The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice by Rebecca Musser
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: September 10, 2013
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Rebecca Musser grew up in fear, concealing her family’s polygamous lifestyle from the “dangerous” outside world. Covered head-to-toe in strict, modest clothing, she received a rigorous education at Alta Academy, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ school headed by Warren Jeffs. Always seeking to be an obedient Priesthood girl, in her teens she became the nineteenth wife of her people’s prophet: 85-year-old Rulon Jeffs, Warren’s father. Finally sickened by the abuse she suffered and saw around her, she pulled off a daring escape and sought to build a new life and family.
The church, however, had a way of pulling her back in-and by 2007, Rebecca had no choice but to take the witness stand against the new prophet of the FLDS in order to protect her little sisters and other young girls from being forced to marry at shockingly young ages. The following year, Rebecca and the rest of the world watched as a team of Texas Rangers raided the Yearning for Zion Ranch, a stronghold of the FLDS. Rebecca’s subsequent testimony would reveal the horrific secrets taking place behind closed doors of the temple, sending their leaders to prison for years, and Warren Jeffs for life.
Yes, it another book about polygamy – I just can’t get enough! Rebecca was in the FLDS like Carolyn Jessop (who wrote Escape and Triumph. In fact, Rebecca knew Carolyn before Carolyn escaped from the FLDS a few years before Rebecca did. However, Rebecca was more of an FLDS insider since she was the 19th wife of FDLS prophet Rulon Jeffs, which made her one of Warren Jeff’s mothers, even though he’s at least twenty years older than her. She also taught at the FLDS school where Warren was the principal so she knew him pretty well.
Since Rebecca was one of the key witnesses for the prosecution in several trials of FLDS members, including Warren Jeffs, she learned even more details about Warren’s horrible crimes than what she already knew from living in the FLDS community. I remember when the compound was raided, the country was divided in opinion on whether or not all of the children should have been removed. I myself had mixed feelings about it. Had I known what I know after reading this book, I would have been much more on the side of removing the poor things. Although there was plenty of media coverage about the raid, I don’t recall a lot of coverage of the trials, which is unfortunate.
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve read Carolyn Jessop’s book – now I’d like to go back and re-read it since her FLDS husband was a major player in this book, although it was after she left. I found it interesting that while Carolyn Jessop has pretty much rejected and distains anything connected with the FLDS, Rebecca still seems a bit more sympathetic towards the people affected by the raids that weren’t directly connected to Warren Jeffs. She is also still very connected to God, although it’s certainly a different interpretation of God than the one she grew up with.
If you are intrigued by polygamy, like me, then this is a book you need to add to your reading list. But even if you aren’t particularly and you just like memoirs and/or true crime, then this is a good book for you.
Other books about polygamy that I’ve reviewed:
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff (the only novel, the rest are memoirs)
Becoming Sister Wives by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown
Escape by Carolyn Jessop
Love Times Three by Joe Darger
Triumph by Carolyn Jessop
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
And there are still more polygamy books out there I want to read!
January 14th, 2014 in
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Neve gave me a good-night hug. And then she gave my computer a good night hug. It’s possible I’ve been spending too much time on it lately.
*****
After he lost a tooth West said, “My teeth are basically money. I have money in my mouth.”
*****
West: Why do we have to take a shower every night?
Me: So you don’t stink.
Cash: Cause if you stink, you’ll never get married.
I gave Neve two bowls of dry cereal – one for her and one for West. I said take this one to West please. She dumped the contents of West’s bowl into hers and said, “Okay.”
*****
Cash: How do you know who One Direction is Mommy – did you like them when you were little?
*****
I don’t really know how to play Star Wars Kinnect Cash.
Mommy, if you can drive a car, I’m sure you can drive a speeder bike.
*****
Where is my backpack Mommy?
I don’t know Cash, why don’t you retrace your steps?
But I didn’t trace my steps!
January 11th, 2014 in
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Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: Puffin
Paperback Release Date: 2001
Age Level: Middle Grade Fiction
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Nothing is like it used to be. If it were, Mama would still be alive. Papa wouldn’t have died. And Charlie would still be the same old loving big brother to thirteen-year old Lafayette, not a hostile stranger just back from doing time a correctional facility. Oldest brother Ty’ree would have gone to college, instead of having to work full time to support the three of them. And Lafayette wouldn’t be so full of questions, like why Mama had to die, why Charlie hates him so much now, and how they’re all supposed to survive these times together when so much seems to be against them.
This book was heartbreaking in the most wonderful way. It wasn’t heavy handed or overly dramatic. It was a realistic portrayal of growing up poor in an urban area. The aspect I liked most about this book is that the three main characters are boys and yet they have FEELINGS. Real emotions. They may not show them outwardly but they’re there. I think that boys reading this will appreciate knowing that they themselves are not the only ones with feelings and insecurities. Even the tough middle brother with a criminal history feels deep sadness, not just anger (the one emotion boys are allowed to express in this world without fear of being made fun of).
This book has won several awards, including the Coretta Scott King award, most deservedly so. I recommend it to anyone – young and old – but to especially boys who want to add some variety to their reading life apart from the goofy world of Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants.
For more reviews of books for children and teens, check out Booking Mama’s feature, Kid Konnection, posted on Saturdays. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, you can go to her site to leave a comment and your link .
January 9th, 2014 in
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How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Updated Edition Release Date: May 2, 2012
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Now, this bestselling classic includes fresh insights and suggestions as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships, including innovative ways to:
· Cope with your child’s negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, and disappointment
· Express your strong feelings without being hurtful
· Engage your child’s willing cooperation
· Set firm limits and maintain goodwill
· Use alternatives to punishment that promote self-discipline
· Understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful praise
· Resolve family conflicts peacefully
The theme of this book can be summed up thusly: Treat your children like human beings. Sounds simple in theory but if you have kids, you know it’s not as easy as it sounds. It can be hard to treat your children like regular human beings when they don’t always act like regular human beings. Or is it just mine that can be irrational monsters at times? I really liked all the practical examples and situations that the authors used throughout the book. My husband listened to this book as well and we’ve been putting a lot of the tips into practice with our three children. So far, it’s working really well.
I enjoyed listening this book in its audio format. The narrator, Susan Bennett, was dynamic and brought a lot of inflection to her reading – it was anything but dry, which non-fiction audio can easily be. I liked this book so much that after listening to it, I bought the paperback so that I will be able to go back and refer to specific parts again and again. That’s the one drawback of wonderful instructional books like this in audio – it’s hard to use an audio book for reference. Also, the paperback version has a lot of cartoons, which of course don’t translate into the audio format. However, I did like that my first reading was in the audio format as I often digest this type of book more easily if I listen to it. And my husband never would have read the printed version as he falls asleep after reading for about 10 minutes, no matter what kind of book it is! He was able to listen to this book on his daily commute, which worked out nicely.
I highly recommend this book to all parents interested in gentle, effective alternative methods to yelling and nagging (and spanking if anyone still does that.) That should be pretty much all of us, right?
(I received this book courtesy of the Solid Gold Reviewer Program at Audio Jukebox.)
January 8th, 2014 in
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Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books,
April 2, 2013
My rating: 4.5of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
What if you could live again and again, until you got it right?
On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.
Does Ursula’s apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can — will she?
First of all, I have to say that this is the first Kate Atkinson book I’ve read and I love her writing style. The prose is poetic and the English wit her characters have, especially Ursula, is dry and wonderful. Secondly, I thought the concept of this book was unique – it was a little like a Choose Your Own Adventure book in literary fiction form, only Ursula was making the choices in each of her lives, not the reader. I could not put this book down and that was a good thing. There is a lot to remember from each life to make the next life make sense and I don’t have the best memory. It’s the kind of book that a reader can read again and again, making new discoveries of small, relevant details each time.
I only had two minor quarrels with the book. First, I thought the section with Eva was too long and secondly, the ending was ambiguous and if you’ve followed my reviews for long, you know that I have trouble with ambiguous endings. I wanted more, which I actually think speaks to how fantastic this book is. I wanted it to go on forever but I suppose it had to end sometime. Even at over 500 pages it was not enough for me!
Now that I have discovered Ms. Atkinson and her fabulous writing style and wit, I can’t wait to read more of her books. If you’re a fan of hers, what would you recommend I read next?
January 7th, 2014 in
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I’ve done this meme that I first saw on The Boston Bibliophile’s blog for a few years now. It’s a fun way to wrap up the year and remember all that I read throughout the year.
How many books read in 2013?
I only read 44 books, which was less than half my goal of 100 books. But I had a pretty good excuse for not reading more. My goal for 2014 is also 100.
How many fiction and non fiction?
I read 9 non-fiction and 35 non-fiction books in 2013. In 2012 year my percentage of non-fiction was 18 percent. In 2013 it was 20 percent. I’d like to see the percentage keep increasing in 2014.
Male/Female author ratio?
I read 31 female authors and 13 male authors. That’s 29 percent male authors – just 1 percent up from 2012. Still lovin’ the ladies!
Favorite book of 2012?
My favorite work of 2013 was Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. My favorite non-fiction book was How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (to be reviewed soon). I only read one memoir in 2014 – Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman – so I can’t really say I had a favorite. I’m sure I’ll read more in 2014. I’m already reading one (about polygamy!)and the year just started.
Least favorite?
No one-star reviews in 2013! My least favorite two-star book was probably Minion by L.A. Banks. I’ve had a lot of people tell me that the second book in that series is much better so I may give it a try.
Any that you simply couldn’t finish and why?
There a few books that I haven’t finished yet but I plan to finish them at some point. They are books that aren’t compelling enough to keep me up at night reading them so I keep putting them down in favor of books that do.
Oldest book read?
The oldest book I read was How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk. It was originally released around 1982. The audiobook I listened to was a reissue. This year I’d like to read at least one book written before 1900. Since I was an accounting major in college I haven’t read a lot of classics that were required reading for most high school and college students.
Newest?
The newest book I read was After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman. It’s scheduled to be published in February and I will post my review then.
Longest and shortest book titles?
The longest title is When “Spiritual But Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church. The shortest title is probably S.E.C.R.E.T. (I’m reading the sequel to this book this year, so keep your eye out for that review!)
Any translated books?
No translated books this year.
Most read author of the year, and how many books by that author?
I didn’t read more than one book from any author in 2013.
Any re-reads?
No re-reads in 2013. I had hoped to re-read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire but it didn’t happen.
Favorite character of the year?
My favorite character was Park from Eleanor and Park. Such a sweetie – I wish he would have been my boyfriend when I was in high school.
Which countries did you go to through the page in your year of reading?
I went to Israel, France, Sweden, China, Syria, and Heaven (sort of a country, right?)
Which book wouldn’t you have read without someone’s specific recommendation?
Eleanor and Park. I will be forever grateful to my friend Erica for recommending the book and thus introducing me to Rainbow Rowell. I hope to read Rainbow’s other books this year.
Which author was new to you in 2013 that you now want to read the entire works of?
Rainbow Rowell!
Which books are you annoyed you didn’t read?
My TBR list is too long – there aren’t any I can think of that I want to read more than any other.
Did you read any books you have always been meaning to read?
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow had been on my TBR shelf for quite a while. I’m glad I finally read it; it was really good.
How was your year?
January 3rd, 2014 in
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I was a very lucky girl this Christmas. I was given several books and I’m looking forward to reading all of them. Some have been on my wishlist for quite a while so I was so happy to get them this year!
In the Shadow of the Ark by Anne Provoost
The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards
The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice [Oh, how I love polygamy books!]
Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer
Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color by Nina G. Jablonski
The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse
The Science of Yoga by William J. Broad
Indian Cooking Unfolded by Raghavan Iyer
This Land Was Made For You and Me (But Mostly Me) by Bruce McCall and David Letterman
I also got some really fun book related gifts:
Invisible Book Shelf
Barnes and Noble gift card
A really cool bookmark that not only marks your page but marks the exact spot on the page where you left off!
What books and/or bookish gifts did you receive this holiday season? What are you favorites?
January 2nd, 2014 in
Books |
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The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats by Constance Corcoran Wilson
Publisher: Quad Cities Press
Release Date: October 22, 2013
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is a rhyming children’s book with a moral about not judging others based on stereotypes. I think that is a great lesson; however, I didn’t think that the story made that much sense. Maybe if the story didn’t have to rhyme the author could have fleshed it out more. The moral was clear because it was spelled out but the story leading up to the moral was fuzzy.
The illustrations were fun and colorful. Each page was bordered with festive Christmas lights which actually seemed to be the only thing that made this a Christmas book. Overall, this book was meh.
I received this book courtesy of Virtual Author Book Tours. You can check out the other tour stops here:
Daddy Blogger Dec 1 Live Video Interview
So Many Precious Books Dec 2 Review & Giveaway
Deal Sharing Aunt Dec 2 Review
Daddy Blogger Dec 3 Review
Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Dec 3 Review
Joy Story Dec 3 Review
Saving For Six Dec 4 Review
Rhodes Review Dec 5 Review & Giveaway
Sincerely Stacie Dec 6 Review
VW Stitcher Dec 9 Review
Books, Books & More Books Dec 10 Review
Jolly Blogger Dec 10 Review
Practical Frugality Dec 11 Review & Giveaway
The News in Books Dec 11 Review
The News in Books Dec 16 Interview
The Crypto-Capers Review Dec 12 Review
Stories from Unknown Authors Dec 12 Live Interview at 1 pm EST
Carole Rae Random Ramblings Dec 13 Review
Little Lovely Books Dec 13 Review
Bea’s Book Nook Dec 16 Review & Giveaway
Identity Discovery Dec 16 Review
Reviewing Novels on Line Dec 17 Review
Manic Mama of 2 Dec 17 Review
Hott Books Dec 18 Review
Laura’s Reviews Dec 18 Review
Sweeps for Bloggers Dec 19 Review & Giveaway
Allison’s Book Bag Dec 20 Review Allison’s Book Bag Dec 19 Interview
Sweet Southern Home Dec 23 Review
December 24th, 2013 in
Uncategorized |
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Starry Night: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber
Publisher: Ballentine Books
Release Date: October 8, 2013
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.
Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a megabestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.
Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.
I chose this book because I wanted a light, fluffy Christmas romance to put me in the Christmas spirit. I can totally be down with some cheesiness around the holiday season. However, this book didn’t hit the spot for me. It was too sweet, too cheesy, just a little too much of everything I wanted. At the same time, I thought Christmas played too small a part in it. It was set in November and December so the atmosphere was cold and wintery but Christmas wasn’t actually mentioned that much.
The story felt rushed. It’s a short book, at just over 200 pages with a pretty big font and mass market paperback sized pages. I think if the author would have spent some more time developing the relationship between Finn and Carrie I would have like it better. They spent way to much time just talking and playing cards. Also, I should have looked into this author more before choosing a book by her – I didn’t realize her books are so chaste. I like some steam with my cheesy romance!
If you like to keep it clean, short and sweet then this may be the book for you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend it.
(I received this book courtesy of Amazon Vine.)
December 3rd, 2013 in
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Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story by Wally Lamb
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: 2009
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Description:
It is 1964. LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone’s turntable, and ten-year-old Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy. But there are several things young Felix can depend on: the birds and bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he’s never going to forget.
This book is being touted as a Christmas story but it’s more than just that. It’s about life for kids in a parochial school in the 1960s. There are tons of cultural references – if you grew up in the 60s, I think you’ll enjoy the trip down memory lane.
The characters are familiar archetypes . Felix is a sweet, naive boy who is trying (and failing) to be as worldly as his best friend Lonny. Lonny is a tough kid, from a poor family. There’s also Rosalie, a snotty teacher’s pet who Felix despises. Then there are characters who are new and funny, like girl whose family has just moved to the small town from Russia. And the French Canadian replacement teacher who is just trying to put on a fancy Christmas show with the best of intentions.
Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a cute and funny story. It’s great if you’re in the mood for a quick little holiday read.
Buy this book at:
Amazon
Powell’s Books
December 2nd, 2013 in
Books |
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