Book Review Mother of Pearl

Well girls, this one was a tough read for me.  As a football coach's wife I had a hard time with the portrayal of the coach in this book.  The author seemed to use cliches and stereotypes in her description of the coach and development of his character.  Though I am aware that inappropriate relationships are occasional in the world coaching it is certainly not a part of the coaching world as I have come to know it. 

The book is definitely controversial and to a reader who is not so passionately connected to a high school football coach this would be an interesting read.  I did enjoy the inner turmoil of the mother and found that I could relate to her as a parent of a daughter.  Here are some of the things that others had to say about the book:

"MOTHER OF PEARL kept me turning pages and on the edge of my seat. Wonderful, richly-drawn characters who drew me to their hearts despite their flaws."

~Deborah Raney, bestselling author of the Hanover Falls Novels series
 

"A cautionary tale for our times, MOTHER OF PEARL is a compelling journey through loss and longing, grief and redemption, crime and justice. Kellie Coates Gilbert unfolds her story with the sensitivity of a skilled writer."

~Lisa Wingate, national bestselling, award-winning author of Dandelion Summer and Blue Moon Bay

"A story that could have come from today's headlines, MOTHER OF PEARL is a compelling, thought-provoking debut. With impeccable prose, Kellie Coates Gilbert kept me turning pages in this high-stakes story of one mother's quest for healing and justice."

~Carla Stewart, award-winning author of Chasing Lilacs and Stardust

Book Review: Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt


Ok, girls you know how much I love Angela Hunt.  This new book is one that you will love!  I don't have sisters but this book is a beautiful story about the beauty and complexity of the relationships between women.  It is always refreshing to read a book when the author weaves the emotions of our earthly relationships with emotions of the bond with our heavenly father. You will close this book feeling like you have new friends and will have learned more about yourself.  You will love its southern charm and appreciate the meaning of choices in life.  Be sure to add this one to the book of the month list.

This book was courtesy of Glass Road Media but all opinions are mine.  Happy Reading!!

Books

September 2009 – Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

October 2009 - Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

November 2009- Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

December 2009- Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury

January 2010 – In the Shadow of the Sun King by Golden Keyes Parsons

February 2010 – Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Keyes Parsons

March 2010 – How to Stop the Pain by Dr. James Richards

April 2010– Facing Terror by Carrie McDonnall

May 2010– The Penny by Joyce Meyers

June 2010– Furious Pursuit by Tim King and Frank Martin

July 2010– Her Mothers Hope by Francine Rivers

August 2010– Book of Choice

September 2010- Don't give in, God wants you to win by Thelma Wells

October 2010- Her Daughters Dream by Francine Rivers

November 2010- Where Hearts are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

December 2010 - Book of Choice & Christmas Party, December 13th @ 6:00

January 2011 - One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber

February 2011 - The Truth Teller by Angela Hunt

March 2011 - While my Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky

April 2011 - Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

May 2011 - The Noticer by Andy Andrews

June 2011 - Book of Choice

July 2011 - The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

Aug 2011 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Sept 2011 - How Can I Let Go If I Don't Know I'm Holding On by Linda Douty

Oct 2011 - Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Nov 2011 - This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

Dec 2011 - Book of Choice

Book Club Meeting

Tuesday, November 29th at 8:00 (instead of our usual 7:00 so that maybe games will be over).

November Book Club Meeting

Well girls, after looking at both November's and December's basketball calenders, I have come to the conclusion that there will not be an evening any day of the week without conflict. I feel like it would be best at the moment to keep our meetings scheduled for the last Tuesday evening of each month. Please comment on this post if you have a solution that I haven't found because I really hate for anyone to miss. For now, plan on Tuesday, November 24th, 7:00 and Tuesday, December 29th, 7:00 for our next two meetings.

Here are some thought questions from LitLovers to help us in our discussion of Same Kind of Different as Me.


1. At the beginning of the book, what kind of person is Ron Hall? How would you describe him (how does he describe himself)? Why does he agree to volunteer at the homeless shelter, and what is his initial reaction in doing so?

2. Talk about the trajectory of Denver Moore's life. What events have landed him in the homeless shelter? Discuss the differences between his life and Ron Hall's. What is Denver's world view?

3. Talk about Deborah Hall? What inspires her life? What does she think of Denver Moore?

4. Eventually, Denver and Ron, two men who have lived vastly different lives, become close friends. What do the two see in one another? What draws them together?

5. What are the symbolic implications of the conversation about how white men fish, especially their catch-and-release method? What does that conversation say about each man, and what is the underlying message that Denver is trying to pass onto Ron?

6. What is the meaning of the book's title, "Same Kind of Difference as Me"? What does it refer to?

7. How do both men change by the end of the book? What do they learn from or teach each other?

8. This is a story about how hate and prejudice can be overcome by love and grace. How difficult is that achievement in most of our lives? What can this book teach us?

9. Does this book inspire you? If so, in what ways?

I wish that I would have found this earlier....sorry!

Here are the letters in print!

And.......

Here is the link to purchase the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre Version.

November Book - Same Kind of Different as Me

Monday,October 19, 2009 - Come meet Ron and Denver (authors of Same Kind of Diferent as Me) at the TCU Barnes & Noble bookstore from 12:00 - 2:30pm for a book signing, located at the corner of University & Berry, 2950 W. Berry Street, Ft. Worth, TX, 76109.

Would this be a worthy trip to Fort Worth for our book club? Anyone want to go?