October 2023 Books

Personal Reading

 

The Fall Feasts of Israel

by Mitch and Zhava Glaser

This book looks at the feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.  It looks at its biblical institution, its celebration in the time of Christ, and its observance by Jews today.

A couple of quotes from the first two chapters of this book:

The feasts of Israel point to Jesus Christ as Lord of time and history.  In Leviticus 23, God calls the feasts of Israel "My appointed times." It was important for the Israelite to remember that behind the intricate details of each feast stood the God who ordained them, to remember that He created time, and to remember that history bears the image of His presence.  The feasts of Israel were God's appointed times to remind His people that He was Lord of the calendar, the King of creation, and that He was to be worshiped every day.  The feasts of the Lord have a great deal to teach all who have crowned Him Lord of their lives.

The themes of the fall feasts [Trumpets -- repentance, Atonement -- redemption; Tabernacles -- rejoicing] are especially meaningful to a believer in Jesus.  The feasts -- and the entire Old Testament -- are fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:25-27).  We must repent of our sins before we can be forgiven by God, but repentance alone is not enough.   Every Jew and Gentile must turn toward Christ, accepting His atoning sacrifice at Calvary and receiving Him in joy -- unfathomable, everlasting, and indescribable -- which this world cannot give or take away. 

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

A collection of short stories by various authors who were inspired by Jane Austen's novels.  Some were good, some were funny, and some were raunchy.  Although I enjoyed several of the stories, I don't recommend this book at all because of the immorality in it.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal

by Sophie Irwin

 I enjoyed this author's first book, A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting, earlier this year, so I was eagerly looking forward to this one. The first 2/3 to 3/4 of it were very intriguing, though perhaps tinged with a bit of anachronistic feminism.  Then one of the female characters revealed that she was in love with another female character and the main character was totally supportive of it. (And this was not even the "scandal" alluded to in the title.)  This one went into the trash.

To Love and to Honor / A Whisper in the Wind

by B. J. Hoff

Irish immigrant Kerry O'Neill becomes the ward of West Point chaplain Jess Dalton after her father passes away suddenly. Her father was friends with his father, and his father died just before her father died.  The two are attracted to one another romantically, but he thinks it is improper because of his age (14 years her senior) and his position (as her guardian).  She struggles with feelings of inferiority because of her status (poor immigrant).  It's a very lightweight novel (actually two novels in one), focusing mostly on their raging emotions.  Not recommended.

Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times

by Donald T. Phillips

This relatively short book takes a look at Abraham Lincoln's philosophy and actions, especially as President during the Civil War, and applies them to modern corporate leaders.  Interesting.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia

by John Dunlop

Though written specifically for those dealing with dementia, the principles in this book apply equally well to those dealing any brain disease or injury -- mental illness, stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc.  Based firmly on Scripture and a Biblical worldview, this book talks about treating people with respect and dignity, understanding what to expect as dementia progresses, how to be a caregiver, how to help caregivers, and how the church should be involved.  Lots of good things to think about.

Bruce

by Albert Payson Terhune

One of Terhune's many books extolling the super-human qualities and abilities of his beloved collies.  Bruce was an awkward and unpromising puppy at 6 months old, but then experienced a great transformation in the next 6 months.  Eventually he was volunteered to serve as a courier dog in France in WWI.

Audiobooks (while traveling)

We went on a 24 day, 11 state road trip, so we had a lot of time to listen to audiobooks!

The Flying Flamingo Sisters

by Carrie Seim

From Amazon: When their ace pilot parents (and adorable puppy) mysteriously disappear over the Pacific, the Flamingo Sisters - Flo, Faye, and Franny - escape the clutches of their evil Uncle Freidrich (who believes girls should never pilot aeroplanes) and join a flying circus. They soon become a smashing sensation, performing aerial acrobatics, wing walking, and other death-defying feats in a dazzling biplane outfitted with three cockpits. But when the girls discover a mysterious map - which may lead them to the long-lost Flamingo family fortune - their dastardly uncle follows them on a thrilling chase in the skies. The Flying Flamingo Sisters must use wits, courage and derring - do to solve secret codes, trek through spooky jungles, and save their parents. Not to mention themselves! 

This was the second time we listened to this delightful audiobook, performed as a 1930s radio drama.

The Flying Flamingo Sisters 2

by Carrie Seim

From Amazon: Convinced that their dastardly uncle Freidrich has escaped with their family fortune, the Flamingo Sisters return home to the Upper Lower Valley Mountain Rural Region in despair. But when their beloved mentor Elsie de la Rue goes missing—and they discover a new clue that may lead them to their lost Golden Flamingo—the three sisters take off on another thrilling chase in the skies! They join the death-defying pilots of the Women’s Air Derby, then hopscotch from New York to France to Egypt, determined to stop their uncle (who believes girls should never fly aeroplanes) from spreading evil across the globe. The Flamingo Sisters must use wits, courage, and derring-do to solve secret codes (and sibling spats), trek through terrifying temples, rescue their ace pilot parents, and save Elsie de la Rue. Not to mention themselves! This was the long-awaited sequel to the first book.  Just as good as the first!

Brighty of the Grand Canyon

by Marguerite Henry

A fictionalized account of a real-life burro named "Brighty", who lived in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River from about 1892 to 1922. We listened to this on our way to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon.  That was fun, because when we got there, we could point out places mentioned in the book: Kaibab Forest, North Rim, South Rim, Bright Angel Trail, etc.

Around the World in Eighty Days

by Jules Verne

From Wikipedia: Phileas Fogg is a wealthy English gentleman living a solitary life in London. Despite his wealth, Fogg lives modestly and carries out his habits with mathematical precision. He is a member of the Reform Club, where he spends the best part of his days. Having dismissed his valet for bringing him shaving water at a temperature slightly lower than expected, Fogg hires Frenchman Jean Passepartout as a replacement. On the evening of 2 October 1872, while at the Club, Fogg gets involved in an argument over an article in The Daily Telegraph stating that with the opening of a new railway section in India, it is now possible to travel around the world in 80 days. He accepts a wager for £20,000, half of his fortune, from his fellow club members to complete such a journey within this period. With Passepartout accompanying him, Fogg departs from London by train at 8:45 p.m.; to win the wager, he must return to the club by this same time on 21 December, 80 days later. They take Fogg's remaining £20,000 with them to cover expenses during the journey. A very enjoyable adventure story!

Journey to the Center of the Earth

by Jules Verne

From the library's book description: An eccentric geology professor acquires an old book and finds an ancient parchment hidden within its pages. On it is a coded message that reveals directions to a secret passageway that leads deep within the earth's interior. The professor immediately sets off on a daring journey to Iceland, where he and his companions enter into an extinct volcano and make their way to the center of the earth. They soon find a strange underground world where the laws of science are turned upside down. They discover huge caverns, luminous rocks, a subterranean sea, primitive forests, and fearsome prehistoric creatures that time had forgot. The travelers encounter one stirring adventure after another as they explore deep within the bowels of the earth. Well-read by Norman Dietz.  I found this one not as interesting as Around the World in Eighty Days.  It required too much suspension of disbelief. Also, he spent a lot of time mixing evolutionary ideas and Biblical ideas.  And I didn't like the characters.  the professor was too rough and hard-hearted, and his nephew was a very wimpy, reluctant explorer.  He was constantly fainting, complaining, and thinking he's about to die.  It really got quite annoying.  If I had been reading it myself, I probably would have abandoned it.  

Read-aloud (for fun)

On the Other Side of the Hill

by Roger Lea MacBride

This is the 4th volume of the Little House: The Rocky Ridge Years series. The story of the Wilder family continues, describing life on their farm in the Ozarks as they learn about living in this new area of the country, make friends, and deal with changes and disappointments.

Read-aloud (Biography)

Mary Jones & Her Bible

by Mary Ropes

The story of a Welsh girl who so hungered for a Bible of her own that she worked and saved for 6 or 7 years and then walked barefoot 50 miles round trip to buy a Bible.  Her story helped inspire a Bible society to print more Welsh Bibles for her people.

Read-aloud (Geography)

Books set in Texas

Prairie Dog Pioneers

by Jo & Josephine Harper

A little girl and her family settle in the panhandle of Texas.  She is not happy about leaving their comfortable home with her swing in the tree to live in a dugout (sod) house like a prairie dog.  But her father insists that owning land is the best kind of wealth and the best way he can provide for his large family.  The little girl eventually understands that.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers

by Kathi Appelt

Sort of a picture book biography of Lady Bird Johnson and her mission to beautify the country's highways with wildflowers.

Armadillo Rodeo

by Jan Brett

A delightful story about an armadillo youngster whose curiosity and near-sightedness leads him to fall in love with a pair of red cowboy boots.  Like all of Jan Brett's books, the illustrations are key to the humor in the story.

Books set in Louisiana:

Little Pierre: A Cajun Story from Louisiana

by Robert San Souci

A folktale about a boy who was the smallest (but smartest) of his family.  He leads the way to rescue Marie Louise, who was kidnapped by a swamp ogre. The characters speak in Cajun dialect to give a feel for the way people from Louisiana speak.

A Penguin Named Patience

by Suzane Lewis

Based on the true story of a group of penguins whose aquarium in New Orleans was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  They moved to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in California while their home in New Orleans was being repaired.