Book Reviews: Book 38-41

 Book 38 The Mother Road by Jennifer Allee

Life takes place, sometimes we think, even when following God's will that we will be protected from harm.  The truth is, that is not the case. We are all human, ok in this sense literary characters, but still as people we are never promised that we will be without trials.  In fact the Bible clearly states that trials will come, but that regardless what that trial is, God will walk by our side and guide us, when we look to Him.  Even when we don't look to Him, He is always there by our side.

This book explores the life of Natalie, a successful Christian writer of books on marriage.  Her husband has suddenly announced that he is leaving her, and suddenly she finds her life falling apart. On top of it her mother is taking a turn for the worst with her Alzheimer's and her sister who lives and hour away from her in California doesn't even speak to her.  Her father, in his wisdom, suggests that the girls come visit their Mom.  So after several mishaps of getting started they hit The Mother Road, Route 66 and begin their drive to Illinois.  Along the way they not only discover who they are to each other, but where they should be headed in their lives.

The book, even with it's somewhat deep subject matter of lives torn apart by decisions that have been made, was filled with moments of laughter and a fun read. Especially, on our own road trip.

I give this book 5 stars.

 Book 39 How to Declutter Your Kitchen Read It. Know It. by Higher Read

I'm an addict of organization books. This one was very much like all the others I've read, in terms of it starting with the 3 box, 3 bag, or 3 pile method of organizing. Basically, whenever you start a job you really need to put everything into 3 piles, either Keep, Get Rid of, Or think about.  Your decisions shouldn't be made on emotions but on practical use.  For instance in the kitchen you don't need 5 veggie peelers. Keep the one that really works, pitch the rusty one, and if you think you may need a back up, put it in the think about pile until you get done with the whole kitchen and then revisit the think about it pile and either keep or get rid of those things as well.

I recently went through my whole kitchen and started as the book suggested with food items first.  Those are really easy in many ways, expired throw out, not expired but don't know why you have them donate and then organize the rest by categories that work for you. For me, my pantry is snacks, dinner helps, breakfast items, lunch items and cans or non perishables.  I have the baking items in another cabinet.  The freezer is meats and ice cream on one shelf, and veggies and freezer meals on another.  Yes, my fridge is also organized, but I won't make you crazy with the details of that.

The book was insightful, especially for someone new to organizing.  I did like the suggestion and may use it as I go through the rest of the house of dating the think about it box, and putting it in an attic or garage.  Make a date to go back through it in 6 months, and if you take anything out of it, redate it. If in 6 months you didn't need anything from it, get rid of the box.  I also liked the idea of thinking about your house in terms of "if I had a week to move, could I do it?"  We all have stuff we really don't need and someone else can use. Decluttering is a process.  I feel good about what I've done so far, but feel far from accomplished on it just the same.  We are getting new floors in 2 rooms in 2 weeks, and in the process of moving everything out of those rooms I know I'll really be careful about what I put back in.

I give this book 5 stars for those who really need help organizing, and 3 1/2 for some of us, who are just organizational addicts!

Book 40 NutJob A Squirrel's Dozen Secret Tips 

                                                                  to Productivity by Micah Moss

I'm also addicted to books that give tips for getting more things done. I think the organization and productivity thing goes hand in hand. This book was really fun to read though, as it really did look at squirrels in a light hearted fun way, and how they really focus on what really needs to be done.
The chapters include No Enablers Allowed in the Treehouse, One Nut Mind, and Hoard Those Nuggets. In the chapters the author talks about removing distractions, whether people that are getting in your way of focusing by, changing where you are working, or how much time you allow for visiting each day with co workers. Having the ability to close the door and focus is important. Also, about not keeping a gazillion tabs open on your computer, but focus on one task at a time.  We are all easily distracted, but a squirrel knows what it needs to get done, and does it.  Having a goal is important, but then he also talks about taking that time to play. 
Again, it was a really light hearted look at being more productive.

I give this book 5 stars, and would even consider skimming it again to soak a bit more of the squirrly wisdom in.

 Book 41 A Timeless Love by Jeanne Savery

I am a visual person, and this book almost got skipped in terms of reading it on our road trip simply because the cover photo did not load for some reason on my kindle.  I had made the decision recently though that when I couldn't decide what to read next I would go to the book that was on my kindle the longest and read that, and this one was the winner in that category.  I'm glad I did read it, as it was filled with mystery, and unexpected twists, turns and plots. 
The book revolves around Beth Ralston who has been sent back in time to recover art. She materializes in front of Lord Alexander and while she does not remember what time period she is really from she begins to wonder if it is the one she has arrived in. As she goes through trying to do her job she finds herself becoming attracted to Lord Alexander.  In the century she has been placed she must rely on him to provide her with the proper story for why she is in the area as well as protection from others. She has become a very independent woman and leaning on someone else and working on their schedule is very difficult for her. Especially, when by revealing her mission to Alexander she is breaking rules set in place to protect the time line.
The book keeps you wondering until the end whether her mission with be completed as well as will she in Alexander find a way to be together even though they may or may not be from different centuries.
A great read. I give the book 5 stars.