Review: The Wish Giver - A Coven Tree Adventure by Bill Britian

Synopsis: When a strange little man comes to the Coven Tree Church Social promising he can give people exactly what they ask for, three young believers-in-magic each make a wish that comes true in the most unexpected way. (From the Back of the book)

Review: I enjoyed this book. A strange man sets up a booth at a city fair and offers One Wish for 50 cents. Four people take his offer and the book tells each story in turn. The wishes, as expected, come true in ways not intended and the wishers learn something about themselves and life. The book is full of humor and good sense and wisdom, but never gets preachy or dry. This would be an excellent book to read aloud to children (the Jug-a-Rum section in particular) and might open some interesting discussions.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: Newbery Honor, 1984

Date Finished: 8-29-2011
Pages: 192

Review: Stories and Toasts for After Dinner by Nathaniel C. Fowler, Jr.

Synopsis: This is a how-to book on being the toastmaster as a formal function. It includes instructions on duties, proper ways to handle social gaffs, the order of things and an extensive collection of stories and toasts that may be adaptable to any situation.

Review: I read this mostly for the historical hilarity. Written in the early 1920s, it offers a remarkable glimpse into the social formalities of the large society meeting and party. I found some of his comments about women to be...interesting, if a bit dimwitted, but given the time, one can't expect too much. I recommend this book as a funny little read, although it was a dry and tedious in places and the toast and stories were a bit maudlin and sappy for my taste.

Bookmarks: 6 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 8-27-2011
Pages: 228

Review: Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

Synopsis: It isn′t easy being a pioneer in the state of Washington in 1899, but it′s particularly hard when you are the only girl ever born in the new settlement. With seven older brothers and a love of adventure, May Amelia Jackson just can′t seem to abide her family′s insistence that she behave like a Proper Young Lady. She′s sure she could do better if only there were at least one other girl living along the banks of the Nasel River. And now that Mama′s going to have a baby, maybe there′s hope. (From the back of the book)

Review: This book was inspired the journals of the author's great-aunt and the authenticity shows. This book centers on May Amelia, the only daughter of Finnish immigrants who settled near Astoria, Oregon around the turn of the century. The life they live is depicted in sharp, poignant, hilarious, heartbreaking detail and I was caught in the adventure. My only complaint about the book was the slow beginning but the middle sucked by breath away and I was gripped by May Amelia's journey into maturity. I recommend this as an excellent read, in particular for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder and those studying American immigration and westward expansion.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: Newbery Honor, 2000

Date Finished: 8-27-2011
Pages: 272

Review: Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger

Synopsis: This is a collection of nine short stories. They are as follows:
A Perfect Day for Bananafish; Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut; Just Before the War with the Eskimos; The Laughing Man; Down at the Dinghy; For Esme -- With Love and Squalor; Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes; De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period; Teddy.

Review: I admit I'm not sure what to make of this collection. Salinger is most famous for his book Catcher in the Rye (which I did not enjoy). These stories have a similar flavor - odd, filled with bent and mis-shaped humans, strange things happening in normal spaces and things that I don't understand. I can identify his work as genius - but I don't get it. I've spoken of this occurrence before, when I read Welty and Hemingway - I think I shall call this the Welty Syndrome, after my first experience with it.

Bookmarks: 6 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 8-26-2011
Pages: 320

Review: Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel

Synopsis: During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of all scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land. Ships ran aground on rocky shores; those traveling well-known routes were easy prey to pirates.

In 1714, England's Parliament offered a huge reward to anyone whose method of measuring longitude could be proven successful. The scientific establishment--from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton--had mapped the heavens in its certainty of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution--a clock that would keep precise time at sea, something no clock had been able to do on land. And the race was on....

Review: This is precisely the sort of history book I enjoy. Short, crisp, lively - filled with interesting, concise points about an obscure subject. Sobel took what had potential to be dry dull subject and injected it with life and sparkle. Harrison was a fascinating genius and I found the author's handling of him as a person and a historical figure. I recommend this work if you are interesting in maritime history, scientific history or just general world history. It's a delightful book!

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 8-24-2011
Pages: 192

Review: Exploring America's Historical Places

Synopsis: From Colonial Villages to the pueblos of the Southwest, from Civil War and mountain-man encampments to the great estates of the Gilded Age, this book takes you on an odyssey through time and across the continent, revisiting the great places, moments, and people that have made the nation's history. You'll read about the class of cultures that occurred between Native Americans and early European settles, about the vicious winters and starving times endured at places like Jamestown and Plymouth. The men who fought at Yorktown and Manassas, the families who plodded west on the Oregon Trail or arrived in the immigrant waves that washed across Ellis Island - all believed in something called America. Their dreams, and their histories, are still compelling. (from the back of the book)

Review: Like all books by National Geographic, this contains stunning photos and drawings of the events described. This is a excellent, albeit shallow, over view of American history anchored in the most prominent historical places. I would recommend this as an interesting alternative to the dry dull history book, as it sparked my own interest in several different events and seasons of American History.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 8-22-2011
Pages: 199

Review: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Holiness by Stuart and Jill Briscoe

Synopsis: If you think about life in the same way Stuart Briscoe did when he was very young - and most of us, if we are perfectly honest, do - Being Happy will rate first, Being Healthy second, and Being Holy will rate a poor third. So, must you give up any hope of happiness if you decide to give yourself wholeheartedly to God?
In this engaging book by Stuart and Jill Briscoe, you will discover that there is no conflict with being thoroughly happy truly healthy and practically holy, And you will also learn what God i asking of you when He says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (From the back of the book)

Review: I picked up this book at a book sale on a whim. The title was interesting - the tagline under the title reading " In a culture where personal rights are considered sacred can we find satisfaction as "Living Sacrifices" to God?".
The book itself was theologically sound, as far as I could tell, and Briscoe made some good points about how holiness is connect to happiness. But I found his writing dull, even with the inclusion of stories, and his points lack any real punch.
In the end, this is a sound book but not as hard-hitting as I prefer. I think, however, that this book would mean something to someone and therefore, I wouldn't discount it. It just wasn't for me.

Bookmarks: 6 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 8-22-2011
Pages: 191