Book Reviews

Comment

Comment by Marian Methner on September 26, 2009 at 5:48am

My Father's Paradise, A Son's Searh for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq, by Ariel Sabar. This book has me in awe and agog. It is combination history of Aramaic, a family, Kurdish Jews and a region that holds our attention in the news media now. It is also a story of growing love of a man for his father based on his love for his son and his Jewish religion. As I read of the horrid treatment of Jews throughout history I loose hope for humankind, yet at the same time have all hope for the world based on Sabar and his father, a professor who almost single handedly kept Aramaic alive, and many of the people Sabar writes about. Ariel Sabar will be speaking in Bellingham October 28. I'll write a full report! Blessings. M

Comment by George Polley on August 7, 2009 at 5:59am

I like that quote from Rebecca Solnit too, Marian. It's certainly my experience when I'm writing: "Okay, guys, where're we going today? Down what streets and what alleys?" Adventuresome, with lots of twists and turns, sometimes scary, sometimes beautiful, sometimes celebrative. I never know just where we're going, my companions and I, until we set out. Fascinating process.

The same is true with reading. Open the book, turn the page, and....

Comment by jo an gaines on August 6, 2009 at 9:05pm

Late at night, I have just completed the Dancing Animal Woman by
Anne Hillman....a graduate of UCS...a most spirit enhancing read!!

Anne will be a presenter on the Consciousness Cruise to Alaska, Sept.2nd-9th.
Dr. Matthew Fox will be our treasured speaker!!

Comment by George Polley on August 5, 2009 at 7:48am

That definitely is a great quote, Marian. It just ended up on my list of favorite quotes.

Comment by Marian Methner on August 5, 2009 at 2:09am

Thank you for this community. I thought I had too many communities however I like hearing book suggestions and would like to share three. I've just finished People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - such a good story about the Sarajevo Haggadah rescued from shelling during the Bosnian war. The novel is based on a true story.
The second book is People of the Whale by Linda Hogan, one of my favorite writers. It's a story of an indiginous peoples loosing their past ... and finding their present.
The book I'm reading now, for the second time, is A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit. The blurb says its about losing oneself in the pleasures of an experience, about wandering and being lost and about the true uses of the unknown. "It is the job of artists to open doors and invite in prophesies, the unknown, the unfamiliar... they transform the unknown into the known, haul it in like fishermen; artists get you out into that dark sea." It's not only about artists but I like that quote...

Comment by Aliyah Schick on July 30, 2009 at 4:56am

Thanks, Netti. I've heard good things about that book. To my surprise we managed to settle on a next book when we got together yesterday rather than putting the choice off until next time. We're going to read and discussion Sue Monk Kidd's "The Dance of the Dissident Daughter." I read it years ago, loved it, and welcome reading it again. It will be very interesting to see what comes up in our discussions. Thanks for your suggestion. I'll save it for next time.

Comment by Netti Garner, D. Min, MSN, RN on July 29, 2009 at 11:53pm

Hi Aliyah,
I don't have a "womens" book, but Water for Elephants is such an interesting look at aging, "end of life" and living through the eyes/life of a circus animal doctor. I couldn't put it down and was thrilled with the ending.

Comment by Aliyah Schick on July 24, 2009 at 1:00am

Our book study group at Jubilee! (as part of the Prayer Chain) is ready to choose a new book, and I'm wondering if someone here could suggest a good one to stimulate discussion at our twice a month gatherings. Several members have mentioned an interest in women's spirituality, though we are certainly open to other subjects. We're coming off of reading Dossey's Prayer Is Good Medicine and did not share his need for scientific proof.

Comment by michel gadoury on April 20, 2009 at 11:59pm

Thank you George, that is a great idea!