Unless

I love Carol Shields. Have I told you that before? A few years ago, one of my girls (my mini-me, Sara) had to read The Stone Diaries for a class. Knowing what a reader I am, she passed the novel onto me, when she was finished. I fell in love. Recently, I snagged a copy of Carol's first novel, Small Ceremonies. I liked it even more than Stone Diaries. So, at the library, I found her second novel, The Box Garden. This one was also brilliant. Finally, thanks to a lovely Bookmooch user in Korea, I was able to get a copy of the last novel Carol published before her death.

Unless.

I loved this book. From the writing style, which was classic Shields all the way, to the plot of a daughter dropping out of school to beg on a street corner holding a sign that says, simply, "goodness." Seeing the reactions of this family to their child's plight was wonderfully insightful. The reasons we can dream up for why other people behave the way they do, generally, have more to do with why we behave the way WE do, than anything that they might think or feel. We project our own values and issues onto others everyday. This book showed that so clearly, that now I am wondering how often I could avoid misunderstandings with my husband and family if I quit assuming they think and feel and I think and feel.

Unless.

Everything hinges on this word, unless. It is the answer to the terrible "if." Example...

If Bob were to lose his job, they could not pay their mortgage, UNLESS Jan was able to sale her first novel and use the advance to pay bills.

Unless can save us. Unless is spiritual. Sin entered into the world through man and woman in the garden of Eden and all humanity is sentenced to death, UNLESS God does something to save us...

and He did.

I loved this novel and cannot wait to get my hands on more by Carol Shields.

Heather

Remnants: Blog Tour

Remnants is the first book written by Marisa Gary and published by Strongtower Media & Entertainment. Here is a quick interview with the lovely author herself...

What is your favorite place to write?

My favorite place to write is out on my lanai in the fall with the fan on, my laptop and a cup of coffee. However, I now use a desktop and have my own office in the house, so that’s a good second. I have to be alone when I write. My thoughts come so fast most of the time that I have to concentrate very hard or I will lose where I am going, and that makes me very frustrated. :)

Do you prefer to hand write or to type?

I have to type. I type 10x faster than I write and I can, of course, edit on the fly. The funny thing is, I can’t bring my computer with me to Haiti so I will have to hand write everything. That is going to be a huge challenge.

Do you have a favorite pen or pencil brand/style?

Yes! I love glass blown pens. If there is one thing I would collect, it would be those. I have a few and I love to write with them.

What is your favorite writing memory?

That’s an interesting question, because I haven’t been writing all that long. What I can say though is that when I am done writing, I go back and read what I’ve written for the first time. When I read my devotions, it’s like I’ve never seen them before and I am reading someone else’s work. It’s truly amazing to me. Not only does God give me the words, but He also lets me experience them.

Can we expect future books?

Yes! As a matter of fact, I've started writing my second book already. I hope to call it, "Here I am Lord, Send Me." It will be a devotion for missionaries. I am headed to Haiti in just a few months on a mission trip and am looking forward to see what God has planned for me to write about getting ready, about going and about serving. I'm so excited!

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

My friend, Meredith, let me borrow her copy of The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice. She said it is one of her favorite books. And, since we both seem to love the same type of books (books that simply tell stories) I wanted to read this. I LOVED it. My first impression was "Anne Tyler meets London." Add in a touch of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (which is never a bad thing, in my opinion) and I was sold. I found myself falling absolutely in love with every character I was introduced to. I wanted to go play with these girls in this big house, even in the cold and the snow (and if you know me, you know I hate the cold and the snow).

I give this book 5 million stars.

Heather