What Am I Reading?

I'm way behind in writing reviews of books I've read, and I'm a little overwhelmed at all the books I have going at the moment, so I'm going to list what I'm reading now for my own sake so I hopefully manage to finish them all this month.

A friend in my local book discussion group chose 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and I am 46% through it.  It is far from my favorite book I've ever read, but I think I am stubborn enough to finish plowing through it.  I'm sure it was particularly amazing at the time he wrote it, but I get bogged down in the descriptions of various species they see as well as the technical descriptions of the submarine.  Incidentally, in case you were like me and wondered at the title, 20,000 does not indicate how deep they were in the water (that measurement is called fathoms).  Leagues refers to how far they traveled while under the sea.  Now, that makes a lot more sense, doesn't it??

Carrie's online bookclub is reading Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliott this month.  I don't think I've ever read this one, although our family has watched End of the Spear many times, so I'm looking forward to it.

There's another book I've been reading in small bursts for a few weeks because it is rather disturbing.  Kathryn Joyce, the author of The Child Catchers:  Rescue, Trafficking, and the New Gospel of Adoption, definitely has an anti-Christian bias in her writing, but I think she has a small element of truth to her message.  I don't agree with most of it-- I know some of her facts are distorted and I am aware that she has quoted people I know without their permission and out of context--yet I'm still finding it worth reading.  I would just love for another Christian, adoptive parent to come along to read and discuss it with me.

I actually read The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John in one sitting Tuesday night.  It was written in a very conversational style and is a quick read, but there are several nuggets in its pages.  I am going to read it again--hopefully with my husband as I think it will be good for us to discuss together.  I'll try to get a review written one day soon.

I'm also hoping to read Sparkly Green Earrings:  Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle.  I expect this to be an enjoyable yet encouraging little peek at the life of a mother.  I had been hearing about this book and when it popped up as a free Kindle book one day, I snatched it right up for a light summer read.

 There, I think those are the books on my list for June.  Looks like a fun month for reading.  The next few book reviews I hope to get written will be of Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed, and I might revisit Huxley's Brave New World since Destry and I recently finished reading it together.

Gifted Hands

I read the inspiring story Gifted Hands by Ben Carson last month, then Briana read it, and this week Destry read it.  We are all enjoying "free reading" in our relaxed afternoons.

This book was printed in 1990 and has been on my "want to read" list for at least five years at the recommendation of a dear friend and mentor.  I don't know why it took me so long to get to it.  If you haven't read it, you'll want to put it at the top of your list now.

I wonder if we might not be hearing more about Ben Carson as he is becoming a more nationally known figure (especially after that prayer breakfast earlier this year).  I would love to say I think he has a chance at the presidency, but I just don't believe he does.  Our country is choosing leaders who reflect its prevailing morals, work ethic, and intellect and Ben Carson stands too far above the average American in each of those three areas to get enough support and votes to even get on the ballot.

Back to the book, Gifted Hands tells Ben Carson's story (I understand there is a movie based on the book which I have not seen).  In spite of  hardships and what many would call an "underprivileged homelife", Carson learned the value of faith (Seventh Day Adventist), education, and hard work and has accomplished a successful career as a well-respected neurosurgeon at John Hopkins.

As too many children experience, Ben was left without a father at a young age, but I was encouraged by his love and admiration for his mother.  She inspired her boys to work hard and study hard and was one of those mean moms who limited television and required the reading of books (and even book reports when she herself couldn't read them!).  I will insert here that I am especially glad to read a story about a man whose mother had such a positive influence on his life since all the books about raising boys talk about how important dads are.  I, too, limit television and require, er, encourage the reading of books! grin

I was fascinated by this book overall.  Carson seems to be very wise in many different areas.  He is honest about his own temptations, including struggling with seeking others' approval, materialism, pride, and his temper, but overall stresses honesty and integrity.  I appreciate his common sense approach to education, race relations, healthcare, and other topics that people seem to blow out of proportion.  His personal story is inspiring, his experiences in major cases (like surgically separating Siamese twins) are simply fascinating to read, and his willingness to serve younger generations by sharing his story make me admire him.

After finishing Gifted Hands, I promptly purchased America the Beautiful:  Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, also by Carson, but my husband has commandeered it so I don't know when I'll get to read it. . .