The Woman of Endor: a story of a witch used by God to deliver an important message

The Woman of Endor or the Witch of Endor is an unusual character in Saul’s story. Her story is brief in 1 Samuel 28. She is immersed in the occult with a reputation of being able to conjure spirits and yet she was kind a motherly. She was a character of compassion and sorrow. She showed King Saul compassion on the eve of his death after her great sorrow of being the one to help deliver a hopeless message to the king. While her role is brief, God used her to deliver a final message to the king. What is her story? Why was it a big deal that Saul sought her out? Why would God allow a witch to deliver his message? 

In the dead of night, a man comes to a woman, begging her to summon a spirit. The woman senses a trap as the king had banished all mediums and outlawed witchcraft. He wants her to summon the spirit of Samuel. It is then she realizes the man in front of her is King Saul. She protests but he insists, assuring her that no harm will come to her for doing as he asked. When Samuel’s spirit appears, she is filled with terror. Saul falls to his face on the floor as Samuel delivers his message. He will die in battle and his sons will die as well. After Samuel’s spirit leaves, the woman feeds Saul. It would become his last meal as Samuel’s message comes true the next day. Saul would fall on his sword and by the end of the day, his sons would be dead as well.

Many ancient peoples, as well as many people today, felt as though they were living in close contact with the spirit world. They relied on divination and fortune telling to communicate with the dead for guidance and knowledge. Right from the start, God told his people to avoid witchcraft in any and all forms. Leviticus 19:31 is clear and firm, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” The story of Saul and the woman of Endor reminds us that there is nothing new to human behavior. We all experience the same desires, temptations and needs. People try to find the answers they desperately want and not necessarily the ones they need to hear. Saul was desperate. He knew the silence from God could only mean one thing but he was willing to break his own decrees to receive a message from God. 

Endor was the land of the Manasseh tribe. A large city on the side of a hill, it became a harbor for refugees who had fallen out of favor with Israel (Bolinger, 2020). The Bible doesn’t specify if the woman truly conjured Samuel. There are many who believe it was a demon and not the spirit of Samuel. Why would God allow the woman to conjure Samuel, when he strictly forbade it? The Bible is not clear as to God’s reasons.  I personally believe God allowed the spirit of Samuel to come forward in order to give Saul his final message, a reason behind his silence. A message, I think, Saul already knew deep in his heart. Saul’s interaction with the woman of Endor could be seen as a story of irony. “He, the destroyer of the necromancers, forsaken by Yhweh himself, repairs to the witch’s house” (Hirsch, no date). 

In conclusion, the heart of the story of Saul and the woman of Endor is fear. Saul was filled with fear that he had been forsaken by God and in one last desperate act, he sought out a medium, despite God’s instructions and his own decrees. Through God’s final message, Saul learns that he had forsaken God first. The woman of Endor was also afraid for her life. If she was caught performing witchcraft, it would mean her life. But Saul was desperate that he would break his own rules. Fear is a very natural, human emotion. It is what we do with our fear that matters. Do we let fear lead us to disobedience like Saul? Or do we focus on our faith in God to overcome our fears? 

References

Bolinger, Hope (October 9, 2020). Who was the Witch of Endor? Christianity. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/who-was-the-witch-of-endor.html. Retrieved September 9, 2021. 

Hirsch, Emil G (no date). Endor, The Witch of. Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5755-endor-the-witch-of. Retrieved September 9, 2021. 

Chasing Alexander: a realistic look into one Marine's war experience

Chasing Alexander: A Marine’s Journey Across Iraq and Afghanistan by Christopher Martin is his personal account of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a falling college student obsessed with Alexander the Great, Martin enlisted in the US Marine Corps. His goal: to become a different man, a man like Alexander. Chronicling his early life in small town Pennsylvania where nothing happens to his struggles in high school and college and leading to his decision to join the Marines. From his difficulty at boot camp to his disappointing deployment to Iraq, Martin fears he will never live up to Alexander’s example. Soon after, Martin and his unit are sent to Marjah, nicknamed “the bleeding ulcer” of Afghanistan. There he faces heat, fleas and a hidden enemy. As the firefights increase and the casualties are becoming names he knows, Martin struggles to control his emotions and his newfound sense of power. He may physically survive the war, but will he keep his sanity? 

Chasing Alexander is a haunting, fast-paced war memoir of a young man who thought only about the glory of war and not the cost. A book I could not put down as Martin’s account of his experiences are captivating. Interwoven with history facts about Alexander the Great, Martin gives an unflinching, no-holds-bar account of the seductive side of war and its horrifying consequences. His determination to be a grunt, an ordinary Joe, is quickly thwarted when his intelligence puts him in more important roles including leadership. With the recent events in Afghanistan in the back of my mind, I read Martin’s words with baited breath. His account of Operation Moshtarak (February 13, 2010 - December 7, 2010) aka the Battle of Marjah was particularly riveting. It is an honest, poignant look into an experience that many of us will never have. It is a reminder about the cost of war particularly to the men and women who fight it. I highly recommend Chasing Alexander. 

Chasing Alexander is available in hardcover and eBook. 

My Little Pony: A New Generation: a movie review

My Little Pony: A New Generation in a new computer animated film which features new ponies and adventures in the land of Equestria. Directed by Robert Cullen and Jose Ucha, the film is the start of the fifth generation of the My Little Pony franchise. Voice talents include Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn, James Marsden, Sofia Carson and Liza Koshy. The film was released on Netflix on September 24, 2021 with limited theatrical releases in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Russia. What is the main story? What was good about the film and what fell short? 

Set many, many years after the events of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Twilight Sparkle’s teachings on friendship and harmony have been replaced with mistrust, paranoia and false beliefs about each other. Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns have lived isolated from one another. In the Earth pony town of Maretime Bay, Argyle Starshine (voiced by Michael McKean) tells stories of Twilight Sparkle and her friends to his young daughter, Sunny Starscout (voiced by Vanessa Hudgens), who shares his dream of reuniting the three pony kinds. One day, when Sunny has grown up, a unicorn named Izzy Moonbow walks into Maretime Bay. As the town’s residents panic, thinking that Izzy is a hostile invader, Sunny sees the opportunity to make friends with a unicorn. She shelters Izzy in her home and discovers that the unicorns have lost their magic. Together, they embark on an adventure where they meet royal sisters, Pipp (voiced by Sofia Carson) and Zipp (voiced by Liza Koshy) from Zephyr Heights, and joined by Maretime Bay’s sheriff, Hitch (voiced by James Marsden) to restore magic to the land. 

There were many aspects of the film that I enjoyed. First, the story itself. It is an enjoyable, funny, and yes even a bit predictable, film with a great message. A message that friendship is what brings us together and friendship is what helps bridge our differences and bring magic to our lives. Second, the voice acting. Each actor is a great fit for their character. I thoroughly enjoyed Kimko Glenn’s Izzy Moonbow, the innocent and goofy unicorn, who was simply looking for a friend. Izzy reminds me of Pinkie Pie, the fun-loving Earth pony from Friendship is Magic. Third, what would a My Little Pony show be without music? And the music in this film is catchy and enjoyable. My favorite song is Sunny’s song, “Gonna Be My Day.” A song in which Sunny affirms that she will not be held back by the fear that has gripped other Earth ponies and to forge ahead with the change she desires to see. 

There wasn’t much that I didn’t like about this film. At a runtime of 90 minutes, the story and its resolution happens fairly quickly. This aspect can be forgiven as it is a children’s film that only has a short amount of time to capture and keep their attention. I didn’t like one song, “Danger, Danger (Angry Mob). It reminded me of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” I don't know if the similarities were intentional or not. One aspect of the story I did not care for is when Hitch goes after Sunny, his deputy, Sprout (voiced by Ken Jeong) morphs into a dictator, and is ultimately the antagonist the ponies must overcome, gets off scot-free with no consequences. At least that we don’t see in the film. One critic criticized the film for its “creepily-anthropomorphized" design of the ponies (Loayza, 2021). I didn’t find the design of the ponies creepy at all. It is definitely a change from the original ponies of the 1980s (which today I find a bit creepy) to the ponies of Friendship is Magic. The film garnered many positive reviews. The film was “paying homage to the past while telling a new tale” and “delivering an innovative, subtly subversive family-friendly product” (Howard, 2021). 

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. My preschool daughter enjoyed it as well. As we have watched it multiple times a day since it’s release. Even my older daughter, who grew up with Friendship is Magic, enjoyed this film. I see many more views in our future. I look forward to further films or shows they may have planned for this new generation. My Little Pony: A New Generation is a family friendly and fun film. If you are a fan of Friendship is Magic, you will enjoy A New Generation. 

References

Howard, Courtney (September 21, 2021). "'My Little Pony: A New Generation' Review: Franchise Re-shoe Offers a Galloping Good Time". Variety. https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/my-little-pony-a-new-generation-review-1235069513/. Retrieved September 24, 2021.

Loayza, Beatrice (September 23, 2021). My Little Pony: A New Generation' Review: The Ponies Get Political. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/23/movies/my-little-pony-a-new-generation-review.html.  Retrieved September 24, 2021.

River of Lights: a fun adventure for young readers

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is the first book in the Magical Mortal series. Katie Andrews doesn’t fit in with the other girls at her French boarding school. During a field trip in Paris, Katie falls into the river Seine and discovers a colorful fairy world hidden below. In the mysterious Land of Light, all is not well. An evil wizard named Gaul has captured the queen and stolen the fairy light. With the help of her new friend, Princess Lilly, and the firefly fairies, Katie discovers there is an ancient prophecy that can help defeat Gaul and save the Land of Light. In the process, she discovers a secret that will change everything she knows about her family. 

With a Narnia-like journey, River of Lights is a great introduction to a new magical series. A book for young readers, particularly girls, filled with fairies, princesses and evil wizards. It is a sweet and fun adventure and as a fairly easy and fast read, I see younger readers really enjoying this series either reading independently or as a family. I look forward to introducing these books to my daughters. If you enjoy magical kingdom adventures, you will enjoy River of Lights. 

River of Lights is available in paperback and eBook. 

The Storyteller of Casablanca: two different time periods, two different woman, one hope to start over

The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy is a story of visitors to a strange city and finding a second chance. In 2010, Zoe Harris moved to Casablanca with her husband as his company offered him a relocation. She struggles with the move, her marriage and their baby daughter. One day she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s room. In 1941, twelve-year-old Josie Duval arrives in Casablanca with her family as France falls to the Nazi occupation. There they await safe passage to America. Life there is as intense as the sun with every sight, smell and sound is different and overwhelming. A world away from the troubles back home and Jose loves it. As Zoe reads Josie’s diary, she finds herself opening up to her new city. Seeing the city through the eyes of Josie and finding hope and comfort in the words of a young girl who saw joy and life despite the terror around her. Can Josie’s story help her mend her broken heart and find life in her new home? How does Josie’s story end? 

The Storyteller of Casablanca was a story I devoured. From the opening chapter to the final line, the story pulls you in and won’t let go. Fiona Valpy has written another amazing story. I loved Josie’s story and eagerly anticipated finding out what happened to her and finding out why her diary was left behind. Zoe was a character who was hard to figure out, and even sympathize with at certain points, but when the reason behind her broken heart was revealed, her behavior made sense and your heart breaks for her. I admit that I shed a few tears when she discusses the events around her heartbreak. I enjoyed the history woven into the story as I was only familiar with Casablanca from the famous 1942 movie with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. I wasn’t aware that many Jewish refugees fled there before searching for a safer place to call home. I also wasn’t aware of the importance of the area during World War II. I highly, highly recommend The Storyteller of Casablanca. It is a story that will stay with me for a very long time. 

The Storyteller of Casablanca is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Banned Book Week: a celebrate the freedom to read

Banned Book Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read by featuring books that have been targeted or banned from public and school libraries. It will be celebrated from September 26 through October 2 with this year’s theme, “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides.” The goal is to spotlight the freedom to seek and express ideas even those some would consider unorthodox or unpopular. Launched in the 1980s, at a time of increased challenges and organized protests against languages and ideas that some groups considered dangerous. In 1982, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) held their annual BookExpo and showcased the banned books in large, padlocked metal cages with approximately 500 banned books. Due to the success of the exhibit, a yearly campaign was started. Also in 1982, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Island Trees School District v Pico. What impact did the case have on the freedom to read? What books are frequently banned across the country? 

In 1975, Island Trees School District received a complaint from a community group, Parents of New York United. They asserted that school policies on library books were too “permissive.” They specially complained about approximately 9 books, including Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) by Kurt Vonnegut and Best Short Stories by Negro Writers (1967) by Langston Hughes. They stated that the books were “anti-American, anti-Christian, and anti-Semitic, and just plain flithy” (Bill of Rights Institute, 2021). In response, the district removed the books in February 1975. Senior Steven Pico and four other students challenged the decision. They claimed the books were removed because “passages in the books offended social, political, and moral tastes,” and not because they lacked “educational value” (Bill of Rights Institute, 2021). A dozen libraries and free speech organizations filed briefs on the students’ behalf and the case made its way to the Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to read was implied by the First Amendment. A public school as part of the government, cannot restrict speech because it does not agree with the content of that speech (Bill of Rights Institute, 2021). They went on the rule that libraries are places for “voluntary inquiry'' and the school boards’ “absolute discretion” over the classroom did not extend to the library (Bill of Rights Institute, 2021). 

One of the most famous banned books is Lady Chatterley's Lover (1928) by DH Lawrence. It was published privately in Italy and Penguin Books published the original explicit text in 1960 (Spencer, 2017). Eventually it would be banned in four countries, including the United States in 1930, for obscenity. The ban would eventually be overturned in 1959. Another famous banned book, All Quiet on the Western Front (1928) by Erich Maria Remarque, was seen as unpatriotic by the National Socialist German Workers’ Party and even non-Nazi military personal and writers (Spencer, 2017). It would be among many books banned and burned during the Nazi regime (Sauer, 2015). Today, there are challenges to books somewhere in the United States every year. Here are five frequently challenged books (some of these books are repeatedly on the yearly book list) as well as a reason why it was challenged. 

1. To Kill a Mockingbird bird by Harper Lee. Reasons: racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience

2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Reasons: profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones” 

3. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Reasons: referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals

4. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Reasons: sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”

5. The Holy Bible. Reason: religious viewpoint

One thing I have learned is to read for yourself. While I check out book reviews when considering books, they are not the only factor in my decision to read a book or not. For a long time, I listened to many people in my church who spoke bad about the Harry Potter series. I refused to read it for the longest time. It wasn’t until I took a children’s literature class in college and one of the required books was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997). From the opening chapter I was hooked. It was then I realized that I was forming my opinion based on someone’s opinion. The old adage is true, never judge a book by its cover, and I would add never judge a book based on someone else’s opinion. I have been given books that people raved about, but when I read it myself, I wasn’t as impressed. Does that mean the book is bad? No, it just means the book didn’t speak to me as it did to others. I spend a great deal of my year reading and reviewing books. I thoroughly enjoy expressing my opinions and while I may not recommend a book, I will never tell someone to never read a book. Consider the recommendations but read for yourself before you form your own opinion. 

In conclusion, Banned Book Week is an annual celebration of our freedom to read or not to read. Books have been challenged for various reasons for centuries. Encouraging people not to read a book based on its content is one thing, but to completely ban a book is another. We have the freedom to read or not to read a book based on recommendations or our own investigations into the content. Many people have raved about books that I have no interest in reading but I will not discourage others from reading it. There are books that I have no desire to read based on what the content is, but I will not look down on those who choose to read it or move to ban it  from being read at all. Again it is the freedom of choice. If I choose to read a book for entertainment, to broaden my horizons or just to see what the fuss is about, that is my choice. 

For Further Reading

American Library Association https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned

References

Bill of Rights Institute (2021). Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982). Bill of Rights Institute. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/e-lessons/island-trees-school-district-v-pico-1982. Retrieved September 15, 2021. 

Sauer, Patrick (June 16, 2015). The Most Loved and Hated Novel About World War I. Smithsonian Magazine. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/most-loved-and-hated-novel-about-world-war-I-180955540/.

Retrieved September 17, 2021. 

Spencer, Samuel (September 25, 2017). 12 Books That Have Been Famously Banned. The Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/articles/the-12-most-famous-banned-books-of-all-time/. Retrieved September 15, 2021. 

National First Love Day: who was our first love?

Today is National First Love Day! A first love is the first person you truly fell in love with. The first one that gave you the first “butterflies in the stomach” feeling. The first date. The first spark. The one you talked to day or night. It was the person who truly saw a future with. It is also the first and one of the hardest heartbreaks. For some, their first loves were many, many years ago. The person they look back on with bittersweet fondness. For others, they are still with their first loves. What is first love? Why should we celebrate those first loves? How can we celebrate? If you are with your first love or not, today is the day to celebrate that first love! 

According to George Bernard Shaw, “first love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity.”  A first love is more than a crush, more than an infatuation. A crush is usually a brief but intense infatuation for someone who is usually unattainable. A first love is different. A first love is usually someone’s first serious relationship. And for some, it is their first lesson in heartbreak. Maya Angelou describes the loss of a first love as “so painful that it borders on the ludicrous.” You never forget your first love as little things may come up that remind you of them. That song from high school on the radio takes you back to your first day with them or the first kiss with them. For some, the first loves are their only loves. It is estimated that 25% of marriages are with a first love. I know many who married, and are still married, to their first loves, including myself. 

Why celebrate National First Love Day? First, it is a trip down memory lane to the best of times. First loves are usually the beginning of new things, a rite of passage that often takes us across the bridge from childhood into adulthood. In Deana Carter’s song Strawberry Wine (1995), a woman looks back on the summer of her first love.: “I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child/When one restless summer we found love growing wild.” Second, first loves are often a lesson learned. For those whose first loves became their first heartbreak, it shapes and informs us for the next time we fall in love. Lastly, first love are memories and stories we can share. The experiences that make us who we are today, whether they were happy, sad or even funny, should be shared. They can inform others about what to look for in a relationship, what to avoid and what they could possibly have to look forward to. 

How do we celebrate National First Love Day? Here are a few suggestions. First, create a playlist or play a song that reminds you of your first love. For me, one song is the first song my husband and I danced to while we were dating, Bryan Adams’ 2002 song, Here I am. Whenever I hear it, I am taken back to that first dance. Second, go on a date. And if you can recreate your first date. Many first dates involve dinner and a movie. Go to the restaurant where you had dinner. Watch the movie you watched that night. Lastly, stay home and watch a romantic movie. There are a lot of choices when it comes to romantic movies. From rom-com to melodramas, there’s a movie for everyone. From the popular Love, Actually (2003) to the classic Ghost (1990) to my favorites The Wedding Singer (1998) and The Notebook (2004), there’s a movie for everyone. 

In conclusion, National First Love Day is a trip down memory lane. First loves are powerful and important experiences in our lives. They are usually marked with personal growth with significant impact on who we are. Some of us may move on to other loves but that first love is always present and special. They are important experiences in our lives. Others marry their first loves and some are even still married to them. Whether your first love is a distant memory or the love of your life, first loves should be celebrated. Celebrate every first in that relationship. The first date. The first kiss. The first “I love you”. And even the first break-up. The memory of a first love is something that time cannot take away. 

The Memory of Butterflies: life and it's difficult choices

The Memory of Butterflies by Grace Greene is a moving story of family, secrets and forgiveness. To keep the family secrets hidden, a young mother lies, but when her secrets are forced to be revealed, it could end up destroying everything and everyone she loves. Hannah Cooper’s daughter, Ellen, is leaving for college soon. The change is bittersweet as she desires her daughter to have the opportunities she was forced to give up but she also isn’t eager for life alone. As Ellen prepares for her senior year and college, Hannah rebuilds the family home that was destroyed in a fire and returns to her roots in Cooper’s Hollow along the beautiful and rustic Cub Creek in Virginia. With the help of her longtime friend, Roger Westray, Hannah begins shifting through the ashes. Soon the secrets she fought hard to keep hidden rise from the ashes and when one rumor circulates, Hannah is forced to reveal her secrets. Can they survive the earth shattering truth? 

Once again, Grace Greene writes a story with a tough subject with realism and heart. There is no clear heroine or villain. Sometimes with life’s choices, there are no winners or losers. You feel for Hannah as she is faced with difficult choices as a young woman and now as a mother who raised her daughter alone. It's easy to see the “should have done” choices but what would you have done in Hannah’s shoes? As one character points out, “Life doesn’t always lend itself to clear, easy choices.” There is one particular scene near the end that had me crying my eyes out as Hannah finally faces the pain she has been pushing aside for so long and the realization that she needs to stop hiding, to stop running and face what may come. The reactions and emotions portrayed by the characters are very realistic. It was a fast read. I finished it in a few hours as I couldn’t put it down. I recommend The Memory of Butterflies. 

The Memory of Butterflies is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Spectacular: not so spectacular

The Spectacular by Zoe Whittall is the story of three generations of women who strive for real freedom in sexuality, gender identity and their ambivalence toward motherhood. It’s 1997 and Melissa “Missy” Wood is a cellist in an indie rock band on tour across America. At 22 years old, she gets on stage and plays the song about her absent mother that made the band famous. As the only girl in the band, she is determined to party just as hard, maybe even harder, as everyone else. She loves the idea of leaving a guy in every town. Meanwhile, her mother, Carola Neligan aka Juniper, has resurfaced after a sex scandal at the yoga center when she has been living. She sees Missy, for the first time in years,  on the cover of a magazine cover. Missy decides to crash at her grandmother Ruth’s house and Ruth decides enough is enough. Mother and daughter need to find a way to understand one another. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Whittall’s The Best Kind of People (2016) and looked forward to reading The Spectacular. Advertised as a “sharply observed novel” that “captures three very different women who each struggle to build an authentic life,” The Spectacular sets out to explore what it means to be a woman. Does it include the desire to be a mother? It is assumed that women naturally want to be moms. What happens when a woman feels she doesn’t want kids...ever? Should others dictate to women to keep the motherhood option open? As a woman who has always known I wanted children and have faced the challenges of motherhood head on, I was curious about the premise. Right off the bat, I was put off by Missy’s vulgarity and childishness. It was hard to sympathize with Carola. Ruth’s story was interesting but far too short. It wasn’t the story I was expecting and I am certainly not the audience for this story. I do not recommend The Spectacular. 

The Spectacular is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

No God But One: an in depth examination of Christianity and Islam

No God but One: Allah or Jesus? A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi is an in depth, analytical examination of Christianity and Islam. Mr. Qureshi sets out to examine Island and Christianity in detail, exploring areas of crucial conflict and seeking relevant evidence. In this book, he provides a through and careful comparison of the evidence for Islam and for Christianity and addresses the important questions regarding the two religions. How do they differ? Are the differences significant? Can we be confident that either Christianity or Islam is true? And most importantly, is it worth sacrificing everything? Sharing stories from his life and ministry, Mr. Qureshi casts new light on current events and explores pivotal events in the histories of both religions as he compares and contrasts the two religions. Both Islam and Christianity teach that there is no God but one. But who is it? Allah or Jesus? Who deserves to be worshiped? 

I was first introduced to Nabeel Qureshi in the documentary, American Gospel (2018) and I immediately was curious about his journey from Islam to Christianity. Mr. Qureshi shared his journey of faith in the New York Times bestselling Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2014), which I have not read yet. However, in No God But One, the reader gets a sense of his journey to faith as he examines Islam and Christianity to their bare bones and answers the hard questions. No God but One is a great resource that is gripping, thought-provoking and challenging while being respectful and insightful. I read the eBook edition which has bonus content of a Q&A with Nabeel Qureshi as well as access to videos in which Mr. Qureshi answers some of the common questions about Islam and Christianity. No God but One is an amazing, in-depth examination between Islam and Christianity. I highly, highly recommend No God but One. 

No God but One is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Finding Home: a laid back, relaxing romance

Finding Home by Tammy L Grace is the first book in the Hometown Harbor series. Sam Collins has been devastated. After discovering her husband’s infidelities after 25 years of marriage, she is desperate for a do-over, a fresh start. Along with her dog, Sam moves from the hustle and bustle of Seattle to the quiet and quaint island community of the San Juan Islands. There she buys a bookstore and coffee shop. She soon needs a carpenter for the renovations. Jeff Cooper, a retired fireman turned handyman, answers the call. As he works on her projects, and she gets to know the community, he can’t resist falling for her. And Sam feels the same pull toward Jeff but she’s afraid to risk another relationship. Just when she thinks the past cannot cause any more pain, she is confronted with information that brings it all back. With the love and support of her new community, can she take the chance for the family and home she has been longing for? 

Finding Home is a sweet, heartwarming story of love, friendship, family and second chances with inspiration of healing from old wounds and new possibilities. The story is filled with great characters that made me smile and laugh, especially Jeff and his siblings, who also live on the island. The sibling banter back and forth was entertaining. I enjoyed all the characters and the small town feel as the community opens their arms to Sam and her dog. I also enjoyed Ms. Grace’s descriptions of the island and the town. She gives nice descriptions without being overly descriptive. I could easily picture this community and its residents. My only complaint is that everything seems to happen so fast. The conflicts that arose seem to be resolved quickly and everything is okay again. Maybe they aren’t really resolved and they will be carried over to the other books in the series. I look forward to finding out. If you are looking for a laid-back, relaxing read, I recommend Finding Home. 

Finding Home is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Living and the Lost: not just another WWII story!

The Living and the Lost by Ellen Feldman is the story of love, survival and forgiveness. Meike “Millie” Mosbach and her brother, David, managed to escape to the United States just before the Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, leaving their parents and little sister in Berlin. Once in America, Millie attends Bryn Mawr and David enlists in the army and trains in intelligence. Now they are both back in Berlin, haunted by the ghosts of the life they knew and the devastation from the war. They are hoping against hope that they will find their family. Millie works for the army in the office responsible for rooting out the most dedicated Nazis from publishing. She is consumed with anger at her former country and its citizens. David works trying to help displaced people rebuild while operating secret nighttime activities. Living and working in war-torn Berlin, a latter day Wild West, where danger seems to be around every corner. Millie must come to terms with a decision she made as a girl in a moment of panic. Will she discover what happened to her parents and little sister? Will she be able to come to terms with her life now?  

I read Ms. Feldman’s Paris Never Leaves You last year and I grabbed the chance to read her newest book. The Living and the Lost is a different type of story as she deals with the occupation after the war as many World War II stories tend to focus on the war itself and leaves the aftermath as an afterthought. As I read, I was torn. It is very emotionally, in depth, touching on topics that many of us don’t think about. As the story progressed, I couldn’t help but find connections to the events of the world today and I found myself asking what would I do if I were Millie? The Living and the Lost is not a book to be read lightly. It deals with heavy topics and I had to put it down a few times in order to process what I just read. However, the desire to find out what happens kept drawing me back. I like that the story ended with no clear cut answers as to the whys as life doesn’t always give us answers to our satisfaction. I enjoyed that Ms. Feldman tackled the events in the aftermath of the war and the tensions and prejudices that were present. I recommend The Living and the Lost. 

The Living and the Lost is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook

National Read a Book Day: the benefits and joy of reading

Today is National Read a Book Day, which is celebrated every year on September 6th. As an avid bookworm, many of you know that I love books. I fell in love with reading in the seventh grade when I was introduced to The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and I began to read for pleasure as well as for my assignments. The origin behind National Read a Book Day is a bit of a mystery but whoever came up with the idea had an amazing idea. Some people reading is a favorite pastime, while for others it is a chore but overall there are many benefits to reading. I will share a few of my favorite reads as well as tips to observe National Read a Book Day. 

The benefits of reading are both for the physical body as well as your mental well-being. First, MRI scans have shown that reading creates and strengthens the sophisticated network of circuits and signals in the brain (Stanborough, 2019). Second, reading has been shown to reduce stress. Reading for a little as 30 minutes a day has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate and psychological distress (Stanborough, 2019). Third, reading has been shown to help prepare your brain for a good night’s rest. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic suggest reading as a regular part of your nightly routine (Stanborugh, 2019). For an individual’s mental well-being, first, reading helps increase your ability to empathize with others. Studies have shown that people who read literary fiction have a heightened ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of others (Stanborough, 2019). Second, reading helps build one’s vocabulary. Studies have shown that children who are exposed to reading at an young age develop larger vocabulary. Third, reading helps prevent age-related cognitive decline. “A 2013 study conducted by Rush University Medical Center found that people who’ve engaged in mentally stimulating activities all their lives were less likely to develop the plaques, lesions, and tau-protein tangles” associated with dementia (Stanborough, 2019). 

With all these benefits, many people ask, what should I read? Anything! Anything you enjoy. Anything that you find relaxing will provide these benefits. If you like humor, read it! If you enjoy sci-fi or fantasy, read it! The point is to engage your brain and enjoyment is a part of that engagement. There are many lists out there that claim books one must read before they die or to be considered educated. I’ve tried to read some of the books there and even as an avid reader, it was a struggle. Until I came across someone who stated that life’s too short to read books that bore you, so read for enjoyment. I mentioned The Outsiders above, here are a few of my other favorites from the classics to modern publications.

My favorite classics:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee

2. Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte

3. Fahrenheit 451 (1953) by Ray Bradbury

4. The Chronicles of Narnia series (1950-1956) by CS Lewis

5. Bridge to Terabithia (1977) by Katherine Paterson

My favorite modern publications:

1. The Kite Runner (2003) by Khaled Hosseini 

2. The Harry Potter series (1997-2007) by J.K. Rowling

3. Tales of the Scavenger’s Daughters series (2013-2015) and it’s prequel, The Palest Ink (2015) by Kay Bratt

4. Hurricane Summer (2021) by Asha Bromfield

5. The Color of Heaven (2013) by Julianne MacLean

Now, how to observe National Read a Book Day? Simply, sit back, relax and read a book. Celebrate with a new book you’ve been meaning to read or select an old favorite. Reading doesn’t even have to be a traditional book, especially if you are trying to encourage your children to read. Comic books and graphic novels are a great source of entertainment with a complex storyline and amazing art work. Manga books, Japanese comic or graphic novels,  have grown in popularity among young adults, with their unique style of art and storytelling. Dr. Laura Jimenez of Brown University has found that comic, graphic novels and manga “provide an entry point for struggling readers, challenge gifted readers, and help more students learn” (Maxwell, 2018) and may even lead young adults to become readers of traditional books as well as comics. You can also visit a local library or a local bookstore by yourself or take your family. Have your children pick out a book to read as a family. Still unsure what to read? Librarians and bookstore staff are great sources for recommendations as well as Amazon, Goodreads and other online sources. With the growing popularity and convenience of eBooks, books can now go with us wherever we go! 

In conclusion, I love reading. I spend many hours of my day reading and writing reviews for others to hopefully pick up and enjoy as well. Reading may be a solitary activity but it can open a wide community of fellow readers. Reading has great benefits for our bodies and our minds. With so many choices and so many genres, everyone can find books they will enjoy. Whether it is a traditional book, comic books or an eBook, reading is reading. It engages the mind, reduces stress and can help us build a better community as we learn to empathize with others. Remember, reading as little as 30 minutes a day can bring these benefits. Pick up your favorite book, sit back and immerse yourself in a different world for a while. Happy National Read a Book Day! 

Reference

Maxwell, Lucas (August 2, 2018). A Friendly Reminder that Comic Books Still Count as Reading. Bookriot.com. https://bookriot.com/comic-books-count-as-reading/. Retrieved September 2, 2021. 

Stanborough, Rebecca Joy (October 15, 2019). Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life. Heathline.com. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books. Retrieved September 1, 2021.