4 comments about Resurrecting Grace: Remembering Catholic Childhoods.

1. Considering the calibre of the writers from whom Marilyn Sewell requested memories, the low quality of both the writing and "storytelling" in this book is abysmal. Most of the memories had little substance, and the tone of many essays was so poor that I had the impression the authors had scribbled them on cocktail napkins in a rush.

   With few exceptions (Thomas Merton's section, for example), the recollections were boring and lacked any sort of bite. Neither humorous, nostalgic, nor thought-provoking, the tales would leave one constantly turning the pages, hoping some substance would follow. The quest for the Holy Grail would be less futile than that for any wit or charm in this book.

   The promise of the title undoubtedly would prompt people to order this book as a gift for a Catholic friend or a hope of memories for oneself. I strongly suggest that potential readers at least take a glimpse at a copy on a library shelf first.




2. "A collection for Catholics, former Catholics, and Catholics by association, "Resurrecting Grace" is redolent with the images, sounds, smells, and deep heart experiences that are so much a part of a Catholic upbringing . . . . It is an encounter with this complex community of faith that sustains and exasperates those who have been touched by it." (from the jacket cover) These personal recollections are from some of our finest contemporary writers: Frank McCourt, Tobias Wolff, Anna Quindlen, Michael Patrick Macdonald, Brian Doyle, Sandra Cisneros, Rosemary Bray, and Patricia Hampl, among others. The collection contains pieces from writers of various races and ethnicities, and the reader is led to see the One True Church in all its colors and forms, all of its follies, and all of its profundities. The volume is rich with humor, but takes no cheap shots. These writers have reflected deeply upon their early religious experience: they have written to learn what they did not know, and they have grown deeper roots in the process.



3. Anyone who has ever sinned or wondered about the nature of religious feeling should read this book. It is funny and heartbreaking by turns, and amid all these memories we see how children interpret ideas of spirituality passed down to them. They may not always understand, but their experiences are illuminating.



4. This is a collection of subtle stories of childhood in which Catholicism is an influence but not always necessarily the dominant one. Sewell has struck a nice balance between established, famous authors and a handful of emerging ones--whose work is among the best in the book. Recommended whether you remember your Catholic childhood fondly or not.

No comments about Seed of Life.

5 comments about Only a Mother Could Love Him - My Story - How I lived with A.D.D. and Overcame It!.

1. I really thought that this book is brilliant. My younger sister Isabelle, she is 9, has A.D.H.D and I never quite understood her. I have at many times told her that she was stupid and that I wished she was never born. She has put a large burden on our family in many ways, yet when I read this book it opended my eyes. It has taught me how to deal with Isabelle in a way that works best for her. I have tried to read books written by doctors and experts on the subject but those made me feel like she was even more "less normal" than I thought, and that I would never understand her. I am so thankful for this book and the opportunities it has opened up for Isabelle and me. I can finally see one of her crazy fits for what it really is, an expression of love.



2. A long awaited book.My son is the same age as Ben and it's taken a long time for this condition to be recognised. At last a book that helps parents with school age children. A book that made me laugh and cry yet reassured me as a parent I'm not the only one going through this. I take my hat off to Ben for being able to write such a book to help others. Once I started reading I could not stop, in fact stayed up until 4.00am to read it all. A brilliant book with really good advice.



3. I was at school with Ben Polis. He was a very naughty boy. We had lots of naughty boys at our school. When boys were naughty, us good boys would put them in a big blue junk jinker. Ben spent alot of time in the junk jinker. He behaved himself inside the junk jinker. That's how we triumphed over ADHD.



4. This book is ok, but I found it hard to focus on Ben's story and experiences. I felt like I had ADHD (which I don't anymore)- with his disjointed story line and how it skips around, like reading a story written by a parrot on crystal meth. It was good though, and he is a pretty good author - I hardly found any spelling mistakes and it was over 100 pages.
   
   All round good book helpful for those seeking support through all of the issues ADHD sufferers experience. Good Work Ben!



5. Ben Polis set out to write a book that would help parents understand their ADHD children. In that regard, I feel he succeeded admirably. It certainly provides a lot of insight into the mind of kid who just can't control himself.
   
   I would absolutely recomment this book to parents who have a child that has, or may have, ADD/ADHD. I would also consider it a must-read for teachers and students aspiring to be teachers. The classroom is a really rough place for kids with ADD and there are too many teachers who'd rather ignore a trouble-maker than actually put the effort into helping them. I think this book might give them what they need to be more compassionate with children who need the attention.
   
   There are a lot of good ideas in this book for staving off temper-tantrums and explaining to the child how he is misbehaving.
   
   I addition to the advice and insight, it's a really touching story. You really get a sense of the sadness and confusion Ben went through, as well as the horror his parents felt on more than one occasion.
   
   The book would probably be great for someone in their teens or older who is living with ADD and wants to feel that they are not alone, or could benefit from his coping strategies.
   
   I do have a couple criticisms. First, it should be noted that while Ben grew up with ADHD, he is not an expert on the subject. His advice comes from personal experience, not research. His techniques, while probably very helpful, will not apply in all cases. There are also times in the book where he simply does not undertand what it is that he's talking about. He tries to talk about stuff that is beyond his own experience, and in a few cases he is not correct, or, for example, displays that he doesn't actually know what the word "symptom" means. The average person will probably not catch these mistakes, but they are there, and it should be remembered that he is not an expert.
   
   The other problem I had was that it was very male-centric. When giving advice he always refers to "your son". The book probably has little to offer parent of daughters with ADHD unless the daughter follows a pattern of symptoms more typical of a boy.
   
   Overall, the book really is excellent. It's a good read and I expect very helpful. But keep in mind, especially if you are a parent of a child with ADHD, that he not an authority.

No comments about The Happy Days of the Great Depression.

1 comments about Ouachita Girl.

1. No matter who you are or where you grew up, you will relate to the wonderful stories written and told by Linda Johnson. Her characters are innocent but curious and alive -- with each word I was there with them.

No comments about In the Innocent Eyes of a Child.

No comments about A New England Girlhood.

No comments about Nagasaki Woman.

1 comments about Stepdaddy: A Creative Memoir.

1. Bought the book on a Monday. Finished the next day. If you liked the classic "The Grapes of Wrath", then you will enjoy this book.
   I experienced the "tears" and "lump in my throat", as experienced by Billy Joe. Wish all fathers and stepfathers could relate to their sons as did stepdaddy. Enjoyable reading. Going to read others by this author.

5 comments about The Next Better Place: Memories of My Misspent Youth.

1. The book reads even better the second time around, and the Afterword addresses some questions I was left with. A real fun romp. It would make a great road flick.



2. The author combines memoir, travelogue and coming of age story forms to take you with him on a sad but incredibly funny journey with his alcoholic, grass-is-always-greener father. The facts are heartbreaking but the boy is gonna make it and you know that as you go with him. If you having any wanderlust you will be looking out the window after reading this book. The writing is first-rate with memorable passages. I read half of the book before leaving the bookstore! It didn't hurt that he starts his journey in Albany, which happens to be my home, getting all the details right as he heads to California. But all the rest is purely universal. A must read.



3. What a rip roaring road trip. More ups and downs than a Six Flags ride and more entertaining. One of the best memoirs in the last few years.



4. I was left wishing the author would write a follow up to this memoir. It was good to read a memoir from the man's point of view. The book also got me interested in the different cities and states that the author spent time in growing up with his father.



5. This is a wonderful book. "A road trip with an alcoholic father and a child? Must be a downer," you'd think. Not so. Never sliding into self-pity, the author just lays out a personal cross-country saga in mesmerizing detail. At times heartbreaking, this book is ultimately an inspirational story of survival by a child who deserved better. I've read a lot of travel narratives, and this is as good as they come.