Kristie

Autobiography, Entertainment, Nonfiction

No Time Like the Future, by Michael J. Fox

March 17, 2021March 18, 2021 Kristie

Confession: Michael J. Fox was my childhood celebrity crush. When Family Ties hit the airwaves in 1982 I was 11 years old and I…was…hooked. Alex P. Keaton was the MAN–smart, charming, and oh, so cute. When teen magazines were the rage (Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, etc) my friends and I would divide up the photos. Ricky Schroeder went to my friend, Cathy. Tom Selleck to my friend, Carol. John Taylor of Duran Duran went to my friend, June. Michael J. Fox went to me. My bedroom wall was nothing short of a shrine. Even his birthday–June 9, 1961–has been branded in my mind since I was a kid.

Movies, starting with the blockbuster Back to the Future trilogy, followed the TV show. And, while shooting Doc Hollywood in 1990, Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was 29 years old and had only been married to his wife, Tracy Pollan (girlfriend Ellen on Family Ties,) for a couple of years. Everything changed.

This book, No Time Like the Future, is Michael’s fourth autobiography, so the reader will not be getting a lot of the history of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. It starts with his recovery from the latest of many surgeries. Most are to either slow the effects of Parkinson’s or mend the results of multiple falls. But this one was delicate surgery to remove a tumor on his spinal cord. What was he told after this most recent surgery? “You have one job. DON’T FALL.” What does he do? You guessed it.

The rest of the book is a series of, for lack of a better word, anecdotes. Some involve family vacations, some involve work projects, some involve hospital stays and home health care. All of them show the way Parkinson’s and its effects are a part of everything Michael does. Standing, walking, playing golf, going up and down stairs, traveling, timing his medication, the list goes on and on. His life truly revolves around his incredible family (his wife and 4 kids are AWESOME,) work, Parkinson’s, and his foundation to raise money for Parkinson’s research. They’re a set. (FYI, his foundation has raised more than $800 MILLION. Impressive.)

Like many other celebrity autobiographies, there is some language. I would rate it a PG13 level. But I hung in there until the end because, hey, it’s Michael J. Fox. I haven’t seen all of his movies and I was never a Spin City fan, but I loved it when he guest starred on The Good Wife, one of my all-time favorite shows. He played slimy lawyer Louis Canning, who suffers from tardive dyskinesia. The effects are similar to Parkinson’s and Louis completely exploits his condition, using it to every advantage in court. He’s awful, but you love him. Why? Because it’s Michael J. Fox.

Although I cannot see myself reading it again, I found No Time Like the Future enjoyable. I listened to it on audio (which I recommend doing with headphones because the Parkinson’s has affected his voice.) I felt myself emotionally invested in his medical highs and lows, grateful that he has an amazingly supportive wife (they’re going on 35 years together) and kids, happy to see how much he loves his feisty 90-something mother, and inspired by his optimism. Although not a religious person, it is very obvious that Michael knows he is blessed, and so are his enduring fans.

9/10 stars

Visit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research HERE.

I watched several videos of MJF promoting his newest book on the talk show circuit in late 2020. This is one of my favorites:

Faith, Faith and Religion, Religion

The Divine Gift of Forgiveness, by Neil L. Andersen

March 17, 2021 Kristie

As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, Elder Neil L. Andersen has a lot of responsibilities. So I always have a healthy amount of respect when he and his fellow apostles take the time to write books filled with loving instruction such The Divine Gift of Forgiveness. As a subscriber to Deseret Bookshelf PLUS I had the option to listen to the book, pleased to hear that it was read by Elder Andersen himself.

Forgiveness is a vast topic. There is forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. Both are not easy but, as people of faith, we are commanded to forgive. These realms are covered in the book, presented mostly through Elder Andersen’s own experiences in different leadership callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I think my favorite story was when, as mission president, he was counseling a young missionary who had struggled with the devastating effects of pornography addiction. His approach and advice were excellent.

We live in a harsh world where insensitive criticism of others and ourselves have become pervasive. This amount of tension can lead to thoughtless words, hurt feelings, and self-doubt. I am grateful for the Savior’s great love, that we are children of an omnipotent Father in Heaven who created us in His own image, and this book’s reminder to be a little kinder to ourselves and others during this mortal journey.

9/10 Stars

Autobiography, Entertainment, Nonfiction

The Time of My Life, by Patrick Sawyze and Lisa Niemi

March 16, 2021March 19, 2021 Kristie

If you were a teenager in the 1980’s, then Dirty Dancing is a staple of your pubescent years. If you didn’t see it then, like me, then you probably did later. A few years following Dirty Dancing was the romantic fantasy, Ghost. That was the film where I discovered Patrick Swayze. Who doesn’t love that movie? He’s buff, he’s graceful, he’s sensitive, he’s masculine–all of those qualities that make for a hero. So when Patrick died in 2009 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57, it was one of those celebrity deaths that really hurt. He was a good guy who still had a lot more to give.

His autobiography, The Time of My Life, written in his last months with Lisa Niemi, his wife of over 30 years, has been on my radar for a while. Movie star autobiographies can be tricky. I’ve read several. They’re usually either really satisfying or truly terrible. Often they are peppered with profanity (Carrie Fisher, Judy Greer, Mara Wilson) or just feel like one long brag (Anjelica Huston.) Fortunately, this is one of the better books with language coming in at a mild “PG” rating. With just the right balance talking about his early years, family, the struggle to achieve success, and his final illness, I was quite impressed. The reader is left knowing a decent, driven man with a great sense of humility who adores his wife and loves animals and nature. Kind of an old-fashioned dancing cowboy.

Lisa, his wife, is really the unsung hero of the book. What a supportive spouse, never showing any jealousy that his star was rising faster than hers. When Patrick’s alcoholism started to become a real problem, she expressed her concern and extreme disapproval, but she hung in there. Twelve years after his death and now remarried, Lisa still maintains his legacy with love and dignity. A very admirable lady.

Whatever your favorite Patrick Swayze movie may be, you’ll find this book an interesting, in depth look at a talent gone too soon.

8.5/10 stars

Here’s a great 1995 interview with Patrick on 60 Minutes Australia. BTW…Australia’s news shows are so good!

History

This is a Book for People Who Love the Royals, by Rebecca Stoeker

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 Kristie

OK, perhaps we should clarify: this is a book for people who love learning about the royals. Some are more (or less…ahem..Andrew) lovable than others. The “Meghan and Harry” interview on March 7 probably attracted a lot of new converts to the subject of British Monarchy, its history, and its relevance (or not.) This is the book for them–a book for curious beginners who want to know more.

The monarchy’s history is not delved into deeply, but enough to pique the reader’s interest. It mostly focuses on the current, living Mountbatten-Windsors. (This is the name adopted when Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip. It was first used in 1973, more than twenty years into their marriage. When William and Harry were in the military they adopted the last name “Wales,” but it was used only temporarily. For instance, Harry’s son is named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. One of the perks of being royal is you can choose your own surname.)

Each member of the current family is profiled, as well as their respective spouses. The line of succession (something touched upon in the M&H interview in regards to titles/security) is also mentioned.

The book is both fun and interesting if you’re new to learning about the monarchy, but very “Royalty 101” if you already know a lot about the intricacies of the family. (For instance, do you know who Princess Alice is? She’s Prince Philip’s mother and she is FASCINATING–but you won’t learn about her in this book.)

Keeping in mind that it is for beginners, 9/10 stars.

Faith and Religion, History

Repicturing the Restoration, by Anthony Sweat

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 Kristie

Anthony Sweat is one of my favorite Latter-day Saint speakers at BYU Education Week and as a podcast guest. A very knowledgeable professor, I’m constantly amazed at the vastness of the information he knows about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ancient Biblical history, and about the scriptures themselves. He’s also an artist, so I was excited to see his paintings and read about why he chose the subjects in his newest book, Repicturing the Restoration.

He chooses subjects that are not the most obvious, using angles and lighting in his paintings which continue that theme. I love the painting called Purgatory, which shows Joseph Smith and his faithful wife, Emma, in a dimly-lit room, lit only by fire in the fireplace, while he explains to her the principle of plural marriage. Her body language emits tension while his shows pure weariness.

It is powerful, accompanied by the artist/scholar’s explanation of the principle’s history and why he chose to portray the moment in this way.

Although I bought the digital version of the book, would make a beautiful coffee table book in hardback form. Page after page is both informative and thought-provoking. If LDS church history is something you are interested in, I recommend it highly. It is currently available in digital form only on Amazon and digital and hardback form at http://www.deseretbook.com.

9.5 out of 10 stars

Faith and Religion

The Heavens are Open, by Wendy Watson Nelson

October 26, 2020 Kristie

In The Heavens are Open, another marvelous book by Wendy Watson Nelson, she talks about the importance of living and listening a certain way in order to be more in tune with Heaven.

What does that mean? For some it might mean eliminating some of the noise and distractions from our lives. For others it might mean rethinking the things we watch, listen to, and say. For all of us it certainly means admitting to ourselves that we cannot do everything alone. We need God’s help and should be inviting Him and His will into our lives.

These kinds of suggestions only have gravitas when the author is willing to use examples from her own life. Thankfully, Sister Nelson is humble enough to do that. She admits she has made choices she’s not always proud of, mostly in the way she uses her downtime, but she is self-aware enough to notice the differences when she makes positive changes. I greatly appreciate her humility. It’s certainly not a quality celebrated in the world today.

Through both of Sister Nelson’s books it was confirmed to me that we are never too old to stop learning, growing, or admitting there are changes to be made in our lives. I’m grateful for her example.

9.5/10 Stars

Faith and Religion

Covenant Keepers, by Wendy Watson Nelson

October 26, 2020 Kristie

One month later and the cozy mysteries and light novels have run their course. In the last month I have immersed myself in literature, talks, lessons, and lectures from my faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’ve needed Heaven’s help, and Heaven has responded.

In Covenant Keepers, Wendy Watson Nelson talks about the importance of making covenants, which we do in holy temples, and how keeping those covenants will bring blessings. The word “covenant” is mentioned a lot in our faith, sometimes to the point where it can be easy to tune it out, but Sister Nelson digs deep. She lovingly, and without judgment, holds up a mirror and forces the reader to reexamine his/her choices regarding the covenants made in his/her own life. They are, after all, much more than lazily-made promises. They’re serious. They’re promises made to God. And, of course, God being God, He already knows if we’re honoring them or not.

In my own life, there were many years where covenants didn’t mean a whole lot to me. I didn’t lead a wild life, but I didn’t attend the temple either. Now, in the midst of this pandemic and pervasive civil unrest, where our temples have limited use, there is nowhere else I’d rather be than within their safe and hallowed walls. I’ve thought about the temple a lot these last few months, already making a personal promise that when they fully reopen I’ll never take them or my covenants for granted ever again. Why? Because there is great, tangible power there. In the meantime, I can simply do my best to honor covenants in my home and with the everyday life choices I make.

This is a beautiful book and I’m very happy I discovered it. It was exactly what I needed right now.

9.5/10 Stars

Fiction

Maeve’s Girls, by Christine Gael

September 23, 2020 Kristie

It is always interesting when one of a book’s main characters has already passed away. The challenge, however, is not to make the deceased more interesting than the living. Unfortunately, this was not fully achieved in Christine Gael’s novel, Maeve’s Girls.

Maeve Blanchard is dead. She leaves a legacy of bootlegging, multiple marriages, riverboat gambling and, possibly, murder. For better or worse, she’s a tough act to follow. And that is exactly the task silently set forth for her daughters as they meet in La Pierre, Louisiana to settle Maeve’s estate and face their own personal demons.

There is Lena, the oldest, who left home at sixteen after being a surrogate mother to her three younger sisters most of her life. She’s headstrong and contrary. Kate, the second sister, is trapped in a stagnant marriage and acts as the group’s peacemaker. Sasha, the fiery third, is promiscuous, emotional, and unpredictable. Maggie, the youngest, was adopted by Maeve after her mother died. She’s level-headed, but always feels like an outsider.

Little Women this is not. Maeve’s chaotic history invites new drama into the lives of the sisters. Factor in the ultimatum Maeve included in her will which forces the women to live in her house for three months and it’s a hybrid version of Big Brother and the Kardashians.

The calming characters are the men: Joe Fletcher, the handsome sheriff who has eyes for Lena; Alastair, Maeve’s attorney; and Harry, Maeve’s rock-solid best friend.

A prerequisite for any novel is that the reader must care for the main characters. Without that emotional investment, it’s just lackluster voyeurism. That was the problem with Maeve’s Girls–I just didn’t care about any of them. It didn’t matter to me if they found love, success, or closure. In the end, Maeve was the real protagonist and the one whose story I would’ve liked to read in its entirety.

7.5/10 Stars

Fiction, Romance, Series & Collections, Women's Fiction

Westcott Bay Series (Books 1-3,) by Amelia Addler

September 21, 2020 Kristie

Continuing my journey into light mysteries and clean romances is the Westcott Bay series by Amelia Addler. Although it took me a while to get into the lives of the characters, by the time I finished the third book, they had become familiar friends.

Following the formula of so many similar books, this series begins with newly divorced Margie Clifton, who is starting over on the San Juan islands in Washington State. (A place I still need to visit, considering that I have lived in Washington for ten years.) Margie takes over her brother, Mike’s, property, which includes a huge barn just right for an event center.

Along the way we meet Chief Deputy Hank Kowalkski (newly widowed, so you have one guess what’s going to happen) and Morgan Allen, who is on the island to piece together the puzzle of her mother’s death in a hit-and-run accident. Margie’s daughter, Jade, also visits and, later on, her older sister, Tiffany. Each bring their own subplots.

Over the course of three books (Book 4 will be released in December 2020,) we follow each of the women on their individual adventures of self-discovery and renewal. Morgan is the focus of Book 2, Jade in Book 3, and I’m guessing Tiffany will be spotlighted in the upcoming Book 4.

Aside from an unusual tactic the author uses to describe what several characters are doing at the exact same time, the plots are a bit bland. Margie’s and Hank’s characters feel like sitcom parents after Book 1 and the entire family is just a little too perfect. Morgan, along with newcomers Luke and Matthew, add the most spice to an otherwise bland series. There is potential for these characters, though. Let’s hope the author finds it as the series progresses.

Book 1: Saltwater Cove

Book 2: Saltwater Studios

Book 3: Saltwater Secrets

A lukewarm 8/10 stars.

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Bluebird Bay Series, by Denise Grover Swank and Christine Gael

September 14, 2020 Kristie

It is fun to find a new series and immerse yourself in it for a couple of days, which is all the time it took me to read these three books by Denise Grover Swank and Christine Gael.

The Sullivan sisters: Celia, a housewife; Stephanie, a veterinarian; and Anna, a wildlife photographer, are each at a crossroad in their lives. Celia’s husband has abruptly left, Stephanie is mourning her husband’s death in a boating accident, and unmarried Anna is finding less and less fulfillment in a job that requires constant travel. In addition, they have their widower father, Red, to contend with as he battles dementia and becomes both more cantankerous and more a danger to himself and others.

Over the course of three books we follow the sisters on their journeys of love, loss, and personal rediscovery. Celia, the sensible housewife, who has always acquiesced to her former husband, finally has the opportunity to live freely. Stephanie discovers something about her deceased husband that throws her whole marriage into suspicion. Funny, gregarious Anna, faces her own mortality. Like any siblings, they bicker and compete, but go into full-on “sister mode” when one is is trouble.

The books read like an entertaining nighttime soap, just on the fringe of reality, until the final book, which downgrades to a daytime soap with a wild, uncharacteristic ending. Despite that, they are fun and mostly well-written, with smooth transitions from one sister’s story to another. I enjoyed them. They make no apologies about being quick, light reads and in the end we should all be so lucky to come from a family that supports each other like this one.

Book 1: Finding Tomorrow

Book 2: Finding Home

Book 3: Finding Peace

8.5/10 Stars

Christian Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction

Courting Mr. Emerson, by Melody Carlson

September 12, 2020September 12, 2020 Kristie

I have always enjoyed Melody Carlson’s books, but Courting Mr. Emerson might be my favorite one so far.

George Emerson is a fifty-five year old high school literature teacher. He has never married, has no friends, and his entire life is as buttoned up and starched as the shirts he wears every day. “Casual” is not in his vocabulary. He avoids anything social and is easily overwhelmed. But he is also well-mannered and kind, with a hidden strength that rises to the surface when necessary.

Enter Willow West, a free-spirited artist and gallery owner who visits the high school one day to ask George to write a college letter of recommendation for her grandson, Collin. Something about George intrigues Willow and, through a combination of circumstances and her dogged determination, she decides to befriend him.

The rest of Courting Mr. Emerson is like a dance between these two characters. (Characters I would LOVE to see on screen.) The more Willow tries to take George out of his comfort zone, the more he resists. Sometimes Willow is successful, sometimes not. When she is, it’s a step forward. When she isn’t, it’s a few steps back. There are apologies and renewed efforts. Little by little, George makes progress. As he does, we begin to understand what made him that way and why he believes God has turned His back on him.

It is refreshing to see Melody Carlson write through the eyes of a male protagonist like George Emerson. It’s a very different plot than other books she’s written. Willow West is a wonderful character. She’s caring and wise, but far from perfect. Her life is upended when her vagabond daughter, Josie, who is Collin’s mother, appears, bringing resentment and anger that has built up over the years. Willow handles her daughter expertly and even George plays a supportive role.

The entire story takes place over a summer that turns out to be an educational one for everybody. There is laughter and tears, new-found faith and healing. I love everything about this book.

9.5/10 Stars

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

The Family Journal, by Carolyn Brown

September 12, 2020September 12, 2020 Kristie

When you enter a newsstand at an airport, one of the writers whose books you are sure to see is Carolyn Brown. Prolific, engaging, and appealing to the masses, her style is good flight reading.

Brown aims for a middle aged female audience. Her protagonists are usually women in their forties or fifties, recently divorced or widowed, and starting over. Eventually a new romance will appear and the plot will take a redemptive turn. It’s formulaic, but it works. The Family Journal is no different.

Lily is ready for a change. Her husband has left her for a more glamorous replacement. Her two kids, Holly, age fourteen, and Braeden, age twelve, are turning more and more into modern, entitled brats. (Of course, when you give them everything and spend no time with them, it’s to be expected, right?)

Lily’s solution is to uproot the kids from their Austen, Texas apartment and move them to her grandparents’ house in the small town of Comfort. The only catch is that the house has a renter, Mack Cooper, who teaches vocational agriculture at the local high school. The plan is to share the house. Mack will be downstairs and Lily and the kids will be upstairs. The kitchen and living room will be common areas.

In the house, Lily discovers an old journal with entries from several generations of female ancestors. While the book’s title is dedicated to this find, it is a small subplot, except for the fact that Lily is now creating her own destiny and will have her own entries to add.

At this point pretty much ANY prediction you can make from the start of this plot is going to materialize later in the book. You can guess how the kids are going to react after their mother moves them away from their friends, takes away all their devices, and makes them ride the bus. You can also guess what will evolve from Lily’s family moving into the house with Mack Cooper. Secondary story-lines with Lily’s ex and Mack’s narcissistic twin brother also turn out how you’d expect. A heavy dose of karma, good and bad, for everyone.

Carolyn Brown is an above average writer. The book kept my attention and there are plenty of interesting things that happen to Lily’s family. But, aside from the extreme predictability, I chafed against a couple of things. First of all, Lily and Mack keep calling her Holly and Braeden “great kids.” They are not great kids. Parents breaking up does not give kids a free pass to behave the way these kids do–unkind, selfish, whiny, and constantly asking for this and that. I couldn’t stand them. Second, I didn’t like some of the morality and language. I find that type of writing tactic to be a crutch as a way to gain a larger reading audience.

At the end, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was wrapped up in a nice little bow. Ladies and gentleman, we’re starting our descent. Please put your seats and tray tables in an upright position and power down your electronic devices. Thank you for flying with us. (Couldn’t help it.)

8/10 Stars