September Books

The Bishop's Daughter by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- book three in the series I began last month; This book follows the stories of Leona, the Amish school teacher, and Jimmy Scott who was introduced to readers in book one.

Walking the Himalayas by Levison Wood -- in the new books section of the library; Interesting story of Lev's journey through several countries

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden -- A great story about a couple of former classmate rivals, Trevor and Kate, who meet again years later to work on a cure for tuberculosis.  I found this book while visiting an area library (not the one I usually go to).  I enjoyed it, and want to look for others from this author.

The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- I sure have found a lot of Amish-based books this year, huh?  I was in an area library, and found this one.  "The Bishop's Family" series apparently. It was in the new books section along with book 2.  This book follows the life of David, recently widowed, and his Amish community and family in Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania. 

Vietnam, Now by David Lamb -- I received this book for Christmas, and enjoyed learning more about life in Vietnam when the author lived there for four years around 2000.  I wonder how this country has changed since then.

These were some things I shared on Facebook: 

I'm reading a book about a journalist who went to Vietnam during the American war, and went back again decades later. He said after "where are you from?" most people asked about his age (in order to figure out which form of "you" to use*), and how many children he has. Not having any children was attached with "sorrow - and sometimes bad luck." He got so tired of the expressions of sympathy and trying to explain why he had no children despite being happily married for many years, that he adopted a fictional family, and told inquiring Vietnamese that Sebastian** and Aileen** were back in the US and both had recently married. "'Ah' they'd say, 'A boy and a girl. Perfect. You are very lucky.'" (pg. 61)

* "the Vietnamese language has more than twenty words for 'I' and doesn't have a simple word for 'you'; age and status defines one's relationship and how people address each other."

**names that, "conveniently," the Vietnamese had difficulty pronouncing


"'We had to study French history in those days. We studied the French Revolution, and we'd say, "If the French can do it, why can't we?" That's the irony. The French inspired us how to make a revolution against France." -- a Vietnamese man, Pham Xuan An, talking to an American journalist living in Vietnam (pg. 83)

"On my desk was a Who's Who of Vietnam directory that covered 147 pages; fifty-nine pages were filled with people named Nguyen, Le, or Tran." Those being family names. (pg. 112)

One of the important lessons of the war with Vietnam -- "that airpower alone doesn't guarantee victory and that military might is often no match for nationalism.  As many as 2 million men walked to war over the Ho Chi Minh Trail between 1959 and 1975."  (pg. 244)  One man I read about earlier in the book said he left home in Hanoi kissing his wife and children goodbye.  He fought and returned to them after almost ten years.  He didn't see them at all during that time!

The Wheel of Life: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D. -- my mom actually read this and recommended it to me. She said it was good, but "a little weird" and I totally agree with that assessment.  Except some parts I'd say were very weird (to me) since I'm not really into speaking with guides and spirits and stuff that, frankly, I was taught was something we shouldn't do. (Look at King Saul, for example).  I do believe in a spirit world, demons, and angels, the devil, and all that, but still struggle (?) with wanting anything to do with them outside of the Holy Spirit.  Anyway, what a fascinating woman!

The Next Better Place by Michael C. Keith -- I was amazed at the detail this guy remembered from when he was 11 and 12 years old and went on the road with his wandering, alcoholic father.  Usually in traveling memoirs, people mention notes or blogs or journals so I realize they can keep track of what they did and whom they met.  I find it hard to believe that a preteen boy would do such a thing.  So, I took some of these stories with a grain of salt, not doubting that he experienced many of these situations, but maybe they didn't happen exactly as told. And that's OK.  It was a pretty good story.

The Quieting by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- book 2 of the series mentioned above.  The library had both in the new book section.  This one continued the tale of David's family with the addition if his nieces and very meddlesome mother coming to stay awhile. 

Where Courage Calls by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan -- Many, many years ago, I read Janette Oke books, and when I saw some news books - actually a Return to the Canadian West series - I decided to check them out.  I guess I don't mind hearing about teachers from the East traveling to rougher areas in the West, and seeing how they cope with totally new lifestyles. 

The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander -- McKenna and her rebellious younger brother Robert leave Missouri after losing nearly everything in order to begin a new life with their cousin and her family.   Only things aren't quite right in Copper Creek, Colorado, either.  In fact, things are terrible, and McKenna ends up having to parent another child. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman -- I saw this book highly recommended on Facebook by Nancy's mom (although I'm not FB friends with her; someone tagged me in a comment so...).  This isn't a book I probably would have picked up on my own, but apparently enough people liked it as it had a lot of holds on it when I put it on hold at the library.  I read it all in one day.  A good story.  Really grew on me because during the first several pages I was like, Huh? do I want to continue with this?  But I did, and I'm glad. 

Where Trust Lies by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan -- book two in the Return to the Canadian West series.  In this book Beth returns from the year she spent teaching in Coal Valley, and she reluctantly joins her mom and sisters on a six-week cruise through the Maritime Provinces and to the United States. 

Where Hope Prevails by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan -- book three follows Beth and her family again

The Ones Who Matter Most by Rachael Herron -- The story of Abby whose husband dies unexpectedly and then she discovers he had a family before they were married.  She wanted to meet her husband's former wife and the son she never knew existed ... so she goes to their house.