Book for September

Hi everybody! So as I think you all know my pick for our book this month is "The Swiss Family Robinson". I thought I would be very familiar with this story because I watched the movie quite alot of times growing up. After reading the book I have found that like most books turned into movies there is much more to it than I thought. I enjoyed reading this book very much. It took a long time to get through it because I was reading it out loud to Joseph, but I think he enjoyed it also. I would read to him at night and also whenever he was in the tub taking a bath. Anyway I enjoyed this book and hope you all will to.

Ben

A Final Encouragement on the Jan Karon Novels

At Home in Rexburg

Heavenly Heidi was kind enough to give me a nudge today and remind me that the time for reading the first Mitford novel by Jan Karon, At Home in Mitford, has pretty much expired, although no points will be lost if you are still trying to finish it. (Sorry. After 20 years, I'm sort of in the habit of saying things like that.)

So, by now, I'm pretty certain that I can spill a few beans that you've already become aware of on your own. Father Tim is in love with Cynthia Coppersmith, the children's author. His friend and antique dealer, Andrew Gregory, a dangerously handsome fellow of half English/half Italian heritage, hasn't got a chance with her, but that hardly matters, since all the other women in North Carolina and much of Europe seem to find him attractive. I.e., don't worry about Andrew. His turn is coming.

Unlike our Emma, Father Tim's Emma is a pain in the neck and various other anatomical parts. But her heart is in the right place and even she, in the fullness of time, will come to "represent" the best of Mitford. Read on if you want to understand that shameless pun.

You will have noticed that these novels seem to cover a year or a little more each. This means that, eventually, Dooley will have to grow up. Yes, Jenny is sweet and adorable. But she is not the one. Keep reading.

And what about Dooley's scattered siblings and alcoholic mother? In Father Tim's world, everybody is redeemable and most everybody gets redeemed. But it'll take you a couple more books to learn about all that.

What did you think of Miss Sadie's love story? Yes, we liked it, too, but, like you, we were frustrated by it. But lots of good will come from what her special beau, Willard, built before he went off to WW II and got blown away in France. Ms. Karon never states whether Willard died at Normandy, Bastogne, or some other legendarily easy place to get KIA, but Willard's "shadow" will continue to be cast over Mitford for many, many years.

I often imagine Jan Karon's writing room being wall-papered with notes reminding herself to finish some story she started in the sixth chapter of book three, or something like that. You've met most of the major characters by the end of the first book, but there are still a few more wonderful people to come. I guarantee you'll love them. Some of the characters you've already gotten to know at the church and in the shops along Main Street will be developed into very "touching" (touche'!) foils (again, sorry) as the years go by. The book store lady. The bakery lady. The barber who drinks on the job. They all have their challenges and their adventures, even if their adventures are of the small town variety. Those of us who were raised in small towns love such stories all the more for that.

What about the Man in the Attic? The shoe salesman who shouted "Are you up there?" And does the hair ever actually get ridden "off 'at ol' horse?"

Sheryl and I love these stories. We hope you will, too, and that you'll be able to squeeze them in with whichever family reading club books you choose to read. So far, everybody in the family seems to have great taste, don't you think?