The Soul Reader

by Gerard D. Webster

This book takes the reader on both a physical and spiritual journey. Devastated by his father's murder, Ward McNulty is driven to uncover the villains behind the real estate development who took his life. Along the way, he is reunited, then split apart from and finally brought back together with Carrie Hope, his soulmate. Ward has a special gift: he can see people's souls and immediately senses whether they are good or bad despite any superficial indications.

Webster takes the reader from Jacksonville, Florida, the novel's initial setting, to the backwoods of Colombia, and then back to Jacksonville. I can assure you that there is never a dull moment in the entire novel. There are shootouts, high-tech break-ins, explosions, people getting drugged and hints of the supernatural.

I was particularly intrigued by the device that Webster used when he wanted Ward to understand Rosa even though she didn't speak any English and he didn't speak any Spanish. He just automatically understood what she was saying as if she were speaking English when the message was intended for him. Otherwise, he would hear Spanish and not understand.

You should read this book when you're on vacation or commuting between home and work. If you're serious about spelling and style, you will most likely be disappointed as this book is riddled with typos. It is not my job to list to all the mistakes here, but I'll give you a few just so you know what to expect: "base" where it should read "bass", "Carried" instead of "Carrie" and "parent's" instead of "parents'". On the other hand, Webster has a knack for dialogue and similes. He reminds me a little of Nicholas Sparks. At any rate, it's too bad that someone didn't proofread this book thoroughly enough because it takes away his credibility as a serious author.

Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker

I learned several new things from this book, and was reminded about things that I already knew. I chose to read it because I drove through Amish country with my mother some 20 years ago and remember the buggies. I was only vaguely aware of who the Amish were and how they lived. I only knew that they were religious and wore black clothes and hats, and that they were averse to the use of technology.

I don't think that the Amish are the only people on earth who are frugal. Part of their reason for being thrifty is that they depend on agriculture. Living off the land is not like living off a monthly paycheck. Crops can be bountiful, and they can also be meager. The only way to seek an equilibrium in this type of economy is to plan ahead and use resources wisely.

Some Amish strategies are to save their money, not go into debt unless they have to, fix things when they break instead of throwing them away, buying used items such as clothes and buggies, and being resourceful by making their own food and other items. Craker has succinctly bundled these concepts into a motto: Use it up, Wear it out, Make do, or do Without (UWMW).

The author intersperses Amish wisdom with things that we "Fancy" folk can do to save money like the Amish. She is particularly motivated by the recession we are currently going through. She mentions things like having her van repaired with duct tape and painting it the same color as the van, thus saving hundreds of dollars in bodywork. She also talks about buying used clothes and "shopping your house" -- in other words looking around to see what items you have in your own closet before got out and buying clothes, or seeing what furniture you have in your bedroom and mixing and matching it with the furniture in your living room instead of going out and buying new furniture.

Even though reading this book was a learning experience for me, I would not have bought it with my own money. To begin with, I get the distinct feeling that it is written for women. A good deal of the book is devoted to purchases that women make. Another thing that bothers me about this book is the tone used. It's too colloquial. It's a bit like listening to a woman talk on her lunch hour in the staff room who uses expressions like "anywho", "hello" (not as a greeting) and "woohoo". Though there is nothing inherently wrong with this tone, I feel somewhat excluded. I also noticed that "tendinitis" was spelled "tendonitis", which is not the formal spelling. So if you think you would like to read this book, why not be frugal and check it out from your public library? Or you can join BookSneeze and read it for free in exchange for a 200 word review. It can't get any cheaper than that!

Please note: I received this book free from BookSneeze in exchange for a review. This review reflects my own opinions and I was not influenced in any way by BookSneeze

MacArthur

by Mitchell Yockelson

This book gives a detailed account of the life and times of General Douglas MacArthur. While learning of MacArthur's feats, the reader gains an insightful appreciation of the ups and downs of the twentieth century from World War II up to the Korean War. MacArthur was the son of a Union Army Civil War veteran and graduated from West Point, the school he later became superintendent of. Like his father, he was sent to the Philippines in a military capacity when it was an American overseas possession and befriended its people. He later waged decisive battles in World War II. Even though he was driven from the Philippines by the Japanese, he never lost faith and regained his strength in Australia.

 MacArthur was a sharp dresser and a man of his own ideas. More than once he circumvented orders to achieve the outcome that he thought was best. He had words with more than one U.S. president, but he always commanded respect from the government and was duly recognized for his feats. There were a few women in his life, and he eventually married and had one son, Arthur MacArthur IV.

I was glad that I read this book because I came away knowing much more about twentieth century U.S. history and the life of Douglas MacArthur. Before he was just a name to me. Now he represents a man who fought for his country with strong convictions that made America a better place. I wish that I had been taught more about him in high school. Anyone who wants to complete their vision of American and world military history should read this book.


Please note that I received a complementary copy of this book from Book Sneeze in return for a review on this blog and a commercial website. I was not obligated to make a positive review.