The Traveler's Gift

Absolutely loved The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews.  Recommended to me by a reading friend, I saved this book for the vacation drive.  So glad I did!  I was able to share the story with my husband and kids...we had a blast trying to guess who the main character, David, would meet next on his adventure.

I took some notes while reading about David, a corporate investor who suddenly finds himself middle-aged, with a sick child and no job.  We can all relate to that "panicky" feeling we parents sometimes get when we're faced with reality.  The basis of the story is that David gives in to his suicidal thoughts and allows himself to become a victim of an icy bridge.  He doesn't die, rather he journeys to 7 different locations where he meets 7 people from history who pass on 7 decisions for success.  Although I didn't care for the ending, I appreciated the wisdom shared in these lessons and applied them to my life as best I can.  Here are my notes:

Destination 1- 1945, Germany...meets President Harry S. Truman right before his infamous meeting in which he decides to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.  The lesson..."The buck stops here."

Destination 2- King Solomon's Temple...witnesses the hearing of the two women with the baby...learns to seek wisdom.

Destination 3- Gettysburg battlefield...meets Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Union Army...learns to be a person of action.

Destination 4- Sitting atop the Santa Maria with Christopher Columbus the day before he sights land...learns to have a dedicated heart.

Destination 5- Sits with Anne Frank in Amsterdam and learns to "choose to be happy."

Destination 6-  Has a long talk with President Abraham Lincoln right before he gives the Gettysburg Address...learns to forgive himself.

Destination 7-  Gabriel leads him through the hall of things that were about to be delivered (prayers) but weren't because the person stopped praying and working for them.

Won't give away the ending, but this could have ended soooo much better.  Perhaps I'm just not "getting it" like so many of my students have stated to me this week...perhaps this is what "that" feels like.  Kinda frustrating...

All in all, I liked this book...very creative story.  Mediocrity is apparantly the enemy to this author and he attempts to convince the reader (ME) to expect more from my life.  Not from God, from me.

Happy Reading!  (This makes book 79 for me!)
RC

I Am Potential

Book # 78

 I'm reading I Am Potential by Patrick Henry Hughes and highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they're getting the winter blues early (like me).  I just can't get enough sunshine these days!  A reading pal heard I was just 25 books away from my goal and graciously brought two of her books for me to read.  And this book was right on time...

The "Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams" are inspirational.  How can I possibly feel sorry for myself after reading this book?  Here are the eight lessons listed just in case you're interested...
1.  When life gives you lemons, accept them and be grateful.
2.  Do all you can to change what you can.
3.  Pursue your passion as if your life depends on it. (My favorite quote from this chapter is on page 53, which describes Dad attempting to soothe Patrick's infant cries.  He places him on top of the piano and softly played a lullaby.  Patrick's cries stopped immediately.  "It was a miracle! The angels in heaven were probably looking down at (Dad) and laughing out loud, saying, "I knew that thick-headed young man would figure it out sooner or later."  Wonder how many times the angels have laughed at me?  LOL  Another great quote that spoke to me comes along on page 70.  "Sometimes it feels as if your passion has dried up and disappeared, when life seems to be just another day:  up in the morning, stumbling through the routine, then falling into bed at night." Believe me, every parent knows how this feels.  It's just nice to see it in print.  LOL
4.  Be the YOU your mother would be proud of.  
5.  The best personal heroes can be found close to home.
6.   Set your course, then burn the map. The idea of testing your limitations sticks with me from this chapter.  Patrick Henry says on page 138, "The important thing is to figure out what your TRUE limitations are. You can't know until you keep on trying to reach past them."
7.   Love, given freely, multiplies and returns.
8.  Live each day like the last day of summer vacation.  

If you have the opportunity to read this memoir, do so.  It's humbling and inspirational.
I'm so glad it was provided at a time in my life when I needed reminding that we all struggle with adversity in our own way.  
To learn more about Patrick Henry Hughes, go to the  book's website.

Happy Reading!   
RC 

An Acquaintance with Darkness

Book #77, An Acquaintance with Darkness by Ann Rinaldi, was a nice weekend read.  I was pleased with the writing style of this author once again.  She does a great job of keeping young readers engaged.  Her historical facts are subtle enough within the plot that young readers learn much about our history without knowing it or without feeling bogged down by facts.  

This story takes place near the end of the Civil War.  President Lincoln has only weeks to live...John Wilkes Booth and other conspirators are working on a plan to kidnap the president.  The main character, Emily Pigbush, has taken a leave from school to care for her dying mother.  Washington D.C. is divided...many families are Secesh.  (Now, I'll be honest.  I had to look that up...it was a term used for someone who supported the South's secession from the Union.)  Emily's father, although many years dead when the book opens, left a legacy of advice for her through stories and nursery rhymes.  "Miss Muffet" was his pet name for her.  I love how the author wove the story of Emily with Lincoln's assassination.  I know the students enjoy learning about the body snatching that took place so frequently during this time as well.

I'm wondering how the students will react to the movie, "The Conspirator", when we watch it together in November?  

Until the next book...
Happy Reading!
RC