Media Matters

 Book by Brigid Kemmerer. This was a compelling, don’t want to put it down, kind of book for me. It was not an easy read, as it deals with a lot of heavy issues (grief, abuse, etc), but it was worthwhile, illustrating important themes: the way we inaccurately view other people and situations, the importance of the way we talk to and about others, loyalty in family and friendship, using agency well, etc. Note: a few profanities, a passing question asking if a boy had sent her nude pictures of himself. Overall surprisingly clean for a YA contemporary novel. Recommended for high schoolers

 Book by Michiko Aoyama. This book was unusual, in that it consists of just five chapters, each about a completely different character whose interactions with the librarian improve their lives. It is a bit frustrating to be sucked into a person’s story, then have to switch gears without getting closure with the previous character’s story. That said, it was a really interesting and thought-provoking read.  Note: contains just a couple of swear words

 Book by Wendy Watson. I really appreciated the author’s approach outlined in the introduction:  “Rock-solid relationships are built upon the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. His Power, Light, Love, Truth, and Spirit are their foundation. Relationships built on these “cannot fall.” “ “The scriptures are the very best “how to” books on relationships. The scriptures are the first and last word on how to be a better husband, father, wife, mother, parent, son, daughter, sibling, in-law, friend, neighbor, boss, employee, or any other relationship you can name.“ Each chapter was based on a scripture and a true principle taught by that scripture, which were then applied to examples of how that principle could strengthen a real-life relationship.  Although not every piece of advice may apply to every situation, I feel confident in recommending this book that every reader will find something that will prove helpful in improving one of their relationships. A few quotes: “We hav...

 Book by Katherine Reay. A charming modern retelling of Daddy-Long-Legs. Squeaky clean.

 Book series by Beth Brower. The series starts a bit slow, but it will hook you soon enough. Absolutely charming!

 Book by Kelly Barnhill. The moral of the story is more on the nose than I generally prefer, but I honestly didn’t mind it in this book because it is so utterly charming! The story is a wonderful illustration of the Biblical question: Who is my neighbor?  The audiobook narration is fantastic! A great listen or read-aloud for the whole family!

 Book by Elizabeth Enright. A glimpse into another time and place for most modern kids (with a few spots that don’t age as well), but the essentials of this portrayal of a loving family are timeless. The siblings feel real and make mistakes, but are kind and generous and respectful. The idea for their independent Saturday outings reminds me of Jonathan Haidt’s current movement to allow children more freedom and responsibility in interacting within their neighborhoods. Other books in the series I recommend: The Four-Story Mistake And Then There Were Five

 Book by Kate Stradling. This was a delightful fantasy, very loosely based on Beowulf, and it is full of magic, mystery, and romance. It was completely clean, great for teens as well as adults. (Mature content Note: There is an odious character who owns a brothel and threatens to force the girls into his service.)

 Book with pictures, by Tomie dePaola. This is probably the first beginning chapter book autobiography I have come across, and it is delightful. Perfect for 5-6 year olds to read or be read aloud. I listened to the audiobook of the first 4 books in the series (there are 8 total) and it was great, but I’m sad to have missed out on the illustrations!

Book by Sharon Creech.  A series of free verse poems written by a boy to his teacher while learning about poetry. This would definitely be a good book to read while teaching a poetry unit. 

 Book by Sheri Dew. These biographical snippets paint a picture of a man who was truly remarkable in countless ways. His optimism, intelligence, kindness, curiosity, discipline, sincerity, faith, leadership, and so on are unmatched.

 Book by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This was an excellent historical biographical fiction story about the life of Charlotte “Charlie” Parkhurst, famed stagecoach driver who masqueraded as a man for much of her life, and also became the first woman to vote (years before it became legal to do so). The novel is short and geared toward younger audiences, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of it at all.

 Picture book by Gary Schmidt.  A charming beginning chapter book that reminded me a lot of Mercy Watson.

 Book by Daniel James Brown. This was a fabulous book, chronicling the stories of Japanese Americans during WW2: some in internment camps, some as soldiers, some as political protesters, and one living in Japan at the start of the war. Both heartbreaking and inspiring, their stories will stay with me. My only complaint was that for me personally, the war chapters dragged a bit, going into more details about strategy, maneuvering, weaponry, etc than I cared about. Note: definitely depicts the horrors of war, but not gratuitously. Highly recommended for high schoolers and adults.

 Book by Amanda Dykes. This is my 4th Amanda Dykes book, and I have to say she is so consistent in her storytelling. Another beautiful historical mystery with a hint of slow building romance, this time with the added bonus of fictional letters, screenplays, interview transcripts, etc to help tell the story. My only complaint with this author is the slow pacing and overly wordy moments. It could have been edited tighter. Some quotes: “The papers ask when I’ll settle down and marry, as if everything before marriage is just . . . biding time. But . . . Didn’t God make this time, too? Isn’t there just as much purpose here? If He made it, how could it have less purpose than whatever’s on the other side of marriage? Or on the other side of anything, for that matter. A career, or children, or some measure of success or other. How could the ‘now’ have any less purpose than whatever’s on the other side?” She shook her head. “I think God made each moment and each moment matters.” Getting to ...

 Book by Katherine Reay. This is the type of book I could easily see being made into a Hallmark movie. But that’s not a bad thing. I enjoyed the characters and their growth, the dash of romance, and the literary references. Now excuse me as I dream of someone bequeathing me a bookshop…

 Book by The Arbinger Institute. Rather than a typical nonfiction self-help book, this book teaches its principles through a fictional story where the characters then apply those principles to various situations in their lives. It made the book quite a fast read, and I absolutely felt the truth of what was being taught. Its basic premise is that more important than behavior is the motive or desire or “way of being” behind it. (Two people could do the same outward actions, but for very different reasons.) In any given moment we are seeing others either as people or as objects. And that way of seeing others affects how we view and react to everything else. There are countless applications for the principles in this book: marriage, parenting, community, business, politics, leadership, etc. As divisive and contemptuous as our current society is, these principles are sorely needed. This would be a good companion book to Arthur Brooks’ Love Your Enemies.

 Book by C.S. Lewis. This is an allegory, the story of people in hell boarding a bus and visiting heaven for the day to see if they want to stay. Unfortunately, most refuse to embrace the joy being offered because they are too focused on themselves (their perceived goodness, their unworthiness, their pride, their grudges they wouldn’t let go of, their fame, their intellect, their control, their relationships, their talents, etc.) to focus on God. So many profound insights that rang true! Some quotes: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.” “No natural feelings are high or low, holy or unholy, in themselves. They are all holy when God’s hand is on the rein....

Nonfiction narrative by Candice Millard. This book is proof that reality is stranger than fiction! What a fascinating account of a president I knew nothing about prior to reading this!  I was so impressed by James Garfield’s humility, integrity, and servant leadership. I was so angry at the pride of the doctor whose incompetence ended up killing him. I was astounded at how the assassin lived with such deep psychosis and extensive lawbreaking for so many years, yet was never caught or locked up. And I absolutely loved the vice president’s change of heart and the stranger who inspired him to be better! Note: there is brief mention of a free love commune where people have multiple sexual partners, but beyond that I can’t think of any adult content at all! Highly recommended for teens and adults.

 Memoir by Lara Love Hardin. This was a very compelling memoir! The first 3/4 of the book were 5 stars for me. I liked the author’s writing style, and the glimpse into the realities of drug addiction were eye opening. The last quarter of the book felt a bit self-aggrandizing (ie. Oprah book club) and overtly lobbying for criminal justice reforms as opposed to just telling us her experiences and allowing us to come to our own conclusions. Also, I was devastated to hear that marriage #3 didn’t stick. Note: there is some profanity and a few brief mentions of gay sex happening elsewhere in the prison. I felt it was worthwhile both as a cautionary tale and a reminder that people can change.