How to Read a Book!

Dear Readers,

I know, I know. You know how to read a book. But are you getting your money’s worth? Let me explain.

There are nuggets in a book you might be overlooking. E-books usually start the reader off with Chapter 1, but there is a lot of solid information before you even get to that spot. Consider this:

• The Cover – the cover of a book is responsible for grabbing the reader’s attention, making them pick the book up from a shelf or click on it electronically. Publishers and authors spend a lot of time coming up with just the right one to interest the reader. You, the reader, get a hint about the book from the cover, so don’t overlook it when starting to read.
• The Copyright Page – this is the page with tiny print of boring stuff. It is, however, quite important—more than to satisfy the publisher’s legal department. If you’re reading a non-fiction book, it’s vital to know when it was published. If it gives you information to improve your life or health, you want it to be current. If it’s fiction, it’s good to know when it was published because then you can appreciate the time period of the writing.
• Disclaimer - I love the statement about this being a piece of fiction and “names have been changed to protect...” Sounds like the old Dragnet show, doesn’t it? It got me off the hook with my novel when I used Beaver Island, Michigan, as a setting for part of the book. I fictionalized its use—keeping true to the flavor of the island and its residents but making up some things.
• The Publisher – this lets you know if it’s one of the big Five or a smaller publishing house. Not necessary but nice to know. Also, is it distributed in other countries?
• The Dedication Page – I like to read this because it hints at someone who is important in the author’s life. I had my dedication to my husband, Bob, written thirty years ago. It took me that long to come up with a novel to go with it!

I enjoy reading the Acknowledgements Page only after I’ve read the book. I don’t really care who helped the author along the way until I’ve read their work and feel a connection to them. My publisher wanted me to put that page in the front of my novel but I insisted it go at the end. Hopefully, my readers got to know me a little through my writing, and then cared a smidgen about what and who inspired me. If not, then they don’t have to read it.

Book Discussion Questions. If an author has included this, you might look at it. I was able to personalize my novel through these questions. Some readers commented they liked how I applied the book’s themes to their lives.

There are lots of ways to read a book. I want you to get the very most out of a reading experience. It can be delightful.

If you’ve read my novel, would you leave a review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble? Thank you. Also, I invite you to visit my website. Click here: website

Happy Reading!

Some Thoughts on Harper Lee's New Novel

Disclaimer: I taught To Kill a Mockingbird for many years in the high school English classroom. It is my all-time favorite thing to teach. Every time I took a group of students through this novel, I saw something new. I loved watching them read ahead in the book and then sit mesmerized during the movie. I am very biased about Harper Lee's writing. Nevertheless, I would like to share a few thoughts about her new novel, written in the late 1950s but just published last week. I will try not to spoil the story for anyone who hasn't yet read Go Set a Watchman.

Some thoughts:

• Harper Lee was a woman before her time. She was a white, southern woman who was color-blind to race, and that was an anomaly in the late 1950s.
• The book could not have been  published in its present form back then. It would have caused a firestorm. I think it needs the perspective of the Civil Rights Movement and whatever progress has been made since then. (I realize more progress needs to be made on this front.)
• Her editors wisely advised her to rewrite the novel (which she did as To Kill a Mockingbird) from the point of view of the children. Doing that naturally softened the tone, smoothed over the cynicism, and made the theme very powerful.
• The novel gave me insight in to some of the fears the southerners were facing at that time. They feared a loss of their lifestyle, comfort, and shared equality. They feared change. They felt the Federal Government was infringing on states' rights. Whether or not these fears were justified, remains debatable.
• Atticus had to help Jean Louise "cut the umbilical cord," because she had an unrealistic view of her father. He knew she needed to find her own voice, her own conscience--in essence "set her own watchman." She had placed him too high upon the pedestal, and he knew that would not serve her well throughout life.

A key to understanding the theme of any novel is to look to the title. Go Set a Watchman references a Bible verse from Isaiah 21:6:

"For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth." (KJV)

A similar verse can be found in Ezekiel 3:17:

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me." (NIV)

In ancient Israel, a watchman's job was to stand atop the city wall and report on a battle or announce the arrival of a messenger or enemy. In the spiritual realm, the prophet served as a watchman warning the people of Israel to turn from sin to God and righteous living.

Some questions to ask:

• Whom do I put on a pedestal? Whom do I admire so much I cannot see their true humanity? Is there an Atticus in my life?
• Do I set a watchman over my own conscience? Have I established a strong set of values for moral living?

Harper Lee does her best writing when looking through the eyes of children. Her scenes of Jem, Dill, and Scout playing in the backyard took me right back to my own childhood. Her descriptions of child's play are amazingly accurate.

I will read this novel again, because I believe there is more to be gleaned.

I would love to hear from those of you who have read it. Do you agree? Disagree? Have any other insights I've missed? Leave your response in the Comment section below.

Thank you.

Church and State

Concerning the separation of Church and State:

In Sweden, everyone must pay a tax to the Lutheran Church--whether Lutheran in belief or not. However, only 1 or 2% of the population attends the Lutheran Church regularly. If you want to get married or buried in the church, your taxes must be paid up.

It really hit me how fortunate we are to have separation of Church and State. I would hate for my government to tax me for a certain religious institution of their choosing. I want to select my own pathway to worship the God whom I believe is Truth. It is a freedom--freedom of worship--that is extremely important.

So, there you have it. I loved visiting the European cities and learning about their history. I was especially moved by the continual reminder of the devastation those countries endured during both World Wars. I learned a lot but I also came away appreciative of the freedoms I have as a citizen of the United States.

To see the four oil paintings done by Norman Rockwell in 1943, reflecting FDR's Four Freedoms State of the Union Address of 1941, click here: Four Freedoms. Think how important these freedoms are to our lives:

1. Freedom of Speech
2. Freedom of Worship
3. Freedom from Want
4. Freedom from Fear

Europe vs. The United States

On a recent trip to northern Europe, two interesting concepts jumped out at me:

1. The opulence of palaces contrasts greatly with the elegant simplicity of the White House.
2. Separation of Church and State is an important tenet of our constitution.

Let me elaborate:

At every European city on our itinerary, we toured elaborate palaces built hundreds of years ago by rulers of the various countries. Many of these long-dead kings or queens built, not just one but several, to accommodate their whims. Most wanted to show rulers of other countries how successful they were. Ego was behind many of the building projects.

It was fun to tour these grand palaces and it is always interesting to see opulence. I imagined fancy dinners and elegantly dressed couples swirling around on the dance floors of lavish ballrooms.

Almost immediately, however, my thoughts went to the peasants of those countries, many who were living in poverty or starvation. The contrast was sickening.

It made me proud of our White House. It is very elegant, yet rather simple and small in comparison. Early in our country's history, some people wanted to make George Washington king. He would hear nothing of it. In fact, that is precisely what our founding citizens fought so hard to avoid: rule by a king or queen.

Washington selected the site for the presidential home but he never got to live there. President John Adams was the first to occupy it. Throughout the years it's been called:

• The Presidential Palace
• The President's House
• The Executive Mansion
• The White House - named that by one of the Roosevelts

 Michelle Obama recently stated it was "The People's House." I like that name the best. She wants as many citizens as possible to be able to tour this grand old building.

A presidential home and office should be impressive. But I am proud it is not over-the-top elegance like some of the palaces I toured on my trip. The simplicity makes me proud that America is a country for all its citizens--not just the wealthy.

Next Blog Post: The Separation of Church and State.

Lemonade

My last post dealt with creating a Bucket List. I hope it got you thinking and dreaming. But let me guess: just surviving life's traumas may be an item on your list. The last thing you can do is dream beyond the day's/week's/month's/year's struggles.

Do these phrases mean anything to you?

• Life kicks me in the teeth
• Life throws curve balls
• Life gives me lemonade
• Life (1) stinks (2) is tough (3) is unfair (4) is harsh [Select one].

As I meet readers of my novel, Route to Survival, I'm amazed at how many say something like, "This could be my life story" or "Were you looking over my shoulder when you wrote this?"

It reinforces the idea that struggle is universal--we all are trying to survive various trials and stresses. They might look different for each of us, but the pain is the same.

I like to point out the main character of the book, Kate Mitchell, survives by:

• Being proactive
• Making courageous choices
• Leaning on God

  Recently I read something very wise by a writer far more skilled than I. In essence, he says we cannot find our true selves or our strength in success because we will lose our head. We cannot find our true selves in monotony, because we will complain. We find our selves in the fires of sorrow.

He then gives meaning to that:

When you survive tough times, God makes you nourishment for other people

If survival is on your Bucket List, take heart. You will survive by trusting God and tapping into his strength. Then look around to see who needs your support and nourishment.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4)

(I invite you to visit my website by clicking here. If you've read my novel, please feel free to leave a review at one of these booksellers. Click here:  Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I value your opinion. Thank you.)