Book Seventeen

8/27/2008 – The Shack by William P. Young ***
Why: Stacey Prestegaard gave it to me when she was out for my mom’s funeral
First Impressions: This was my first religious genre book and I was intimidated before I started to read it. That said, I was completely caught up in the story. I’m not sure I liked how they kept referring to the “Great Sadness” as if it was some sort of cliché and yet I understood how Mack felt and how overwhelmed he was in the years after Missy’s death. Emotions Felt: Surprise at how modern some of the religious thought seemed to me: that God would be depicted as a humorous African American women and that Sarayu was an Asian women and Jesus a homely Middle Eastern man. I appreciated the discussion on God’s perspective on following rules instead of living in him. A lot of it just really made sense. The middle of the book was a bit dense for me and I feel like I would have to re-read the passages with a highlighter if it were my book. While this book was clearly trying to get across a message, the message resounded with me. He’s not an incredible author and yet he did something profound. His book made me feel like I could have a different, more intimate relationship with God.
Remaining Questions: Wish I could hear a pastor’s perspective on the book and how it would be interpreted by the ELCA.
Favorite Quotes: pg. 56 “In one day, he had spent a year’s worth of emotions, and now he felt numb, adrift in a suddenly meaningless world that felt like it would be forever gray.” Pg. 80 “I’m done God. I’m tired of trying to find you in all of this.” My favorite quote said again and again, I am exceedingly fond of you.
Who Would Like This Book: Anyone who shares my spiritual thought. Sarah, I guess.

Book Sixteen

8/10/2008 – The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver ***
Why: Not sure. Was recommended by lots of independent bookstores and it was really cheap on half.com
First Impressions: This book is really, really long and a sad knock-off of the Sliding Doors movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. And yet, it was fictiony enough that I was very interested in the characters and wanted to know how it would end up with Lawrence Trainer and snooker player Ramsey Acton. The characters were exceptionally well developed. Interesting that Irina did not come across as an evil, unfeeling character even though she was a cheat in one storyline. She was a very real character. At first, I was very clearly wanting Irina to end up with Lawrence and thought I would get that conclusion. However, the novel seemed to say that neither outcome was better or worse, just different.
Emotions Felt: Much anger for Ramsey when he was being emotionally abusive, sadness and surprise when the couple became broke and Ramsey died of cancer and surprise that in both endings Lawrence and Irina did not get back together. In Irina’s & Lionel’s novel, the ending is not a Hollywood finish but requires more thought. I think this would be a great book club to discuss if it were not so long and naughty. Some of the fantasy scenes were quite indulgent for some readers.
Remaining Questions: Thinking about my own decisions and what my parallel universe would look like.
Favorite Quote: pg. 474 “Funny how you’re always waiting for your life to begin” pg. 483 when Ramsey apologizes and Irina answers back with the best moments of her life pg. 194 “But these moments were the stuff of life and they were the stuff of a good life (running out with the raincoat Lawrence forgot)
Who Would Like This Book: Maybe Kate but not sure. If you can get through the first 100 pages, the novel is a real winner.

Book Fifteen

8/5/2008 – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer **
Why: Everybody is doing it.
First Impressions: I knew that this would be the book to get me out of my slump. It worked. I finished the book in two days. I was initially embarrassed to have the book with me in public despite the fact that a million other adults are reading it too. This book is not the next Harry Potter. Not even close. It’s Sweet Valley High with a dark side.
Emotions Felt: Anger at Bella and the author that her character was such an insipid, love sick fool. I couldn’t get into the romance and that Bella would compromise her life wanting Edward to turn her into a vampire. I think the action towards the end of the book would make a great movie though. Jury is still out.
Any Remaining Questions: Wishing that Jacob had played more of a part in Book One. Hoping that he does in Book Two and that Meyer develops a compelling character. Not sure that Book Two is worth my time or my money though. What is the deal with Rosalie? And what are they going to do with Bella after her senior year?
Who Would Like This Book: not very cultured teenagers and those who have not seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer which is much, much better