Book Reviews

Wow. I wanted to read this book all day long. I love true stories about people who are a little different that overcome obstacles. Yep, this one did it all.

Annie Wilkins was a poor farmer in the 1950’s in Minot Maine in her 50’s, decided to ride a horse to California. She knew it was a long way but she was really “off the grid” on her farm, no TV, no running water, no plumbing, and no money. She had no plan other than to head south to warmer weather so she could get to California because she decided to start in November from Maine.

Little did she know that even Tennesee can be cold in the winter. She assumed people would be nice to her and let her put her horse in a stable or barn most evenings…and she was right.

Local newspapers began doing articles on her and people were often looking to put her and her animals up. She started with one horse and her dog, Depeche Toi (French for “hurry up”), and then picked up another horse on the way to share the load.

I didn’t know that many local sheriffs would put people up in jail cells so they had a place to sleep and a meal. Annie stayed in a number of them plus many many homes were open to her. Some towns were so excited to see her that they put her up in their best hotels…free of charge. One person in Maine had a bunch of postcards made up of Annie, her horse, and dog, and told Annie to sell them along them way to make money.

This is a feel-good book that is worth the read.

By Richard Rohr

I first heard of Richard Rohr while listening to a Brene Brown podcast when she interviewed him. Wow! An impressive human being.

So I ordered one of his books and then my brother, a Catholic priest sent me this one.

Having been raised Catholic but long ago left the church, there were a number of things that connected with me from this Franciscan friar.

I knew about St. Francis but did not remember hearing about Clare who was with Francis throughout their work. I love that both of them saw their faith in nature and all that nature brings. Almost like the native Americans do. This resonates with me as an environmentalist and a person who loves the outdoors.

Here is one of my favorite quotes. “You must preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” In this book friar Rohr talks about the need for action more than the rituals that come with formal religions (not just Catholic) and how many people hide behind the religion and actual church structures to “prove they are good people” when actions are where it should happen.

“…in Franciscan spritiruality. It surpasses the boundaries of religion, culture, gender, ethnicity, era, class, or any measure of worthiness or education.” He respects all religions who believe in god and who do the right thing in life which is to love others.

“Love is a very real energy, a spiritual life force that is much more powerful than ideas or mere thoughts. Love is endlessly alive, always flowing toward the lower place, and thus life-giving for all, like a great river and water itself.”

I have much to think about after reading this book but can honestly say I connected with much of it.

By Patricia Cornwall

I’ve read many of the Kay Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell over the years. I always love her style and ability to weave a good mystery with all kinds of twists and turns.

I found this more recent book on the shelves at the place we were staying while on vacation recently. Whew! I could not put this one down either.

The high-powered microwave weapons that I’ve read about at the US Embassy in Cuba where our employees had brain problems and hearing issues, she wove into this book.

No matter when I figured out “who did it” I was wrong. I am not a fan of the gory type of stuff a medical examiner has to deal with but I do love a good book about figuring out a murder or two. Well done again Patricia Cornwall.

By Jeffrey Deaver

Colter Shaw is a great name and a very cool dude who solves problems others can’t. This is the first of three books in Deaver’s series on Colter and I plan to find the next two as soon as I can.

This book is about Colter whose job it is to find missing people for money. He is not a detective and he is not a bounty hunter…just a guy who likes to solve puzzles on where a missing person is. He also likes to help people out.

This book has to do with video games and “who done it” changes so many times that I can’t even write about it here other than someone is taking the storyline from video games and making it real life. Wow! Loved the book and the main character. Give me more 🙂

by Elizabeth Gilbert author of Eat Pray Love

There is so much that I love in this book. Not the least of which is how her “magic” is so closely related to trusting your hunches, instincts, and putting positive vibes out to the universe. She writes this book to those people who are creative and want to do creative work, but I find it applicable for all kinds of people.

She speaks to the inherent negative thinking that blocks so many of us.. I can’t do that…that won’t work…nobody is going to want to publish/read/watch (insert your word) this. She insists that you can’t worry about what others think about your work, keep moving forward, keep working at it, and if you believe it is good “go for it.”

I loved her story about how an editor rejected her story and then she resubmitted a couple years later and the same editor loved it. How often does that happen? Lots. People get rejected for jobs for all kinds of reasons. One errant comment from one of the people on the interview committee may be all it takes for the entire group to just move on to the next candidate.

Also, in Daniel Pinks book, When, he talks about the research that shows people who interview late in the afternoon do not get hired as much as people who interview in the morning. Timing is everything and Elizabeth Gilbert calls it magic. Sometimes magic that is good, sometimes, not so good. But you seldom ever know the real reasons.

I also agree with her belief that the mantra “follow your passion” is not that helpful. She insists that being curious is actually a better mantra to follow. I totally agree with this. If you are curious, you’ll discover things by accident…what I call intentional serendipity.

Page 236 “You might spend your whole life following your curiosity and have absolutely nothing to show for tat the end — except one thing. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you passed your entire existence in devotion to the noble human virtue of inquisitiveness“.

Be curious and take action. I really believe good things happen when you do, and so does Elizabeth Gilbert.