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Category Archives: Inspiration
Come Rain or Come Shine–love the book!
Come Rain or Come Shine 
by Jan Karon
After somewhat disappointing results in her last book (see my previous post, a review of Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good), Jan Karon has once more hit the mark in her Mitford tale Come Rain or Come Shine. Readers are all invited to the wedding of Dooley and Lace and get to participate in the preparations as well.
The novels in the Mitford series are kind and gentle and this one is no exception. The characters are not without problems, and realistic, unfortunate situations do arise. Karon effectively uses a technique in this novel of sharing some of Lace’s journaling to show the reader her attitudes and the process she and Dooley had to go through to get to the point of marriage.
A new character, Jack Tyler, is introduced. It seems he will be important in future books as Karon continues to spin her magic with words as the younger Mitford generation becomes the focus. If you are not already a Mitford/Father Tim/Jan Karon fan, begin with the first Father Tim novel, At Home in Mitford. I strongly recommend joining the many readers happily anticipating the next events in Mitford.
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good–love the title
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good
by Jan Karon
Continuing the saga of Father Tim, an Episcopal priest, the book Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good was eagerly awaited by fans of the Mitford series. I have lived out of the U.S. long enough for this book and another in the series both to be published in paperback. I say this to establish that the intervening time lapse has genuinely caused me to forget many of the details of the various subplots of the series. Karon tries to draw enthusiasm from people like me as well as perhaps those who pick up this book as their first taste of life in Mitford. Honestly, I think Karon has created too many characters to be able to update them all effectively. Perhaps she should have pared down the ones included in this book. That part of the book only earns two stars; I don’t fault Karon’s writing, just her taking on an impossible task.
When the reader gets past the clumsiness of character updates, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good becomes the delightful tale that Karon’s readers have come to expect–interesting, but soothing; realistic, but attaining a moral high ground. I love to see how the characters deal with life; I delight in the carefully crafted words and the beautiful sentiments. It is a treat, as always, to watch Father Tim deal with people who are not always lovable and to sort out his own problems while supporting the community members who have grown to depend on his Godly wisdom.
As a teacher and book lover, I enjoy the focus on the local bookstore, Happy Endings, and the way people come together in the story to support it. Readers who love books (especially children’s literature) will be attracted to the many quotes encouraging reading that Mitford’s citizens post in the bookstore.
As the remainder of the book, including the raison d’être of the title, pleased to capacity, I award a full five stars to Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good.
Perilous Judgment–can a federal judge stay within the law and still save those closest to him?
Perilous Judgment
A Real Justice Thriller Series, Book 1
by Dennis Ricci
Perilous Judgment is the first book in Dennis Ricci’s Real Justice Thriller Series. I don’t know what Mr. Ricci’s plans for future books in this series are. I can envision his successfully either creating more tales revolving around his main character, Judge Edward Lamport, or departing from the characters in his first book to write more thrillers continuing to focus on the theme of real justice. Is justice achieved only through the law or can individuals define it as something found in a higher good, a morality above and beyond human created systems of rules?
Perilous Judgment is a story of federal laws, political struggles for power and money, and international narcotics cartels. The main characters have made mistakes in their pasts for which there are consequences. They have decisions to make which affect others and through prayer they try to decipher the will of God in their unique situations. Following the “real justice” theme, many tough but ethical people have to decide at what point there is a higher law to follow.
As a current resident of Mexico, I find reading about the violence of drug cartels difficult because their actions are at such odds with the individuals I have met in the general population. They are kind, friendly and eager to help others. They too dislike corruption in the government and fear the kidnapping and cruelty of gangs. Then as I look back to my home country, I wonder if we are so very different. The political corruption north of the border is more sophisticated and subtle, but is widespread. Large cities are racked with high violent crime rates. I look forward to Mr. Ricci’s next thriller and wonder if his search for real justice will have its focal point solely in the U.S. or if he will once again cross international borders.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to the publisher Waterfall Press for allowing me to read Perilous Judgment in exchange for an unbiased review.
Ghost of Africa– don’t miss this medical action suspense
The Ghost of Africa
by Don Brobst
Don Brobst has created a fast paced adventure set in Africa. Although The Ghost of Africa is fiction, Don Brobst’s background lends a definite authenticity to the story. Like his protagonist, Dr. Paul Branson, the author is a medical doctor who travels to Africa frequently to provide medical assistance. The reader can assume the comparison ends there as the fictional doctor becomes entangled in a deadly struggle over oil between local forces in North Sudan and South Sudan.
Although Waterfall Press publishes Christian fiction, this novel does not fall anywhere near the category of historical romantic fiction that can be so typical of fictional works from a Christian publishing house. The author has obviously thoroughly researched special forces and military equipment. The result is a very detailed and physical fight for survival with a ruthless antagonist. There is a Christian theme as Dr. Branson is viewed by the natives as The Chosen One, a label he struggles with and tries to put into perspective for the native population.
I strongly recommend The Ghost of Africa. It does have a strong element of violence, but it is not gratuitous. This book stands up well with other action adventures. It also provides a realistic look at life in Africa for the innocents who are caught up in others’ struggles for wealth and power.
I want to extend thanks to netgalley.com and Waterfall Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Riveting Memoir of a Romanian Lawyer– Could be Used in Christian High School?
Saving My Assassin
by Virginia Prodan
Virginia Prodan has written a riveting memoir Saving My Assassin. It was difficult to read many parts of this book because of its troubling, torturous content, but the triumphant spirit of this tiny powerhouse of a woman kept me returning to discover how God could possibly use the evil that surrounded her for His greater purpose.
Virginia Prodan was formerly a lawyer during the cruel Communist dictatorship of Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu. Currently she is an international lawyer residing in the U.S. where she continues her work representing Christians who find themselves in legal difficulties because of their stand for Christ.
Saving My Assassin begins with a brief glimpse at a pivotal moment in Prodan’s life. That part of the story ends abruptly, but is repeated and continued later in the appropriate time sequence. This is a technique which could be annoying, but is used here to skillfully draw the reader into the critical nature of the happenings in Prodan’s life. Next we learn of mysteries and events in her younger years which help us understand how she became such a determined adult. She endured a cruel childhood which left her determined to discover the truth on all levels. Why was she so mistreated by her own family? Why did she look so different from them? Why were people in Romania not allowed to worship God when their laws said they could? What motivated the cold violence of the Securitate, the Communist government agents who stalked her, interrogated her, and threatened the lives of her and her children? Why were they so willing to torture and kill their own citizens, innocent of crimes, many of whom apparently disappeared into the night?
Although this book is written for adults, I think mature high school students would appreciate it as well. I taught high school English in a Christian school before I became an elementary public school teacher. This is the kind of book I would have used with my seniors. It would be particularly appropriate for reading in conjunction with a history or civics class as it deals with a Communist dictatorship during the Reagan era and shows the power and influence the U.S. can choose to wield in supporting Christians around the world. Because Saving My Assassin has a strong Biblical message, I assume it could not be assigned for reading in a public school setting, but I would be interested in feedback from teachers with more recent public high school experience than I have.
Saving My Assassin has a proposed publication date of June 7, 2016. I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to the publisher Tyndale House for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Three Day Quote Challenge–Day 3
The message today from school administrators to teachers is “we are always looking over your shoulder and you need to hit the mark every single minute of the day.” The message should be “we are here to support you as you experiment in your classroom. Keep it vital, new, creative and full of growth. Every class you teach will be different. Classes and students will even have different needs from the day before. Keep trying until you find what works for this class. Education is not a one size fits all endeavor.” This message of school being a “no mistakes” zone is passed along to the students. Real learning is messy. Let teachers and students engage in the process!
Three Day Quote Challenge–Day 2
I love Robert Frost’s poetry, but I never knew he had a sense of humor until I encountered this quote:
Three Day Quote Challenge–Day 1
My new blogger friend, Wendy from Ramblings and Musings, invited me to participate in this three day quote challenge.
The rules for the challenge are:
- Thank the person nominating you for the challenge.
- Post a quote on your blog for 3 consecutive days.
- Invite 3 of your favorite bloggers to join the challenge.
My nominees for the challenge are:
- David from David Snape and Friends, whom I originally started following because of an interesting post he wrote on autism. It is also through his blog that I discovered the fantastic Kindness Blog.
- Shellie from Shellie Woods who writes about marketing and life, from a Christian perspective.
- Kim from Learn to Love Food. Through her blog Kim has taught me about the need some children have for food therapy and her fun approach to helping those with food issues.
No obligation–just fun, inspiration and exposure to bloggers you may not have encountered before.
My first quote has been my favorite for years. It was my signature quote on my work email. I wanted it always there as a reminder to the “Standardistas” that accumulating facts is not what education is all about. Many education policy makers and enforcers (in my former school district and around the country) have forgotten that education is inspiring children to be lifelong learners.
Will Great Scores on a High Stakes Test Land You a Job at Goodreads?
Goodreads is a website that has created a huge community of readers, and their goal is to hook up readers with books they will love. In browsing today, I came across their Jobs page. I’m not looking to come out of retirement, but I was interested in their values:
- Ownership
- Create Fun
- Be Humble
- Think Big
- Customer Obsession
- Be Passionate
- Help Each Other
- Always Be Learning, Always Be Teaching.
Goodreads says they want people that are creative and care about the customer. Reread their list of values. Are any of those items on a standardized test? Are any of those values part of the Common Core State Standards? Would they be integral to a private school education where neither the CCSS nor standardized testing is required? Then WHY are we not including them in a public school education? All of our kids deserve a first class education.
If you want to see the source, go to:
I Am That Teacher Too (Letter 3) Thematic Learning—Where the Pieces Work Together
Dear Former Students,
What do I hope you remember about me?
Reading, Math, and Science, Oh My!
Social Studies, Art, and Music, Oh My!
I hope you remember the special activities and projects that made learning so much fun—different activities for different years. Some of you raised calves and others hatched baby chicks or silkworms. We grew plants. Lots of you will remember our parakeet and our gerbils. You took turns letting Little Bird sit on your shoulder. You cleaned out cages and pens and learned a lot about life and a little about death. Some first grade classes researched dinosaurs and created individual reports on their work producing the most fantastic books.
Our whole day was about learning how to read, but you didn’t know it. Reading was in everything we did. I cocooned you with the look, sounds, and feel of language. When you emerged from that cocoon at the end of first grade, I had succeeded if you loved to read and to learn. I had succeeded if you had found a passion in some of the many things we explored: math, science, social studies, art, music, and of course language itself. We sprinkled in movement, drama, and dance. Was there anything you couldn’t do? I remember one of you telling me, “I am UNSTOPPABLE!” When the year began, your behavior was unstoppable, but when the year ended, your desire to learn was unstoppable. That was success for both of us.
education pathways 