WWW Wednesdays

WWW Wednesdays is a meme from Should Be Reading, where we answer three questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you'll read next? If you want to participate, answer the three questions, then put your link on the Should Be Reading Blog in the comment section. Happy reading!

What I am currently reading: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

I am enjoying this one so far. It is a biographical novel. I can see how Ms. Alcott got her characters for Little Women. Her life reads like her novel. 

What I recently finished reading: Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

I liked this one, but I thought it could have been better. See my review on this book in the next few days.

What I will probably read next: This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

I will be reviewing this one for Revell. Looks good.

Your turn. What are you reading?

"You May Have Missed" Mondays

As I said on Saturday in this post, I'd like for us to share with one another books that others may have missed that we have found to be quite good and worthy of recommendation. I will post about a few, then give you a chance to share thoughts or links to reviews for books you have read. (Please limit your book selections to those that have been published prior to 2009.)

One that comes immediately to mind for me is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This book is one that stays with you long after you have read it. It is a haunting book, yet one that draws the reader in and keeps you enthralled as the story progresses. I was talking about this book months after I read it, and when anyone asked for a recommendation of something to read, this one was the first one I would mention. It was that good.

Mr. Hosseini also wrote A Thousand Splendid Suns, which is also a good read. I'm hoping for more from this author. 

Although I'm not sure I liked the Kite Runner movie quite as much as the book, I would encourage anyone to see it as well (after you have read the book, of course!).

A few years ago, a friend told me about a certain author whom I've never heard of before. She knew I would like his books since I like suspense. She was right. I became immediately hooked.

His name is Harlan Coben, and I think that my favorite of his books so far has been one called Tell No One. Here is a summary from bookbrowse.com:

For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.

Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible -- that somewhere, somehow, Elizabeth is alive.

Beck has been warned to tell no one. And he doesn't. Instead, he runs from the people he trusts the most, plunging headlong into a search for the shadowy figure whose messages hold out a desperate hope.

But already Beck is being hunted down. He's headed straight into the heart of a dark and deadly secret -- and someone intends to stop him before he gets there.

You may recall this review I wrote on his latest book, Caught. Also, this post contains other reviews on Caught.  

There has also been a movie based on Tell No One. It was good, but they put too much harsh language in it to be totally enjoyable.

I have just begun reading the book The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees. It reminds me of Alcott's book, Little Women. I have loved that book for many years now. I remember several times in my family when someone would quote the first two lines of the book (usually during a discussion of what we were going to do for Christmas, or maybe when we would be talking about how "poor" we were.):

"'Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

'It's so dreadful to be poor,' sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress."  

We did that a lot in our family, quoting from books or movies according to our present situation. I think that's one reason my children think I and my mother and sister are so strange. Oh, well. No matter. We still do it, and I believe my children actually enjoy it.

More great memories are also tied to the movie made from Little Women. However, if you decide to try it, I recommend the older version with June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Margaret O'Brien, and Elizabeth Taylor. Much better than the Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder version, in my opinion.

Now it's your turn. Tell us about one (or more) of your favorite books published before 2009. I want to know what I "may have missed." Leave your recommendations in the comment section.

(Remember, you can click on the book title or the book image to read more about the book on Amazon. If you purchase a book after clicking on any of these links, I wil receive a small portion of the purchase price as an Amazon Associate.) 

"You May Have Missed" Mondays

I'd like to let you know about something new I'm trying here on Seize the Book. Every Monday, I will post about great books that have been published prior to 2009. We all have missed reading some really good books and although I love reading new titles, I like to read reviews/discussions on those that are not brand new. I want to encourage you to read an "old" book on occasion and share with us what you read. It could be a classic, or one that you come across in a used book store or the library that you find intriguing. Maybe your mother tells you about one she read when she was younger, or you remember one you read in school. I want to know about it!

So, on Monday, I will beg ask you to tell us about books the rest of us may have missed. I'm calling this "You May Have Missed" Mondays. If you write a review, please give us the link to your post so we can visit your blog. It doesn't have to be a recent review. It just has to be a review of a book published prior to 2009.

See you on Monday with books you may have missed!

Book Review: Pearl of China by Anchee Min

I remember reading The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck when I was in school. I don't recall very much about it except a scene where a pregnant peasant woman was working in the fields when she went into labor. Instead of calling a doctor, she simply gave birth and resumed her work. I couldn't believe that anyone could do that. I mean, no hospital, no drugs, nothing? I was amazed at the hardiness of the Chinese about whom Buck wrote. I have since then intended to read more of her books, but it just hasn't happened.

So, when I heard about Pearl of China, which is a biographical novel of Pearl Buck's life, I was intrigued. Then I saw this video and decided I had to read it:

   

I thought it was interesting how the author wanted to write a book about Pearl Buck through a Chinese person's perspective. Mrs. Buck has not always been a heroine in China. She had to return to America when civil war broke out. It was after that time that she began writing her novels about life among the Chinese peasants from firsthand observations. I did not realize that Pearl is now revered in China.

I like how the author wrote about Pearl's life in China, not just about her books. I enjoyed seeing through Willow's eyes the trials she endured and her love for the Chinese people and culture. And it seemed to be a realistic look at the life of Pearl and her family as missionaries in a foreign country (not romanicized).

Although I felt the pace was too slow in some places, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Radical by David Platt (and GIVEAWAY!)

(Be sure and read the end of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of Radical.)

Radical by David Platt was exactly that: radical. I was challenged and inspired by this book. The author has made some great observations of our society and gives the Christian reader suggestions (based on commands from God) on what we can do to ensure we aren't "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2).

David Platt believes that there are many professing Christians who "have in many areas blindly and unknowingly embraced values and ideas that are common in our culture but are antithetical to the gospel (Jesus) taught." He goes on to say: "Here we stand amid an American dream dominated by self-advancement, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency, by individualism, materialism, and universalism. Yet I want to show you our desperate need to revisit the words of Jesus, to listen to them, to believe them, and to obey them. We need to return with urgency to a biblical gospel, because the cost of not doing so is great for our lives, our families, our churches, and the world around us."

In Chapter Two, the author does a great job of describing the gospel, then he goes on to explain what he sees as the problem in our churches today:

"The dangerous assumption we unkowingly accept in the American dream is that our greatest asset is our own ability. The American dream prizes what people can accomplish when they believe in themselves and trust in themselves, and we are drawn toward such thinking. But the gospel has different priorities. The gospel beckons us to die to ourselves and to believe in God and to trust in his power."

"While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God."

One illustration that I will not soon forget is about the time the author was reading a "Christian news publication" and noticed two headlines next to each other. One pronounced the celebration of a new $23 million building for a church. The article beneath described the church's new sanctuary which consisted of marble, stained glass, etc. The other headline was atop a much smaller article. It proclaimed that "Baptist Relief Helps Sudanese Refugees." Nothing wrong with that, except the article stated that 350,000 Sudanese refugees were dying of malnutrition, and "Baptists have raised $5,000 to send to refugees in western Sudan." I almost cried when I read that.

Next, Mr. Platt explains in detail what he sees as the solution to the problem: obey God in reaching the world for Christ with the gospel. He suggests we consider the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler to go and sell everything he had and follow Christ. What "things" do we need to give up in order to follow Jesus? "What luxuries does God intend for my family and me to savor, and what luxuries does God invite us to sacrifice?" Then, there is the challenge to go to those who need to hear the gospel.

In the last chapter of the book, the author sums up all he says by suggesting the following:

"I dare you over the next year to:

1. pray for the entire world;

2. read through the entire Word;

3. sacrifice your money for a specific purpose;

4. spend you time in another context;

5. commit your life to a multiplying community."

I gained a lot by reading this book. I will be going through it again and praying to see what the Lord will have me do in these areas. Here is one more quote (my favorite from the book):

"Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all thes things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us."

If you profess Jesus as your savior, you should read this book. But remember, it is RADICAL, and it may change your thinking and how you live your life!

To read chapter one of this book, go here.

There is also a booklet entitled The Radical Question: What Is Jesus Worth to You? by the same author, David Platt. It would be a good resource to have to pass along to other believers who need to be challenged in their faith (what Christian doesn't need that from time to time?)

GIVEAWAY!
Would you like to win a copy of Radical by David Pratt? Just leave a comment with your email address. (I would love for you to become a follower, too, but it is not required to enter.) Entries will be recieved until midnight (EST) on May 13th.

(This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed in this review are strctly my own.)

WWW Wednesdays

WWW Wednesdays is a meme from Should Be Reading, where we answer three questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? and What do you think you'll read next? If you want to participate, answer the three questions, then put your link on the Should Be Reading Blog in the comment section. Happy reading!

What I am currently reading: Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann - This one is from Waterbrook/Multnomah for review. I will have a review of it on this blog during the week of May 10-14. And, there will be a GIVEAWAY!







What I recently finished reading:It Had To Be You by Janice Thompson - This one is from Revell for review. The review will be on this blog sometime between May 9th and May 15th. It is the third book in the Weddings by Bella series.

What I'll probably read next: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees - A "friend" (you know who you are!) told me I must read this one before she does and write a review. I think it's because she wants to make sure it's a good one before she reads it herself. She tried to flatter me by saying she trusts my judgments, but maybe it's because she's lazy. :) But, since I am so sweet, I'll do it.

What do you think? Have you read any of these, or are any on your TBR list? If you have written a review on any of these, please give us the link in the comment section. If not, I'd still love to hear from you!

I've Been Surfin'!

I've been "surfin' the 'net", looking for interesting blog posts and articles to share with you. Here are just a few of the things I've found:

My Love For Reading - Randy Alcorn tells about his love for reading and how important it is for Christians to read.

More Than a Seatbelt Ad - a powerful message advocating the wearing of seatbelts. This one is beautiful!

Library Books End Up in Trash - what some library patrons (and librarians) think about certain book weeding policies.

The Book Bike - This article brings back wonderful memories of a bookmobile in my hometown. I'd LOVE to do this!

That Mighty Sorting Machine - Looks like quite a handy machine to have in a large library!

Riker's Island Book Cart - Imagine seeing this job on someone's resume!