Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

Nov 16

#24: Home (Toni Morrison)

by kennithfreeman

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I have been a fan of Toni Morrison’s work since first reading Beloved in college. I have read almost everything she has written (Song of Solomon is still unread after several attempts) and I always thrill when I see a new work of hers on the shelf. A few weeks ago I was blowing time in the bookstore when I saw Home sitting on the shelf. With a flight coming up in a few days, I knew this novel would be a part of the journey.

Home is the story of a veteran of the Korean War who makes his way home to care for his sister who is being abused in a medical facility. The plot seems simple enough; the novel is thrilling because of the deep characters introduced throughout and Morrison’s ability to effortlessly weave an enthralling story.

Home becomes much more than just a journey to a location. It is a return to family, memories, and roots.  I suppose that is partly why the novel resonated with me. I have returned to the home of my childhood. I despise the town that I live in. I am not fond of my current living situation. Despite it all, I treasure the people and memories that make up my Home. After all, Home is what makes me who I am…..similar to the concept so beautifully described in Morrison’s latest novel.

fiction

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Oct 26

#23: Wagner: A Case History (Martin van Amerongen)

by kennithfreeman

Having time to read has been a precious commodity of late. When I visited friends in southern California earlier this month, I took the time to finish a book that I had been reading. I wish I could tell you it was a great novel that was relaxing and purely for pleasure. Sadly that is not the case.

A few years ago, I wandered into a used book store and found the book about Richard Wagner. Love him or hate him, you have to admit that the man’s life and legacy is fascinating. I hadn’t seen the book before and the price was right, so I decided to take a chance and make the purchase. The book found a comfortable home on a shelf; I looked at it each time I needed a new book to read. Something else always grabbed my attention.

I finally got around to reading the book. And I’m no better for having read it. This work was truly a waste of my time. Why did I keep reading? That’s what I keep asking myself. I have a general rule that gives myself permission to put down a book at any point in the reading process. I refuse to put the pressure on myself to finish a book simply because I’m close to the end. I DO finish books for that reason from time to time, but it’s not something that is hard and fast in my mind. I kept reading in the hopes that I would stumble upon some nugget of information that would enlighten me in some way or that I might be able to use in a classroom lecture in the future. Nothing came of it.

Now that I’ve posted about READING the book, I’ll return it to its comfortable home on my shelf until something vies for that space. I don’t envision pulling this work off the shelf again in this lifetime.

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Sep 24

Update – Gone With The Wind

by kennithfreeman

Even though I am still plowing through this massive novel, I thought it might be worthwhile to give an update on how it's going and my general impressions so far.

I just began part IV of the novel at the beginning of the week. I began reading the saga of Scarlett while on vacation in late July with the plan to be done by early November (in time for Mitchell's birthday celebration). Reading became non-existent for a few weeks as I battled illness and began a new semester of teaching. I'm not as far into the novel as I had hoped to be by now, but I think I'm still on target for finishing up by my deadline. I have experienced times of needing to lay the book aside and read something else, mainly because I felt as though I was reading a synopsis of a bad soap opera. Honestly, how many times do I really need a description of Scarlett's dresses? Enough is enough!

My reaction to the novel so far has been mixed. On one hand, I find myself enthralled with the descriptions of the grandeur of the South and mesmerized by the characterizations presented. However, I must admit that much of the book seems a bit generic. Of course Scarlett is not able to have the man she truly loves! Anything else would be too contemporary for the American society that birthed Gone with the Wind.

One trend that has truly surprised me has been the portrayal of the men in the novel. Has anyone else noticed that every man in the novel is essentially weak and flawed? I have not found an exception to this rule yet. Each of Scarlett's beaux are easily manipulated by her charms. Gerald completely falls apart at the death of Ellen. Male slaves are dominated by the wills of the dominating cooks. Men who are presented as self-confident and powerful are viewed as ogres throughout the novel. I suppose I never realized what a strong feminist thread ran through the work. These characterizations may also explain why I am having a largely negative response to the novel as a whole.

I also struggle with calling Gone with the Wind a great American novel. While I value its historical place, I don't find it speaking to universal themes. Neither does it make a significant statement about important issues facing our society. When I think of great American novels, I am looking for something on the level of To Kill a Mockingbird's stance against prejudice or Huck Finn's pursuit of freedom and self-identity on the waters of the mighty Mississippi. Scarlett O'Hara's life raises many issues, but the novel fails to rise above the depravity of her self-indulgence.

I'm hoping that my opinion of the novel changes when I reach the final page. For now, I continue reading in order to say that I HAVE read the book and to laugh at the utter ignorance that Scarlett displays while the world around her is truly in despair.

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Sep 17

#22: Becoming a Person of Influence (John Maxwell)

by kennithfreeman

My reading life slowed down considerably for the past month due to some illness following traveling with family. Now things seem to be getting back to normal and I'm finding a routine again.

My latest book was John Maxwell's Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others. Books related to leadership are not my normal fare, but I found myself a bit discouraged regarding my interactions with others in almost every area of my life. As I browsed the shelves, I stumbled on the book and was captivated by the possibilities immediately.

Written in simple language, Becoming a Person of Influence should be read by anyone who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Whether you find yourself interacting with people in the board room, the classroom, or the sanctuary, this book can provide you with valuable insight into the impact you are currently making while offering realistic suggestions to begin improving your influence. I intentionally read the book rather slowly so I could digest the material and examine my own life. What I have discovered has provided correction in some areas and affirmation in others.

Personally, I struggle with having faith in other people. It's not easy for me to let go of a task that I can do better in a shorter amount of time. I tend to forget that people want to do something worth-while and that allowing them to do it (even when it's not how I would do it) allows them an opportunity to grow and develop their own skills. To conclude, here are two of my favorite passages from Maxwell's chapter on having faith in people.

“As you work to become a person of influence, always remember that your goal is not to get people to think more highly of you. It's to get them to think more highly of themselves. Have faith in them, and they will begin to do exactly that.” (Maxwell, p. 64)

“Not everyone has the natural ability to recognize past successes and draw confidence from them. Some people need help. If you can show others that they have done well in the past and help them see that their past victories have paved the way for future success, they'll be better able to move into action. Listing past successes helps others believe in themselves.” (Maxwell, p. 69)

leadership non-fiction

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Jul 28

Planning for Gone with the Wind

by kennithfreeman


I’ve always been interested in reading the classic novel but have always been afraid because of its size and status.  I’ve even been petrified by the film!  When I stumbled across the read-along, I suddenly realized this was my chance.  So I’ll be picking up my copy of the novel in the coming weeks and start reading on September 1.  I’m not sure what that will do to my other reading plans for the fall, but I know this will certainly feel like an accomplishment!  Stay tuned to see how I progress…….and if you’re interested, click the button above and join me on this adventure.

fiction Uncategorized

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Jul 21

#21: Between the Lines (Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer)

by kennithfreeman

My favorite author is Jodi Picoult.  Every year, I anticipate the release of her latest book and rush to the store on the day of its release to add it to my growing collection.  When I saw that she and her daughter had written a young adult novel, I must admit that I was rather skeptical.  Part of Picoult’s appeal is her willingness to tackle controversial contemporary topics while allowing her characters to grapple with the moral issues that arise as a result.  I knew that many of her topics would not be considered appropriate for a young audience and I wasn’t sure how her writing would translate into the YA genre.

Imagine my surprise when I was transported inside a fairy tale in which the handsome prince desperately wants to escape his life in the book.  As Prince Oliver dreams of escape, his cry of help is finally heard by Delilah, a teen reader who has become obsessed with the child’s fairy tale.  Picoult and Van Leer proceed to weave a masterful tale combining two conflicting worlds united by the growing love of Oliver and Delilah.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting a look “behind the curtain” as the characters in the fairy tale lived life while the book was closed.  The idea of not judging a book by its cover suddenly took on an entirely new meaning.

Thematically, Between the Lines addresses pertinent contemporary issues admirably;  the power of love, the impact of a parent’s death, and the search for self-identity are clearly explored in a meaningful way for teen readers.  I anticipate that many junior high and high school classes will find the work a compelling story to consider along standards of the American literary canon.  Until that time, Between the Lines will be a wonderful book for mothers and daughters to enjoy together that will open doors for communication between parent and child.

4 out of 5 stars!

fiction teen

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Jul 10

#20: Wild (Cheryl Strayed)

by kennithfreeman

Wild is not my typical reading fare.  Why did I pick it up, then?  It was the first selection of Oprah’s Book Club 2.0, the re-invention of the program that truly ignited my passion for reading as a teen.  I suppose you might say I read the book out of loyalty.

The memoir tells of Cheryl Strayed’s adventures along the Pacific Crest Trail as she hiked alone from southern California to the Oregon/Washington border.  Her lone journey allows her the opportunity to come to grips (finally) with her mother’s death, her failed marriage, and her life that is in shambles.  Facing one hardship after another, Strayed must come to terms with the truth that there are often situations for which she was not prepared.  The challenges of attempting to carry too heavy of a load, ill-fitting shoes, snow-packed paths, and muscle fatigue almost serve as symbols for the greater crises occurring in her life.

I read Wild as I began my own journey to personal fitness.  As I journeyed with Strayed on the pages of the book, I found myself encouraged as she overcame various challenges.  I was also enthralled as I realized that any journey worth taking brought with it struggle, uncertainty, pain, and fear.  Cheryl’s courage to push through those emotions while keeping her eyes focused on the goal that lay before her became my personal push to see things through as well.

Would I have normally enjoyed Wild?  Probably not.  I found myself getting bored with the descriptions of the scenery of the PCT (as beautiful as it was) and annoyed with some of the lengthy flashbacks.  Memoirs rarely feel as though they are entertaining reads.  Given my current life, however, I am happy to say I have read the book and believe that I will be better because of it.

memoir non-fiction

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Jun 13

#19: The 19th Wife (David Ebershoff)

by kennithfreeman

When I first began this fun method of reading for the summer, I was rather unsure of what I would find along the way.  I am very happy to say that I discovered The 19th Wife and enjoyed every minute of it!

Ebershoff’s novel is actually 2 stories in a single novel.  At the end of the 19th century, we follow Ann Eliza – the 19th wife of Brigham Young.  As the LDS Church is in its early years, we explore the role of polygamy and its impact on the wives, children, and community.  Ann Eliza chooses to divorce her “husband” and begins a national campaign to end plural marriage.

The Firsts, a 20th century sect of the LDS, continues to practice polygamy in Utah.  A member of the community of Mesadale, BeckyLyn, has been found guilt of murdering her husband.  BeckyLyn was the 19th wife of an upstanding leader in the Firsts community.  Now it is up to her gay son, Jordan, to return home to Utah — and the community from which he was excommunicated — in order to prove her innocence.

The novel’s combination of historical figures, factual accounts, and extraordinarily conceived characters make it an excellent read that is a cut above!

4.5 out of 5 stars!

fiction historical

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May 30

#18: The Betrayal (Helen Dunmore)

by kennithfreeman

Set in Stalin’s Russia, The Betrayal is a sweeping drama that centers around the tragic illness of child who loses his leg due to cancer.  Despite the doctor’s best efforts, the child succumbs to the illness and dies.  The saga addresses universal themes of parental responsibility, the corruption that comes with power, and medical ethics while providing interesting historical commentary on the Soviet regime that was respected and feared.

Helen Dunmore’s prose is exquisite, transporting the reader from the regal dance halls of Leningrad to the hellish nightmare of Moscow’s interrogation rooms and infamous prison cells.  Dunmore is certainly a gifted writer who I look forward to visiting again in the near future.

5 of 5 stars!

fiction secular

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May 23

#17: The Harbinger (Jonathan Cahn)

by kennithfreeman

Recently, a friend and colleague shared a book recommendation with me that was passed on to her by her mother. Initially, I thought the book sounded intriguing, but not something that I typically enjoy. While driving to Pigeon Forge last week for a few days of rest, I again heard the book referenced on talk radio. When I went into a local bookstore looking for my next read and stumbled upon the book, I decided to give in and read it.

The Harbinger is a Christian examination of Isaiah 9:10 and its prophetic fulfillment in 21st century America presented as a novel. Set in New York City primarily, the work follows a journalist who encounters a mysterious prophet throughout New England. The prophet points out the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah and then, through a series of engraved stones, begins to reveal the fulfillment of the prophecy in America beginning with the tragic events of 9/11. It’s only in the closing chapters of the book that it is revealed that the work is actually a “prophetic word” presented in the form of a fictional work in order to reach a larger audience.

I suppose we have to look at this work from two points of view. Simply as a book, the writing is easy to follow and has a decent flow to it. It’s not a terribly long read…..I plowed through it in a day and a half. Additionally, it is suspenseful. I found myself coming back time and again to find out what was happening next.

I will be the first to admit that I approach the few prophetic writings I read with lots of skepticism. While I don’t know that I agree with everything presented here, I must admit that the logic and parallels drawn between the situation in ancient Israel and modern America are laid out clearly and appear to be plausible. I further appreciated Cahn’s extensive footnotes to aid the reader in separating fact from contrived fiction.

Whether or not I agree with everything presented in the novel, the message is clear: America needs to repent and return to the God of her earliest foundations or face the judgment of God upon our nation. Simply by looking at our current situation as a nation, any Christian can see that our country’s political and moral choices do not reflect those of a Christian nation. It’s time for a change. The Harbinger may be just the read to draw the focus of many back to the precepts that are so important to “one nation, under God.”

 

Christian fiction non-fiction

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