Did anyone read Infidel?

I started this book back in July or August and and just barely finished it yesterday. Like the Zookeeper's Wife, it took me awhile to read this book because of all the facts to take in and all the people to keep straight.

I found it both interesting and sad to learn about the conditions under which people still live in the world today. You would think that by the beginning of the 21st century, we would be a more civilized people, and yet there are still people who are doing barbaric things to one another. I can't imagine growing up under the circumstances that Ayaan did; being beaten by teachers and family, being persecuted because of your gender, and having no religious freedom. When I read the part about excision, I literally got sick. I didn't even know such a thing existed.

I think that the underlying theme of hope in this book is that even one person can make a great difference, even if they come from humble circumstances. Ayaan went through so much hardship and saw so much pain throughout her life, and she is still dealing with it today, along with death threats. It made me think of the Savior and his birth, where he grew up, how he died, and how he is by far the most influential person to ever live.

Zookeeper

I read this book a while ago, but I kept forgetting to blog about it.

I thought it was so great to get another perspective of WWII. I've done a lot of reading on the other locations during WWII, but not Poland. It was very educational. I was amazed at the true life heroism. Mandy and Kim, I like what you said. It's hard to understand how courageous people can be. I continued to be impressed by the valor and compassion this little family had.

Also, off of what Mandy said, I too was waiting for something dreadful to happen, but through it all they're family remained whole. That's truly incredible.

I must confess, I wasn't crazy with the writing style, but mostly because I just kept getting confused. There were SO many people coming in and out that I couldn't keep track of who was who! Which I'm sure would have been a problem for them as well. The other thing I struggled with was the timeline. It kind of jumped back and forth and I got really lost at times.

Overall, excellent read. There were so many lessons to take from this book. I tried to apply little things, just in thoughts and actions. When studying about WWII and the atrocities of the war it makes me vow to never judge a person based upon a stereotype or outward appearance. I think that's always something we can apply.

November's Book

Hey ladies I'm back and ready to read.  Sorry for being MIA.

But I've been enjoying reading The Last Lecture I hope you do to.  I look forward to your responses.

Love Bekah

The Zookeeper's Wife 2

It took me a while longer to read this book than I expected, but I have finally finished it!

Wow, what a story! This book made me wonder how many other stories similar to this one exist about others who so heroically risked their lives for others during WWII that have never been told. It made me realize the importance of keeping a journal and how valuable our history and records can be. Think if Antonina hadn't kept a journal; we wouldn't have the intimate insights that she gives as the life of a woman who suffered through the hardships of the war.

Mandy, I like what you said about courage. It seems that in many instances Antonina, Jan, and even little Rys all acted courageously in the face of danger. I can't fathom waking up each day not knowing if you are going to make it to the next. Bombs exploding nearby, airplanes flying overhead, everything you once knew being destroyed. Imagine standing bravely with your life on the line without even flinching. It was amazing how calmly Antonina acted in those situations and how quick she was to think of just the right thing to say. I don't know that I could have behaved so courageously, but I guess we never know what we are capable of until we are called to rise to the challenge.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters of the story, their personalities. I especially enjoyed reading about Magdalena, the sculptor, and the way music was used as a way to communicate messages. How grateful those people must be to Jan and his family for simply "doing their duty" (as Jan put it). And to think that all but a few of the 300 that were housed at the zoo and villa survived the war.

I also enjoyed learning new facts about WWII. I had no idea that the Polish people were treated so awfully, and that it was not just the Jews and Gypsies who were so cruelly treated and murdered. The fact that someone's mind and ideas could be so twisted as to think that the human race needed to be cleansed. . . . And not just one person's mind, but many. Ideas are a very contagious thing, and the influence of one evil person can be far-reaching as we have learned from history.

I was extremely impressed with the author. I liked her writing style very much. Her descriptions made everything in the zoo come alive. Her use of words was perfect. What a gift to be able to write like that!

Great book choice Mandy! I am excited for many more good books ahead!

The Zookeeper's Wife

Okay, I hope all of you like history...because I do and that's partly why I chose this book for us to read. I also just kept seeing it at the library and in book stores and I was curious to find out the story.

Antonina and Jan are heroic! Their defiance and their bravery in the midst of WWII was incredible! They were such good people at heart. It would have been so much easier for them just to hole up and wait out the war, but they offered their home and their assistance to others when it was desperately needed.  They also risked their own safety not to mention the safety of their son. I kept thinking "how can this family end up 'happily ever after', I mean we're talking about WWII here...and in Poland!" Anyway, I was pleased even at the end of the book.

I loved the author's descriptions. I felt like I was at the zoo, listening to the animals, or watching through the window as Antonina played her defiant tune on the piano to warn her friends of approaching danger. I also liked how she described a lot of the plants...but that was probably just me noticing that part(by the way there are many linden trees in Rexburg).

The thing I found myself contemplating the most throughout this book was courage. Would you or I have the courage to do what Jan and Antonina did if we were in a similar situation? I don't know, but I hope so. It disgusts me how humans can get so wrapped up in ideas and ideals that they forget how sacred and important life is. Anybody's life. 

Did anyone else have any thoughts about courage as you read? I look forward to reading your comments and opinions!

Help, I need somebody

Elle Elle thank-you SO much for letting me borrow your book The Help, which I will be able to get back to you someday.

Such a great book! I'm thoroughly enjoying this little club we started. It helps me know which books to read and boy are they good.

I love historical fictions and I thought this was an awesome first novel. All the characters in the book were so well developed and you felt special ties to them. It seemed like she had every kind of character. The strong willed can't have anyone tell me what to do, the leader of the pack, the meek follower of the pack, the strong one that doesn't recognize her own strength, the quite compassionate, the ditzy blonde...incorporating all different types.

I absolutely loved seeing the growth in Skeeter. I loved seeing who she was in the beginning of the book. An unsure,awkward follower of the crowd. She just tried to fit in. When she finally realized she didn't need to follow she really blossomed and turned into a strong, confident woman who could accomplish the unthinkable.

I liked all the relationships in the book all the friendships that were stronger than anything. This was also a book I could not put down. I had to know what happened.

I was a little disappointed with the end. I know it was a good way to end it, but I wanted more. I wanted to know what happened with Skeeter and Aibileen and even the crazy blonde.

Excellent book really opens your eyes the things that happened in our history and helps your realize how far kindness can go.

Hunger Games...

I think I enjoy books and movies when you have no idea what they're about until you read them. I was number 37 for this book at the library so my loving hubby found an audio book that we listened to on our drive to Oregon. When we arrived there at 2 in the morning, I had to keep listening.

When we got home from our trip we downloaded the other two audio books and listened to them in the evenings or while doing things around the house. Oh my goodness, such intense books I couldn't have waited between them. I had to find out what happened. I won't ruin it for any of you, but the ending was very well done. And she got the guy I wanted her to :)

This book was really amazing. I want to be able to dissect it and really understand the meaning like I used too, but oh man it was SO good! It's extremely sickening to even think about, children killing children for amusement. Like some sort of extreme survivor. I can't even fathom that it happened - the arena in ancient Rome.

Suzanne plays on all of our human emotions: fear, love, sympathy, greed, arrogance, patience...everything! She exaggerates our actions and it really makes you take a look at yourself and who you are and areas that you need to improve.

At the end of the series there's an excerpt from the author and she explains where she got the idea from and what she wants us to get out from the book. I recommend you look into it. It really helped me.

All I can really say is WOW


(and of course there making a movie coming out 2013)