Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

 I have been hearing all sorts of glowing reports about the goodness of this book, and I couldn't get it at the library, so I treated myself to it when I was in Granger, Indiana, looking after the grandkids. I went to Barnes and Noble, and sat by the fireplace and read a few pages to see if I liked it. I did! And then I saved it for my flights home.

I am so happy I had this book for my LONG travel day yesterday! I was hung up in Chicago, at O'Hare airport for more than six hours. I was able to actually enjoy that time...walking, and reading, reading and walking. I'm so grateful that it was engrossing, positive, intriguing, and really held my interest all day. By the time I landed in St. George, after a stop in Denver, I had finished it. It's not a short book, but what a joy it was to give the whole day to it! I think it also helped me feel so much gratitude as I reflected on my time in Indiana, my time with the grandkids, and my time in Laramie and Rapid City as we flew over them!

It is a delightful read with a rather blunt and violent ending, but it works out in a way that is instructive. I liked the subtle message of heaven and Christ woven throughout Theo's bestowal of gifts. In some ways, it's more overt than many "modern" readers would appreciate, but it's so solid and so heartening that I think it's hard to take offense at it. Christianity has taken a lot of hard knocks in our culture, and it's so popular to cry foul and list all the ways churches have failed us...So it was refreshing to read a book that extols Christian virtues in an unapologetic way. 

Theo reminded me of the Count in A Gentleman in Moscow. Both are cultured, older, refined, educated, and gracious gentlemen. They choose to see good and be good and encourage good in others. It was a sweet comparison to contemplate. I admire both characters sooooo much. I like books with great characters!

I especially liked the way Theo was able to articulate to people what he saw in their portraits and what he saw in THEM. This had a magic way of lifting their spirits and helping them see themselves in a more capable light, especially the homeless woman. It's a good model for what all of us could be doing more of... There were also many encouragements to enjoy nature, to enjoy the moment, and to really look people in the eye when we encounter them. So many good reminders! So refreshing...

The Ten Day Daughter by S. Michael Wilcox

 This little book was on some give-away table, so I thought I'd give it a try. I admire S. Michael Wilcox and have listened to many of his talks and he is accessible, spiritual, humble, and brilliant. Even though this is an older book, I thought it would probably be interesting at the least, and great at the best. 

It was published in 2012, and I think this may have been an early retirement project for him. It's an interesting read, about a homeless pregnant young woman who needs help, but constantly refuses it. The Wilcox family tries to take her in and help her, but she is skittish and fearful. I enjoyed the wondering about what her past was, and what she would do next, but I got a little tired of all the tears and crazy. Wilcox's wife spent lots of time crying too, and it begins to feel like the mental challenges and hysteria are contagious. Still, I had to admire what it took to try so hard to help someone, especially someone who did not want help. And the rest of the family was at an age and stage where taking this on was obviously complicated and challenging.

And, surprisingly, there was no happy ending. There was no resolve. I actually appreciate that Wilcox has no easy answers or rationale or explanation. It made me wonder what he thinks about this experience years later. Did he ever understand more of what happened or why? That would be fascinating to know...

It's going to Deseret Industries now, so someone else can read it and wonder, "What would I do in a similar situation?" And, "Am I doing enough to love my neighbor?" In that regard, it was inspiring...

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg

 The second of my three library Berg books was a fun one. This cute little town of Mason, Missouri has some familiar characters from other books, and some new ones. This Confession Club allows Berg to let the women share a lot of their personal neuroses, fears, and intimate secrets. They are poignant and often funny. It's a clever way to reassure women that we all suffer from common insecurities. What's unique about this club, though, is that these women support each other and are kind. 

I fully expected them to be afraid for their friend who befriends and ultimately falls in love with a homeless transient person. He is a Viet Nam vet who suffers from PTSD... But everyone is supportive of Iris's choice and her actions. I enjoyed the parts where they both (Iris and John) was poetic about the joys of being outside and free. I could really relate to those feelings.

This was a quick, enjoyable, and cozy read. A perfect balm to take me away from the stress of our upcoming house sale and house purchase!

W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton

This latest addition to the series made me laugh more than any previous one. I marvel at Grafton's ability to capture quirky little moments and subtleties that crack me up, one after another! Even though several of the characters featured in Wasted are homeless and addicted, the story is NOT a downer. It also features the return of some very attractive Kinsey boyfriends. I enjoyed reading about her careful defensive maneuvers to protect herself. She has become less guarded over the years I've been reading her... This novel introduces more of her relatives and she's slightly less prickly as time goes on. This Grafton is simply amazing. And I love revisiting the 80's and the time before cell phones and ubiquitous computer technology. It's nice to remember how things were, not so long ago.
I was able to savor this novel with somewhat more control than I have previous ones. It did not take over my life; but I did love returning to it like a sweet treat, again and again. This one was also more clean in language and behavior than occasional other novels in the series. I appreciated the cleaner environment!

REREAD

June 2022

What a fun reread! 

I just also reread my review (above) and still concur that it was a delightful little romp with fun moments and fascinating characters. I'm so sorry that Grafton died before she was able to finish her alphabet series, but, as her family said, 'For us the alphabet stops at Y." I think I'll hunt up some of her others and revisit those as well. She can be rather uncomfortably graphic, so I'll have to watch out for those...

It was always fun to share these books with Melissa who enjoyed them as much as I did...

REREAD

April 2023

I might not have taken this one on again, but this year I'm reading the whole series from A through Y, and I didn't want to break up my continuity. I did remember a lot of what was going to happen next, but that didn't deter from my enjoyment of the humor, the characters, or the plot. And it feels good to know that Kinsey will have plenty of money in retirement!