Blogging again!

Almost two months later, here I am again. Blogging since 2006 recently seemed like too long a time. Having a vacation, various trips, and enduring the hot summer of south TX (which continues), I will attempt to get back to writing. 

So here is a random sampling of my retired life:

• I have gotten two postcards from Dee, who commented on my last post in July that she would like to exchange postcards! I have enjoyed her cards so much that I feel like I have found a new friend! It is really easy to write a few lines on a postcard and count it as "mail." 

• The Wisdom Class started again this past Tuesday with a new book that is sparking interesting conversations: The December Project: An Extraordinary Rabbi and a Skeptical Seeker Confront Life's Greatest Mystery by Sara Davidson.

 Although Reb Zalman died this past July, he spent the previous two years talking to Sara Davidson, a seeking and spiritually cynical writer, about dying and death, with stories about his life thrown in. It is very interesting how he met theologian Howard Thurman when he was a young man and thought he was the janitor!

Later, he came to admire him as his professor.

I liked how Reb Zalman described dying (or the "dark end"):

"I don't think it's all dark. Something continues. It's as if the body and soul are tied together with little strings. The closer you get to leaving, the more the strings loosen and the more you connect with greater awareness, the expanded mind." (6)

So often Americans look to Eastern religions for further answers, but it seemed time for us to look at Judaism, the foundation of Christianity in the Wisdom Class.

Reb Zalman and Sara Davidson

•  On the various trips we've taken, I have read a lot of books. I finished the witches trilogy by Diana Harkness with The Book of Life. It's been fun to read all three books; I even re-read the first two before reading the third when it was published this summer. Just days ago, I finished the latest Louise Penny mystery that features Inspector Gamache: The Long Way Home. Louise Penny writes better with each mystery; this one was excellent. 

• I found other books on my travels in independent book stores, so those will be on my list to write about in the near future. 

• And here is a wonderful quote about listening, which was our opening meditation in the Wisdom Class this past Tuesday:

• “Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we really listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that we never get tired of each other. We are constantly being re-created.”
  
  
  
                      ~~Brenda Ueland (1891-1985) writer, editor, teacher of writing
   

New Mystery Author (to me)

When I was at Book People (independent book store) in Austin on Friday, a "Book Person" worker asked me if I needed help as I wandered the mystery section. When he further queried who my favorite mystery authors were I could only think of two favorites: Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear. He took me directly to Terry Shames, whom I had never heard of. Trusting this guy who seemed to be a reader, I bought two copies, always wanting to support independent books stores (even though I buy too much online).

I have read half of A Killing at Cotton Hill, "A Samuel Craddock Mystery." (I see on Amazon that the Kindle copy is only $2.99.) I haven't decided if I like this character as much as Armand Gamache or Maisie Dobbs, but I am enjoying his common sense and quirkiness. He is the former chief of police in a small Texan town, who is admired and respected much more than the current, politically-appointed, drunken police chief. When a long-time friend is murdered, he starts to investigate. I like it so far and don't know how it will end yet. (Good sign for a mystery.)

Since I also bought the second book at Book People, I will easily read it next. Since it is a signed copy, I am assuming that the author was a featured speaker at Book People, which may be why they had multiple copies of her books, or they are just good.

The second one is entitled The Last Death of Jack Harbin. By the time I finish that one, I will be able to tell if I like these books and would recommend them.

Sorry: I'm too busy reading!

I've gotten hooked again on re-reading Patricia Cornwell mysteries. I keep checking them out of the library. This all started because I read her newest book in the spring, as recommended by my friend Paige. I couldn't remember all the past history of Kay Scarpetta, so I'll have to read the last book over when I get to it sequentially.

Besides that, I am still reading Living Buddha, Living Christ for the Wisdom Class and a book about Jung's letters about the God image entitled The New God Image: a Study of Jung's Letters on the Evolution of  the Western God Image, which luckily I purchased as a used book as it is an expensive one outright.

So my blogging is suffering with all this reading. I'm sorry I am not participating more in the blogging world currently. (And I found the image on my pinterest category "About Books.")

Too busy reading to blog!

I have been obsessed with reading the Matthew Shardlake mysteries by C. J. Sansom lately to blog. These take place in the time of Henry VIII and I love learning about that time in England with the controversial takeover of Catholic lands, the Papists, and the seeming Lutheran-type preachers and followers. It is so interesting! And I have almost finished the last and fifth volume!

Go here to find a list of these books.

Books, books, books!

I've been reading a lot lately, especially on the trip to and from Salt Lake City. So I thought I'd tell you what I'm reading and have liked.

Dissolution by C. J. Sansom is set in England in the time of Henry VIII. Oddly, I found this mystery series in a link at Wikipedia about Thomas Cromwell after looking him up while reading Wolf Hall on my Kindle. I then left Wolf Hall for later reading and started reading the series by C. J. Sansom by reserving the books at my local library. These mysteries feature the hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake, who struggles with his disability and how the changing marriages of Henry VIII that affect politicians, politics, and religion. He sometimes works for Thomas Cromwell. I am seeing the chaos that affected all walks of life at the dissolution of monasteries and am learning a lot of history.

Since I read the second book in the series first as it was available at the library when I began reading the series, I just finished the first one Dissolution in Salt Lake City. Now I am ready to start the third one

While in Salt Lake City, MJ and I visited a lovely independent bookstore called "The King's English." It was there that I found Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas as we wandered through the various small rooms of the old building. Like many independent bookstores, they have visiting authors. Sandra Dallas must have visited sometime because I have an autographed copy! I am thinking that this would be an enjoyable book club choice. It takes place in a small town in Colorado during WWII when a Japanese internment camp was located nearby. The story centers around a sugar beet farming family, through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl. It captures a time when fear of the Japanese was rampant, especially as these dust bowl people had never seen Asians before. Her father is a lone voice for reason and equality, and I am not sure what will soon be developing.

I am especially interested in this book because I remember asking my mother about the treatment of Japanese people in the USA after we lived in Japan for three years. I could not understand how that could have happened; she told me how fearful they were on the west coast after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fearing that the Japanese would invade and/or bomb their coast. I never could understand that attitude, so this book is helping me to get more of the measure of those times.

Last year when I visited MJ in Spain, I read A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness on my Kindle, because I saw it for sale at an exorbitant price in the DFW Airport (so I downloaded it there). I liked it so much that I gave it to my son BJ for his birthday last year, but I don't think he ever read it. How the book ended left the reader knowing there would be another book following it, which I've just received as I had pre-ordered it. The very thick Shadow of Night is sitting on my bedside table, but I have not started it yet.

My friend Nancy recently told me that she had pre-ordered it also but that she couldn't remember the first story. I only recall parts of the story and so may have to go back and skim A Discovery of Witches before I begin reading its sequel.

The Wisdom Class reading group at our church is almost finished discussing Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. We continue to have interesting discussions not only about the polarizing politics present in the USA now, but also how to hold different viewpoints in tension instead of jumping to one end or the other. Palmer is excellent about re-educating readers about the meaning of "democracy" and its history in the United States. I needed to learn again about its meaning.

The next book we will read is Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. We are taking a break until after Labor Day. I was introduced to this classic by Bonnie at Bonnie's Books.

Friday Five: Grateful Edition

Today's Friday Five is brought  by KathrynZJ for RevGalBlogPals and she asks us to relate five things for which we are grateful:

1 Blogging: .Back in 2009, I did a 26-day series of ABC's of Gratitude which I just perused and remembered with thanks.

It reminds me of my formerly enthusiastic days of blogging, when I would spend hours looking at and commenting on other blogs.  It was fun to have so much interaction with blogging friends, mostly RevGals. That's why I like the weekly Friday Fives, because connection is renewed each week, more like "the old days."

2. Family: I am grateful for my family, especially remembering our first child DC, who was born 33 years ago today.

3. Books: I love books and have too many of them! It has been fun to have a subcategory on Pinterest "About Books."  To go along with JFK's quote about gratitude, here's one from Jacqueline Kennedy that I had stored on Pinterest:

I go off on different trails reading books. I am currently re-reading Patricia Cornwell mysteries beginning with the first one published in 1990, while starting ones that take place in England at the time of Henry VIII by C. J. Sansom. At the same time I am still reading books about Jung and Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. I also recently started Wolf Hall on my Kindle, but am now going to save it to read on vacation. Wolf Hall is the reason I started reading C. J. Sansom's mysteries.

4. Vacations: Not quite a vacation, but still a trip, I am going to Salt Lake City next weekend to help MJ find a place to live while she goes to graduate school at the University of Utah. She will start in mid-August.

Our family vacation this year will be to Washington State (as usual) to visit family and friends. All our children and their partners will be with us for part of the week we spend on San Juan Island.

5. Friends: Friends are very important to me. I am lucky to have spiritual friends; book-reading friends; blogging friends; friends from my youth; eating friends; walking friends; WWF friends and the list goes on and on.

Books Without Batteries

I love books! And right now I am enjoying the newest novel of one of my favorite mystery writers (Jacqueline Winspear). It is a new hardback book so that I can loan it to friends and to my youngest daughter! It looks really good: Elegy for Eddie.

So I am going back to reading the newest Maisie Dobbs mystery!

Friday Five: Woman Edition

For today's RevGalBlogPals Friday Five, Revkjarla brings us this:

So, since I am in the WR mode, let's talk about women in your life!

1. Name a woman author you very much love to read.
Terri put down lots of mystery authors, whom I also love. However, I would like to add Jacqueline Winspear (author of Maisie Dobbs mysteries) to that list, along with Dorothy Sayers. I admire Karen Armstrong, too, and want to read more of her books.Other female spiritual writers I like to read are Emilie Griffin, Beatrice Bruteau, Ruth Burrows, Kathleen Norris.

2. Name a woman from the Bible with whom you would like to enjoy a nice long coffee talk.
Widow of Nain, Samaritan woman, Mary.

3. Name a famous woman from history with whom you would like to have lunch.
Queen Victoria, Julian of Norwich, Madame Curie, Cleopatra (after reading the recent "biography" of her).

I liked Purple's suggestion of the women who worked for women's right to vote. The person that kept coming to mind is not famous, but I'd like to have dinner with my mother's mother, who was a suffragette. I never knew her and would like to have a chat with her.

4. Name a living famous or infamous woman with whom you would like to go out to dinner.
Suu Kyi; I wish I could have sat in a dinner with her and Hillary talking recently!

Newsweek has a wonderful edition this week of the "150 Fearless Women in the World."

5. If you could be SuperWoman (o.k., I know you already ARE) what three special powers would you like to have? 
Endless energy, instant relocation abilities, healing.

Books, Mysteries, and Images

Lately, I am definitely reading more books than blogs.

I have found two new mystery writers by perusing the new books shelf at the local library. The first is Karin Slaughter, who writes of mysteries in Atlanta, GA. The other author combines books with mystery as the main quirky character is a "bookhound"--by Vincent McCaffery.

To find more fun images about books, both about reading and writing them, go here. This a picture album for Trying God's Patience, which is the Facebook page for auther Susan Wittig Albert, who writes the China Bayles' mysteries, which are set in the Texas hill country. Those are the mysteries that my friend Nancy got me started on this past October.

another image from Trying God's Patience

Checking In

I tried to post on the Kindle Fire I received for Christmas, but found typing on a new post impossible for an unknown reason. I tentatively tried to type just now on my computer, mainly because my orthopedic surgeon told me it would be possible--and it's easier than I had anticipated. Still, I am glad I pre-posted until Jan. 10 and kind of wished I'd done more planning ahead!

Surgery was Wednesday. Thursday was a very difficult day as I was in a lot of pain, which is what the anesthesiologist warned me would happen once the nerve block wore off. Whew--did I plummet into pain! Friday was a little better, and today I felt even less pain.

My husband removed the bandage dressings to reveal a longer incision (about 5 inches) than I had expected, though probably was previously instructed. I am glad I did not know about that earlier than today! CB then applied waterproof bandaids and helped me to take a shower. Yay!

Monday I go to my first physical therapy session, which I guess will be passive exercise. And Thursday I will see Dr. D. again.

During this recuperative time, I am mostly reading. I've read two more Charlie Moon mysteries (Grandmother Spider and White Shell Woman) by James D. Doss and a mystery in an ancient secret sext in Turkey entitled Sanctus by Simon Toyne. Not being able to sleep much the first two nights helped me to read more of these reserved library books I had stored up.

More Mysteries!!

I have recently discovered two new mystery writers I like, who have multiple books in their series. In fact I went to the library today and checked out eight books! (They are not due until Jan. 3, so I should have time after Christmas to read them more diligently.)

The first was a book loaned to two other people, one of whom passed it on to me--the first Charlie Moon mystery. I had not heard of these until now, and the author has been writing them since 1994 (one a year). the first one is The Shaman Sings by James D. Doss. I had six of these books in my Amazon shopping cart immediately after finishing that book last night, but I checked at the public library first today, which was the financially responsible thing to do. Now I have deleted them all from the cart. By using the library, I got copies much more quickly, though I must admit I was lucky that so many were on the shelves ready to be checked out. I'm also glad I did not succumb to the temptation of downloading them to my Kindle!

Even though this is a "Charlie Moon" mystery, he did not appear until the end, though his Aunt Daisy, an Indian shaman, was in the beginning of the book. There is also a small town Colorado sheriff who eventually meets both of them in solving the mystery. Charlie Moon is a (Ute) Tribal Police officer. Mystery, Indian mysticism and humor are all mixed in to make a good read.

It was a happy surprise that I found the other author, because I was first attracted by the cover drawn by Edward Gorey (1925-2000) at the independent Book People store in Austin. Then I read the employee's blurb about The Sybil in Her Grave, which got me to buy the book. This is the last mystery written by Sarah Caudwell (1939-2000) and was published posthumously. I am only 1/3 through the book but want to read the three others written by her. The hero of these books is Hilary Tamar, a professor Oxford, whose sex is never revealed. The elegance of language is beautiful, with humor and wonderful plots.

New mystery series!

I love books. I have many, many--too many to fit on my book shelves. Plus, there are more than I count that I haven't read yet!

My friend Nancy gave me five paperback mysteries for my birthday--to introduce me to the mysteries featuring China Bayles, who lives in the Texas hill country. This is an extensive series (20+) by Susan Wittig Albert about a former defense lawyer who owns and operates an herb store in a fictional town and her love interest who is a former cop. Quirky and interesting things happen in and around the little town of Pecan Springs with fun characters who recur in subsequent books.

I am hooked on these books and checked out nine of the books from my public library, as I am trying to read them in order. I also compulsively bought two intermittent mysteries for my Kindle, as I could not find them in the library.

Go here for a listing of the China Bayles mysteries in order.

The titles and cover art of the books are too "cutesy" for me at times, but the stories are captivating. Since Albert started writing these books in 1992, your public library will probably have many of her books, as will used book stores.

Kindle Addiction

Lately, I have grown addicted to buying and reading books immediately on my Kindle. I read three mysteries since this weekend, which were about a former Amish police chief, with murders in an Amish community in Ohio. They were easy reads, but not ones I would heartily recommend, like the books by Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear.

While I was waiting at my rheumatologist's office today to be shown how to give myself the Humira injection, I was very glad I had my Kindle with me to read. I had been told to be there between 11 and 11:30, so of course, I was at the office by 11 o'clock. Having no appointment and only needing the nurse to show me how to do this self-injection, I falsely assumed it would be quick. After 55 minutes of waiting and reading, I finally asked the receptionist again about this event occurring. 15 minutes later, the nurse finally took me to an intake room and showed me how--in about 5 minutes. If I had not been so uneasy about giving myself a shot, I could have figured it out all by myself--but now that I know how, I'll be able to do this every other Monday.

So sometimes an "addiction" helps one--I was glad I had a book to read, even an electronic one!

I read them ALL!

Tonight I finished the seventh and final book in Louise Penny's mystery series about Armand Gamache. These were such good books! Each one was better than the last! Maybe in another year, Louise Penny will have written another one. . . or so I hope. Click here to see the books to read!

If you have a Kindle, you can easily download them. The first one Still Life only costs $2.99 to download! Then you'll be hooked! (My first two books in the series were library books, so look at your local library, too.) It is such fun to be immersed in another world for days. . . .

Now it is time to be back in the real world, since classes and more regular activities started this week after Labor Day. Maybe I will also get back into blogging and even visiting other blogs.

And what is happening around here:

• My right hand is swelling more, while I am still waiting to get the prescription to start the new medication Humira for my RA.

• This Sunday is our granddaughter Avery's baptism, and so family and friends will be arriving soon. Both sons will also be bringing their dogs, so we will have five dogs for the weekend.

• The Wisdom Class reading group started meeting again this week after a two-month break. Our new book is Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle, a must-read.

• Our Lectio Divina group began meeting today. We meditated upon Romans 14:7-9

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

• Lectio Divina surprises me at what comes up--I was struck by the word "to." There is movement there, causing me to ponder what I am paying attention to, going to. With all this intensive reading behind me, it is time to be mindful! To what or whom am I focused upon?
  

New Mystery Author: Louise Penny!

I have not been blogging, because I have spent this entire Labor Day weekend reading Louise Penny mysteries! I got the first two at the public library (Still Life and Dead Cold) and was definitely hooked. Although I searched the library system, I could find no others and so I keep buying them for my Kindle!

I usually buy such good books, so I can loan them, but these could not be delayed--and so I keep reading them. I am finding that each successive book is better than the last, because the character development continues so splendidly.

These books take place in Quebec, usually in a small town called Three Pines, where recurring characters, including artists and a grumpy poetess, occur as murders keep cropping up in that locale. The main character is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete de Quebec. He has kind, brown eyes and likes to quote poetry, while being very aware and accepting of others, always with authority.

These are newly favorite mysteries, reminding me of Jacqueline Winspear's series about Maisie Dobbs. The character development and attention to psychological/emotional responses of persons help to keep me intrigued.

Here is a chronological listing of Louise Perry's books in this series:

1. Still Life
2. A Fatal Grace
   
3. The Cruelist Month
4. A Rule Against Murder
5. The Brutal Telling
6. Bury Your Dead
7. A Trick of the Light

Armand Gamache was told, sometime in the past, these words, which are repeated in each book:

"Where there is love, there is courage
Where there is courage, there is peace
Where there is peace, there is God.
And when you have God, you have everything."

Good words to live by.

Friday Five: Summer Fun

Dorcas brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

So, what's up, Rev Gals and Pals? How are you spending your summer? (I know, some of you are in a different hemisphere and it may be chilly...sorry!) Are you experiencing fire or floods or tornados? Vacationing? Working harder than ever? Experiencing change? Longing for change?

Share five things that are happening in your life, personally or professionally or some of each, in this season of life.

1. Trips to WA State
Ever since we moved to TX in 1978, we have always gone back to our hometown of Bellingham, WA every summer. Both sets of parents/grandparents lived there until my mother died in 1992 and my father died in 2002. CB's parents still live there, and now our daughters AE and KA live in Seattle, plus our dear friends Terry and Dennis.

This year CB and I are venturing out on a long driving trip up there, which starts one week from today! We are going north from TX through various national parks in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana before we head west to the Pacific Coast.

2. Summer reading
Somehow summer gives me permission to read more frivolous books, such as the mysteries I love. I have a bag full of books that I will take on our driving trip, because there will be lots of room in the car!

New mysteries I am trying out are by Rick Riordan, whose detective lives in San Antonio, TX, and Matt Beynon Rees, whose detective operates in Israel and Palestine.

3. Coping with RA
Since the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in May, I have had innumerable medical tests, three visits with my rheumatologist, and the beginning of a drug regimen based upon methotextrate. Symptoms fluctuate, especially as I try to decrease my daily intake of prednisone while waiting (and hoping) that the methotextrate will start suppressing my immune system. Having a chronic disease is something I alternately deny and accept. There is an emotional limbo where I want to accept it and not be passive, but also be optimistic and trying to be better.

4. Choosing HEALTH
As a counselor once told a friend, one lives better if one "chooses health." I am trying to do that by exercising more, mainly taking water aerobics classes at the YWCA, and eating more nutritiously, as guided by Weight Watchers.

Being on prednisone keeps me from losing weight, but at least I am not gaining either. Eating is something to watch as we vacation for five weeks. A long-held tendency (tradition?) is to celebrate with food, especially desserts, on trips and with family. Trying to remember to choose health as the way to live (not the goal of losing weight) is what I hope to remember.

5. Continuing to meditate twice a day
My practice of sitting in silence, waiting upon the Lord, is pretty well set at twice a day. I managed to do this with daughter MJ on the Spain trip. I know the equanimity and peace given to me are helping me adjust to RA, among other things.

Just like eating, spiritual disciplines can be distorted, diminished, and/or delayed /forgotten on vacations. I will try to make prayer a priority, even if it is only 1-2 minutes at a time. (That is enough, because it is God's prayer after all.)

Monday and Mysteries

Monday, and I realize that I am not blogging or doing much on the internet these days. I am waiting for my second appointment with my rheumatologist, which is tomorrow. Then I should learn the results of all the blood tests, x-rays, and bone scan--and what form of "therapy" will be undertaken.

Since the pain-filled weekend over Mother's Day, I have been on a reading jag. When we departed from DC, AA and Avery's home in Austin, I also left my book bag behind. Having no book to read on the 4+ hour drive home, I suggested that husband CB would need to converse the entire trip. He soon stopped at a Walmart in Seguin for me to find a book to read! Perusing the shelves repeatedly, I finally chose The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connolly. It was an enjoyable quick-read, which got me started on a series of mysteries.

However, the books devoured were by a different author! When I went to our public library to find more books by Connolly, I found some by a Connolly, but not the same one. These were by John Connolly, and I discovered that I liked his novels even better than those of the legal angle.

John Connolly is an Irish author who writes about a detective named Charlie Parker who lives in Maine. The books are alternately classified as mysteries and/or thrillers, with supernatural elements hinted and intertwined in the stories. Connolly writes about Charlie Parker (from the website):

"Parker is a man tormented and haunted by the deaths of his wife and little daughter, taken from him while he was in a bar feeling sorry for himself. Through the course of Every Dead Thing and the novels that follow, he develops as a human being from someone who has descended into violence and despair to become a compassionate, empathetic man, one who realises that he has to forgive himself as well as others if he is to make reparation for his failings. There is a line in the third novel, The Killing Kind: 'Reparation is the shadow cast by salvation.' That statement represents, in a way, the core of the novels. "

I really like his character development of the main characters. There is a lot of action and violence, but psychological aspects are revealed, too. All of Connolly's books are in our public library, so try one for your summer reading! The newest one will be published in September--The Burning Soul.

Charlie Parker Series:

• Every Dead Thing, 1999
• Dark Hollow, 2000
• The Killing Kind, 2001
• The White Road, 2002
• "The Reflecting Eye", a novella included in Nocturnes, his collection of short stories, 2004
• The Black Angel, 2005
• The Unquiet, 2007
• The Reapers, May 2008
• The Lovers, 2009
• The Whisperers, 2010
• The Burning Soul, 2011

RevGal book recommendations

The most recent Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals was about book recommendations, mostly for mysteries. Below is the list of authors I am going to check out at my local library in the future. These were all recommended by other RevGalBlogPals. I have a list already printed for my next trip to the library!

1. Airth, Rennie

2. Atherton, Nancy

3. Beaton, M. C.

4. Blake, Michelle

5. Bolton, S. J.

6. Bowen, Rhys

7. Chevalier, Tracy

8. Cleverly, Barbara

9. Connelly, Michael

10. Deaver, Jeffrey

11. Evanovich, Janet

12. Fluke, Joanne

13. Fox, Catherine

14. Gardner, Lisa

15. Gregory, Philippa

16. Harris, C. S.

17. Hawthorne, Clare Langley

18. Isleib, Roberta

19. Joseph, Alison

20. Kerr, Judith

21. King, Laurie

22. Krueger, William Kent

23. Linscott, Gillian

24. Mann, Jessica

25. Maron, Margaret

26. Penny, Louise

27. Quinn, Spencer

28. Rabb, Jonathan

29. Reichs, Kathy

30. Ross, Kate

31. Scottoline, Lisa

32. Shardlake, Matthew

33. Stanton, Mary

34. Tey, Josephine

35. Wiener, Jennifer

Let me know if you have had any experience with any of these authors in the comments below, please?

Friday Five: Books!

Today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:
I hope some of you received books for Christmas presents; I did and have been reading ever since. Then I discovered a new author from those recommendations that pop up on Amazon.com. Instead of buying those books, I've been checking them out at the library, which will not help Amazon's future recommendations for me at all.

So tell us what you're reading, what you would and would not recommend--five books or authors! And if you don't want to do that freestyle, here are some questions:

1. What books have you recently read? Tell us your opinion of them.
As mentioned recently, I have been voraciously reading mysteries by Charles Todd. These were the books that were mentioned as recommendations on Amazon.com. I was very pleased to find them at my public library. These are about Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard inspector who suffers from shell-shock from WWI, while trying to do his job investigating murder cases.

2. What books are awaiting your available time to be read?
One that I started to read months ago and then put aside is The Contagion of Jesus: Doing Theology As If It Mattered by Sebastian Moore. While I spent a week at Lebh Shomea last week, I looked at two of Moore's older books and found them to be just as enlightening as they were when I first read them years ago: The Inner Loneliness and The Fire and the Rose Are One, both of which are out of print (and are outrageously expensive if found). Now I have to find that first book in my house somewhere!

Other books that I received for Christmas and will read sometime soon are:
Prayer and Prophecy: The Essential Kenneth Leech
My cousin Margaret gave me these two: You're Wearing That? Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation and Truth and Beauty: A Friendship.

3. Have any books been recently recommended?
When I had my hair cut today, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell was highly recommended. Today Sherry wrote a review of The Human Faces of God: What Scripture Reveals When it Gets God wrong (and Why Inerrancy Tries to Hide It) by Thom Stark on both of her blogs. I value both of these friends and their literary opinions and so will be looking for these books.

4. What genre of books are your favorite, along with some titles you like best?
Mysteries are always my favorite fun books, so that I even have a sub-category of posts about them. WWI era mysteries in England are Maisie Dobbs mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear and Ian Rutledge mysteries by Charles Todd. I like Daniel Silva mysteries but have read them all to date. In the past, I liked books by Dorothy Sayers, P. D. James, and Elizabeth George, among others.

I like books on theology, especially mysticism.

5. What have you read lately that you have a strong urge to recommend? (or to condemn?)
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee, which was a Christmas gift that was surprisingly interesting. It is not morbid at all and is a historical writing about cancer, with stories interspersed. The author is an oncologist and an excellent writer. It is amazing to see how human knowledge and consciousness grew over the centuries. Since my husband and two daughters were/are trained as chemists, I liked learning that the first chemists concentrated on making dyes, rather than relying on the limited vegetable dyes most people used.

Saturday Stuff

It is warmer than it has been for days and rain is pouring down, as I yawn and think of going to bed. Instead, I will be self-preoccupied and write bullets about the trivia that is occupying me right now:

• MJ is home after a week of visiting friends at Trinity University in San Antonio. She will leave for Spain on Jan. 24.

• CB and I saw "The King's Speech" yesterday. It was excellent. I learned a lot, while being very impressed with Colin Firth's performance as King George VI.
  

• I am voraciously reading mysteries by Charles Todd, all checked out from the public library. These are about Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard inspector who suffers from shell-shock from WWI, while trying to do his job investigating murder cases. I really like the Maisie Dobbs mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear, which are about an exceptional woman who served as a nurse in WWI, whose fiance returned from the war so damaged that he did not recognize anyone. It is interesting that these mysteries are connected to WWI.

• I failed in my month-long commitment to blog about "friends" for NaBloPoMo -- mostly because I did not pre-post enough before I went on my silent retreat at Lebh Shomea.

• It is hard to believe that one week ago I was there and only returned home two days ago. After so much time spent in meditation, I am somewhat surprised that I have been captured again by habits of home, etc.
  

• I have not thought of a "word" for 2011 yet. First it seemed like "friends" would be it, but at Lebh Shomea I started pondering the word "stirrings," which will be a future post.

• I saw many wild animals at Lebh Shomea. For the first time I saw a nilgai, which comes originally from India. On one of the trails, I saw a black object far ahead that I wondered about; it was so still, could it be a tree? As I came closer, something black and as big as a horse moved.