Empress Sassy

posted by EmpressSassy on Jun 3

I have read this book and I have to say WOW, this is just a really powerful book.  It speaks to you as a person, a christian and a human.  It’s an easy read, but it’s deep and you can feel what the character if feeling with every page.  

From what I can tell critics have spoken out on this book from various angles and I’m sure there are many opinions as I have formed mine.  I have to say I don’t get the negativity around the book, how you could form negativity after reading this book is mind boggling to me, but some baptist groups have, but from a personal experience recently I think I get that.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are brought to light in this book and Mack, the main character is allowed to meet and converse in detail with each, in depth.  It’s an amazing journey to listen and learn how life is explained by each entity.  I found myself so many times just saying in my head, “I get that; it’s a struggle in life and I’m not there yet, but I get the concept so much.” 

In the book they tell Mack they live in a loving relationship without hierarchy, guilt or shame, all fully human, all divine. They say that through Jesus’ death, God is “fully reconciled” to the whole world, so that all might discover God’s love.  They also express the world is what it is and mankind creates their own evil such as murder, rape, cruelty; God does not cause these things to happen.  However; God loves and accepts all mankind, even those who have caused these horrific acts if they are truly asking for forgiveness.  That is that hardest thing to accept.  Can you forgive someone that has murdered your child?  Stolen from you?  Hurt you in any way?

When you forgive someone you are not letting them off for what they have done,  you are forgiving them to release your anger and suffering for the event that has taken place so you can move on and they to can be released from your life.   It’s a tough thing to be able to forgive someone of something so horrific isn’t it?  I’m not sure I could do it either.  You have to put your faith in God.

This is a good book to read and to help you put your faith in God and start living a better, happier, stronger life with faith.  It is truly a life changing book and if you have not read it and you have an interest you should pick it up and read it very soon.   I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to read it.

posted by EmpressSassy on Jun 25

Wild at Heart - This is an awesome book, not only for women to read because it’s honestly a book for men.  John Eldredge does an amazing job of explaining the male species in a way that both sexes can understand totally.

My cousin recommended this book so I could relate to Noah as he is growing up and I have to say this is the best book to date I have read concerning boys and men. I recommend this to any man out there if you have ever had any issues in your life (who hasn’t); loss of a father figure, loss of love, family issues, etc.  It teaches you how to deal with wounds and healing.

The best part was understanding the development of a boy vs. a girl and why boys are the way they are, and more importantly why we should let them be real boys. We shouldn’t always try to calm them or constantly tell them to be careful or shield and protect them from trying daring new things.  I needed to learn this as Noah is branching out in this new dare devil phase of his life!  ha ha.  Again, either sex can benefit from reading this book and it has a great Christian tone to help you learn to pursue your healing through God. 

This is a great book and I’m now reading a second one called Captivating:  Unveiling The Mystery of the Woman’s Soul.  I can only imagine it will be just as good as this one.

posted by EmpressSassy on Mar 5

We had our book club tonight and we discussed Change of Heart, by Jodi Picault.  We all had to agree, this was our best book so far.  Great job Kennitha! 

I think I read it in a day 1/2 and most folks also read it pretty quickly.  This gal can write and she does an excellent job with her research. 

It’s about a man that commits murder, but you have to ask yourself it is justifiable?  Is there such a thing?  Yes he must be punished but he was also accused of molesting a child and that is where the story takes off.  During the course of the book, the sibling of that child needs a heart later in life and he is a perfect match to donate his heart.  He volunteers to do just that as he is headed to die for the murder of the child’s father but will the mother of this family allow this to happen. 

That is just the surface story.  There is a religious tone, bi-line, story that goes along with it that is too difficult to explain.  This book is just awesome.  I am planning on reading other books from this author. 

We all rated it a 5 except our Dan the Downer (Jerry) who gave it a 4.  We’re not sure what he would need to give a book a 5 - personally I know it will have to have a witch in it!  ha ha.

Anyway, great book and a nice night at Qdoba - we made Kari have a nice night.  Kennitha was great in bringing a door prize that Jacob won and Jerry has to pick the next book! 

I had to choose for this month and I picked a book titled Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon.  It certainly won’t live up to this past book, but I hope it’s a good read.

posted by EmpressSassy on Jan 22

Finally, our book club was able to meet and we could discuss Twilight.  We have been anxious and to be honest, by now most of us have read all four books (well the girls in the group anyway!).

This is an awesome book and we also agreed that it is definitely geared toward the female genre.  It has some “dime-store novel” themes around it, but it is also a very, definite love story.

This book introduces you to Edward and Bella and brings you into a world of vampires and a love that makes you want to believe in love again.  It’s also a fresh, unique look into the world of vampires that may live amongst us.  Could they be your neighbor and you don’t even know it?

We are also introduced to a boy named Jacob, but you won’t know much about this young man until book two.  Much controversy will be had over Edward and Jacob and if you know anything about the Twilight books you know that there is a Team Edward and a Team Jacob.  At our book club it was a 50/50 split with our girls!  ha ha.

These books are very addicting, I have to say I was sucked in and HAD to read them.  The girls made a good point tonight that we didn’t have to wait months and months since all of them were already published, unlike them that read each as they were written like Harry Potter.  I read all of them within a month and a half. 

As always we rated the book and it was given 4 Stars (it would have been higher, but one rude person and I won’t type Jerry’s name, as that would be wrong, gave it a 2!).  Whatever!

Our next book is Change of Heart, written by Jodi Picoult.

posted by EmpressSassy on Dec 20

Well I finally finished the final book last night and because I know some people are still reading I want say anything specific.  Traci -keep reading them all, as they are great.

I have to say the fourth book is my favorite.  I did LOVE the third book very much, but the fourth book is my absolute favorite hands down.  I think the second book was very stressful!

I was telling my niece today, this is also a set of books that I could pick up and read again in about 6 months.  I would have to, as I already miss Edward and his words!

Carrie, I’m still team Edward all the way, and I might add even though I do feel fuzzball stepped up, he did manage to whine and carry on through out all four books - this is an amazing feat in itself! ha ha.

Thank you so much for turning me toward these books as I have enjoyed every, second of each page.  I’m still leaving my window cracked at night, you just never know…..a girl can only dream for an Edward!

posted by EmpressSassy on Dec 2

Hey Carrie, I’m starting the 3rd book tonight………..let the obsession continue!

GO TEAM EDWARD!

My house is decorated, my housework is done, my shopping is complete and all I have to really do is wrap gifts and do some cooking and baking later on .

I can now give up a few days (well lets get real I can read this puppy in 48 hours right?) to read book 3 and continue my obsession with Edward.

By the time we meet I would venture to say I will be done with all four books.  Thank you for introducing me to this new obsession!  ha ha. I may never find true love again, but I will have Edward in my heart! 

posted by EmpressSassy on Nov 20

OK Carrie, this is for you!  I think you said this when you read the first book, but right now I’m all Team Edward.  I guess it might change after book one?  I won’t go into detail since we will discuss it at Jerry’s house, but what I will discuss is the visualization. 

You know how we discussed the pictures in our minds?  Well I have Edward nailed down and he’s nothing like the movie trailer - I have blocked that completely.  Yep, I have Edward just pictured in my mind and might I say I love me some Edward.  Here is the thing though……Jacob - not so much.  You would crack up if you knew how I pictured your Jacob.  It’s not flattering at all.  I just can’t picture him as being hot at all!  Are you telling me the 2nd book will change my mind?

Regardless I’m really liking the book and I’m more the half way through.  It has a new approach that Lost Boys had from the 80’s on Vampires.  Sort of the modern twist on the life of them and it makes you want to know more.  Of course you also have the romance…………aaahhh the intrigue and the romance, it’s what keeps me turning the pages!!!

Just wanted to say I’m really liking it a lot so far! 

posted by EmpressSassy on Nov 13

Well the votes are in and the critics have spoken at the second book club meeting.  Out of 5 stars we have given Kite Runner 3 stars.

This is a rather dark, realistic book based on guilt, shame, evil and the reality of a life in the hardened world of Afghanistan during the war.  It’s an easy read, but for some of us a little difficult to read some of the harsh parts that detailed some of the more harsh scenes concerning rape, murder and abuse.

The most interesting part was the actual reference to the Kite Running skill and we did discuss that to some detail.  This is an event that takes place using kites and some sort of fiber glass type of string and apparently the object is to cut your opponents kite string as your kite is in the air next to their kite.  It has nothing to do with the book’s over all theme, but yet it ties in at the beginning and the end of the novel.

Would I personally read another book by this author?  No, as I am not into the harsh, reality type reads.  Life is harsh enough and I don’t need to read this for entertainment.  It was just too much for me.

It was a very interesting discussion tonight as we all had different opinions of the main character and the story line.  Thus our book club was a success.  Jerry won the door prize for the month and it was a Christmas canister and a gift card to the Book Lore.  (Donated by Carrie, thank you!)

Oh and a HUGE shout out to Jacob on his successful “funny” moment.  Dude, we love you and we wouldn’t know what to do with out you.  We will meet you at Panera Nan any time!  ha ha

Next month we hope to have a nice Holiday Celebration and discuss our next book.  Jerry has opened up his house for the club and we most graciously accepted!

posted by EmpressSassy on Oct 23

Another amazing novel by this author.  Two words, “Dear John” we have all heard them.  Some have wrote them and some have read them I’m sure.  In this novel it changed a man’s life forever.

This is a novel about love, true love, unconditional love between two people that never dies.  This novel killed me almost as much as the Notebook.  I’m not sure how this man knows emotions so well, but he gets into your soul and your heart when he writes.  It’s like you can feel for each character. 

There is a heart wrenching moment when John is on this hill, watching Savannah in a new life and I swear, I cried during each paragraph describing how much he loved her, but knew he had to let her be free.

This man can write, I can give you that.  I’m getting ready to start The Wedding, which is a sequel to The Notebook so I’ll probably cry during that one too.  I would LOVE to meet this author and just talk to him about how he is inspired for his novels.  Has he loved and lost, does he know people that have, what inspires him to know these emotions? 

These books are intense, emotional and so real.

posted by EmpressSassy on Oct 16

After reading Main Street, this was an easy read.  This was an excellent book and I can only imagine the movie will be over the top.  I haven’t had a chance to see it yet.

Why I’m surprised, I don’t know, Nicholas Sparks has a way with romance novels.  This man can just write about love and romance.  He just knows real love.  What is up with that?  I have to guess that he has experienced true love in his life.  It shows in his novels.

This is a true love story with heart break, happiness, honesty and intensity.  It’s a short story, 212 pages, but it’s filled with a story line that just sucks you in and if you’ve known real love you just can’t put it down.

I read it in 3 nights and now I can’t wait to see the movie.  Didn’t love the ending, but we all know I’m particular about my endings, however it is a true love story, that is all I’ll say.

Great book and it’s worth the read!