Home » Posts tagged 'friends' (Page 3)
Tag Archives: friends
My Family and Other Animals–adventures of a young naturalist
My Family and Other Animals
by Gerald Durrell
Ready for a boring book about animals? You won’t find it in My Family and Other Animals. Since the author Gerald Durrell (Gerry) was a naturalist from the age of two, there are plenty of animals in this book. He observes them and collects them when his family (Mother, brothers Larry and Leslie, and sister Margo) move from England to the Greek island of Corfu. Both the family and Gerry’s collection of animals are a continual source of humor for the reader with responses ranging from smiles to raucous laughter. Each of the family members is a unique character, but they argue and discuss issues until they arrive at a group “family” decision and act on it.
The story is told by Gerald as an adult looking back on Gerry’s adventures of which there were many. Ten year old Gerry was allowed to roam the island with his dog Roger exploring flora and fauna at his leisure. Occasionally, to Gerry’s dismay, the family would decide to rein him in by providing a tutor. They procured several knowledgeable men at various times, but it was apparent that Gerry’s passion for animals would dominate any efforts at education. When they arrive, Spiro, a local taxi driver and fixer, adopts them and helps them during their stay with any needs they might have. Gerry meets a lot of the locals during his roamings and they always welcome him and offer him refreshment as they chat.
Durrell is a wonderful author whether he is describing natural beauty, the mating of turtles, the parties hosted by the Durrells, the quirks of his siblings, or his observations of small, black scorpions living in the crumbling garden wall. As they are want to do, there were often animal escapes resulting in family meetings to decide what they were going to do about that particular animal’s housing. Occasionally animals were banned from the house, but at no time did the family try to stop Gerry’s proclivity for cultivating interactions with nature. They seemed to understand that it was as much a part of his nature as writing was to Larry, shooting to Leslie, romance to Margo, or cooking to Mother. Their adventures and interactions will keep you turning pages to see what they will do next.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Memoir, Humor
Notes: #1 in the Corfu Trilogy.A 4 season TV series, The Durrells in Corfu, was made by Masterpiece Theatre.
Publication: 1956—Penguin Books
Memorable Lines:
The cypress trees were whipped like dark pendulums against the sky, and the olives (so fossilized all summer, so still and witchlike) were infected with the madness of the wind and swayed creaking on their misshapen, sinewy trunks, their leaves hissing as they turned, like mother of pearl, from green to silver. This is what the dead leaves had whispered about, this is what they had practiced for; exultantly they rose in the air and danced, whirligiging about, dipping, swooping, falling exhausted when the wind tired of them and passed on.
By the time a certain amount of order had been restored, all the baby scorpions had hidden themselves under various plates and bits of cutlery. Eventually, after impassioned pleas on my part, backed up by Mother, Leslie’s suggestion that the whole lot be slaughtered was quashed…Roger and I went and spent the afternoon on the hillside, for I felt it would be prudent to allow the family to have a siesta before seeing them again.
The hill-top seemed to have its own breeze, albeit a baby one, for no matter how hot it was below in the valley, up in the three olive groves the tiny wind played constantly, the leaves whispered, and the drooping cyclamen flowers bowed to each other in endless greeting. It was an ideal spot in which to rest after a hectic lizard hunt, when your head was pounding with the heat, your clothes limp and discolored with perspiration, and the three dogs hung out their pink tongues and panted like ancient miniature railway engines.
Fight Back with Joy–seeking “a life radiant with joy”
and Fight Back with Joy Bible Study
by Margaret Feinberg
Margaret Feinberg was already an author and speaker when she had the rug pulled out from under her with a cancer diagnosis. With painfully candid honesty, Feinberg shares her journey through the medical and emotional roller coaster that her life became. She and her husband Leif struggled together to find joy in a very difficult situation. They always found God to be faithful as they pursued good health for Margaret and a closer relationship to Him.
Fight Back with Joy chronicles their struggles and recounts how they found joy in the little things. At no point does she exaggerate or minimize her spiritual, physical, or emotional battles. She includes practical advice and examples of their pursuit of joy which was often difficult. Feinberg shows how the things she learned can be applied to the many struggles that her readers undergo, not just physical illness.
The workbook is intended to be used by groups or individuals in corporation with a video series of Margaret’s teachings on joy. I did not have the videos, but that did not hinder my use of either book. The study helps the reader to dive deeper into what the Bible has to say about the struggles of life and our response to them. The book would be valuable even without the workbook, but I certainly would not advise trying to use the workbook without the teachings in the book.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Religion, Christian Life, Personal Growth
Publication: 2015—Worthy Publishing
Memorable Lines:
When we fight back with joy, we no longer size the character of God according to our circumstances, but we size our circumstances according to the character of God and his great affection for us.
When everything goes awry, we are tempted to rush past, stuff, deny, or file the situation under “unmentionables.” We will do anything to make the chaos subside. Something inside us lunges to grieve, but we stiff-arm the impulse, forcing ourselves to keep it together.
…one of the fastest ways to receive joy is to give it away. One of the best ways to be lifted up is to lift up others.
No matter what adversity we face, we can turn our eyes from what’s before us and refocus on the God who fills us with joy. Instead of only seeing adversity, we become alert to Christ, who has overcome all things and for whom nothing is impossible.
Pax, Journey Home–repercussions of war
Pax, Journey Home
by Sara Pennypacker
illustrated by Jon Klassen
When you read Pax by Sara Pennypacker, you will probably want to have closure on several fronts. What happens to Peter? What happens to Pax? Will they ever unite? Will Peter ever return to live with Vola or will he return to his old home?
In Pax, Journey Home the focus is no longer the war, but the aftermath of the war—deserted towns, water poisoned with heavy metals, and animals who have died or fled. Peter joins the Water Warriors in a junior capacity and is able to help some of the adults with his survival skills. Peter’s story turns more tender here as he finally deals with grief and guilt.
Like the first book, Pax, this book provides many opportunities for discussion about war and its impact on families. It adds to that framework environmental topics related to war.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Children’s Fiction
Notes: 1. Ages 9-11
Grades 3-7
2. I liked this book better than the first. Although this book shows Peter confronting issues from his past, in Pax, Journey Home, he overcomes them. He learns how to be strong and brave in his decisions. There is more positivity and gentleness in this book. I do advise reading Pax first.
Publication: January 31, 2023—Balzer + Bray
Memorable Lines:
Memories were so treacherous. Always lurking under the surface, ready to bushwhack you with a blade to the heart when you weren’t careful.
“Well, that is not what I believe.” Vola said it in a completely neutral voice. No challenge, no judgement on someone who believed something else. Peter had come to appreciate Vola’s technique. It defused things, let the other person hold a different side without asking for a fight.
When they’d pulled into the outpost, she’d advised him again. “Fill your cup whenever you can,” and this time he’d understood that she wasn’t talking about water and his eyes had stung.
Pax–a boy and his fox
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
illustrated by Jon Klassen
Pax is supposed to be a middle grade book, but its themes require more maturity than most young people of that age can muster. The costs of war are central to the book as the characters have to deal with its emotional effects on individuals and families. Trust and treachery, anger and emotional abuse, and love, promises, guilt and truthfulness are all issues that come into play in this book.
With a purposely vague setting in terms of location and time, the author uses two points of view to tell this story—that of Peter, a twelve year old boy whose mother has recently passed away and of Pax, the fox Peter rescued when Pax was just an orphaned kit. Peter’s father goes away to war leaving him with his grandfather, but making him desert his pet. That is so much grief for a boy!
Wracked with guilt and worry, Peter sets out to find Pax while Pax waits and then searches for Peter. The reader follows both characters through adventures and misadventures. Another interesting character is Vola, a wounded veteran who has difficulty recovering from the physical and emotional traumas of war, but tries to help Peter. Several characters in the book suffer from what we would call PTSD or shell shock. There are also generational issues as Peter’s father has difficulty with anger and Peter doesn’t want to follow in his footsteps.
The writing is excellent, and Pax is ripe with topics for discussion. Our book group debated various issues related to the book and reread passages to clarify our understanding of some underlying meanings. When it was time to close down our meeting, we still had concerns we could have pursued.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Children’s Fiction
Notes: 1. Ages 9-11
Grades 3-7
In looking at reviews in Amazon after I finished writing my review, I found that readers were mixed on the appropriate reading level for the subject matter. Whereas my book club of adults found it to be emotionally challenging, many readers in online statements thought it was appropriate. This is not the kind of book you want to hand to a child to read on their own. Instead, it needs to be read with an adult at home or in a classroom and include lots of discussion.
2. I was unhappy that some of the storylines seemed incomplete, but the author published a sequel: Pax, Journey Home in 2023 which I have checked out from my library to read.
Publication: 2016—HarperCollins (Balzer + Bray)
Memorable Lines:
“I have more than everything I need.” Vola sat. “I have peace here.” “Because it’s so quiet?” “No. Because I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I should be doing. That is peace.”
“So which is it? You going back for your home or for your pet?” “They’re the same thing,” Peter said, the answer sudden and sure, although a surprise to him. “And you’re going to do this no matter who tries to stop you? Because it’s the right thing for you, at your core?” Vola made a fist and thumped her chest. “Your core. Is that true?”
Peter remembered Vola asking him which side his father was fighting on. Peter had answered her, stunned that she would even have to ask. “The right side,” he’d added, indignantly. “Boy,” Vola had said, and then “Boy!” again, to make sure she had his attention. “Do you think anyone in the history of this world ever set out to fight for the wrong side?”
Death in the Romance Aisle–cozy mystery in a bookstore setting
Death in the Romance Aisle
by Lynn Cahoon
As a cancer survivor, Lynn Cahoon, made an unusual decision with her Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Series. Her protagonist Rarity is also a cancer survivor who leaves her corporate, big city life behind to open a small town book store which she names The Next Chapter. Within that context she starts a book club for cancer survivors. The goal is not to read books about cancer, but to bond with others who have experienced similar journeys. They mainly read mysteries and have a subgroup formed to informally investigate local murders that affect them in some way. In Death in the Romance Aisle, the murder victim is a new part-time employee at the bookstore.
Cahoon’s excellent writing skills are on display throughout Death in the Romance Aisle. There is tension related to the murder investigation especially when Rarity becomes a target. The characters are interesting with many of them becoming for Rarity the family she never had as they form bonds, support each other, and exhibit the dependability necessary to keep Rarity safe and the bookstore operating. Cahoon also includes romance threads. Rarity is dating Archer who owns a hiking tour service in Sedona, Arizona, and their relationship matures as they adapt to each other’s work needs. Rarity’s best friend is Sam who is dating the local police detective Drew. When Sam’s brother Marcus becomes a suspect, there is discord in Sam and Drew’s relationship. There are many other suspects, however, and thus the murder investigation and this book’s plot is involved. Cahoon also demonstrates her talents by including humor and friction among friends. Lastly, one of the characters is Killer, a little Yorkie that Rarity adopted when its owner died. He goes with her to work and is much loved by everyone. I just love his name.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #3 in the Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. It includes a recipe for Marbled Pumpkin and Chocolate Brownies that sounds delicious.
3. I enjoyed watching Rarity’s thinking as she develops ideas for improving her bookstore. She is very open to the ideas and suggestions of others, but she evaluates them carefully. Also, she always has notebooks at hand—one for the murder investigations and another for to-do lists and reminders.
Publication: September 9, 2023—Kensington (Lyrical Press)
Memorable Lines:
“We don’t want to have a killer running around free. It’s not a good draw for the town festivals.” Malia laughed spitting out her coffee. She wiped it up with the arm of her hoodie.
The one thing she’d learned after having cancer was that tomorrow wasn’t promised to anyone. And if you had a dream, you needed to fight for it. She was living her dream. Good or bad, she’d jumped. And her life was better for taking the chance. A lot better. Not just in her career, but in her life. She had a community here. And no one was going to rip that apart.
“That woman is a ball of energy. She sucks all the energy from the room, then shoots it back out at people, covered in pink and red donut sprinkles. She light up the entire store when she’s here.”
Surprised by Oxford–an intellectual’s search for meaning
Surprised by Oxford
by Carolyn Weber
Carolyn Weber had quite a culture shock when, as a scholarship student, she transported herself from Western Ontario into the revered halls of Oxford University. In that first year of working on her Master of Philosophy degree, she was introduced to a different system of learning and classes. She was expected to learn for the sake of learning and to pursue academic interests through tutorials—meetings of small groups of students with a professor. Along with tea or sherry, the groups dove into intellectual pursuits that exhilarated this future professor of literature.
Along the way, Weber discovered a diverse group of friends from a variety of backgrounds who challenged each other in the friendly way comrades can have in the pub over a pint at the end of a long day of studying. She discovered a diversity of spiritual beliefs from atheist to Eastern religions, but none kindled in her the desire to investigate like the Christian faith did. The Christian students and professors were not what she expected. No one was standing on street corners thumping a Bible. Instead, when they found she was interested, they encouraged her to actually read the Bible and to attend groups where the writings of C.S. Lewis were discussed.
Through Surprised by Oxford, I learned a lot about the University of Oxford that contradicted the stereotypes that are generally shared in media. It was interesting to watch her personal and intellectual growth, to see her search within herself for spiritual meaning and communication with God. Obviously a lover of literature, Weber begins each chapter with poetry and sprinkles other lines of poetry throughout the book, especially as she and her friends quote poetry to each other in the context of their discussions.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Memoir, Christian
Publication: 2011—Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
I had no real need of believing in men, God incarnate or otherwise. Fathers especially were not to be trusted. They did not even seem relevant really. That much I had learned. That much I brought with me.
“Despair is the greatest sin,” Dr. Nuttham finally responded slowly. “It involves forgetting that God is there. Forgetting that He is good and that all He is and does extends from and works toward this perfect goodness. That doesn’t mean that He allows evil, or creates it, or perpetuates it. That’s our entwinement. Rather, He uses even our evil toward His good. We all need forms of remembering this first great love…writing, reading, creating, being.”
“Jesus brings the most radical message there is into any society at any time: you are beloved; you are worth a price that only the God of the universe could pay.”
To Trust a Hero–scars of betrayal
To Trust a Hero
by Alexis Morgan
I enjoy Harlequin Heartwarming novels because they are predictably clean romances. To Trust a Hero fits that role, but it also has characters you will love and a mystery that you may figure out the whodunit of the plot before it is revealed, but not the why. I loved watching it play out. The main characters Max, a freelance writer, and Rikki, a single mom and the owner of a B&B, both have difficult backgrounds that they have not shared with others. Their pasts make trusting difficult for each of them, but when Max rents out the turret room for an extended period, he finds that he is not “just a guest anymore.” It is hard to tell who he falls in love with more, Rikki or her adorable 5 year old son Carter. Carter and Max bond over Legos.
This is Max’s return to the town of Dunbar. He has been invited to see the Trillium Nugget in the Dunbar Historical Museum. His presence and the Nugget caused quite an uproar in a previous book, but was worked out satisfactorily. On his return, the townspeople gradually warm up to him. Now he wants to write a book about his great-grandfather using resources at the town’s museum to research his ancestor’s story.
When someone breaks into Rikki’s B&B and vandalizes two rooms, Max flies into protective mode. At that point we learn more about Cade. the Chief of Police, and Titus, an excellent cook with a gruff exterior.
Interesting characters, gentle romance, a mystery without a murder, and a cute kid—I couldn’t ask for more. If you want to escape from all the craziness infused into this world, take a trip to Dunbar. I think you’ll find it an engaging and pleasant relief.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance
Notes: # 2 in the Heroes of Dunbar Mountain series. Although To Trust a Hero is great as a standalone, now I want to read about Max’s first involvement with the town in The Lawman’s Promise. My interest has also been piqued by hints that the next book in this series, Second Chance Deputy focuses on Titus.
Publication: August 22, 2023—Harlequin Heartwarming
Memorable Lines:
Max knew firsthand what it was like when a kid couldn’t depend on anyone, and he devoutly hoped that Carter never experienced how much that kind of betrayal hurt or the scars it left behind.
“It must be something in the water supply here that makes men act stupid around strong women.”
The cruise had been fun, but it was Carter’s infectious joy that had made the day special. Every time a new whale appeared, the little guy had cheered and then run from one side of the boat to the other to get the best view.
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life–not a mean bone in his body
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life
by Helen Fisher
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life is the story of a neurodiverse young man whose mother’s goal is to support him into being a happy person able to live independently and hold down a job. He is a man of routines and anything that deviates from that routine or is out of place makes Joe very uncomfortable. Joe has a job at a grocery store called The Compass where his favorite activities are to stack items for display and to return mislaid items to where they belong. His mother is writing a book, a manual, for him in case he gets confused or forgets how to do something. He is quite literate, reading and retaining so many facts, but he can’t make the connections necessary for functioning easily in settings with other people. He has an understanding boss Hugo. Joe’s friend Chloe is a foul-mouthed co-worker who is not afraid to stand up to “Mean Charlie” who bullies Joe unmercifully.
The first part of Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life is well-written, and I really cared about Joe and the other characters. There is a major event which happens in Joe’s life (spoiler if I included it) after which the book went downhill for me. The plot and the characters became more negative. Joe’s life goal is to prove his mom right that he “doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.” While that is a positive attribute, because Joe doesn’t understand anything that is not literal or is nuanced, he unintentionally causes a lot of physical pain in a relational situation. The reader has to cringe and inwardly say, “No, Joe! Stop!” several times.
Joe’s mother has beautiful handwriting. In this book the author quotes from the manual when Joe reads passages in it. This style and format (italics in place of cursive) are effective ways to demonstrate the difficulties faced by neurodivergent children and adults and how Joe’s mom clearly tries to address all of his present and future concerns. People who are neurodivergent are open to bullying, and their parents face huge challenges in preparing them for life as adults, especially after the parents have died.
Rating: 3/5
Category: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Notes: 1. I am probably in the minority in not loving this book. I really liked the character of Joe, and I understood the author’s portrayal of him. I even both sympathized and empathized with Joe, but the negative events were too strong and outweighed the positives for me.
2. There was a lot of inappropriate language from Chloe who is actually one of my favorite characters because she is someone Joe can rely on and she has no agenda. Even Joe didn’t like her swearing; he made a box for her to put money in when she swore.
3. One of Joe’s favorite things to do with and without his mom was to watch episodes of the TV show “Friends.” It was part of his routine and relaxed him. I just don’t think that show has good role models and would have too many jokes and situations that Joe would not understand.
4. A minor detail: the author used a mask in a scene and the usage was OK in terms of the plot. Joe understandably doesn’t like masks because he can’t tell what expression the person has and match it up with the expressions he has learned from a chart. The mask in this case was worn by an insensitive bully and was the face of an American president. My problem with this scene is that the author slipped in a slur about the president. It was not funny and it did not further the plot in any way. It was clearly politically motivated and unnecessary, and I would not have appreciated it regardless of which president was depicted.
5. The book includes “Topics and Questions for Discussion” and a section of activities to “Enhance Your Book Club.” Both of these were well done.
Publication: May 28,2024—Gallery Books (Simon and Schuster)
Memorable Lines:
Making sure that her son had a secure job with a nice manager somewhere that was walking distance from home was one of the most important things on Janet’s list to help Joe-Nathan prepare for independent life.
Janet knew that assumptions were lazy; a simple way of filling in the blanks when there wasn’t enough information Assumptions were a way of connecting the dots to give you a picture that worked, but not necessarily the right picture. Not necessarily the truth.
He wished it was Monday morning so he could go to work and feel completely comfortable knowing how he fitted into the world.
Ladies of the Lake–bonds of friendship
Ladies of the Lake
by Cathy Gohlke
Viewing the same characters in a split timeline is a good way to tell the story of four girls who formed life long friendships at Lakeside Ladies Academy in Connecticut. They dubbed themselves “Ladies of the Lake.” They were not similar in background, but over their years at the school, they developed a close bond which they sealed with blood signatures at a gazebo on the school grounds, promising to keep in touch and support each other. The split timeline varies between showing the ladies as young people and as adults with a mystery gradually unraveling as the backgrounds and events that shaped them as adults are revealed.
Unfortunately, mistakes were made and things were said that broke some of the bonds. Dot and Addie are the most prominent characters, but they harbor secrets that keep them apart. Loving the same man, the Great War, and the Halifax Explosion all play a tumultuous role in their futures. Can a teenager bring them together?
Ladies of the Lake has a strong Christian theme as the women struggle through seemingly impossible situations. Portia, Addie’s housekeeper, is a woman of faith who gently guides Addie through some difficulties. The author holds up for examination the perspectives of the times on German Americans and Blacks. She invites the reader to see more than one side of an issue For example, people of German descent, former friends and neighbors, might be viewed as the enemy. Blacks were often held in contempt by some as “less than” even though they were put in a position of nurturing white children.
Forgiveness is a strong theme in this book as there are several characters who need to ask and receive forgiveness. Family is another important theme as the girls form a family for each other regardless of their home situations.
Reading this book is an escape into another world, but not one without pain. The characters are described well, and readers can immerse themselves in their lives as the story is full of twists and turns. The author cleverly hides the identity of Dorothy’s husband, but as the book progresses the reader will take pleasure in deciphering who he probably is.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Historical Fiction, Christian, Women’s Fiction
Notes: There are lots of Scripture references and some particularly lovely and meaningful prayers at appropriate places in the story.
Publication: July 11, 2023—Tyndale House Publishers
Memorable Lines:
If I’d had a grandmother or a guardian angel, I would’ve wanted her to be just like Mrs. Simmons…I would have wanted her to be Mrs. Simmons.
She watched as he rejoined his brother, two halves of a whole, one with a slight limp and the other with a sleeve empty since the Great War, neither of which stole appeal from either man. That war had stolen much from the Meyer family, far more than the damage or loss of limbs.
Tears know no quota; mine couldn’t seem to stop.
Two to Tango–clean romance
Two to Tango
by Kathleen Fuller
Join the residents of Maple Falls, Arkansas, for a romance between highly organized librarian Olivia Farnsworth and over scheduled pediatrician Kingston Bedford. It takes quite a while for them to get together because Kingston promises to contact Olivia and then can’t find the time to do it between his busy practice and his volunteer activities. He is filled with guilt, and she has a hard time trusting him.
A group of older women, including Kingston’s domineering mother, decide to play matchmaker. Comedy shows up in the situation when the pair decides to have a pretend relationship to get the ladies to back off. Of course, things don’t go exactly by plan. Others become involved as the matchmaking extends to some older residents. The couple’s contemporaries are excited for them, and the new dance teacher could be a potential match.
This is the fourth book in the Maple Falls Romance Series. Each one focuses on a different couple, but in Two to Tango all of the couples from the various books play a role.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. #4 in the Maple Falls Romance Series. I don’t recommend this as a standalone. There are a lot of characters assembled from previous books. If you are interested in this clean, character-driven series, I suggest you start with the first one.
Publication: July 11, 2023—Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
Aunt Bea was right. It was easier to hide behind the familiar and benign than to face the elephant in the room—life was changing, and she didn’t like it. While her life was staying routinely the same, the relationships she’d depended on had altered.
His mother was putting on her best social smile, but he could see she was simmering underneath the ruse. The woman considered punctuality the eleventh commandment.
But his mother’s expectation was clear. Being good wasn’t enough. He had to be the best.
education pathways 