Announcing the Last Two

We've had a couple holes in our reading schedule this year.  It's about time to announce our final two selections.  On May 17th we'll be discussing the book that was given to RS sisters as a Christmas gift last year, What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Chieko Okazaki.  There should be plenty around the ward to borrow if you don't have a copy.  In November we'll read the first book in a YA mystery series (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter), The Tale of Hilltop Farm by Susan Wittig Albert.  You can find out more at cottagetales.com.

Interesting Read

I'm just finishing (finally) our own Anna Marie Davis' book that she wrote while on her mission.  It's called Missionaries and Mental Health - The Blessings of Service.  We have it on our reading list for July, and I'll bring this copy to our meeting on Tuesday, it anyone wants to get started.  It's easy to read and we all know the Mormon culture, so it's very interesting to see behind the scenes of a missionary's life and struggles.  I think if I had actually served a mission, it would be even more insightful.  I do know that it would be good for us to change our judgements concerning missionaries that return home early, or concerning those young men that don't go. 

February's Fine Discussion

On February 15th the book group sent some left-over Valentine love to Leslie Albrecht Huber and her book The Journey Takers.  We wished Lyn was there to hear Melissa sing the praises of this book choice.  We were few in numbers (6), so I wanted to get the word out that this is a book that you'll not only want to read, but also own.  This is the amazing Leslie Huber's well written story of her search through her family history, while raising a family of her own.  It's also the touching stories of her ancestors that journeyed to America.  Her lines have been taken even farther back, and we travel with her to the places that they lived and learn the history of the area which fills in so much of their stories.

I'm going through something right now that keeps pointing me to the importance of family history and this book has changed me.  I haven't even finished reading it because I've lent my copy out, but I can see by studying places and history, I'll be able to put "the stories" behind the names I find, even if they didn't leave a journal.  I'm motivated to start the work!  Thanks to Kay for hosting.  Her living room is beautiful and I think the comfy ottoman makes a beautiful design statement.  If you weren't there, you missed a great discussion and all-you-can-eat Valentine cookies.  Don't miss reading this book though.  It's a keeper.

February's Book

I've only read the first 2 chapters, but I really like The Journey Takers.  I learned of the Thirty Years' War and Napoleon's march through this area in Germany.  Who knew that part of his legacy to the area was more lenient divorce laws?  And what was divorce like back then?  I like that with the few church records that can be found, and knowing the history of a specific location, you can put together what life was probably like for your ancestors.

I've always liked history and this book makes me want to study the history of the places where my people are from.  By knowing that history, you know your ancestors better.  It makes me want to do family history, record my parent's history, travel, and keep a journal.  Of course I'd have to learn another language or two, and the travel isn't really working with my bank account just now, but this book is motivating me, and some of this stuff I can do now.

The Spirit of the Old Book Club

We had a nice chat about our January book pick, The Spirit of the Old Testament. Sue Ann looks like she was falling asleep, but actually the book wasn't that dry. Notice the smile on her face. It's always a good time at our meetings.

The book by Sidney B. Sperry is in the LDS Classic Paperback Library. Most of us read 2-5 chapters as an introduction, but plan on reading sections throughout the year, as it correlates to the Sunday School lessons. It's a scholarly work, but easy to read. There is something in every chapter that helps you connect and get more out of the Old Testament. I'll just share one quote. There is a chapter on LDS views concerning the Bible where the eighth Article of Faith, about believing the Bible is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly is being discussed. Brigham Young said, "But it is no matter about that. Read it and observe it and it will not hurt any person in the world."

It was Tara's first book club meeting with us. I think she'll come back again. Let me just say that our group doesn't require you to read the book--or read at all. It helps sometimes, but I've often thought that I didn't want to read a selection, and after everyone has discussed it, I decide I do. I've read some books that I didn't even like, until everyone discussed them, and then I realized that I just didn't get it--they were good books. Everyone discussing together gives you insights into the books, life in general, and we get to know about each other.

Next month we will be at Mary Jo's house discussing The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963. Get reading...or not, you don't have to read....just come and join us.

January Plans

We'll be at Judy's house for our book discussion this month. We always meet on the third Tuesday. Since we won't be having a potluck (just refreshments) we'll meet at 7:00. The book we've selected is The Spirit of the Old Testament by Sidney Sperry. We thought it would be good to start our year of study in the Old Testament with this resource book. There probably won't be anyone who will read this book straight through in time for our meeting, but instead, we can all use it throughout the year for more insights. The book is full of information on the history of Israel, different prophets, Hebrew literature, different cultures, contributions of the Old Testament, and some Latter-day Saint views concerning the Bible. It's well researched and easy to read. Even if you don't have a copy, come and join our discussion.

Free Books from Deseret

FREE BOOKS!!

As a part of his doctoral studies, John Hilton III is "studying what happens when books are made available for free." He worked wtih "Deseret BOok and they have made 8 of their books available for free." They can all be downloaded at http://deseretbook.com/free Several of the books are ones you might be interested in. The books are:

1. Please Pass the Scripture by John Hilton III
2. What I Wish I Would Have Known When I Was Single by John Bytheway
3. Women at the Well by Richard and Jeni Holzapfel
4. Digging Deeper by Robert Eaton
5. 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know by Brent Top and Bruce Chadwick
6. Growing Up: Gospel Answers about Maturation and Sex by Brad Wilcox
7. Saving Kristen by Jack Weyland (fiction)
8. The Hidden Path by C.B. Andersen (fiction)
I recommend that you go download them all and save them for future reference as they will only be available online for free for a short time.


I went in and downloaded 5 of these and saved them. They're only available until January 27th. The problem is that you have to read them on the computer, or print them out. It's too bad there isn't an audio option, but they're free!

Before the Dawn, actually Tuesday evening at 6:30

We met in Sue Ann's backyard to discuss our latest book. It was a perfect evening for a picnic. So first, here is the potluck you might have missed: garlic chicken and artichoke pizza, pasta salad, Chinese chicken salad, green salad, bruschetta on pita chips, a bowl of fresh strawberries and blueberries, brownies, and a sampling of rich, dark chocolate bars. Yum! We had some fun, new faces show up - Sherri F. from Bergeson, and Allison. (Annie showed up at the very end because there was going to be a viewing of Dancing with the Stars.)

We all liked the book, Before the Dawn by Dean Hughes. It's the story of a unlikely RS President during the Depression. We found many things in the book relevant today. We talked about how interconnected we all are. When the RS sisters were encouraged to make their own or do without, that hurt the ward member who owned the Mercantile and he had to let his help go. We see similar examples today. It was interesting to see how RS operated in those days, with bazaars and work meetings. Our Enrichment Nights are different, but still challenging in many ways. There was also a division between the town women and the farm wives. We discussed things that divide us today: married, single, divorced, working outside the home, stay at home and work, social status, and age. In the end, we love our sisterhood and the Relief Society. This book is a tribute to both.

At our next get-together I'm going to remember my camera! It will make the blog a bit more interesting. I also want everyone to add other book recommendations. We don't have to add them to the RS list, but there are a lot of books out there that would be of interest to others, or our kids. I'm excited for summer reading!