You might live with a classicist if...

The kiddo gets into something she shouldn't.

T.G.: Nope, sorry, babe. Here, you can play with the Eclogues.

Review: Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A beautiful stand-alone, illustrated edition of the Robert Frost poem. Very nice.



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Review: Together: Growing Appetites for God

Together: Growing Appetites for God by Carrie Ward

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm inspired. Like the author, I have always struggled with daily devotions, and I think her idea--to read the whole Bible with her very young children--is brilliant (probably inspired, in fact!). This book is half how-to, half memoir; and it was also quick and easy-to-read.

The kiddo and I are starting our journey tomorrow.



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Review: Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me

Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me by Randall Bennett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I couldn't put this book down and finished it three sittings. I picked it up because I know Gary Bennett (his brother Randall wrote the book, but it's Gary's story) and because, due to his experience, the Rwandan genocide looms large in my memory as a time that I - eight years old - began to understand that there was evil in the world. I have a vivid memory of Melanie telling my mother that she sometimes watched the news in the hope that she would see a friend still alive.

The book was funny, touching, terrifying, sad, and hopeful. I cried (a lot), but it never seemed emotionally manipulative or sentimental. It's a great testimony to God's faithfulness in good times and bad. The pacing is remarkable, and the "flashback" structure that the author choose was quite effective.

Four stars because it could have used one more copy-editing pass.



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Review: Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me

Faith Through Fire: Rwanda and Me by Randall Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I'll be honest. When I heard that this book, written by a missionary to Rwanda who grew up in my home church, was being self-published, I kind of rolled my eyes. I thought a memoir of the Rwandan genocide would be interesting, but I was skeptical about the quality of the writing.

I was wrong. It's not Tolstoy, but I can't put it down. And (the reason I'm writing a review before I've finished the book), it's free at the Amazon Kindle store this weekend.



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Sigh.

T.G. carries the baby into the kitchen where I'm making breakfast.

Baby, pointing: Da!  Da-ee!
T.G.: Yes! I'm Daddy! I won!

I get the baby from him.

Me: Good job, Baby. Now, who am I?
T.G., offstage: Chopped liver!

Football Night in America

Baby: Wha-zah?
T.G.: That's a book.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T. G.: That's the window.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T. G.: That's my foot.
Baby: Wha-zah?
T.G: That's Tramon Williams.

Colors

Baby is bothering T.G. while he's trying to get ready for work, so I fish her out of the bathroom.

Me: I know you love Daddy, but he has to perform his ablutions. Can you say ablutions? Do you have ablutions?
T.G.: She prefers apinktions.

Review: The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories of the Southwest

The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories of the Southwest by Tony Hillerman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a wonderful collection of regional creative non-fiction. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes that genre and for New Mexicans and other lovers of New Mexico.



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Review: ABC: An Alphabet Book

ABC: An Alphabet Book by T. Matthiesen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My in-laws have this ABC book and got it out to read to my daughter. She likes to turn the pages, and I love the snarky tone. X is for xylophone; no matter how hard you beat it, a xylophone will never cry. O (for owls) and E (for eggs) are also notable.



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