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Thru My Looking Glass

10/27/2017

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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
--Abraham Lincoln
​


No one decides to pack a handful of his/her belongings and risk his/her life (and possibly the lives of loved ones) while sneaking into a foreign country, on a whim. This is a decision that is come to after a hardship that most of us can never imagine. When you have a roof over your head, a full belly and you do not fear for your life, it is easy to differentiate between legal and illegal. When your children are sleeping soundly in their beds, it is easy to say, "this is our country, and we must strictly adhere to immigration laws or we will be overrun by those who don't belong."

I have established long ago that I am a rule follower, but their is not a rule I can imagine that would stand in the way of me doing what I would need to do to safeguard my children. If my country did not afford me the means to feed and protect my loved ones, then I would use any means to get them across the border of a country that did. Once I arrived in this foreign land, I would teach my children to work hard and be respectful of a land that offers so much to them, and tell them to educate themselves so they can become contributing members of society.

Through the years, millions of people entered our country legally and were shown the hospitality that they searched for when they gave up all that was familiar to seek refuge. Millions more lived a life of starvation, torture and murder while they waited to legally cross our borders. Kidnapping, drugs and untenable punishments were everyday occurrences, and they brought their children here without waiting for their invitations. I know that they broke the law and must face the consequences, but I believe those consequences must be meted out with an understanding of extenuating circumstances.

Our country was built on the premise of freedom from oppression, and we must not forget that without the bravery of our own ancestors taking chances so their children could live a better life, very few of us would be here today. We must also remember that most of these young people came here without a choice, when their parents brought them as children. This became the only home they knew, and as the years passed, the line between legal and illegal blurred. President Obama established DACA so these young people could work towards legalizing their status, allowing them to continuing being contributing members of our society.

Over seventy-five percent of Americans believe that these young people should be allowed to stay in America without fear of deportation. I understand that by the numbers, this means almost twenty-five percent of Americans believe otherwise, but it is the responsibility of our politicians to represent the majority of us. If the majority of Americans voted for one candidate, and an antiquated system allowed her opponent to win, and then a strong majority believe in a policy that can be wiped out by the stroke of a minority favored president's pen, than instead of making America "great again," we are losing the very essence of what made us great in the first place. I was happy to see that Senator Paul Ryan believes that DACA will now be incorporated in an end of the year deal. A great responsibility is placed on the shoulders of the American President and those who represent us. They must use their powers wisely and represent the best of us at all times.

To continue on the political road this week, I read and reviewed Elizabeth Warren’s book, A Fighting Chance. This memoir told the story of a woman who never stops fighting for what she believes in, and she believes in making life better for the working class in America. It was an easily read book that gave me a bit more insight into Washington dealings.

As always, a complete review follows this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly
​Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
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A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren

10/26/2017

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Genre: Memoir
​Click book cover for Amazon.com
Elizabeth Warren comes from humble begins and never allows herself to forget how difficult life can be for those who work hard to make ends meet. A Fighting Chance begins in a small Oklahoma town where her father and mother worked long hours to support her and her siblings. She talks about “growing up” when she turned twelve and watched her parents struggle after her father’s heart attack. The memoir highlights her desire to go to college, her early marriage and life as a working mother.

We watch her go from a teacher to a politician, and she explains what drove her, and still drives her, along the way. Her horror at the predatory banking practices that affect the middle class started way before the mortgage debacle that destroyed many lives, and this memoir explains what she has been doing to protect those who can not protect themselves.

The book is easy to read and gave me a bit of an insight into a time I lived through without fully understanding it. I enjoyed reading about her dealings with other politicians on both sides of the political lines, although I did find the disfunction in Washington politics disheartening. Her war against many of the GOP representatives and ideas shows us the strength that drives her, and I hope she remains in politics for many years to come.

I understand that this book is written from a rather singular viewpoint, but since it is her memoir, she is entitled to move it in the direction of her choice. While it is certainly political in nature, i found myself getting to know the person behind the politician, and I appreciate that aspect of this book.

- Beverly

​Publisher - Metropolitan Books
Date of Publication - April 22, 2014
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Thru My Looking Glass

10/20/2017

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#MeToo

When I was in my teens my parents decided to move to South Florida. I loved my house and life in Philadelphia but realized that my parents had the right to follow their dreams, and I knew I would soon be leaving for college. The first few months in a strange environment were tough, and I filled my hours working as a “candy girl”in our local movie theater. I worked long hours selling popcorn and candy to hungry movie goers and quickly became run down. After a few lethargic weeks, my mother decided to take me to the doctor. He was a man in his fifties, I would guess, and as he began examining me while speaking to my mother, his hands wandered to places they didn’t belong.

At first I thought I was imagining things (why do women always believe they are imagining things); but I quickly realized that his hands were lingering way longer than my imagination could have taken me. I jumped away, and he smoothly continued talking to my mother. He took a blood test and quickly ushered us out of the room. I was in such a state of shock (no one talked about those kinds of things then, and I wondered if I was to blame), that I didn’t say anything on the ride home. When I did get the nerve, two days later, to tell my mother what happened, she assured me that I was imagining it. After all, he was a doctor.

Harvey Weinstein didn’t invent sexual harassment. It was being done long before he was born, and will unfortunately continue way after his embarrassment is forgotten. For some reason, men in power (and men who believe they have power) have convinced themselves that taking what they want is just fine. Most even convince themselves that their victims are enjoying themselves or “asking for it.” When an attorney asks a jury to assume that a women’s clothing or flirtatious smile can be an invitation, and a judge allows that as a defense, they are giving a dangerous message to young men that they need not take responsibility for their own actions, and they are telling young women that they carry the responsibility for both sexes. Clothing designers set the standards for what is appealing each year, advertisers spend millions selling that look and women are conditioned to keep up with the trends in order to be appealing to the opposite sex. A woman’s short skirt is no more of an invitation than a man’s aftershave lotion or the latest men’s cologne.

Unfortunately, through the years society has done nothing to protect women. When Anita Hill, many years ago, was brave enough to call out her harasser, she was doubted and humiliated, while he went on to become a Supreme Court Justice. Nothing changed because nothing had to change. Men could do what they wanted then, because their compatriots would protect them. When last year, Judge Persky sentenced Brock Turner to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious college coed, he showed the world that he believed “boys will be boys,” and society should not destroy the life of a young man for “acting out.” Nothing changed...the abusers are still being protected.

For some reason, after years of watching presidents, congressmen, business moguls and celebrities take whatever they want from the women around them, women have finally decided to ban together and say “ NO MORE!” When I woke up to #MeToo on Facebook and Twitter the other day, I felt that an important awareness would soon sweep the country. I believe that the majority of men would be (will be, hopefully) horrified to realize the extent of sexual harassment that their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters have encountered through their lives. Hopefully they will listen to the women that they care about and support them when they have been sexually abused  - verbally and/or physically .
 
If women believe in themselves and report every instance of harassment without ever backing down, and if the harassers are made to face consequences as meaningful as those that Mr. Weinstein is now facing, then perhaps we can change a culture that has prevailed way too long.

Sandra Brown in an author who I go to for simple escapism reading, and her latest book, Seeing Red, did the trick. The stresses of the last few weeks started to get me down, so I curled up in my bedroom chair and alternated staring at the lake and immersing myself in an exciting mystery. The mystery won out, and I quickly finished this fast paced story and went hunting for another.

As always a complete review follows this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly
​Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
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Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

10/20/2017

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Genre: Mystery
​Click book cover for Amazon.com
Sandra Brown is my “guilty pleasure” author, and this book certainly fits that description. It is populated with attractive characters, lots of sex and several juicy mysteries. The plot had interesting twists and turns and I kept turning pages in search of answers.

The reader quickly learns of the bombing of a Dallas Hotel twenty-five years ago, and the hero who emerged, Major Franklin Trapper. Major Trapper was instrumental in leading a group of people to safety, including a young girl who he carried out. We are then introduced to Kerra Bailey, a television journalist who wants to interview Major Trapper to commemorate the twenty-five year anniversary of the bombing. When he refuses all interviews, Kerra approaches the Major’s son, John Trapper.

John is a former ATF agent who left his job under a cloud. He was a child during the bombing, and his life with the Major was never the same. He is now estranged from his father and wants no part in helping Kerra get the elusive interview. So starts Brown’s latest  novel, Seeing Red, and the reader quickly becomes immersed in the story that follows.

As always I found her supporting characters interesting and integral to the plot. I wasn’t as caught up in the relationship between Kerra and John as I usually am in a Sandra Brown novel, but their backstories certainly held my interest throughout. It is hard to say too much without throwing out some major spoilers, however, there is romance (maybe more sex than romance, actually) mixed with mystery in this quickly devoured read, and if you are a fan of this genre, I would definitely recommend it.

-Beverly


Publisher - Grand Central Publishing
Date of Publication - August 15, 2017
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Thru My Looking Glass

10/13/2017

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“You May say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will live as one.”
John Lennon


I have spent the last few days immersed in Dan Brown’s latest book, Origin. I can’t say that I have loved all of his books, but I will say that a few of his books definitely made my “top ten” list. My favorite books mix learning with excitement, and Brown is a master of that technique. He takes years to research between each novel, and it shows. His love of art, history and religion is evident in this book as it was in several of his others.

I have always envied those who believe so ardently in their God. There must be a sense of peace in being able to place your life and future in the hands of something or someone you believe to be all powerful. I am too much of a questioner to believe something so completely. It is not that I disbelieve that there is more to life than one can scientifically prove, it is simply that I can’t accept it unquestioningly.

Mark David Chapman, a Beatles fan for many years, murdered John Lennon after Lennon's comment that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.” Chapman had become a "born again" Christian, and joined extremist prayer groups who participated in album burnings, boycotts, etc. They made a joke referencing Lennon’s song, Imagine. The line read, “Imagine, imagine if John Lennon was dead.” 

Chapman went farther than imagining and then plead guilty “based on what he had decided was the ‘will of God’.”

I am so horrified at the way people misuse religion, that sometimes I need to take a breath and realize that they are not representing the entirety of those who believe. The hypocrisy that these supposed worshipers display though, make me wonder if they really believe that they are paving their way to a superior afterlife.

I do believe that if there is indeed a higher power, he/she is surely not condoning murdering doctors to prove the sanctity of “pro-life.” My God, who supposedly created all people, would not believe some were destined for hell for simply living their lives in a peaceful manner that fulfills them. He would save his wrath instead for those who use their words and their weapons to hurt those who travel different paths.

Like in all areas, we often hear more about the bad than the good as far as religion is concerned. We hear about the extremists who wield weapons and the religious leaders whose words are their weapons. We watch politicians attempt to institute unfair laws in the name of their God, while people take part in hateful marches claiming they are standing up for their God. Don’t believe that they are the representatives of religion.

When I attended college, a group of friends and I decided to go to different places of worship each weekend to see the similarities and differences of the various religions. We listened to prayers, hymns and sermons and talked to the worshipers, and we found many more common denominators than we did differences. Be it a Temple, a Church or a Mosque, each place exuded feelings of love and peace. The worshipers were welcoming and we never felt like intruders. No one questioned our religious beliefs or our chosen lifestyles, they just invited us to join them for the experience.

It is time for us to turn our backs to those who preach a religion filled with hate and join together with the rest of humanity (those who are believers in a higher being and those who are not). I know that Lennon’s song extolled a world without religion, but I am imagining a world where the religious and the non believers will “live as one.”

A complete review of Dan Brown’s Origin follows this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
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Origin by Dan Brown

10/13/2017

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Genre: Thriller
Click book cover for Amazon.com
Dan Brown did it again! He captured me on page one and hasn’t let me breathe since. It isn’t the excitement that keeps drawing me back (although there is plenty of that), but the knowledge that he is sharing is captivating me. Brown spends years researching his topics, and much like his protagonist, Robert Langdon, he shares his knowledge in a way that leaves the reader breathlessly searching for more.

Origin begins with a hint of a revelation that will “change the face of science forever.” Langdon was invited to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, to meet with his former student, Edmond Kirsch. Kirsch is a well known billionaire and futurist whose hi-tech inventions and over the top predictions have made him a global figure. As Langdon is led through the museum by earphones that act as a docent, we are privy to descriptions of some of the most interesting modern art pieces in the world. We are told that Kirsch will soon be unveiling his revelation, but I am enjoying the tour. We also meet Ambra Vidal, the museum director who worked with Kirsch in setting up this presentation.

Something occurs (as it always does in a Dan Brown novel) and Langdon and Vidal are on the run. The powers that be are intent on silencing Kirsch, and Langdon is equally intent on saving the day. I had fun revisiting Dan Brown’s world of symbols and religion. As always I kept thinking I figured it out and realize I was wrong. His characters are well developed, for the most part, and I love his ever present geography lessons. Several years ago, when touring Rome, the guide showed us various places we recalled from Brown’s previous books.

I am trying to review this book without giving anything away, and that is difficult because there are so many fun things to discover as we turn the pages. As in his past books, I assume there will be some religious complaints with his views, but I appreciate that he is able to write from the heart without being influenced by other people’s beliefs.

Although I wasn’t a fan of his last book, Origin has brought me right back to the Dan Brown band wagon.

- Beverly


Publisher -  Doubleday
Date of Publication - October 3, 2017
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Thru My Looking Glass

10/6/2017

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 "I'm very much in support of the free press, but the free press ought to be educational
and informative. And I believe they have fallen down recently on that."
               ---Samuel Dash (chief counsel for the Senate Watergate committee)


When Walter Cronkite relayed the news to us, he relayed the news...not his opinions. Although his emotions were sometimes clearly portrayed on his face, his words were always factual and his content always unbiased.  When we wanted entertainment we watched Carol Burnett, when we wanted opinion we asked our friends, but when we wanted truth we turned to the newscasters.

The news-media today has lost its way just as surely as the politicians that it follows.  These people, who were once the conscience of America have turned into a group of exhibitionists, looking for the "big story" rather than the truth.  Several weeks ago I read a passing story about another explosion set off in North Korea, but every media outlet focused instead on Melania's choice of heels when visiting a flooded Houston.    

This profession that held our hands during the assassination of JFK and then helped us to share his dream as we walked the moon in 1969, now spend their time focused on the size of our president's hands and his ridiculous night time tweets.  They continually print pictures of him that should have been deleted, while they focus on the worst parts of each of his speeches. It is true that it is their job to hold politicians accountable, but whose job is it to hold them accountable

I actually don't need the media to highlight all of the president's missteps. I am much more interested in reading about the policies he plans to follow, and the policies that I believe in and he plans to dismantle.  It has always been the responsibility of the press to dig deeply enough into our politician's motives to find the truth behind the facade.  Now it seems that the facade is all we get to see. 

I want to turn on my nightly news and see the likes of Huntley, Brinkley and Cronkite. I want to feel secure in the knowledge that what they tell me is 100% factual, and that their bias will never color the news that they are relaying.  We are losing too much with the infighting of our senators and representatives and a president whose lack of political savvy is a detriment to his ability to lead.  It would be a tragedy of we add a strong and unbiased press to the list of things we lost in the 2016 election.

Between the political in-fighting and the threats from other countries, the news is often frightening, and Brad Thor brings terrorism front and center in his novel, Use of Force: A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 17).  The body of a well known terrorist washes up on shore, and panic sets in as the CIA tries to figure out what he was doing here.  This book made me as nervous as the real news often does.

As always, a complete review will follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
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Use of Force : A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 17) by Brad Thor

10/5/2017

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Genre: Thriller
Click book cover for Amazon.com
Starting on #17 in an author's series might seem a bit odd, but this book, Use of Force by Brad Thor, was strongly recommended, and I decided to give it a try.  Current politics and terrorism fears being what they are, I try to avoid books that highlight the horror. This book did give me nightmares, but I must admit the author does keep the tension high.  He begins with an exciting prologue, and introduces us to his protagonist, Scot Harvath, in the first chapter.

​When the body of a well known terrorist washes up on shore, panic sets in.  Where was he going, and what was he planning?  The CIA is involved, and brings in Horvath, a covert counter-terrorism operative, to help stop a feared attack. He is surrounded by a strong team who works with him as he faces one challenge after another.  I am having difficulty picking out things to write that won't tell too much of the story, but there are exploding bombs, people dying and terrorists on the loose.  The main plot is exciting, and the subplots are strong.

I appreciate Thor humanizing his characters and felt the irony of  watching spy master Reed Carlton battle with Alzheimer's disease.  I imagine that many of these characters have been regulars in Thor's series, and his readers probably look forward to seeing them through the years.

The author reminds me a bit of the old Robert Ludlum thrillers that captured my attention so many years ago.  Like Ludlum, Thor ends chapters in spots that make it impossible to close the book.  The last line of chapter one reads, "That was when it exploded."   I defy anyone to just put down the book and walk away from sentences like that.  

I understand why Brad Thor is such a popular author in his genre.  His books might be technical and frightening, but his characters are well developed and his style is easy.  I still find reading books that display terrorism more anxiety provoking than I would like, I strongly recommend this to those of you with a stronger stomach than mine.

- Beverly


Publisher - Atria/Emily Bestler Books 
Date of Publication - June 27, 2017
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