Saving Simon by Jon Katz

If you looked at the cover of this book, you might discard it thinking who wants to read about a donkey?  However, the subtitle  might change your mind because it gives you a glimpse of what the book is really about--"How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion."

Mr. Katz has written twenty-six books.  Although I have not read all of his writings, I think it is safe to say that the majority of the stories have something to do with animals.  They also explore human life and all its ups and downs.

Simon was found in deplorable condition.  He was stuck in the mud with his head under some pallets in a pig sty on a dilapidated farm in upstate New York.  His legs were infected.  He was covered with lice and his teeth were decayed and rotten.  An animal control officer called to the scene suggests that Mr. Katz may want to adopt Simon. He does and, in the process of caring for this abused  animal, he discovers a part of himself that has been locked away for many years.

One of the revelations that the author speaks about is the awareness that humans are connected. This thought helps him to begin the understand the plight of the farmer who neglected Simon and he finds himself reaching out to understand the man.

There is much to learn about ourselves and our relationships to each other.  There is much that animals can teach us about compassion.  Mr. Katz has brought these two thoughts together so beautifully.

Give yourself a present this Holiday and read Saving Simon.

Ladybookbug!

For Love of Country by Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran

I picked up this title in Starbucks.  Of course I did.  The co-author is none other than the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz.

The back cover has a brief review by Robert M. Gates, former secretary of defense.  He mentions that "You must be made of stone to read this and not shed tears". I would add that reading this book may make you stronger and certainly more proud of all of the men and women who risk everything to defend our country.

These are stories of uncommon valor, determination and grit that can be measured only by the fortitude and sacrifices that have been made by countless veterans on the battlefield.  As I read it, I found myself thinking of the veterans in the scope of my life.  I thought about the veterans in Pinelawn and Calverton and Arlington.  I thought about an old boyfriend who was on the "bag" detail during the Vietnam War.  I thought about the wounded warriors.  I thought about visiting my Dad in a veteran's home.  I thought about the need to save a uniform that one has long ago grown out of by placing it in tissue paper in an old trunk.

It is my hope that members of our younger generation will read books of this nature so that they may know the cost of freedom and the hope that prevails in spite of the darkness that seeks to invade our nation.

Read on!

Ladybookbug!

Hello From the Gillespies by Monica McInerney

What a wonderful book!  I became totally caught up in it.  It enveloped me. This is the  story of a typical dysfunctional family who happen to live in the Australia.

The Gillespies live on a sheep station in New South Wales.  Angela is the mother of the clan of four children.  She is a take control sort of person.  Every Christmas she sends out a "Christmas Letter" outlining everything  that has happened to her family over the past year.  This year she decides to take the opportunity to rant a bit about her life.  She has no intention of actually sending the letter but circumstances beyond her control force the letter to be sent via e-mail to a hundred people.  The consequences of that action are the basis for this story.

The author takes the reader right into the heart of this family.  We get to know the real Angela and how she relates to each of her family members.  We are concerned about the mishaps of the twins and Lindy. We find ourselves wanting to know why Ig behaves like he does. We become immersed in Nick's "research" and wonder if this is the right time for him to pursue his family geneology.

An unfortunate accident occurs which throws the entire structure of the family off-balance.  They all pull together in spite of it and show the reader what a family is.

This author has written eight other novels and you can be certain that I will attempt to read them all.

Ladybookbug!

Our First Christmas by Lisa Jackson, et.al.

If you are a reader of beach paperbacks, then you'll love this new book by authors Lisa Jackson, Mary Burton, Mary Carter and Cathy Lamb.  The theme is "Christmas" and the unwritten theme is "romance". Although I was very familiar with Lisa Jackson's body of work, I was not familiar with the other authors.

All of the stories in this book are really short stories tied together because they all happen around Christmas.  The titles are: A Ranger for Christmas by Mary Burton,  A Southern Christmas by Mary Carter, Christmas in Montana by Cathy Lamb and Under the Mistletoe by Lisa Jackson.

In spite of the brevity of the stories, I think you will become immersed in them quickly.  They remind me of the stories I used to read in Good Housekeeping or Redbook.  These stories are gentle stories-no one is murdered or harmed and they give the reader a real sense of the feelings that one experiences during the holiday season.

So, you won't need an umbrella or suntan lotion or feel the sand between your toes but you will experience the same engagement that you have with a beach romance paperback.  Give yourself a gift and an opportunity to feel the "love".

Ladybookbug!

An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer

This author wrote another "little" Christmas book last year entitled A Nantucket Christmas. It was a light foray into the season that took place on Nantucket.  The setting in this new book is the same.  In the epilogue, the author speaks about how people asked her to set her story around a cat since the other story focused on a dog.

Christmas can be a busy season.  Shopping, parties and the stress of paying for it all can do us in. Why not put a few hours aside, make a cuppa tea or coffee.  Sit yourself down in an easy chair and pick up either title by Nancy Thayer.

This was a delightful story about a wedding.  More than that, it was a story that ever so subtly spoke about relationships and expectations.  It also portrayed individuals that were not content to maintain the status quo but would rather open themselves up to change.

You may find yourself wanting to be enjoined in the wedding celebration just because it speaks of love for family and friends.  For me, this is what this season is all about.

This book is a mere 209 pages long.  You will probably read it in a few hours.  Surely you can take a few hours respite for yourself.

Enjoy!

Ladybookbug!

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

This book started out a little sluggish.  I guess I can attribute that to my assumption that the plot would be predictable.  However, the author gave the story some interesting twists which motivated me to read further.

My criticism of this book is in regard to some of the characters.  It was difficult for me to believe that Riley (the main character) would acquiesce to the intrusion of Christine and Jeannie into her life. Riley struck me as a competent individual and it was my thought that she would have stood up to them sooner.  I also thought that Tom Kyle would have persisted in his pursuit of monetary compensation for what he knew.

Although the story has a happy ending, it would not be plausible in today's world. It is my belief that the culprit would not have gone undetected. The outcome might still be positive but justice would prevail.

All that being said, this was still a good book.   Happy reading!

Ladybookbug!