Mitch Albom has a very specific voice and tone to his books. Usually I find that if I like a book by an author I like almost all of them. I can't say that about Albom's books. I either like them or I do not. I have a feeling that some of it has to do with the mood that I'm in, so I make sure I'm in the right mindset when taking on a Mitch Albom book.
The stories I've encountered thus far are not long and are fairly quick reads as a result. While the books are short, the content tends to be more profound. I have not read a Mitch Albom book that did not make me think. I often ponder the points in the book...even when a large amount of time has passed. Mitch Albom, whether I like the storyline or not, tends to stick with me. The Time Keeper is no exception to this rule.
The story is set in a much older time and in more modern times. It's not hard to follow the time hops. A man invents a rudimentary clock and tries to measure time. As punishment he becomes Father time and can only be set free if he learns the true meaning of time, as well as helps two other people realize this meaning. Of course, the two people he has to help are at opposite ends of the spectrum. One has too much time while the other not enough. How each person approaches the concept of time and what they do with their time is an interesting perspective. I feel this perspective is interesting because we tend to be singularly and internally focused. We might not think about what a concept we view in a certain light might mean to someone else. It gives a whole new meaning to, 'walk a mile in my shoes.'
The 'butterfly effect' of what Father Time started when trying to measure time was my favorite part of the book. I got to thinking, what if no one ever thought to measure time? What would our world be like today? The society I live in tends to be very driven by time and limits associated with it. How would the lack of that means of measurement change our society? Then I started to think about how the concept of time is different depending on what region you live in. The United States tends to be very time driven. However, things are slower in certain regions of the U.S. So even though we now have a unit of measurement for time, how we interpret and utilize it is dependent upon the region and the individual.
This brings us full circle. Both of the people Father Time is supposed to help have the same amount of time, as we all have 24 hours in a day, yet their interpretation of time is quite different. And both of their appreciation of, or lack of, time is different from Father Time's as well. I like that you can define something for me but how I implement the issue will be based on my interpretation and character. Does that make it incorrect?
If you want to think a little bit and get lost in a quick "historical" trip I would recommend this book.
Happy reading!!
Judi
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Friday, March 10, 2017
Introducing the Honorable Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood
It is my understanding that these books have been made into a TV series. My grandmother told me about the show and the books. She loves the style of clothing and the flare of the show. After reading these books I wouldn't mind seeing the show.
This book is actually 3 stories in 1. My grandmother and I like a lot of the same books so I decided to give it a shot.
Phryne Fisher certainly has her own style and so much gumption. The time frame in which these books are set in makes her lifestyle and characteristics all the better. The books are set in Australia in the 1920's. She is a PI with a keen eye and is witty and vivacious.
Backed by her trusty maid, Dot, taxi drivers and friends, Bert and Cec, and the Butlers (her butler and cook), she has been able to stop a cocaine ring, recover a kidnapped child, and solve a mysterious murder on a train. She loves fashion, speed, and the daring life.
There are many Phryne Fisher books. I just read the first 3. I can see myself going back to her world. The books are entertaining and a quick read. For now, I'll explore a few other worlds.
Happy reading!
Judi
This book is actually 3 stories in 1. My grandmother and I like a lot of the same books so I decided to give it a shot.
Phryne Fisher certainly has her own style and so much gumption. The time frame in which these books are set in makes her lifestyle and characteristics all the better. The books are set in Australia in the 1920's. She is a PI with a keen eye and is witty and vivacious.
Backed by her trusty maid, Dot, taxi drivers and friends, Bert and Cec, and the Butlers (her butler and cook), she has been able to stop a cocaine ring, recover a kidnapped child, and solve a mysterious murder on a train. She loves fashion, speed, and the daring life.
There are many Phryne Fisher books. I just read the first 3. I can see myself going back to her world. The books are entertaining and a quick read. For now, I'll explore a few other worlds.
Happy reading!
Judi
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
This book first came across my radar when I was at Jury Duty. One of my fellow jurors was reading the book. While we were on break she would go directly to the book. Naturally, this intrigued me and I asked her opinion. She said it was a book she didn't expect and hated to put down. I forgot about the book until I came across it again at the store with a friend. We were discussing what I had been told about the book. As a result, I received the book as a gift for Christmas.
When I finally got around to reading the book I really enjoyed it. It was a sad story but the viewpoint was engrossing. The story surrounds a Chinese-American family of 5. The different stressors each member of the family experiences is looked at. The roles of each individual based on expectations and interpretations were presented. Each member's desires and actions scrutinized. All the while, no other member of the family seems aware of the other. Emotions are heightened when one of the children drowns.
What was so engrossing about this story is the real world applications. How so many children feel the pressures of their familiar expectations and how they deal with it. How you can misjudge someone. How a cascade of emotions and actions can start with one single motion that ripples outward and influencing all within your circle...and even those who are on the edges of your life.
This is another one of those books that I suggest every teenager reads. Perhaps life will not feel so overwhelming or unfair once another perspective is taken into consideration.
Happy reading!
Judi
When I finally got around to reading the book I really enjoyed it. It was a sad story but the viewpoint was engrossing. The story surrounds a Chinese-American family of 5. The different stressors each member of the family experiences is looked at. The roles of each individual based on expectations and interpretations were presented. Each member's desires and actions scrutinized. All the while, no other member of the family seems aware of the other. Emotions are heightened when one of the children drowns.
What was so engrossing about this story is the real world applications. How so many children feel the pressures of their familiar expectations and how they deal with it. How you can misjudge someone. How a cascade of emotions and actions can start with one single motion that ripples outward and influencing all within your circle...and even those who are on the edges of your life.
This is another one of those books that I suggest every teenager reads. Perhaps life will not feel so overwhelming or unfair once another perspective is taken into consideration.
Happy reading!
Judi
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
This is the type of book I recommend to every person, especially women. The story is based on the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob. Her story is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. It is told from Dinah's point of view.
The time frame in which this story is set during a time when God is still not completely accepted by all. The differences between Dinah's Mother's deities and her Father's God leave a lasting impression on Dinah and her life. The differences in religion and lifestyle between those in Egypt and those in the countryside are explored.
Women have a different roles and are treated differently depending on the area in which they reside. The red tent is the retreat for women during their menses cycle. All women seek solace in the red tent during this time and are doted upon by those who have not yet reached that age of maturity or have lived past their moon cycle.
We follow Dinah throughout her life. She is a child when we are first introduced to her. The rituals that follow a young woman throughout her life-childhood to puberty, first love, marriage, child birth, loss, servitude, and finding love again. The unfortunate part is that Dinah suffers a lot in her lifetime. Every time it seems that things are starting to look up for Dinah, tragedy strikes.
The story also centers around Dinah's knack for midwifery and the name she creates for herself. Being a nurse I know the processes we take during child birth. It's amazing to see the differences described. Some of the practices noted in the book make a lot of sense and are still practiced today.
Dinah stays true to herself and lives life the best that she can. The book paints an interesting picture of another time. It was turned into a mini-series on TV, as well. I look forward to seeing it.
Happy reading!
Judi
The time frame in which this story is set during a time when God is still not completely accepted by all. The differences between Dinah's Mother's deities and her Father's God leave a lasting impression on Dinah and her life. The differences in religion and lifestyle between those in Egypt and those in the countryside are explored.
Women have a different roles and are treated differently depending on the area in which they reside. The red tent is the retreat for women during their menses cycle. All women seek solace in the red tent during this time and are doted upon by those who have not yet reached that age of maturity or have lived past their moon cycle.
We follow Dinah throughout her life. She is a child when we are first introduced to her. The rituals that follow a young woman throughout her life-childhood to puberty, first love, marriage, child birth, loss, servitude, and finding love again. The unfortunate part is that Dinah suffers a lot in her lifetime. Every time it seems that things are starting to look up for Dinah, tragedy strikes.
The story also centers around Dinah's knack for midwifery and the name she creates for herself. Being a nurse I know the processes we take during child birth. It's amazing to see the differences described. Some of the practices noted in the book make a lot of sense and are still practiced today.
Dinah stays true to herself and lives life the best that she can. The book paints an interesting picture of another time. It was turned into a mini-series on TV, as well. I look forward to seeing it.
Happy reading!
Judi
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
I'm about 6 books behind...shameful.
I am a fan of the Harry Potter story and have read all of the books. So when I heard about the Cursed Child there was no way I wasn't going to delve into it.
The story is based around Harry's son who is the "odd boy;" much like his father. Everyone knows the story of this father and his heroics. Between that and teenage angst life seems pretty miserable for Albus Potter. Additionally, Albus' best friend is none other than the son of Draco Malfoy, Scorpius. Both boys are bullied, Albus because he doesn't seem to live up to his Father's hype and Scorpius because he's supposedly the son of Lord Voldemort. Basically you have the same sort of plot twists...speculation, intrigue, and evil disguised as a friend.
It was a little strange reading a play, however, interesting to see the emotional intent behind the author. It also helped answer some of the questions everyone was left with when it came to life after Hogwarts for Harry and his friends. One of the nice pieces of the book was the reality of the fictitious world. By this I mean, everything was not just hunky-dory for Harry and his friends. Adult issues leaked into their life. Harry and his friends had a whole different set of issues to work through.
The book was nothing like its predecessors. It is very much a play. For the Harry Potter fans it's a good read. For those who wonder what type of a person/father Mr. Potter turned into, this is an interesting tale.
Enjoy!
Judi
I am a fan of the Harry Potter story and have read all of the books. So when I heard about the Cursed Child there was no way I wasn't going to delve into it.
The story is based around Harry's son who is the "odd boy;" much like his father. Everyone knows the story of this father and his heroics. Between that and teenage angst life seems pretty miserable for Albus Potter. Additionally, Albus' best friend is none other than the son of Draco Malfoy, Scorpius. Both boys are bullied, Albus because he doesn't seem to live up to his Father's hype and Scorpius because he's supposedly the son of Lord Voldemort. Basically you have the same sort of plot twists...speculation, intrigue, and evil disguised as a friend.
It was a little strange reading a play, however, interesting to see the emotional intent behind the author. It also helped answer some of the questions everyone was left with when it came to life after Hogwarts for Harry and his friends. One of the nice pieces of the book was the reality of the fictitious world. By this I mean, everything was not just hunky-dory for Harry and his friends. Adult issues leaked into their life. Harry and his friends had a whole different set of issues to work through.
The book was nothing like its predecessors. It is very much a play. For the Harry Potter fans it's a good read. For those who wonder what type of a person/father Mr. Potter turned into, this is an interesting tale.
Enjoy!
Judi
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