Another Hobby - Reading

Although the bulk of this blog will probably be about stamping and cards -- it is titled "Helen's Hobby Haven" and so encompasses other hobbies as well. Another favorite hobbie of mine is reading -- has been every since Daddy took me, as a very little girl -- I must have been about 4 -- to the county library. I still remember the first book I got. I don't remember it being read to me - I think it may have been a little advanced for such a little girl -- but I remember the book, that it was small in shape, and that it was green. That instilled in me a love of the library and of books that has lasted and is a treasured connection to Daddy. When we moved to Statesboro, one of the things I checked out as we were investigating the town was where the library was -- and I was most impressed with the building that houses the Statesboro Library -- I was glad to see such a beautiful library setting. So I would like to share books I've read from time to time here on this blog. One of the best book series I've read in recent years is the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. The books are just absolutely delightful -- good for the soul! I'm still trying to find similar books and ask each time I go to the library if there are any books that are similar. I've been steered to the Miss Julia series and have read most of those, and I have a list of a few others my friend Janice and others at the library have suggested.






One book I've read recently was recommended to me by Earl's Mom. She had been asked by a friend to read it, which she has, and she has talked with author Michael Ryan several times. The book is The Last Freedom - A Novel on the Real-Life Adventure of Dr. Viktor Frankl. Mom wanted me to read it and let her know what I thought. I was most impressed. This is what I wrote as a review on amazon.com (after giving it a five star rating):






"Profound - much to contemplate, beautifully word crafted, April 28, 2009 -

The Last Freedom by Michael F. Ryan is a novel beautifully crafted around the true story of Dr. Viktor Frankl. The book draws you into the experiences of Dr. Frankl and his explanation of logotherapy and the Meaning of Life. His statements of what it means to be human are profound and give one much to contemplate. Michael Ryan presents Dr. Frankl's information in a much more pleasurable manner than the dry factual learning of college psychology class -- oh that all courses could be presented so artfully! As you read the book, Michael Ryan has done such a wonderful job of writing that you feel like you are actually sitting there with Dr. Frankl, listening to him talk. As stated by Perry M. Smith in a previous review, this book impels you to read more. The author's high regard for Dr. Frankl and his wife come shining through and it is evident that this book in no small way was written to honor Dr. Frankl, yet also projects the humility of the man. Today's society could learn and benefit much by adopting the principles set forth by Dr. Frankl. I plan to read it again with pen, notepad, and highlighter in hand. "


Mom sent him what I planned to put on Amazon, and he wrote and thanked me. I learned he has a website: http://www.thelastfreedom.com/.


On the website, I particularly enjoyed the highlight video from his "Life of the Mind" lecture at Augusta State University and his blog Michael's Musings. Please take a few minutes to peruse his website and listed to the "Life of the Mind" highlights. I think he would be a wonderful speaker to have at a book club or at various meetings that have programs. I would love to hear him speak.


I do want to read The Last Freedom again with highlighter, notepad, and pen, and also read Dr. Frankl's book The Meaning of Life. And I would encourage you, my readers, to read this book also. If you're in a book club, please share it with them also and let Michael Ryan know. Some other comments, not included in the amazon review, but which I wrote directly to Michael Ryan, are:

"I like the fact that your book/Dr. Frankl’s teachings have an underlying Christian message also. It’s not overt so as to turn people away, but you can tell that he did believe. You were quite skillful in portraying that."


*****


Another book I've read in the last year or so is The Shack, by William P. Young.

I was reminded of it today while visiting a friend's blog. She has a video on it of the 700 Club talking with the author:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYvjRiun3MA

Well, I tried to embed the video, but I still have some learning to do because it's not cooperating! So went back and put in the URL address.

Well, that's enough book stuff for today. I'll be back later today with some card info for my Stamp Club as a prep for Stamp Club this Saturday.