Books that make me feel wealthy

I have had really bad luck at the library lately. Just lots of crap, crap, crap. I wonder sometimes how people get published. So, I got on goodreads and looked through some lists, trying to find something worth reading. I marked a few and reserved a few at the library, so here's hoping.
I did read one good book last week, "A Train to Potevka" by Michael Ramsdell. At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I like to read stories about people with less than me, because it reminds of how much I really do have, and how much I really don't need, despite what I might think. I also like reading about other cultures and how they live and survive. This one is obviously about Russia. I read one last year (I can't remember the title or author) about women in Iraq, and "Three Cups of Tea". I think everyone should read a book like this now and then.
The next one on my list is "The Price of Stones" by Twesigye Jacson Kaguri. My husband read it for a school project, and I think it looks pretty good. (INSERT: It was good. You can read my review here.) He also got another book for the same project called "Material World: A Global Family Portrait" by Peter Menzel. Just looking through the pictures was amazing. The book takes families in all different parts of the world and lays out all of their belongings in front of the place where they live. In some cases they seriously only have the clothes they're wearing and about ten other items, including livestock. Now that will help me appreciate what I have, and even inspire to get rid of some of the things I have that I don't need.

Off the shelf: I've been spending lots of time with home school and learning to play the flute. I got one for Christmas, and I really like playing it, especially now that it works properly. I spent a lot of time knitting before Christmas making gifts so I decided to make something for myself after the holiday rush. I had some lovely, soft green yarn and I decided to make some slippers. I finished one, and it was horrible. The yarn was to bulky for the pattern and the fit was atrocious. I wish I'd take a picture, but I was so appalled that I just had to throw them away (I would have unraveled, but the yarn was the type that won't take being knit twice). Now I'm working on a sweater that I started about three years ago that always gets pushed to the side when other things come up (morning sickness, new baby, Christmas, etc.). I am going to finish it this time! I will post a picture when I do. Hopefully it will fit (fingers crossed).



Ezra Taft Benson

I just finished reading "Ezra Taft Benson: a biography" by Sheri Dew. It was amazing. I read biographies fairly often, maybe once a month, but I've never read a biography of an apostle or prophet. It was actually riveting. I read the whole thing in less than a week and I was a even a little bit disappointed when it ended. The reason wasn't that the writing was super stellar although it wasn't bad, but because President Benson led an amazing life, and I felt amazing reading about it.

Not only was President Benson amazing, but his wife was incredible. My new goal in life is to be more like Flora. She was a rock, and absolutely devoted to the gospel and her family. It didn't seem that she ever complained that for at least half of their married life, she was alone while her husband traveled. Not many wives would stand for that these days. It helped put some things in perspective for me as shortly after I finished the book my husband was called to a new, possibly very busy calling. The stake presidency counselor that talked to us said that many men in the church are denied opportunities for service and growth because their wives won't support them. I can't imagine that the wife of a prophet ever said no to a calling for her husband.

There were many things about the book that impressed me:

• The spirituality of Ezra Benson from childhood. Even when he was young he knew the power of prayer and the importance of obedience. Some of the stories as he grew older, became an apostle, and the prophet are very spiritual and inspiring.
• His dedication. He was not only dedicated to the gospel, but to anything that he felt was important such as the state of the country's agriculture.
• His work ethic. If he had a job to do, he did it to the best of his ability and better, because he always relied on the Lord to make up where he lacked.
• His patriotism. President Benson probably delivered more talks on freedom, government, and the constitution than any other general authority. He was passionate about freedom.
• His knowledge of and insight into The Book of Mormon. He said at one point that you could learn more about what is going on in our country by reading The Book of Mormon than by reading the newspapers. He studied The Book of Mormon continuously, and he gave copies to practically everyone he met. His testimony of the book is an inspiration.
• His love and dedication to family. Even though he was away often with church work and as a member of the Cabinet and other government work, his children and wife were very important to him. He often took at least one child on his trips when possible, and his wife traveled with him frequently once the children were grown. He took time to talk with his children, and teach them, and support them. He loved his wife and seemed to cherish every moment the had together.
• His ability and desire to follow the prophet. He always followed the counsel of the prophet. He took the job in the Cabinet because he was counseled to do so by the prophet. When he was being considered as a presidential candidate, he did so only upon approval of the prophet. He prayed diligently for the prophet. He even delivered an outstanding talk about the 14 fundamentals to following the prophet. He was very humble.
• The life of Flora Benson. Even President Benson said that behind every good man is a good woman. Sister Benson is my new hero in motherhood. I want to be just like her as a wife and mother. I want to be patient and fun and inspiring for my children, and I want to be a supportive and loving wife, just like her.

If you have any inclination at all to learn more about the life of a prophet, I recommend reading about Ezra Taft Benson. He was an example of faith, humility, diligence, and righteous living that we can all learn from.

Finished!

I finally finished Democracy in America today. I've been reading it since June. This is a red letter day. I also read Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon, and Aunt Dimity Down Under, but that's all. I honestly don't know when I've been busier than I have this last month, including when I was in college and somehow found time to read Les Miserables during finals week, just for fun. I despise not having time to read. I do like some of the other things I've been doing though, like Christmas Present crafting, making Streusel Kuchen, and playing "balling" (rolling or kicking a ball, for those who don't get toddler speak) with Hy. Come back soon for my deep and insightful comments on de Tocqueville. I'm sure it's something you won't want to miss. Right.

Around Again

I finished reading the book a few weeks ago, but I haven't had time to write about it, or figured out exactly what I wanted to say. I may not have figured it all out yet, but I found a little time.

This is the third novel I've read by Suzanne Strempek Shea, and not my favorite. I loved Finding Finola, but I haven't been able to find the same rhythm and feeling in the other two books I've read. Finding Finola was a hopeful, inspiring book for me. Around Again was a little depressing.

What I've decided about Around Again, is that it is a lot about fear. Mostly about how fear can rule our lives. And it's a little bit about love, and how love can change us and maybe even dispel the fear.

The protagonist, Robyn, is torn between fear and love, but she allows her fears overcome love. She basically cuts herself off from everything she loves for thirty  years because of fear. The whole conflict is born out of fear. Fear of social rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of something that isn't even real.

But the saviors in the novel, Robyn's aunt and uncle, are driven completely by love. And although Robyn says throughout the novel that she knows what is real, it turns out that she was completely mistaken and what is real is the love that she ultimately rejects.

Although I probably won't read the book again, I have enjoyed thinking about it and the reminder that most of what I fear is in my own imagination (the future), and that what I love (family, God) is what will save me from my fear.

Founding Mothers

I read this book, Founding Mothers, for our neighborhood book club. Funny thing about this book, no one can remember who chose it, including the person who chose it.



It took me about six weeks to read this book, probably because I just left it on the elliptical, and only read it during the 25 minutes, 3 times per week that I spend in that particular location. And that said, I may not have gotten as much out of it as I could have. Actually, that's probably the one time where I'm NOT interrupted seventeen gazillion times an hour by children. For some reason they leave me alone. Probably getting into stuff like sharp knives and matches.



Anyway, about the book. I would probably not read anything by Ms. Roberts again. I liked the facts that were in the book, but I did not like the commentary. I liked reading quotes from letters by the great ladies of the founding era of our country like Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. I did not like the tone that the author used to portray the quotes. One thing that I really don't love about biographies and history is the assignation of thoughts and feelings to people that is completely biased by the author's view and personal prejudices. It seemed to me that this is what Roberts did throughout her commentary.



Cokie Roberts is obviously very pro-feminist, and seems to be anti more than one child, and somewhat derogatory toward men. I can't even count how many times she threw in comments like "she was pregnant, again" and "the perpetually pregnant (insert name here)", or how the husbands didn't care about their wives as they should. I processed a lot of information in reading the book, but how much of it is opinion and how much is fact is hard to determine.



But, with all of that, I didn't hate reading the book. Once I got used to the tone of the author, it was enjoyable to find out how much the women of that era contributed to the founding of our country, how they influenced their husbands and the men of the time, and how much they sacrificed. They were amazingly astute and interested in the politics of the time, something that I think many men and women of our time have lost.

Why I haven't been reading much

I usually read about two books per week. Usually. Not lately. Here's why:

I canned tomatoes.

I canned apples.

I canned chicken soup.

I made a marker case for the husband.

And I have the five rugrats to chase after all day.

And, I can't seem to figure out how to delete or move a photo once I've added it, thus the poor display of photos.

But stay tuned. I'm about to finish "Founding Mothers" by Cokie Roberst and "Around Again" by Suzanne Strempek Shea

Favorite author of the week

My new favorite author (this week) is Suzanne Strempek Shea. I read "Becoming Finola" by said author last week. I read "Lily of the Valley" this week. "Becoming Finola" wins hands down, but "Lily of the Valley" was also a good read.
Thinking back, I'm not sure what it was that was so enrapturing about "Becoming Finola". Maybe that it was unexpected from the very beginning. The first part of the book had me thinking the star of the book was someone completely different than it was. Sophie was a complete suprise. The whole book was a surprise. I loved that it was in Ireland. I loved that one of the main characters didn't even make a personal appearance in the story until nearly the end. I loved that it had a happy ending. I loved that the persona of Finola, built up throughout the story was a mirage.
The characters in this book were amazing. So vivid and real.
The way Shea writes is inspiring. I love the use of metaphor, and her descriptions of people, and the setting (which means a lot coming from me because I usually skim description, picking out only what seems necessary to the story).
I suppose I should post one warning for those highly opposed to the "f" word. It is used a few times, but if you can believe me, in a completely non-offensive, everyday conversation, sort of way. Being set in Ireland, Shea even explains through the narrator, Sophie, that the "f" word isn't viewed the same way across the pond as it is here in America.
Overall, I'm a big fan of the book. When I finished, I wanted to read it again. Right then.