Category Archives: Good Books

What I’m Reading: The Dogs Were Rescued and So Was I

You might remember I read a book by Teresa J. Rhyne called The Lived and so Will I.  I really liked the book and could totally relate.  The book is a memoir.  In it, the author shares about her life with her beagle who she rescued who ended up getting cancer as well as experience with breast cancer.  The book was great.  Well, the author had another book and I wanted to read it…the book is The Dogs were Rescued and So Was I.


I loved her first book…this second book was a little different.  The author goes on to explore a vegan lifestyle along with telling us the escapades of adopting rescue dogs.  I can’t say I loved the book as I’m not completely onboard with a vegan lifestyle.  It was good for me to think and consider the thoughts of someone who was entertaining a vegan lifestyle.  I don’t mind reading or listening to the opinion of others.  I think it makes me a more well rounded person.  I learn to see things from other points of view.

I grew up on a farm.  We treated our animals well.  Kramer worked on a farm.  They treated their animals well.  I know that is not universal.  I remember crying over sick cows…nursing baby pigs that would have otherwise been killed at birth.  Yes, in the end, they were all slaughtered but I think we were very humane to them.  I try to buy eggs from local people I know.  I do the same with meat.  I feel informed and comfortable with my decision to eat meat.

What I did learn from the book is the extensive testing done on dogs.  I am not a fan of that and plan to learn more about that.

I do love the writer’s way of writing.  She can take even serious issues and make them lighthearted.  In the future I will read other books should she write them.

Here is what Amazon has to say: Continue reading

What I’m Reading: A Life Without Water

I had been browsing to find a good book.  It seemed everywhere I looked the book, A Life Without Water by Marci Bolden, was showing up.  I ended up finding it on Overdrive which is an online library but there was a complication of a waiting list…so I waited for two months and finally it was my turn with the book.

A Life Without Water by [Marci Bolden]
So, did I like the book? Yes.  It was a good book.  My only complaint is that is was a little sad.  The main character in the book ends up dealing with the death of three people who were close to her.  I think I’ve dealt with enough death in my own life that reading about it isn’t always my favorite as it brings up some of my own feelings.  All in all, a good book.

Here is what Amazon had to say:
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What I’m Reading: Appalachian Daughter

I haven’t been reading as much as I sometimes do.  I just haven’t had a lot of time along and I have been listening to podcasts more.  I’ll tell you about them in another blog post.

I did find a book that piqued my interest, Appalachian Daughter by  Mary Jane Salyers.  The book came up as recommended book in my Facebook feed.  I didn’t want to buy it so I checked both of my online libraries and found it on Hoopla.

Appalachian DaughterSo did I like it…
I did.  I love all hardscrabble books.  I love coming of age stories.  This book was exactly that, a hardscrabble coming of age story.

I was hoping for a big climax and dynamic plot but that didn’t really happen.  The book just told a slice in the life of Maggie’s life.  There was no twist or turns or big realizations…just a slice of the life so I was a little disappointed but still overall a good book.

On the last day of eighth grade, Maggie begins to dream of finding a way to escape the drudgery and confinement of life in the hollow and establish her independence. Her plan begins to fall in place when she enters high school and discovers she has a natural talent for excelling in shorthand, typing, and other business classes. Meanwhile, she spares no effort in helping her family continue to survive despite their poverty, a less than fertile few acres, and a family history of instability. The typical spoken language, folkways, traditional beliefs, and religious practices are skillfully woven into this portrait of Appalachian family life. The author’s sympathetic insights into mountain culture combined with memorably etched characters and events create a realistic reflection of Tennessee mountain life during the decade following World War II. Maggie’s life takes an unexpected turn when her cousin JD reveals a dark secret that could shatter the family. Maggie struggles to maintain her dreams of a better life amidst the many trials that will test the grit of this Appalachian Daughter.”

Amazon readers gave the book 4.3 stars.  I’m going to say 4.2 stars.

If you are a Kindle user, the book was currently free when I wrote this post.  You can find it HERE.

What I’m Reading: The Searcher

Before I talk about today’s book, I need a little help.  My friend Doreen contacted me.

She writes:
This past Saturday, I visited a sewer who was downsizing. She used to make wedding dresses and other fancy dresses in another life. She wanted to find someplace to donate some of her laces and some beads. I let her know that several years ago, I sent some materials to a group in New York that made outfits for babies that were stillborn or died from SIDS. I believe I received this group’s information from your blog. I didn’t find any information in your current listings. Do you remember this group? This lady would like to donate these items to a group that makes these kinds of clothing. Your help would be greatly appreciated.”

I do remember that there was someone who could use laces and that type of item for babies who didn’t live.  I don’t have a contact.  Do any of you know who that was?  If you do, please contact me and I will pass the info on to Doreen.  Here’s my email.  rogjok@iowatelecom.net

Now onto today’s book:
I just finished up the audiobook The Searcher by Tana French.  I had the book on my online library hold list for a long time.  I think about 4 months.  I was hoping the book was worth the wait.


I am going to say that I was a little disappointed.  I kept waiting for “the big thing” to happen.  It didn’t.  I kept waiting for someone to really do the right thing…they didn’t.  I wanted the story to come to a complete end, it really didn’t.  So, with that, I guess it’s fair to say it wasn’t a satisfying read.

Here’s what Amazon had to say:
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