Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin

What a delightful find! I was clearing out my classics collection in preparation for our move to Bismarck and realized I hadn't ever read this one. It is a captivating and inspiring story of Rebecca's courage and fortitude. It often reminded me of Anne of Green Gables...a poor girl with remarkable talents and gifts. Although it was written for a young audience, the themes and insights are mature. And there are marvelous ironic observations of the characters made by the author. It's also a wonderful look into another time...The setting is Maine in the early part of the 1900's.  I loved the look into the schooling opportunities that Rebecca had. I also liked that Rebecca's future wasn't settled by the end of the book. One wonders what path she took, and whether Mr. Aladdin was able to marry her. She's a remarkable and humble heroine whom I would recommend to any young reader who is sophisticated enough to also appreciate some difficult language and lovely poetry.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

I found this delightful book in my shelf of classics as we prepare to downsize from out townhome to (possibly?) an apartment to accept a calling in Bismarck. I am trying to decide what is worthy of keeping in hard copy vs. what is ripe to give away. And is it worth saving for the grandchildren?

I'm not sure about this one. I enjoyed the sweet little stories that make up each chapter, but they were not exciting. I mean, I enjoyed them, but not sure a younger reader (like John or Henry) would. I loved learning about the life lessons each of Black Beauty's owners taught, and what stood out most was the love and care for and value of family. It also contains a lot of vignettes that reveal how the poor in England, and in London in particular, survived during this transition between the horse era and the "modern" era of trains, etc. I've always been intrigued by this time period and the tragic way life was lived in order to survive, particularly the children.

I am a horse-lover, so I enjoyed hearing things from his (Black Beauty's)point of view. I'm not sure I treated our horses (while I was growing up) with the care I should have--this book definitely advocates for kindness in training!

This particular copy is old, and probably why it's still around is that it has a Paso Robles address hand-written in it. I'm wondering how it came to us. Perhaps from Grandma Louise Austin? Still, I think it's a give-away. It was enjoyable and light reading, good lessons, but not probably one I will pick up again.

The Crucible of Doubt by Terryl Givens and Fiona Givens

This is an amazing book that came to me at precisely the right time. My wonderful friend (and LDS counselor) Trish prepared a presentation for us Stake Welfare Specialists to adapt and use in our Stake on dealing with questions of faith and doubt. She based much of her presentation on another book, Planted (by Mason), and as I considered buying it, I kept reading reviews that referred to this Givens book that intrigued me. I eventually ordered both of them, but it's this one, the Givens' book, that I return to again and again.

Essentially, this book opened up my view to the breadth and depth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My view was limited by my lack of knowledge and history and probably other things as well! I am not a particularly deep or disciplined thinker. These authors opened up my thinking and helped me throw off chains that were holding me back! And they do it in such a faith-promoting and wonderful way...

I suggested to our great friend Levi that he read it, and we spent a rich Sunday afternoon discussing it among the four of us -- his wife, and Len. We all came away uplifted and revived by the ideas and the discussion as we sampled some of our favorite parts and discussed them. He said, "This book changed my life!"

I lent it to my deep friend Christy, and she graciously underlined her favorite parts...but we haven't had a chance to discuss it together yet. She underlined some amazing passages that I missed, so I'm looking forward to a walk and talk with her.

I read an excerpt to my friend Ramona, who promptly asked me to copy it into her hospital log so she could share it with her family. I have read enough of it to Leonard that he has become a big advocate as well! We have realized our study of church history has been too shallow. This book helps us uncover how we could more faithfully and appropriately move forward.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This book came highly recommended by both Troy and Levi (brothers-in-law) as well as many others. I have wanted to read it for a long time, and when my friend Kathy lent it to me, I was delighted to be able to finally read it.

It was a wonderful, gut-wrenching read. This young man who chronicles his decisions related to his cancer is a moving writer. He's so honest and open about his feelings and his experiences that I was drawn in immediately. This is a courageous person! His thinking about life and its meaning was enlightening to read. Very good.  I was weeping several times as he describes his joys and his pain...

It also made me think about issues of death vs. quality of life. Of cancer treatment vs. a natural approach. It surprised me that he didn't reach into the spiritual realm of his religion more or even describe this part of his experience more. Still, a very worthwhile and rich experience.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I read a review of this on a book list somewhere, found it used on Amazon, and ordered it to read on the flights to and from our Florida cruise. It was a good book for that, fairly light, and fairly intriguing as different outcomes to choices are explored in the story. Kind of a choose your own adventure kind of book. The characters were fairly interesting...but not enough to make me want to lend it out or read it again.

Sometimes I think I'm in the mood for something light, but when I choose with this in mind, I'm often disappointed. I guess I really do like some substance or at least a good laugh or some redeeming and uplifting value. Not here. Not this time.

The Proper Care & Feeding of Marriage by Dr. Laura Schlessinger

I was hoping this book would be as good as Dr. Laura's advice on the radio. I wanted a succinct and well-organized summary of the philosophy she uses to give marital advice. This is not it. She is a much better speaker (on the radio) than she is a writer. Her writing style is informal, feels unedited, and in many ways is just a re-hash of many of her calls. It's too bad. She really needs a good editor to get this job done!

I was hoping for a book that would be a worthy wedding gift or a gift for couples I know are struggling. While there's good advice in this book, it's not easy to get out of it, and the tone is honestly kind of annoying.

What I admire about her philosophy that I was hoping would be in this book are these things:

Men and women are different. They were designed to be different and complementary. Let's understand the differences and celebrate them.

Children's needs are paramount. Do not think you can divorce or date or anything else until your children are raised.

Your relationship with your spouse is private. Do not discuss intimate details of your sex life with your children. Your relationship is sacred and it comes first...

Do the right thing. For the right reasons. Sacrifice is hard AND it's often the right thing. Do it.

Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor

My friend Darci lent me this book and told me it was a very useful book for her, and had much better content than the title implies. She was right! It was enjoyable and offered solid advice from a clergyman. What I appreciated about his thinking is the acknowledgement that men and women are very different creatures. And we need to understand and celebrate the differences in order to get along. That fits right along with Len and my on-going admiration of Dr. Laura Schlessinger on the radio. We admire her and she often hits this point with her callers.

I also appreciated the frank and practical way a clergyman wrote about sex and its importance in marriage.  He drew on his long experience in working with couples as well as on his own marital experiences to make the book full of examples.