by Muriel BarberyI read this for the monthly book club I attend at our local library. Honestly, I really did not enjoy the book. To me, it was a "slow" read because it seemed to drag on and on. In fact, I had not even finished it before our book club meeting date last week. Luckily (well, maybe not so luckily), we were iced/snowed in last week and the meeting was rescheduled for this week. I did finish the book, but I had to make myself do it. I didn't like the way the two characters just told their feelings and thoughts and quite a few chapters went off on psychological/philosophical discussions. And then to top it off, the ending was terrible! (Ok, I guess this wasn't really a good review, just my opinion.)
I love this book that outlines Stacy's Library of Memories system. This was my third time to read through the book over the last couple of years, and I always get inspired to implement something new in my LOM system or get an inspiration for a layout. Stacy recently posted plans for the upcoming LOM 2011 workshop and I'm looking forward to making adjustments and additions to my system again during that workshop.
by Charles R. SwindollThis book is the second in the Great Lives from God's Word series by Swindoll. In this book he delves into the story of Esther, revealing God's hand at work throughout the story. This was my third or fourth time to read this book. I was motivated to re-read it in preparation for the talk I gave several weeks ago at the Ladies' Meeting at our church and the Bible Study I'll begin teaching this week.
Near the end of the book, as Swindoll is retelling the establishing of the Feast of Purim, one thought stood out to me. He reminds us that it is important to remember and celebrate the things we have overcome in our pasts. Instead, often when
"we look back, we don't remember the times of celebration, the great birthday parties, memorable wedding anniversaries, the joys of an evening around the fireplace, the pleasures of family togetherness. You know what we remember? We remember things like earthquakes or tornadoes or hurricanes or floods."
One of the things I love about scrapbooking is that it allows me to remember and record the times of celebration in my life. It also allows me to document the adversities and difficult times that I've come through.
I'm looking forward to a little reading time later today since we have once AGAIN received some snowfall here in the we-shouldn't-have-this-much-snow-in-one-year state of Texas! Please let me know if you've finished any good books lately.
That's an interesting list, Melissa, and I didn't know about the new Stacey Julian class. I started the last LOM but just never managed to complete it. I'm currently enjoying Alexandra Johnson's "On leaving a trace", about keeping a journal. I bet Esther's would have been fascinating. I wonder if that would be an interesting spiritual exercise for participants in a Bible Study - to take a little section of Esther's story, and rewrite it as if you were Esther writing her journal ... Sorry, thinking aloud here!
ReplyDeleteI will have look for the Photo Freedom book. This is such an area that I need improvement in. You are right about The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I felt like it was really summed up in the last few pages and was slow getting there. We did a Beth Moore study on Esther last year and it was amazing what we learned. Perhaps I will look into the Swindoll book.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting reviews Melissa - I'm always interested in what you have been reading. I have just finished up this month's Pass The Book - title to be revealed soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to Stacy's blog. I found her info a bit confusing, but I sure understood that 2010 LOM students get something for FREE, which I suppose we'll get an email about later in the year.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxiously awaiting taking LOM for the FIRST time!!!
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