Recent Reads

I've read a few books recently that I thought I might share with you.

Elise and I read The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett for a cousins book group. We enjoyed it. It has a bit of mystery, adventure, art, architecture, thinking, and code cracking. It's based on the Robie House, a Frank Lloyd Wright creation in Chicago's Hyde Park. I like one of the quotes in the beginning of the book where the author quotes the author of A River Runs Through It. "All there is to thinking is seeing something noticeable. Which leads you to see something you didn't notice, which leads you to see something that isn't even visible." It was encouraging to me, since I was just complaining that I felt like I couldn't think anymore (assuming I could before the 4 kids). But I thought "Oh, I can do that, it's not so complicated." I also liked reading about the architecture, since we are remodeling our house now and going with a Asian Craftsman or Arts and Crafts style, which was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright.

I also finished Chasing Vermeer by the same author, Blue Balliett. This book has the same characters as The Wright 3 and comes before it. It has the same feel, of empowering kids to think, problem solve and make a difference. This book revolves around the painter Vermeer.

I found A Heart Like His: Making Space for God's Love in Your Life by Virginia Pearce helpful with some of my personal goals. It's basically about being aware of the state of your heart and opening it just a little more to others without adding more todo's to the list. Then being aware of the result. This is a pretty flavorless description, the book is really full of life's richness. I would recommend it. I think it's making a difference in my life (at least for a little while). Which reminds me of a side note from something I read in a different book (The Parenting Breakthrough by Marrilee Boyack) last year about needing changes is our little systems and tricks to get things done, like cleaning, cooking, parenting, etc. The author said we need variety in our lives, we don't wear the same clothes or eat the same food everyday. So it makes sense that a schedule or system only works for a week or so. And that's ok, even a good thing. It didn't fail just because it didn't last.

I also read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson for one of my book groups. The description won't entice you to read it, but it was a great book. It's about an older minister writing to his young son because he knows he won't live long enough to watch him grow up. It's about three generations of preachers in rural Iowa. It's written very well with lots of life lessons and very down to earth. It felt like you were sitting on the front porch, watching the sunset, and causally conversing with the author.

I'd love to hear about what you have been reading.