"The Shack"

by William P. Young

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

I actually kind of stumbled onto this book "The Shack." I didn't know it is a book that is being highly debated in the Christian realm, but when I got about halfway into it, I knew there were some "doctrine issues," at least according to what I believe. Having said that, I hope you will read "The Shack" with an open mind, for it is a comforting book. I also hope you'll keep in mind that this book boils down to one man's opinion of how he sees and thinks of God. To take it as "gospel" can be dangerous, as the Bible itself tells us to be careful of "opinions."

"The Shack" opens with the main character Mackenzie Allen Phillips, who has a "not so close" relationship with God. Like many people, he sees God as kind of mean, or at the very least very strict with a lot of rules. During a vacation, Mack's youngest daughter Missy is abducted and it appears that she has been brutally murdered in an abandoned shack set deep in the wilderness. This is actually one of the reasons I wanted to read this book. I often think about bad things that happen to good people, but there is something about children, innocent children who are brutally abused and murdered, that makes me say, "God, how could you stand to let this happen?" It is my own crisis of faith that I wanted to explore.

Four years later, Mack receives a note in his mailbox from God, asking Mack to meet him at the shack where Missy was murdered. Against Mack's better judgment, he goes. What he finds there, changes him forever.

Mack finds answers at the shack and experiences God like we have never thought of him before. I wasn't bothered in the least that God appeared to Mack as a large black woman — surprised some, but not bothered. How evil exists in our world and how God feels about it is explored, and I felt it was Biblically sound. But there are some areas the author takes "liberties" with, as none of us can know the mind of God. In particular, the idea that God doesn't really care about religion is not as shocking as implying that God doesn't really care about the church. For God is quite clear he cares greatly about The Church, and I don't feel He is as "inclusive" as the author does. For instance, when the book’s Jesus himself implies that finding a relationship to Him can be done through Buddhism, the Muslim religion, etc., I'm not feeling that. Unless they are differing from their faith in a major way and accepting Jesus as God's son. There, my friends, is "the rub."

I think what is appealing about this book for many people is God seems loving, and caring ... and that He certainly is. Reading books about God that help you have a healthy and accurate picture of him is great. Let’s not forget, however, the source that God himself left us to guide us in all ways in regards to him, the Bible.

"The Air Between Us"

by Deborah Johnson

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

"The Air Between Us" is set in Revere, a small Mississippi town, in the 1960s. The book is supposed to revolve around a murder but, honestly, I kept forgetting that in my deep boredom of just trying to get through the book. "Oh yeah," I would think, "Billy Ray Pucket fell on his gun but a little boy named Critter Tate said he heard two shots, and I am supposed to be wondering why."

Although the book valiantly tries to shed some light on the integration issue of this time, I felt like Johnson had too many characters and none of them particularly interesting. Madame Melba, I assume, was supposed to be "mysterious," but I just didn't find anything mysterious about her watching soap operas all day and not leaving her house unless she needed something from the Piggly Wiggly. Also, I never really felt the connection with the main character of Dr. Connelly and Madame Melba.

About three fourths into the book, when I thought I might not be able to take another page, things turned around. Johnson began to "wrap things up" and finally the book was a page turner. Although I can't say there were any huge surprises, it did lead me to believe in the plot after all. Unfortunately, it was a little too late. The last three or four chapters didn't make up for the torture of the others.

"Helping Me Help Myself"

by Beth Lisick

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

First of all, let me start off by saying that Beth Lisick has a "potty mouth." I can imagine her googling her name, finding this website and getting the biggest laugh out of this. It will somehow prove to her that because I don't like the "F word" I am oppressed and narrow minded. Blah, blah, blah.

In "Helping Me Help Myself," basically Lisick goes on a year-long "self help" mission. In her desire to improve her life she turns to the multimillion-dollar-earning "experts" on everything from weight loss (although she doesn't need to lose weight) to financial advice to spiritual enlightenment and many more topics in between. (Note to Lisick: Don't go on Richard Simmons' cruise for weight loss if you don't need to lose weight. This will help with finances.)

Honestly, when I first started reading the book, I thought "I'm not going to like this." And although I can't say I changed my mind, I did recognize some of my own thoughts scattered around in Lisick's brain. I must say, I found that in itself unsettling.

As with so many people who consider themselves open minded, modern, hip and "in the know," Lisick seems to have an especially deep disdain for Christians. Though I don't find this surprising, it does make one weary. For instance, when Lisick is in Atlanta for a John Gray seminar, she is taking time to peruse the tables and booths in the lobby of the convention center and says "a theme quickly emerges: Christianity." (Oh my!) "Bookmarks, stickers, and magnets quoting biblical verses are everywhere. There are banners made of felt, always a sure sign the Jesus people are nearby." (That one really ticked me off, as I do not own one piece of felt.) She goes on to say, "I go upstairs bummed out. Years ago, I would have been delighted to land in the middle of a conservative Christian conference, imagining an overripe grab bag of bad hair, tacky jewelry, and uptight optimism to use as fodder." She says, "I'm trying to be productive here, not rehash a litany of mean-spirited insults about Bible-thumpers." Lisick is about as "open minded" as her open mind will allow.

The book goes on and Lisick - who has no money - thumps down hundreds for an organizational coach, a Richard Simmons cruise (although it's the "Wal-Mart" of cruises), and so on. Don't get me wrong. It is the concept of the book that drew me to it. I share Lisick's skepticism with the "self help" movement. I agree with her when she says "This seems like a linchpin of why so many people get sucked into self help and empowerment programs. They can't trust that what they're doing is the 'right' way to be doing it." I'd say that about sums it up.

In the end, I feel the same way about all the self help books as I did before. There may be some good advice in some of them, but for the most part you have to figure out what is right for you all by yourself.

"A Thousand Splendid Suns"

by Khaled Hosseini

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

While reading Khaled Hosseini's first book "The Kite Runner" and then "A Thousand Splendid Suns," I felt like a "rubber necker" witnessing the aftermath of a horrible wreck on the highway. You know, when you know you shouldn't gawk but you do, along with all the others who are slowing down to gawk and are causing a traffic jam. Then you think "What should I do?" or "There are people there taking care of things" or "Maybe it's not as bad as it looks."

It's the same anytime I read about life in Afghanistan. I'm horrified … as well as confused, sympathetic, and in "wonder." I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around life so demoralized, so hard, so filled with hate. At times the material in this book was painful to read, yet I could not put it down.

In "A Thousand Splendid Suns," we are brought into the lives of Mariam and Laila, two women who start out as enemies by chance and end up as close as mother and daughter by choice. The book takes place over a 30-year period beginning with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan until the overthrow of the Taliban. Without giving the plot away, you should be prepared to learn about a life few of us in America could imagine.

Mariam and Laila are married to the same man, Rasheed, a despicable character and Taliban sympathizer. Life for women in Afghanistan during this time is appalling. I read about the list of Taliban rules such as you must pray five times a day or be beaten; singing, dancing, flying a kite is forbidden or you will be beaten; if you are caught trying to convert a Muslim you will be killed. And then, specifically for women, "you will stay inside at all times, if you must go out you will be with a male relative or be beaten, you will not under any circumstances show your face, wear cosmetics or jewelry, or you will be beaten, you will not speak unless spoken to, you will not make eye contact with anyone, if you paint your nails you will lose a finger. You are forbidden to work or go to school. If you commit adultery you will be killed."

I wondered, would any God want obedience under those circumstances? Couldn't God have just as easily made us all robots if all he cared about was that the "check list" was done? Of course he could have, but he gave us our free will, so that we could choose whether or not we would follow him.

I prefer to read books that give a historical background and provide knowledge as well as entertainment, and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" certainly does just that. It’s a great book, well written, and I can't wait for the next book by Khaled Hosseini!

"The Christmas Letters"

by Lee Smith

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

I have one book that I read every Christmas, "The Christmas Letters" by Lee Smith. It’s a short little book that tells a big story through the format of Christmas letters.

I suppose we've all gotten a Christmas letter or two over the years. I must admit that during their popularity I both rolled my eyes at them and gobbled up every word. "The Christmas Letters" reminds us that what is not said is even more important that what is said.

I myself have trouble writing a Christmas letter. I think I've done it once, but it was very difficult. I kept feeling like I was bragging on my children, and all the things I wanted to write about just couldn't be summed up in a short, chatty letter. One year, I remember, I started writing a Christmas letter and I was about to write the line "as you know we lost our dear Pastor who was like a father to us last Christmas," and I just stopped. I reread the letter I had started, then I threw it in the trash. That sentence seemed so inadequate to me.

I remember thinking there was no way to explain the hole Pastor Watson's passing left in my heart, or the dark depression that followed and tested my faith. There is a tear even now, after all this time, that courses down my cheek in remembering him. "How," I wondered, "could any of that ever be expressed?” Somehow, I felt deceptive summing it all up in one line, so much so that I felt it better left unsaid.

I'm sure this is one of the reasons I read this book every year. I'm reminded that people's lives aren't perfect. As Lee Smith says, "Every Christmas letter is a story of a life." Maybe as you read the book you can spot the letters that hide vulnerabilities with false cheer. Or maybe you will pinpoint when marriages started to change, or when children started to stray. Perhaps like me you will be surprised by the turn of events.

But being the sentimentalist that I am, I am bonded with Mary in the book, who describes days so beautiful "they could break your heart."

“The Christmas Letters" shares growth and grief and some great recipes as well.

I love this book, and it is one of my favorites. I hope you will read it and love it too. I would love to hear from you about your favorite Christmas book. It doesn't matter if it is fiction or nonfiction (my non-fiction favorite is The Christmas Story in the Bible), maybe a favorite decorating book, or recipe book.

Also, how do you feel about Christmas letters? Have you ever written one? I do think they are a great way to pass along information. What do you think about Christmas e-mails?

Merry Christmas to you all!

"Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon

Our Book Nook interview with Jan Karon

By Liz Barnett

In 1994, my husband Scott and I were on a weekend getaway in Charleston, S.C. I remember walking down the beautiful streets in Charleston and wandering into a bookstore looking for something yummy to read. It was on this day I bought my first book in the Mitford series, “At Home in Mitford.” I’ve been hooked ever since.

I don’t get “hooked” very easily. There is not a string of authors that I am just dying to meet with books in hand ready for autographs. But when the opportunity came to actually be involved with an interview with Jan Karon about her new book “Home to Holly Springs,” I have to tell you, I was more than a little excited!

When my friend and editor of Newnan-Coweta Magazine, Angela McRae, got an interview with Jan Karon on the morning she was to be in Atlanta to speak at the Carter Center, she decided that as moderator of The Book Nook I should come with her. (Bless her heart.)

On the way into the city, we discussed our questions and what we thought Ms. Karon would be like. We seated ourselves in “an out of the way” corner of The Ritz-Carlton half an hour early to wait for our allotted interview time. I felt, I must say, “cool as a cumber” until, much to my surprise, Ms. Karon emerged from the corner ladies room unexpectedly and early and happened to glance our way. I gasped so loudly there was no way it could be ignored.

Thankfully, Angela stood up and introduced us as I fumbled around trying to gain my composure. Ms. Karon graciously decided to start the interview early and we all sat down like old friends. She is a stunning woman, beautiful to look at and warm at heart. She is a little more “saucy” than I anticipated, and I liked that a lot.

Her first question for us was if we thought there would be a good crowd at the Carter Center that evening, but we both smiled and said that yes, we did think there would be a good crowd. She won me over immediately when she said she couldn’t imagine how there would be a good crowd, since she couldn’t think of anyone that she would be compelled to get out on a cold, dark night to go see.

When we told Ms. Karon we were a little surprised by just how troubled Father Tim’s past with his father really was, she answered plainly that so was she. She said that she felt Father Tim’s past problems needed to be addressed in order to move forward. She was clear that the “Mitford Series” is done, and all future books will move forward from “Holly Springs.” And, she read my mind later that night at the seminar when she said she knew there were many of us out there waiting for Dooley to get married to Lace, have children, and have her write about it for the rest of her life. I sank down in my chair a little. It will be hard to let go of Mitford for me, as I told Ms. Karon she has saved me many dollars in therapy as I have found such solace in her books.

Just as I love “Mitford,” I am already finding a spot in my heart for “Holly Springs.” And although Ms. Karon didn’t reveal too much about her next book … I have the feeling we will be going to Ireland! Won’t that be fun? (She declined my offer to go with her for research, but I shall buy the book anyway.)

But for now, “Home to Holly Springs.”

When I first began to read “Holly Springs” I had withdrawals. Where was Cynthia for heaven’s sake? Dooley, Lace, Puny, Esther, Winnie, Harley, Mule, J.C … well, you get my point. At first I was lost without them, but I must say, it doesn’t take long for the mystery of Father Tim’s past to take over.

I found myself riveted as the secrets were revealed one by one. I’m not going to give this one away, because it is one you will want to read for yourself. But if you were wondering what happened to Peggy and Tommy Noles, you won’t want to miss out on reading “Holly Springs.” Jan Karon’s ability to draw you in and wrap you in the warm blanket of everyday life is alive and well. “Holly Springs” reminds us all that there may always be some unanswered questions in our lives, some “hurts” that can never be justified, but that God is bigger than our problems if we will just trust Him with them.

Just as Father Tim peels back layers of old wounds, we are reminded that sometimes digging into our past must sometimes hurt first in order for it to get better.

You will meet new characters and visit new places in “Holly Springs.” You will get a better picture about how Father Tim’s past has helped shape him into the man we hold dear in each novel. This new novel has earned its place on the shelf beside your Mitford Set!

"Songs Without Words"

by Ann Packer

Reviewed by Liz Barnett

"Songs Without Words" should have been titled more like "Time Not To Be Wasted."

As moderator of "The Book Nook" it is my job to give my opinion of the books we read together. I am tired of trying not to hurt anybody's feelings and staying on the fence about every book we read. Therefore, I'm turning over a new leaf and telling you in no uncertain terms how I feel about each and every book presented. Having said that, "Songs Without Words" should have never been sung.

It's a story about Liz and Sarabeth, two neighbors brought "close as sisters" by the suicide of Sarabeth's mother. Let me tell you, I have two sisters and these two gals are not even close to having a relationship like sisters. I kept waiting to read about this really close friendship, but it just wasn't there. My sisters know all the details of my life, we talk at least two times a day, and they would know if I felt I was not connecting with my daughter. They would know even if I suspected something was wrong but was not sure, as was the case with Liz and her daughter Lauren. Liz never even mentions this to Sarabeth. They trod along in two different worlds.

Very early on in the book I forgot that I was supposed to be reading about a friendship between Liz and Sarabeth and was captivated more by the relationship between Liz and Lauren. Actually, forget Liz, I was captivated more with Lauren than anyone. The way she spoke to herself in her head, that "self talk" and how brutal it was. How that kind of self talk contributed to her depression and despair, and how her mother didn't know how to relate to her or what to say to her. This seems to be a problem with many troubled teens these days, and for me this was the most enlightening part of the book.

In the end, Lauren tries unsuccessfully to commit suicide. Supposedly this is when Liz and Sarabeth take a long look at their friendship and its "fault lines." But in my opinion, neither of them really wanted to bother. Liz did her thing, and Sarabeth contemplated sleeping with another married man.

In the end, Liz makes peace with Sarabeth with what I must say sounds like the ugliest bench ever, some plaid number with flowers that Liz made. I'm guessing Liz wanted to get rid of that bench and decided "what the heck, I'll kill two birds with one stone and take it over to Sarabeth." And Sarabeth, being the "offbeat funky one" in the friendship, was thrilled to have it and all was back to normal with the two.

Thank goodness, because I couldn't take another minute of it!

So that is how I feel about the book. Tell me, how do you feel about it?