Book Reviews Woohoo

  Surprised By Oxford authored by Carolyn Weber. 

Jesus, the great Lover of the soul, woos Carolyn Drake’s soul, causing her to question her beliefs, her life, and especially her relationships. She details her stay at Oxford College, her study of Romantic Literature, and the sure and steady witnessing of her Christian friends. The candid experience of Carolyn’s life in Oxford captivated me. The book holds a great deal of quotations from poets such as C.S. Lewis, Milton, Donne, etcetera, etcetera. I read her story slowly, taking time to think about each chapter. Her story is bread—solid and simple—for the soul. I was inspired to follow Jesus Christ on a deeper journey.

  Writing Down The Bones authored by Natalie Goldberg. 

This book is a guide to gut-deep writing. Natalie writes about being fully aware of the life you are living, allowing your emotions and thoughts to compost within you, and bringing it all together in brilliance. She addresses writer’s block and how to avoid it, how to stay connected and focused and happy, how to accept compliments with grace, how to keep writing when you think there’s nothing to write. She keeps a witty humor about her and invites you to be vulnerable with her. I loved her approach to life—nitty gritties with the joys. She does share some tactics; they are interesting and helpful. 

  The Mad Girls of New York; Nellie Bly authored by Maya Rodale. 

This was a “I want to throw this book at the wall” read. I alternately cheered and made violent faces. I did enjoy it, but some of the characters made me mad. 

I liked the nonfiction turned fiction technique. 

The sexism was very well portrayed and written. (This was where I made violent faces, because nothing chafes more than a man thinking he is a superior creature and women are nothing but helplessness, insanity prone, and stupid.) 

I cheer for Elizabeth Cochrane and her challenging stay in the asylum. 

  The Boy In The Striped Pajamas authored by John Boyne. 

It is an exquisitely sad rendering of the Holocaust from the perspective of a nine year old in a family who served Hitler. The other side—the Opposites. The ending is dark and sad but it was a tale meant to be shared. Many people have told me they don’t like this book; I can see why. I don’t like it, but I like it. I have mixed feelings. 

  The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake authored by Aimee Bender.

I have never before wanted to try sadness so badly. That’s all I’ll say. 

Linda Peachey, February 2023