adendum

Last night as I lay in bed and thought about all the books that I wrote about,I realized that in everyone of these books except "The Kitchen boy." the woman or women are so amazing and strong. I am so amazed at their strength and determination. I just want to immerse myself in the spirit of these women. As I watched and listened to all the coverage about President Hinkley last week I was impressed with his optimism and his work ethic. He used to say you just get up and put one foot in front of another and get to work. This was very apparent after the death of his wife. I felt impressed that I need to cling to this at this difficult time in my life.Corby is only going away for a year and we will be together again in this lifetime and we are so very blessed. My trials and tribulations are nothing compared to the things these women faced and I want to be as strong and determined and rely on my Savior as they do. Anyway if you want to feel empowered these books will do it for you. Camille have you read the other book by Nancy Turner? Let me know what you think it is quite different.

Overwhelmed....

I am overwhelmed by all the books I have read over the last few weeks I need to write right after I read. I am just so much better at reading than writing. Well lets get started. I read the book that Marilyn Williams recommend "These is my words" by Nancy Turner. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book about a strong woman who loves and overcomes such difficult things in her life. I love strong women who do the best they can in very difficult situations. I gain strength from them. Read this book and if you like it you should read her next book "The Water and the Blood." or the blood and the water. Sorry it's already been a while and the book is back in the library and I am six or seven books away from it. This book takes place in the deep south around the beginning of the 2nd world war. It is sobering and makes me so grateful for the time I live in. The prejudice is disapointing which is not a strong enough word for it. It deals with the relationship between Frosty and her mother and older sister. Her desire to move away from what she has known all her life and it is a very good read. I enjoyed it although not as warm a book as "These is my Words."
Next I read Two books about Russia I think that historical novels are my favorite. "The Kitchen Boy" and "Rasputins Daughter." both by the same author and both about the same time in russian history. It was fascinating to read about the Csar and his family and the amazing Rasputin told from two different points of view. I highly recommend both of these books. Then because I was on a Russian kick I stumbled on a book called " The midwife of St. Petersburg." again it takes place at the time of the Russian Revolution. This is more of a love story and I loved it. The Heroine is good and again making the most out of a difficult situation. I just didn't want this one to end so I emailed the author Linda Lee Chaikin and asked for more and she said she probably would write a sequel. How do they do it writers are amazing that all those stories are in their heads and all the research they do I am so grateful for their talents. Well I decided to read more of her books she is really prolific and has written many books and series of books. I love that because I have a tendency to fall in love with the characters and want more. Well I looked through her list and found this series... #1 Daughter of Silk. #2 Written on Silk. It wasn't the titles that attracted me but the subject matter. These books take place in France during the persecution of the Huguenots the Protestants of that time.Well I am descended from the Huguenots and have many stories that have been handed down. I wanted to read more about this time period and I was not dissapointed. The heroine is a dressmaker in the court of the Queen MOther Catherine De Medici. Just unbelievable wickedness but at the same time the faith of these good people who give up their lives so that we can read the bible in our language this may seem simple but we don't realize that the only reason we have the scriptures today is because of the blood that was shed by people who believed that everyone should be able to read the Saviors words in their own toungue. Yes I think I just got carried away but I for one am so grateful. Any way this love story is so beautiful. Mrs Chaikin is a christian writer and I just have to say how much I love her faith that comes shining through her characters. If you would like any more info about any of these books let me know.
I have also read some books by Shannon Hale who is from Salt Lake City and they are childrens books but so good. The first one is "The Goose Girl." again a very strong young lady who you want your daughter to emulate Abby and Meg love this book. The next in the series is Enna Burning and I haven't read this I am 41 on the list at the library it is in high demand. River secrets is number three and it is brand new. I got it because I volunteer at the school library and they just got it in so I checked it out. I loved this one as much as the first one and can hardly wait to go back to read Enna Burning. She also wrote Princess Academy this is a new set of people in a new country a whole different situation but still a strong kind heroine. Abby was the one who had me read this book. I am done I have three books waiting for me at the library so I am excited. I hope this has helped, again any questions email me at suzcampbell58@msn.com. Goodnight

Here we go again...

Well it is beginning to sink in after these weeks of not knowing and thinking maybe we would dodge the bullet it is happening. Corby has been called up to go to Afghanistan. He will train here for a month and then he goes to Fort Lewis Washington,that is the state of Washington. He will be there a couple of months and then off to Afghanistan. He will be back March of 2009. I have been praying for the right thing to happen and I am sure this is the right time for our family it still doesn't change the fact that I will be lonely. I am not sure if this is the right venue for me to whine and be honest or if I should just put a brave face on it all the time. Well today has been hard it is grey outside and I don't feel real good and so that makes it worse. I need to give myself time to process and not be hard on myself. I have the most wonderful friends and ward and I shall not want for anything I will just miss my precious husband who is everything to me. I am so blessed and spoiled he is always so good to me and I hate it when he is gone too long. I do however believe in what he is doing and know how much he loves doing it. I will support him and start thinking about all the things I will do to make the time go faster. I am surrounded by such wonderful people and I am grateful for their words of support that I have already recieved. Corby starts out at Camp Williams on tuesday.

The Ultimate Gift...

We rented the Ultimate gift and watched it tonight Abby Meg and I. We all really enjoyed it. Gave us so much to think about. It came highly recommended and now we in turn are going to recommend it. This holiday we also watched Hairspray and The new Harry Potter. I think I liked this Harry the best. Still two more shows to go for Harry I wonder if they will continue to be so good.I am still not sure what I thought about Hairspray great singing and dancing good message I just couldn't forget that John Travolta was the mother. Meg and Jesse started back to school today and Cooper tomorrow I got all the christmas stuff put away so I feel like I accomplished something. Such a beautiful day to be alive I love living in Draper and just being able to walk out the back door and walk for miles. Tomorrow will be a great day too because Angie is going to have her baby I am so excited for her.

Eat Pray Love

It has taken me a little while to write about "Eat Pray Love" by Liz Gilbert I did enjoy it. I didn't feel like it changed my life but it is so interesting to read about people who are trying so very hard to find the meaning of life. It is a good reminder of what is important. I do feel the need to enjoy each moment and not try to hurry through each event and check it off. It makes me so very grateful for what I know. The purpose of life and why I am here. I do believe that becoming a better person who is more in control and who learns to love is well on the way to being happy. That is what people are searching for. I need to meditate more just take time to think and work things out and communicate with my Heavenly Father. I so enjoy walking everyday because I can just think and pray while I walk. Well I think what I am saying is I did enjoy this book she is a very likable person and I would recommend this book. Be careful if you are squeamish about sex because she is not shy and the F word is in there a couple of times. If any one is interested I just read two books by Marion Hale they are Historical novels for young adults One is about the great flood in Texas in 1900 and the other is about a family during the depression who move to Texas. I enjoyed them both very much and highly recommend them. I am sorry I have forgotten the titles. I learned so much about the period and the amazing resiliency of people and families. Enjoy.

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

I love the snow and we need it badly. I wish for a storm or two a week. I do hate to drive in ti but it has to be done. It is so nice to have a drive way Corby and I cleared it off a couple of times on Saturday just because we can. Doesn't take much to make us happy. I will be taking Black Jack for a walk today because it is warm and wonderful outside. I just finished a great book by an L.D.S. author called Grave Secrets. It is a thriller and very good with a little family history mixed in not enough to make you feel guilty but maybe to get you interested. My good friend Mona gave it to me and I enjoyed it. Brit you need to show your mother how to get to this blog. Also I will read the book "eat pray whatever" Lisa has it and so I will borrow it form her. Merry Christmas to you all and more snow on the morrow

The lovely bones by Alice Sebold

Wow I just finished this book and I am amazed. It is always interesting to read some one's idea of heaven and this book makes me lonely. I am grateful for My understanding of the life after this. It is a hard book to read.It's the story of a young girl who is raped and murdered in her own neighbourhood by a man who lives a few doors away from her. This is very gritty stuff it deals with the grief of her family and school mates. She can see the killer cover his tracks and learns of his other victims. There is quite a bit of sexual content so be warned. I had known about this book for a long time and hadn't had the courage to read it but I am glad that I did. At this time of year it makes you want to hold those you love very close and just enjoy the being together. I would recommend this book because once again it made me appreciate all that I know and all those that I love.