Book Report: Redeeming Love: Francine Rivers

To be honest, I'm not into Christian Fiction. I was a little embarrassed that I was reading a Francine Rivers book.

Rivers fictionalized the Biblical story of Hosea set during the 1850's in the American West. Mr. Hosea is the perfect, strong, protective, Godly, and smitten man. His impeccability is unrealistic, but then I'm thinking that Rivers wanted to show him as a God figure. Actually, I was frequently overwhelmed and aware of God's unchanging love for me as I read this book. The prostitute, named Angel, sees her sin and does not feel like she deserves his love. She tries to rid herself of her iniquity by working and also by cleaning herself. Time and time again, Mr. Hosea reminds her of his love and rescues her from her sin.

In conclusion, I'm glad that I read it.

Book Report: Something Borrowed: Emily Giffin

I'm not exactly sure why this book is so popular. Everything about this book is stereotypical. The stereotypical successful, single, just-turned-thirty lawyer. The stereotypical it's-all-about-status-and-appearance New York City social life. The stereotypical best-friend-jealousy-and-ultimate-betrayal.

I'll save you the time reading the book by giving a one-sentence summary: The engagement between Dex and Darcy is called off because they are both having affairs, and Rachel loses her life-long best friend Darcy (who ends up being pregnant with her lover's baby) in exchange for Darcy's ex-fiance.

I wouldn't recommend this book. In addition to content, the book is seeped with frightening philosophy like the end justifies the means and just do what you feel like doing, live in the moment, and don't think about the repercussions.

Book Lists: Vacation Reading Buffet

Salad Bar. Smorgasbord. Mishmash. Array. Hodgepodge. Assortment.

Above you will see the books that I chose for my vacation at the beach. Yes, our vacation is only a week long, but I want to have a wide variety of choices. We'll see which ones spark my interest. I spent over two hours at the library yesterday perusing the shelves. It was lovely.

And if this potpourri were not enough, I bought Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and Searching for God Knows What by Don Miller yesterday. And. I have several Christian non-fiction books that are sitting on my bookshelf waiting patiently. And. I would also like to read Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. Yes. Call me crazy.

I'll report back after vacation.

Book Report: The First Part Last: Angela Johnson

This book took a little over two hours to read. Its vocabulary was easy, and its chapters were short. The book is set in New York City. The readers are experiencing the story from the point of view of Bobby, the sixteen-year-old dad. Bobby is reflecting on the present and the past. The "then" and "now" chapters lead to the climax of the book which is the baby's earlier-than-expected birth, the explanation as to why the mother is not involved, and the ultimate decision not to give the baby to adoptive parents.

It was interesting to read the book from a teen dad's point of view. Bobby had an unbreakable love and attachment to the baby, which to be honest, is hard to believe of a teenager.

My favorite part of the book is when Bobby is kept after class in Lit. His teacher is asking about parenthood, but it is clear that the teacher doesn't know what to say. The teacher abruptly leaves the room. This scene was crisply realistic.

Book Report: I'll Be Seeing You: Mary Higgins Clark

I enjoy mysteries, so I was curious to see how Mary Higgins Clark crafts her stories. This book was good to begin reading if I had trouble sleeping...because it quickly put me to sleep. That's the only strength I could find about this book. I considered not finishing it, but I know that I should complete every book for which I write a report.

If it were half as long, it might have been better. It seemed like it dragged on forever. Maybe Clark is running out of interesting plot lines and complex characters. Or maybe I just picked the wrong Clark book to read. It was confusing to read because of the omniscient point of view - the reader bounced from one character's thoughts to another's too often. At times it was difficult to keep the characters straight. In addition to that, there was a cheesy love story intertwined. Bleh.

Yes, I know this review was brutal. Maybe I'll eventually try another one of her books with an open mind.

Book Report: Waiting for Godot: Samuel Beckett

The alternate title should be Waiting for This Book to End. It is an absurdist play. There are five characters total, but two for the most part are on the stage and exchange dialogue.

There is constant memory loss. They can't remember where they've been or what they are supposed to be doing.

A man named Pozzo passes through with his slave called Lucky, who is attached by a rope. Lucky is physically abused and treated like an animal. He wants to please his master and will do any to make him happy.

The dialogue continues forever. The two characters, Vladmir and Estragon, sit by a tree fighting, waiting for Godot to show up. They wait and wait, until waiting drives them mad. Godot does not come when he said he would, and he actually doesn't show up at all. Is this a commentary on how God is distant? Is this a commentary on how human's lives are meaningless?

Book Report: Dead Until Dark: Charlaine Harris

There is little to say about this book. If you've heard anything about Stephanie Meyer's books, there will be nothing new for you. We've got vampires, women fascinated with vampires, shape shifters, murders, lust, and desire.

Of course, a human female falls deeply in love with a male vampire. Here's the spin: she can read others' minds, but she is fascinated that she cannot read her vampire's mind. Sound familiar?

Vampires are now trying to "mainstream" into human society. They can go to bars and order synthetic blood in order to control their cravings. I thought this was mildly creative. I did enjoy the murder-mystery vibe at times. Also, it was cool that she became super-human because she was "bitten". Yeah, I'd like to hold up the couch with one hand, too.

I wouldn't recommend this book. I would be remiss in mentioning its adult-nature. It's like the content of the last book of the Twilight series on crack and maybe steroids.