Lion Women of Tehran

 

This is the story of two women growing up in Tehran.  It's a story of politics and friendship.  The story line covers a couple of decades.

Ellie and Homa grew up together in an impoverished section of the city.  Ellie's mother marries her uncle and they move to a wealthy part of Tehran.  Elli and Homa lose contact until their senior year in high school when Homa is able to get into the prestigious high school that Ellie attends.  Homa is very radical and wants to change the culture for Iranian women.

While imprisoned for protesting the Shah, Homa is raped and gives birth to a baby girl.  Meanwhile, Ellie has married her long-time sweetheart, they move to America and are childless but not by choice.  Eventually things become so horrible in Iran, that Homa asks Ellie to let her daughter live with her in America.  

This book shows how repressive regimes can be towards women.  It's so very sad, but ends on a hopeful note that perhaps things might change.  

I give it 3.5 stars.

The Things We Cannot Say

 

Written in two time periods; contemporary and during WWII, this is the story of an incredibly brave lady in Poland and her granddaughter years later in America.

I was so annoyed at the contemporary mother that I couldn't enjoy that portion of the story.  She was an over-the-top mother of two children; one autistic and the other quite genius even tho she was only about 13 years old.  

Alina is a young lady living in Poland and is deeply in love with her best friend, Tomasz, who is a spy for Poland.  War separates them and the story line gets a little complicated at some point when Tomasz disappears.  This portion of the story is quite brutal and points out the true horrors of war.  

Fast forward to contemporary America where Alice is concerned for her grandmother who is dying from a stroke and unable to speak.  She insists, even tho Alice's life is very complicated and busy at this time, that Alice must go to Poland to solve the mystery of Alina's life.

Man, Alice is so over-the -top as a mother.  She berates her husband, belittles him, but worst of all, has no confidence that HE can take care of the children while she is away for one week.    I was so annoyed at her the entire book.  However, reviewers on Amazon really loved this book.  It's so fascinating how books affect us differently.

I give it three stars.

EYE SURGERY!

 

Saw double driving to the gym one morning a couple of weeks ago.  

Hole in the macula.  

Surgery.  Results; 50% chance of improvement.  

So far, four days out, and it's all very blurry.  

I'll just hope for the best.  But, I still have MACULAR degeneration.  So, getting old is not pretty.

Just be grateful for what I have.  

WORDS On FIRE

 Maybe 4 stars; it was a little overlong for my tastes.

But, having said that, this book is an interesting look at a part of hoister I knew nothing about; that is Lithuania in the late 1800's - early 1900's.  Russia is trying to take over.  As part of the take-over mentality, they ban and burn ANY books written in the Lithuanian language.  This is the story of two young adults who become book runners to sneak books to people who are so desperate to read them.

The two young people encounter may adventures and close calls with Russian Cossacks.  The book points out how truly vital our language and written word are in preserving our heritage.  I liked it.

Max in the House of Spies

 I give it four stars...(recommended by Tiffany Gee Lewis).  

This is a story of a 12 year old German Jewish boy who is sent to London to live with a Jewish family while Germany is being bombed.  

His goal is to become a spy for the British government so that he can return to Germany and find his parents.  Also, as a twist, there are two little extra terrestrial beings on Max's shoulders.  They talk to him, even tho no one else could hear them.

It was a fun book.  But, I won't read the sequel, in which we find out how Max does when he gets to Germany.  

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

 WOW!  What an incredible book.  

All based on truth.  

This is the story of a German U Boat sailor washed ashore in the Gulf of Mexico.  I had no idea that German U Boats patrolled the waters off America.  Not only patrolled, but actually destroyed ships killing many people.

I highly recommend this book.  As historical fiction and a great compelling plot.  

I totally give it five stars.  PLUS.

It's so HARD....

 for me to go to church and be filled with the spirit and come home and see something that my kids or grandkids have posted on social media.

It's debilitating.  

Today's lesson was just incredible.  And, designed for ME......especially.  I HAVE to have more faith in Jesus Christ and that ALL WILL BE WELL.  I have to feel the JOY of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have to learn to love my family members that do not LIVE THE WAY I WANT THEM TO!