Author: Melissa Fay Greene
Published: 2011
Genres: Non-fiction, Adoption
Rating: 1
Summary
Two-time National Book Award finalist Melissa Fay Greene is best known for her books on the civil rights movement and the African HIV/AIDS pandemic. But Melissa and her husband have also pursued a more private vocation: parenthood. “We so loved raising our four children by birth, we didn’t want to stop. When the clock started to run down on the home team, we brought in ringers.” When the number of children hit nine, Greene took a break from reporting. She trained her journalist’s eye upon events at home. This work is a celebration of parenthood; an ingathering of children, through birth and out of loss and bereavement; a relishing of moments hilarious and enlightening. No Biking in the House Without a Helmet is a loving portrait of a unique twenty first-century family as it wobbles between disaster and joy.
Review
The book is well-written and intriguing, and the author is poignantly honest about her roller-coast emotions during her first adoption experience. Unfortunately, because of an overabundance of a strong explative, I only made it about 20% of the way into this book before putting it down.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hard Times and Holy Places
Author: Kristin Warner Belcher
Published: 2009
Genres: LDS Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity
Rating: 4
Summary
When the only remaining sight she had left began to fade, Kris Belcher knew her cancer had returned. First diagnosed with bi-lateral retinoblastoma at the age of seven months, she had feared blindness since childhood. Ironically, the treatment that had saved her life as a baby was responsible for the radiation-induced cancer that again threatened her life as an adult. Now a wife and mother of two young sons, she faced her greatest challenge. Five major surgeries within the space of five months left her physically and emotionally devasted--and completely blind. Yet durning that horrendous time, Kris discovered moments of spiritual strengthening that became holy places in her life--places where she could feel the purifying, transforming power of Christ that enabled her to survive and to learn how to live in a world of darkness.
Review
I am not usually one to pick up LDS inspirational books. But since Kris is a friend, I read this one. And it was amazing! Even though I already knew many of the stories, I still found the book very moving. It is well-written, logically organized, and applicable on a personal level. And I loved how strongly she focuses on turning to the Savior to overcome challenges.
Notes
My only disappointment with this book is that--because of the serious subject matter--you only get small glimpses of Kris's quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. If you ever have the chance to listen to her in person, take it!
Favorite quote: "I know there will be trials for me to endure, but I want them to strengthen and improve me, not just flatten me."
Published: 2009
Genres: LDS Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity
Rating: 4
Summary
When the only remaining sight she had left began to fade, Kris Belcher knew her cancer had returned. First diagnosed with bi-lateral retinoblastoma at the age of seven months, she had feared blindness since childhood. Ironically, the treatment that had saved her life as a baby was responsible for the radiation-induced cancer that again threatened her life as an adult. Now a wife and mother of two young sons, she faced her greatest challenge. Five major surgeries within the space of five months left her physically and emotionally devasted--and completely blind. Yet durning that horrendous time, Kris discovered moments of spiritual strengthening that became holy places in her life--places where she could feel the purifying, transforming power of Christ that enabled her to survive and to learn how to live in a world of darkness.
Review
I am not usually one to pick up LDS inspirational books. But since Kris is a friend, I read this one. And it was amazing! Even though I already knew many of the stories, I still found the book very moving. It is well-written, logically organized, and applicable on a personal level. And I loved how strongly she focuses on turning to the Savior to overcome challenges.
Notes
My only disappointment with this book is that--because of the serious subject matter--you only get small glimpses of Kris's quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. If you ever have the chance to listen to her in person, take it!
Favorite quote: "I know there will be trials for me to endure, but I want them to strengthen and improve me, not just flatten me."
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