Growing Up with Dick and Jane, by Carole Kismaric and Martin Heiferman

Growing Up with Dick and Jane, by Carole Kismaric and Martin Heiferman

I was between 2 1/2 and 3 years old when I first began reading. I can remember it vividly. My mother had a Dick and Jane reader, which is still in my possession, and she would read out of it with me daily, until one day, I knew the words myself. I did not just memorize the story; my mother tested me by jumping to different words, and I knew them all, even out of order. Once I unlocked the ability to read, there was no stopping me. I became a lifelong reader, passionate about books.

I was pleased to find this book, because Dick and Jane is dear to my heart. This book did not disappoint. It gives the origin of Dick and Jane, history on the author and illustrator, how Dick and Jane changed through the years, and even added African American friends during the time of integration. It also includes a history of life in America during the time of Dick and Jane, what children experienced, and how learning changed over the years.

If you have ever read a Dick and Jane reader, or just have an enjoyment for childhood education or even 20th Century American history, this is worth a read.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Peony in Love, by Lisa See

Peony in Love, by Lisa See

I love Lisa See's books. I am fascinated with Asian culture, and she puts so much research and heart into her books, likely because she is passionate about her own family history.

This book is a work of fiction, like most of her books, but I was not expecting this book to be what it was, a ghost story and love story rolled into one. It is a story about a young girl about to be married to a man she has never met, but after reading a certain book, becomes lovesick, and dies before being married. She becomes a ghost, and in her death and afterworld life, we learn about Chinese ideas not just on life after death, but also customs which must be performed for the dead, and to protect the living from the dead. It's very interesting and entertaining, definitely not written with American ways of thinking on anything, including monogamous marriage. 

I found it fascinating and enjoyable, following Peony in her quest to love her husband even after death, and try to take her place as an ancestor.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Mom's Little Book of Photo Tips by Lisa Bearnson

Mom's Little Book of Photo Tips, by Lisa Bearnson

This book, written by the editor of Creating Keepsakes magazine, gives great tips for creating interesting photos, using interesting composition, lighting, coloring, and different subjects. This is a great little book especially if you are into scrapbooking, want to be a better photographer, or even, like me, you are an artist looking for an interesting composition for your next piece of art.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

One Glorious Ambition, by Jane Kirkpatrick

One Glorious Ambition, by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is the true story of Dorothea Dix, a single woman in the 1800s who ended up spending the majority of her life on a crusade to help the unfortunate, mainly the mentally ill, lobbying for funding and construction of humane insane asylums across the country. 

It starts out in her childhood, in extreme poverty with a mother who is implied to be mentally ill, and an alcoholic and irresponsible father. She begged her grandmother for help, and her grandmother sent her to relatives. While with them, she decided to become a teacher of the young and unfortunate, which she did for many years, but after almost dying of an illness, she found her true calling, that of lobbying for the mentally ill. 

That a woman could be heard and make such an impact in that time period, is an amazing feat in itself. She was able to make a difference in countless lives.

Jane Kirkpatrick always does such an excellent job researching and writing in the voice of the character. This is not the first book I have read of hers and certainly won't be the last. 

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Natural Woman, Natural Menopause, by Marcus Laux ND, and Christine Conrad

Natural Woman, Natural Menopause by Marcus Laux, ND and Christine Conrad

I am in my forties and changes are happening in my body, as I come closer to menopause. I am not there yet; I am considered perimenopausal. This includes weight gain around the middle, and irregular menstrual cycles. I have not had to deal with hot and cold flashes, night sweats, or mood swings...yet. I thought this would be a good book to read. I have heard some people swear by hormone replacement therapy, others refuse it. This book has answered a lot of questions that I had, on what HRT involves, and the side effects. I also learned that there are plants out there that produce hormonal chemicals that are exactly the same as what is in a woman's body, which is not the case with Premarin and Provera. I learned about hormonal creams, and herbs that can help ease the transition into the next stage of life, as well as beneficial foods to support the menopausal body.

This book is definitely worth reading, although it was published in 1998.I would like to get my hands on a newer book just to see what has changed. 

Also, because of reading this, I am more confident about the choices I will make going into menopause, whereas before I didn't have a plan.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

1 Thessalonians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 This is a small letter written by Paul to the church of Thessalonica. I am just going to share one passage, chapter 4, starting at verse 10, "...But we encourage you, brothers, to...seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone. "

Simple yet powerful words. 

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Colossians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 Two passages stuck out to me in this little epistle written by Paul, one in chapter 2. Starting at verse 8, "Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of this world, and not based on Christ."

There were so many other religious and philosophical ideas and teachings at that time, as there are today, that people not versed in God's word (back then the Old Testament and the accounts of the apostles including Paul) that they were mixing theology together and losing the Gospel of Christ. On one hand you had those mixing in paganism, then on the other hand you had Jews insisiting  obeying every letter of the Torah, including the 600 some extra laws that the Pharisees put on top of that, with the idea that their salvation was based partly on Jesus, and mostly obeying all these laws. Both were making salvation into something other than what it should have been.

We need to be careful to understand God's word, including the law and His covenant with Israel, but not forget that it is by grace that we are saved, not by our works or our ability to follow the law to the letter. However, knowing the law and the entirety of God's word will help keep us from falling for false teachings. Some sound very good, but put against the standard of God's word, they don't line up.

The other passage was starting at 3: 5 "Therefore put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self."

This is a good reminder of things which current society is normalizing, should be things that we have nothing to do with. It's a good reminder to check ourselves, and see if we are allowing these things to enter our minds and lives. Are we participating in these actions? Time to remove them and step it up.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Ezra. Holman Christian Standard Bible

 The book of Ezra in the Old Testament occurs during Israel's exile and involves the rebuilding of the Temple. 

One thing that caught my attention in this book is the last two chapters, it talks about the people of Israel intermarrying with the pagan people of the surrounding countries. When this matter was brought up, the people of Israel repented and it was decided that they would send away their pagan wives and the children they had with them.

In our own culture, this seems harsh. And maybe it was in their culture as well. The point I took from it is this: God made a covenant with the nation of Israel to remain separate, including racially separate from those around them. Not as a matter of racial supremacy, but because God wanted them to be defined as His chosen people, chosen to bring salvation to the world. There were exceptions made in His law, but the non-Israelites intermarrying had to completely forsake their gods, religion, and culture and follow the law of the covenant to be accepted.  In this case, that is not what was happening. The pagan wives were drawing their husbands away from God into idolatry. The end result, I am sure was messy and devastating, as I am sure in some way they must have loved their wives and children. 

Sometimes hard choices have to be made when it comes to obedience to God. Sometimes we may do something that we know is outside of God's will and will never be accepted in God's eyes. Sometimes we embrace those relationships, those choices, and paths, until it becomes intertwined with us and it just seems normal. But it isn't and if we want to be right with God, we have to align ourselves with God's word and his will, and have to let it go. It gets messy, and it's painful, but then God can begin healing us, and redeeming the situation.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Philippians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 The book of Philippians, written by the Apostle Paul, to the church in Philippi. Chapter 3 beginning verse7:

But everything that was a gain to meI have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of  the surpassing value  of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ---the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

Paul, being a Pharisee of the Pharisees, expert knowledge of the Torah, of the Law, followed it to the letter, but following the law did not save him. He came to understand, through Divine revelation, that it was the Messiah Jesus who brought salvation. Following every detail of the law could never save him, could never make him truly righteous. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not of works, ever.

Creative Color for the Oil Painter, by Wendon Blake

Creative Color for the Oil Painter, by Wendon Blake

This is a book I have decided to keep. I am a professional oil painter, and this gives a good breakdown of how paints work, which ones are transparent, different painting techniques and color theory, and also gives examples of such things in pictures of famous paintings. There is a large section on color mixing, which really requires one to try it as they read along to see how the colors actually work together. Definitely a good reference book to have if you are a serious artist.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

 

Ephesians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 Chapter 2:4-9 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!...You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift---not from works, so that no one can boast. "

The Apostle Paul emphasizes through his epistles that salvation is through grace. It is a gift of God through Christ Jesus. Our works cannot ever save us, even if we obey the letter of the law, it isn't enough to save us, only trusting in what Jesus did, trusting that He is the way to salvation. Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

Draw 50 Animals, Lee J. Ames

Draw 50 Animals, by Lee J. Ames

This is a fun book to look through, gives step by step pictures for drawing animals starting with basic shapes. It's a basic book for learning by copying or mimicking, which honestly is where all people start out learning, as babies, mimicking those around us. It can help build confidence to move on to the next step of learning.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

 

It Starts with Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

It Starts with Food, Dallas & Melissa Hartwig

From the creators of The Whole 30, this book is really informative with basic common sense information on food, digestion, nutrition, and meal ideas. I think I am going to keep it and work on going "whole foods". My struggle is just finding the time to meal prep or even sit down and come up with a menu plan. I just need to do it, for my health and the health of my family. We could all benefit from following this plan.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

 

Galatians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 The book of Galatians is a smaller epistle written by Paul. What stuck out to me in this book is the explanation that following the law and traditions of Judaism will not save us, only Christ, the fulfillment of the law, can save us. 

There were many factions with differing beliefs, and one of them was that what Jesus did was good, but still was not enough to save us from eternal damnation, that following the letter of the law AND believing in Jesus was the only way to salvation. Gentiles were getting circumcised because they thought they had to be circumcised as part of salvation. People were losing sight that Jesus made the way for salvation, and although good works and living uprightly was great, our works do not, nor can they ever save us. 

Works are a fruit; they show whether we have Life, or not. They are not the Life itself.

Chapter 5 verse 13-18 ( I suggest you read the whole book for proper context): For you were called to be free, brothers,; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. 

I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. "

The chapter goes on to give a generalized list of behaviors that will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and then a list of the fruit of the Spirit. Worth reading.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

2 Chronicles, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 2 Chronicles is a continuation of 1 Chronicles, a history of Israel and Judah and the reign of kings. Again, there is the theme throughout this book: those kings who turned away from God and turned toward evil and idolatry, were brought down. Those who turned to God and followed him and did away with idolatry, God blessed them and blessed the land and the people, and protected them. These books show how God's covenant with Israel worked, and still works. If Israel will be his people, and follow him and his commandments, and not turn to wickedness and idolatry, he will bless them.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope

The Prisoner of Zenda, by Anthony Hope

A few years ago, I read a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, called The Mad King. It was about a switcheroo between the king and another man, in order to save the kingdom. About a year later, as I was on an elliptical at the gym, there was a black and white movie playing on one of the tvs, and I could have sworn it was The Mad King. I discovered that it was actually The Prisoner of Zenda. I had to look into this and I discovered that Burroughs' book came after Zenda, and was a blatant rip-off of it. 

Last year, I went to a flea  market, and found this beauty on a table, for only $3. It was printed in 1898 and is in good enough condition for me. I put it into Mount TBR and got it read in April. 

I really enjoyed this one. The writing style is old fashioned. as is most writing from the late 19th century, but it was a fun read. It's about a gentleman who lives in England but has distant blood relation to royalty in a far off little country called Ruritania. He ends up visiting the country and the king's men discover he is a dead ringer for the king. The king invites him to visit at his hunting lodge and the king ends up drunk, drugged by his brother, so he will miss his coronation. The king's men decided to switch the king and his distant cousin, just until the king can wake up again. Sounds easy peasy, but while they are away at the coronation, the king gets kidnapped, and so they have to devise a plan to save him.

Very fun, and if you get a chance, watch the movie, too. Then read The Mad King, by Edgar Rice Burroughs and see the similarity.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck

 

2 Corinthians, Holman Christian Standard Bible

 2 Corinthians, a letter written to the church at Corinth by the Apostle Paul.  This passage stuck out to me about repentance, chapter 7: "9 Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us. For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death."

There is a difference  between repentance and regret. We can be sorry we did something, or sorry that something happened, without actually turning away from it, without acknowledging it was wrong. Take for example if a kid gets caught stealing a toy or piece of candy. He can be sorry he got caught....he knows it's wrong but is only sorry that someone caught him in the act, and he will probably do it again, only sneakier. Or he can be the kid that realizes that it's wrong and he had no right to take what was not his, and apologize and never do it again. Only one is true repentance. 

Our acts and decisions we make, many times we regret them, or regret the outcome. But do we repent? Do we turn away from the sin, the poor choices, and follow God? Do we think twice before acting or reacting? Do we run our decisions and desires past what we know to be God's will for us? It's always best to choose repentance and growth over regret and making the same poor choices.

Want to show appreciation and buy me a book, or help refill by Little Free Library? Donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck