Don't Forget.....

 

 

 

 

Barefoot to Billionaire: Reflections on a life's work and a promise to cure cancer

This is a fascinating, frank story. I had not heard much about Huntsman other than he was a big businessman and had built a large Cancer Research Hospital. He is evidence that America is the land of milk and honey--a boy can come from highly unfavorable circumstances in a poverty-stricken, broken home, and rise to become a billionaire. I was very surprised by some of the things he put into print, particularly in regards to certain Church leaders; Huntsman also takes jabs here and there at Mitt Romney. Other sensitive topics discussed are a daughter who died under tragic circumstances, a son born with a disability after a doctor failed to attend to Mrs. Huntsman's concerns, and an operation that led to impotence. Most notable in the book, however, are the underlying values that have led Huntsman to become the great philanthropist he is today. He discusses moral dilemmas he faced both in and outside the White House that served as learning tools throughout his career. An interesting read, though I did find the details of his many business transactions a bit heady. But they were an important part of the story and would be appreciated by people in that sphere.

Review from Amazon

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle

The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith

This is the first Christmas without their husband and father and the Smith family would like this Christmas season to just pass by them. Everyone that is, except for the youngest, twelve year old Megan. When the simple gifts from "True Friends" starting showing up on their doorstep each day, Joanne, the mother, just wanted to throw them away and pretend they weren't there. Eventually, the whole families curiosity was peeked and they had their own little mystery that they were determined to solve.

The miracle of this story is how an act of kindness was able to help bring this family together and help them begin the healing process and find joy in their lives again.

Don't Forget......

Our December Book Club will be this Thursday the 11th at 7:00pm and we will be discussing the book "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

We are having a Hot Chocolate Bar, Games and Prizes!

No children please.

The Princess Spy

 

The Princes Spy by Melanie Dickerson

Maragretha  has a new suitor, Lord Claybrook, and she is hoping that he will be the one. Maragretha doesn't mind her new suitor's company and she is beginning to wonder if she could learn to love him when an injured foreigner shows up at the castle.  She is the only one who can communicate with the stranger because she is the only one who speaks English.  The stranger warns her against Lord Claybrook and she has to decide whether to trust this foreigner and his claims against her suitor.

Colin (the foreigner) convinces Maragretha to spy on her latest suitor and she finds out that her family is in danger. The race is on as she goes to all lengths to get the help she needs and protect her family from the danger that is coming their way.

Unearthly

by Cynthia Hand

When Clara turns 14, her mother breaks the unbelievable news to her that she is part angel. For awhile, the news doesn't really change anything and life goes on as normal. Just before her 17th birthday, Clara begins having visions and then everything changes. The visions are partial glimpses into the future that help to reveal her "purpose". Clara's purpose leads her family to a new town, new school and a new life.

As if being a teenager isn't hard enough, along with trying to adjust to a new school and find new friends, Clara is consumed with trying to figure out what her purpose is. Her visions are not very clear and her mom is very vague and not very forthcoming with information, she insists that Clara will know what to do and what is right when the time comes.

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next in the series, "Hallowed".