Cherry Ames, Books 19 and 20

Cherry Ames is on the case again, and per usual, the mystery is wrapped up in the medical field. In Cherry Ames, The Mystery in the Doctor's Office Cherry has just taken a job at a doctor's office in New York. There are three doctors in this general practitioner's office, a lab tech, and an office administrator named Irene Wick. Cherry is replacing a nurse who left under mysterious circumstances that no one is willing to tell her about. She's curious to know why but her professional attitude will only allow her to ask so many questions at one time.

Making friends with the younger doctor in the firm, Dr. Gray (who is naturally young, handsome and interested in Cherry), Cherry begins to question some of the practices regarding patient payments which are being made. Her curiosity (and desire for a well-run, professional office!) causes her to start questioning the way that Mrs. Wick handles funds and keeps track of the doctors' accounting records. Is there something fishy going on? Well. Yes. It is The Mystery in The Doctor's Office after all!

This isn't my favorite of the Cherry Ames books because I think Cherry comes across as being more stuffy than kindly concerned about others. That said, it did provide a pretty strong mystery and I was entertained throughout the book. It's the next to the last book in the series and aptly titled, in my opinion.

As is to be expected from the Cherry Ames books, the job at the doctor's office is going to come to an end because Cherry has new adventures waiting for her in other locations.

The next place we find Cherry is on the ski slopes in Switzerland. She is now (dun dun duuuuUUUNnnn!!!) Cherry Ames, Ski Nurse. (Do you like how I got that link in there? Crafy, eh?) Cherry has accepted a job on the ski slopes and is helping a doctor tend to broken bones suffered by people who don't know how to ski. This book probably contains the best mystery of the series, in terms of my lack of ability to figure out what certain mysterious characters are up to. On the flip side, this is also the most poorly written of the Cherry Ames books. I'm not sure why the series stopped at Book 20, however, it is quite obvious that the writer of this particular title (Julie Tatham) is bored, bored, bored. It's not that she didn't tell a good story because she did. She just didn't write it very well. There is a definite feeling that she has grown lazy in the mechanics of writing out her thoughts. This was a somewhat disappointing way to conclude the series for me, but I'm not at all sorry that I read it. I just might suggest to any of you who choose to read through the series, that you pretend Book 19 is the end.

On the whole, I'm very glad to have spent some quality time with Cherry, catching up on her adventures at this stage of my own life. It's good to spend time with old friends (which is something I know I keep saying but it's true)!

Of course, this post is being linked up to the Children's Classics Mystery Reading Challenge happening over at 5 Minutes for Books (and where I've been visiting with lots of other friends as well!) Still a few months of fun left if you care to join in!

Lily's Victory Garden

I was positively thrilled to see a copy of Lily's Victory Garden land in my mailbox. A new release from Sleeping Bear Press and it's about World War II!?!? What could go wrong?

Nothing, that's what!

This is the story of Lily, a young girl who is very intent on doing her part to help the war effort. Her brother Jack and she collect tin cans and scrap but she would like to do more. She decides that she would like to plant her very own Victory Garden. The mayor in her town announced that they would be turning the town park into a large garden, separated into plots for various individuals to tend to and care for. Lily decides that is where she would like to grow her garden, but she is informed by the Garden Club President that she is too young to participate. Undaunted, Lily hones in on a neighborhood family with a yard available and requests permission to plant a garden on their property. Given permission, Lily sets to work but has the help of a secret friend. Who is the friend? And is the garden a successful venture? Well, I can't tell you everything about this book now, can I?

Suffice it to say, I thought it was fabulously well done and helped explain the concept of Victory Gardens to young readers and lovers of history.

Things I truly loved about Lily's Victory Garden:

I love that when you open it up, the endpapers are covered with artwork that looks like old seed packages - showing radish seeds for $0.15 and watermelon seeds for $0.45. I think it helps to create the proper introductory atmosphere for the book.

I love the illustrations, done by Robert Gantt Steele, which bring history to life.

I love Lily's determination to stand for what is right and do her part, even at a young age.

I love that the book concludes with a page spread which talks a bit about what life was like on the home front during World War II.

I love the way the story ends, with the following paragraph:

"Our president, Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, says on the radio that we are all one big fighting force, even the children. All these things we do that don't seem like much, well, they all add up. We are friends and neighbors and citizens and soldiers."

I love that Sleeping Bear Press has brought to life such a title to help us remember our past history, to inspire us on in the future.

The Gathering Storm

Why?

Because he loves me, that's why!

On Valentine's Day my front doorbell rang and there stood my little three and a half year old son, holding a box. He said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy!" and then hastily helped me unwrapped that which he had just wrapped. We opened it together and then I beheld the beauty of the gift - my very own copy of The Gathering Storm (along with a copy of Into the Storm too, mind you!) We were finally able to watch it just the other night and I had to rave about it to you. (Raving in a good way, that is!)

The Gathering Storm was an AWESOME movie! Absolutely awesome! Produced by HBO films, I should tell you that it has one nude scene featuring the round and pink Winston Churchill himself. While I certainly am no proponent of nude scenes in movies, I'm half tempted to dismiss this one because Churchill was known for leading the country (or attempting to) in the nude. I think I mentioned following reading Franklin & Winston that Winston had this particular habit.

Franklin once came in the room during one such dictation and hastily backed out of the room, apologizing. Winston guffawed. Oh Franklin, he said, "I have nothing to hide from you!"

So in this particular instance, I didn't feel like Hollywood took any crazy liberties in portraying Churchill but as Franklin no doubt could have died a happy man without seeing Churchill exposed, I can too. (The moment in screen is brief though so just look a way for a second and you'll be alright.)

In The Gathering Storm we meet a frustrated Winston Churchill who was doing his utmost to convince the English that Germany was a threat against society in general and against England in particular. We find him mid-1930's, alarmed at secret intelligence that he is receiving about Hitler and a rumored German air force. Reviews and critics of the movie have said, generally, that this movie is an excellent character study on Winston Churchill more so than it is a detailed history lesson. Whatever your reason for watching it, I found it satisfactory. Albert Finney (aka Daddy Warbucks of Annie fame!) portrays Churchill brilliantly. He brought this great hero of World War II to life and I fell into admiration all over again.

Churchill was frustrated and frequently depressed as he railed against the Germans almost entirely alone. But he was right! He recognized a valid threat and he wasn't afraid to talk about it (or rave about it.) He had keen insight and the ability to discern danger to his country and he had the courage to stand up and keep talking - even though his own party members would have appreciated his silence. While people worked behind the scenes to remove him from politics, truth was winning out. And what a tremendously horrible truth it was too! But Winston never backed down and never surrendered and, as a result, England (and the world) faced Nazi Germany and defeated it.

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times over - I so admire Winston Churchill. Jonathan pointed out that his personality left something to be desired. He probably would have been difficult to be around for a long period of time in person. Truthfully, if Winston were about half a dozen other men, I would probably find him obnoxious and annoying outright. However, having read a (very) little about him and having watched this movie I can see that I still very much would have liked and enjoyed him as a friend or colleague. He was a stubborn old mule and thought very highly of himself - but he was true through and through. I really admire a man who can see when there's a problem and will face that problem, even when no one else will. That's a man. And that was Winston Churchill.

I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more highly, nor can I wait to have another "date night" evening where Jonathan and I can watch Into the Storm (2009). Furthermore, I can't wait to dive into this set of books, written by Churchill about World War II.



I was ecstatic to find a 1940's (first) edition of the six volume series at our local used book store. (There might have been some happy dancing in the book aisle but if there was, I wouldn't admit it.) Jonathan didn't bat and eye when I hauled the books home and sat them on our dining room table for him (and all the world) to admire. I love that I'm allowed to love books in this house - and love such crazy historical characters. It makes me love the characters in my own home all the more and to be able to create history with those in it! Dare I say that I expect our family history to be a profoundly beautiful one? Hopefully not too similar to what was suffered in World War II, but inspiring all the same.

I always avoid prophesying beforehand, because it is a much better policy to prophesy after the event has already taken place. - Winston Churchill

Thank you, Jonathan, for my Valentine's Gift and for also being the kind of man I can be admiring of (and for watching the movie with me!) And thanks for indulging my excitement for history in this way.

Winner of Beaded Hope

The winner of Beaded Hope is #10 - Cassandra!

Congrats Cassandra!

If you missed my earlier review of Beaded Hope, by Cathy Liggett, check this book out. If you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre, I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

Friday Five Favs

Thursday was a long, hard day so I am forced to think a little harder for my Friday Five than usual. Not that it should be hard. The rest of the week was quite grand on the whole, but Thursday was a little rough around the edges. But a weekend is coming, right? So....I'll make that my first thing to be thankful for! Well, I should probably try a little harder than that.

#1 - I got an unexpected e-mail from a friend who I know lives a very busy life! The fact that she took time out of her day to sit down and write was very special and it put a little smile on my face. Actually, now that I think about it, I had several such e-mails from "busy friends" this week. Busy people have good excuses not to write. So when they do, I always pay attention to what they have to say and share with me.

#2 - A phone conversation with a good friend. If you know me in real life, you know I HATE, HATE, HATE talking on the phone. But. Every once in awhile I'll actually pick it up when it rings and amazing conversations come tumbling forth giving me words to live off for awhile. (But I still really, really hate the phone again once I hang up and the chances of my picking it up any time soon are slim to none.)

#3 - My friend declared Thursday night to be a girl night and encouraged me out of the house. We had a great time. Sometimes you just need to get away, have a good heart-to-heart with a friend over an Italian Soda and that makes the world a better place.

#4 - 5 Minutes for Books. I just really love being part of the team over there! Such a great group of ladies who provide fun, encouragement and who challenge me personally in so many great ways! To some, 5 Minutes for Books might be "just another book site." For me, it's about friendship with a special group of ladies who are individually unique and hands down amazing!



I love how Jennifer, the site editor, sends e-mails which make my brain spin out of control with ideas and thoughts and plans and dreams. And she doesn't even mind that it takes awhile for me to get my thoughts under control in order to do anything productive. She just goes with my flow which I find incredibly generous at times!

I'm ECSTATIC that I get to actually MEET Jennifer here in a few short months!

#5 - My sister-in-law, Jennifer, who is working with me on our Offering Hospitality blog. I'm just glad to be working on such a project with Jennifer as she is such an encouragement and inspiration to me! I'm blessed beyond measure to have her for a friend and sister.

Turns out there are a lot of things to smile about after all. Mostly it's the people who stepped into my life with encouraging words this week. Words of life. They make all the difference! Throw in a little chocolate for bonus points.



Licking my fingers while being happy that it's Friday,

Carrie

Arch Books

Almost a year ago I reviewed certain Arch books (published by Concordia Publishers) at 5 Minutes for Books. When I saw that Concordia was releasing some new titles this year, I was curious to take a look at them.

I remember owning some Arch books when I was younger. In fact, I remember when my mom would take me to browse the Christian book store in the town where we lived, I would always take a look at the spin around rack that housed Arch Books (alongside Happy Day books.) I don't remember which titles we specifically owned, but it's been fun to introduce my own children to them.

Each book focuses on a particular Bible story, character or parable. The stories are told in rhyme, each like one long poem. Concordia has published a great many of books in this series and you can see a complete listing of Arch books here.

The illustration style various by book and by story. For example, in Daniel and the Lions the lions are more cartoon like in nature, making them seem a little more gentle and a little less ferocious (which is something we very much appreciate as it makes Bible stories approachable at this age, without being scary.) The illustrations in The Resurrection, however, are more classic in nature .

There are over one hundred titles in the Arch Book series, which beginning at the beginning and take you most of the way through the New Testament. (I'm not really sure how Arch books could cover the book of Revelations though, so I feel they did a really great job covering the Bible for young readers.) What I love about these books is that they provide titles for lesser explored Bible stories, such as the following:

King Josiah and God's Book

Tried and True Job

Zerubbabel Rebuilds the Temple

Philip and the Ethiopian

The Widow's Offering

The Thankful Leper

If you are looking to introduce your children to the Bible, Arch Books may be able to help you do that (if you can get into the rhymes, I think you are safe!) They are definitely worth checking out and I'm happy to have had a look at their latest titles.

Thanks, Concordia Publishing House, for the opportunity to take a good look at Arch Books! These books are an awesome resource for parents of young children and I appreciate the offering!

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart, by Beth Pattillo

Following (extremely) closely on the heels of reading Jane Austen Ruined My Life, I had to pick up and devour Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart. Almost as soon as I had gotten started reading the book, I was done with it. The book is an amazingly quick read which is a disappointing thing, only because it is so very enjoyable.

Much like it's predecessor, I think this book would make an excellent chick flick. Actually, I enjoyed Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart more than Jane Austen Ruined My Life. No qualms or hesitations in the recommendation of this particular story.

In this book, we meet Claire Prescott who is attending a seminar on Jane Austen which is being given at Oxford. She wasn't originally intended to be in attendance at this seminar. Rather, her sister was to have gone but unexpected pregnancy complications keeps Claire's sister home bound and so Claire goes in her place. She doesn't really know what she's doing there but, when all is said and done, she begins to know her own heart and mind as a result of one week in this stately and dramatic town.

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is not a sequel to Jane Austen, which I was somewhat surprised by. I just assumed it was a continuation of the first story but ended up thoroughly satisfied that it was not.

Like Emma Grant in the first book, Claire runs into a group known as the Formidables, who are a secret group committed to preserving and protecting Jane Austen and her works. It's a true fact that Jane's sister, Cassandra, destroyed all of Jane's letters upon her death and at Jane's request. The question Beth Pattillo explores with both of these books about Jane Austen is whether any writings survived after all. These books raise fun questions and Beth Pattillo brings both Jane and her modern counterparts to life in a thoroughly enjoyable manner.

This is one of those rare moments where I want to just say, "I liked this book a whole, whole lot, with two scoops of ice cream and a cherry on top!" But that sounds silly, doesn't it? But it's not silly after a stay at home mommy day when you just want to relax into a good book and be amused. This book hit the spot for me and I enjoyed every single non-interrupted minute of it!

Lisa reviewed this title over at 5 Minutes for Books and enjoyed it also. If you missed my review of Jane Austen Ruined My Life then click on the title and feel free to catch up.

I give Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart two thumbs up and am not so secretly hoping that Beth Pattillo keeps up with this theme. I can't fathom being disappointed if I were to have another run in with the Formidables! (Pretty please!?)

Offering Hospitality

A subject that I've long been, er, enamored with is the one of hospitality. And so, in an effort to work on exercising it more creatively, genuinely (and sometimes enthusiastically), I've created yet another blog. It isn't about books. It isn't about book-ish thoughts (although I did order some books on the subject which I'm sure will be highlighted over there.) If you are curious and interested (and, of course, I hope that you are!) visit Offering Hospitality.



It is a TOTAL work in progress, but it has some help . . . ! I'm not alone in caring about this subject and my sister-in-law, Jennifer (of Hank the Cowdog fame), agreed to join in on the fun. Hopefully it will be just that - FUN. And encouraging.

Truly, it is a site that won't work without feedback. I've e-mailed back and forth on the subject with some particular friends of mine and Offering Hospitality is not just a work-in-progress so much as it is a series of thoughts-in-progress which I hope will turn into action. It's my own personal challenge, but I don't think I'm alone in the pursuit of it.

That said, we invite you to visit us at Offering Hospitality and share in the journey!

Jane Austen Ruined My Life, by Beth Pattillo

I first saw a review for Jane Austen Ruined My Life on 5 Minutes for Books where my friend and fellow staff writer, Lisa, reviewed it. Her review piqued my interest but then I forgot about it. Several months passed and everyone and their bloggy neighbor started reading and talking about it and I have to admit that I was feeling a little left out. So when the opportunity came along to read a copy - well, I just jumped on it, that's what! Because I am reading this first on the recommendation of Lisa, I'm linking this up to the I Read it Carnival at 5 Minutes for Books.

I won't spoil the book for you in this review so feel free to keep reading.

I say that because it actually would be easy to spoil this book as it has something of a mystery surrounding the life of Jane Austen which the readers must "solve" through the main protagonist of the book, Emma Douglas. Emma has just recently been separated from her husband who was carrying on an affair behind her back.

Now, let's stop right there. I actually didn't think I was going to enjoy this book very much when I first started it because of how descriptive Pattillo thought she needed to be in allowing her readers to visualize the affair. Quite frankly, I didn't need to go there. A spouse cheating on a spouse is painful enough to have knowledge of. A picture painted out (and then repeated throughout the story as point of reference) is really quite unnecessary and I think that the subject matter could have been handled a little bit more discretely and it wouldn't have hurt the story at all. On the contrary, I think it would have helped me to enjoy the story more completely. However, the existence of this issue causes me to have to throw that little disclaimer in this review. It IS a "minor" point of the story but it will likely alarm the more conservative reader as you consider heading into this adventure.

That said, everything about the book which did not involve the mention of the affair was quite enjoyable.

Emma flies to London to escape her life which is falling apart all around her. She was a well-respected expert on the matter of Jane Austen until a rather unfortunate fall from grace in the professional world (which ties into the business of the affair.) She goes to London convinced that Jane Austen's high ideals of marrying for love, and ever-ready happy endings, has ruined her outlook on life. Hence the title of the book. In England Emma spends her time immersed in Austen's world and through some mysterious circumstances, comes to the conclusion that Jane Austen didn't ruin her life - she herself did.

Despite my initial misgivings, this was a book that had me looking for every spare, quiet moment I could find so that I could devour it as quickly as possible. I can see now why Lisa and the rest were so very enthusiastic about it. It is just an all-around pleasurable read. I think it would make an awesome chick flick as it has all the elements of drawing crowds of women in.

The message of the book is hard to discern, really. I couldn't decide it was telling me that I should be a self sufficient female, or if I should trust my instincts and fall in love with love. I couldn't tell if it questioned faith or supported it, or if Pattillo merely wanted to show me a good time! If the later was her goal, she certainly accomplished it. She did play around with Austen's life which a true Austen fan might take issue with. At the same time, she was very creative in her story telling. As her characters discuss (in a rather poignant conversation):

"You have to admit, it all sounds a bit far-fetched."

"Most true things do," she replied.