The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

 I enjoy this author, and I was intrigued by the title, so I picked this up at Deseret Industries one day when I was waiting for Len. It is very depressing on the one hand, in the graphic way it illustrates the life of southern slaves in the early 1800's. It also depicts slave owners' lives, and women, in particular, had little freedom either. I almost gave up on it several times as it was so depressing. However, I was in Napa, and didn't have anything else at hand, and began to really enjoy the story.

I like that the two Grimke sisters were real heroes in a very closed time. I enjoyed learning more of their possible back story. I especially enjoyed Handful's life, and the courage her mother displayed. The ways slaves quietly rebelled was interesting to read. The limits of both women's lives was amazing; how they broke out took unbelievable courage. These women really inspired me, even though much of the story is fictionalized. It felt possible. It felt like it could have happened this way. I appreciate Kidd's imagination, especially the way Handful's mother told her story through a story quilt. 

Rhino Ranch by Larry McMurtry

 I had heard of this author, and had heard good things, so I picked this up at Deseret Industries for a buck! He is a prolific writer, and I was in the mood for what looked like a cowboy book with some humor. I was right! And, interesting characters! Again, I was right! I actually enjoyed the heck out of this story and the characters. 

However...it's also pretty crude. There were F-bombs and a lot of man-sex-talk, and a few very loose women; still, it made the story interesting. Is it true that people are so anxious and willing to copulate??? I wonder. However, the main character, Duane, has some scruples and considers what he's doing. He thinks deeply and has a lot of interests... 

Ulitmately, he's fighting loneliness and loss of purpose. It's interesting to watch him find his way. It's an upbeat and often very funny book, despite the seriousness of Duane's quest. He doesn't take himself too seriously.

I really enjoyed the picture of the small and dusty Texas town that was the setting for the story. I wondered what kept people there. Their dislike of the billionairess who comes to live there was clear, and why she would stay was beyond me. Was it for Duane and other interesting characters? Perhaps. At any rate, it was a book to chuckle over, and wonder who on earth might also enjoy it. It's tricky with the crudeness...

The Brothers (Volume 1 of The Great and Terrible) by Chris Stewart

 One of our favorite sealer couples that we've met in the St. George Temple is Chrise and Bret Smith. We love their spirit and humor and enjoy serving with them and talking with them. The women were talking about books one day on our shift, and Charise mentioned that Bret really liked this series. She had learned a lot about it from him, and she thought I would like it as well.

Well, it's an interesting book, with an interesting subject: our premortal life. I enjoyed the imaginative descriptions of life before this one, but found the characters and the setting rather shallow and unbelievable. I think the life before this one did require choices and growth and sacrifices, but this version was a little too black and white. And the description of Lucifer was too obviously evil. No one would follow someone like that. I believe he was, even then, more subtle. Maybe I'm missing out, but that's what I think. Charise said the rest of the series is really good, and reveals a lot about the deceptions going on all around us politically. She and Bret give a lot of credence to the author's military background. I'm not sure I'll continue...if I see another one in the series for a dollar at the D.I., then maybe I will. Otherwise, I'm done. 

This kind of writing is unfortunate in the LDS culture; oversimplified, and over-glorified and flat characters. I find this kind of writing almost insulting. But that's just me...I need to read things that build my faith, not make me feel critical of shallow, black/white thinkers. 

Jacob Hamblin - His Life in His Own Words - with a foreword by Richard Lloyd Dewey

 This little book (127 pages) is a first-hand account of life here in St. George in the 1860s and 1870s. Leonard ordered this book because Brett Smith, a youngish fellow sealer, recommended it. They frequently have Brother Hamblin's grandson in their sealing sessions in the St. George Temple. Leonard wanted to learn more about him, but since he doesn't see the print well, gave it to me.

I didn't anticipate liking this book. I don't enjoy most "real" history, although I loved John Muir's memoir. So maybe my taste is maturing??? At any rate, I did enjoy this book. It was frustrating, at times, since he leaves out so many details, but there's enough meat on the bones to learn about a very hard life out here on the desert. I also learned about his unquestioning faith in God's prophecies, and in President Brigham Young's counsel. 

It was interesting that Hamblin was frequently called on to help guide parties around this area safely, and that he interacted with the local tribes very fruitfully. He learned a lot of their tribal languages, he adopted an Indian son. He could be relied on and trusted by both the whites and the Indians. I learned a lot about the differences in the tribes as well. The Navajo, for example, were always stirring up trouble. Other tribes here were more peaceful and they worked together well. Brigham Young always counseled Hamblin to treat them with respect, which was good to read!

There were many tribes and places I have never heard of before. And all of this happening then has left its mark on our area today...for example, the Jacob Hamblin home is open for tours and I am committed to go and see it!!! 

He was a brave man, and was frequently threatened by Indians, but was always able to negotiate his way out of difficulties, always relying on prayer and his experiences. He almost died in multiple ways, fording rivers, getting sick from exposure, and many other ways. He doesn't say much about his family life; indeed it sounds like he was seldom home! It was worth reading the forward, since that revealed that he had three marriages. S

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

 The woman at Deseret Industries was shelving "new" books while I was shopping, and handed me this one saying, "This looks good." I concurred and brought it home. I enjoyed it very much! The author captures the inner thoughts of insecure young people and the sweetness of their innocence in a good way. There are a few f-bombs, but overall the language is good. It's well-written. The magic of the romance is sweet, and I enjoyed figuring out who was who as the author went back and forth in time.

The magic/fantasy served a purpose...like the tree growing in Martha's basement apartment. And it turned out that her landlady was a ghost? Still, it all worked in the story. I really liked the character of Henry, so caught up in his books and research and so socially inept. The self talk we hear is vulnerable and funny.

this was a nice light summer read. A great book? No, but enjoyable. I'm thinking of donating it to the Cancer Care bookshelf since it's uplifting and sweet. The scenes of Opaline stuck in an asylum are dreary but they don't last too long... 

This summer it was handy to have a sweet escape when Len was home from radiation and not feeling well. It was a nice little escape for me.