Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Olive is, in turn, the protagonist and antagonist of this collection of vignettes centering on the residents and visitors of a small, coastal Maine town. While each chapter is essentially a story in and of itself with new characters being the focal point of each, Olive is woven througout the plot as a both a significant and secondary element. She touches the people she comes into contact with, whether for good or ill (mostly ill, it would seem) and is fleshed out in the book through Strout's depictions of these encounters. The primary theme of the book seems to be the marching on of time and how this affects Olive's view of herself and others, and I was left with a lingering challenge to "seize the day", as it were and not squander the time or people I've been given.
While it was a well-written book, I was left feeling cheated that there is essentially no real closure especially concerning the changing characters in each chapter. We are introduced to them, given a snapshot of their life, and left hanging on the path their circumstances then take. However, this seems to be the clever way in which the author has chosen to focus on Olive without really focusing on her.
Bottom line: While not a book I would say I COULD NOT put down (the fact that each chapter is basically a new story lends itself to this really) it was definitely one that made me think about humanity, personalities, attitudes, and decisions, and how one can never really know what is going on behind the scenes to affect these things.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Horrified, amazed, inspired, ashamed - all emotions that I experienced while reading this book. I grew up in the Dutch culture (albeit, the western Michigan version) and know that stoicism in regard to many aspects of one's life (faith included) is more often than not the norm. And so it was with surprise and delight that I read again and again of Corrie and her family's very real, rock-solid faith in the Lord. Even more than that, to read of this faith that carried them through unspeakable horrors while in Nazi prison/concentration camps where they found themselves after aiding Jewish friends. I found myself unable to put this book down as, in awe, I read about the miraculous answers to prayer that God constantly put into motion and the ways in which he tangibly revealed himself to this family and those whose lives they touched. I was inspired by the selfless acts of Corrie, her sister, and their father even in the darkest moments of humanity. And I was ashamed to think how I allow the piddly problems I have to so easily color my mood and affect my attitude. I have NEVER experienced true suffering, is one thing I realized by the end of this book. The second realization was, God truly meets us in the midst of the dark night of the soul, but I want to meet him even now, in the daylight.
This story not only entertains (if I may loosely use that term in reference to the book's subject matter and the fact that is the true account of a life) but will also encourage.
Bottom line: a MUST READ

Ramble, ramble

I've been tossing around the idea for awhile now of keeping a more detailed record of books I've read, and how they have touched me (or touched my gag reflex, as the case may be). I first proclaim that I do not consider myself, in any way, shape or form, a literary expert. For one thing, there is an embarrassingly long list of classics I haven't read (how I escaped high school without reading The Great Gatsby I will never know). But I LOVE reading, am passionate about books, and have a terrible memory, so it would be great to have some sort of proof/reminder of what I've been doing with so much of my time. Because reading IS how I fill any and all spare time I have (as well as, too often, time that I should be devoting to other things). And so, I end my arbitrary ramblings here and get right to the point: books, books, and more books. If anyone should end up reading these hopefully-sensical reviews, feel free to leave your own comments regarding any shared literature we've read as well as suggestions for future reads.
Happy reading!