Saturday, April 26, 2014

Spring Readathon 2014

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Dawsonville, GA
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I'm reading some of the Longmire mysteries by Craig Johnson, so I don't really have a favorite.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I have some Chili & honey almonds that I'm really looking forward to having.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm 36 & I love Italian food!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? Today, instead of reading some stand-alone books, I'm reading part of a series.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Fall 2013 readathon 

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Dawsonville, GA, in the North GA mountains
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Probably The Chance or The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Lunch from Moe's, which I'm going to run get soon.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm 35, I love to read Christian Lit & Chick lit, and my favorite shows are Castle, Duck Dynasty, and The Big Bang Theory
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I planned ahead and bought snacks! I also made a tentative book list, which I'm not sure I'll follow at this time...

I may not get as much read as I hope b/c I'm fighting a head cold and have a headache due to it somewhat! Thanks for your encouragement!


Saturday, April 27, 2013

Mid-event Survey

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired? I'm pretty alert, though that may largely be due to the great amount of Coke I had not long ago.
2) What have you finished reading? Not finished a book, but I read the Biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles.
3) What is your favorite read so far? I'm reading Swimming to the Surface by Kristin Billerbeck, and I'm really enjoying it so far.  I'm reading it instead of Where'd You Go Bernadette.
4) What about your favorite snacks? I had some BBQ popcorn, and also went out to eat for pizza.  The pizza was definitely my favorite :)
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!  Not found any new blogs.

Dewey's readathon 2013

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?--Dawsonville, GA in the North GA mountains, about 50 miles north of Atlanta.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Where'd You Go Bernadette

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?- chips & salsa

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  I am a Christian, I have loved reading and books since I was about 4, and I love mysteries and crime dramas.  My favorite TV shows are The Big Bang Theory and Castle.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?  One thing I've done differently is have a lot of snacks on hand.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Dewey's Readathon 2012

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?--Dawsonville, GA in the North GA mountains, about 50 miles north of Atlanta.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Finishing the book I'm reading now, The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?- soft pretzel breadsticks
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  I am a Christian, I have love reading and books since I was about 4, and I love mysteries and crime dramas.  My favorite TV shows are The Big Bang Theory and Castle.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?  One thing I'll do differently is read more than one book probably.  Last readathon I was reading HP & the Half-Blood Prince.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mid-event survey

1) I am doing well, pretty alert, but I had a lot of Mt. Dew not long ago :)
2) I haven't finished anything, but I've read about 300 pages, in HP & the Half-Blood Prince, which is 650 pages.
3) Since I've only read one thing, Half-Blood Prince 
4) My favorite snacks were the brownies my nephew baked this morning.
5) Not found any new blogs.

2012 Readathon

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from?-- Dawsonville, GA, in the North GA mountains.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?--Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince-my goal is to almost finish it today (it's over 600 pages, & I'm on page 100).
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?-Tortilla chips and salsa.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself.--I love mysteries and crime dramas, I love Italian food, and I love my Kindle.
5)One thing I've done differently today is have a better selection of snacks on hand. Last year I didn't have hardly anything!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Help for single ladies

Lessons Learned as a Bridesmaid is a fun yet spiritually deep book, aimed at single women.  This book, according to the author, "is dedicated to all the ladies who may not feel as overjoyed to hear of yet another friend's recent engagement. This is for the young ladies who, as happy as they may feel to see a friend marry the person of their dreams, have that little ache in their hearts that says, “God, when will it be my turn?” My story is all about how to wait with contentment for your husband that God has chosen just for you." This book feels almost like sitting down with your girlfriends over a cup of coffee or tea and talking openly and honestly about how it feels to be single and what we can do to help those feelings.  
Lessons Learned as a Bridesmaid is a shockingly honest look at the author's life and relationships, with her friends, her family and her former boyfriends.  She chronicles several times she's been a bridesmaid, but she's not made it to the altar herself, to the shock of her Haitian family.  Through speaking about the end of one of her romantic relationships, she outlines the way she sought the Lord through and in her pain and how He healed her heart.  She says, and I agree, that one main problem we as God's children have is how impatient we can get while waiting for His perfect timing, especially where romance is concerned.  
This is a great book for singles of all ages, from late adolescence on.  It includes discussion/study questions at the end of each chapter, which would be ideal for a Sunday School class or small group.  It also shows two Biblical examples of waiting on God's timing, Sarah and Hannah.  
I found much encouragement in this book, being a single, never-married person in my early thirties.  This book reminds me that God is in control and He is working all things for my good.  There are several important Biblically-based lessons to be learned through this book for all women of God.
*I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.


Friday, October 21, 2011

Careful what you wish for

What if your fondest prayer was finally answered?  Would you really be as happy as you thought you'd be?
In Sunrise on the Battery, Mary Lynn finds out the answer.  She's a typical society mom, totally devoted to her kids and husband, and experiencing something of a spiritual awakening.  This includes meeting with a prayer group once a week.  Her most fervent prayer is that her husband Jackson will come to know the same Lord she has experienced.  When that finally happens, through his meeting with their priest, the results are far from what Mary Lynn thought they would be.  Jackson's new-found faith is being acted out in ways that are radically different from how Mary Lynn thought their lives would be.  
I found this story both challenging and engaging.  I totally identified with the characters and felt they were very vividly drawn out, almost to the point that they felt like real people I knew.  I could identify strongly with Jackson especially, who read voraciously, mostly to make up for something he felt he missed in his education.  I also love the imagery Beth Webb Hart uses to describe the Spirit's moving in people-e.g.-"...(Mary Lynn) felt a burning in her chest, like she had fallen asleep facedown on a heating pad.  It wasn't uncomfortable, but it felt full of energy, and she sensed that God's love for her, something wholly undeserved, was working its way into her very bones.  It was the best feeling she'd ever known.  She did not want the burning to end."  
I truly enjoyed this book and found it a good story and also thought-provoking about how we all live out our faith.  It also shows that our prayers being answered do not always end up the way we thought they would.  
I received this book free from the publisher and am not required to write a positive review, but one of my own opinion.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A fun read

In Cherished, we meet two women, Kelli and Heather, who are going through difficult changes in their lives.  Kelli is moving to a new city to be closer to her family, and also seeing for the first time since high school her former boyfriend who broke her heart.  Heather is a church-goer and choir member, but she was also involved with a married member of the church's staff.  
Kelli was a musician in high school, but after she and her boyfriend Brian broke up, she gave up music and devoted herself to her studies.  When she moves back to her hometown, her sisters-in-law eventually persuade her not only to take up music, but to reconnect with Brian, who is a recording artist.  
Heather meets Kelli and becomes good friends with her, as they both encounter the Lord Jesus for real and are discipled by Kelli's sister-in-law Cyn.  They and others in their family and close friends struggle with forgiving both themselves and those who have done them wrong.  In so doing they grow in a close friendship with each other and the Lord. Kelli finds peace with something terrible she and Brian did in their past through their musical venture.  
This is a wonderful example of how the Lord truly works all things out for our good.  This book is a fun, wonderful reminder of the Lord's faithfulness to His people.  It also shows us, above all, that He cherishes us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Monday, August 1, 2011

Curiosities of the Civil War

I found this book to be extremely interesting.  I have long been a student of history, and the American Civil War has always been interesting to me, even as a child.  In this book are many anecdotes, about every aspect of life during the war.  This book includes information about subjects that are not touched on in a lot of histories of the war, such as friendly fire.  Also interesting was the anecdotes about people who were unknown before and during the war, but would go on to make a great contribution to it later on.  Such people as Walt Whitman and Elias Howe were mentioned.  It is fascinating to me to see these great historical figures playing their part, however big or small, in this great and terrible conflict.
I found of particular interest the anecdotes mentioning the area in which I live, Northeast Georgia.  This one mentions Athens and UGA, about twenty-five miles from where I went to college.   "Experimenting with ways to increase the power of large guns, Pvt. John Gilleland of Georgia's Mitchell Thunderbolts developed a double-barreled cannon.  Balls linked by a chain were designed to 'mow down Yankees as a scythe cuts rye.'  When put to use, however, it was found that precise coordination of firing was impossible.  In a few test rounds, linked cannon balls 'whizzed around in erratic fashion' and killed two or three Thunderbolts.
This experimental weapon is commemorated by a historical marker on the campus of the University of Georgia at Athens." (p.163)
I think this is a great book, and would be a welcome addition to any history buff's library, especially as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Monday, April 18, 2011

Max on Life by Max Lucado

     I have been a long-time fan of Max Lucado's work, and this book lives up to the expectations I have of his works.  In Max On Life, Max answers many questions he has received on topics such as marriage, prayer, etc. whether by email, letter, or face-to-face, from a Biblically grounded perspective.  What results is a book that probably everyone could find something that is helpful to them in.  It is peppered with humor, as are all his works, but it overall conveys both the author's and God's love, compassion and concern for all.
    I found this book very interesting, entertaining and enjoyable.  I also found it very applicable to my life in several areas.  This book is both fun to read and very practical.  I think I will return to this book often because of the pearls of wisdom Max includes in it, about many topics I struggle with on a regular basis, such as prayer, temptation, and irritation.  On irritation Max writes, "Every pearl is simply a victory over irritations."  I know that I will think of this often, when I wear any of my pearl jewelry!
    I think this book is wonderful, and would be a great gift for people in all stations of life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Midevent Survey

1. What are you reading right now? The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins
2. How many books have you read so far? 1, and about a quarter of another.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Finishing The Brotherhood
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Only bathroom breaks, and a shower break
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How many are doing it!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Have better snacks onhand!
9. Are you getting tired yet? Not really
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Only using a Kindle or other ereader

Read-a-thon update

Since my last post I read Colossians and 1 Thessalonians, and I finished up Unconventional which I started earlier this week.   Next I am reading The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins.

Dewey's Readathon 2011

1)Where are you reading from today? My bedroom in Dawsonville, GA.
2)Three random facts about me…
1. I was an aunt before age 4. 
2. I did the 3Day Walk in Atlanta last October 
3. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
Unconventional by JJ Hebert and The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins
4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? I would like to finish Unconventional and get about halfway through The Brotherhood.
5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? Have fun!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dining With Joy

In Dining With Joy, we meet Joy Ballard, the host of a regional cooking show, who has a secret-she can't cook. She took over her father's cooking show when he died, but she cannot cook herself.  Her behind-the-scenes staff have helped her keep her secret, until she is challenged to a "throwdown" of sorts, with another cooking show host.  There, though her colleague and cohost Luke does his best to help, she is exposed.  Then she and Luke have to go about rebuilding both his reputation as a chef and their lives.  Once all their lives are in shambles, both Luke and Joy come to realize that maybe what happened, including Joy being exposed as a fraud, was a part of God's plan for their lives.  They find that God really does bring beauty from ashes.
   I really enjoyed this book.  It offers a vivid painting of what life and the people that inhabit South Carolina's Lowcountry really are all about.  It also discusses their cuisine in detail, even including a few recipes at the end of the book!  What this book really teaches is that we may plan for our life to be one way, but through our families or other uncontrollable things we end up in a totally different place.  Even though that may happen, this story gives the reader hope that God can truly not only bring us to a place where we are truly satisfied with our work, but also bring us the perfect person or people to share your life with.  This story is also a vivid reminder that though things seem to be at their worst, everything can turn around in just a short time and be at their best.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

3Day training update

September 13- I donated the money from Mother's coworker and our neighbor online.
I walked Levi but after I did my chest really hurt.
September 14-I ordered some postcards to send as reminders from Vistaprint.
I emailed a restaurant about possible sponsorship.
I went to the Nike store to look at shoes.  The salesgirl who helped me was named Sarah.  She told me her mom had had breast cancer.  I told her and the other salespeople about the 3Day to tell them what I needed the shoes for.  They all seemed to know what it is.  I gave Sarah my information and my card, and she may want to walk next year.
The donation from Mother's coworker posted.
September 15-Sarah added me on Facebook
September 16-I got a blue sleeping bag at Target, that's rated to 30 degrees.
My twitter friend Jay gave $25, and he filed for matching.
September 17-A friend sent me an email in response to a follow-up I sent everyone.  She promised me a donation in a couple weeks.
We went to the Nike store.  I took my old shoes in and put them in recycling.  I got some white shoes with a pink swoosh.  They're not Nike plus, so I have to get a sensor case.  I got pink laces at Reebok where Mother got shoes.  Sarah helped me at Nike.  The lady who rang me up told me her sister was fighting breast cancer when I told her about the 3day.  I gave her my card.  She thanked me for walking.
I got Nancy Brinker's book Promise Me at Wal-Mart.  I was so glad it was there; I thought I'd have to order it.
September 20-My friend Sara gave $20.
My friend Barbara gave $50.
September 21-I posted a prayer request on Kevin and Taylor's facebook page, and they wrote me back.
I called the church and got on the prayer list.
September 22-I put my donation link on a lot of my Facebook friends' pages.
September 23-The postcards I ordered came, and they look great.
September 24-I gave all my virtual pets' friends pink plushies and wrote them about the 3day.
September 26-I gave out some of my postcards at church.
September 28-Mother gave my postcard and business cards to a coworker at Home Depot-she told her about the 3day and how much we need to raise, and the girl said she could do it (her parents are wealthy).
September 29-My cousin Wendy gave $25.
September 30-I got foot lotion at Ingles for after the 3day.
October 2-We went to Dahlonega and talked to people in several stores about sponsoring me-I got several outright nos, but there were also a few who seemed interested.
October 3-I talked to the Starbucks manager about hanging up my postcard-she told me she couldn't, but to talk to Kroger's customer care.  I did, and the boy there let me hang up my card.  He also told me that the manager might let me have a fundraiser.
I got a pink ribbon bear, socks, and notebook, and also pink star sunglasses at Target.
I got a hot pink breast cancer shirt at Wal-Mart.
October 4-I logged almost 5000 steps.
October 6-I walked 1.34 miles. My sensor died about 2/3 of the way through my walk.  I also logged about 1700 steps.
When I turned on the radio this morning, Kevin and Taylor were talking about the 3day walk and those who walk in it.  What they were saying really encouraged me about the walk.  I wrote them a note on their Facebook page thanking them.
My twitter friend Lori gave $25.
October 7-Kevin and Taylor wrote me back.
I did an online chat with the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Nancy Brinker, about her book Promise Me, put on by Prevention Magazine.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

3Day training update

August 8-I got our magnets on our cars-mine on the driver's door, Mother's on her back bumper.
August 9-I walked 4.37 miles.
August 10-A fellow walker, Gabrielle, tweeted me and said if I'd give to her she'd give to me.  A bit later she gave $40!  I got her hooked up with the 3Day Tweeps.
I did 30 minutes on the elliptical.
August 11-I didn't walk because I felt weak due to mucus/sinus problems.
August 12-I fell out of bed and woke up on the floor.  I got a bad bruise on my face and a bump on my head.
August 13-I got a $50 donation in the mail from a neighbor lady whom I met on one of my walks.
August 17-I worked out 30 minutes on the elliptical.
August 18-My mom got me a hot pink T-shirt.
August 19-My mom got me a hot pink jacket and capris.
I called the 3Day coaches and spoke to a lady named Dana about my training and my not being able to walk. She reminded me the training plan is just a guideline and not set in stone.  It made me feel better about not walking.
August 20-My Superpoke Pets friend Kitty gave $10.
August 22- I logged 2700 steps (about 1.3 miles) at Kroger and Wal-mart.
August 23-I walked 4.15 miles.
August 24-I worked out 30 minutes on the elliptical.
I tweeted my friend Pam about how she got businesses to sponsor her, and she emailed me how she did it.
August 25-I walked 5.07 miles.  I saw a flock of 19 Canadian geese on a big yard.  They were there for my whole walk.
My cousin Jo gave $100!
August 26-I worked out 45 minutes on the elliptical.
My friend recommended a company where I can get a shirt made-I emailed them and think they may be a good place to get a shirt made.
August 27-I walked 15.08 miles!  About 3.5 miles in I sat on a bench and ate a granola bar.  At 7.5 miles I sat and ate pizza stix.  At about 11.5 miles I sat and ate a little pack of Craisins.  At 13.5 miles I started eating  my sport beans.  At 14 miles I started drinking my orangemint water.
August 29-My dad gave me a $100 donation over lunch.  I logged 2300 steps.
August 30-I walked 2.61 miles.  
I deposited the check from my dad and donated it online.
Some donations I sent in posted.
August 31-I worked out 45 minutes on the elliptical.
The locations for the opening and closing ceremonies posted-opening is at Lake Lanier Islands, closing is at Turner Field.
I logged 1135 steps, about half a mile.
September 1-I walked 6.47 miles.  My orange cat friend let me pet him twice.
I logged about 2300 steps.
September 2-I worked out about 45 minutes on the elliptical.
Through a Facebook post from a fellow Tweep I found out that the people who give to me online can leave me a message.  I got several nice ones, from my friend Kitty, from our neighbors, and found out from my cousin Dawn that my cousin Pam had had breast cancer.
September 3-I walked 8.1 miles.  At about 3.5 miles I walked to a bench, sat, and ate a granola bar.  I saw a crane on the beach.  At about 4.5 miles I saw a lady watering her plants.  I stopped and talked to her for a few minutes.  I gave her my card and told her about the 3Day.  She said her sister had had breast cancer and she would give.
I wrote a note on my friend Anita's Facebook wall.  She wrote me back, asking how to give.  She said her mom, who is battling breast cancer, is doing better.  She thanked me for walking and said maybe she'd walk next year and we could team up.
My mom called from work at 6.  She said her boss let her make a lot of copies of my donation form and gave her a $100 donation.
September 4-I walked 6.23 miles.
September 5-I logged 4800 steps, about 2.29 miles.
September 6-I walked 5.15 miles.
September 7-I sent messages/posted notes to all of my Facebook friends about the 3Day.
September 8-I walked 6.56 miles.  I saw a crane, and a rabbit.
My friend Anita gave $50.
September 9-We went to Cumming.  At my doctor's office I told the receptionists about the 3Day and gave them my cards. I found out one of them was a breast cancer survivor.  At Target I got a pink journal to go in my pack, and and a charger for my ipod.
I logged 2100 steps, about a mile.
September 11-Another of my mom's coworker's gave-this time $25.
At about 7:30, our chocolate Lab Levi and I went out for a little walk around the block.  At the corner there were some people cooking out.  I spoke to them a bit, about baseball and other things.  Then I told them about the 3Day.  They seemed interested in it, so I ran back to the house and got my card, went back and gave it to them.  One of the gentlemen gave me $10 cash.  The lady with him was acting as if she'll give more later.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Outlive Your Life

I have been a long-time fan of Max Lucado's, and this book once again reminds me of why.  In this book Lucado, through anecdotes, parables, and Scripture, encourages and pushes Christians to do more than just live an average life.  The whole premise of the book is reminding the reader that God almost exclusively, except for the Incarnation, used the average Joe to accomplish His goals for and among humanity.  Max takes the reader through the first 12 chapters in the New Testament book of Acts, pointing out the similarities between the early Church fathers and the average churchgoers of today, and prodding us to get out of our comfort zones and actually do something to change the world we live in and be a true reflection of Christ and His teachings.  
     I truly enjoyed reading this book.  I felt challenged.  I was reminded, through the parables and anecdotes shared, of how truly blessed we are in this nation, compared to a great part of the world's population.  There are so many people who are dying of diseases that we in the West have conquered, who are starving to death when we here usually wrestle with obesity, who long for freedoms we take for granted.  It should be our job as the church to assist those who are in need, no matter where they are in the world or their situation.  Christians should be known for our compassion and giving, and this book reminds us of that, and of why that should be-because that is what our Lord was like and what He asks of His body.  This book is a wonderful encouraging help to anyone who is wanting to be more like Jesus. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Resurrection in May

In Resurrection in May, Lisa Samson once again weaves a tale about someone undergoing profound physical and emotional transformation.  At the center of this story is May Seymour, a young woman who is probably typical for women her age-she is a socialite, dating frequently, clubbing.  In the throws of a hangover she encounters a kindly old man, Claudius, who helps her through her hangover.  She tells him she is leaving soon as a missionary to Rwanda.  What happens to her there, on that trip, changes her life and scars her permanently.  She is unfortunate enough to be a witness to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, and is the sole survivor of the village where she was ministering.  
May returns to the States, to the care of her parents, greatly scarred, both inside and out.  When her father sees she is not recovering well, he contacts Claudius, and May goes to live with him on his farm and recover.  She remains there, on that property, for years, developing a case of agoraphobia. Even after Claudius' death she cannot make herself leave, because of fear.  Finally through the help of her faith and loving friends, she experiences a rebirth and makes her life much better because of it.
I truly enjoyed this book.  The transformation that takes place in May is a wonderful thing, as are the relationships portrayed between Claudius and May, and with some of her other friends, most notably Ruth, her neighbor, and Eli, an old college classmate.  This book is a wonderful read for anyone, but maybe especially someone who has been through a very traumatic experience and lived to tell about it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."