Three Weeks With My Brother

As I've said, my wife understands me better than anyone, and knew my urgent desire to go had less to do with the trip itself than spending time with my brother. This, then, is a story about brotherhood. It's the story of Micah and me, and the story of our family. It's a story of tragedy and joy, hope and support. It's the story of how he and I have matured and changed and taken different paths in life, but somehow grown even closer. It is, in other words, the story of two journeys; one journey that took my brother and me to exotic places around the world, and another, a lifetime in the making, that has led us to become the best of friends. (p. 10)

Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks is a memoir that shares the details of the brothers' three week trip around the world; but, more importantly, it shares the story of their lives as brothers and the discoveries they made through life's lessons. The memories are both happy and sad, filled with both successes and failures, and leaves one feeling both excited as well as frustrated at times. The places they visit are captivating as are the reflections they use to share their past.

I read just over half of Three Weeks With My Brother and did indeed enjoy the book; however, time, circumstances, and interest prohibited me from finishing the book. I have read other books by Nicholas Sparks and still find him a good author even though this was one of my least favorites. I would still recommend it, especially to those who like to read memoirs.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

She [Kit Tyler] is like a tropical bird that has flown to the wrong part of the world. And in the stern Puritan community of her relatives, she soon feels caged in as well, and lonely. In the meadows, the only place where she can feel completely free, she meets another lone and mysterious figure, the old woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond. But when their friendship is discovered, Kit faces suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft! (back cover of audio book)

Kit can swim, read, and teach. She is adventurous, educated and compassionate. And she befriends people who are shunned from her new community. Little does she realize that these actions and traits will be held against her when the community acts on their fear of witchcraft.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare was the 1959 Newbery Medal winner. It is beautifully read in this audio book version narrated by Mary Beth Hurt. The story is rich in detail and character. I very much enjoyed this book.

Winter Holiday Reading Challenge --- December Update

What is everyone reading this month for the Winter Holiday Reading Challenge?

Let everyone know what holiday adventure you experienced through reading this month! Leave your comment with the title and author, as well as a link to your review if you have one. (Remember, reviews are optional.)

Julie read Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Julie read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
AlleluiaLu read Angels at Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Happy Holiday Reading!

November Update can be found here.

Winter Holiday Reading Challenge original post can be found here.

The Visitation

We used to have plenty of dull moments in Antioch. They would pass through town in close succession like box cars at a railroad crossing, each one displaced by the next, but all of them alike, their steady, monotonous pace never changing. Anymore, such dull moments were hard to find, thanks to our newest Visitor. He had a knack for spacing things precisely, keeping us all guessing, waiting until we were just about to have a tiny dull moment before throwing another firecracker into the hen house. (p. 121)

The Visitation by Frank Peretti is a page turner that keeps throwing those firecrackers around from beginning to end. Travis Jordan left his calling as the pastor of Antioch's Pentecostal Mission Church for many reasons, and now the town's new visitor wants Travis to remember his past and why he questioned the church establishment in order to understand the mission of this self-proclaimed prophet. Is this visitor really the new Messiah or is he of another nature? Healing, miracles, and prophecy bring the town to this man, but Travis and two other pastors question the visitor's true intentions. Travis' past and the visitor's intentions seem to be entwined, and Travis finds himself on a hunt for truth, understanding and connections that will help him confront this mysterious, and possibly dangerous, visitor.

I very much enjoyed The Visitation. I recommend it to others who like Frank Peretti as well as to those who like Christian suspense fiction.