Wednesday, October 14, 2009


I received this book as an ARC from Library Thing and upon receiving it I thought to myself I will just read it sometime in the future.I flipped to the first page as a I sometimes do to see if the book would catch my interest and boy did it ever.I began reading and after the first few words I was hooked and had read half the book by bedtime and finished it the next day.
Rhoda Janzen is a wonderful writer who writes with the wit/truth of Anne Lamott about the ever day life we all experience and about the spiritual doubts and triumphs that we all face going through life.
I didn't grow up Mennonite but who knew that growing up in the South as a Conservative Baptist would be very much like the Mennonite way.I identified with her as she went to school and ate out of her Shame Based Lunch pail and how her mother was the Queen of Frugality.I also could clearly identify with the use of food as a tonic in time of death or hardship as this is the Southern Way too. This book will is laugh out loud funny, tender and truthful. In reading Rhoda's book I felt as though I was reading letters or emails from an old friend.
In a nutshell this book is a laugh out loud funny,tender memoir that we can all identify with and will make us smile.I know while it may be true you can never go home again I also know that in small towns and religious communities they will always accept you back with open arms and love.
...with your seemingly slow progress. Do not try to run faster than you presently can. If you are studying, reflecting and trying, you are making progress whether you are aware of it or not. A traveler walking the road in the darkness of night is still going forward. Someday, some way, everything will break open, like the natural unfolding of a rosebud."Vernon Howard, 1918-1992American Author and Spiritual Teacher

16 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi Yolanda. I just saw this at your goodreads list. I'm picking this one up to.

The mormon halloween party looks like fun as well. I saw a review in People this week about it so I have both on my dance card.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Thank you for the recommendation...it's always a good sign when a book grabs you in the first paragraph and keeps it up for pages and pages!

Sue said...

It sounds like something I would really enjoy. I'm putting it on my "must read" list. Thanks!

Sue

Shelby said...

sounds like my kinda book. I grew up Baptist in the South. I know you knew the south part, but maybe not the Baptist part.

Jan said...

I always like the books you recommend, so I'll be getting this one after your description of reading on and on after the first page! Thanks.

PERBS said...

A good book is a treasure!

Janna Leadbetter said...

It sounds wonderful! I've just written it on my list of wanted books.

Thanks, Yolanda!

Connie said...

I suggested one of the books you reviewed for our monthly book club meeting :) "Moloka'i"
This one sounds good as well!

SandyCarlson said...

Sounds good to me.

Judy Merrill-Smith said...

Such a great title -- I'm glad the book lives up to the title!

Sharon Lynne said...

Sound like a good book. I like memoirs. Thanks for sharing.

Paula said...

You always have such wonderful book reviews that add to my reading list every time! Another one added to the list...

Cedar ... said...

I'm going to get this book, sounds like a good one. Maybe growing up Catholic will be the same too?

A Joyful Chaos said...

Sounds interesting I will have to read it too.

Shelby said...

hey there.. I posted a "commercial" of sorts for my book..come see :)

karen said...

Hi Yolanda, sounds very interesting, not something I would have ever looked twice at without your recommendation!

I enjoyed your earlier post about handwritten items, and love the idea of the postcrossing site!

Happy Fall to you.. from a very hot summery place :)