October Books

The Horizontal World: Growing Up Wild in the Middle of Nowhere by Debra Marquart -- The author tells of her life growing up in North Dakota

Bruchko by Bruce Olson -- what a neat story about a 19-year-old man who went to tell the Motilone Indians about Jesus. I really appreciate how he tried to relate to them, share the gospel within their cultural boundaries and not try to make them into white, Christian Westerners.  Someone at church wanted Andrew to read it, so I decided to read it as well.

The Summer of My Greek Tavérna by Tom Stone - a rather delightful book about the author's attempt to run a restaurant on the isle of Patmos one summer (hard work); this book soooo made me want to visit Greece

Twenty Chickens For a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood by Robyn Scott -- I got this book at a book exchange at a local park. I wasn't sure how interesting it would be, but I enjoyed it even though it had rather small writing and was over 400 pages.  Africa is fascinating to me. And this book took place in Botswana. I had fun trying to imagine growing up there. It was great reading about life through Robyn's eyes.

Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother's Journey to Adoption in China by Beth Nonte Russell  -- I usually really like these China adoption stories, and I did like this book. The story has a unique twist - or one I'd never heard of before. But I didn't care as much about all the talk of dreams and visions and meditations and past lives since those are just things I struggle with believing. But the story itself is pretty good.

Yao: A Life in Two Worlds by Yao Ming with Ric Bucher -- I saw this book while browsing my library's biographies. Since I'm often interested in China, I thought it would be good to see how Yao talked about his life there - and his life in the United States.  And it had some interesting and humorous facts at times, but it was a little heavy (understandably) on NBA talk.  Some of that was OK, but I tend to prefer more cultural tidbits. Thankfully those were in this book and were among my favorite parts.

Zacarias, My Brother by Abd Samad Moussaoui -- The author talks about growing up in France and the path his brother took from being a nonreligious Muslim to becoming one of the strictest, most intolerant kind.

My Story by Elizabeth Smart -- a friend sent this to me after she finished; great book. I was truly amazed by her story. What a wonderful person!

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls  -- I found this in a book exchange box at the park,and, wow, it was so interesting and dreadful to me at the same time.  Jeannette's life could not be more different than Elizabeth Smart's (aside from the hunger part). I couldn't help comparing the two a bit since I'd just finished Smart's book.  I really enjoyed this book, and am amazed by the author's pluck in surviving her childhood. What crazy, crazy parents.  I think you'd judge them, too.

I think the last two books I read made me want to be more aware of a few things.

1.  People who are panhandling may truly be evil deceivers.

2.  If I ever see a young person who doesn't seem like she belongs, probe.

3. Try to question a young person in this situation away from the adult she is with.

4.  Realize there are hungry people not too far away. 

5.  Give to them.