"Cold Tangerines" - Book Review

I first heard about "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist through Sara's Blog "Shortstop". It was there that she shared her love for this book, and offered 10 copies in a giveaway to the those who left comments on her blog.
Instead, she was brave enough to ask Zondervan Publishers to provide 30 copies, one for every person who commented. They agreed! How cool was that? I was very excited to have actually won something and then to have the book arrive on my doorsteps soon thereafter.

"Cold Tangerines" reads as fresh as it looks, with its glossy, vibrant orange cover.

As I read her stories it was like sitting down to coffee with a good friend as he/she opened up the pages of their life that had been written for them, and the lessons that had been learned along the way. Between the pages there was laughter, tears shed, and head nods in agreement. There were numerous quotes and chapters with green post-it notes that I had tagged just begging to be shared. There were entire sections I wished to simply tear out, and send in the mail to a friend or family member who could really use these words of refreshment.

The writing was deeply honest. Many stories were shared that most of us would never imagine divulging to just anyone, let alone a good friend, but the author does this with amazing faith in her readers, lest she would sit in the seat of judgment from those less willing to be true about themselves. I respected her for that. So often relationships with people are so superficial. When I first meet someone, I quickly grow weary of the customary "foo-fa" of conversation. I really just want to say to them, "Tell me who you really are, what is your story, and what makes you tick?!"

This book is for anyone who has ever experienced love, jealousy, family, death, a new baby, sin, failure, frailty, joy, disappointment, and friendship. It is especially for that aspiring writer who needs boost in the arm and is wondering if the world will ever allow them to share their own words, too someday.

Some of my favorite chapters were: "swimming" (wonderful definitions of friendship), "eggs and baskets" (where the disappointment's in life can be "good" Romans 8:28), and "soup from bones" (how God can make the crumbles of our lives into something glorious). There were simply too many wonderful quotes and stories to share, therefore I can only highly recommend you place this book at the top of your "to read list" and experience the flavors of these stories for yourself.

In closure, this was a wonderful book about the celebrations of life. It made me want to make the most of every day. To turn the stagnant parts of my own life and home into something beautiful - worthy of sharing and an offering to my Lord.

Truly the authors own words best described her book:

"You pray for wonderful, honest, gritty, tender stories to write, but then you have to live through them".

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*Please be sure to visit "Shortstop" for additional Book Reviews and later this week for a "Question and Answer Session" with Author, Shawna Niequist.

*Special thanks to Sara at "Shortstop" and Zondervan Publishers for the opportunity to experience "Cold Tangerines".

Morning surprises

This morning, as I opened my living room shades and peered out the window, there was a bright green sign beckoning to me. It was a garage sale sign directing to the sale just across the street from our house. So I put down the freshly poured coffee, got the kiddos dressed & presentable, and left the house without having breakfast. I'm talking priorities, people!

It wasn't a "great" garage sale, but we did find a treasure or two. We picked up a few coloring books, some national geographic type magazines for the kids to look through, a new Bingo Game that had a Cage Set for the balls to turn in, and my favorite find the: "Sammy The Seal" Book by Syd Hoff. I remember this book from when I was a kid. It is simple as can be, but so very intriguing to children.

After breakfast we read "Sammy The Seal" and the kids proceeded to act like seals catching fish. So funny. :) When that was done, we played a game of BINGO. My little boy enjoyed this so much that he wanted to keep playing this game over and over. But mom told him to wait until Daddy got home and we could all play together. He was satisified.

Anybody else remember reading this book as a kid?

Books we're reading

Here are two library books we are reading right now:

The first one is "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Rosen/Oxenbury. This book is a childhood favorite of mine. I have memories of my Grandma telling us this story. She lives in Lake Tahoe where there are lots of trees and occasionally a black bear that comes to check out the neighborhood garbage cans. So this story always came alive for me when she shared it.

Now, my kids are enjoying this classic book. It teaches about doing things as a family, not being afraid, having a great day, action words like: over, under, going "through it", speaking quiet/loud and slow/fast, lots of action words and rhythm. Our kids know this book by heart. Lots of fun at reading time.

Then there is this book called "Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z" by Ehlert.

This is a great book for learning ABC's and encouraging eating our fruits and vegies. Which is a must for picky toddlers in our house. We are having fun tasting and preparing different foods they are learning about.

The Feast of Roses

Just finished this latest book,
"The Feast of Roses" by Indu Sundaresan. As it seems with most sequels, the first book was better. Although, it was just as intriguing as "The Twentieth Wife". I was a bit distracted in how the author would give background explanations to the reader who hadn't read the first book. So I would just skim through those.

If you have read the first book and want to find out what happens to Mehrunnisa in her reign as Empress of the Mughal Dynasty, then read on! The author did an outstanding job of sharing the many details of Indian history, culture, and customs. I liked the character, Mehrunnisa in the first book, but then found it waning as her thirst for power increased.

Here are some previous postings for the first book,

"The Twentieth Wife":

http://lisahertel.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-latest-read.html
and here

http://lisahertel.blogspot.com/2007/03/its-in.html

It's in!

I got the call! "The Feast of Roses" by Indu Sundaresan, had arrived at the library and was ready for pick up.

After reading the first book, "The Twentieth Wife", of which I thoroughly enjoyed (see this post for a book review: http://lisahertel.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-latest-read.html),
I searched the library catalog and placed a hold on this book. It was labeled "on order". This means that when I went to the "holds" section of the library, there awaiting me was a brand new copy. I was to be the first person to read from it's pages. Love the crisp and clean feeling of a new book.

Now the challenge is to not let myself be consumed by reading this book every moment of the day. From the reviews I've read, and just like the first one, it is indeed one of those books.

Have you ever read a book that you "just couldn't put down"?

Please share...

The seed

The kids and I recently read "The Carrot Seed" book by Ruth Kraus. It is a wonderful little story about a boy who plants a seed, despite skeptiscism from others, and then waits patiently for the seed to grow. This book has simple and progressive stages of how a seed comes to be a plant. With a little patience, clearing out weeds, giving it water, some sun, a little love, then a seed will grow into a grand carrot.

Gardening has so many wonderful metaphors that parallel our relationship with Christ. Will save that for another post.

Anyways, we read this book and then did our own project on planting seeds:

Here we used egg crates, potting soil, and some old marigold seeds from 2001 that were left by the previous owners of this house. Most seeds should sprout if they have been kept in a dry environment. Hopefully these will grow.

The kids really loved poking their own drain holes in the bottom of the crates with toothpicks and then ever so diligently filling the areas with dirt.

We sprayed them with water and put them in the window sill.

I heard from my Mom, in Oregon, that Marigolds are helpful in warding off bugs and pests in the garden. Hopefully, we will get to do a small garden this year and these flowers will bloom.

"Whispers of Hope"

Just rececently, Beth Moore had a Nation Wide Simulcast Event. It was hosted by churches all over the United States. Women gathered together, sang praises, and listened to the message brought by Beth Moore.

I had invited my mom, who lives in Nevada, to go to this event. It was her first time hearing Beth Moore speak and I think she enjoyed it.

Beth Moore is one of the most down to earth, God-seeking woman I have had the pleasure to learn from through devotionals and bible studies. At one of her live conference's in Billings, Montana, I had picked up a few of her materials. But somehow, I didn't get into this devotional at that time. Then hearing about my mom's experience reminded me of this treasure.

Whispers of Hope is a great daily reminder of how to connect with the Savior - reminding us to always start with praise. Her daily thought-provoking devotionals are really good and make you want to dig deeper into the Word.

The photography alone is breathtaking.

The pages are designed to help form a habit of prayer through Seventy Daily Devotionals, a Daily Prayer Guide, and Answer Log.

Luke 11:1

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.

When he finished, one of his disciples said to him,

'Lord, teach us to pray..."

All year long..

This last Christmas, I received an excellent gift from my brother-in-law, Adam. Every year, we secretly exchange sibling names and share a "wish list". I wanted a book that would be good for "working a yard". If you ever have the chance, try picking up the Complete Home Gardening - Growing Secrets and Techniques for Gardeners by Miranda Smith.

There are beautiful illustrations with clear step by step planting and growing instructions. Includes tables and charts of information that I would have never imagined needing to know. It even illustrates how to construct a fence to keep the deer out! Not a problem for us. ;)

I am thoroughly enjoying reading this book. Not sure what will be accomplished this year. But it is so nice to have a ready guide. I have always enjoyed plants and have fond memories of helping my grandma with her garden. She did amazing things with a small amount of space.

Last May, we moved from Montana to the house we live in now. With this home, we have been blessed with a front & back yard. A true first in our married lives. There was so much to do. Lots of weeding, trimming bushes, pruning trees, spraying, mowing, etc. All "good problems" to have, but the work took so much time and toiling under the hot sun. We are glad to have a bit of head start this year.

Looking forward to seeing what "Spring" flowers we may have around the property just waiting to show themselves. There are also thoughts of planting flowers from seedlings, and maybe some vegetable gardening in a small patch of the side yard.

Now, How do I check the PH level of my soil?

Other books

At our church, "The Pursuit", we have been involved in Small Groups. All of us have been rotating through a series of books.

Here is what we have read and highly recommend to anyone else:

Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Mark Mittelberg, Lee Strobel, and Bill Hybels

This is a proven course designed to equip believers for effective evangelism in today's world. It avoids stereotyped approaches that feel intimidating to many Christian's. Instead it shows ordinary believers how they can share the Gospel in a natural and powerful way while being the person God made them.


Network, by Bruce Bugbee and Don Cousins
Discover your spiritual gifts, personal style, and God-given passion for serving the body of Christ.

This was very informative as it goes even further than the typical spiritual gifts survey and much more into the understanding of what makes you successful in ministry.


Good Sense, by Dick Towner & John Tofilon

Good $ense can help relieve the crushing stress and anxiety caused by consumer debt, restore marriages torn by conflict over money, heal wounded self-esteem and shattered confidence resulting from poor financial decisions, and remove stumbling blocks to spiritual growth.

Good $ense helps people to discover tools and develop skills that enable them to control their finances rather than allowing their finances to control them.

People receive practical help and guidance to:

-Prioritize financial goals

- Develop a personalized spending plan

-Identify action steps to reduce expense

-Reduce debt . . . and much more

More than just a learning experience about budgets and finances, this course enables participants to reflect on their relationship to money and how it impacts their relationship to God.

No matter what their circumstances--financial crisis or abundance--Good $ense can help everyone ...

-Discover how to become a diligent earner, generous giver, wise saver, cautious debtor, and prudent consumer.

-Learn how to resist the pull of the culture and draw closer to the mind and heart of God

-Experience the joy of becoming financially faithful.

Hope you have the opportunity some day to take one of these classes or read one of these books. They are so good!

My latest read

I am so pleased to have found this book,"The Twentieth Wife". This novel was excellently recommended by another blogger, "Embroider the Silence". Be sure to check out her blog and read all the great writings going on there...

A wonderful romance set in the beauty and splendor of the Mughal Empire in India (1526-1858). For three and a half centuries, the Taj Mahal has haunted our imaginations. It is a tomb built by a grieving king of the Mughal Empire (1526-1858) in India in memory of his beloved wife.But it was this woman's aunt, an empress in her own right, who was the most powerful queen of that dynasty. The Twentieth Wife is the story of this Empress Nur Jahan.

After reading her review, I picked it up from the Library on a Sunday afternoon and finished it that Friday. I love those books that you can just loose yourself in. Although, I definitely can't do this all the time. It just so happened that everyone in my family was sick and so it made it easier to indulge myself.

This book was appealing to me because of my interest in the work that my friend Leah does in India. I always find it interesting to hear about it's culture. Then as a little girl I enjoyed the dressing up in pretty fabrics and pretending to be royalty. Overall this was a pretty clean book - as love stories go, with not much in graphic descriptions.

Here is another review:

"In The Twentieth Wife, Indu Sundaresan has...chosen [characters who] are familiar but never have they been quite so human, fallible and fascinating...Sundaresan attempts to bring our history to us in a highly palatable form...The vignettes of court life, the endless feuds, the revolts, the politics of the zenana, and the pastimes of the kings, their queens, concubines and courtiers are opulently displayed in her pages...Sundaresan presents a variety of characters that are legendary, yet human and believable and who dominate the colourful canvas of the times that she has chosen to represent...Sundaresan's debut novel is well researched and presented and the reader waits for her presentation of court life in her promised sequel to this novel..."
—The Sunday Tribune (India)


So now I'm off to find the sequel titled "The Feast of Roses".