Storytelling - #3 - Vinita Hampton Wright

When have you, like Vinita Hampton Wright in "The Stories We Live" (pg.45), sensed you were trying to control your life story of letting God write it? How can you keep from manipulating its development?

Storytelling - Question #2 - Out of Darkness

Do you think, as novelist Anne Rice believes (from "Out of Darkness," p.43), that dark tales have value for Christians? Why or why not?

Storytelling - Question #1 - In Once Upon a Time...

In the Storytelling section in Today's Christian Woman Liz Curtis Higgs recalls the writers who helped shape her faith journey. Which authors shaped yours? How are their stories' themes influencing your life today?

Cookies & Book Talk Night Were Great!

We had eight of us at the cookie exchange last Wednesday night. Now we have lots of yummy treats to share with our holiday visitors. It put me in the holiday spirit with the music and time with friends. We also spent a little while discussing some thoughts about our first completed book, My Sister's Keeper. It's amazing how we all bring out different thoughts and ideas from the book. And for those of you who finished the book, CAN YOU BELIEVE THE ENDING???
We are not going to start the next book discussion until after the first of the year, so anyone out there has time to pick it up, For One More Day, by Mitch Albom. In the meantime I thought we could read and discuss the special section on Storytelling that was in the last issue of Today's Christian Woman Magazine. I have a copy for each of you. And please blog your thoughts for all of us to enjoy. I hope everyone out there is enjoying the blessed Christmas Season with family and friends. Love, Robin :)

Book Discussion & Cookie Exchange on Dec.5

Let's finish this book in the next week or so. You can begin posting your thoughts whenever you like. You are all invited to my house for a discussion of the questions in the back of the book on December 5 @ 6:30. We will begin with a cookie exchange (bring a large container with 6 dozen cookies and leave with a variety of the same amount you came with). We will even have a few for tasting that night! Also bring the recipe and I will e-mail a copy of all of them afterwards to each of you. If you don't have time to bake come for the fellowship anyway! Robin :)

Part #2 - Pgs.99-200 Where's Anna's Dad?

You can tell Brian loves Anna, but he barely knows her. He realizes he needs to intervene in the situation but almost doesn't know how. Where has he been all this time? How sad when a father knows so little about his own daughter, or son for that matter.
I was sad at the beginning of this section when Sara was 9 months pregnant and then again days later when she was delivering Anna and all she was consumed with were thoughts of Kate. Anna was only a tool to help Kate. After she was born there was no mention of her, just the precious umbilical cord. Where were the thoughts or feelings of a beautiful new baby and the miracle of birth? It wasn't there! It is obvious that Anna has experienced it for as long as she can remember, that she is only a pawn.
And then we begin to see the development of a few other characters. Campbell & Julia and their past. I can easily see them getting back together. It seems like they still have strong feelings for each other.
What hits you about these pages? Let's hear it!!!
Robin :)

How do you spell d-y-s-f-u-n-c-t-i-o-n ?

Wow, what a dilema! I really enjoy hearing the story unfold from each character's perspective. Talk about dysfunction. You wonder how different it could be if they talked to each other. I can't imagine having to go through the experience of having a terminally ill child, but they are not just losing one child, but three! Anna and Jesse are crying out for love and a feeling of self-worth or value. I'm ready to read on and see what transpires. What do you guys think? Can you ask that much of another child? I'm anxious to hear what you think out there. Robin :)

Welcome to Books that Make Us Think!

My goal in starting this blog is to challenge myself and hopefully a few friends to spend some time each week inside the covers of good literature. I know I will probably not always achieve this goal but it can't hurt to try! It's so easy to get into a rut and rationalize how busy we are and that there just isn't time for that new or old best seller. My challenge to you (as well as myself) is that there is time! And I hope, time to encourage and get to know others just a little bit better in the process. I know that I can always use something to get my brain working a little harder, a good laugh, or a few words from a friend. I always want to make time for each of you and stay in touch. So I invite you to join the journey. May we never be the same! Robin :)
***Our first book will be My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. The goal is to discuss the first 98 pages beginning Sunday, November 4th! Can't wait to hear from all of you!