorney. Picoult emotionally and effectively captured each point-of-view. I was able to sympathize with all of the characters (yes, even the racist) and, of course as a professional African American woman in the U.S., there was a great deal of empathy on my part with Ruth's character. I felt that Picoult was able to capture the essence and mindsets of these people in her book. I would also venture to guess she was able to convey how many feel in present-day America. Her story helped me see other potential perspectives, so I think in that regard, her novel is definitely a success.

[The rest of this review contains information that some might consider spoilers. You've been warned.]


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[The rest of this review contains information that some might consider spoilers. You've been twice-warned.]


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What I did not like about the book was Ruth's stubbornness at the end of the trial. That did not seem like a realistic decision made by a character who was historically so practical and grounded. Also, while I am sure that a leopard can change spots, I think it was too cliche that Turk completely changed in such a short time frame. The way the author presented this 180 made it seem like she was trying to put the finishing touches on a nicely decorated birthday cake rather than end the novel in a more feasible way. However, I suspect because she introduced Turk as such a detestable character, she was trying to give him some redemption in the end. As a writer, I can certainly see the struggle in finding the balance.

This book is a book club read, and I look forward to discussing this with the members and get even more perspectives to this modern-day social topic when we meet in the spring. If you decide to pick it up, note the length. The book is a little laborious to read because of the language that is used by the racist characters, but I think the ending is a satisfying pay off. And do read the author's note at the end. It helps give the book even more definition.

Recommendation: I recommend this book for the open-minded. I think it's a great book club choice because it offers many points for an excellent exchange of views.

Until next time ... Read on!

Monday, November 7, 2016

ORDINARY GRACE BY WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER

Image Credit: goodreads.com
Rating: 3 of 5 stars

My latest read Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is narrated by Frank, a man who reflects on a summer consumed with death, destruction and lost opportunities when he was 13 years old. The story begins with the death of a young boy, Bobby Cole, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. From there, the reader is welcomed into a small, quaint town where the plot is slowly developed and extreme care and detail is put into the development of the characters and their surroundings. The story includes Frank's older sister, Ariel, who has inherited her musical talent from Frank's mother and his younger brother, Jake, who has a speech impediment. Frank's father, Nathan, who had initially planned a career as an attorney but changed his course as a result of serving in the military during war time, and is now the local Methodist minister. Frank's mother is a housewife who begrudgingly serves in the church, feeling as though she got a little less than she bargained for when Nathan became a minister.

My favorite character is Frank's brother, Jake, who tries to remain insignificant because of his stutter, but throughout the book emerges as the most empathetic and thoughtful character. I also enjoyed the religious themes in this book. The author put the Nathan, the minister, in a positive light by portraying him as open-minded and indiscriminating. (For me it was certainly welcomed during a time when religion/Christian-bashing is a societal norm.) In addition to religion, specifically Christianity, the book touches on various other dark themes: racial discrimination, people labeled as outcasts due to physical limitations, homosexuality, and statutory rape.

My major complaint with the novel is I had a bit of difficulty getting into it and finding my reading pace. I found the writing to be very descriptive, painting a vivid picture. However, it took about half of the book to get to the crux of the story. The benefit of plowing through this relatively short novel (300 pages) is that the loose ends are neatly tied at the end. The epilogue was most touching, and the last line of it was my favorite part of this book:
The dead are never far from us. They're in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a a single breath, one final puff of air. 
Recommendation: The gem in Ordinary Grace is that it beautifully shares ordinary lessons and themes in an extraordinary way. I would recommend this book for someone who is willing to invest the time in the slow plot development for its rewarding ending.

Until next time ... Read on!