Greetings Readers! Join Kate and Sheila as they share time-tested, foolproof reading practices!

Marcel Proust penned, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

Lets endeavor to have “new eyes” as we discover how we can up our reading game.

True reading is active, we are conversing with the author, asking questions, and making meaning.

This acrostic poem helps us to remember some important points:

A - annotate by underlining, circles, starring sparingly, making connections, and creating your own personal index

C - choose wisely (Inspect the table of contents, index, preface…) Quickly get a feel for the Book, this survey can keep us from starting books that aren’t worth our time

T - time to read (what is easy to do, is also easy not to do. Daily time to read needs to be a priority

I - investigate, meet the characters, spot important words, notice patterns, make meaning, discover the author’s why

V - validate your reading journey, great habit that you will thank yourself for doing

E - evaluate, did the author solve the problems,  answer the questions, make his point? Did I grow as a reader?

We wanted to share practices that have helped us become better readers. We are so thankful you are a part of our reading journey! May we strive to be active in our reading and choose books that make us want to be a better person!

Onward and upward once was said, let’s be daring and read over our head!

Sources:

How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

The Art of Slow Reading by Thomas Newkirk

Check out our website for summaries of all the podcasts https://recapbookchat.com/

Today, April 15, takes us back to 1912, when the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic met its match and sank with only 705 souls surviving. Join Kate and Sheila as they recap Jennifer A. Nielsen’s gripping tale, Iceberg, told from the viewpoint of 12 year old Hazel who is forced to become a stowaway because she doesn’t have enough money to buy a ticket.

One word describing Hazel would be curious. A wise passenger, Mrs. Abelman celebrates curiosity even though Hazel thinks it is miserable to have so many questions.  “It’s questions that keep us alive, Hazel, questions that keep us moving forward…It’s only miserable if you see it as a problem. I think curiosity is a gift…”

Another great character is Charlie, the porter who gives Hazel wise advice when she’s worried about having dinner with her friend in first class and feeling out of place. “People are the same everywhere. Either they’ll accept you as you are or they won’t, but if they don’t, that says more about them as snobs than you as coming from poverty.”

Curiosity and courage summarize Iceberg, but intrigue and mystery along with a couple of surprises add to the mix for a remarkable read! Hop aboard the Titanic with Hazel and company where the difference in the classes is felt not seen, learn about the fire aboard the ship when it set off and discover just as the iceberg aka frozen monster cannot be clearly seen from the surface neither can the fearlessness of people be seen on the outside, time and trouble expose the truth.

Here is your ticket to board! Thank you dear listener, you are a blessing!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This verse is not only on a  necklace but its meaning is woven throughout Charles Martin’s heartwarming novel, When Crickets Cry. God crosses two paths, Reese, the former heart surgeon, who is hiding from his painful past and seven year old Annie who is selling lemonade and giving away sunshine and smiles. She has a failing heart and has been praying for a surgeon!

Charlie is Reese’s blind brother-in-law who lives next-door. The two rebuild old boats together. Both Charlie and Annie live life to the fullest! Charlie’s favorite quote is from Helen Keller, “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.”

“People marvel at the genius of Mozart because he supposedly wrote “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” at the age of three and composed his first symphony at the age of twelve. And yes, of course, he was a genius, but another way to look at it is that he just discovered early what God had made him to do…Of course he was brilliant, but that’s not the point. The point is he knew and then he got to work.” This wisdom came from Emma, Charlie’s sister and Reese’s late wife, who knew Reese was made to fix hearts.

“If anything in the universe reflects the fingerprint of God, it is the human heart…It derives no benefit from the blood it pumps making it the most unselfish of organs…it is also the most courageous and faithful.” Can Reese get over the pain of the past? Will he be able to forgive himself? Will Annie get the surgery she desperately needs before her time runs out? Just like each piece of a puzzle is ‘critical to the whole’, each person in this story reminds us that we all have a part to play in this life. Please join us as we take a trip to rural Georgia and learn about love, loss, and redemption! 

Please join Kate and Sheila as they discuss parts 2 & 3 of Victor Hugo’s unforgettable tale of woe, Les Misérables. Today we meet the young girl, Cosette, who was left with the cruel innkeepers. The Thenardiers have taken money from Cosette’s young mother under false pretenses. They make Cosette work tirelessly, and use money sent from her mother for themselves. 

Jean Valjean is at last free to rescue Fantine’s daughter as he promised. Cosette was a “fly trembling in a spider’s web”. The Bible tells us in Exodus 22:23, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do, they will cry out to Me, I will certainly hear their cry.” Cosette does just that, after her prayer the paths of Jean Valjean and Cosette meet and the poor waif is removed from the sinister selfish family at last!

“The bishop had taught him (Jean Valjean) the meaning of virtue; Cosette had now taught him the meaning of love.” Life was briefly sweet for the pair, as a devoted grandfather with his grateful granddaughter, until the detective, Javert, relentlessly tracked them down. Danger popped their new found joy like a pin in a balloon. How will they escape this unmerciful fame-seeking man? 

Next, we meet Marius, whose grandfather raised him until he disinherited him. “The rigors of his present life gratified and pleased him.” Time has passed and the despicable Thenardiers end up as Marius’ next door neighbors. The showdown between the grafters along with their thugs-for-hire, kind-hearted Jean Valjean, and the unstoppable detective is viewed by an anything but calm Marius through a peephole in the wall connecting the rooms! 

Hugo challenges his readers, of yesterday and today, by addressing topics that many would   rather sweep under the rug than be exposed for all to see. Are you ready to jump into the fray? 

Rock Paper Scissors is a mystery with a thriller twist by Alice Feeney, whose trademark as a writer might be having untrustworthy narrators tell the tale. Readers meet Adam Wright, a playwright who suffers from face blindness, and his wife, Amelia, who won a trip from work to a getaway in Scotland. The accommodations are far from five star! Creepy, dark, and cold describes the out of the way location. The Wrights would have left, but a snow storm hits and the couple is forced to stay.

Something is wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s marriage and Amelia had hoped this trip might put things on the right track. The novel has an Alfred Hitchcock vibe! Eerie things happen rather quickly. A face was seen in the window, the lights went out while Amelia was in the wine cellar causing her to have an asthma attack, the bedroom is decorated just like their bedroom at home, even their dog was acting strange!

Favorite quotes are more challenging with an audio, but here’s a few favorites:

“Believing in someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, it’s free and the results are priceless.”

“Patience is the answer to so many of life’s questions.”

”If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”

Do you like suspenseful books that tell the story from different points of view? Join Kate and Sheila as they discuss this great audio without giving anything away, which is tough to do!

Happy reading dear listeners!

Joyous Leadership is an authentic, memorable, life changing read. It is chalked full of nuggets, insight and wisdom that will help you live your best life. In this episode we were able to interview author John Mark Watson. He was as delightful and engaging to talk to as his book was to read.  

In this conversation, Mark Watson discusses his journey of writing 'Joyous Leadership,' inspired by the challenges of COVID. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, vulnerability, and finding joy in challenges. The discussion also highlights the significance of community, kindness, and the mindset needed to embrace growth opportunities. Mark shares personal anecdotes and insights that resonate with listeners, encouraging them to take steps towards their goals and to appreciate the process of growth.

Check out the links below to connect with Mark and order his book. 

https://johnmarkwatson.com/ 

Order the book

https://a.co/d/7NPnEvU

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkwatson/?hl=en

Kate and Sheila introduce part 1 of  Les Misérables a.k.a. ‘The Brick’ by Victor Hugo.

These episodes are dedicated to our dear friend, Matt Green, who passed from this life in 2024. His love for this story inspired us to tackle the Brick, thank you Matt!

The Bishop is the first character we meet. He inspired us greatly with words such as…

“I was not put in this world to protect lives but to save souls.”

“We must never fear robbers and murderers. They are dangers from outside, small dangers. It is ourselves we have to fear. Prejudice is the real robber and vice the real murderer.”

His message to Jean Valjean touched his heart and changed the trajectory of his life!

“...my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”

Jean Valjean was imprisoned for breaking a shop window in his attempt to steal bread to feed his sister’s family. He was sentenced to serve 5 years, however after 4 escape attempts his sentence was increased by 14 years!

Are you ready to challenge yourself far beyond your life as a reader to the depth of your compassion as a  person? Published in 1862, this classic helps us to discover what is true! 

Please join us as we recap Joe Beam’s book, Seeing the Unseen (Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Warfare). The dedication reads, “For my wife, Alice, If it had not been for her unquenchable love, I surely would have lost my spiritual war.”

Satan’s strategies haven’t changed because they are still effective. First, he distorts the truth, next comes a hardening of the heart, then sensitivity is lost followed by an immersion in sensuality and finally spiritual destruction. His game plan worked with Adam and Eve and sadly it is still successful today.

Destruction comes to those who don’t love Truth. Christians aren’t immune, however, God hasn’t left us defenseless against evil. The vantage is ours but we must choose to use it:

Spiritual Vision = Discernment + Bible Knowledge

“Humans didn’t invent evil and we will never eradicate it. Knowing there is a devil deceiving people into sin arms me for a successful fight.”

Helpful questions to ask ourselves:

• Who benefits, God or satan?

• Who would be pleased, God or satan?

• Which people in my life encourage me spiritually or worldly?

Just as gold is refined, so is our faith. Through trials, pain, and loss we must learn to trust God on this journey and not give the devil a foothold. Remember what he used to get to Job, evil people, natural disasters, boils, and even good people. He uses the same on us. “We don’t have enough strength to face life when things get bad. Fortunately, God does. By His Spirit and by His power, He places His strength in our hearts.”

“We cannot live like the enemy and continue in the ranks of the righteous. It is a war of commitment. The one we surrender to becomes our master.” (2Pet. 2:19)

Connects with the Native American adage:“Two natures beat within my breast, one is cursed, one is blest, One I love, one I hate, The one I feed will dominate.”

Are you ready to see the unseen? As Kate says, “Let’s dive in!”

You can listen to Joe Beam and his daughter on the podcast Relationship Radio…Marriage Helper found on Apple podcast.

Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap the second book in their chronological reading of the Bible this year. Genesis is such an amazing book, keeping readers in awe of God from creation to Joseph in Egypt! 

God has a plan, yet when man loses focus and strays (as we tend to do) God is not derailed. He is patient, loving, just and forgiving throughout the valleys and mountaintops of faithlessness and faithfulness. From the Fall to the flood to famines God leads His people onward and upward. 

Stories stick and facts fade, these timeless treasures guide readers in discovering how  tumultuous times develop faith which leads to growth as God guides His people ever forward!

In our quest to read the best, the Bible is the pinnacle book! Grab a cup of coffee/tea and tune in as we discuss the wonders to be found in the book of Genesis!

Do you and your kids enjoy WW 2 books? If so, you are in luck! Join us as we discuss The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zekdus McDonough with our special guest! 

The opening line draws the reader in…“A gust of wind cut across Marcel’s face as he cycled furiously down the street.”

Twelve year old Marcel dreams of someday competing in the Tour de France as he races through the streets of France making bread deliveries for his parents’ bakery. Soldiers have been everywhere since Germany’s occupation of France two years ago. They interrupt Marcel's deliveries with checkpoints and questioning making for some tension that makes this book hard to put down!

Marcel discovers two secrets. His parents are part of the Resistance and his friend’s family is in grave danger! Marcel wants to help! A risky ride passing important information where the unexpected happens keeps our brave fast thinker pedaling quickly!

 “Escape? Where?” The hair on the back of Marcel’s neck began to prickle and he knew it wasn’t just from the crisp, cold air.” What a riveting read!

 Please join us as we recap this exciting and suspenseful book for middle grade readers! If you like gritty characters that keep going no matter what, this book’s for you!