Didn't Finish

 ENIGMA GIRLS

Maybe I just didn't give it a good chance.  It was very boring to the point where I was reading.  It was more like a text book. I couldn't get into it, so I didn't - get very far into it, that is.   Maybe if I get to where I have absolutely NOTHING to read, I'll check it out again.  Unlikely.

THE BEST MINDS

I read quite a bit in this book; it's the story of two Jewish boys growing up in New York.  They are best friends; so far where I had read to, it was a series of adventures and what they did together and in their spare time.  I couldn't figure out where the book was headed so I read a few reviews.  It does turn very dark, so I decided not to continue reading it.  Sometimes I feel like - even though my life is great - I have my own dark turns, so didn't need this one.    I also consulted with my personal book chef - Margo Gee.  She advised me to not continue reading it, where is the way I was already leaning.  SO, It's gone.  

On to other great reads.  I hope I have a good one to finish out the year.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: In the Midst of Wickedness

 

Remarkable person.  But, there are so many people that it was hard to keep straight who was who, for me.  Allen makes a list of main characters and this would have been a good idea in this book.  

But, having said that, I'll just say that it's a true story of a German family who are appalled at the audacity of Hitler and what he does to other countries and to people.  It's a book about people who are willing to stand up for what they think is right and fight for the good of the people.  Several members of the Bonhoeffer family are involved in a plot to kill Hitler.  They are good Christians.  In fact, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is actually a minister.  

It reminds me of the scripture in the Book of Mormon...better that one man should die than a whole nation dwindle in unbelief.  The Bonhoeffers were not familiar with that scripture, but those are the feelings they had when they were in on the plot to kill Hitler.  It's an important story, but I didn't think it was really that well written; confusing at times about who was who, etc.  It's actually from a series of books for younger children about Christian heroes.  I liked that about it; it was not over long which the adult version is totally too long.  

Daughters of Shendong

Women were nothing in the Chinese culture; just another mouth to feed.  And, just someone to raise to send off to another man's home.  

So, having four daughters was a total failure for Mother.  She was easily expendable when the Chinese regime changed ram Chiang Kai-shek to Mao Zedong and the Ang family fled their ancestral home in 1949, leaving Mother to cope for herself.  From then on, Mother and her three daughters are on their own as they struggle to survive in a harsh landscape.  With hunger, cold,  Chinese cadres always on their tails, it is just starve or eke out survival somehow.  

This story is based on the author's grandmother.  It was so difficult to plow my way thru as it was one disaster and failure and challenge after another.  I just know that I would have been dead very early on!  

I have recommended it to a couple of people because it is a look at a China at the end of Chiang Kai-shek's reign.  I certainly hope many things have changed in the last 75 years.  

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!

The River We Remember

 I'm hoping that I can forget this book.  And, soon.  

It started off rather intriguing, but became very sorrowful and tragic and ended even more so.  I did not enjoy it.  Too many characters, too mired in sorrow.

It's the story of a murder in a small town in the 1950's.  There is a lot of hatred and prejudice in the town, but the general consensus was that the murdered man deserved what he got.  I did not like that the male protagonist was having a clandestine affair with his brother's wife; I hated that.  The main female protagonist had been a victim of circumstances and had been a prostitute.  But, she had a kind heart and had totally reformed.  The murderer (the man's brow-beaten wife) was never brought to justice because the sherif had companion on her life, and lots of other sad things happened.  

I will not be recommending this book to anyone I know and hope no one finds out I read it.  HAHAH.

I Got Kicked Out of Amazon, So...

 I will post my book reviews here.  Not for anyone to read, but to help me remember what I have read.

I am still bummed by the whole experience, but I need to move forward and still continue to write about the books I have read.  Onward and upward.

A Friend for a Brief Moment

 I met Nancy at a meeting for Saturday shift workers.  I was immediately drawn to her.  We did a few things together.  

I adored her.  I pictured a big amount of doing things together.  Then one day, she told me she was moving to South Carolina.  Her husband has Alzheimers and taking care of him and their house was just going to be too much for her.

I truly loved this important person who was in my life for the briefest of moments.  

Andy, on the right; (4) medical person in Georgia; Mike (2) - Costco in St George - Jerry - (Oldest) Salt Lake medical risk management - Bruce, Nancy, Nannette (3) in Rexburg, Melanie (5) - South Carolina.  Not sure about the order and the girl's names; Nancy was not totally clear in her text.

Let's Hear it For Family

 

June 8, 2024; Jordan and Jessica's Lovely wedding In Charlottesville, Virginia.  I love these great people.

I'm BACK!

 I thought my journal writing days were over.  Because the company that printed my blog went out of business; but Jenni found me another company, so here I am.  

BACK AGAIN....

I have a lot to catch up on.  Which I will some day.

For now, I'm just going to say, IT's GOOD TO BE BACK!

OH, Those Wonderful Grandkids....

 How I LOVE THEM!

Birthday Week with the GIRLS! IN Other Words; FUN TIMES in Santa Fe, New Mexico!

 

Not in the right order, but whatever the order, it was SO FUN!  Just a great time.  

HAHAH...Turning 80

 Thanks, Bonnie, for the fun page of events taken from my year of birtth.  So fun.

Glorious Sundays!

After the dedication of the St George Utah Red Cliffs Temple.  We got to help usher and it was wonderful to be in the temple.  Thank you, Mike and Polly, for the opportunities you have given to Allen and me in the last few months.  Thank you also, President Thompson for even thinking of us.  

 

Easter Sunday at Janessa's ward and her home.  What a marvelous afternoon.  I could feel the LOVE!