The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

What a joy it was to rediscover this book! Our book club read Magnificent Obsession by the same author, and the cover noted this other book he had written. I smiled in recognition of an old friend...I had discovered this book in the library at Redwood Junior High when I was 13 and had loved it. I thought, I have to read this again to see if it still is as faith-promoting now as it was for me then.
The story is set in Jesus' time, and tells the story of the Roman soldier who won the Savior's robe in a dice game right after his crucifixion. The story is fascinating because it describes life and characters from that time in history. It was fascinating to learn some Roman history as well as glimpsing what every day life and travel may have been like in that time. A joy to read and a compelling story!
I'm also impressed that at such a young age I could understand and appreciate such difficult vocabulary and an involved story. It's no short book...but the characters move the story along magnificently. I was sad when it ended...
Somehow the author conveys the spirit of Christ's teachings through his apostles in a simple and powerful way. As his followers try to live lives of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness, we learn of their struggles and realize...they were not so very different than we are!

Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas

I probably never would have discovered this book on my own...but our Relief Society book club was reading it, and the title was intriguing, so I jumped in. Chris described it as a classic with a wonderful message, so it sounded like it would be worth my time. It was! I spent many a happy hour completely lifted into a more genteel time...with a compelling story and interesting characters. Unfortunately, I am writing this in January, and too much time has gone by since I read it to remember the particulars! This is a lesson to journal right after I read a book and not to wait! I always think I will remember details, but I do not. I lent this book to a friend right after I finished it, so I will add to this when she returns it and I've had some time to review it!

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

My new friend Christy highly recommended this book for our book club. I didn't get a copy of it until after our book club met, and the discussion really intrigued me! People were mixed in their assessment of the type of story it was...did good triumph? was evil rewarded? There is no simple answer! My interest was piqued. Sierra had really liked it, and said she it was one of those rare books that you want to begin to read again as soon as you finish it...
Well, it didn't disappoint! The first thing I noticed was what lovely, poetic language the author uses. Her introduction and epilogue are just exquisite and drew me in immediately. Her descriptions of the foliage and surroundings are lush and again, poetic. There is a LOT of foreshadowing in her descriptions as well.
And then there's the unfolding of the story...quite an intriguing mystery as the main character begins to understand what's going on around her. The story of her innocence being lost is fascinating to observe, and her relationship with Max unfolds like a flower. So many of her inadequacies are heart-breaking in their telling!
It's also an interesting time in an interesting country--England in the thirties. There is a lot of description about the estate and surrounding culture that is fascinating. Du Maurier is such an intelligent writer and often writes in an unusual and unexpected, even surprising way. I am ready to read it again...just to bask in the beautiful language and setting again. Despite the challenges and darkness of events, it's not a dark story. It's lovely...

Emma by Jane Austen

I have always wanted to read Emma, and finally got the chance. I was between books, and was in the mood for a romance, so I decided to see if it was available for free download. It was! I read it on my recently-acquired iPad. I am not a fan of reading a novel on my iPad. Here's why:

• It was a little awkward and heavy to hold
• I would often lose my place or page by holding the iPad wrong
• I couldn't tell when I was near the end of a chapter, or worse, near the end of the book!

It WAS, however, a good learning experience for me. I had to really think about whether Austen was winding down near the end of the story, because I didn't have that physical evidence of a thinning book! As for the book's content, I enjoyed it. It's an engaging story of romance, and it held my interest. However, there were whole paragraphs that were really obscure. I didn't get them at all. And there were some parts that were just filled with insights about Emma's character that I could relate to. Somehow the plot and characters were a little uneven. There were so many characters, I had a little trouble tracking them. Not my favorite Austen work, but an enjoyable one. I found the relationship between Emma and her father kind of trying...and redundant.There was occasional humor which was enjoyable. I think I probably missed a lot of it--there is so much of her language that is difficult and complicated...even in slowing down and rereading, I found it sometimes hard to understand. Still, parts of the story just sparkled.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This book is about a fifth grader named August. He is called "Auggie" for short, and of course I had to order it when it had mostly five-star reviews on Amazon. Plus, our Gabriel is a fifth grader, and his middle name is Augustus, and Len calls him "Augie" when he cheers for him in sports. Too many connections to ignore! I also ordered a copy for my sister Ann, and thought she would enjoy reading it to her 4th graders in California. I haven't talked to her yet to find out what she thought of it, but I think it's a winner of a book.

First of all, this story is about kindness. And who doesn't need lessons in kindness? And it is about August's struggle to be seen as a person, and not a freak. He was born with a double genetic disorder that has disfigured his face. It was fascinating to see the world through his eyes, particularly when people recoil from his appearance. I really liked the author's approach to telling August's story through multiple viewpoints, including his friends at school and his sister. It's also a very current book, revealing a fifth grader's world of school, assignments, friends, lunch in the cafeteria, texting, and urban life.

It's a very moving story, where my feelings for August and his struggles were awakened. He describes his feelings very eloquently, particularly his feelings of triumph. I think this book would be a captivating read-aloud for a class and it would certainly spark great discussions about seeing "others" versus seeing real people, about kindness and knowing who you are, about growing up too fast, about family support, about making wise choices, gossip, and many other relevant-to-young-people themes. It would also be interesting for a teacher to discuss the feeling of unity that came about in August's class. It could show the benefits and joy of a group of students who learn to appreciate each other. Rich material indeed for today's kids...and today's adults as well!

Change or Die by Alan Deutschman

Len and I studied this book together in order to present a session on CHANGE at the Systems Change Conference in Chamberlain the Fall of 2012. 

   

 Deutschman says there are three steps we follow when we made significant behavior change.  The first one, and the most important, centers on motivation...(I think Len copied these notes from a review.)

Step 1. You form a new emotional relationship with a person or community that inspires and sustains hope. It is an emotional relationship with a mentor or a community of people who sustain you, and move you toward hope and inspire you. They restore your hope, and believe you can change. They expect your best, and make you think you can do it.                                                                                              

Deutschman says, “If you face a situation that a reasonable person would consider ‘hopeless,’ you need the influence of seemingly ‘unreasonable’ people to restore your hope- to make you believe that you can change and expect that you will change. This is an act of persuasion- really, it's ‘selling.’  The leader or community has to sell you on your self and make you believe you have the ability to change. They have to sell you on themselves as your partners, mentors, role models, or sources of new knowledge. And they have to sell you on the specific methods or strategies that they employ.”

 Step 2. The new relationship helps you learn, practice, and master the new habits and skills that you'll need. The new relationship helps you learn, practice, and master the new habits and skills you'll need. It takes a lot of repetition overtime before new patterns of behavior become automatic and seem natural – until you act the new way without even thinking about it. It helps tremendously to have a good teacher, coach, or mentor to give you guidance, encouragement, and direction along the way. Change doesn't involve just ‘selling,’ it requires ‘training.’"

 Step 3.  The new relationship helps you learn new ways of thinking about your situation and your life.

Ultimately, you look at the world in a way that wouldn't have made any sense before you changed.  When we have learned new habits and skills (Step #2) they now "inform our new ways of thinking."

The Myths of Change...

In addition to his three steps for changing our lives, Deutschman believes there are three myths about motivation.  He believes there are three methods that do not motivate people.  They are fear, facts, and force.

Here are some additional notes that we developed into a reminder sheet: (Similar to that above, only using some "reminder" words.
Three steps for change...

1. RELATE
You form a new emotional relationship with a person or community that inspires and sustains hope.
If you face a situation that a reasonable person would consider "hopeless," you need the influence of seemingly "unreasonable" people to restore your hope- to make you believe that you can change and expect that you will change. This is an act of persuasion- really, it's "selling." The leader or community has to sell you on your self and make you believe you have the ability to change. They have to sell you on themselves as your partners, mentors, role models, or sources of new knowledge. And they have to sell you on the specific methods or strategies that they employ.

2. REPEAT
The new relationship helps you learn, practice, and master the new habits and skills that you'll need. The new relationship helps you learn, practice, and master the new habits and skills you'll need. It takes a lot of repetition overtime before new patterns of behavior become automatic and seem natural – until you act the new way without even thinking about it. It helps tremendously to have a good teacher, coach, or mentor to give you guidance, encouragement, and direction along the way. Change doesn't involve just "selling"; it
requires "training."

3. REFRAME
 The new relationship helps you learn new ways of thinking about your situation and your life. Ultimately, you look at the world in a way that wouldn't have made any sense before you changed.  When we have learned new habits and skills (Key #2) they "inform new ways of thinking."

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This classic engaged me in a delightful summer getaway! I first read this book in high school, but I don't remember what I thought of it then. I reread it one summer in Hawaii about a decade ago when I found it on Louise Austin's bookshelf. She let me have it, and it made our flight home very pleasant. When our book club read it this summer, I was gone. But still, I wanted to visit it again to see if it still had the magic I remembered from the last time I read it. It does!

This book was apparently one of the first where women had independent ideas and considered themselves equal to men. It's interesting that that didn't stand out to me when I read it; this came later as I read about it online. I was looking to see how rich Jane's inheritance would have made her by today's standards, and read how ground-breaking this novel was for its time. It made me appreciate it even more! I had planned to also use the Internet to help me understand some of the French phrases that little Adele says, but that are never translated. I haven't done that YET.

What I love about this story is how humble yet bold Jane is. I love watching her love for Mr. Rochester grow. I enjoy reading how his teasing and humor underlie his seeming gruffness. I love how she struggles with her moral decisions and shares her thinking and feelings with us, her readers. She is such a keen observer and knower of human nature!

I also found Lowood School's description both fascinating and appalling. It reminded me, too, of the importance of "one caring adult" at school having such a profound influence. Systems of education and systems of class are revealed in such an interesting way. It deepened my desire to return to England and this time, soak up more of the history and culture. All in all, a very satisfying read.

Enhancing Professional Practice - A Framework for Teaching by Charlotte Danielson

This is an amazing book! Danielson has been working in teacher evaluation for decades, and this book is a comprehensive study of what good teaching looks like. It's an accessible read, very user-friendly. It invites teachers to reflect on their practice, using the rubrics that describe different levels of accomplishment. When I think about the complex work of teaching, I am grateful that there is such a framework to help us get a handle on its complexity. Danielson divides the work of teaching into four domains:

• 1. Planning and Preparation
• 2. The Classroom Environment
• 3. Instruction
• 4. Professional Responsibilities

Each domain has five or six components (22 total), and under those, elements, totaling 76! It sounds overwhelming, and it is! But each element is important to the overall work. To me, the real value lies in the rubrics, which take each element and describe four levels of performance:

1. Unsatisfactory
2. Basic
3. Proficient
4. Distinguished 

South Dakota is adopting the framework and is requiring districts to use the framework as they design teacher evaluation systems. It's a good idea to have a statewide, consistent model for people to agree on and work towards. The rubric requires evaluators (typically a principal) to cite evidence during classroom observations. Having such clear rubrics and requiring evidence helps principals and other evaluators or supervisors be more purposeful and objective in their judgments. It will take some investment of time and effort, though, to thoroughly understand the framework. As schools take on this work of understanding the framework, they will naturally develop common vocabulary about teaching. And fostering conversations about what excellent teaching looks like, is always a great use of professional development time.

It's interesting that the constructivist theory underpins the framework. Based on how students learn and construct understanding, the framework is soundly based on research. Also interesting is the fact that major themes are integrated into the domains as seamlessly as possible, rather than singled out as separate elements. These integrated themes include:

1. equity
2. cultural competence and sensitivity
3. high expectations
4. developmental appropriateness
5. attention to individual students, including those with special needs
6. appropriate use of technology
7. student assumption of responsibilities

I'm teaching an online class that is a book study on this framework. I'm looking forward to learning how the 27 teachers and administrators in my class will respond to the framework and how they will plan to implement it in their districts.

Theodore Boone -- The Abduction by John Grisham

This second novel in the series is similar to the first, but with less legal info, and more story about "the underworld" of criminal life. It's graphic enough to keep kids' interest, but not so graphic that parents need to be concerned. Theo again saves the day, and his use of the Internet for his research is interesting. Another good tale that definitely held my interest. I gave the first book to Gabe (age 10) today, and told him I'd give him the next one if he likes it. We'll see... Ann tells me the third one is due out soon.

Theodore Boone - Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

My sister Ann was reading this book when I was in Napa last February. I really wanted to rip it out of her hands and read it myself, but I resisted the impulse. We also spent some time looking for its sequel (The Abduction) one night in Berkeley, to no avail. But now it's available across the street at Barnes & Noble, so I will be buying it tomorrow.

This kid is both likeable and smart. His family dynamic is interesting because both of his parents are lawyers and he has learned from both. They share a law office, and Theo goes there every day after school. One part I really liked was that when Theo got in over his head, he turns to his parents for help before it gets too far out of hand. Another part I liked was that Theo spends some of his free time tutoring kids in a homeless shelter. I wasn't so keen on his hacking into the court recording system so he could read what happened in court each day. However, Grisham notes (through Theo) that this is not illegal, because it is part of the public record. I wonder if that's true!

There are parts of this story that are just plain funny, parts that are cute, and all of it is interesting. I know Grisham is the expert, and he teaches a lot about the court system through this book. But it annoyed me that there were a couple of places where the story was inaccurate. Theo overstates what he knows for sure, for example, and this is never repudiated by anyone. Other than a couple of minor instances like that, this book was totally enjoyable. I can't wait to give it to Gabriel for a good summer read!

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth, & Karen Dillon

I bought this book as a graduation gift for a wonderful senior in high school who is headed off to college this Fall. Even though she is mature beyond her years, I am not sure if this book will connect with her. It's pretty sophisticated and geared for college grads, especially those getting their MBA's or other advanced degrees. It will be interesting to see how she likes it. It's never too soon to start thinking about this question, so maybe this will give her a head start.
I totally admire this author, and have for years. His book on disruptive innovations was groundbreaking. And his book applying disruptive innovation theory to schools (Disrupting Class) was required reading at our office. I didn't realize until later, when I saw a link on his Harvard Business School webpage, that Christensen was a member of our church. The link said something like, What I Believe and Why I Belong. It's an incredible essay about why he's a devout Mormon. Thus it was not surprising to me later when I heard that he had given a life-changing graduation address to HBS graduates in 2010. This address became the stuff of legend, and then became the basis for this book.

The book is divided into three sections, with each devoted to answering the following questions:

How can I be sure that...

1. I will be successful and happy in my career?
2. My relationships with my spouse, my children, and my extended family and close friends become an enduring source of happiness?
3. I live a life of integrity--and stay out of jail? 

He chose to focus on these three questions because at his own HBS reunions, he noticed many of his classmates struggled in these areas over the years. He then offers theories that have grown out of his decades of experience in business and in his own family and applies them to these three areas. He's careful to note that applying these theories to your life is hard work and takes decades. He's not advocating any quick fixes; instead, he's offering frameworks for people to build their lives on. He calls these frameworks theories, and then encourages readers to begin to build their own. His own stories of applying the theories are fascinating; many from business, and many from his own life. I think his parenting theory (purposefully create your family culture) could have helped our family immeasurably!
I also learned some new things about business in reading this book. Sometimes I felt the applicability to a personal life from a business theory was a bit of a stretch, but overall, the stories and theories are very helpful and applicable. He writes (p.17): "These theories are powerful tools. I have applied many of them to my own life; others I wish I'd had available to me when I was younger, struggling with a problem. You'll see that without theory, we're at sea without a sextant. If we can't see beyond what's close by, we're relying on chance--on the currents of life--to guide us. Good theory helps people steer to good decisions--not just in business, but in life, too."

Notes from Section 1 - Career
Frederick Herzberg's research on motivation -Job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are separate, independent measures. You can both love and hate your job. He distinguishes between hygiene factors (things like compensation, status, security, & work conditions) and motivation factors. The hygiene factors are important, especially if they are absent; these cause dissatisfaction. But the motivators are different--these are things that deeply satisfy us, and cause us to love our work. The motivators include:

• challenging work
• recognition
• responsibility
• personal growth

Christensen notes that many people choose their jobs based on the hygiene factors and not the motivating factors, and end up dissatisfied with their work. In particular, it's easy to think that a big salary will be motivating, but it is NOT. "We should always remember that beyond a certain point, hygiene factors such as money, status, compensation, and job security are much more a by-product of being happy with a job rather than the cause of it. Realizing this frees us to focus on things that really matter." (page.40)
The kinds of questions you should ask yourself include: (p.41)

• Is this work meaningful to me?
• Is this job going to give me a chance to develop?
• Am I going to learn new things?
• Will I have an opportunity for recognition and achievement?
• Am I going to be given responsibility?

The answers to these questions (above) focus on the motivating factors...

**************

Deliberate Strategy vs. Emergent Strategy (balance of calculation and serendipity)
Christensen gives several fascinating business examples where leaders could not step away from their "deliberate" strategy and take advantage of "emergent" opportunities. Then he likens this struggle to our lives... How do we know when to pursue our established goals and when to pursue a serendipitous opportunity instead? He suggests asking this question (p. 56):

"What are the most important assumptions that have to prove true in order for me to be able to succeed in this environment?"

He then says you should list these assumptions and ask if they are within your control. "It's also important to ask yourself what assumptions have to prove true for you to be happy in the choice you are contemplating. Are you basing your position on extrinsic or intrinsic motivators? Why do you think this is going to be something you enjoy doing? What evidence do you have? Every time you consider a career move, keep thinking about the most important assumptions that have to prove true, and how you can swiftly and inexpensively test if they are valid. Make sure you are being realistic about the path ahead of you."

***********************

The last "big idea" in Section 1 has to do with resource allocation. It was a strong reminder to me that where I spend my time, energy, and money makes an important statement about what matters most to me. Christensen encourages us to compare our strategy (our values) to where we spend our time, talents, energy, and money and see how well they are aligned. Simple and powerful.

Section 2 - Relationships

The first big idea in this section relates to investing early in things that pay off later. Later it's too late. He relates this especially well to raising children and research on even infants needing to hear intelligent language and communication.

The second big idea relates to developing a deep understanding of what is important to the other person in a relationship. He looks at relationships in a "job to be done" way. He uses the example of schooling with kids...(p. 111): "The two fundamental jobs that children need to do are to feel successful and to have friends--every day. Sure, they could hire school to get these jobs done. Some achieve success and friends in the classroom, the band, the math club, or the basketball team. But to feel successful and have friends, they could also drop out of school and join a gang, or buy a car and cruise the streets. Viewed from the perspective of jobs, it becomes very clear that schools don't often do these jobs well at all--in fact, all too often, schools are structured to help most students feel like failures. We had assumed going in (during his research for Disrupting Class) that those who succeed at school do so because they are motivated. But we concluded that all students are similarly motivated--to succeed. The problem is, only a fraction of students feel success at school." Earlier in the chapter he gives a business example of marketing V8. When it was marketed against other "soft drinks" it didn't do well. But when it was marketed as a way to get your daily dose of vegetables, sales zoomed. Its "job to be done" was different. There's also a great story about milkshakes!

On page 115 - "This may sound counterintuitive, but I deeply believe that the path to happiness in a relationship is not just about finding someone who you think is going to make you happy. Rather, the reverse is equally true: the path to happiness is about finding someone who you want to make happy, someone whose happiness is worth devoting yourself to. If what causes us to fall deeply in love is mutually understanding and then doing each other's job to be done, then I have observed that what cements that commitment is the extent to which I sacrifice myself to help her succeed and for her to be happy." He continues...
"This principle--that sacrifice deepens our commitment--doesn't just work in marriages. It applies to members of our family and close friends, as well as organizations and even cultures and nations."

The rest of this section has powerful ideas that I wish I had understood better when our kids were small. He writes about "outsourcing" our kids' training to coaches and tutors, for example. Another great example is what we should NOT do for our kids, to help them learn responsibility. He has example after example of what this looks like. One idea that I especially value is "The Invisible Hand Inside Your Family" (page 158) that describes creating and sustaining a family culture. This is great stuff! Inspiring and practical at the same time. The lessons about culture apply equally well to our work environments and had me thinking about how to improve that as well. He reminds us that whether we mindfully create the kind of culture we want or whether we just let it happen, culture WILL form. Why would we not want to create the kind we want!? (It takes a lot of work and requires consistency, but is well worth it.)

Section 3 - Staying Out of Jail
This is the shortest section of the book and one that I am still wondering about. He writes eloquently about holding to your purpose and standards. He reminds us to be consistent in keeping our commitments or personal standards of integrity and that it is easier to keep them 100% of the time than it is to keep them 98% of the time. Life is a never-ending series of "extenuating circumstances" that we will forever be manipulating once we start compromising. I think this is wonderful advice but I am wondering about where to draw the line. I do not want to be a slave to my standards and be inflexible.  I'm going to have to think this over and decide what is really important to be uncompromising about and what to be flexible about.

The Epilogue gives some help with the foregoing dilemma. He recommends developing a purpose, and for him that is a three-part purpose. When one's purpose is clear, then I think the dilemma about what you will and won't bend on also becomes clear.

The 3 parts of purpose (p. 195):
1. likeness - what you hope you will build; what that looks like
2. commitment - to the likeness you will build
3. metrics - by which you will measure your progress

On page 196, he describes this process for a business: "These three parts comprise a company's purpose. Companies that aspire to positive impact must never leave their purpose to chance. Worthy purposes rarely emerge inadvertently; the world is too full of mirage, paradox, and uncertainty to leave this to fate. Purpose must be deliberately conceived and chosen, and then pursued. When that is in place, however, then how the company gets there is typically emergent--as opportunities and challenges emerge and are pursued. The greatest corporate leaders are conscious of the power of purpose in helping their companies make their mark on the world." He then likens this process to us as individuals. The type of person we want to become should not be left to chance! But how we become that person will be an emergent process. And then he reminds us that this is a process, not an event. He took years to fully understand his own purpose.

After discussing different parts of his life, he shares how these contributed to his distilled likeness of what he wants to become: (p. 199)

• a man who is dedicated to helping improve the lives of other people
• a kind, honest, forgiving, and selfless husband, father, and friend
• a man who just doesn't believe in God, but who believes God

He then describes the process he used to determine if this was the right likeness for him, and how he wanted to be sure this likeness was what God wanted him to become. This process led to his commitment. The process involved a significant sacrifice of time away from his studies as a Rhodes Scholar, but he has never regretted the process and feels he applies this knowledge every day of his life. Finding the right metric came about fifteen years later. This also makes for an interesting story that focuses on his influence on individuals rather than on influencing large numbers of people in any position of power, etc. It seems to me that finding my own commitment and metric will be an interesting process...

The acknowledgements at the end of the book reveal a lot about the three authors. Christensen shares some of his health issues that show how his co-authors supported him, and his co-authors describe how Christensen is in "real life." Reading this part made me realize that this author is authentic in living what he espouses in the book. Good stuff!

Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen

Still in Rochester, still have the library! So, I was delighted to find a book by Anna Quindlen that I hadn't already read. This book is a delight. While much of Quindlen's humor is cynical, all of it is smart. And the dialogue between the interesting characters is bright, witty, and carbonated! The story fizzes right along with two contrasting views of New York City represented by two sisters. The sister who works as a social worker is also the narrator, and the story evolves around her sister, a TV star. In between is a deeply contrasting way of living and of viewing the world. Quindlen's descriptions of people and NYC life are illuminating, often funny, often tragic, and insightful. I found myself alternately fascinated and appalled by the lifestyles she describes. The glamorous aspects of the rich life is contrasted perfectly with its pain. The absurdity of the welfare system is contrasted sympathetically with the poor who receive it. Interesting characters inhabiting an interesting milieu...with a lot of heart thrown in for good measure.

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

My friend Karen recommended this author, who is frequently up high on the best seller charts. I'm not big on best sellers, but I was curious about Karen's taste in fiction. While holed up in Rochester with a library at my disposal, I picked out this book as a way to enjoy some quiet time. Picoult's story was fascinating, and also added a little to my knowledge about some Jewish traditions. She is a competent story weaver, and she certainly held my interest. But some of the plot twists and turns were not even remotely realistic or believable. But somehow that didn't matter too much, because the story and characters were fairly interesting. The central question, whether Faith sees God and performs miracles or not, is never answered, and I knew from the beginning that it wouldn't be. I was hoping for compelling characters and perhaps some uplifting exchanges or plot twists. I would say that the characters were not particularly believable, but the plot was interesting. It was a good summer read that held my interest. Would I choose this author again? Probably not.

Home by Marilynne Robinson

This was an interesting read...Melissa lent this book to me...it is the sequel to Gilead which I read several years ago. Both books are lyrical and beautiful; almost poetic in places. The depth with which Robinson describes people and feelings and their interactions is astonishing! And yet...it's also sad and depressing. There's a very dark element to her characters, I would say. I know I didn't understand all of the Biblical and historical allusions... I felt so sad about the main character, Glory, and her brother, Jack, and their father. It was very, very sad the way they kept hurting each  other. There didn't seem to be any way out of it. Jack's lifetime of pain and never "fitting in" to his loving family was painful to read about. And it went on and on and on. I need to talk to Melissa and find out what she thinks about it. The ending was especially sad, and yet all the liner notes say it's a story of redemption. I missed that somehow! I don't think I will tackle this one again...even though there are many subtleties that I know I missed. Just don't want to go down that road again.

And now...about a month later, I think it's beginning to dawn on me what this author is trying to say. That until we truly let go of our expectations, we can't really understand or appreciate people for who they are. Yes, Jack's father loves him. But he cannot let go of his expectations for him. If he could, then maybe Jack would be free to embrace whatever. I think the author believes that others can read our intentions. When our hearts aren't "right," then our motives and interactions with others become deeply suspect. We can't let them be who they need to be. I believe this is true. When we hold the assumption that someone is deficient in some way, and that we have the answer to fill their void, we are in dangerous territory. It's that territory that I think this book is really about. Can we ever love someone unconditionally? I think this father really thought that he wanted his son to be happy. Doesn't every parent want that? But the father only understood one way to be happy. That forced his son to chafe under the relationship. This struggle mirrors my life in so many ways! I am trying to let go of expectations and of viewing others as deficient. Or of thinking that I have answers for them! How absurd! I know the Holy Spirit prompts people and then they can choose to listen or not...but it's up to them. My struggle is to trust that people deserve my respect and unconditional love, not my advice or my approval or my disapproval. When I can be the kind of person I need to be, others can be too. What is amazing about this way of being is that it gives me the greatest happiness I have ever had. Letting go of judgment and fixing and advising is like laying down a very heavy burden. I am lighter in so many ways...I am so grateful for the lessons I'm learning along the way! I have had this realization multiple times and only pray that this time, it sticks.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

This is an amazing story! It started off a little slowly and without my immediate strong engagement. But it slowly grew on me, and then suddenly, I was hooked! The voice of the main character, Pi, is so endearing and intelligent; so like many young Indian people I have known, that I was totally charmed. The humor is delightful and clever. His foray into religion resonated with my own experience in many ways, and that was fun. The conversation between the Christian, Hindi, and Muslim as they discover Pi's divided devotion, is CLASSIC! Quite enjoyable and deeply truthful... And Pi's story of survival is so very engaging. Using his wits as he floats across the Pacific with his tiger is fascinating. There are so many subtleties that I'm sure I missed that I'm going to read it again.
It's an incredibly creative and original story, too. I marveled at the way the story unfolded and the way things connected and reconnected. It was also amazing to read about how Pi's survival ordeal brought him to a deeper understanding of being human...and what people will do to survive. As he surprises himself with his reactions, it's so enlightening. I could easily believe and understand how people could do the unthinkable; his reflections help us see the possibilities in us all.
There are some poetic descriptions of the universe and his state of mind as he's floating...the descriptions of the sky, sun, and wind are breathtaking.There's also a lot of biology here and zoology included. I wonder how accurate it is? That will be my next little Google task...to see how authentic these are. They felt very authentic, but the tree growing around human teeth did cause me to question whether this was imagination or possibility!

Aliens Ate My Homework by Bruce Coville

This is the last of Ann's recommendations for Gabriel that I ordered...and I did NOT save the best for last! In fact, I'm surprised she recommended this one. It's a little weird and I thought, dumb! The only thing I can figure out about her recommending this one is that her fourth graders really liked it. That shows me how far my thinking is from a typical fourth grader!

Ann told me she thought it was a very funny book, but I didn't connect very much with this humor. These little aliens are creative and so is their space ship, but I didn't find anything funny. Weird, yes, but funny, no! And the bully in the book turns out to be a criminal alien. The main character, Rod, doesn't handle the bullying well, and gives kids nothing much to learn from. One positive trait that he displays is his care for his younger twin siblings. The part about him not being able to lie could have been done better...also his missing father is not resolved in any constructive way. Just weird, with an aburpt anti-climactic ending. I will not be buying or reading any more in this series... I'm kind of puzzled about what to tell Gabriel about this book. Hmmmmmm...

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

This Newbery Award-winner is a GREAT book! It's that rare combination of great writing, great characters, great plot, good message, and high engagement. This book deserves my highest rating and any adult would enjoy this too. I read one chapter out loud to Leonard, and he commented on how well-written it was as well as how original and funny. That's a lot for one chapter! I read it to him because there were some baseball terms in it that I didn't understand. It was fun to tell him about the story.

Maniac's love for books and learning and helping people is great role modeling for kids as well. He's so capable and unassuming. 

Ann recommended this book to me to get for Gabriel. I always like to read them before giving them to him. I think this is one that he will really enjoy. There's a lot in this book for a fourth grader to connect with. I think I will give him this one at Easter. Maybe he'll have plowed through his birthday books by then!

I especially liked the growing understanding that Maniac has about people, about families, about racism, about himself. There are many humorous subtleties that would make this book equally enticing and enjoyable for an adult. It's not kiddie lit...it's deep, rich, and wise. I will read this one again.

The Cricket in Times Square by Geroge Selden

My kids read this little gem when they were little, so it was a joy to rediscover it for Gabe's tenth birthday. Ann recommended it, and I thoroughly enjoyed the sweet little story of the cricket who comes to live in a New York subway station. The cricket, Chester, is helped along by his friends Tucker (a mouse) and Harry (a cat). The drawings by Garth Williams are especially poignant and capture the sweetness of the story and add a delightful dimension. I especially loved the descriptions and longing Chester had for his rural roots! And I also loved how the author described the effects of Chester's music on the city crowds. Delightful in every way. Not a long or involved story, so I think Gabriel will enjoy it and devour it quickly. It's only 134 pages long...he'll get through it in no time flat!

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

This is the second book from Ann's recommendation list that I have read. Another gem! She thought I would enjoy its Berkeley setting, and I did. The milieu is very familiar and enjoyable! The time (1967) is also familiar, and I love the occasional sixties lingo, like "fink" which I had totally forgotten! But most delightful are the characters. In particular, Melanie is a true and gifted friend to troubled April. They are sixth graders, and their ups and downs feel authentic. There's also lots of wisdom sprinkled in the story;  for example, Melanie says, "It's sort of like what you do in nonviolence. My mom says it's appealing to their better natures."
The impressionistic grey scale illustrations are a nice addition to the story. I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Egyptology, though not in any depth. It might be enough to spark a young person's interest, though, to delve into this study after reading the book. I liked how imaginations, costumes, and inventions (like the hieroglyphic code and names) were so enthralling to the kids. It will be interesting to see if Gabe likes it. I wonder if he'll be able to relate to kids who have nothing to do with technology! I think he'll enjoy the suspense, and the fact that these are sixth graders. Since he's a fourth grader, he'll enjoy looking up a grade or two. He may also enjoy Melanie's little brother Marshall, who is a wise four-year-old. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the girls' getting the two sixth grade boys involved in their Egypt game. I wonder if he will feel that this is true to life, because I wondered about that. Would boys really choose this intriguing activity over basketball? I think all kids enjoy adventure...which is what the Egypt Game and this book have.

The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

The paperback edition of this book has very sweet and expressive illustrations by Fred Marcellino and they definitely enhanced the story for me.
My sister Ann is a fourth grade teacher and when I visited her recently, she gave me a whole list of books she  thought I would enjoy. We always talk books, and she knows I like to put good books in Gabe's hands as well. This happens to be the first one of her recent recommendations that I read. It's a sweet and tender story about a swan who doesn't have voice. His friendship with a thoughtful boy develops over the years and incredible things happen. These incredible developments don't seem unrealistic or incredible, though, within the context of the story. They just feels kind of natural as the story weaves its comfortable way along.
While the story has a wonderful message about overcoming difficulties and being observant, what I especially enjoyed was White's love of the natural world. His descriptions of the lakes and marshes are lyrical and are obviously the work of a man who loves nature. He also shares wonderful and useful information about the species he's describing.
There's also something very endearing about the somewhat formal voice of Louis, the swan, particularly when he's staying at the Ritz. Quaint and gentlemanly and reminiscent of a forgotten era! I enjoyed that part a lot. It felt a little like going back in time to a gentler era.
I also liked the character of Sam Beaver. He's an inquisitive, patient boy who's very observant. I loved his practice of journaling every night, and ending each journal entry with a question to ponder. I'm hoping Gabe will like this practice, too, and maybe understand why I frequently ask him, "Did you ask any good questions at school today?" Maybe this book will awaken some inquisitive impulses in him, too! I know he's inquisitive, but for some reason, he doesn't like to show it.
Here's what I plan to write in the front of the book: Dear Gabriel, I hope you like this book as much as I do! Your Aunt Ann recommended it to me. I think you will like it because you love animals, and this book has a lot of very interesting animals in it. I also think you will like Sam Beaver, one of the main characters. He's a loyal friend, and I think you will like him, too. Enjoy!

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

This was a difficult book for me to read! It was short and accessible, but I didn't like the setting and I could tell it wasn't going to be a "nice" story.  Everything told me it was going to be sad, sad, sad. And it was. I knew it was "just a story" but I really care about characters, even fictional ones, and I hate to read about suffering. Yet, Kristine told me she had really liked it, so I felt like I should read it to sense more about what she likes. And of course Steinbeck reading has to be good for you, so even though it was hard, I soldiered through it.

Actually, I'm glad I did. I wouldn't choose to read it again...but in thinking about it, it has a most wonderful message. Among them are...listen to the your intuition or Holy Spirit or whatever sense you want to call it. But when it calls, you need to listen. Another message is that there's no use in trying to fool yourself that one simple thing will end all of your problems. Life is never that simple. This was a short but very meaty story. Thank you, Steinbeck, and thank you Kristine.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Melissa handed me this book one day and said she thought I would enjoy it. She was right! It was enjoyable, different, and sweet. Yet it didn't "call" to me when I wasn't in it. It wended its way slowly and subtly through time as a group of foreign nationals were held hostage in a Latin capital.

The characters were intriguing and beautifully described. The development of the relationships under these extraordinary circumstances was interesting. People said what was in their hearts. People bonded with people they would have never spoken to in other circumstances. The author did a delightful job of making me wonder what I would do if my world were radically altered. It seems like a whole new set of mores came into being and old ones went out the door. It also illustrated the transformative power of beauty...in this case, an opera singer's beautiful singing.

My favorite part is around page 220 where a Russian declares his love for the American opera singer through a Japanese translator. There is so much heart and truth in this scene, that it's almost embarrassing and painful to read! I read it aloud to Leonard one night, and he agreed it was a fascinating scene. It also reveals some wonderful insights about the nature of unselfish love and the purpose of declaring it. And the story of the Russian's book of art and its influence on him is a reinforcement of the message about the power of beauty in one's life. Very sweet, very different, very refreshing. Maybe that's why I'm called back to the DC art galleries again and again and again!

The ending of the story is somewhat disturbing and surprising, but when I thought about it, it felt true.
Lovely story. Often disturbing. Deep and complex characters, and rich descriptions.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

This was the perfect book to read on my flight last night from DC to Minneapolis. A two-hour read that was pure joy! For some reason I seem to be connecting with a lot of novels that have eleven-year-old girls as the narrator! This one is black, and her story unfolds in 1968 when she travels to Oakland with her two younger sisters to meet her mother. She also connects with the Black Panthers. It's a moving story, a fun story, a tragic story, and a thought-provoking story. Melissa lent it to me and told me it was good--she was right! I especially enjoyed it because of my own connections to the Bay Area and the Black Panthers and 1968. (We hosted Eldridge Cleaver in our home years later in Napa...) It was a flashback into a familiar time, but the culture was very foreign and enlightening to read about. It's considered a "youth" book, and is one of those rare ones that is just as enjoyable and uplifiting for adults as it is for youths... There could be fruitful discussions about identity related to this book and the way that Delphine's identity develops and changes in the course of the story. Parts of the story poetic and poignant. An amazing accomplishment to hit all these themes and still be mostly light and engaging too.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Melissa gave me this biography for Christmas. It's a treat because it's new, it's hardbound (and heavy!) and has some fascinating photos. It was a good read, despite Isaacson's occasionally confusing syntax. He did a masterful job of getting into Jobs's professional life and associations. There is less about his personal life, but we do get glimpses of Jobs's wife and children. It's often a story of our time and the development of iconic technology tools. It was fascinating to read about how these tools and ideas developed under Jobs's passionate attention. The book also reveals quite a bit about Bill Gates and other key players of this era.

Points to remember...

• Steve Jobs was passionate about DESIGN. This includes how products look, feel, and function. He lived at the intersection of the humanities and technology.
• He designed the new Apple campus building in a way to encourage people in different departments to intersect.
• He was diametrically opposed to Gates's open archetecture and instead controlled the user's experience from end to end.
• He launched a series of products over three decades that transformed whole industries: (pp. 565-566)
• Apple II - took Wozniak's first circuit board and turned it into the first personal computer that was not just for hobbyists.
• The Macintosh, which begat the home computer revolution and popularized graphical user interfaces.
• Toy Story and other Pixar blockbusters, which opened up the miracle of digital imagination.
• The iPod, which changed the way we consume music.
• The iTunes Store, which saved the music industry.
• The iPhone, which turned mobile phones into music, photography, video, email, and web devices.
• The App Store, which spawned a new content-creation industry.
• The iPad, which launched tablet computing and offered a platform for digital newspapers, magazines, books, and videos.
• iCloud, which demoted the computer from its central role in managing our content and let all of our devices sync seamlessly.
• And Apple itself, which Jobs considered his greatest creation, a place where imagination was nurtured, applied, and executed in ways so creative that it became the most valuable company on earth.
• He was very difficult to work with...and the author traces Jobs's personality development over time. It's an interesting story which Isaacson offers with compassion.

My favorite part of the book is the final word which Isaacson gives to Jobs. It's what he hoped his legacy would be, and revealed what he cared about. Page 567 onwards...worth reading again...

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

My friend Jann reads this book every winter...(kind of like my ritual reading of Prodigal Summer!) so I was anxious to see what she enjoys. She warned me that it was a restful place she likes to go...and indeed it was. I thoroughly enjoyed this book over the holiday break. It was the perfect "cruise read" around the pool and in the sunshine. It's light yet full of interesting characters who are unpredictable and very likeable. The setting is Scotland, and I know that's part of the attraction for Jann. This sweet story of love gave me a lot of insights into Scottish landscape and personalities and values. I enjoyed that, because the people are an unknown quantity to me. Coincidentally while on the cruise, I met a Scottish woman, and I told her what I was reading. Her face relaxed into a big smile when I mentioned the author; apparently she is revered in Scotland. It's basically a story about family and love and loss, and how people who are positive and loving can create joy no matter what the circumstances. Very enjoyable...very restful...