Book Review - Song for the Missing - By Pierre Jarawan - Publication Date: 5 April 2022

 

Ever seeking and mostly never finding the double-digit thousands of missing persons from the years of civil war in Lebanon are overwhelming statistics to us, but a never-ending heartbreak to the loved ones of the missing.  Reading this work of Historical Fiction that packs punches of accuracy according to stark facts, at this time of current events with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is almost too overwhelmingly poignant to handle.  Yet this story had to be told.

As author Pierre Jarawan tightly weaves his words in this Song for the Missing, that fear, anxiety, confusion of bewildering thoughts and stories weave a canvas and kaleidoscope of unsettlement, hinged around a cherished-by-Grandmother painting, which the main character Amin's mother had painted to ironic perfection.  Amins' parents were killed in a freak car accident, at least so he was told.  The Grandmother Yara raised Amin taking him to Germany when he was about nine months old and for about twelve years lived and waited out in that foreign land; away from the conflicts, away from the mysteriouly ominous disappearances of the many whisked away at seemingly random times, places, and for mostly unknown reasons.  

When Grandmother Yara returns with Amin to Lebanon, she is almost a whole new personage.  Amin tries to piece all these puzzling pieces together.  What happened here in Lebanon in those away years.  Digging the facts out from all the ruin and rubble of Beirut and Tripoli was more or less a useless frustrating pursuit, as bad as trying to find all those missing persons.  Why?  Why?   Why did Grandmother and her friends behave the way they did, almost like a secret society?  What were they actually doing?  What drew this motley lot of them together?  Why did Grandmother paint those pictures and insist on leaving them detrimentally up on the walls of the cafe?

Abbas, another 'friend' was a stalwart constant in their lives in Germany as well as Lebanon.  What was his role in all of this?  Jafar, someone Amin met at school, became a bosom friend for fun adventures and storytelling but also a sort of tour guide through the destruction and debris.   Despite their strong bond they never quite opened up their minds to each other.  How could Jafar do that anyway?  He was the one who had experienced and suffered firsthand through all the nightmares of war, not Amin.    They were like from two completely different worlds.

The art of storytelling was a big feature in this book and even perhaps part and parcel of the Lebanese fabric and culture.  Due to all the unrest and uncertain times, there was fear of losing this art that one man especially, wished to hang on to.

From this story I now have a little better understanding of those conflicts I heard about whilst growing up; of the lies and lure of war; of the horrendous devastation of war not just of the buildings but of the people and  their shredded emotions.

The author gives some further brief notes along with his references at the book's end that are helpful and can guide the readers to further investigation of the conflict on their own.  Due to the nature and topic of this book, it was not an easy one to read but I believe it should be read, the story told and hopefully the Lebanon lessons learned.  Thanks go to Mr. Pierre Jarawan for this book!

                                                ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                              March 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Hiding in Plain Sight - By Thomas LeBrun - Publlication Date: 5 May 2022

 

This memoir feels like it has been told as if one is sitting down with Tom LeBrun, perhaps in a club somewhere, and he is telling you the story of his life from his early beginnings of physical training, weightlifting, boxing, martial arts training and of how all culminated into his Executive Protection Specialist (EPS) vocation where he pro-actively protected celebrities and corporate persons of some means and importance.  As he speaks, different ones of is friends and trusted colleagues would come sit down, tell their side of the story as it related to Tom and the 'current' scene of his life he was narrating.  That person would get up and a little while later, another chap would come along and tell his piece and so on.   The reader is the silent witness who just nods the head and smiles in encouragement for Tom to continue.

Tom tells us he has protected such well-known figures as Whitney Houstan, the Back Street Boys and others.  Of particular interest  to me was his time of protecting Whitney Houstan as he mentions his trip with her to Brunei.  I really perked up when he mentioned that because my family was living there at the time so it was pretty cool to read about it from Tom's perspective.

Something I learned is that a bodyguard and an Exective Protection Specialist are two different roles although there could be some overlapping moves.  Learning about this was of great interest to me and very likely to folks who are an EPS or know or have known someone in this line of work.  

Guys are most likely the ones to dig this book with all the talk of bodybuilding, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and martial arts of various thought and practice.  These dudes and others, will no doubt find they can relate with Tom who used his brawn, along with his brain, to great and good effect.

Tom emphasises that EPS work is best orchestrated in low profile manner, thus the book's title Hiding In Plain Sight.  Tom pulled this off with excellent aplomb and it made his day to hear or overhear others wondering where a client's protective operative was at any given moment.  Tom's Nighthawk Security businss thrived because of all these skills and more.

It's not often a child keeps, and grows into, his childhood dream into adulthood.  Tom was one who did, becoming 'Superman' of exceptional quality and character.  He helped to train many others in various strengths and roles and it was not always about muscle, it was the positive input of discipling himself into good personal temperate character and an on-going input into his mind of learning new things to improve himself.  All were qualities that made him that Superman Executive Protection Speecialist that his clients could count on with solid trust.

Although at times I got bogged down in details about how many bench presses, and with how many fingers, Tom could do,  I enjoyed this book and believe others will too.

                                             ~Eunice C.  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                        March 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Blessings

 There are times Lord, when we want to talk to you but we become tongue-tied.  We just don't know what to say, ask or how to praise You.  Yes, I know that Your Holy Spirit helps to give us utterance, even then we are, at times - blank.  The fault being on our side.

Our tank is empty.  We confess it.

In Bible study a couple of weeks ago we read Psalm 1.  The Bible study author told us that this is a "preface to prayer" psalm.  In other words we need to feed on Your word and meditate upon all You have to say to us, preparing ourselves and like coming to attention in Your presence.

Gladly, we read Your word then to "hear" Your voice.  Gladly, we meditate upon it to know Your choice, to learn how to sincerely speak Your language and to come to know You more, to be fruitful but even more so, to loosen our tongues to praise and worship You, falling easily into conversation with You, our Abba Father.

Such streams of water coming down from Your home on high, from You, Father.  Thank-You for the washing of Your word upon our hearts, souls and minds. Your blessings upon us as we delight and meditate with You watching over us as we walk in Your righteous way.  

Thank-You, In Jesus name.

                                                      ~ERC  March 2022~

Based on Psalm 1.

Sing, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, along with Chris Rice.

Book Review - Risky River Rescue - By Mike Nawrocki - Publishing Date: 3 May 2022

 

This is a cute story for young readers that is amusing and exciting as well as educational.  Animals that talk, includiing the Dead Sea Squirrels, and some human friends such as Dr & Mrs. Gomenzes,and Michael and Jane,  join together and tour the Holy Land while looking for one of  the squirrel-napped  Dead Sea Squirrels named Merle.  His wife's name is Pearle.  She is eagerly helping to look for Merle too.   Fun stuff.

If any child has been to Sunday School hearing different Bible stores and have seen some maps of the Holy Land, then some of the places named in this book will be somewhat familiar, like the Dead Sea, Jordan River, Nazareth and so on.  The animals also tell Bible stories about those places and their significance, in short blurbs.

Although this Risky River Rescue book is the 10th in a series about the Dead Sea Squirrels, it can be a stand alone feature.  The author has introduced each of the main characters and given them brief but interesting bio's.  If any of the children are familiar with Veggie Tales, it'll give them an idea of what they can expect from this engaging tale.  Additionally, I'd like to note that because the Bible stories seem to be accurately related as compared with the actual Bible version, I would, given opportunity, give such as a gift to a grandchild if I had one or to young nieces and nephews.

                                                ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                           February 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - This Thing of Darkness - By Allen Batchelder - Publication Date: 3 May 2022

 Historical Fiction submerged in, shall I say a thrilling fantasy or a fantastical thriller, makes quite the mix and that is the bait, which I feel, gives this author's work a good hook to lure young teenage readers to peruse its pages.  A monster or monsters are thrown in for good measure - who would have thought it or they, mixed well with the history of true life events!   The niche in time of history takes us  back to April 1619 and a voyage from London and the landing upon New World soil in Jamestown, Virginia, with a few glitches back to recent-ish years leading up to this voyage and scenario.

Unusual bedfellows are Will - the dead man, Margaret - the man dressed as a woman, and Will's supposed son Xander of African gene pool descent.  Life in the New World was not easy but it was a varietable, unending, of almost more-than-one-could-chew adventure, what with Powahtans on one side, a monster or more, and enemies of unknown number or face, lurking, just plain survival of the fittest, was essential.  The characters never knew what would descend upon them next.  Will had a few aces up his sleeve though and with Margaret and Xander as co-conspirator cohorts, they just might stand a chance.

It may be wise to have some parental guidance due to some gruesome descriptions of death and carnage.  Much of the story is believeable except of course, the monster bits.  Ha, ha.  Then, again, I felt hints of allegory in the prose that could well relate to human nature with this thing of darkness casting a foreboding aura of prescence.  That could just be me.  Others may have other interpretation or just read the book at face value.  Give it a go and see for yourself.

Another thing I'm happy about is that the author mentions, through Will, how appalling and unpardonable slavery is and how unthinkable that such practices had reached the  New World.  

The end of the book has some mention of the real facts regarding the voyage of the George and other true events and people of those times, which I find good to know especially when reading Historical Fiction.  Being able to know which is actual fact and which is fiction at least gets one to learn something from reading a book, yet in a more exciting manner. 

                                                    ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                                 February 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based  on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read Review on Goodreads.

Book Review - The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything - By Laura Alary - Publication Date: 3 May 2022

 It is always good to read an educational children's book that does not seem to be educational.  That is, it is so cleverly written that children are most likely not going to realize they are learning some facts and history on first take.  This biographical account of Maria Mitchell's claim to fame is just such a one.  

Maria's story is told in easily engaging prose, accompanied with fun, attractive illustrations, which decorate each page, bringing the story to seeming life.  Maria was born and grew up in a Quaker family on Nantucket Island where she found much scope for her brilliantly, inquisitive mind.   Quakers encouraged the pursuit of knowledge of the world and to enable ones own choice and independant thinking for boys as well as girls, becoming a launching pad for her fulfilling life's work. 

Being born in 1818, Maria soon realized that she was like a fish swimming up a torrent of male prejudice outside the Quaker sphere of safety, where the norm was for the females to be kept very well in the kitchen and stitching in the parlor.  Maria was patient and persistant and became famous for being the first female professional astronomer and to engage in several other typically male roles gaining several other firsts, which young readers will discover as they read the book.

I have clearly enjoyed reading about and learning of Maria Mitchell's story especially since it is the first time I recall having heard about her.  I sure hope her story motivates and inspires other young girls to pursue with questioning minds, what the world is all about and be able to contribute to the world in constructive ways as did Maria.

                                              ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                           February 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read Review on  Goodreads.

Book Review - Refined - A Memoir - By Tracie Breaux - Publication Date: 2 May 2022

 If one has grown up in a home with even a modicum of love and good care, it will be very difficult to conceive of a home where gross lack of loving care, and severe abuse is the order of each and every single day and night.  Tracie tells her story in this memoir where she literally walked on papers of hope and longing to help her live from day to day.  Hers is rather a horror story, made more horror-filled because it is true; it was her surreal reality.

Towards the end of her memoir, after she had become an adult and sifted through her nightmare of childhood events, Tracie says that the "single greatest gift she could give herself was to forgive" all those who had harmed her, especially her Dad.  This really blew me away.  Such a strength of mind, will and character to come forth and say and act so.  It is a wonder.  I need to learn from this.

As you can imagine, this was not an easy book to read.  If it had been fiction we could easily overlook it but, no, it's real, true-life happenings.  Those who have been traumatized by family violence will most likely be able to relate and may even be helped and encouraged by Tracie's story, and have courage to overcome.  I hope so.  Those of us who would be foreigners to such hate-filled living may gain some insight and hopefully some compassion and empathy for those we may know who have been, or who still are, being so wickedly mistreated.  May all such victims of evil be able to find their way of escape and refinement.

                                             ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                       February 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.