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Monday, May 26th, 2008Review: Blessings
Blessings is the family home of Lydia Blessing, an 80-year-old woman with strong opinions about the right way to say and do things. Her new caretaker of Blessings, Skip, doesn’t seem to be making the grade in Lydia’s eyes. He’s keeping strange hours and doing his work at odd times. The reason? He’s taking care of a baby. Not his baby, but a little girl that a young couple abandoned at Blessings. Skip doesn’t have the first clue how to take care of an infant, but he manages after awhile and even keeps her a secret from everyone for a time. Then, Lydia finds out. Although shocked at first, Mrs. Blessing’s heart is warmed by the child as well. Will Skip get to keep Faith, the little girl that has won over everyone at Blessings, including Mrs. Blessing, or will the little girl’s mother return to claim her?
Blessings by Anna Quindlen is not just about Skip and Faith, but also about family secrets and relationships. There is an entire back story of Lydia Blessing that adds a lot to the novel as well. I listened to the audio CD narrated by Joan Allen, and she did an outstanding job.
2002, 226 pp.
Rating: 
Popularity: 53% [?]
Saturday, December 15th, 2007Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
It all begins when a man answers this ad:
Must have an earnest desire to
save the world. Apply in person.
Who (or what) he finds there and the conversation they have about how to save the world follows. This book is written in a conversational style that reminded me of The Alchemist. It’s an easy read about Daniel Quinn’s real-life philosophies having to do with population control and food production. Although I didn’t agree with most of his ideas, he had a few valid points worth considering. Overall, though, I don’t think the world will be accepting his solution.
1992, 263 pp.
Rating: 3.5
Popularity: 14% [?]