Book Review - Beyond Molasses Creek

Okay folks, I am beginning my year with posts of a couple of my favorite subjects:  books and karate. I will post a cooking item soon, that should wrap up the big three in my favorites category.

My first February book review is for the book "Beyond Molasses Creek" by Nicole Seitz.  I have to say that I enjoy reviewing books for Booksneeze because it is a branch of Thomas Nelson publishing.  Most of these books have a Christian message, some subtle, some not so subtle.  This book left it out entirely.  The setup was there.  The opportunity to show a need and a trust in GOD was ready to be taken.  It was ripe, almost falling from the tree.  Yet it was ignored.

That aside, it was a very unique storyline.  Ally Green comes home because her father has died and she must take care of his, now her, house.  Vesey Washington,  Ally's across the creek neighbor and best childhood friend, appears just when she needs him.  Their friendship has withstood racial tensions, years of absence, and forbidden love.

A woman half a world away, Sunila, also ties into the story.  She is different from all those around her and she is an artist in a gravel pit.  She must find out why she is different and where the "book" came from that she cannot read, but she knows holds all the answers.

Nicole Seitz does a wonderful job weaving the three stands of the characters together.  It is not often you find a story told from three different points of view.  Two of the characters share a common background.  Two search for their past and their future.  Once character is sure of his life and his choices, while one had no choice and the last felt her choices may not have been right at all.

Each is looking for something to guide them, a reason to go on, a purpose to fulfill.  With the void in their lives, they feel aimless, yet driven to find and reach their goal.  Their stories come slowly together revealing just enough at a time to keep you turning pages, but not so much that you get lost in the overload of information.

Beyond Molasses Creek invites you to travel through time to a place where characters are shaped and choices are made.  And the work it takes to live with the consequences.

A little fun with books

My sister posted a fun video on her blog about books at night once the bookstore closed.

I found this one and thought it would be fun to share with you.



Have a great weekend everyone!  May you find time to snuggle in with a good book (or two).

Another Book Review - First Date

Here we go, another BookSneeze book for review.

Pretty soon I'm going to have to give in and read, and then review, and nonfiction book.  For now I have attacked a fiction book by Krista McGee entitled, "First Date".

This wonderful book is a cross between the TV show "The Batchelor" and the book of Ester from the Bible.  Jonathon Jackson is the President's son.  Addy Davidson is a bookworm who avoids the spotlight.  Both of them find themselves on a reality TV show called "The Book of Love" to find Jonathon a date for his senior prom.

Jonathon must pick one lucky girl from the pool of 100 young ladies from all over the United States.

This was a very fun read.  I could not put it down.  This would be a wonderful book for a young teen girl to be encouraged when trouble comes.  I enjoyed the modern day twist on the book of Ester.  It brings the lessons we are supposed to get from the Bible in to better focus.  As Christians, this book reminds us to not answer anger with anger, and to try to understand those who might be against us a little better.

While there are lessons to be learned from this book, it is not a heavy read, nor one filled with suspense or terror.  I enjoyed the well crafted storyline and the way the author mixed the contestant interviews between the chapters to allow us to get to know the girls a little better.

If you have just finished a long book that required lots of contemplation between chapters (or sentences, for that matter) and need a "refresher" book to help clear your mind and bring a little joy to your heart, this is the book for you.  I recommend this book to anyone who just wants a light read.  It will get you to thinking about yourself and how you handle those troublesome people in your life.

As you read this book, you will cheer for Addy, feel for Jonathon, and despise Hank.  Then you will finish the book and find that your initial reactions may have been off base.

I am looking forward to reading many more books by Krista McGee.  If they are anything like "First Date", I'm sure to enjoy them all!

I'll admit it....I'm a reader.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I like books.  I think that is an understatement.  I really like books.  I will read most fiction genres and a few non-fiction as well.  If there is an occasion to get me a gift you can go one of few ways, a gift card to Staples or Chipotle  (both of which require their own post) or a gift card to a book store.  My face will light up and then my eyes will glaze over as I start to ponder which of the many books I will purchase from my every growing wish list.

(This is the book shelf in the computer room.)

My sister feeds my addiction.  She sends me links to book blogs, emails me titles of books I "have got to read", and even brings me books she has finished reading so I may read them without tracking them down or having a due date stamped on the inside.

My husband has learned how my yearning for stories influences where we live.  During our moves (there have been three so far in our 12 year marriage) while house hunting, I also look at the local library.  I have mapped them out and made him drive by and if they are open, I go inside to check things out.

 (Books from one of the libraries we visit...often)

My parents lived with and understood my need for reading.  My sisters were allowed to check out five books at a time from the library growing up.  I was allowed ten.  Mom knew I would still finish them before our next trip to the wonderful building filled with shelves and shelves of books.

I have a tote bag that is used for nothing but toting books while we are on vacation.  I take no fewer than six but usually more like 8 or 10 books on long trips.  If I am sitting still for more than 60 seconds, I pull out my book and pick up where I left off.  Yes my wonderful husband has asked me to take books out of my purse and leave them at the hotel so we can talk in the car instead of me reading the whole time.  I oblige him most of the time.

I am known by a few ladies in my neighborhood as the book lady.  I have loaned books to friends and neighbors and have recommended series of stories to mothers for their children for summer reading (I mean well kids, I really do).

(Book shelf in bedroom.)

Well, it has come full circle.  My oldest little m has discovered the joy of reading on his own.  He is devouring chapter books this summer like they are candy.  He reads in bed, in the car, in the five minutes before supper he even squeezes in a few pages.  What is a mom to do?

Get him a tote bag and take him to the library the day before we leave for vacation.

Happy reading all!!