Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants Macro Photography by Alan Detrick: Excellent! Easy to read and very informative. Gorgeous pictures, too. I learned a lot. Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George: Abbreviates to the point that the book didn't make much sense. I wold like to read something else by the same author Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: Interesting book that presents some thought-provoking ideas. It shares reasons why some individuals have been successful and how opportunity and desire are musts. Ida B by Katherine Hannigan: I know this book is for younger people, but as a homeschooling mom, I wanted to read this book. I actually enjoyed it. It was well written and a good story. I'd recommend it to both kids and parents. Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: Have you ever wondered why our troops are in Afghanistan? This book will make you think. You enter the daily lives of Afghanistan families and realize that they are very much like us, but at the same time, they are forced to live under regimes we Americans would find beyond inhumane. Worse, there is little respite from their own family. I will watch the nightly news to see if there can be a happy ending to this excellent fictional sotry that nevertheless reflects the truth. Expeditions by Karl Iagnemma: Wonderful details concerning the primitive wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula enhance this story about a son estranged from his father. Race, religion, and spiritualism deepen the meaning of the separate journeys of a father and son trying to find purpose in life as they trek through wilderness and find each other. Enjoyable and moving. Small Bites by Jennifer Joyce: Small Bites offers the reader a modern look at entertaining guests with food. Inclusive of many cuisines and detailed plans for having a gathering. I would recommend to anyone who wants to entertain. Schooled by Gordon Korman: This book is written for the pre-teen set, but as a homeschooling mom I wanted to read it. It is a great story and a good reminder that kids can survive and thrive if given a chance. I'm still going to keep homeschooling though! About Face by Donna Leon: Gives a knowledge of Venice, Italy and show the power of the feared Mafia. My Feet are killing me by Suzanne Levine: Very helpful. I didn't know there were exercises for the feet. A book to have on your home bookshelf for sure. 11:35:37 AM     Volunteering on the Rise My generation gets a bad rap. You know- us twenty-somethings: lazy, selfish, and never quite working up to our potential. To some extent I have to agree at least a little bit. After all, I have witnesses day-long marathons of "Grand Theft Auto" and have friends who would rather drive around a parking lot for 20 minutes than have to walk from a space in the back. However, I was thrilled to read that not only is volunteerism on the rise in this country, but the biggest increase was among young adults- those 16-24 years old. This group saw a 6% increase in the past year, from 7.8 to 8.2 million. During an economic downturn it's rare to see a rise in volunteerism, and while charitable giving was down, 61.8 million people donated their time to charitable causes- a million more than last year. Do you think this says something about the American people as a whole? I'm hoping this is a reflection of people caring for their neighbors and less fortunate during shaky economic times. Do you want to get involved? There are plenty of websites to help you find a cause that interests you and fits your schedule. Serve.gov Volunteer.gov TakePride.gov - Colleen [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 9:09:53 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 8/3/2009; 10:36:08 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien