The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis

The Ladies Auxiliary by Tova Mirvis was a very interesting read. The story is set in Memphis, Tenessee where a community of Orthodox Jews has existed and even thrived for the last 100 years. It seems an unlikely place to find such a community but the people who live there are very proud of what they have built, a community that includes a shul, a school, a kosher grocery story and even a kosher restaurant. Underneath the seemingly idyllic circumstances there does exist some discontent, but for the most part everyone deals with the hand they've been dealt and they keep the peace. The story is told in the collective voice of the women of this Jewish community, the Ladies Auxiliary, and it begins with Batsheva moving into their midst. Batsheva is a convert to Judaism and after her husband died, she and her young daughter, Ayala, decide to move to the place where her husband had been raised. The Ladies Auxiliary is all about how the free-spirited Batsheva shakes things up.

I really enjoyed this book. I was very interested in learning more about the beliefs and traditions of Orthodox Jews. Since the story is told by the women of this community there is a lot about the food and the preparing for Shabbos and all of the many different Jewish holidays. I found it all so interesting but the best part was the portrayal of the different characters and the relationships in this tight-knit religious community. I also live in a religious community and the parallels and similarities are both funny and sad. Mirvis is a straight shooter and doesn't gloss over the shortcomings of this kind of community. This novel sheds both a positive and negative light on the community and I really appreciated that. It is funny and heartwarming in one sense and thought provoking and serious in another. I definitely recommend this book, especially to those who are religious in any way. It's an eye opener.

Review: 4/5 stars
Category: Literary fiction
Published: 1999, 311 pages
Rating: 2.1.2

Unveiled, Unshaken, Unafraid by Francine Rivers

Rating: 2.2.1 (PG - This rating does not necessarily apply to all three but a 2 is the highest degree of content for any of them.

Recommended audience: Teen to adult

Category: Christian, historical, inspirational

Unveiled -

This novella tells the story of Tamar. I didn't like this one as well as the others but it was still interesting. The culture was so different in the Old Testament and the laws and customs are so foreign to me. One of the best things about these little novellas is that it has made me stop and re-read these storis in the Bible and think about the real people who lived these lives. I'm not sure I agree with Rivers take on this one but it was very interesting.

Unshaken -

I liked this one. The story of Ruth is inspiring and this book helps put the culture of the time into better perspective. I learned more about what it is to be a gleaner and I also learned more about the different ethnicities of the time and the people's feelings regarding them. (Of course I do realize that the feelings part is speculation but I get the impression that Rivers did some good research on it, too.)

Unafraid -

I liked it but I've never been one to feel completely comfortable with Christ being portrayed in a book like this. On one hand it seems to be a little blasphemous to speculate on what He may have said that is not recorded in the scriptures but on the other hand it can help me feel a little closer to knowing Him as a person who lived and walked on the earth. I struggle with this issue. At least I can sense that Francine Rivers wrote this with the intent to show His pure love, mercy, forgiveness, and other wonderful qualities from the perspective of His mother. There is a lot of speculation here because there is so little told about Mary in the scriptures beyond the birth and a few things here and there. There were things I liked and disliked about the way she was portrayed. I'd be interested to hear what others think if you decide to read this book

Unashamed by Francine Rivers

Rating 1.1.1
Recommended audience: Teen to adult
Category: Historical, religious, inspirational
Review:

This is the second in the Lineage of Grace Series by Francine Rivers. The series consists of five novellas that tell the stories of five women in the lineage of Jesus Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Unashamed is Rahab's story. I must confess that I am not much of an Old Testament scholar so although the name Rahab did ring a small bell somewhere in the back of my mind, I did not remember this story. Rahab is a prostitute living in Jericho when the Israelites arrive in the Promised Land. She helps the spies that Joshua sends to Jericho and by so doing is saved from the destruction of Jericho. It is an inspiring story and reminded me again that we can change our lives for the better no matter how far we have fallen.

This is the first book in this series that I have read and there really is no need to go in order. Each story is completely indendent of the others. I listened to this as an audiobook and I thought it was a good recording. I will definitely read or listen to the other four books.

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Rating: 1.1.1
Recommended audience: Mature teen to adult
Category: Religious, fiction



This was a hard book for me to read but I'm so glad I did. C.S. Lewis really is just brilliant. He wrote this book as a collection of letters written by one of Satan's leading devils, Screwtape, to his nephew, Wormwood, who is a young tempter working on his first "patient". It took me a while to get into the feel of the book because it is coming from the viewpoint of God as the "Enemy". You have to switch your mind around a little to understand "Father" as Satan and "the Enemy" as God. That might sound like it's a bad thing but the insights into the human mind that come from this devil are really amazing. Such topics as selfishness, prayer, pride, gluttony, undulation (one of my favorites that you have to read the book to understand), and time are discussed as ways to lure the "patient" to their side. There is also great insight into God's love coming from this different perspective that is really wonderful and, I believe, so true. I would definitely recommend this as a "must read" but I do have to warn you that it is not light reading. It requires concentration and it helps to be free from all distractions. It's not long but it did take me a while because I had to find quiet time to read it. This is a great book club selection and brought out many great discussions for our group.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Rating: 2.2.3

Recommended audience: Adult, mature teen

Category: Historical, some romance

I've put off doing this review because I'm not sure what to say about it. I don't want to give anything away. The main character is a 14 year old girl who has to deal with the death of her mother and surprising circumstances surrounding that. The book is set in the South during the summer of 1964 when racial tensions were very high. When I read it I liked it but I didn't love it. After discussing it with our book group I came to appreciate it even more. I would not recommend it to anyone who is offended by unorthodox religion. There is also a lot of profanity and though I didn't find it very offensive, I believe some people would find it to be so. I definitely recommend this book because it is beautiful in many ways but it may not be for everyone.

Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia

Rating: 2.1.2
Recommended audience: Adult
Category: Memoir





We read this book at the recommendation of one of our book club "sisters" and I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about reading it. I am so glad we did. Carmen Bin Ladin married into the Bin Ladin family in the 70's (yes, the Osama Bin Ladin family) and she tells what it was like living in Saudi Arabia. This book describes her daily life while living there (she was able to get out in 1988). Even though this book only tells what it is like for wealthy women in Saudi Arabia, it was still a real eye opener. I knew that things were hard for women there but I didn't know it was like this. I definitely recommend this book. It's an easy read and except for a little discussion about homosexuality it is very clean.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Rating: 1.3.2
Recommended audience: Teen to adult
Category: Adventure, survival




This book has two parts. The first is about Pi Patel, a teenager living in India who accepts and practices three religions--Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The second part is the story of his survival at sea. You've probably heard at least a little about this if you haven't already read it. I loved this book. I loved it even more the second time I read it. For some people the first part is a little boring but please just keep going. It is so different from other books out there. Make sure you know someone else who has read it or will read it because I can guarantee, you'll want to talk about it with someone.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Rating: 3.3.3 - This is a rough estimate on the rating because I haven't read it for a while. It's also probably an overestimate as it may be more like 2.2.2 but I don't want anyone who picks it up to be surprised if I'm not remembering well enough. I think it would be PG-13 if it were a movie.

Recommended audience: Mature teens to adult

Category: Historical with some romance

5 Stars

This story begins in 1959 when a minister takes his wife and four daughters to the Belgian Congo where, in his view, he plans to save the heathens and savages from themselves. The story is told in first person accounts by each of the daughters and their mother. This book is beautifully written. I was so impressed by Barbara Kingsolver's abilities as a writer. I know some people have had a hard time getting into this book but I think it is totally worth the effort. Warning: This is not a cheery book. Read it for the beauty of the writing, the knowledge about African history you will learn, and perhaps a new appreciation of other cultures, customs and traditions that you may not have ever thought about.