Inspirational

Kirby Larson is the talented writer from Kenmore WA who wrote the Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky. She also co-authored the picture book, The Two Bobbies, about a cat and dog in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Her latest picture book, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle, was also co-written with two other people, Mary Nethery and Brian Dennis.

Nubs tells the tale of the close bond that develops between a U.S. Marine in Iraq, Brian Dennis, and the stray dog he befriends while stationed at a remote fort along the Syrian border, Nubs. When Dennis' mobile unit is reassigned to a different location 70 miles away, Nubs secretly follows him across the snowy desert.

While Nubs' trek across the desert is remarkable, it's a testament to dogs everywhere that tales like this get reported more than one would think. Canine loyalty isn't usually matched by human loyalty, however. In this case, it is Major Dennis' dedication to Nubs and his determined effort to get the dog out of Iraq that makes the story so unique.

Feel good stories for kids are rarely done with such realism and directness. It all feels very genuine, from the less-than-perfect photographs to the matter-of-fact text. The book will appeal to animal lovers of all ages (but especially kids!) Meet Kirby Larson and find out what went into the making of this engaging book at Literary Lions on March 6th at the Bellevue Library.

I recently received an email overdue notice for several books, (yes the staff at KCLS is not exempt from overdue notices). Darn or words to that effect, I thought, how time flies by; I know I just checked those books out! So I went through my stacks of "books that I am going to read real soon" and found The Power of Pause; Becoming More By Doing Less by Terry Hershey.

Mmmmmm, I thought, should I take it back, try to renew it or...? I sat right down and began to read. Each of the 52 short chapters begins with a quote from Thomas Merton, Herman Hesse, Jesus, Gandhi, Henry Miller or Dave Barry, to name a few. Then there is a vignette to illustrate the quotation and to finish, a pause for the reader to reflect and act upon to reinforce the message. So many of those chapters resonated with me: I'll just talk about the one that is moving me today.

Chapter 34; Rested Mules; "There is more to life than merely increasing its speed." Attributed to Gandhi. A farmer tells a new minister, "Yes the cotton picking machine gets things done faster, but I miss my mules. The mules could work for six days and then they needed to rest. I miss the day of rest, I was better off." Mr. Hershey then explains the mules in his life. And the task for the reader? What are your mules? Find something that can help you rest this week.

Terry Hersey lives on Vashon and he uses the beauty of Puget Sound, his garden and the mountains to demonstrate the importance of stopping, looking, and listening to the world that God made; you will become more you.

I am going to return this book tomorrow, so you can rush right down to your local library and check it out and read it right away. Oooopps! I better go back to Chapter 34!The Power of Pause made me laugh, think and yes pause, and reflect on what is important in my life and how I should keep those important things in the forefront and not save them for when I'm not busy.

It's almost a new year again. Every year I have the same resolutions--to eat better and exercise more. I usually start out okay, but somewhere along the way, I return to my old not-so-good ways. I think it is because I never really have a good plan set up in advance. This year I have a great plan thanks to Dr. Alejandro Junger and his book Clean; The Revolutionary Program To Restore The Body's Natural Ability To Heal Itself. This is a popular program endorsed by celebrities including actress Gwyneth Paltrow, fashion designer Donna Karon, and author Robert Thurman.

Dr. Junger is a cardiologist who currently practices in New York City. After getting his MD, he went to India to study eastern medicine and became very interested in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic means the 'knowledge of life.' It is a holistic and natural approach. It focuses on allowing the body to maintain and heal itself through yoga and good nutrition. The amount of toxins we expose ourselves to in the modern world has put our bodies into crisis. In order to be healthy we need to get rid of toxins and eat clean natural foods. The benefits of this program are clear skin, more energy, happiness, weight loss, and strength and prevention against illnesses.

Dr. Junger has developed a 21 day program to rid the body of toxins and heal the damage caused by them. You can follow the program for one week or up to three weeks if you choose. The diet consists of liquid meals and solid meals your body can easily digest; it includes two liquid and one solid meal per day. Snacks are optional. He also has suggestions for exercise, supplements, and treatments such as saunas. It looks like an easy and tasty plan to follow. It includes recipes for 21 liquid meals and 21 solid meals. They look really easy and actually good; liquid meals include smoothies, soups, juices, while solid meals include fish, chicken, salad, vegetables, and fruit. There is a vegetarian meal plan also.

l  also plan on searching the KCLS catalog to find some good yoga DVDs to workout to. Any suggestions?

Making your house, (apartment, room or whatever) into your home is always exciting and fun. Jill Butler's book, Create the Space You Deserve:  An Artistic Journey to Expressing  Yourself  Through Your Home is an inspirational book that got me thinking in a different way about my living space.  

It is easy to find ideas on home décor and stores are relentless in their push to sell you the latest thing that you absolutely need for your home. Create the Space You Deserve takes a different  approach  by tapping into the emotional process of designing space. This book inspired me to look at my living space with a fresh eye. Your living area can be a powerful expression of who you are and in these hard economic times I find myself in the nesting mode more than ever. For me it is the little things that tend to make me happiest...like sitting at home in a comfy chair, sipping tea and watching the clouds.

Prolific Christian author Francine Rivers has penned several popular book series, but my favorite of them all is Mark of the Lion.   A Voice in the Wind is the first book of the trilogy and not only does it set the stage for the other two novels, it is also strong enough to stand on its own.  But be warned, once you finish A Voice in the Wind, you will want to have An Echo in the Darkness and As Sure as the Dawn close by.

The story is set in the Roman Empire and begins with the fall of Jerusalem.   A young woman named Hadassah is the lone survivor in her family and is taken as a slave.  She ends up in the Valerian household, in which brother and sister Marcus and Julia are partaking in many of the excesses for which Rome was known, much to the dismay of their conservative father.  While in the Valerian home, Hadassah attempts to share her faith in Christ, but feels that she is, as the title suggests, just a voice in the wind. 

We also meet the Atretes, another captive from Germany who is thrown into the Gladiator ring.  Magnetic and at times barbaric, he is a troubled hero who longs for home. 
One of the things Rivers does well in her writing is to deliver the message of the Word while still telling a compelling story.  The juxtaposition of the depravity of Rome with the purity of Hadassah's faith, especially in the face of her many adversities, is pretty startling and Rivers does not shy away from showing what was ugly about the Roman Empire.

This is a satisfying read for Christians looking for a story of tested and triumphant faith and for anyone who enjoys the work of a great storyteller.

Confession time: I'm an English Lit major with a weakness for military romance novels. Suzanne Brockmann and Marliss Melton both write fast-paced romantic suspense about Navy Seals and I eat them up. I love the military action, the split-second life-and-death decisions, and of course, the alpha male heroes.

Recently, I picked up Allah's Fire by Chuck Holton and Gayle Roper. It has all the features I want in romance novels such as interesting characters that you really care about, genuine love that grows between the characters, and believable situations. It also has all the authentic military action that I enjoy. And, in addition to that, it has characters struggling in their relationship with God.

Set in Beirut, Lebanon, the novel follows journalist Liz Fairchild, as she tries to uncover information about the kidnapping of her sister, Julie. With God's help, she's willing to risk everything to find her sister before it is too late.

Meanwhile, Army Master Sergeant John Cooper, who in true romantic hero style is not only tough and sexy but also smart and kind, works with his explosives hunting team members to find the terrorists who have a new undetectable explosive. Something of a lost sheep, John is conflicted in his belief in a God who seems to let terrible things happen.

Armed with guts and an ever-growing faith, John and Liz race to save a sister, a city, and maybe even their souls.