Blackberry Creek Home Arts: Easter Greetings

Books Read in '08

Tom Rob Smith: Child 44
Not your mama's serial killer mystery! This is one of the scariest books I've ever read--not because of the serial killer aspect but because it's a story of people who have been stripped of their civil rights, every one of them. It takes place in Stalinist Russia during the 50s, the perfect society where crime doesn't exist (except it does) and where personal freedoms are unthinkable. (****)
Jodi Picoult: Vanishing Acts: A Novel
Picoult tackles the subjects of child abuse and abduction, alcoholism, repressed memories, friendship, love, and life behind bars in this very good book. I couldn't stop reading. (****)
Donald McCaig: Rhett Butler's People
If you're a fan of Gone With the Wind, you might find this book moderately interesting. I did. Not great writing, the book has problems. Way too much use of the "N" word and a few too many murders and arsons, but it was sort of fun to visit with Rhett and Scarlett again. (**)
Greg Iles: The Quiet Game
Exciting page-turner. Recently widowed lawyer-turned-novelist Penn Cage returns to his hometown of Natchez to solve a decades-old civil rights murder and gets involved in a government conspiracy. (***)
William P. Young: The Shack
Although fiction (fantasy), I believe this book is a very good description of the basic nature of God. I kept finding myself saying, "Yes, that's it!" all the way through the book. If you've ever asked "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" you might find your answer in this book. Look for a more comprehensive review on April 3, 2008 blog entry. (****)
Van Ryn & Cerak Families: Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope
Two young women are victims of not only a horrific traffic accident but also mistaken identity. One is buried under the wrong name; one is in a coma and being cared for by the wrong family. This is an absolutely amazing story--not just of the unbelievable mix-up, but also how faith sustains two families through heart-wrenching tragedy. (***)
Kate Jacobs: The Friday Night Knitting Club
A book about love, heartbreak, loyalty, betrayal, joy, and grief--and why today's women choose to take up handicrafts that became unnecessary decades ago. This is a beautiful story. It's a chick book, but a good one. (****)
Diane Setterfield: The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
A book for book lovers. One of my favorites so far this year. Wonderful twisty plot that involves twins. It has mystery, murder, ghosts, an old house. Think Jane Eyre meets Shirley Jackson. This novel was a delight to read. (****)
Patricia Cornwell: The Body Farm (Kay Scarpetta)
Murder mystery dealing with a rare and baffling condition that causes this person to murder. This book deals hardly at all with the Body Farm, a very disturbing forensics lab in Tennessee. So the title doesn't fit. (**)
P.D. James: The Children of Men
This book, which starts with an excellent premise (every man in the world is sterile; the last child on earth was born 25 years previously) would have better if the plot had been fleshed out more. The characters aren't developed. And the book leaves more questions than it answers. (**)
Deborah Rodriguez: Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
An account of the American author's adventures in opening a beauty school in post-Taliban Afghanistan. Insightful look at the plight of Afghan women. You'll admire the bravery and strength of most of them; and your heart will break for others. (***)
Deepak Chopra: The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore
Chopra's new age take on Jesus: the historial Jesus, the mystical Jesus, and Jesus of the Bible. Parts of this book would no doubt be deemed heretical by some fundamentalist Christians, but, while I didn't agree with everything Chopra writes, I did find it all interesting--especially the last chapter. (***)
Greg Iles: Blood Memory: A Novel
This book deals with the disturbing subject of child molestation and its effects on those children after they reach adulthood. It's also an engrossing murder mystery. (***)
Jeffrey Eugenides: Middlesex: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club)
This book manages is to be humorous and sad all at once. I think it succeeds so well for two reasons: 1) Eugenides is an excellent writer and storyteller and 2) his heroine/hero manages to keep a sense of humor although his/her life is complicated and fraught with problems. There's never a dull moment in this book. Every page, every paragraph held my interest. (****)
Greg Iles: Dead Sleep
This thriller centers around a group of paintings called "The Sleeping Women." Trouble is, the paintings' subjects just might be doing more than sleeping. They might be dead. Page turner, very exciting, very readable. (***)
Stephen King: Duma Key: A Novel
One-armed artist must combine his artistic skills with his supernatural abilities to defeat King's newest monster, Perse, an ancient demoness who sales her ship of death off Florida's west coast. This is a good 'un, folks. (****)
Geraldine Brooks: March
After finding the first few chapters slow going, I really enjoyed this book. It's an account by Mr. March (the father in Little Women) of his experiences as a Union chaplain during the Civil War. Parts of it are heartbreaking, and parts are hard to read. Definitely not a book for children. (****)
Ken Follett: The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club)
After reading this historical novel, whose plot centers around the priory of Kingsbridge, England during the 12th century, you'll wonder how Christianity ever survived. It's an engrossing story with strong characters, some who are good, some pretty good, and and many just downright horrible). The book is full of climaxes (both literary and carnal), and the ending (which centers on the assassination of Thomas Becket) is the most exciting one of all. (1,075 pages) (*****)
Greg Iles: True Evil: A Novel
Thriller about a murder-for-hire that kills victims by giving them cancer. A page-turner. Iles is a good storyteller. (***)

Books Read in '07

Mitch Albom: For One More Day
As usual, sentimentality is rampant in this newest Mitch Albom book. A down-and-out ex-baseball player, at the end of his rope, is set to end it all, when he is suddenly visited by his mother--who has been dead for several years. A quick and delightful read. (**)
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas: Certain Poor Shepherds
The nativity seen through the eyes of two shepherds: one a dog, the other a goat. A wonderfully touching story. (***)
Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife
I was hooked from page 1. A little confusing in the beginning trying to keep up with Henry's hopping around in time and space. But well worth the extra effort. It's a beautiful story, a powerful message about how love comes out on top, even over time. (****)
Khaled Hosseini: A Thousand Splendid Suns
An absolutely WONDERFUL book. Better than Kite Runner, I believe (which was awesome). It tracks the lives of two women, growing up and living in Afghanistan. This book will break your heart for them and all women (and men) who live under the rule or radical governments. (*****)
T. Coraghessan Boyle: The Tortilla Curtain
The lives of a desperately poor young Mexican couple and an young, upwardly mobile Caucasian couple clash in southern California. A very disturbing story. One to make you think. (****)
David Morrell: Creepers
A fast and scary read about a group of "urban explorers" inside a crumbling old Asbury Park hotel. This should convince you to stay out of deserted buildings. (***)
Larry McMurtry: Buffalo Girls : A Novel
This month's book club selection. This is my second reading of this book. The story is centered on Martha Jane Canary (Calamity Jane). Other characters are Billy Cody, Sitting Bull, Dora Dufran, and lots of other colorful characters. An excellent book. (*****)
Stephen King: The Mist (Previously Published as a Novella in 'Skeleton Crew')
I read this one years ago when it appeared in Skeleton Crew. It's just as scary now. (***)
Keith Donohue: The Stolen Child
Modern version of the changeling myth, told alternately by the stolen child and the changeling. Somewhat scary and unsettling, but a good good story. Couldn't put it down. (****)
E. L. Doctorow: Billy Bathgate
This guy (Doctorow) needs somebody to teach him how to use commas and periods. I read one sentence that was a page and half long. Some gruesome scenes. Story about Dutch Schultz and the NY mob during the Depression. (***)
Anne George: Murder Gets A Life (A Southern Sisters Mystery)
This caper takes Sister and Mouse from the crest of Red Mountain to a trailer park compound in Blount County, where they quite literally stumble over another dead body. (***)
Clare McNally: Good Night, Sweet Angel
Scary ghost story--didn't want to put it down once I started. McNally is a good storyteller. (***)
J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
This book, the final one of the Harry Potter books, was worth the wait. I'm going to miss reading about the adventure of Harry and his friends. (****)
Jodi Picoult: My Sister's Keeper: A Novel
A beautifully told story, with an ending that will take you by surprise and tear your heart in two. Don't read this if you aren't prepared to deal with real sadness. (****)
Beth Moore: Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance
Written with Beth's signature humor and avid love of God. If you're in a spiritual pit or ever have been or might be in the future or know someone who is, I recommend this book. (***)
Joshilyn Jackson: Between, Georgia
Excellent storytelling. A new twist on the old theme of feuding southern families. (***)
Richard Bachman (Stephen King): Blaze: A Novel
Sort of a cross between the Lindberg Kidnapping and Of Mice and Men--with a Stephen King spin. Good story. Engrossing. (****)
Bruce Sanguin: Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos: An Ecological Christianity
If you think that science in general and evolution in particular is incompatiblel with creationism and God, maybe you should read this book. I believe that Sanguin makes some very important points regarding the future of our planet and our souls. (****)
Ann Patchett: Bel Canto
Title means "beautiful music." Excellent read about a hostage situation in which the hostages and captors form bonds and friendships. (***)
Edward Rutherfurd: The Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga
Each section is a story in itself of a generation of these people. Lots of history of Ireland. Very interesting. Very long. (***)
Deepak Chopra: The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence (Chopra, Deepak)
Parts of Chopra's writing are fascinating--the parts that deal with quantum physics and how he believes that relates to the soul. But some of his sel-help stuff is a little ho hum to me. But I'll read more, at least one more. (**)
Joshilyn Jackson: Gods in Alabama
Humorous and horrible. But somehow in the end, everything is all right. I really enjoyed this book. (***)
Anne George: Murder Carries a Torch: A Southern Sisters Mystery (Southern Sisters Mysteries)
Sister and Mouse stumble on yet another dead body and get all mixed up with snake handlers on Chandler Mountain. Fun! (***)
Anne George: Murder Runs in the Family: A Southern Sisters Mystery
Who knew that genealogy could be such a "dog eat dog" endeavor? Always fun to sleuth with Sister and Patricia Ann. (***)
David Baldacci: The Camel Club
Very frightening look at today's world of "us against them" mentality. Could this be a wake-up call? (****)
John Connolly: The Book of Lost Things: A Novel
This book has definitely earned a place in my top 10 favorite books. I don't know what will move to No. 11 to make room, but something's gotta go. Very rarely anymore does a book make me cry. Very rarely do I, after reading the last sentence, want to turn to the first page and start all over again. You want to read this book; I promise, you do. (If there were more than 5 stars to give it, I'd give it more.) (*****)
HBO: Sopranos: The Book
Fun to read if you're a fan. Lots of great photos. (**)
Cormac McCarthy: The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
Quietly terrifying. A page-turner! Beautifully written story of loss and hope. (****)
Nora Ephron: I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman
Ephron writes about being a woman "over a certain age." Fun read. (***)
Sena Jeter Naslund: Four Spirits: A Novel (P.S.)
Set in Birmingham, Alabama, in the 60s, story centers on the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and the murder of the four little girls. Beautifully written and heartbreakingly accurate (****)
Anna Quindlen: Black and Blue (Oprah's Book Club)
If you like books with happy endings, don't read those written by Anna Quindlen. (****)
Anna Quindlen: Blessings
I loved this book. Very sad and very uplifting at the same time. Quindlen is an excellent storyteller. (****)
Dean Koontz: Odd Thomas
A different kind of horror novel. Starts out very funny: exploding plastic cows and a weeping Elvis ghost. But has a climax that is very scary and exciting and an ending that is so sad it will make you cry. (****)
Anita Diamant: The Last Days of Dogtown
I really liked the characters, but it read more like a series of antecdotes or maybe short stories than a novel. Not as good as The Red Tent, but good enough. (***)
Thomas Harris: Hannibal Rising
Not quite as gruesome of the other Hannibal books--but almost. This book tells of Hannibal's childhood during WWII and his young adulthood thereafter; it explains to some degree what caused him to become what he became. (***)

Friday, March 21, 2008

Easter Greetings

Our wishes and prayers go out to everyone for a happy and safe Easter weekend. May God bless you all with grace and peace.

We are very thankful this Holy Week for our sweet Sophie, who almost left us last Easter. But thanks to her strong little will and the good work of some wonderful vets, she's with us this year, and we thank God for her. (Right now, she and Daisy are barking their furry heads off at something going on outside. Inside voices, girls! Inside voices!)

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I wanted a nice photo of the girls wishing everyone a Happy Easter. Here's what I got. Sophie wouldn't cooperate 'cause she was mad at us for subjecting her to the horrors of a grooming--even though Diane comes right to our door with her tricked out grooming van, and thus Sophie doesn't have to spend all day in a cage at the groomer. You can't please that dog. So here she is, with that Sophie Belle Patterpaw pout on her furry countenance. (Also SuSu left the lens cover on the bed.) Oh well, here's Soph, waiting for the Easter Squirrel.

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Miss Daisy Dukes refused to pose at all. She just wanted to curl up on the afghan I was crocheting and take a nap.

There you have them--not exactly what I had in mind--but our sweet doggies, our own dog and our step-dog. We love you, girls.

Happy Easter, everybody. Woof!

If you'd like to see some more cute animals this Good Friday, head on over to The Friday Ark.

Posted at 09:39 AM in Holidays | Permalink

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Comments

Pretty pictures--especially the "pwessus" doggies.

Posted by: Sister Cage | Friday, March 21, 2008 at 02:14 PM

Our little pups can certainly let us know just what they think of our doings.

Posted by: Beverly | Friday, March 21, 2008 at 02:55 PM

The Easter Squirrel! I love it! Sophie is beautiful!
Nancy

Posted by: Nancy | Friday, March 21, 2008 at 09:40 PM

LOL - they are still very adorable! Have a wonderful Easter dear Susan!
Hugs,
Penny

Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | Friday, March 21, 2008 at 10:21 PM

A very Happy Easter to you and yours!

Posted by: Lynne in Hawaii | Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 02:25 AM

Awww, what a cute pair of Easter pups! Sophie is so adorable with that pouty look on her face. Tell her that Clare doesn't like going to the groomer--uh, I mean hairdresser--either!

You are probably right about my son coming back home. He only leased his apartment for a year, LOL!

Posted by: mom2fur | Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 07:41 AM

I love your Easter basket full of alabaster eggs and a sweet bunny! And do please tell me what pattern you are using for that really pretty afghan?!
Looks like some sort of shell and/or
ripple? Love it!Happy Easter and
blessings to you and yours this weekend!

Posted by: Phyllis King | Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 10:38 PM

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Friday, March 21, 2008

Easter Greetings

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