So Mom and I received a copy of this book as part of a book blog tour like, a hundred years ago. Or somethin’. It arrived too late for us to read and review it fairly. We require a lead time of at least two weeks. Minimum. This title arrived outside that time frame. By about a werk and a half. So we passed. Added it to The Resident Leaning Towers of Pisa. Aka: Our book shelves.
And it got buried. Forgotten. For years. (The book. Not Pisa, okay?)
Silly Mom!
Then one of us – the one with brains but no opposable thumbs – excavated it the other day. Kimber the Magnificent to the rescue once again! (Kimber: How Mom ever manages this book bloggy thing, I’ll never know. Good thing she has me to keep things on track! And do most of the brainwork. Don’t tell Mom I said that, okay?)
So here we are. Better late than never. (Hi, Mom) So let’s get to it, shall we? Like:
Humans finally came up with a holiday I can sink my teeth into, so to speak. I mean, bark. Did you know that today is National Love Your Pet Day?
I mean, hey. After all the endless hours I spend guarding, playing with, walking, protecting, supervising and watching my humans and all the weird stuff they do (“Teeth brushing”? What’s up with that?), isn’t it about time I get some extra recognition?
You gonna eat that?
So today Mom’s making my favorite homemade treats. Come on, beef burgers!
We’re going to play chase the breakers at the beach and throw the ball and frisbee, too! Unless it’s snowing. Or pouring rain. Then we’ll just play in the weather!
Alright, who hid the ball?
Afterwards, I’ll curl up on my soft, fuzzy doggie blanket near the heating vent, all nice and cozy. Or even better: I’ll hijack and hog Mom’s blanket. If she’ll let me hop onto the recliner. Since it’s National Love Your Pet Day, that’s a pretty sure bet. Or I can always deploy my patented, never-fail, 100% guaranteed Adorable Puppy Eyes.
Not even Mom can resist that.
Is this place great, or what?
Check out my snazzy HUNTER ORANGE coat! It’s even waterproof!
This question lies at the heart of one of the finest biographies we’ve ever read,Being Elisabeth Elliot. The second in a two-part biographical series on the late missionary and Christian thought leader, Being picks up where Becoming Elisabeth Elliot leaves off. (Here’s our review of the latter: A Story That Strengthens: ‘Becoming Elisabeth Elliot.’)
Elisabeth Elliot has long held a top slot in our list of All-Time Favorite Authors. Her life was mixed with “good, bad, glory, pain, tedium, hope, and despair.” Elisabeth’s first husband, Jim Elliot, was martyred in Ecuador along with four other American missionaries in the 1950s. Thereafter, Elisabeth’s life of obedience, timeless teachings, and best-selling books influenced both believers and seekers of the Christian faith for over fifty years.
You may be relieved to hear that we’re not doing a sappy Valentine’s Day post today. You know the type. Sparkly and swirly and romance-y and heart-y. Love birds and turtle doves and enough saccahrine to induce sugar diabetes. The ‘Ole Curmudgeon nixed that idea.
♥️♥️♥️
Thank you, ‘Ole Curmudgeon.
On this Valentine’s Day we’re all about book love. We’re focusing on why we love reading and giving you some examples of same. Like, books we really, really love.
Here are 10+ Reasons We Love Reading (what would you add?):
1. We get to visit all kinds of Really Cool Places and time frames. In our heads. Without coughing up a single penny for gasoline or airfare. Examples: A Tale of Two Cities. Doctor Zhivago. The Little Prince.
2. We meet some Really Cool Peeps. Characters that are relatable, endearing, surprising or intriguing and leave a lasting impression. Examples: Ferdinand the Bull. Curious George. Elizabeth Bennett. Edmond Dantes. Frodo. Reepicheep. The Boys in the Boat.
3. Reading expands our horizons. Ignites our imagination. Inspires. Challenges. Educates. Motivates. Examples: The Joy Luck Club. Lords of the Earth. In the Shadow of the Almighty. Masters of the Air. Ghost Soldiers.
4. We get to dive into some Really Cool Storylines. A compelling plot that captures the imagination and keeps us engaged is a special kind of fun. These stories often have universal themes like adventure, friendship, and courage. Often all of the above. And more. Examples: Call It Courage. A Christmas Carol. Black Beauty.Robinson Crusoe. The Velveteen Rabbit.
5. Reading offers emotional resilience. Reading often touches on deep emotions and experiences that resonate with readers of all ages – curmudgeons included! They address fundamental human concerns like love, fear, hope, and the need for acceptance. Examples: Fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Aesop’s Fables.The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Elephant Man.Les Miserables.
6. We get to discover and enjoybeautiful language. The use of rich, evocative language can make the reading experience more enjoyable and memorable. This includes both the narrative style and dialogue. Examples: Inkheart. A River Runs Through It. Spencer’s Mountain. Anything by Max Lucado. Charles Swindoll. Jan Karon. Richard Paul Evans. Brock and Bodie Thoene.
7. We get to meet new people. Explore different cultures, continents, concepts and cuisines. Examples: Born Free: Lioness of Two Worlds. James Clavell’s Asian saga series. The Good Earth. Out of Africa.Travels With Charley. My Antonia. The Old Man and the Sea. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
8. Good memories. Ever meet a book that made you smile when you re-visited it again? It’s like a hug from a long-lost friend. Examples: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Where the Wild Things Are. Goodnight Moon. Little House on the Prairie series. Anything by H.A. Rey, Virginia Lee Burton, or Margaret Wise Brown.
9. Sometimes reading changes everything. A book is so powerful or poignant or both, it can change your life. Example: The Bible.
10. We love discovering new and different takes on classic themes. These can include the triumph of good over evil, the importance of family and friends, and the journey of self-discovery. Examples: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Swiss Family Robinson. Pretty much anything by E.B. White.
11. We love reading books with layers of meaning that can be appreciated differently at various stages of life. This kind of book can be enjoyed multiple times. Each reading offers new insights. Examples: The Chronicles of Narnia. Peter Pan. Gulliver’s Travels. Alice in Wonderland.
12. Reading is magical. It opens a door into other worlds. Transports into different realms. Provides opportunities galore for adventure and exploration. Offers ringside seats at historic events. Much more. Besides. It’s fun! See items 1 – 11 above. You’re welcome.
Readers have some tough decisions. Like when your TBR rivals the Empire State Building. Your library check-outs are in triple digits. The local bookstore ropes off an entire section with your name on it. Or your favorite canine has to choose between New York Steak and Rib Eye.
Kimber the Magnificent here. Being all Brilliant and Beautiful again. Still.
Wait. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Reading decisions.
Does this sound familiar, hoomans?
– You grabbed a book off Amazon because it snagged a glittering galaxy of 5 star reviews. That were probably posted by the author’s mom. Under numerous pseudonyms.
– Your reading club is gushing over its latest selection. You can’t get past page 3 without reaching for No Doze.
– The latest “bestseller” has a plot that’s as dense as a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. Without the jelly. Or the bread.
What’s a reader to do?
First of all, relax. Deep breaths, okay? Mom and I are here to help.
Second, realize that reading isn’t a competition. Or s chore. Reading is supposed to be fun. Enjoyable. (Kimber: Well, maybe not as enjoyable as a Porterhouse Steak. What?)
Anyway, here’s the latest brilliant advice from Her Royal Momness and me. On All of the Above. At no extra charge:
Stop.
That’s right.
Just. Stop. Close the book. Put it back. And move on to something else.
It doesn’t matter how far you’ve read. The number of pages left. Or how many hours you’ve spent slogging through a book. Through gritted teeth. When you reach The Point of No Return on a book, don’t return.
That’s right. Put that book down. Send it back. Find something else.
And lose the guilt. Give yourself permission to say No.
True, not all books are easy. Some require more effort than others. That’s okay.
That snoozer that had you yawning? The stinker that made your hair ache? Just stop. Put it away. You can always pick it up again later.
But if you’re hating every minute of a book, counting the remaining pages, or forcing yourself to keep going and dreading every minute, then you’re missing the point. Of letting books into your head. And your heart. Soak into your soul. And maybe even change your life.
Speaking of “life,” Mom and I decided a long time ago that life’s too short to spend it on lousy books. That we don’t enjoy. Put us to sleep better than Sominex. Look like the neighborhood fluff ball.
Besides. With zillions of titles to choose from, you’ll always be able to find something that’s a better fit.
So to reiterate, relax. And lose the book DNF guilt. It’s so not you.
Meanwhile, Mom and I will be back shortly. Soon as one of us re-shelves a few books.
You gonna eat that?
What’s the last book you read that soaked into your soul?
Genre: Christian historical fiction, Christian romance
Pages (print): 452
Set amid the feral beauty of the 1880s Pacific Northwest, An Echo of Courage is Book Two in the Columbia River series. We like, Totally Love-ified the first book, A Father’s Dream. (See our review here.) This one? Not so much. We’ll get to that in a min. So kindly keep your hair on, Cupcake. First, here’s a synopsis:
The Columbia River, 1885. After a devastating accident, Pauel Oman faces constant pain and an uncertain future. Once the dependable one, he now wonders if his life holds any meaning. Yet through his sister’s stubborn care, his best friend’s sharp humor, and the steady presence of a wolf named Essa light and hope begin to return. Pauel learns that courage is not found in grand heroics, but in the daily choice to believe again.
We hear that much of the U.S. is jacketed in snow. And wearing icy pajamas. But Mom and I? One of us is breaking out the iced tea and A/C. Here’s why:
Where’s the iced tea?
J.A. Jance’s Exit Wounds is that rare kind of “immersion” where you forget your own address but can recite the protagonist’s entire personal history without even trying.
The 4-1-1
Is the sudden death of a jail inmate linked to the murder of a reclusive woman who lived in a dilapidated mobile home with 17 dogs? What about two other dead women in New Mexico? Are the women’s murders linked by an 85 year-old bullet? How? And the vehicular homicide in Silver Creek, AZ? Is a serial killer loose in Sheriff Joanna Brady’s county? Is a “surprise” family announcement coming from the Bradys? Will Joanna’s stay-at-home hubby’s first novel ever sell? And what about the dirty tricksher opponent is cooking up as the sheriff’s re-election campaign heats up?
A powerful tale about the darkest corners of human nature and unseen wounds that never heal… Much more.
Skillful writing. Pitch-perfect pacing. Sturdy, three-dimensional characters that almost stand up and walk. The scent of summer rain. A plot with more twists than Lombard Street. And dogs! All make Exit Wounds unputdownable so far.
So, hey! It may be winter. Much of the country may be in a deep freeze. But reading this fast-paced mystery/suspense/thriller, one of us is sweating with this edge-of-your-seat Whodunit set in Cochise County, Arizona. In July.
So if anyone needs Mom or me, we’ll be in our blanket fort. Living inside these pages until further notice. While sipping iced tea (Hi, Mom.)
What’s the last book that made you a ‘functional’ ghost in your own life?
Pages & Paws 