Worrywarts of the World Unite!

If you like to laugh and enjoy self-help books, this is a great book for you! The Worrywart's Prayer Book : 40 Help-Me-Get-A-Grip, God Meditations and Prayers by Allia Zobel-Nolan is the answer to my prayers.  I admit it, I am a worrywart.  I am not proud of it, but I stand up for my right to worry about where my child is. What did his cryptic phone message mean? He called and said, "I need to tell you about what happened this morning."  Does it mean he was in a car accident? Did he leave the faucet running at home? Did he just forget his homework? I can't call him, because he is at school, but what if he needs me? I am sure I drive my husband crazy.  I know I ought to relax, but what if? I tell myself, relax, but it is not as easy as it sounds.This is where Allia Zobel-Nolan enters in with her wonderful and lighthearted book for all worrywarts. 


The author is a reformed worrywart and understands what causes most people to fret.  She points it out with a gentle touch and provides inspiration to help the worrier in all of us overcome our angst.  A truly enjoyable novel that will inspire you, relax you and just make you smile. 

Loved Ones: Stories that Warm the Heart

I wanted to read Heaven is For Real, as soon as I heard about it a few weeks ago.  It's a true story of 3 year old Colton who during surgery actually visits heaven.  It is his story told by his father, Todd Burpo.  The story begins with what led to surgery and his family's faith and frustration with God.  Colton's story is revealed to his parents over a few years time.  In the nature of preschoolers-their descriptions don't always fit within our realm of understanding.  Their lack of verbal knowledge diminishes our comprehension of what they are saying. Consequently, it takes a year or so before Colton's family begins to piece together what their son experienced during his surgery.  This is a wonderfully written inspiring and touching story,which will make you long to see heaven for yourself. 

Although looking through the eyes of a three year old boy--definitely adds an interesting dimension. As a parent it would be hard to get across the concept that crossing a busy street is dangerous to a child who has been to heaven.  When the author reprimands his 4 year old son and tells him he can get killed running into a busy street. He does not expect his son to be happy, but his son is thrilled. Colton is excited because he realizes he can return to heaven if he dies. What on earth does a parent say to that?  Well fortunately Todd had the answer. He simply tells Colton, that he (Todd), gets to go to heaven next.  After all he is older and Colton already went to heaven once.  This is a truly wonderful story that will make you think and dream of what is to come. 
Here are a few other heart-warming stories from our Great Books Great Libraries Reading List, that you may enjoy as well. These stories are of love, loss and moving on as best you can. They show that change can be wonderful.

My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Follow the Stars Home by Luanne Rice

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Life is good, but is that all there is?

There are so many self help books out there. A complete plethora of how tos. How to get rich, how to be happy, how to find a man/woman, how to fix my husband or wife.  There are books on how to find yourself and get what has always been right there at your finger tips, fame, fortune and happiness.  All you have to do is ask for it and you'll receive it. Simply believe and it's yours. In James Rubart's novel, Rooms he shows an entirely different take on getting what you want.

There are so many paths we can choose. Each one leads to a different place. In Rooms, Micah Taylor has worked hard to be a success and has everything he could possibly want.  He owns his own company, has loads of money, a great girlfriend and then he receives an ominous note from his deceased Uncle. His Uncle gives him a unique home on the Oregon coast. It's worth a fortune. Micah has no desire to go, but is intrigued by his Uncle's comment that states 'the home is all you.' He feels called to go. Once he arrives he realizes this is where he belongs, but can he stay if it means his entire life will change?

Rooms is a novel that is creative, powerful and has stayed in my mind since I finished it.  It's an exquisite mystery that will keep you riveted to your seat and then make you think about the choices you've made in your life and where those choices led you. If you look back are there things you would do differently? If you could go back in time would you? Rooms will leave you taking a closer look at your faith and the life choices you've made. It is definitely a novel worth reading.

Thanksgiving!

The holidays are my favorite time of year. For me the Holidays  start off with Thanksgiving and roll right into winter, snow, sleighbells and before you know it the new year has begun.  So let's take a few minutes amidst all the hub bub to savor the turkey and the fixings.  I, myself, plan to sit down, relax and enjoy a great book. Here are a few books that are about taking whatever we are given and making the most of it.  

 The Perks of Being a Wallflower By Stephen Chosbky

You've Got To Read This Book: 55 People tell the story of the book that changed their life
edited by Jack Canfield

The Last Lecture By Randy Pausch

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff By Richard Carlson

Faith Hope and Love By Llwyd Owen

Heroic Measures By Jill Ciment

Hope Through Heartsongs By Mattie Stepanek

They Almost Always Come Home By Cynthia Ruchti

The Last Lecture

No doubt, many of you have seen the "last lecture" by Randy Pausch either on YouTube or on any number of websites. If not, let me give you some background. At many universities a professor is often chosen to give what is known as the "last lecture." This speaker must act as though it is the final time he/she can ever speak to a group of students and must pass on some life lessons and rules for living. But what if a professor actually has one final chance to speak to his students? Randy Pausch, a professor of computer science, faced this when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given only a few months to live.

The key struggle for Randy Pausch was that planning a last lecture was going to take time, time that he would like to spend with his wife and three children. He decided to go through with it, not as a moment for himself, but as one that his children could look back on. Rather than lamenting his fate, Pausch decided to celebrate life by passing on lessons on how to make the most out of life.

Soon after the lecture, which was a rousing success, Randy decided to team up with writer Jeffrey Zaslow so that he could get more of his thoughts down in a book. Entitled simply The Last Lecture, the book gave him a chance to say everything he wanted to say to his family and friends. Unfortunately, Randy Pausch did pass away on July 25 of this year. But his words still inspire those who pick up the book.