In the Presence of the Sun - N. Scott Momaday

Fiction / Stories & Poetry

169 pages /4898 KB

5 Stars

This is a marvelous collection of Momaday's stories, poetry, and art. He draws on his Kiowa heritage and paints gorgeous, gentle, and dignified word pictures for us. His artwork adds to the inspiration. A most beautiful book.

Japanese Death Poems – by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the verge of death

Nonfiction / Poetry

354 pages / 5446 KB

5 Stars

I am a very informal "student" of Japan, and dearly love the poetry I've read. I know that composing a poem on one's deathbed is "expected" and that many of the poems are quite beautiful.

Although most of the poems are short, this is not a book to hurry through. It is a book to read, contemplate on what you read and what the poet meant, then read more and repeat the process. 

These poems give insight into a culture different than mine, and are, as one reviewer said, "profoundly moving."

I hope, when I die, I can go out with such peace, such grace, and a poem worthy of inclusion in someone's book.

The Boy Who Made Dragonfly a Zuni Myth Retold – by Toni Hillerman

Fiction / Myth

89 pages / 3487 KB

5 Stars

Being new to the Southwest, I began reading some of the local histories and came upon this little book. Well, I need to know some of the local mythologies, too. I'm so glad I picked it up and read it.

It is a delightful story of creation, as Hillerman said on the back cover, in the white culture, it would be considered a "bible story."

Draught comes upon the land and the people leave their village, inadvertently leaving two children and an old woman behind. The boy becomes the hero, saving both his smaller sister, and the old hermit grandmother he at first didn't know was also left. 

The boy made dragonfly, and in the process also a delightful story, made more so by Hillerman's retelling of it. This is a book for your library, your child's library, your grandmother's library. Frankly, I think it's the best book Hillerman wrote, or at least that I've read.

Ararat –by Louise Glück

Nonfiction / Poetry

68 pages

5 Stars

May I double the star rating? Make it an even 10 stars? Yes, the book is that good.

The poems are serious, thought-provoking, contain pain, but also shards of piercing sunlight. The sunlight is needed to see more clearly into the shadows.

This is a book about family, about loss, about beauty, about memory.

My introduction to Ms. Glück, and by far not the only book of hers I will read and enjoy.

Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith -- and for Freedom, ed. Karen L. Garst, PhD

Nonfiction /Essays

224 pages / 1003 KB

5 Stars

This is a collection of 13 essays about women who have left patriarchal religion and how leaving their religious affiliations affected them.

For those who use the church as their primary social outlet, it will be harder to leave unless they have built up a secular support group, as they will probably either be hounded to come back or shunned for thinking on their own and making their own decisions.

It's amazing what happens when women finally realize that their church, their religion, is used primarily as a tool to dominate women and children. It's really good for the man, for the woman not so much. And how we, as women raised in a culture where the dominant religion has carried through since the bronze age, have been taught since we were wee little ones what our place is, and what our role is, and woe unto any of us who decides to use our brain and think on our own! 

If you as woman are tired of being blamed for all the ills of men, I highly recommend this book. When a man can't keep his pants zipped, it's the woman's fault. All because of a bronze age war god who hated women then, and hates them still.

The essays are written by women who are recovering Christians, Jews, and Muslims. One is by a trans, and one by an atheist minister! Some of these essays will make you angry, some will make you sad, and scattered throughout are snippets of humor to make you laugh. All will give you grist to chew on and think about. If you are still subjugating yourself to a male god (and a male human), I strongly recommend you read this book. 

The Medici Letters (Dr. Fox Marshal Thriller) --by Jeff D. Copeland

Fiction / Historical Thriller

486 pages / 4053 KB

5 Stars

A Page Burner

I've actually read this book a couple of times, and even though I knew what was going to happen the second time through, I was spellbound. I had to read it. I couldn't put it down. 

The characters in this novel are believable, from the evil ones to the truly good ones. There were places I wanted to cry and a place or two I actually did. There were also places I laughed out loud!

If you enjoy car races, train rides, old planes, fascinating architecture, and an Indiana Jones kinda story (only better), you'll like Dr. Fox Marshal. Honest. Trust me.

My biggest (and only) complaint in the whole book was The End. I wasn't ready. I wanted it to continue on for a few more chapters. I hope Book 2 comes soon.

Shallow-Rooted Heart --by Gregory Louis Candela

Nonfiction / poetry

106 pages

5 Stars

No matter what we read, no matter what was written, we each bring our own stories to the book. When you read these poems, you will get a double treat. First will be the gorgeous imagery Candela evokes with his words, then will come your own memories, images from your own life. 

This is a book to be read again and again, each poem rich as a Death by Chocolate cake, to be slowly savored, and with no calories. Though I promise, once you read this book, your mind will be stretched in delightful new ways and will never shrink to it pre-reading state.