As we finish up the last gifts we finish up Chapters 12-14 with the gifts of Gratitude, a Day and Love. This will be my last post before our meeting this upcoming Saturday, January 30th, 8:30 AM-10:00AM. I will do my regular follow up completion of the book post next week after we have had our meeting. Let's get to it!
"In those times we yearn to have more in our lives, we should dwell on the things we already have. In doing so, we will often find that our lives are already full to overflowing." Chapter 12, The gift of Gratitude. As with each chapter and gift Red starts off explaining why he chose this particular gift to teach Jason. Red states during this video a statement that couldn't be more true, "I have always found it ironic that the people in the world that have the most to be thankful for are often the least thankful, and somehow the people who have virtually nothing, many times live lives full of gratitude." Red continues to explain how he learned about something that helped keep his gratitude in check, The Golden List. The Golden List is something that Red would do every morning, before he got out of bed, he would think of 10 things he was thankful for that morning. Jason's challenge is to think of a list to provide to Mr. Hamilton and continue the tradition of thinking of your own list each morning. As you have probably guessed Jason makes it through this task demonstrating 10 great things to be thankful. I challenge you to do this if you don't already have some version of The Golden List you do your self in the morning. When you get up think up your own list and thank God for that list and the fact that you just got up another morning!
"Life at its essence boils down to one day at a time. Today is the day!" The gift of a Day is our Chapter 13. Our chapter opens up on Mr. Hamilton reflecting on his friendship with Red. Red comes on the video screen and shares with Jason the task of planning how he would want to spend the last day of his life. Red tells Jason he wants him to discover what he already has, "Why should we wait until the last day of our lives to begin living the maximum day?" Jason returns after a month with his description of his last day. You could say that he def got the point that Red was trying to get across to him and he realized that instead of doing anything really spectacular it's the simple things that are so important. It's the time spent with family and friends that in the big perspective you can't afford to waste or let things go unsaid. Red talks about how the younger we are and we realize the gift of a day the better we are for it. I pray that each of us keeps this in mind day today and that you don't put off things that are important to you or could be important to others.
"Love is a treasure for which we can never pay. The only way we keep it is to give it away." Our last gift, Chapter 14, The gift of Love. Red starts out on the tape reminding Jason with a few more comments concerning the gift of a day, "..probably nothing that you would plan for your last day of life that you couldn't do today or tomorrow. Somehow, I think life's tragedies are made up not as much of the great failures as the simple pleasures and kind gestures missed." Red tells Jason this about his gift of love, "Anything good, honorable, and desirable in life is based in love." Jason's task for this last month is to review all his past gifts and explore how love is a part of each one. Jason returns and is able to correctly reflect on how love was involved in each gift Red gave to him. I won't repeat each one but what he has to say about the final gift, love. "If I were going to really try to define The Gift of Love in tangible terms, I would have to cite as an example what my Uncle Red did for me and gave me during this last year. When we truly love someone else, our love makes us a different person, and it makes them a different person." "My Uncle Red's love for me in giving me The Ultimate Gift, forever changed my life and who I am." It is so encouraging to see this change in Jason considering how he behaved at the beginning of the book. Jason is happy, encouraged and ready to continue living his new found love for life. But.. not to soon... He soon finds out that there is just one more part to The Ultimate Gift. After our meeting tomorrow I will come back next week, go over our last chapter and share some details of the meeting. Hope to see you there! Happy Reading!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The gifts of Laughter, Dreams and Giving
Today we are going to go through 3 gifts in one post again. Chapters 9-11 are the gifts of Laughter, Dreams and Giving. I hope you haven't gotten too tired of the repeating aspects of the book. Bare with me! Here we go!
"Laughter is good medicine for the soul. Our world is desperately in need of more medicine" Chapter 9 part of the Ultimate Gift is the gift of laughter. Red asks Jason to find someone as an example with the ability to laugh at themselves and their situation and that can be happy through life regardless. Jason brings in Mr. David Reese, a blind man who finds humor in everything. Mr. Reese and Jason met on a train one day and David taught Jason what it means to laugh whatever the problem in your life, even a life long blindness. Mr. Reese tells Mr. Hamilton before he leaves something that would do us all good to remember, "Sometimes in life, you either laugh or cry. And I prefer to laugh." Jason passes this month and moves on to the next.
"Faith is all that dreamers need to see into the future." Chapter 10, The gift of dreams. Red tells Jason he wants to teach him about the gift of dreams because he feels it is probably one of the most important gifts. He tells him,"The gift of dreams allows us to go out and get any other gift we want out of this life." He wants Jason to make a list this month of dreams and prioritize that list and see what he is passionate about, he wants Jason to become a dreamer. At the end of the month Jason came to visit the attorney's office and he shared his big dream. "Somehow, some way, I would like to be able to help deprived young people live a good life. I don't really mean poor young people. I mean young people who have not learned the power and the passion and the values that they can have which will make their lives worth living. Somehow I am going to do for other young people what my Uncle Red is doing for me." After reading that.. I think we all know he passed this month!
"The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away." Chapter eleven and last chapter we will go over today is The gift of giving. Red starts by telling Jason the following," Conventional wisdom would say that the less you give, the more you have. The converse is true. The more you give, the more you have. Abundance creates the ability to give; giving creates more abundance. I don't mean this simply in financial terms. This principal is true in every area of your life." Jason gives something of himself for 30 days straight, something Red could not have already provided him with. I won't go through and list each one but each day involved the gift of himself doing something for someone else. Jason succeeded and learned what all can truly be given to another person, large and small. The chapter ends with Mr. Hamilton's thoughts, "I was reminded of how a small gift when it is given can be a magnificent gift as it is received."
We are almost done and to our next meeting, only a few more gifts left! I hope you are blessed by them! Happy Reading!
"Laughter is good medicine for the soul. Our world is desperately in need of more medicine" Chapter 9 part of the Ultimate Gift is the gift of laughter. Red asks Jason to find someone as an example with the ability to laugh at themselves and their situation and that can be happy through life regardless. Jason brings in Mr. David Reese, a blind man who finds humor in everything. Mr. Reese and Jason met on a train one day and David taught Jason what it means to laugh whatever the problem in your life, even a life long blindness. Mr. Reese tells Mr. Hamilton before he leaves something that would do us all good to remember, "Sometimes in life, you either laugh or cry. And I prefer to laugh." Jason passes this month and moves on to the next.
"Faith is all that dreamers need to see into the future." Chapter 10, The gift of dreams. Red tells Jason he wants to teach him about the gift of dreams because he feels it is probably one of the most important gifts. He tells him,"The gift of dreams allows us to go out and get any other gift we want out of this life." He wants Jason to make a list this month of dreams and prioritize that list and see what he is passionate about, he wants Jason to become a dreamer. At the end of the month Jason came to visit the attorney's office and he shared his big dream. "Somehow, some way, I would like to be able to help deprived young people live a good life. I don't really mean poor young people. I mean young people who have not learned the power and the passion and the values that they can have which will make their lives worth living. Somehow I am going to do for other young people what my Uncle Red is doing for me." After reading that.. I think we all know he passed this month!
"The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away." Chapter eleven and last chapter we will go over today is The gift of giving. Red starts by telling Jason the following," Conventional wisdom would say that the less you give, the more you have. The converse is true. The more you give, the more you have. Abundance creates the ability to give; giving creates more abundance. I don't mean this simply in financial terms. This principal is true in every area of your life." Jason gives something of himself for 30 days straight, something Red could not have already provided him with. I won't go through and list each one but each day involved the gift of himself doing something for someone else. Jason succeeded and learned what all can truly be given to another person, large and small. The chapter ends with Mr. Hamilton's thoughts, "I was reminded of how a small gift when it is given can be a magnificent gift as it is received."
We are almost done and to our next meeting, only a few more gifts left! I hope you are blessed by them! Happy Reading!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The gifts of Learning, Problems and Family
Today we are going to go over three chapters together. Because these are so small I decided not to break them up like I have been doing. So let's start with our next gift in Chapter 6, The gift of Learning.
"Education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel." The gift of Learning is to be learned by Jason on Red's orders at a library in South America. The library is named after Red and houses books that are rarely seen sitting on the shelves. The people in this remote village in South America have such a desire for knowledge that they are constantly reading. Jason who has always had access to such knowledge never realized the impact it can have on someone who is limited in their access to learning and books. Jason gets through his lesson and learns that the desire and hunger for education is the key to real learning. I think Jason's problem just may well be a common one. Those who are born into free education and limitless access to knowledge take it for granted. Where those who a book is like hope are more grateful and anxious to learn more. Hopefully Red has made his point and Jason will be better mindful of the knowledge he takes for granted.
"Problems may only be avoided by exercising good judgment. Good Judgment may only be gained by experiencing life's problems." In chapter seven, Jason is learning about the Gift of Problems. Red tells Jason in the video that he must find 4 people from the 4 stages of life who have problems and learn from them. He tells Jason that he feels like he always handled all Jason's problems so he didn't have to and that he feels bad about it because Jason needs those life skills. He tells him, "When we can learn from our own problems, we begin to deal with life. When we can learn from other people's problems, we begin to master life." Jason sets off to learn a lesson from each situation he meets. He comes back a month later and tells Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings his stories. First he met a child, Emily, who is dieing from terminal cancer. Emily was full of life even with her situation and enjoying a simple beautiful day at the park as if nothing could stop her, not even the cancer. Second person Jason met was a middle aged man named Bill Johnson whom was trying to make ends meet for his family. And even though his family were barely scraping by he was happy and had a wonderful outlook on his life. He knew that even though things were not going his way he was still blessed with the time and love now spent with his family. Third Jason found an old man attending his wife's funeral. But rather than being grief stricken he was joyous and celebrating the life she had lived and even there thanking her for all she ever did for him. Lastly Jason uses himself as the example for the young person. He makes the case that no one he met during the month learned as much as he did during this time. He says what lays at the heart of it all, " I finally know that joy does not come from avoiding a problem or having someone else deal with it. Joy comes from overcoming a problem or simply learning to live with it while being joyful." Jason ends this gift successfully and rushes off to go visit a special friend at the park. Have you learned the lesson that problems are going to come but it's up to you to get through them and see the joy you can have on the other side? Don't forget that there is always someone there with you that's not mentioned in the book, The Holy Spirit.
"Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless membership that we pay nothing for but love." Chapter eight and the last chapter we will go through today is the gift of Family. This month Red sends Jason to what would seem an unlikely place to learn about families, an orphanage. Red tells Jason that he thinks Jason may be able to understand after this trip how important families are and the bond that can be formed from love between them rather blood related or not. Jason spends his month as a house parent with lots of boys and does come out better for it. As they leave the orphanage Jason seems to finally understand and he says, "I think family is not as much about being related by blood as it is about relating through love."
Thankfully Jason is moving along and we will get to more gifts on another day. Happy Reading!
"Education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel." The gift of Learning is to be learned by Jason on Red's orders at a library in South America. The library is named after Red and houses books that are rarely seen sitting on the shelves. The people in this remote village in South America have such a desire for knowledge that they are constantly reading. Jason who has always had access to such knowledge never realized the impact it can have on someone who is limited in their access to learning and books. Jason gets through his lesson and learns that the desire and hunger for education is the key to real learning. I think Jason's problem just may well be a common one. Those who are born into free education and limitless access to knowledge take it for granted. Where those who a book is like hope are more grateful and anxious to learn more. Hopefully Red has made his point and Jason will be better mindful of the knowledge he takes for granted.
"Problems may only be avoided by exercising good judgment. Good Judgment may only be gained by experiencing life's problems." In chapter seven, Jason is learning about the Gift of Problems. Red tells Jason in the video that he must find 4 people from the 4 stages of life who have problems and learn from them. He tells Jason that he feels like he always handled all Jason's problems so he didn't have to and that he feels bad about it because Jason needs those life skills. He tells him, "When we can learn from our own problems, we begin to deal with life. When we can learn from other people's problems, we begin to master life." Jason sets off to learn a lesson from each situation he meets. He comes back a month later and tells Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings his stories. First he met a child, Emily, who is dieing from terminal cancer. Emily was full of life even with her situation and enjoying a simple beautiful day at the park as if nothing could stop her, not even the cancer. Second person Jason met was a middle aged man named Bill Johnson whom was trying to make ends meet for his family. And even though his family were barely scraping by he was happy and had a wonderful outlook on his life. He knew that even though things were not going his way he was still blessed with the time and love now spent with his family. Third Jason found an old man attending his wife's funeral. But rather than being grief stricken he was joyous and celebrating the life she had lived and even there thanking her for all she ever did for him. Lastly Jason uses himself as the example for the young person. He makes the case that no one he met during the month learned as much as he did during this time. He says what lays at the heart of it all, " I finally know that joy does not come from avoiding a problem or having someone else deal with it. Joy comes from overcoming a problem or simply learning to live with it while being joyful." Jason ends this gift successfully and rushes off to go visit a special friend at the park. Have you learned the lesson that problems are going to come but it's up to you to get through them and see the joy you can have on the other side? Don't forget that there is always someone there with you that's not mentioned in the book, The Holy Spirit.
"Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless membership that we pay nothing for but love." Chapter eight and the last chapter we will go through today is the gift of Family. This month Red sends Jason to what would seem an unlikely place to learn about families, an orphanage. Red tells Jason that he thinks Jason may be able to understand after this trip how important families are and the bond that can be formed from love between them rather blood related or not. Jason spends his month as a house parent with lots of boys and does come out better for it. As they leave the orphanage Jason seems to finally understand and he says, "I think family is not as much about being related by blood as it is about relating through love."
Thankfully Jason is moving along and we will get to more gifts on another day. Happy Reading!
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Gift of Friends
In Chapter 5, The Gift of Friends, the beginning quote is as follows, "It is a wealthy person, indeed, who calculates riches not in gold but in friends." We start the chapter with the old Jason... past couple chapters we had seen the glimmer of a change in heart but at the beginning of this one he's back. He receives Red's mission that he must find an example of true friendship that demonstrates his principles. Red tells him that the people he calls friends are "weak hangers-on." And Red tells a story of true friendship between him and Mr. Hamilton as a wonderful example.
Jason arrives back at the office a month later and tells Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Hastings a story of what he believes true friendship is between Gus Caldwell and Red Stevens. Jason says this about friendship, "The best I can do is to say that friendship involves loyalty, commitment, and a process that includes sharing another person's life. It even goes deeper than that, but it's hard to put into words." Because of his manor and his story he passes on to the next month with the Mr. Hamilton's approval. It's encouraging to hear Jason is beginning a friendship with one of the people he helped during the money chapter. Another lesson that I believe youth of today need to learn. With bullying at such a high, kids need to know that real friends wouldn't treat you certain ways or use your friendship as a tool against you. Real Friendship is not something that can be paid for.. hence bringing back the saying, Money can't buy you everything! I pray each of you reading this knows the benefits of a true friendship. Have a great weekend!
Jason arrives back at the office a month later and tells Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Hastings a story of what he believes true friendship is between Gus Caldwell and Red Stevens. Jason says this about friendship, "The best I can do is to say that friendship involves loyalty, commitment, and a process that includes sharing another person's life. It even goes deeper than that, but it's hard to put into words." Because of his manor and his story he passes on to the next month with the Mr. Hamilton's approval. It's encouraging to hear Jason is beginning a friendship with one of the people he helped during the money chapter. Another lesson that I believe youth of today need to learn. With bullying at such a high, kids need to know that real friends wouldn't treat you certain ways or use your friendship as a tool against you. Real Friendship is not something that can be paid for.. hence bringing back the saying, Money can't buy you everything! I pray each of you reading this knows the benefits of a true friendship. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Cast of Characters by Max Lucado
I just finished up reading Cast of Characters by Max Lucado. This is the second book I have read by Max, the first being one of my favorites, Traveling Light. We read Traveling Light as our January Selection in 2009. Cast of Characters is one of Max's newer books and I picked it up one day a while back in the $5 book store in the outlet mall. I have just now gotten around to reading it as I am scouting out books for our book club this year. This is a non-fiction book that is 222 pages long with discussion points behind every chapter. Here is what the description states from Max's website:
We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the midst of them all...hovering over them all...is the hero of it all: God. Maker.
Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts.Do you believe that God can use you to accomplish extraordinary things? If you have any doubts, take a look at the heroes in the Bible. You'll find people like Mary, Peter, David, Joseph and Esther--ordinary people who allowed God to work through them in amazing ways. In Cast of Characters, Max Lucado gleans from several of his best-selling works to present some of the Bible's most interesting lives. Each chapter includes related Biblical text and discussion questions for individual or group study. Come closer to God's heart for you, by spending time with this cast of characters. Cast of Characters contains 22 character studies, profiling both men and women who loved and were loved by God. These heroes—from King David to Joseph, Moses to the Samaritan Woman, Abigail to Lazarus—may be known for their achievements, but Lucado explores how God accomplished more through their failures than their successes. Lucado reveals how these ancient biblical characters are relevant to modern concerns among people such as doubt, rejection, insignificance, purpose, humility, suffering, risk, and consequences. Extraordinary stories are told about the following characters: Mary, Peter, Matthew, The Samaritan Woman, Esther, David, Joseph, and more… (end quote)
I have to say I was not as in to this book as I had been with Traveling Light. Not to say that it wasn't good reading. I did like the way that Max presents you with the related scripture first on a character and then would take their story and make it sound like something going on in modern day times that makes it easier to relate too even though it's still the same story! How wonderful our God is a God of second chances and wants and uses imperfect people like you and I! I do not feel that this book will make it to our book club selections but that's not to say you wouldn't enjoy it. I believe as others have said about Traveling Light that it is a book that you may have to just be in that time in your life for it to be the most beneficial. I have several other Lucado books on my list to read and do hope we will feature another of his again sometime this upcoming year. Happy Reading!
We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the midst of them all...hovering over them all...is the hero of it all: God. Maker.
Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts.Do you believe that God can use you to accomplish extraordinary things? If you have any doubts, take a look at the heroes in the Bible. You'll find people like Mary, Peter, David, Joseph and Esther--ordinary people who allowed God to work through them in amazing ways. In Cast of Characters, Max Lucado gleans from several of his best-selling works to present some of the Bible's most interesting lives. Each chapter includes related Biblical text and discussion questions for individual or group study. Come closer to God's heart for you, by spending time with this cast of characters. Cast of Characters contains 22 character studies, profiling both men and women who loved and were loved by God. These heroes—from King David to Joseph, Moses to the Samaritan Woman, Abigail to Lazarus—may be known for their achievements, but Lucado explores how God accomplished more through their failures than their successes. Lucado reveals how these ancient biblical characters are relevant to modern concerns among people such as doubt, rejection, insignificance, purpose, humility, suffering, risk, and consequences. Extraordinary stories are told about the following characters: Mary, Peter, Matthew, The Samaritan Woman, Esther, David, Joseph, and more… (end quote)I have to say I was not as in to this book as I had been with Traveling Light. Not to say that it wasn't good reading. I did like the way that Max presents you with the related scripture first on a character and then would take their story and make it sound like something going on in modern day times that makes it easier to relate too even though it's still the same story! How wonderful our God is a God of second chances and wants and uses imperfect people like you and I! I do not feel that this book will make it to our book club selections but that's not to say you wouldn't enjoy it. I believe as others have said about Traveling Light that it is a book that you may have to just be in that time in your life for it to be the most beneficial. I have several other Lucado books on my list to read and do hope we will feature another of his again sometime this upcoming year. Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Gift of Money
"Money is nothing more than a tool. It can be a force for good, a force for evil, or simply be idle." Thus says the quote at the beginning of our next chapter. Red gives Jason the task to learning about the value of money by giving him $1,500.00 to help 5 strangers. He tells Jason that "All the money in the world won't buy you one more day of life. .... To you money has always seemed like the air that we breathe. There's always more." Because Jason has no idea how a little bit of money can help or change some one's life he must go and give the money away. Once he gives people the money they can focus on real and important issues in their world.
Jason returns at the end of the month and gives the stories of the 5 people he helped with the $1,500.00 and how he even put in $300.00 of his own money to good use. We begin to see even more of a change of heart in Jason as he makes it successfully through another gift. Similar to what Red had Jason do I have heard before where people are given an amount of money at church or something else and told that they can not spend it on themselves but make some one's day. This one particular story told of how when church let out one day they were each given an envelope with $10. The pastor told them before they left to use it for another. One person said that when they were in the Starbucks drive through they gave the cashier the $10.00 and said to pay for as many drinks as it would cover behind her in the line. Just think of what that did for that person (s) that received that unexpected gift. Even a small gesture such as this can brighten some one's outlook on life.
Jason doesn't know the value of money and Red is right to give him the lesson. So often today kids do think that credit/debit cards and ATM's are a money tree and that their parents are made out of it. I think this would be a neat lesson to teach those still learning such as a youth group what the difference money can make when it's shared. Thank you for reading. Next time, Chapter 5, The gift of friends.
Jason returns at the end of the month and gives the stories of the 5 people he helped with the $1,500.00 and how he even put in $300.00 of his own money to good use. We begin to see even more of a change of heart in Jason as he makes it successfully through another gift. Similar to what Red had Jason do I have heard before where people are given an amount of money at church or something else and told that they can not spend it on themselves but make some one's day. This one particular story told of how when church let out one day they were each given an envelope with $10. The pastor told them before they left to use it for another. One person said that when they were in the Starbucks drive through they gave the cashier the $10.00 and said to pay for as many drinks as it would cover behind her in the line. Just think of what that did for that person (s) that received that unexpected gift. Even a small gesture such as this can brighten some one's outlook on life.
Jason doesn't know the value of money and Red is right to give him the lesson. So often today kids do think that credit/debit cards and ATM's are a money tree and that their parents are made out of it. I think this would be a neat lesson to teach those still learning such as a youth group what the difference money can make when it's shared. Thank you for reading. Next time, Chapter 5, The gift of friends.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Gift of Work
The first gift that Jason receives is, The Gift of work. "He who loves his work never labors" I like that quote and it's a good thought, something that I think about often lately as I try to discover what I want to go back to school for, what I want to start a career in. I know that I want to love it. Several ideas have come about but I know that my heart would not be in the right place so therefore it indeed would be a great labor. Like Red Stevens is teaching Jason, good comes from the work we do and I do enjoy it. Yes sometimes the work we do is not enjoyable but it brings me joy to get an honest days work in and provide for my family. Something we may have learned, but most of the Steven's family has no clue about. And something that many people in this upcoming generation are experiencing as well.
We see Jason go through this lesson and come out successful on the other side and we begin to see a glimmer of change. He does the difficult task of putting in fence posts and I think what Gus tells Jason at the end of the chapter is the heart of where this lesson lies, "If you can do this kind of work with pride and quality, you can do anything." Yes, these chapters and lessons are brief but monumental. I can already think of several people who have no idea what the gift of work is all about. May be something simple to you but something that we all need to remember to tell those who will come after us to pass on this life lesson and to pray for those who don't know it yet. Happy Reading!
We see Jason go through this lesson and come out successful on the other side and we begin to see a glimmer of change. He does the difficult task of putting in fence posts and I think what Gus tells Jason at the end of the chapter is the heart of where this lesson lies, "If you can do this kind of work with pride and quality, you can do anything." Yes, these chapters and lessons are brief but monumental. I can already think of several people who have no idea what the gift of work is all about. May be something simple to you but something that we all need to remember to tell those who will come after us to pass on this life lesson and to pray for those who don't know it yet. Happy Reading!
February 2010 Book Club Selection
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is going to be our book club selection for February. I recently finished reading this book, fell in love with the characters and didn't want to see their stories end. I told you about this book previously on the blog here. This book is fiction based on some historical facts (which I know is a book club favorite). It is not considered to fall in the Christian genre of books but it is a book that is sweeping through many book clubs across the country with wondrous praise and I thought that it would make for a great selection for our group too. It is 274 pages and has some discussion information in the back we will use at our meeting. It is written as a series of letters back and forth between the characters. Here is what the Barnes and Noble website has for a description of the book:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society begins in January 1946, when popular author Juliet Ashton, much like her fellow British citizens, is emerging from the dark days of World War II. As Juliet exchanges a series of letters with her publisher and her best friend, readers immediately warm
to this author in search of a new subject in the aftermath of war. By the time Juliet receives an unexpected query from Dawsey Adams, we are caught in a delightful web of letters and vivid personalities and eager for Juliet to find the inspiration she seeks. Dawsey, a farmer on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, has come into possession of a book that once belonged to Juliet. Spurred by a mutual admiration for the writer, the two launch an epistolary conversation that reveals much about Dawsey's Guernsey and the islanders' recent lives under Nazi occupation. Juliet is especially interested to learn about the curious beginnings of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," and before long she is exchanging letters with its other members — not only Dawsey but Isola the vegetable seller, Eben the fisherman, and blacksmith Will Thisbee, creator of the famous potato peel pie. As Juliet soon discovers, the most compelling island character is Elizabeth, the courageous founder of the society, who lives in the memories of all who knew her. Each person who writes to Juliet adds another chapter to the story of Elizabeth's remarkable wartime experiences. Touched by the stories the letters deliver, Juliet can't help but travel to Guernsey herself — a decision that will have surprising consequences for everyone involved. Drawn together by their love of books and affection for each other, the unforgettable characters of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society collectively tell a moving tale of endurance and friendship. Through the chorus of voices they have created, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have composed a rich tale that celebrates the power of hope and human connection in the shadows of war. (end quote)
I had heard of this book and ended up reading it because a friend's family is originally from the Island of Guernsey. Her mother was a child during the time of the occupation and had to convince her mother (friend's grandmother) to leave the island before the German's arrived. I love history and the fact that I have a friend that has a connection somewhat to this means I may be a little biased. But overall I felt this was a light enjoyable read. I felt like the author really made the characters come alive. I could picture them in my head. I could even picture the main character in my head played by Emma Thompson if it ever becomes a movie. This book also successfully places Guernsey on my list of places I would like to visit one day. So anyways no big monumental thing to tell you about this book just that it is good. You can visit the official website from Random House here and check it out. Our February meeting will be in Swift's new annex at 8:30 AM on February 27th. I will be providing a traditional Guernsey dish for us to enjoy that morning with coffee.And may possibly be able to have my friend who's family is from Guernsey as a guest with photos. But I'm not making any promises at this time. I sure hope you can make it!
**Don't forget the January meeting is coming up soon on January 30th at 8:30 am in Swift's new building. Feel free to bring your friends and family!**
**And don't forget, any book suggestions are always appreciated as well!**
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society begins in January 1946, when popular author Juliet Ashton, much like her fellow British citizens, is emerging from the dark days of World War II. As Juliet exchanges a series of letters with her publisher and her best friend, readers immediately warm
to this author in search of a new subject in the aftermath of war. By the time Juliet receives an unexpected query from Dawsey Adams, we are caught in a delightful web of letters and vivid personalities and eager for Juliet to find the inspiration she seeks. Dawsey, a farmer on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, has come into possession of a book that once belonged to Juliet. Spurred by a mutual admiration for the writer, the two launch an epistolary conversation that reveals much about Dawsey's Guernsey and the islanders' recent lives under Nazi occupation. Juliet is especially interested to learn about the curious beginnings of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," and before long she is exchanging letters with its other members — not only Dawsey but Isola the vegetable seller, Eben the fisherman, and blacksmith Will Thisbee, creator of the famous potato peel pie. As Juliet soon discovers, the most compelling island character is Elizabeth, the courageous founder of the society, who lives in the memories of all who knew her. Each person who writes to Juliet adds another chapter to the story of Elizabeth's remarkable wartime experiences. Touched by the stories the letters deliver, Juliet can't help but travel to Guernsey herself — a decision that will have surprising consequences for everyone involved. Drawn together by their love of books and affection for each other, the unforgettable characters of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society collectively tell a moving tale of endurance and friendship. Through the chorus of voices they have created, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have composed a rich tale that celebrates the power of hope and human connection in the shadows of war. (end quote)I had heard of this book and ended up reading it because a friend's family is originally from the Island of Guernsey. Her mother was a child during the time of the occupation and had to convince her mother (friend's grandmother) to leave the island before the German's arrived. I love history and the fact that I have a friend that has a connection somewhat to this means I may be a little biased. But overall I felt this was a light enjoyable read. I felt like the author really made the characters come alive. I could picture them in my head. I could even picture the main character in my head played by Emma Thompson if it ever becomes a movie. This book also successfully places Guernsey on my list of places I would like to visit one day. So anyways no big monumental thing to tell you about this book just that it is good. You can visit the official website from Random House here and check it out. Our February meeting will be in Swift's new annex at 8:30 AM on February 27th. I will be providing a traditional Guernsey dish for us to enjoy that morning with coffee.And may possibly be able to have my friend who's family is from Guernsey as a guest with photos. But I'm not making any promises at this time. I sure hope you can make it!
**Don't forget the January meeting is coming up soon on January 30th at 8:30 am in Swift's new building. Feel free to bring your friends and family!**
**And don't forget, any book suggestions are always appreciated as well!**
Happy Reading!
Friday, January 15, 2010
This I Believe
This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women is a book I finished up over the Christmas Holidays. My office manager had lent it to me thinking I might enjoy it and I have to say I did. It is a series of essays of beliefs that people from all walks of life have written and submitted. This is a radio series on NPR that was started back in the 50's and the book includes some essays of some of the original ones in the 50's too. Click here to go to Wikipedia for a full description in case you are interested in learning more or you can click here to go to NPR's website and see when it comes on the radio near you. Anyhoo this book is 271 pages with discussion questions in back for a book club. Here is the description off of Publisher's Weekly on Barnes & Noble's website:
"In the 1950s, the Edward R. Murrow-hosted radio program This I Believe prompted
Americans to briefly explain their most cherished beliefs, be they religious or purely pragmatic. Since the program's 2005 renaissance as a weekly NPR segment, Allison (the host) and Gediman (the executive producer) have collected some of the best essays from This I Believe then and now. "Your personal credo" is what Allison calls it in the book's introduction, noting that today's program is distinguished from the 1950s version in soliciting submissions from ordinary Americans from all walks of life. These make up some of the book's most powerful and memorable moments, from the surgeon whose illiterate mother changed his early life with faith and a library card to the English professor whose poetry helped him process a traumatic childhood event. And in one of the book's most unusual essays, a Burmese immigrant confides that he believes in feeding monkeys on his birthday because a Buddhist monk once prophesied that if he followed this ritual, his family would prosper. There are luminaries here, too, including Gloria Steinem, Warren Christopher, Helen Keller, Isabel Allende, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Updike and (most surprisingly, considering the book's more liberal bent) Newt Gingrich. This feast of ruminations is a treat for any reader. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information."
As the description tells you this isn't just about Christian or any other one religions beliefs, although they are included. It is about all kinds of beliefs that we feel, the belief in our neighbors, people, our society, our country, etc. I am considering this book for one of my book club selections but at this time the jury is still out on whether or not I will use it this year. There is a second book of more essays that was published, This I Believe II, and hopefully I will get around to reading that one day too. Happy Reading to you and Have a great weekend!
"In the 1950s, the Edward R. Murrow-hosted radio program This I Believe prompted
Americans to briefly explain their most cherished beliefs, be they religious or purely pragmatic. Since the program's 2005 renaissance as a weekly NPR segment, Allison (the host) and Gediman (the executive producer) have collected some of the best essays from This I Believe then and now. "Your personal credo" is what Allison calls it in the book's introduction, noting that today's program is distinguished from the 1950s version in soliciting submissions from ordinary Americans from all walks of life. These make up some of the book's most powerful and memorable moments, from the surgeon whose illiterate mother changed his early life with faith and a library card to the English professor whose poetry helped him process a traumatic childhood event. And in one of the book's most unusual essays, a Burmese immigrant confides that he believes in feeding monkeys on his birthday because a Buddhist monk once prophesied that if he followed this ritual, his family would prosper. There are luminaries here, too, including Gloria Steinem, Warren Christopher, Helen Keller, Isabel Allende, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Updike and (most surprisingly, considering the book's more liberal bent) Newt Gingrich. This feast of ruminations is a treat for any reader. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information."As the description tells you this isn't just about Christian or any other one religions beliefs, although they are included. It is about all kinds of beliefs that we feel, the belief in our neighbors, people, our society, our country, etc. I am considering this book for one of my book club selections but at this time the jury is still out on whether or not I will use it this year. There is a second book of more essays that was published, This I Believe II, and hopefully I will get around to reading that one day too. Happy Reading to you and Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The beginning of The Ultimate Gift
Well a new year and lots of new books to read! I hope you have enjoyed your break and have been reading lots of great books that you can give to me for recommendations! This January book selection is one that I was introduced to when I met my husband's family. His Aunt had given him and his brother copies of The Ultimate Gift for Christmas one year. So I saw the book lying around one day and decided to start reading it. I love what his Aunt wrote in the front of his and I want to share it with you as a good pre-cursor to the reading and an idea of why I felt like it was such a good selection:
“If you never pick up another book, please make an effort to read one small chapter from this one on a daily basis. The principles found in this book were ingrained in the children of our family since my earliest memory. Putting them together in a wonderful tale of fiction causes them to be further ingrained. You won’t realize it’s blessing until you delve into it’s written word.”
My husband’s Aunt is known in the family for being good with words and I felt she hit the nail on the head with this one. And when I read the description she writes, the Bible also comes to mind. We are reading about a book that is not talking about The Ultimate Gift to mankind of Jesus, but a gift of values to be passed down between families just as his Aunt spoke of in her note. I feel like this book has a simple easy way of preserving those values to be passed on to a generation that just isn’t getting them. Especially when we are in a culture of such self-involved ideas, I feel that you reading this book may spark you to give it to those younger who may need to hear this story.
Enough of my introduction let’s talk about the beginning of the book for a moment. I like the fact that it gives you just enough background and gets to the point. And I enjoy the quotes that are at the beginning of each chapter. In chapter one we find out who all the players are and a good grasp of what Red Stevens family is like. In chapter two we get the beginnings of what the whole book is about and meet our main character, Jason Stevens. The quote at the beginning of chapter two says, “In the end, a person is only known by the impact they have on others.” This book is about Red Stevens deciding that the impact he had on his family wasn’t a good one, even though they may say different considering their riches. He has decided to leave a better impact on Jason hopefully changing his life forever. We will continue to read and see what the tasks are that Jason must complete to receive his Ultimate Gift. Happy Reading!
“If you never pick up another book, please make an effort to read one small chapter from this one on a daily basis. The principles found in this book were ingrained in the children of our family since my earliest memory. Putting them together in a wonderful tale of fiction causes them to be further ingrained. You won’t realize it’s blessing until you delve into it’s written word.”
My husband’s Aunt is known in the family for being good with words and I felt she hit the nail on the head with this one. And when I read the description she writes, the Bible also comes to mind. We are reading about a book that is not talking about The Ultimate Gift to mankind of Jesus, but a gift of values to be passed down between families just as his Aunt spoke of in her note. I feel like this book has a simple easy way of preserving those values to be passed on to a generation that just isn’t getting them. Especially when we are in a culture of such self-involved ideas, I feel that you reading this book may spark you to give it to those younger who may need to hear this story.
Enough of my introduction let’s talk about the beginning of the book for a moment. I like the fact that it gives you just enough background and gets to the point. And I enjoy the quotes that are at the beginning of each chapter. In chapter one we find out who all the players are and a good grasp of what Red Stevens family is like. In chapter two we get the beginnings of what the whole book is about and meet our main character, Jason Stevens. The quote at the beginning of chapter two says, “In the end, a person is only known by the impact they have on others.” This book is about Red Stevens deciding that the impact he had on his family wasn’t a good one, even though they may say different considering their riches. He has decided to leave a better impact on Jason hopefully changing his life forever. We will continue to read and see what the tasks are that Jason must complete to receive his Ultimate Gift. Happy Reading!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Whew.. is that title a mouthful or what, try saying that 10 times fast. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I recently finished reading this book, fell in love with the characters and didn't want to see their stories end. This book is a fiction based on some historical facts. It is 274 pages and has some discussion information in the back if you use it for your book club. It is written as a series of letters back and forth between the characters. Here is what the Barnes and Noble website has for a description of the book:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society begins in January 1946, when popular author Juliet Ashton, much like
her fellow British citizens, is emerging from the dark days of World War II. As Juliet exchanges a series of letters with her publisher and her best friend, readers immediately warm to this author in search of a new subject in the aftermath of war. By the time Juliet receives an unexpected query from Dawsey Adams, we are caught in a delightful web of letters and vivid personalities and eager for Juliet to find the inspiration she seeks. Dawsey, a farmer on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, has come into possession of a book that once belonged to Juliet. Spurred by a mutual admiration for the writer, the two launch an epistolary conversation that reveals much about Dawsey's Guernsey and the islanders' recent lives under Nazi occupation. Juliet is especially interested to learn about the curious beginnings of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," and before long she is exchanging letters with its other members — not only Dawsey but Isola the vegetable seller, Eben the fisherman, and blacksmith Will Thisbee, creator of the famous potato peel pie. As Juliet soon discovers, the most compelling island character is Elizabeth, the courageous founder of the society, who lives in the memories of all who knew her. Each person who writes to Juliet adds another chapter to the story of Elizabeth's remarkable wartime experiences. Touched by the stories the letters deliver, Juliet can't help but travel to Guernsey herself — a decision that will have surprising consequences for everyone involved. Drawn together by their love of books and affection for each other, the unforgettable characters of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society collectively tell a moving tale of endurance and friendship. Through the chorus of voices they have created, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have composed a rich tale that celebrates the power of hope and human connection in the shadows of war. (end quote)
I had heard of this book but finally ended up reading it because a friend's family is originally from the Island of Guernsey. Her mother was a child during the time of the occupation and had to convince her mother (friend's grandmother) to leave the island before the German's arrived. I love history and the fact that I have a friend that has a connection somewhat to this means I may be a little biased. But overall I felt this was a light enjoyable read. I felt like the author really made the characters come alive. I could picture them in my head. I could even picture the main character in my head played by Emma Thompson if it ever becomes a movie. This book also successfully places Guernsey on my list of places I would like to visit one day. So anyways no big monumental thing to tell you about this book just that it is good. And I am considering it for our book club one day. You can visit the official website from Random House here and check it out. Happy Reading!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society begins in January 1946, when popular author Juliet Ashton, much like
her fellow British citizens, is emerging from the dark days of World War II. As Juliet exchanges a series of letters with her publisher and her best friend, readers immediately warm to this author in search of a new subject in the aftermath of war. By the time Juliet receives an unexpected query from Dawsey Adams, we are caught in a delightful web of letters and vivid personalities and eager for Juliet to find the inspiration she seeks. Dawsey, a farmer on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, has come into possession of a book that once belonged to Juliet. Spurred by a mutual admiration for the writer, the two launch an epistolary conversation that reveals much about Dawsey's Guernsey and the islanders' recent lives under Nazi occupation. Juliet is especially interested to learn about the curious beginnings of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," and before long she is exchanging letters with its other members — not only Dawsey but Isola the vegetable seller, Eben the fisherman, and blacksmith Will Thisbee, creator of the famous potato peel pie. As Juliet soon discovers, the most compelling island character is Elizabeth, the courageous founder of the society, who lives in the memories of all who knew her. Each person who writes to Juliet adds another chapter to the story of Elizabeth's remarkable wartime experiences. Touched by the stories the letters deliver, Juliet can't help but travel to Guernsey herself — a decision that will have surprising consequences for everyone involved. Drawn together by their love of books and affection for each other, the unforgettable characters of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society collectively tell a moving tale of endurance and friendship. Through the chorus of voices they have created, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have composed a rich tale that celebrates the power of hope and human connection in the shadows of war. (end quote)I had heard of this book but finally ended up reading it because a friend's family is originally from the Island of Guernsey. Her mother was a child during the time of the occupation and had to convince her mother (friend's grandmother) to leave the island before the German's arrived. I love history and the fact that I have a friend that has a connection somewhat to this means I may be a little biased. But overall I felt this was a light enjoyable read. I felt like the author really made the characters come alive. I could picture them in my head. I could even picture the main character in my head played by Emma Thompson if it ever becomes a movie. This book also successfully places Guernsey on my list of places I would like to visit one day. So anyways no big monumental thing to tell you about this book just that it is good. And I am considering it for our book club one day. You can visit the official website from Random House here and check it out. Happy Reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
