The Kitchen House ~ Book Review

If you are looking for a book to read, and are not looking for a fluffy, light read, this is one I recommend.   "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom.  Here is a copy of the review I gave it on Goodreads:


The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was definitely moved by this tragic book and have found a hard time getting it out of my head. It is about a white Irish girl, Lavinia in the 1700's who, through circumstances begins living with the "servants/slaves" on the plantation of an American family. Lavinia comes to love her new family, even though her white skin sets them apart. Eventually, she is taken in by the "white" family. And, as she grows up, Lavinia is torn by love, family and loyalties. Though there are many tragedies, unspeakable happenings, and unbelievable actions, love and the importance of family shine through. The book is told through the points of view of Lavinia and of Belle, the "kitchen house" slave who (unbeknownst to the white family) is the master's illegitimate daughter. Although, this book is not a light read, I would definitely recommend it. It is one I will be reading again.


Have any of you read it?  What did you think?
What books do you recommend?  I'm always looking to add more to my reading list!

(scroll down to the bottom of the page to see other books I've read and review on Goodreads)

 

The Fault in Our Stars

I just finished reading a book.

A book that pulled me in instantly.

A book the left my eyes red
and my heart raw.
A book about trust.
A book about friendship.
A book about hopes and dreams.
A book about closure.
A book that talked about pain,
physical and emotional pain.
A book about truth.
A book about love.
True love.

What book?

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

(Source - Goodreads)

I loved this book.  I fell in love with most of the characters but especially the two main characters:

Hazel Grace ~ a 16 year old girl who has been diagnosed with stage IV terminal thyroid cancer along with Metastatic tumors in the lungs.  And after being accepted into a drug trial, she is given an extended death sentence.  But how long will that be? Days, months, a year? She, nor anyone else knows.  But she does know she will die and she wants to limit those who will be hurt by her death, so she keeps to herself mostly.  Hazel even says, "I'm a grenade and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?"

And, there is:

Augustus Waters ~ a 17 year old boy Hazel meets at a cancer support group.  He is in remission from osteosarcoma, of which he lost a leg.  Augustus is a boy who wants to leave some sort of mark on the world and be remembered for something.  
He states: "If you don't live a life in service of a greater good, you've gotta at least die a death in service of a greater good, you know? And I fear that I won't get either a life or a death that means anything.” 

The two of them begin to hang out together ~ talking on the phone, texting and watching movies.  Soon their friendship evolves into more, and as much as Hazel Grace tries to keep her distance to "minimize casualties" the love they feel for each other wins.  

Augustus tells her,  "I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.” 

What happens to Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters?  I won't say, but I do urge you to read this book.  It is definitely one I will be reading again......

 Oh, and this book is coming out in movie form the beginning of June ~ and while I am a firm believer that the books are ALWAYS better than the movies, here is a clip of the trailer for you to enjoy:



I've decided that I will probably have to wait for it to come out on dvd.  I'm pretty sure I will be having myself an ugly cry during it, and I think I would rather do that in the pleasure of my own home.

Oh, and if you read this book and you find yourself amongst the reviewers who disbelieve that a child dying of cancer could find a way to choose to live as Augustus puts it ~ “I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend.”  I invite you to read this info about an amazing young man, Zach Sobiech (google him ~ there is so much about him out there). He was only 18 when he died from complications of osteosarcoma.  He seemed to have a beautiful outlook on living and dying.  He was a musician and wrote music to help himself and his family cope with his disease. One of his most popular songs is titled  "Clouds"  
A few of the lyrics say:

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now






The thing is, is we all are going to die, I will die ~ Eventually.  Maybe I will be "young" or "old".  Maybe disease will take over my body and stop my heart.  Maybe a car accident or another type of accident will lead to my death.  I truly don't know ~ none of us do.

What I do know, like the characters in this book.  I can choose to live my life every day.  I can smile, I can give and accept love.  Like Augustus tells his friend Isaac following Isaac's surgery to remove his only visual eye (due to cancer) leaving him blind: "You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!”

That is true for all of us ~ good and bad, we live.  And that is exactly the point ~ remember to live in the present ~ everyday.

Want to discuss this book more or see what others think?  Check out the Book Club discussion at A Beautiful Mess

Ordinary Miracles Monday (1)

Ordinary Miracles.......

Miracles are defined as (via dictionary.com):

1.  an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural  

     powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
2.  such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God.
3.  a wonder; marvel.
And we all know what Ordinary things are ~ words like simple, typical, uninteresting, plain, usual, uneventful and boring.

But, what if, we put these two things together.  What if, we change the way we look at the ordinary things, people and events in our lives.  What if we see all of our day to day events as miracles? What about the things and people we see every day?  How would our perspective change if we chose to see our ordinary days as miracles that we should find wonder in and be thankful for.

Every Monday, lets come together and share about the ordinary in our lives that we have chosen to see differently, as miracles..... Ordinary Miracles.  After all, that is what my blog, my minuscule little corner of the www is suppose to be all about ~ finding the beauty every day, even if it doesn't look/feel beautiful.

Ready, here we go:

Saturday, Hubby and Action went out of town for a boy's weekend filled with ice fishing fun. And while they were missed greatly,  Sassy, Smiley and I found ourselves in the midst of a very quiet weekend, free of plans, sports (except for an hour long pitching clinic last night) and "to do's".

Saturday, we didn't do much of anything.  I was able to revel in relaxing on the couch and finished a book ("The Bright Forever" by Lee Martin if you are wondering, and no, I wouldn't recommend it.).
Sassy made cookies (so good) and I was able to watch her and Smiley working together in the kitchen ~ giggling and having fun. No arguing or fighting.  We went to church, we ate dinner together and the three of us sat in the dark living room together watching Cinderella.  And once Smiley went to bed, Sassy and I watched "The Help".  It was so nice just spending time together with my girls.

Sleeping in on Sunday morning was a wonderful way to start the day.  Smiley asked if we could go swimming and I put my planned agenda  aside and said, "yes".  After all, unscheduled weekends are hard to come by anymore.  We swam, splashed and laughed.  As much as I hate slipping into a swimsuit in the dead of winter with my pale, pasty legs, it was simply lovely.  The smiles on the faces of my girls was pure satisfaction.  Later in the afternoon, we made pretzels.  Such a simple thing to make.  But, we worked together mixing and kneading the dough.  We laughed together while we compared pretzel shapes.   We smiled together as we ate our creations.

Such a simple weekend, an ordinary weekend, but one that will always be engraved in our memories, as a series of Ordinary Miracles.

Let me know in the comments section, what have you seen as an Ordinary Miracle in your life lately?

Something to Think About Sunday

In the past, when I was a more regular blogger, on Sundays I use to post something called "Something to Think About Sunday".  Most often these posts consisted of quotes, phrases or songs that got me thinking (examples: shoveling, cleaning, honk, dog).  Today is no different.

Awhile ago, I read a book titled "Kisses from Katie"

I reviewed it on my Good Reads account and here is what I wrote:

It takes an extremely strong woman (in mind and faith) to leave everything she new ~ the wealthy comforts of home ~ to go to another country to serve those less fortunate (which is an extreme understatement). At the age of 19, Katie has more love and compassion than so many of the people I know. Her love of God and the desire to serve and follow him is simply inspiring. I definitely recommend this book.

I read the book back in February and it's words continue to creep into my mind and heart.   

Let me give you an example: A couple of months ago our family had to make some decisions.  These decisions had to do with my husbands job.  His company was bought out a little over a year ago.  Things were changing ~ he had to reapply and reinterview.  He was offered a continued position with the new company, but wasn't so sure he was interested.  You see the new company is much larger than the old.  He was concerned about the new direction, and becoming just another dispensable number.  He was concerned about the lack of customer service and the way the new company treated their customers.  It was becoming something and someone he wasn't.  It was stressful not wanting to be where he was, but not knowing what was going to come.   Regardless of what he ultimately decided to do, we knew we would be ok.  And while we were stressed out and unsure, I knew that we were still so fortunate compared to so many.... compared to too many.

I kept coming back to this book and this quote/story written and witnessed by a 19 year old girl who has uprooted herself to make a difference and help those who are truly in need:

"During our one night hospital stay, doctors diagnosed sweet baby Patricia with pneumonia and severe malnutrition.  Her HIV test came back negative and I praised Jesus for that.  In the hospital, I fed her high-energy formula and then took her home to continue to care for her until she was well.  For the first twenty-four hours, I could hardly stand to look at her.  The hurt and the hunger in her lifeless little eyes were simply unbearable.  Every time I changed her diaper, it was filled with large worms - big, fat earthworm-sized worms.  To add to her misery, she could hardly sleep at night because of the cough that assailed her weak little body."

You see, this problem and stresses because of it that we were facing felt daunting, confusing and frustrating.  But as I reread this passage and many others, I was reminded to find perspective.  My family has food on the table.  We have clean water.  We are healthy.  We have family and friends we can go to in times of need.  I'm not saying that times will not come that we lose hope, hurt, cry, stress, want to quit or give up, break down or become hungry ~ physically or emotionally.  This is part of being human.  But I just hope that we can find the light where there is darkness and to keep it all in perspective.