~THE BOOKSTOP~
Stories of a lifetime
I love books. A three word sentence that says so much....There are wonderful stories out there just waiting to be explored. Movies are ok, but books....aaah, now there is REAL pleasure! Write me and tell me which books YOU love--and why they touched your heart. I'm always looking for something to read!
NEW BOOKS REVIEWED.....
I Don't Mean To Be Rude, But... (by Simon Cowell): is a breezy read that briefly delves into Cowell's entrance into the world of music production. I preferred the sections where he discusses previous contestants on the reality hit, American Idol. This isn't ever going to be a Pulitzer, folks...
Wild Orchids (by Jude Deveraux): isn't what you'd expect it to be! It's a ghost story without a ghost. The main character is a writer who goes in search of a town rumored to be under a curse by the devil. It's not a scary read, but it is an unexpected storyline from an author known primarily as a romance novelist. I actually still have a hard time believing she wrote this. Good read, though.
Running Out of Time (by Margaret Peterson Haddix): asks the question "What if there was a place where we could live in the 1800s while the rest of the world remained modern?" The answer is that it wouldn't work, really. This is a wonderful book by one of my favorite children/young adult authors, who always manages to create unique and intriguing storylines.
Off the Face of the Earth (by Aljean Harmetz): is great writing backed up by a thought-provoking storyline. A little boy is kidnapped and it's a race against time to save him. The ending seems unbelievable, but the writing is fluid and emotional.
Sanctuary (by Beverly Lewis): has shades of Amish life mixed into a suspense novel. It's actually one of my favorites of hers, because the Amish culture is a backdrop, rather than the focus. Of course, I love all things Amish, so I suppose I am contradicting myself!
The Great House of God (by Max Lucado): presents gospel principles using modern-day parables. The main premise of the book is that we are living temples where the Holy Ghost may dwell. The Lord's Prayer, in his book, becomes the "floor plan" as he uses the rooms of a house to illustrate "..the home that God intends for you." For example, the kitchen is a place of (spiritual) nourishment; the living room is a welcoming place of fellowship; the hallway is where we seek repentance. This is one "home" you want to read about -- and to seek out in your own life.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (by Gregory Maguire): is a fascinating tale of Oz. The green girl, Elphaba, and her friendship with G(a)linda, later to become the Good Witch, is detailed. The nature of good and evil in Oz will be challenged and you'll never quite look at Dorothy the same way. This book was the basis for the smash Broadway musical, Wicked, which focuses more on the friendship of Elphaba and G(a)linda. The book focuses on the politics of Oz. Read the book and see the musical - neither will disappoint!
The Seat Beside Me (by Nancy Moser). An airplane crashes and the few survivors question why they lived while others didn't. One man COULD have made it, but chose to save others instead. His sacrifice leads the others to take a hard look at the decisions they made (or avoided making) in their lives. Ultimately, the book's premise is that each of us has an impact on the lives around us.
The Man In My Basement (by Walter Mosley): has to be one of the most thought-provoking books I've read recently. It is about a black man who owns the home that has been in his family for several generations and the white man who comes to ask to rent out the basement for unsettling purposes. It's about race relations, the nature of good and evil and whether we ever really know each other.
My Sister's Keeper (by Jodi Picoult): is yet another winner from one of my favorite authors. The protaganist is Anna, a teenager who was conceived primarily as a donor for her older sister who has recurrent cancer. Anna decides to sue her parents for the right to make decisions over her own body. Each character's actions and thoughts are represented in a way that creates compassion, rather than judgment. As a mother, I read this wondering "What would I do?" while knowing what I've already been through with my youngest daughter (not cancer-related, but a serious ongoing health issue nonetheless). No easy answers here.
The Scarlet Thread (by Francine Rivers): is a multi-layered book that focuses on two women searching for Christ in their lives. The main story centers on Sierra Madrid, a wife and mother of two children whose husband receives a job offer in a different city. She clings to her childhood home and early marriage memories instead of embracing what the future may hold. Through reading the journal of an ancestor crossing the Oregon trail, she learns to let go of her expectations and rely on faith. It's a tender and (at times) heart-wrenching look into the lives of a family and the choices they make.
The Sparrow AND Children of God (by Mary Doria Russell): are two of the most though-provoking books I've ever read. The plot centers on a team, led by a Jesuit priest, who go to another world after radio transmissions on Earth hear beautiful music coming from across the galaxy. The book is shocking and bold -- with shades of theology, philosophy, science and fiction blended into the books. It is like nothing I've ever read!
Fast Food Nation (by Eric Schlosser): gives the history and ramifications (social, physical, financial, cultural, etc) of the fast food industry on America and the world. It has also changed forevermore the way I will look at a Big Mac! Watch the documentary too - it will shock you!
These books are just the tip of the iceberg! There is a world of adventure, love, lore, fiction and nonfiction just waiting to be opened! New books will be added as often as possible! Please go to the "Past Books" page for a review of other books read and loved.
This site updated 4 JANUARY 2005