Writing to engage the mind and stir the heart.
Above The Stars
Keith Clemons
2004 George Colton Pub // ISBN 0-973104-81-3
A word about reviews: With so many great book and even more mediocre books available, I never find it worthwhile completing and/or reviewing a book that does not move me in some way. Some books I have reviewd have disappointed me, but they contain some core of strength worthy of note.
FICTION
If I Should Die
Keith Clemons
2002 George Colton Pub // ISBN 0-973104-80-5
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo
2003 Candlewick Press //ISBN 0-763617-22-9
Hind's Feet on High Places
Hannah Hurnard
1997 Living Books // ISBN 0-842314-29-6
A Moment of Silence
Aubrey Jones
1995 Thomas Nelson Pub // ISBN 0-785379-70-9
Journey
James A. Michener
1988 McClelland & Stewart // ISBN 0-771058-65-9
Dragonspell
Donita K. Paul
2004 WaterBrook Press // ISBN 1-578568-23-4
The Hand That Drove the Nails
J. Fletcher Ray
2002 Christian Art Pub // ISBN 1-868528-85-5
1611 Edition, King James Bible
2003 Hendrickson Pub // ISBN 1-56563-160=9
They Smell Like Sheep
Dr. Lynn Anderson
1997 Howard Pub // ISBN 1-1878990-73-X
Broken Shackles
Glenelg // John Frost // Edited by Peter Meyler
2001 Natural Heritage Bks // ISBN 1-896219-57-8
Rome Sweet Home
Scott & Kimberly Hahn
1993 Ignatius Press // ISBN 0-898704-78-2
The Wedded Unmother
Kaye Halverson
1980 Augsburg Pub House // ISBN 0-806617-68-3
Lost In The Amazon
Stephen Kirkpatrick
2005 W Pub Group // ISBN 0-849900-15-8
In The Footsteps of Jesus
Bruce Marchiano
2001 Harvest House Pub // ISBN 0-736901-25-6
My Father's Son
Farley Mowat
1993 McClelland-Bantam // ISBN 0-770425-76-3
Before Their Time
Daniel Taylor & Ronald R. Hoekstra
Intervarsity Press // ISBN 0-8308-2265-8
POETRY
Although a poetry lover, you will find few poetry books among
my reviews. Like music, tastes in poetry vary widely. As well, poetry is often a heart expression of something ordinary words cannout adequately say. Tampering with such feels like an invasion of some intimate place in the writer's soul.
my reviews. Like music, tastes in poetry vary widely. As well, poetry is often a heart expression of something ordinary words cannout adequately say. Tampering with such feels like an invasion of some intimate place in the writer's soul.
Footsteps of a Pilgrim
Ruth Bell Graham
2001 W Pub Group // ISBN 0-849916-75-5
Love, Laughter and Tears
Linda Neff
2003 Guardian Books // ISBN 1-553066-02-2
Celebrating the Inner Beauty of Women
Janette Oke
1997 Bethany House // ISBN 0-764220-41-1
Dan McGrew, Sam McGee
Robert Service
1987-1996 Barnes & Noble // ISBN 0-760702-09-8
POETRY
Although deeply interested in communicating effectively with those who grieve, you will find few books on grieving among my reviews. To write from grief is to write from such a deep, heart-felt place in the author's life that writing a review feels like an attempt at open-heart surgery with no anesthetic for the patient, and little skill in the hands that hold the scalpel. Books on grief are read very differently in the early days of raw pain and aching questions than they are a year later when much healing has taken place. The review of such a book, of necessity looks at the impact at the time of the reading, with whatever level of pain and healing the reader has reached.
FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE
Mommy Please Don't Cry
Linda DeYmaz
2003 Multnomah Publishers // ISBN 15-90521-51-X
WinterGrief
With deep honesty, the author shares conflicting emotions, confusion, denial, anger and pain. She tells of some of the unhelpful advice received, the cultural pressures and the agony of trying to go on as a parent and spouse. Yet she moves beyond that. Comparing grief to the ice-bound landscape of winter, Donna Mann celebrates the unseen life beneath the snow. She shares the wonder of the awakening of spring.
The book never quite reaches summer. Somehow that reality, acknowledged without excuse or pat answers, lends a core of strength to the message. Late spring frosts can still re-awaken pain. Readers familiar with sudden tears when some unexpected reminder of a great loss strikes will find integrity and healing in the fact this story does not blithely move to full summer and endless sunshine.
The book frequently touches on the author’s spiritual journey but never dwells there. It focuses instead on her journey through grief. It makes no attempt to “spiritualise” death; no pretence that some great good is disguised in the loss. It vigorously refutes shallow and time-worn platitudes, such as: “God needed another angel,” that are intellectually empty and emotionally unsatisfying. Yet the book speaks strongly of good memories and rich growth birthed out of the deep pain. The author never attempts to answer the unanswerable “Why’s???” She does attempt to answer – “How do we go on from here?” with gentle insight and loving wisdom of one who has walked this painful road.
WinterGrief is a rich book, brief, honest and full of love. The author never tells you to dry your tears and get over it. She invites you to cry with her, whether your grief is brand-new or decades old. A deep, strong current of hope moves through the book. Like a hug from a friend, it touched our grief (we lost a grandson in March 2003) over and over.
Manna Publications, R.R. 2 Holstein, ON N0G 2A0 dmann@log.on.ca.
2003 Essence Publishing // ISBN 1-55306-590-5
A Gentle Hug...
WinterGrief chronicles a journey through intense loss, sorrow and healing. Written in a gentle, loving tone, reading it was like receiving a hug from a special friend.
With deep honesty, the author shares conflicting emotions, confusion, denial, anger and pain. She tells of some of the unhelpful advice received, the cultural pressures and the agony of trying to go on as a parent and spouse. Yet she moves beyond that. Comparing grief to the ice-bound landscape of winter, Donna Mann celebrates the unseen life beneath the snow. She shares the wonder of the awakening of spring.
The book never quite reaches summer. Somehow that reality, acknowledged without excuse or pat answers, lends a core of strength to the message. Late spring frosts can still re-awaken pain. Readers familiar with sudden tears when some unexpected reminder of a great loss strikes will find integrity and healing in the fact this story does not blithely move to full summer and endless sunshine.
The book frequently touches on the author’s spiritual journey but never dwells there. It focuses instead on her journey through grief. It makes no attempt to “spiritualise” death; no pretence that some great good is disguised in the loss. It vigorously refutes shallow and time-worn platitudes, such as: “God needed another angel,” that are intellectually empty and emotionally unsatisfying. Yet the book speaks strongly of good memories and rich growth birthed out of the deep pain. The author never attempts to answer the unanswerable “Why’s???” She does attempt to answer – “How do we go on from here?” with gentle insight and loving wisdom of one who has walked this painful road.
WinterGrief is a rich book, brief, honest and full of love. The author never tells you to dry your tears and get over it. She invites you to cry with her, whether your grief is brand-new or decades old. A deep, strong current of hope moves through the book. Like a hug from a friend, it touched our grief (we lost a grandson in March 2003) over and over.
Manna Publications, R.R. 2 Holstein, ON N0G 2A0 dmann@log.on.ca.
FICTION
NON-FICTION
NON-FICTION
BOOK REVIEWS
FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE
BOOK REVIEWS
