Month: April 2019

Book Review – Beyond the Point

Beyond the Point is the stories of three women who begin their journeys at West Point in the year 2000. When the terrorist attacks of September 11 take place in their sophomore year, their fates are sealed; they know they’ll be serving overseas, but life takes all three in different directions. What does the future hold? Will they stay in touch? Was West Point the right choice for each of them?

I’m not a huge military-related book fan, but Book of the Month has always been about stretching me since I started my subscription, and I love that about it. What intrigued me about this particular novel was that it’s about women in the military. I feel like most military-related books are very male-centric, being both written by men and containing male lead characters. For the first time, I found myself very excited to dive into a military-related read.

Book 17:
Beyond the Point
by Claire Gibson

Genre:
Historical Fiction

Published:
April 2019

Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, Beyond the Point is the stories of three women who begin their journeys at West Point in the year 2000. When the terrorist attacks of September 11 take place in their sophomore year, their fates are sealed; they know they’ll be serving overseas, but life takes all three in different directions. What does the future hold? Will they stay in touch? Was West Point the right choice for each of them?

Favorite Quote(s):

“Vulnerability can bring two people closer together, or it can expose a distance that an’t be overcome.”

“When you allowed yourself to enter someone else’s trauma, there were so many benefits: a righted perspective, a deeper sense of friendship, a holy devotion to the sacredness of now.”

“I wanted perfection. But it turns out, here on earth, we don’t get perfection; we get people.”

– Claire Gibson, Beyond the Point

Awards (based upon my brief research):
None yet.

Pages:
490

My Overall Rating:
3 – This book was not what I expected. When I read West Point and September 11 in the synopsis, I assumed it was going to be more of a military-focused story. However, the story was softer. It focused on each of the three main characters lives – professionally and personally, and arguably more on the personal than professional side.

I did love the three main characters. I rooted for them and was curious about how things would turn out. I just expected a stronger story, and therefore struggled with so much backstory to get to the heart of the story. The second half was great. The first half just felt like too much chick lit.

Book Review – The Eternal Current

The Eternal Current is about moving from the rut of a belief-centric faith to a belief-and-acts-centric faith on a daily basis. When his own faith was running stuck, Aaron started searching for more. He started searching for a third way, a way to practically live what he believed beyond simply believing it.

Aaron and his wife, Shauna, worked at my church several years ago. At the time, I wasn’t quite as wrapped up in their work as I have been since they left. I’ve owned and read each of Shauna’s books and when Aaron started working on this one – his first book – I knew I had to get my hands on this one, too.

Book 16:
The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning
by Aaron Niequist

Genre:
Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian

Published:
August 2018

Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, The Eternal Current is about moving from the rut of a belief-centric faith to a belief-and-acts-centric faith on a daily basis. When his own faith was running stuck, Aaron started searching for more. He started searching for a third way, a way to practically live what he believed beyond simply believing it.

Favorite Quote(s):

“If information alone could transform us into Christlikeness, then we would be the most Christlike generation of all time. We have unlimited access to all the knowledge in human history through the smartphones in our pockets, yet the world doesn’t seem to be moving quickly toward a holy utopia.”

“We’re not trying to change people’s minds; we’re trying to change the world… teaching serves to guide and propel us into tangible participation with God’s work in and through us.”

“Uniformity is a poor substitute for unity, because uniformity denies reality.”

“Engaging ‘the other’ with grace helps us become more secure in our own identities. We can be comfortable with the differences in others only when we’re already at home with ourselves.”

“The poor are not problems to solve but teachers to learn from. They understand a part of reality that the affluent often can’t see but desperately need to embrace…”

– Aaron Niequist, The Eternal Current

Awards (based upon my brief research):
None.

Pages:
208

My Overall Rating:
3 – First, my dislikes: much of the book was about what Aaron’s (previous) church had done to start “The Practice”, their integration of the concepts described in this book. Those parts of the book made it feel as if this was written for church leaders and not church goers. Also, he used numerous quotes from others and suggested several other books throughout his writing. To me, that made it seem like a research paper as opposed to a reflective book on why/how/what changes were made in Aaron’s life to get to where he is now.

But here’s what I did like… Growing up in the church, I went to church every Sunday. I accepted the Lord as my Savior at a very young age and continued to dutifully attend church and other church-like things. But now, as an adult, it makes me mad that much of my faith was based on what I believed and how well I knew what I believed rather than practiced what I believed. I’ve struggled to want to go to church because I don’t need another place where I can learn – I need a place where I can do, where I can practice what I’ve learned. I’ve struggled to appreciate some of my closest relationships because I don’t need another place where I can comfortably fellowship – I need a place where the fellowship of believers will do, where they will practice what they’ve learned.

Aaron tackled both of those concepts, albeit briefly, and I really needed to hear that I wasn’t the only person who’s had those thoughts. Where do I go from here? That has just been the question of probably half of my last decade, but, as stated in the book, I want to “do good better,” and as a whole, this book has encouraged me to continue searching for what that looks like in my life.

(Two) Weeks

With just two weeks to go until the March for Babies, I’m excited to report that we are in the Circle of Champions, having raised over $1000! We had a goal to raise $2000 this year, and I don’t think we’ll get there, but I am so happy to be able to give any amount to an organization that is fighting for the health of moms and babies in need.

With just two weeks to go until the March for Babies, I’m excited to report that we are in the Circle of Champions, having raised over $1000!

We had a goal to raise $2000 this year, and I don’t think we’ll get there, but I am so happy to be able to give any amount to an organization that is fighting for the health of moms and babies in need.

We learned two years ago how quickly you can become a mom or baby in need. We’ll forever be grateful for the ways God has blessed this organization to help those moms and babies through research and medical advancements that have helped saved thousands of lives.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the following people who’ve helped us raise this much so far:
Grandpa and Grandma Grasmeyer
Grandpa and Grandma Merritt
Aunt Jenna and Uncle Josh
Becky and Ryan Grasmeyer
Aunt Sharon and Uncle George
Mark and Heather Swierenga
Dan and Claire Larabel
Alesha and Jeremy Schut
Sarah Potter
Dale Waite
Sue Snow
Anne Jansingh
Vicki DeKoning

Book Review – Way Out Here

Way Out Here is Richard Leo’s reflections on his homesteading experience.

This next book is a continuation of my Richard Leo experience per my brother’s suggestion. It’s not often that I read two books by the same author right in a row – I like to give them space so my review of one doesn’t affect the other… and that might just have happened here…

Book 15:
Way Out Here: Modern Life in Ice-Age Alaska
by Richard Leo

Genre:
Nonfiction, Adventure

Published:
March 1996

Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, Way Out Here is Richard Leo’s reflections on his homesteading experience.

Favorite Quote(s):

“No landscape or lifestyle is absolution from that which we carry into it.”

“Rushing to get there misses here.”

“It’s common to take for granted that which is common.”

“Living in community is a way to sustain both everyone within it and everything around it. When community is functional, it satisfies a planetary need for consensus, compassion, and foresight.”

“Craft is for the sake of crafting, not magazine spread. A full life is lived, not designed. The deepest impression is made by not trying to impress.”

– Richard Leo, Edges of the Earth

Awards (based upon my brief research):
None.

Pages:
191

My Overall Rating:
2.5 – Again, I have to say that Rick’s story is very interesting. Not many people in the currently living population can tell of their homesteading experience (though I should note that Rick has since passed away in 2013 at the age of 61). However, I struggled with this book. The chapters were too long and the content too detailed for it to be considered memoir, but the content lacked an overall plot, so it really can’t be considered a traditional non-fiction story. It was reflective, sure, but it felt largely like a man writing his thoughts for his future grandchildren, wanting to capture every detail, but assuming they already know the gist of the story.

That being said, I still found the book highly quotable which is something I really admire. When someone can take a vast concept and sum it up incredibly well in one or two moving sentences, I am immediately trying to capture those words, storing them for future use.

Book Review – Edges of the Earth

Edges of the Earth is Richard Leo’s re-telling of his homesteading experience in the Alaskan wilderness. Sick of the wind-and-grind of his career and the hustle-and-bustle of the city, Rick convinces his girlfriend, Melissa, to journey with him from New York to the Last Frontier. Settling first in Talkeetna, the two and, eventually, their baby boy, Janus, learn the Alaskan ways before venturing into the wilderness, building their homestead, chasing dreams, and putting their relationship to the ultimate test.

Two Christmases ago I drew my oldest brother’s name for our sibling gift exchange. He had two items on his wish list, one of which was this book. I can’t not give a book when a book is an option, but when I looked into this one, my heart swelled a little bit, because Alaska…

Book 14:
Edges of the Earth: A Man, A Woman, A Child in the Alaskan Wilderness
by Richard Leo

Genre:
Nonfiction, Adventure

Published:
December 1991

Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, Edges of the Earth is Richard Leo’s re-telling of his homesteading experience in the Alaskan wilderness. Sick of the wind-and-grind of his career and the hustle-and-bustle of the city, Rick convinces his girlfriend, Melissa, to journey with him from New York to the Last Frontier. Settling first in Talkeetna, the two and, eventually, their baby boy, Janus, learn the Alaskan ways before venturing into the wilderness, building their homestead, chasing dreams, and putting their relationship to the ultimate test.

Favorite Quote(s):

“We’re here. Just look where we are. The world is rich beyond imagining, still. Remember how we used to joke that there might not be anywhere left to go, everything known, everything already described? Remember how bleak life seemed when all hope was blown away by the intimation of inevitable tragedy – lost love or winnowed possibility or obtuse human righteousness? I remember! But look. Here is only light and land, as anywhere. But such light! And the land presupposes nothing except its continuity. I haven’t escaped sorrow, not even here, of course, not even on an unnamed creek in the boreal forest. But there’s so much life. Still. “

– Richard Leo, Edges of the Earth

Awards (based upon my brief research):
None.

Pages:
303

My Overall Rating:
4 – Rick’s story is incredibly interesting, and I love his complete honesty the whole way through. Between what he chose to share and how he shared it, he made my heart alternately swell and ache. Though I was surprised by how his relationship with his girlfriend, Melissa, played out, I was captivated by his friendship with Alexander and the storyline there, and I was impressed by his relationship with his son, Janus.

For someone who both longed for and felt comfortable with such isolation, it’s obvious he still so highly valued relationships and human interaction. The homesteading side of his story was adventurous and lust-worthy. The relational side of his story was special yet common.

I can’t recommend this book to everyone, but if you like adventure, Alaska, or even just examining relationships through everyday hardships, this is a great read. If you love Alaska, it’s a must read.

Baby(‘s) (Two)

Kevin and I know all too well how blessed we are to have brought Oaklee into the world in the twenty-first century. Even 25 years earlier, things would have gone so differently. The research of organizations like March of Dimes is monumental in the care of preemies like Oaklee. Please consider making a contribution towards that research. No parent deserves to lose a child they’ve barely had. While we are incredibly lucky to have Oaklee with us today, there are thousands of parents every year who cannot say the same. Let’s change that together. 

Almost exactly two years ago, Kevin and I learned we would have to lean on medical advancements for the life of our baby. When my body began expelling vast amounts of blood at 16 weeks pregnant, we questioned whether the pregnancy would last and if so, how long it could manage.

11.5 weeks later, it could last no longer. Oaklee was born three months too soon. Her road was rocky at first. She spent 69 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She received an absurd amount of treatments and tests and scans for someone who was only 69 days old, but she came home with us.

Now she’s almost two. You might never be able to tell she was a preemie, but you probably didn’t have to live the life that follows prematurity.

You probably didn’t have to let the doctors sweep your baby and the machines keeping her alive out of the operating room minutes after her birth. You probably didn’t have to leave your baby in the hospital when you were discharged to go home. You probably didn’t have to cart your baby to specialist after specialist for the first 18 months of her life to determine if she was developmentally ok.

And you probably didn’t have to re-consider your future family planning because of how the birth of your first child went.

In one month, my family walks for Oaklee at the March for Babies. My family walks for Oaklee, and my family walks for any of my yet-to-be-born children. I want to believe I am never going to face the situation we faced with my first pregnancy again. But just in case, I cling tightly to the important research and changing practices in the healthcare of moms and babies like me and Oaklee. 

Please consider supporting the work of March of Dimes with me – for my family, for my yet-to-be-born children, for your family, for your neighbors, for your friends… You just never know who will end up using these life-saving resources.

Book Review – Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six is an oral history of 70’s rock stars Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne and his band, The Six. When the two pair up, their music is instantaneously the stuff of legends, the rock and roll American’s craved in the 1970s. But their worlds didn’t merge with ease. With rock and roll came sex and drugs. And with sex and drugs came trials and tribulations. Like any band, they navigate relational strain, differing dreams and the lengths they’ll go to to stay together… or be apart.

The stars aligned for book 13. I brought my March Book of the Month selection to book club and book club voted it our April read! That is a serious case of killing two birds with one stone in my world.

Book 13:
Daisy Jones & The Six
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre:
Historical Fiction

Published:
March 2019

Synopsis According to Mandi:
Without spoilers, Daisy Jones & The Six is an oral history of 70’s rock stars Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne and his band, The Six. When the two pair up, their music is instantaneously the stuff of legends, the rock and roll American’s craved in the 1970s. But their worlds didn’t merge with ease. With rock and roll came sex and drugs. And with sex and drugs came trials and tribulations. Like any band, they navigate relational strain, differing dreams and the lengths they’ll go to to stay together… or be apart.

Favorite Quote(s):

“Don’t count yourself out this early, Daisy. You’re all sorts of things you don’t even know yet.”

– Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six

Awards (based upon my brief research):
None yet.

Pages:
368

My Overall Rating:
5 – You know those times when you ask a question about some old movie star or some old band and then three hours later, you’re still scrolling your phone and you know way too much about that person or band, but you’re so fascinated that you don’t even care? That was me with this book. In fact, I think this book is written to capture precisely people who fall prey to that phenomenon. I can’t quite explain how much I wish this book was true… or how much I believed it was true while reading it. I was absolutely captivated by this story. I wanted to know their story. I wanted to hear their music. I wanted to see their performances.

Plus, I love, love, loved the writing style. Written as an oral history, it’s the first book I’ve read that felt like watching a movie rather than reading. I could hear them talking. I could see them sitting with their interviewer, pausing in answers, laughing at questions, tearing up at memories. Taylor Jenkins Reid hit the writing style out of the ballpark. This was so fun.