Life of Pi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Life of Pi has been on my list of "to read" books for years now. I began reading and wasn't feeling it for almost the entire first part. I honestly think that first part could have been skipped entirely (the writing or the reading of it). But I knew, even as I read it, that it was setting us up for something. The background itself isn't very important, but the declarations of faith, and the other philosophical parts of it, are needed before introducing the main conflict of the story.
Part two, the story of life on the Pacific, the story of survival, was so intriguing I didn't want to put the book down. Pi's taming of the tiger is what kept me into it, I think. I knew he eventually made it to land, but I still just kept reading, not knowing how or when. The end of part one assured me that "the story has a happy ending." I just wasn't sure. I am still not.
The book does indeed keep you pondering. It has been entertaining me all morning, and I finished reading the book last night.



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Surrogacy Was The Way

Surrogacy Was the Way: Twenty Intended Mothers Tell Their Stories by Zara Griswold

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Absolutely essential reading for anyone embarking on the journey of surrogacy!
As a potential Gestional Surrogate (GS) I found each story (from the Intended Mother's point of view) to be informational and educational. This journey is emotional beyond imagining, and the best we can each do is try to understand where we are both coming from.
I think this book also highlights one major aspect of surrogacy--matching. The right match, much like a marriage, must not be entered into hastily or lightly. Just because logistics work out, doesn't mean the match is right. There must be a "good vibe" between the surrogate and the intended parents, before making the match official.




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American Gods

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is so weird! I enjoyed it but there were parts of it that I just couldn't get on board with... it was fun learning about all the different legends/myths and gods. Also freaky at times. And depressing.
Overall I just tried to get through it as quickly as possible.
But I really cared for the main character. The periphery characters were just that, too much on the sidelines, and I really didn't care about any of them. Even the disappearing teenager... I had totally forgotten about that story arc for a while, so I had to be reminded that I should care about her.
The way that gods are explained was lacking. Can they die? Are they real? Most of them have physical bodies but some don't. Why? What is the difference exactly between a god and a culture hero? There were just too many loose ends in this vein for me to fully enjoy the book.



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God is the Gospel

God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself by John Piper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Finally, I have finished reading God is the Gospel! I really like John Piper's writing, but it seems I can usually only stand it for a few pages at a time. He's just so deep theologically, and it takes me days sometimes to mull over what he is saying. However, two days ago I felt a new determination to FINISH my original 100 Books List before December of this year. So I got through the second half of God is the Gospel in just two days. I'm so happy! It is a huge accomplishment--it feels even bigger than finishing Anna Karenina, although it is about 600 pages shorter! It was good timing for me to finish this book, as I had recently read Radical (and liked it as well). This book carries some similar themes, mainly the concept that knowing and loving God should be the central aspect of our "religion," yet so often we are distracted... by the American Dream of happiness (as Radical's author David Platt pointed out) or even just by the good gifts God gives us (as Piper points out here). If we love the gift more than the Giver, we're screwed up! That's my take-away.



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Committed

Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I thought this was MUCH better than the more-well-known Eat Pray Love.



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Down Came the Rain

Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great book; it made me sad, remembering my (much less traumatic) bout of PPD. Good inspiration to get help when you need it!



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Rediscovering "Departures"

Ten years ago I read the Christy Miller series of books by Robin Jones Gunn, after a good friend recommended them for their spiritual application. Spiritual? A set of teen books? Usually these things are all fluff--which girl likes which boy, blah blah blah. Yes, there is some of that here. HOWEVER, I had clearly underestimated Ms. Gunn. Not only are the spiritual applications there, the characters also seem so real--as in, they go through challenges, have ups and downs, pray and try to let God work, mess up sometimes, and start all over again. What I have loved about the character of Christy Miller is that she falters, but she is growing. From Book One of the series, we see a dramatic shift in her character that is nevertheless subtle enough to be valid.
In Departures, we see Christy after having just graduated from high school. Now, I have read the books that are further in the series, so I know how it all ends up. This novella is more of an intermission-type of story. It was interesting, though, and I did like what the author did with the characters in less than 100 pages.
The second novella was about Sierra Jensen, who Gunn also wrote a series of books about, and who eventually does hover in the periphery of the Christy books as well. I hadn't read much about Sierra but I liked her immediately. In this book, she is only fifteen, yet she seems really grounded (but, again, not unrealistically so). This contrasts the Christy character at age fifteen, who was much more flighty and goofy. I like that the character knows who she is and seeks out a relationship with God on her own. Inspiring stuff!
Thank you, Ms. Gunn, for these stories, which upon rediscovery, are just as wonderful as ever!

(By the way, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for writing my honest review. You can read an excerpt of the book: here)