Wearing God by Lauren F. Winner -- the chapter on God as a laboring woman was especially powerful and touching
"Smells are almost always, ... described by 'simile, metaphor, or metonym.' As is God...I devote hours each week - in the classroom, in the pulpit, at my computer - to the task of putting words to my experience, and the church's experience, of God. The whole archive of Judaism and Christianity represents forays into such description. All of these images for God, from vine to shepherd to rock, are attempts to say something about God and how we meet and are met by God. Sometimes the words seem apt. And sometimes they seem as limited and useless as my efforts to describe the smell of a cinnamon bun." -- pg. 73
"When
read through a biblical scrim, laughing during a political protest
seems to do something even greater than what sociologists and
humorologists enumerate. Laughter indeed relieves stress and forges
bonds. But it is also a sign of defiance, a sign that the ruler who
rules unjustly is not ultimately in control. Because it is hard to laugh
when you are terrified or furious, laughter fosters (and proclaims)
confidence. If those who laugh now will weep later, and those who weep
now will laugh later, then saying that God laughs and provokes laughter
is synonymous with saying that God overturns the hierarchies of the
world. That overturning will make you laugh or cry, depending on where
you sit." (pg. 192)
The House on Mermaid Point
by Wendy Wax -- in this book, we spend time once again with Madeline,
Nicole, Avery, Deirdre, Kyra, and Dustin (whom I met in a previous book)
as they are boated to a private island in south Florida. There they
face odds with humor and hard work to renovate the property of a former
celebrity.
Grandma Gatewood's Walk -- by Ben Montgomery -- a biography of the 67 year old grandmother who hiked the Appalachian Trial; what a neat lady!
A Promise Kept
by Robin Lee Hatcher -- the story of Allison - who thought she heard
God's promise to save her marriage -- and about her new life in the
mountains of Idaho; a good reminder to pray without ceasing, and to
remember God works in realms we don't always see
The Perfect Life
by Robin Lee Hatcher -- what happens when your perfect life gets turned
upside down when someone accuses your high-profile husband of adultery
on a news station? It's a false accusation (right?), but it still casts
doubt on your family. Why, God, do you allow such things?
The Promise
by Beth Wiseman -- Mallory always wanted to save someone's life, and
when the opportunity to travel to Pakistan, marry a man "in name only"
in order to expedite his request to come to the United States so his
daughter can be treated for leukemia is presented, she travels there.
And finds many things aren't what she was lead to believe. It was
chilling to note that some of this story - more than I wanted to be true
- was based on actual events. Yikes.
Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island
by Regina Calcaterra -- my mom read this biography a couple of months
ago, and it must have really touched her because she mentioned it
several times. I finally remembered to get it at the library, and wow, I
understand how it made such a strong impression. Why God gives some
people children is beyond me.
Mambo in Chinatown
by Jean Kwok -- when we meet Charlie in this book, she is working as a
dishwasher in the restaurant where her father makes his delicious
noodles. When the opportunity arises for Charlie to work as a
receptionist at a dance studio, her world changes. At least when she's
not at home where her father holds to the traditional ways. Good book!
Ribbon of Years
by Robin Lee Hatcher -- the life of Miriam as told by friends and
people she'd impacted over the years. I don't know that I would have
kept such a good attitude if I'd dealt with the issues she faced!
Blessed Vows
by Jillian Hart -- awhile back I got this two novels in one book at a
book exchange, and I slowly read through the two stories. They were not
that good, but thankfully the book is now finished and I can leave it
for someone who might appreciate the tales.
Love Starts With Elle
by Rachel Hauck -- This book goes from Elle getting engaged, being
asked to relocate by her fiancé, their breaking up, and her meeting a
New York lawyer renting her cottage for a few months. There's more
stuff in there, of course, but that's a bit of it.
It Had to Be You
by Susan May Warren -- another story involving the Christiansen family.
This time focusing on Eden, and her coming out of the shadows and
finding her place in the world.
Whenever You Come Around
by Robin Lee Hatcher -- when her parents travel to Europe for a
three-month trip of a lifetime, Charity comes back home to live at their
house while her residence in Boise is renovated. After her dog causes
an accident (broken wrist and ankle), she feels obliged to help her
neighbor Buck for a few weeks.
God's Gift by Dee Henderson -- an OK story about a market manager, Rae, and her friendship with James, Lace, and David
When Love Blooms
by Robin Lee Hatcher -- the story of a marriage of convenience, a young
governess, and a dying wife. Takes place in Idaho. A fairly good if
not predictable story.
Child of the Jungle
by Sabine Kuegler -- "the true story of a girl caught between two
worlds" ; my mom read this biography about a German family who lived in
West Papua among the Fayu tribe, and she thought I'd like it. I took it
with me to the beach this weekend, and read it within a day. I like
reading stories about other cultures, and this was rather interesting to
me.
Coming Clean by Kimberly
Rae Miller -- a story about the author growing up with hoarding parents:
a father who liked to collect things, and a mother who shopped too much
(QVC, online shopping) and the awful, awful messy houses they lived in
and how her upbringing affected her life.
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