Francine Rivers - "Unafraid"

     She's most certainly done it again!  This is the fifth book in the "Lineage of Grace" series by Francine Rivers based upon the five women listed in Matthew's account of the genealogy of Christ.  I've read the other four books in the series, but this was my favorite.  This is the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus as told from her perspective.  It is based on the Biblical account of her life as well as some of the events in Jesus' life.  Mrs. Rivers prayerfully takes artistic license throughout the story to create dialog, character feelings and motivations, and the like to create a poignant picture of what Mary's life of obedience very well might have been like. 

     Mary was an average, poor peasant girl in Nazareth, but she chosen by God to bear his son, Jesus, the Messiah.  She was probably about fourteen years of age when an angel appeared to her and delivers the message that God had chosen her as his vessel.  She was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph at the time.  Could you imagine having to tell your fiance' that although you are a virgin, that you are pregnant with God's baby.  GULP!  Although there is not too much mentioned in the Bible about Mary's life, Mrs. Rivers delivers a beautiful telling of this woman's tale. 


Unafraid: Mary (The Lineage of Grace Series #5)

      Mary (and Joseph for that matter) is a inspiring example of obedience regardless of the cost.  She said "yes" to what God asked of her.  She said "yes" to being willing to become pregnant as an unwed woman in a culture that stoned adulterous people.  She said "yes" to following her husband from place to place when God told him to go regardless of the seeming absurdity of it.  She said "yes" (though with some difficulty) to releasing Jesus into his season of ministry even though it meant having to wonder who would provide for her and her family.  Astounding! 

     I pray I have the courage to say "yes" to what God asks of me.  Mary had "built a history" with God in her faith by trusting Him in the everyday little things.  As she chose to follow God in the little things, He asked bigger and bigger things of her.  Because she had seen His faithfulness in earlier examples throughout her life, she trusted Him with the big things too.  Kinda' like "practice makes perfect;" practice saying "yes" and trusting and it becomes easier to do over time.  He always showed Himself faithful to her even when things didn't turn out as she expected.  Does it EVER happen that way?

     Please read this book, it is TRULY inspirational, and in my case brought about a renewed fervor to examine my life and the choices I make.  God has blessed Francine Rivers with a talent, and she in turn, honors Him with it.  Lovely!

     I encourage you to read this and then step back a little, and see what God does.

 

Emily Giffin - "Baby Proof"

     I've had this book on my shelf for who knows HOW long, and I finally got to!  I have read two of Mrs. Giffin's other books, "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue."  I stumbled upon her work when I was the cafe' girl at Barnes & Noble quite a few years back.  There was an ARC (advance reader copy - A copy of the book that is given to the store before the book is actually released so the staff can familiarize themselves with it.) in the break room that I got to read, and I really liked it.  Thus was my introduction to Emily Giffin's talents.

     In this story our protagonist is Claudia, a 30ish woman, and editor for a small publishing house, who, from very early on in her life, KNEW that she just never wanted to have kids.  She relishes the idea of a life of total freedom, and a completely unfettered lifestyle.  All of her boyfriends have not been able to make a future with a woman who does not want kids, until she meets Ben...  He shares her sentiment on the subject of procreation as well as a great many other ideals; he is her soul mate.  They wed and are blissfully happy until one day Ben realizes that he wants a baby.  Claudia feels betrayed and refuses to have a baby just because of Ben's "passing" whim.  At some point Claudia must make a decision: have a baby with Ben, or don't have a baby and be without Ben.  I'll let you put two and two together (or you can read the book...) and see that a split is "inevitable." 
   
     Our heroine flees her apartment to the refuge of her best friend's (and former roommate, Jess) apartment and back to the lifestyle of the single Manhattaner.  Throughout her divorce and its aftermath, Claudia has a lot of time for introspection and is able to take a long, hard look at her life before Ben, with Ben, and after Ben.  She moves on with her life with some difficulty, but ends up dating Richard, a publicist for her company and finds herself "moving on."  Or does she???

     I have to say that it took me three days FLAT to read this book.  I admit, I unexpectedly had some time to kill this week, but I really had a hard time putting it down.  I don't know if I could actually call this a "page turner," but I certainly did feel compelled to know what was going to happen next.  I think that's a sign of good writer; they don't have to end the chapter or paragraph with an obvious cliff-hanger, but you still feel an express eagerness to resolve the issue (plot point) at hand, and QUICKLY!  I mean, your head cold explode with possibilities of which way things could go.  Seriously, I've seen it happen... Okay, not REALLY, but it SURE feels that way sometimes.

    The author does an exceptional job of creating very real, very easy-to-relate-to cast of characters as well as slew of situations.  I mean, everyone has had the experience of running into an ex and being at a loss as to why you have ice cream, complete with rainbow sprinkles slinking it's way down your arm while he stands awkwardly and introduces you to his Barbie Doll companion.  We've all been there at one time or another.  Mrs. Giffen really breaks down the emotions one feels when dealing with heartache, introspection, new love, regret, and a myriad of other raw feelings.  I really enjoyed the story and the way she tells it.  Claudia's family is good for a few laughs, as is her roomie, Jess.  I wouldn't say it was a laugh-riot, but there were certainly a few chuckles sprinkled in for good measure.  I found myself really invested in this one.  PMS?  Maybe.  I found myself choking up and being somewhat stressed out throughout the course of the story because I have had similar experiences, and the writing just drew me in completely.

     In conclusion, you should check this one out.  It's certainly falls within the genre of bubblegum literature, but this one has a little substance behind it.  There were some really valid questions and point asked and made, respectively, between the covers that is somewhat of a rarity in this subset of literature.  Let me know what you think.

Baby Proof

     Well done, Mrs. Giffin, now that I find myself in a somewhat sappy mood, I think I'll read some Francine Rivers.  It's about time, don't you think?

Rick Riordan - "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"

dan

The Lightning Thief (Movie Tie-in Edition)
(Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

     Well, well, well, my young mythology fans, I have JUST the thing for you...  I've been in need of something lighthearted as well as something that would be a quick read.  This was recommended to me by not one, but two of my friends as just what I was looking for, and I do believe that they were right. 

     Percy Jackson is an average New York middle schooler who struggles with dyslexia, tends to get into fights, and only really enjoyes Mr. Brunner's Latin classes.  His best friend is a little whimpy, and strange things always seem to happen to him, and they usually mean he gets kicked out of school every year.  It's not until his class trip to the art museum that things REALLY heat up for him.  I mean, it's not everyday that your Algebra teacher suddenly grows bat wings, fangs, and makes an attempt on your life, although, of all the teachers I've had in my life, I'm fairly certain that it  WOULD be the Algebra teacher that has such capabilities.  (Chemistry teachers aren't far behind either!)

     He discovers after the "Algebra teacher affair" that things are not always what they seem.  For example, his puny best friend, Grover, isn't actually puny, he's a satyr who's job it is to protect Percy until he can get to Camp Half-Blood.  After an exciting series of events, that involve a trip to the beach, a destroyed Camero, and a Minotaur, Percy and Grover reach their "home base" of Camp Half-Blood.  It's at this point that Percy learn's that he's actually the son of one of the ancient Greek gods which is why he has never really "fit in" anywhere.  Upon his arrival, Percy isn't exactly sure which god he's a product of, but will soon find out.  Shortly after his appearance at the camp, Percy is summoned by the camp director, Mr. D(ionysis), and is issued a quest to complete aided by two companions to retrieve what was stolen...

     I loved this book!  It was written in first person from Percy's point of view, and Mr. Riordan did a great job of really getting inside the head of a 12-year-old boy.  Percy has a great character and a cute sense of humor as well as a strong sense of honor.  This book was action packed from cover to cover, and did a fabulous job of teaching Greek mythology to young (or not so young) readers by making these powerful beings of yore literally spring to life.  It was educational and fun to read!  Think of it as the Kix of the literary world: "Kid tested, Mother approved."

     I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did; I'll be reading the sequel soon...