Hitting the Books

The Next Level–A Parable of Finding Your Place in Life

David Gregory

Publisher Summary: Business degree in hand, Logan enters the immense Universal Systems building and is hired as an organizational analyst – a trouble-shooter. His job: evaluate the company’s five divisions, each on a separate level and each operating on startlingly unique principles. Which set of principles is successful? Why is most of the company’s profit generated by one tiny division? What is real profit, anyway? And who is the enigmatic executive that Logan ends up reporting to?

Logan engages in a life-changing pursuit for The Next Level—a fascinating parable that will help readers answer some of life’s most perplexing, vital questions. Joining Logan in evaluating each level’s approach, readers will be inspired to consider the big picture of their own life from an entirely different perspective – one that holds the key to life’s ultimate purpose. No matter where you are now, get ready to embark on your own passionate pursuit of The Next Level.

Author Bio: David Gregory is the author of the best-selling books Dinner with a Perfect Stranger and A Day with a Perfect Stranger, and coauthor of two nonfiction books. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning graduate degrees from The University of North Texas and Dallas Theological Seminary. A native Texan, David now lives in Oregon devotes himself to writing full time.

So, I did take the time to read the book, and it’s a good book. I guess. Not the kind I would usually read, so I can’t say if it’s a really good one or not. And that’s about all I can say about it, especially since I don’t have the time (nor brainpower) to do the really deep thinking necessary to come up with a better review. My apologies.

When the Morning Comes (Sisters of the Quilt, Book 2)

Cindy Woodsmall

Synopsis (from publisher):

Her relationship with former fiancé Paul Waddell in tatters, Hannah Lapp has fled her home in hopes of finding refuge with another Amish outcast, her shunned Aunt Zabeth in Ohio. Hampered by limited education and hiding her true identity, Hannah struggles to understand the confusing world of the Englischers and embrace unfamiliar freedoms, but a deepening friendship with the handsome Martin Palmer renews her courage to face the future.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s absence and the distressing events that led to her disappearance create turmoil among her loved ones in Owl’s Perch, Pennsylvania. Her father stubbornly refuses to search for her or to acknowledge increasing signs of instability in daughter Sarah, who suffers secret guilt over her sister’s ruined reputation. Fiancé Paul Waddell is wracked with regret over his betrayal of Hannah’s trust and is concerned with her whereabouts. He befriends Hannah’s remaining allies—brother Luke, best friend Mary, and loyal Matthew Esh—trying to convince them to help search for his love.

First off let me apologize for not putting up as thorough a review as I usually do. This has been an absolutely mad month with NaNoWriMo, and my brain is likely to be pudding for a few weeks yet.

That being said, this is a pretty good book. I read it in a single evening while on a mini-vacation (very mini–one night) in Colonial Williamsburg) because I was interested enough to not want to put it down. The sections that take place in Owl’s Perch drag a bit, especially those with Matthew and Elle, and Sarah’s instability does not ring especially true. Faye is another stock character, but other than those small items the plot moves fairly quickly and the characters are well-drawn.

The only other thing that bothered me about the story was the ease with which Hannah adapted to an Englischer lifestyle. In the course of 2 1/2 years she tosses 18 years of habit and training out the window to do such things as learn to drive a car, wear her hair down, sing with a band, and kiss a man in public. Highly unlikely, but as I am used to reading fantasy it didn’t pull me out of the story all that much.

I was also a bit annoyed that the book ended on a semi-cliff hanger. I don’t like loose ends, and I really don’t like having to wait months (or, heaven forbid, years–Robert Jordan is still on my bad people list because of that, though he’s approaching decades) to find out what happens in the next book.

Other than these nit-picky details, I enjoyed the book. I’ll pass it on to my mother, and then probably to some of the ladies of my bible study group, who I’ve discovered have similar tastes in books (this came out totally by accident, and by the end of the lesson we’d started swapping books and authors).

You know, I need to come up with a rating system if I am going to continue this reviewing business. Stars are so over-done, as are thumbs up/thumbs down and school grades. I need something…something wild. But my brain is too fried to come up with anything right now. Any suggestions?

I know! A contest! I have a free copy (not my used copy either) of When the Morning Comes that I will send to whomever gives me the best rating system. How does that sound?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

And that says it all.

Now back to our previously scheduled life…

It’s been three weeks since NaNoWriMo started, and despite slacking off several evenings, I am well on track to finishing on time!  Hit 70% tonight, which translates to just over 35,000 words.  Whew.  And that’s with having to develop a whole new plot line, since the main plot just was not going to fill the full 50,000 words, and having to redraw the floor plan of Summerford Park.  I’m one of those writer’s who has to have maps and pictures and whatnot to be able to write properly, and the set-up I had for the house just was not cutting it.  I had to be careful though, since I love drawing house plans and could easily lose myself in them for hours on end.  Which is not something I have time to do right now.

Well, my eyes are crossing, so I’m going to go crash.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

25,067 baby!

Past the half-way mark!