Archive for the ‘Nonfiction’ Category

BLIND HOPE: AN UNWANTED DOG AND THE WOMAN SHE RESCUED
Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher
ISBN: 9781601422804
July 20,2010
Multnomah Books
Mass Market paperback

Kim Meeder, author of Hope Rising and A Bridge Called Hope, is the founder and director of the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon.  It is a ranch that rescues abused horses and then matches them with disadvantaged children in order to give the children a therapeutically healing experience through their care and interaction with the animals. Laurie Sacher, a team leader at the ranch, had her own problems with battling an eating disorder.  Together, they joined forces to tell the story of a rescue dog named Mia and how she changed Laurie’s life.

Blind Hope relates the true story of an abused Australian Shepherd mix dog that Laurie rescued.  Laurie was not prepared for the challenges of owning a rescued dog or expecting the insights she would receive as she saw her own life and failings in that of her dog, Mia.  She is able to draw powerful parallels between how she has acted in her relationship with God with that of Mia’s relationship to Laurie and to her new world post rescue.

I loved the premise of this book but felt it could have had a greater impact if the perspective of the story had been either from Mia’s doggie view or Laurie’s first person point of view.  The third person descriptions of what happened after the fact were not as engaging as living through the story in first person would have been.  Hearing Kim tell what Laurie discovered felt more clinical than feeling Laurie discover it for herself.  Nevertheless, I remain fascinated by the work of Crystal Peaks and was left wanting to learn more about the stories of their animals and clients.

GOD’S GUEST LIST
Debbie Macomber
ISBN: 978-1439108963 (Hardcover)
B003V1WX6O (Kindle eBook)
November 2010
Howard Books
Non-Fiction/Inspirational

Who is on God’s “guest list” for your life . . . and why? That is what Debbie Macomber asked herself as she takes readers on a journey to answer some of those questions for herself.  She started out with a list of those people she admired most and was surprised to find that not all were famous celebrities but most were the ‘angels’ the good Lord put in our daily life whose paths crossed ours. Each of us have “influencers” that have affected our lives – some from a distance, some through word or deed, some through example, be it good or bad. Often we don’t even recognize the deep impact others have had and how God has used them to shape us into who we are.

*** In her own unique way, award winning author Debbie Macomber set out on a journey when the question was posed to her as to who would be on GOD’S GUEST LIST and Debbie began with how often it wasn’t the most famous people she met, but the ones who helped shape her into the woman she is today.

A deeply religious Christian woman, Macomber made me think on the people I’ve met along the way and how they have come into and influenced my life, maybe they touched my life for a day. Maybe they said something profound that stuck with me through the years. Or, maybe they helped me through some difficult times with wise counseling, or just a strong shoulder to cry on.

I could relate to everything Debbie touched on through her thoughtful, sincere and charming narrative.  It gave me pause to reflect on all the ‘angels’ God has gifted me with in my lifetime and to remind me to give thanks for those gracious gifts I’ve had the good fortune to receive.  Reading this was very  uplifting and made me think as we enter the Christmas holidays that it would be the perfect gift to give to those ‘angels’ on your guest list.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

BLISS TO YOU: TRIXIE’S GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE
Trixie Koontz and Dean Koontz
Performed by Teryn McKewin
ISBN: 978-1401323004 (Hard Cover)
978-1423375067 (Unabridged Audio Book)
September 2008
Hyperion Books/Brilliance Audio
Nonfiction
Audio Book and Hardcover

Bestselling author, Dean Koontz ‘s life was changed after he and his wife adopted Trixie, an amazing golden retriever who had been retired at a young age from her career as a Canine Service Dog. Trixie soon began adding her particular brand of wisdom to Koontz’s fan newsletter and his audience was so enchanted that Dean finally allowed Trixie to “pen” several books of her own.  First there was Life is Good! in 2004, then Christmas is Good! in 2005.  With Bliss To You,  Trixie returns once again to offer her own doggie wisdom to humans everywhere.  With topics such as living in the moment, releasing worry, loving unconditionally and concentrating on making others happy, Trixie offers a feel-good, inspirational book that reflects the innocence, enthusiasm and boundless love that so typifies beloved canines.

I listened to the audio version of this book and highly, highly recommend it!  The reader, Teryn McKewin, has the perfect joyful, humorous voice for Trixie, expressing so well all the exclamation-pointed statements that Trixie sprinkles so liberally throughout her work. McKewin captures all the best of the uplifting message offered by the golden retriever.  I can’t imagine Trixie sounding any different!

If you love dogs, you will be enchanted by Bliss to You. And if you have friends and family members who also love dogs, it is never too early to think about the holidays!  Pick up the audio version for them.  It will be their favorite gift this season.

THE UNIVERSE IN A MIRROR: THE SAGA OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AND THE VISIONARIES WHO BUILT IT
Robert Zimmerman
ISBN: 978-0691132976
April 2008
Princeton University Press
Non-Fiction
Hardback

The Universe in a Mirror is a fascinating account of how the Hubble Space Telescope was conceived, lobbied for and eventually built.

One of the most frustrating aspects of ground-based astronomy study has always been the interference of the Earth’s own atmosphere which makes precise, clear, detailed views of astronomical objects nearly impossible.  The visionary Lyman Spitzer first proposed the idea of escaping this problem by placing a large telescope orbiting outside the Earth’s atmosphere in space as early as 1940, but it would be another fifty years until the Hubble Space Telescope was finally launched in April 1990. 

In the first half of the book, Zimmerman chronicles the excitement, the challenges, the frustrations, the bureaucracy and the numerous committees, organizations and NASA divisions that all collaborated to achieve this momentous undertaking.  Once the Hubble was airborne, the story shifts to the amazing glimpses from the Hubble that allowed astronomers never-before-seen views into the Universe.

For me, this is where The Universe in a Mirror truly shines, and I was enthralled by this “behind the scenes” look at astronomers in action. The explosive growth of knowledge in astronomy and related fields over the past twenty years is in large part due to the information scientists have received from the Hubble. While a history of a scientific topic, this book is very readable by popular audiences who have a fascination in the Universe. Recommended.

STUFF: COMPULSIVE HOARDING AND THE MEANING OF THINGS
Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
ISBN: 978-0-15-101423-1
Kindle ASIN: B003JAO0QI
April 2010
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Non-Fiction
Hardcover and eBook

What drives people to hoard, even at the risk of their own safety?

Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee begin with one of the more famous cases of hoarding, the Collyer brothers. Homer and Langley Collyer were two reclusive wealthy brothers in the 1940s who accumulated piles and piles of things, shutting out the rest of the world. Subsequent chapters focus on modern day hoarders and their stories, along with symptoms, basic theories on hoarding, and research.

STUFF: COMPULSIVE HOARDING AND THE MEANING OF THINGS is not a self-help book. Readers interested in addressing their own issues of collecting, hoarding, and acquiring would better appreciate the authors’ book, BURIED IN TREASURES: HELP FOR COMPULSIVE ACQUIRING, SAVING, AND HOARDING, as it provides numerous checklists and exercises for individuals concerned about their own behaviors. However, STUFF: COMPULSIVE HOARDING AND THE MEANING OF THINGS is an excellent book for those who want to understand the issue of hoarding, from the way of thinking about possessions to the various theories as to what causes hoarding to occur.

STUFF: COMPULSIVE HOARDING AND THE MEANING OF THINGS is a must read for social workers, particularly ones conducting home visits. The authors provide a vast amount of information in a readable, easy to understand format while presenting the research information behind their methodologies. Seeing the story through the eyes of the various hoarders provides insight into how hoarders differ from collectors, giving clinicians a sense of how to approach therapy with someone who hoards. Treatment, as the authors clearly convey, is not an easy task but the authors provide an excellent starting point for anyone interested in assisting hoarders. Highly recommended!