Behold the Man by Gerald Lund (Volume 3 of the Kingdom and the Crown series)

 I was hoping this ending volume would be better, but it's probably my least favorite. The ending days of Christ's life are kind of muddled. It's not clear exactly who's going where and what's going on...it's very confusing about the trials, the beatings, etc.,

The best parts of these books are Lund's footnotes where he annotates his sources in the New Testament. But since the Gospels don't agree or often don't follow a time line, he makes a good guess about putting events in order. I liked that he tried to stay true to the scriptures and alerted his readers to where he took license for the sake of the plot. 

Volume 2 was better and had some intrigue. This volume took me the longest to get through...it really dragged. And did nothing to enhance my reverence for Christ. Describing his suffering was hard to read...

Still, I'm glad I finished the series. And now, with Sierra's terrible accident, I probably won't be here for book club to discuss it! Maybe it's better that way, since I don't have a lot of positive to say!

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel; 15 hours on Libby Audio book

 I found this title as one recommended by the librarians on Libby when I was hunting for something substantial for my long solo drive north for Yolanda's 75th birthday party. This was a happy choice--it really held my interest and had an amazing plot and great characters; wit and charm, harsh realities, and overall enjoyable though heavy at times...

There are many themes in this story. Holding on to pain is the one that stood out for me; how the chemical plant's devastation caused Nora, the mother in this book, could not and would not move on. And yet, in the end, it served her. I kept likening her obsession to lack of forgiveness, but it was also a crusade to right a wrong. It's a great reminder that black and white issues have many nuances and perspectives. This author did an amazing job of illuminating the many points of view and many human mistakes that make up a complicated issue.

I loved, loved, loved the characters. All of them. The triplets, especially. Each one. And the humor and puns and plot twists were just brilliant. Yes, there is some non-gratuitous swearing, but not too much. There's swearing under duress and it feels justified. 

The way parental love and acceptance are described is beautiful. And the way it's illustrated through Nora and especially her daughter Mirabel is heartening. I especially loved how Mirabel recognized that this was a gift that was more valuable than River's riches. River is the young man in the story who is also very real and very 16. 

Mirabel's thoughts on her disability are enlightening. The closeness of the sisters is beautiful. The autistic social interactions of Monday are often hilarious, and often poignant, because they invite others to be as clear and honest as she is. 

Another theme that resonated with me was the dissatisfaction with life in Borne...nothing to do, a no-where, no-good hovel, in the eyes of the 16 year olds. I loved the Pooh, and the teachers in the run down school--all real, all human, all flawed, all sometimes funny, and all drawn with empathy. 

The dilemma of the mayor...the political problems, the library turned home turned library, Monday's obsession with yellow and how that pays off in the equipment at the end, the word play on dam vs. damn...so very clever and brilliant!

Sometimes, however, the greed of the chemical plant players was heavy and depressing. I don't like to think that such greed and lack of oversight is reality. I hope it isn't. At any rate, it gave me a lot to think about. I loved this audio book and loved how the three sisters told the story. It was easy to keep them straight because of the different voices. Mirabel's machine voice was fascinating because it showed how limited her outward was from the rich inward life...yet her family knew all of her. Very sweet.

And the way Mab's love for River grew and blossomed was very sweetly told. That was another unfolding that was very relatable. Yes, it's a LONG audio book. But very worth it!!!

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton - listened on Libby - 6 hours 46 minutes, read by Louise Brealey

 My sister Alice Jane mentioned that she really enjoyed this book, so I decided to give it a try. It was a bonus that it was available on Libby with no waiting. Nice! It was peaceful company for me on many walks. I especially enjoyed the six minute interview at the end of the book with the author. 

It's a meditative book, a memoir, a natural history, and a call to action to view wildlife differently and accommodate them as well. I never expected to learn so much about hares nor about what one can discover as one slows down and observes nature for weeks and months at a time. This is the second book I've read recently that had a Covid-connection. Tom Lake was set during the pandemic, and this book was only possible because the author was sequestered. Interesting results!

I wouldn't go so far as to say the book was captivating, but it was engaging. The hares in the story are delightful and interesting to learn about. The author's reflection on what she learned and how she changed by raising the hares was illuminating. Jane liked it so much that she sent a hard copy to John to read. I don't know if it will hold his interest, but it certainly could. It will also help him consider the many different aspects of trying to save a wild creature. So many rich moral issues... He may be a little young to be interested in those, but you never know. The other two family members who might like it are Bruce and Terri, so I will recommend it to them. The many thoughts about pet vs. wild, tame vs. untamed, and when and how to interfere with nature are all good food for thought. And this author deals with them with great openness and vulnerability. I think I'll also recommend it to Glen Whipple. It might be right up his alley...

Come unto Me (Volume 2 of the Kingdom and the Crown series) by Gerald N. Lund

 The plot thickens in Volume 2 and resolves a lot of the issues that were pending in Volume 1. I enjoyed watching how the strategic Simeon was able to outwit the thieving robber's band. The military maneuvers got too complicated and I frequently got lost in the detail, but I read on and was able to grasp the outcomes easily.

Much of this volume happens in Rome, at least the second half of the story. Miriam is in Rome with her father, and as she experiences Rome and its striking culture, in contrast to her own Jewish culture, we are captivated right along with her. It really made me want to remember my Western Civilization history and to put some of the pieces together. There is so much to this culture and I am pretty ignorant of it at this point in my life! I'm motivated to explore more of that.

Now that we're at the end of Volume 2, and the robber band has been dealt with, we are left with Miriam and Simeon (and the former slaves Livia and Drusus) traveling back to Israel from Rome. 

Christ is teaching, and David's (Simeon's father) family frequently discusses his parables and other teaching. We see the famous biblical stories played out and we hear what the people are asking and wondering. There are some very enlightening discussions about what these parables actually mean, They often deal with difficult issues and paradoxes, and as the family members wrestle with their meaning, we are enlightened by their interpretations.

One thing that I especially liked was Simeon's friend noticing how much he was impressed by Jesus' miracles. And what about his teaching? It's a good reminder about how faith is built--not by miracles, but by trying out the ideas and living them.. There are many discussions about the violence proposed by the Zealots in contrast to Jesus' peaceful teachings... many contradictory moments that the author deals with beautifully, I think that was the part I appreciated the most about this book. Despite the characters' superficiality and lack of development. I could still appreciate their interpretation of Christ's doctrine. Now it's on to Volume 3!

Fishers of Men (Volume 1 of the Kingdom and the Crown series) by Gerald N. Lund

 I read this volume several years ago, and I remember liking it, but not enough to continue the series. However, our Stonebridge Ward Relief Society is reading this series this summer, so I decided to give it another try, and this time to read all three volumes. It felt like a good thing, especially when I found all three books at Deseret Industries for a dollar or two each! Woohoo!

As before, I found Lund's characters rather superficial and either good or evil, without a lot of nuance. And there's a certain tone that Lund has, as I remember, from his Work and the Glory series that is a little pedantic, a little ueber-righteous. And this book has the same tone. However, he is a good story weaver, and I began to care about the characters despite their flatness. 

I also kept reminiscing about my time in Israel and tried to remember the places that come up and are described. Unfortunately, my memories are fleeting and flashing. Not much detail. Still, it's fun to remember what I can...For example, I still remember Ceasarea as a beautiful coastal city, and part of the story takes place there.

Jesus is introduced, as are his apostles, and their relationships and personalities give context to his life and teaching. It's speculative, this context, but Lund does an excellent job in citing his sources and making clear what is historical and documented vs. his imagination. His notes at the end of each chapter help clarify this as well. So along the way of reading this story, you learn a lot about the culture of the time...what they were eating, how they slept, what they were talking about. This is an enjoyable way for me to learn history!

I'm also making connections to "the Chosen" video series which is SO EXCELLENT! The two genres have similar goals, and kind of reinforce each other. 

This volume ends with a skirmish between Roman soldiers, Zealot warriors, and a band of thieves. It helps give context to the varying groups vying for power in Israel during Christ's time. What made me anxious to get on to Volume 2 was to find out how the Zealot leader, Simeon, is able to overcome this terrible loss, and what happens to the Great Council leader's daughter, Miriam, who gives away part of the secret plans. These characters and their families are interesting and their relationships and conversions and rebellions are good at moving the story along. 

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - 11 hours on Libby audio- beautifully read by Meryl Streep

 This was an amazing and beautiful story that spiraled a little darkly by the end...this glowing crazy hero, Duke, crashes and burns near the end. Still, the mood and the writing and the settings are interesting and even lyrical at times. It was a perfect get-away listen as I managed Len's knee replacement after-care. 

The two stories of the present and the past weave beautifully together. A wonderful theme is how your children imagine your life began with their lives! Getting acquainted with their mother's past is the story that drives the novel, and these daughters are interesting, witty, and canny. The main character, the mother, is insightful and loving and introspective. As she struggles with how much and what to share with her daughters (and husband) it made me think about my own past and how and what to share. Of course my daughters and my son don't ask about my past, so it won't be a problem! 

The language is occasionally harsh, but fitting with the characters. Not gratuitous at all. The setting of the pandemic was the perfect foil for why and how they had time for these stories. I could also relate to the beauty of the orchards and the work of the farm. Just beautiful! Sorry that Duke ended up so messed up, but it wasn't surprising...

Meryl Streep's voice and reading were incredible. I've listened to Ann Patchett on her Instagram stories, and actually, Streep's voice is very similar to Patchett's. It was a calming and peaceful tone, perfect for the woman whose story was unfolding. I enjoyed that aspect too.