Leave the Words to the Lord

I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay. I may as well just do this review, let everyone think I'm a heartless jerk, and then I can pass this book on to those waiting in the Hold line behind me at my local library.

Let me begin by saying, I heard a Jeremy Camp song for the first time just last year after I came home from being in the hospital for several months and it was truly a goose-bump moment. I could tell his music was anointed.
Secondly, I am well-acquainted with grief having lost all my immediate family members in a very short period of time.
Thirdly, I've been on a waiting list for 12 weeks from my library to get my turn to read this book. So I fully expected to love this book. But while I was waiting for my turn I read the Sample and didn't get much out of it. Then when it FINALLY was my turn, I discovered I was having some trouble getting into it. Curious.

This is the story of Jeremy's brief first marriage that ended when his wife died of cancer. It details this time in his life, his struggle with the grief and confusion, and his decision to continue his walk of faith with Jesus in spite of the fact that he didn't understand what God was doing or why Jesus would let his young, beautiful wife suffer and die. Considering the subject of the story and my own intimate knowledge of grief and how it relates to my faith in Jesus, I expected this to be a gut-wrenching read and was a bit apprehensive to stir those emotions in myself. I needn't have worried. I made almost no emotional connection to this story at all.

I've been trying to figure out why I can't get emotionally invested in Camp's story. We have a lot in common. Including growing up excessively poor. But I believe it comes down to two factors. I just don't connect with his perceptions and sensibilities and ... he's not a very good writer.

It seemed like it was being written by a preteen. So much so that I actually checked the copyright of the book to see how old Jeremy was when he wrote it. It was originally published in 2011 which puts him in his early thirties. I found several examples of his descriptive abilities in one area where he's telling us about he and Melissa declaring their love for each other and deciding to get married while she is quite ill having just undergone chemotherapy.
"She seemed pretty bummed out." ; "Her parents were super-stoked." and, "she thought the proposal would be all glamorous but instead she 'felt all sweaty and gross'" because apparently, she had been able to go outside for a run.

Plus, the part when they are discovering their love for each other in view of the uncertainty of their future together should have been deeply intense but it sounded more like discussing going to the school dance. "Does she like me? He liked her first. I wish I could have taken back that I told her I liked her." This is basically the height of the romantic dialogue you will get. Even the discussions of faith are so filled with Christianese clichés that most nonChristians will have no idea what he's talking about.

But how can that be, Laura-Lee? Jeremy Camp is a very successful Christian song-WRITER!

I have pondered that dilemma too. Let us examine Jeremy Camp's song, "Revive Me" which is based on Psalm 119.

Consider my affliction and please deliver me
Plead my cause and redeem me
Salvation is not for the wicked
For they don't seek your word
Great are your tender mercies, Lord
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord
You give me understanding
According to your word
Great peace for those who seek your face
I long for salvation
My lips shall praise your name
I rejoice in the treasure of your keep
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord

Basically, all those words belong to the original writer. King David. Camp has just shuffled them around so that they are in the position to rhyme appropriately for the music he wrote. Which is, I still believe, where Camp's actual talents are. But as a wordsmith, he just doesn't have it. And although I'm sure this time in his life was both heart-breaking and ultimately faith-inspiring, he should have left the telling of the story in prose to someone who has the ability to express and reveal Jeremy's broken heart and the road back to his renewed faith and restored relationship with Jesus. Not everyone is equipped with the ability to write a good book. Jeremy Camp is no exception. Give this book a skip and go listen to one of his songs and prepare to get goose-bumps ... Whenever he starts singing God's words directly from the Bible.

Thanks to all for reading this review (which must have been hard for all you Camp fans!)

Sincerely, Laura-Lee 

UPDATE: All these weeks later and I can't get this review out of my mind. I feel like I've back-stabbed a family member, as indeed that may be exactly what I've done by criticizing Jeremy so harshly. I was listening to some of his music today and thinking how talented he is as a songwriter and how much he obviously loves his Saviour and felt I needed to say something more. However, as I reread my review of "I Still Believe" I find that I still believe what I said about it and am reluctant to change or delete it.

Let me end this by apologizing to Jeremy (and his fans) if I've hurt anyone's feelings and let you know that even before I read it, I had made a Purchase Suggestion for this book at my local library which they approved. So they added I Still Believe in ebook format to their catalog. Because even if in my opinion it's not my thing, I Still Believe it can be for others.

(Continually trying to speak) The truth with love, Laura-Lee

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,"  (Philippians 2:3)

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A Graphic Look at Canadians at War

Canada at War: A Graphic History of World War Two by Paul Keery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Graphic books are a new format for me and this is the first one that is not a novel. It looks at the role Canada's military had in World War 2. But since the text had very little flow, it felt like the illustrations are the driving force of this book. The text is only there to set the scene or give some added information. World War 2 is such a massive subject that there truly is no way to get at it in such a short book, so it helped immensely that I had a solid knowledge of the topic.

Canada at War jumps around and highlights a specific person, then a specific battle, then a specific division of the military, and then suddenly mixes in a bunch of statistics. And if you don't particularly like this style of illustration, you probably won't get much from this book. However, I did like the illustrations and once I approached the book as a series of vignettes about Canada's involvement in World War 2, I was able to appreciate it. I especially liked it when they highlighted the sacrificial contributions of someone who won some award for courage or valor. But the statistics have their story to tell too.

Because Canada and Britain worked so closely during World War 2, if you are from England you might enjoy this book too. But it will appeal predominantly to Canadians, although I was sorry to see the huge contributions made by French Canadians almost completely ignored. But like I said, this is predominantly the illustrator's Show and Tell and what he considered important and inspired him to draw.

If you're looking for a page-turning, thrill-ride, this "ain't" it. But if you want to see some wonderful artwork, learn a bit more about Canada's involvement in WW 2 and feel some Canadian pride, then this will be a good fit for you. I got my copy from the library, which may be a good idea to help you decide if you like the illustrations too before you pay money for a paperback copy of it. Some people may consider it dry, but after sitting through years of Canadian History classes that truly were dry, this graphic, historical ebook is like a trip to the oasis. I didn't come to Canada at War with any specific expectations and when I just accepted it for what it is, a short glance into my country at war through the eyes and talents of a couple of people, I found it interesting and enjoyable. Definitely not for everyone, but for me, I considered it well worth my time.

I should mention that due to the nature of the topic I would not recommend it for children. However, considering the restrained depiction of the horrors of war, I feel okay to recommend it to those who consider themselves "sensitive" readers.

Thanks for reading my review.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Don't Tell Your Dog He's an Animal - Especially while he's driving.

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I originally read this book many years ago when I got it from the library as a child. I had just got a dog so they were my favorite topic at the time. Also, the edition I checked out had a picture of a dog behind the steering wheel of a car on it. Nuf said? Well, this is me, so not yet.

This book by Canadian author, Farley Mowat, is taken from his own experiences with the family pet who thought he was a person. It's not a fantasy novel with talking animals, but rather an anecdotal, comic telling of the funny and odd things their dog did as a result of his belief. I won't give away any more than that except to say it is more an amusing book than laugh out loud. But if you have a pet that holds this similar belief, then I guarantee you will find yourself with a big grin on your face more than once as you relate to this true to life story.

Even though it revolves around children, it was written many years ago and Farley Mowat is not the average hyper-kindergarten teacher type of children's book author, so it will be appreciated by people of all ages. I gave this very popular author just an average rating because I've never been much of a Farley Mowat fan. I find his stories okay but personally hard to connect with his thought processes, writing style and vibe. But I am definitely in the minority. It's an enjoyable, clean read that one gets much more out of once you're an adult, for sure. I'm glad I stumbled upon it again here at Goodreads in a list of "Wholesome Books to Read Out Loud to your Children".

This book is available at most libraries, so I encourage you to check out the book and the Goodreads list too. It's also a great find if you are a parent wishing to do something fun to connect with your kids.

Thanks for reading my review.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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A Hindered Journey to God's Wisdom

A Touch of His Wisdom by Charles F. Stanley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Charles Stanley's teaching which is evident by the fact I've been listening to him preach for more than twenty years. But I had trouble getting into this book and it has somehow missed the mark for me.

It's a devotional structured around the thirty-one chapters in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Each section in this Large Print, paperback edition also includes a photograph taken by Dr. Stanley somewhere on his journeys. But the photographs are in black and white (though they were taken in color) and I didn't enjoy this endeavor as much as Dr. Stanley's other books.

I think the intention with this devotional is to make us pause to ponder, but I found it just broke my train of thought when it should have been helping me to focus it. It's as if I was riding a bus that was constantly stopping and starting and I eventually just wanted to say, "Let's just get there already!"
I have read many other devotionals that I do like, so it's not that format per se that is bothering me. And I found this one to be scripturally accurate and full of insight as I have Charles' other books. But this was edited/constructed by others and I was hindered from hearing Dr. Stanley's voice in my head, which is what usually occurs when his teaching flows unimpeded.

It's not the best effort from Charles Stanley and since he has so many other books to choose from, I suggest you do exactly that.

Thanks for reading this.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Journey Deep into Early American History (Book Review)

Little House in the Big Woods by Wilder Laura Ingalls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just read this book for the umpteenth time, but for my first time as an ebook. Also, it's been about a decade since my last time around, so I'm seeing it from a fresh perspective (again) as I continue to age. I forgot how truly wonderful this book is. Like a window into history as we get to witness the earliest foundations of the Ingalls family which is now embedded into our culture.

It's the first book by Laura Ingalls Wilder and it is obvious that it is written for children. More so than any of the books that follow. It even reflects how children think in things like how it will abruptly change a topic or make a comment that only a small child would make. Yet, simultaneously, the author makes her own social criticisms and commentary that only an adult would pick up on.

But what is truly fascinating is the amount of detail that is put into describing how things were done back then. From Pa making his own bullets and loading the gun, to how a threshing machine works. From Ma's perspective we learn how to make preserves, churn butter, make cheese, weave straw hats, butcher a pig, smoke various types of meat, create maple syrup, and a myriad of other things needed to get prepared for an isolated winter in the "big woods".

It's a short read but such an enjoyable one that I would recommend it to anyone. Especially if you love history. And, if you're a REAL man and don't care what others think about you if they discover you reading this book, there is lots to learn about what it took to take care of your family in those difficult times in early America. Hunting, fishing, and farming in the "olden days" was certainly no easy task and I can't think of a better way for fathers to connect with their children than to read this book to them. Neither generation will be bored for sure. And immersing yourself for awhile in the attitudes, beliefs, and sensibilities of those times is as refreshing as a breath of Spring.

My only problem was that the ebook version I had messed up displaying the wonderful Garth Williams illustrations which have become iconic in themselves and synonymous with this series.

But I warn you. Just like potato chips, you will be unable to stop at just one and will want to continue with the rest of the series. But don't fret. These are not fattening or bad for your cholesterol. They will do your heart, mind, and spirit nothing but good. So munch away.

Thanks for reading my review.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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