Reading Week

The books I've read this week:

Everything Here is Beautiful
Beautifully written. I loved reading from viewpoints of the different characters. Their commitment to each other in spite of the challenges of mental illness was especially poignant. I also loved the perspective from a variety of different immigrants. I wish Miranda and Stefan were more developed. We know she was unfailingly caring and dutifully, but so often she's portrayed from the outsider as harsh or too business-like. Even Stefan is frustrated by her caring rather than supportive. I would have loved to see his love for her and stories of what she does to find fulfillment/peace in her life rather than just telling us how she's successful. 

How to Walk Away
Just what I needed! A novel with depth but humor. Love, family conflict, forgiveness and best of all two sisters who love each other and are witty. I've been reading books that are good, but not page-turners. Finally this book pulled me in and let me fall into their story and kept me reading all day and way past midnight to finish.

A Hobbit, A Wardrobe and A Great War...
I loved the perspective of how their love for mythology and Tolkien and Lewis’ experiences in WWI shaped their epics and their ideologies on Christianity. In spite of these being some of my favorite books, I hadn’t known much about the authors. I didn’t even know they were close friends. 
As a Christian who loves all of C.S. Lewis’ books, not just the chronicles of Narnia, I was surprised to learn of his atheism and his honesty at being converted. 
Also fascinating was the author’s exploration of the Myth of Progress.

We Were the Lucky Ones
Incredible story of love and survival. The best part is it’s true. The research the author Undertook to get the full story from all the family is heartwarming and inspiring. The horrors of World War II are so sickening to read about, but the grit of each member of this family to do whatever it took to survive is breathtaking.

Nick and friends are all here again this evening. And some different girls. The good news about having a different group is they can play hide and seek and keep themselves entertained (and not have to figure out what to say to the girls). 

Walked this evening and it was 50*. I didn't even wear a coat. Incredible. Listened to another podcast, "All In" interviewing Eva Witesman, a BYU Professor on her decision to get a PhD, work and personal revelation. She's an eloquent speaker. 

Finished the night with more Call the Midwife. I've got a busy church morning tomorrow -- A class presidency meeting, church, then stake YW leadership meeting after that. I'm hoping Nick goes to a friend's house to watch the Super Bowl. Is that mean? Can I talk Marge into watching Call the Midwife instead of the Super Bowl?