A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck

Having just finished a pretty heavy classic, I decided to find a quick, fun read.  Someone gave me a stack of Newbery Award books a while back, and since I remembered loving A Year Down Yonder by the same author, I chose this one.  Turns out that A Long Way from Chicago is the prequel to A Year Down Yonder, and it's every bit as entertaining.

With chapter headings such as, "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground," and "A One-Woman Crime Wave," you know you're not in for your run-of-the-mill coming-of-age novel.  Told from the perspective of a young boy, it chronicles the summer visits of Joey and his sister, Mary Alice, as they visit their eccentric, cranky, and very large grandma in her small town.  In each chapter, you get to watch the children grow up, but you also learn just a snippet more about Grandma. After each adventure you fall a bit more in love with her--her faults as well as her good qualities.

I would totally recommend these books for kids age nine or ten and up--real gems!

Book review of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

The term "tree-hugger" has always carried a somewhat negative connotation for me--it brings to mind hippies living in tents or rallies to "save the spotted turtle!"  Forgive me if you are yourself a tree-hugger, but there you have it.  So I assumed that was what I was in for when our book club decided to read this.  Plus it's non-fiction, not my favorite category . . . but I was willing (reluctantly) to have a go--for Barbara Kingsolver's sake, since I loved her fascinating book, The Poisonwood Bible.

Would it be too trite to say this book changed my life?  Okay, maybe not quite that, but it has changed my thinking about food--probably forever, and I think for the better.  In the author's own words, here is the gist of the book:

"At its heart, a genuine food culture is an affinity between people and the land that feeds them.  Step one, probably, is to live on the land that feeds them, or at least on the same continent, ideally the same region.  Step two is to be able to countenance the ideas of 'food' and 'dirt' in the same sentence, and three is to start poking into one's supply chain and learn where things are coming from.  In the spirit of this adventure, our family set out to find ourselves a real American culture of food, or at least the piece of it that worked for us, and to describe it for anyone who might be looking for something similar.  This book tells the story of what we learned, or didn't; what we ate, or couldn't; and how our family was changed by one year of deliberately eating food produced in the same place where we worked, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air.  It's not at all necessary to live on a food-producing farm to participate in this culture.  But it is necessary to know such farms exist, understand something about what they do, and consider oneself basically in their court.  This book is about those things." p. 20

Barbara Kingsolver literally takes you home with her--home to her family's little farm in Virginia, where she gives you a glimpse of their life during each month of this "locavore" (eating local & homegrown foods) experiment.  But she doesn't stop there.  She opens your eyes about the real dangers of the processed, industrial foods we are eating every day.  That is all fine and good, but what I loved the most was her emphasis on connecting with your family--on making mealtime a gathering time--both in eating and in meal preparation.  It rings true to me and reminds me of what Sister Julie Beck said recently about our families:

"Live in your home so that you’re brilliant in the basics, so that you’re intentional about your roles and responsibilities in the family. Think in terms of precision not perfection. If you have your goals and you are precise in how you go about them in your homes, youth will learn from you. They will learn that you pray, study the scriptures together, have family home evening, make a priority of mealtimes, and speak respectfully of your marriage partner. Then from your example the rising generation will gain great hope." (Julie B. Beck, "Teaching the Doctrine of the Family," Ensign, Mar. 2011, emphasis added)

Kingsolver speaks of the joys of holidays because of the food--and how that's not a bad thing, contrary to the popular dieting fads of today:

". . . [M]ost of America's excess pounds were not gained on national holidays.  After a certain age we can't make a habit of pie, certainly, but it's a soul-killing dogma that says we have to snub it even on Thanksgiving. . . . Planning complex, beautiful meals and investing one's heart and time in their preparation is the opposite of self-indulgence.  Kitchen-based family gatherings are process-oriented, cooperative, and in the best of worlds, nourishing and soulful.  A lot of calories get used up before anyone sits down to consume.  But more importantly, a lot of talk happens first, news exchanged, secrets revealed across generations, paths cleared with a touch on the arm.  I have given and received some of my life's most important hugs with those big oven-mitt potholders on both hands." p. 288

From a literary standpoint, Barbara Kingsolver has such a way with words!  She is like unto Alexander McCall Smith--you find that when you end one of her chapters, she has somehow come full-circle with its introduction. You'll have to give the book a try to see what I mean.  And if you'd rather just browse through her delicious recipes, check out the book's website.  Overall, I walked away from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle with renewed desire to make our family mealtime something special and purposeful.

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis

My good friend Jera brought this book over--somehow she ended up with two copies.  I can't think of the last time (if ever) I have read a whole book about our Founding Fathers, although I always have the best of intentions--I have a few of them on my "to-read" list on Goodreads . . . Since this one wasn't too thick (which is what usually scares me away from historical books or biographies), I decided to give it a try.  So glad I did--this one really got me thinking about our founding fathers and their contributions to the life we live today, as well as how far we have strayed as a nation from some of their original ideals.

Taking sort of a back-door approach, Ellis looks at some less-written-about episodes or aspects in the lives of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, and Burr (i.e. unlikely friendships, Washington's farewell address, the duel between Hamilton & Burr) and uses them to paint a picture of what things must have really been like for these amazing men.  He does make a lot of assumptions, which troubled me at times, but he is a beautiful narrator; never once did I feel bored with it.  There were several moments during my reading when I was disenchanted with these great men, but just as I thought Ellis was going to knock them off my personal pedestal, he came full circle and restored my faith in their inspiration.  Well, maybe not Aaron Burr so much . . .

So yes, I would highly recommend it as a springboard to heftier historical or political reading. It has inspired me to attack John Adams by David McCullough.  Do you think I can handle it?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I've found the perfect book for you to start right now.  You've probably already read it (if your a female and belong to my generation or older) or at least heard of it, but isn't it nice sometimes to be reminded of great books?

And this truly is a great one--a healing book, as Oliver Van DeMille would say--one that is not only entertaining, but also beautiful and full of little pearls of wisdom--it makes you want to be better.

Little Women is a true American classic.  Set in Civil War New England, it narrates several years in the lives of the March sisters--Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.  It begins right at Christmas time, which makes it an ideal book to start right now, then to keep reading throughout the new year.  It's very inspiring.  I used to want to be like Meg--beautiful, sweet and motherly, and while I enjoy reading about her experiences as a new wife and mother, Marmee is my real hero.  Now that I have my own kids, I treasure her wisdom and want to emulate the love (and PATIENCE!) she shows her own children.  Take this little tidbit, for example:

"'[Your father] showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. . . . the love, respect and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.'"

I love this parenting advice:
"Mrs. March knew that experience was an excellent teacher, and when it was possible she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier, if they had not objected to taking advice . . ."

And talking with Jo:
"'If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me.  My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do your earthly one.'"

You just don't hear things like that in books anymore--they would be considered too moralistic, too religious. But how beautiful and true they are!  And if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or praiseworthy, shouldn't we seek after these things?  I think all daughters should be encouraged to read this book--all mothers too.  Why not at the same time?  Talk about what you read and the chocies the sisters make.  It may be old-fashioned, but the principles are every bit as important now!

Children of the Promise Series by Dean Hughes

These books were given to me by a neighbor several years ago, and I promptly tucked them away on a shelf.  I liked their pretty covers, but I wasn't in the mood for LDS fiction (honestly, I'm never in the mood for LDS fiction).  But having nothing to read a while back, I thought I'd give them a sporting chance.  So, dust covers removed, I began to "plow" my way through the series . . . or so I thought.  Instead, I found myself completely drawn in by Hughes' writing style, the stories, and the characters themselves.

He really did his research--I have to applaud that.  Although the main characters are fictional, almost everything that happens in the series is based on fact.  It follows the Thomas family, an LDS family living in Salt Lake City preceding, during, and following World War II.  With realistic dialogue, likeable characters, and a thrilling, fast-paced storyline, I didn't want to put the books down.  Any of them.  I think what I liked the most was learning about a piece of my family's history--both of my grandpa's served in WWII, and seeing what things were like for both them and their family and girls back home really struck a chord with me.  Very much worth reading, especially at this time of year--it begins around Christmas-time and describes the varied Christmases the family experiences as they spread all over the world.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

I loved the title of this book and the cover, but when I read the summary I wasn't too excited.  However, lest I scare you away, let me preface my summary by telling you that I ended up really liked it.  A quick read--it moved along pretty swiftly.

Callie Vee is a preteen girl growing up in 1899 Texas.  The story takes place in the summer and fall of the year, just before the turn of the century.  Callie, surrounded by rowdy brothers and expected to learn to knit and sew and become a debutante (yes, I had to look it up--I totally thought it meant something else . . .), discovers in her grandfather both a friend and mentor.  Together they study the species of flora and fauna near their home while he instructs her in everything from Darwin to Copernicus, Chopin to Vivaldi.  The title sums up the story beautifully--while Callie is studying evolution, she herself evolves and makes many self-discoveries.

This book was clean--maybe a light cuss word or two?  I can't remember, but I truly enjoyed it (the book, not the cussing).  There were a few coming-of-age things that younger kids wouldn't get--not bad or anything, just scientific things about animals mating, etc.  I would say twelve and up would be old enough to read it.  Kelly has a very entertaining writing style, speaking from Callie's point of view; modern enough that you can empathize with her, yet with enough old-fashioned qualities to set it apart from a lot of the junk being written nowadays.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

We are reading this book for our book club, and I admit I wasn't very excited about it.  The name sounded quite forbidding and sermonizing somehow, and as I thumbed through the pages, I saw little or no dialogue.  But since it is a Pulitzer Prize winner, I thought I'd better give it a sporting chance.


And I am so glad I did!  Both reflective and inspiring, but with a good story line (yes, it does have a story, even without the dialogue!) it wasn't preachy like I suspected.  Ironically enough, it is the fictional autobiography of a preacher in Gilead, Iowa, nearing the end of his life.  As he writes to the son who will not remember him, he discovers that even in old age there is much to learn.  It is so beautifully written!  Marilynne Robinson's writing style kept reminding me of C.S. Lewis in his more serious books (i.e. Mere Christianity, etc.).  No swearing that I can recall, and nothing inappropriate or risqué.


It was one of those books that made me contemplate how I treat others and what I judge them by.  It seemed to go right along with our prophet's words from the General Relief society meeting last weekend:


"Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: 'If you judge people, you have no time to love them.' . . . I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot. . . .I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others."


I hope you find time to read and enjoy this one!  And  Pres. Monson's talk too, if you have the chance!

Little House on the Prarie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This is a great series of books about Laura Ingalls Wilder. It talks about her life--how she lives in the prairie, a dugout and in lots of other homes.

My favorite book in this series is: On the banks of Plum Creek.


Jessica:  I grew up on these books and loved the pictures and stories.  As a mother, I thoroughly enjoy reading this series to my children.  I think it is so good for them to realize that life wasn't always as easy and convenient as it is now.  Plus the real-life situations the Ingalls family dealt with has helped spark discussion with my own children about how to deal with their problems.  A perfectly beautiful series!