religion – One Chapter

Visitations by Corey Egbert

4.5 stars Graphic Novel

Oh,Corey. Corey looked to his mother for love and security, but she was dragging him with her. Based on the true life of Corey Ebgert, Corey had a religious upbringing in the Mormon faith. His mother was the center of his life, and he felt the need to watch over her. After his parents’ divorce, Corey and his sister would visit their father according to the arrangement they had set up. Mother would be ready when they returned home with questions about their visits and the battering that went on, mother was just looking for something, anything to “hang on” their father.

Corey and his sister’s life begin to take a drastic change one evening as they prepare to go to their father’s. According to their mother, she tells the children that they don’t have to go to their dads for a visitation and when he arrives, all three of them ignore and hide from him. Mother takes this behavior a bit further as she tells the children to pack their bags and soon the whole family is leaving the house, in their car. They are on the run. Running from everyone. The children listen to mother’s “logic” as their car becomes their home and they have nothing to cling onto but themselves and each other. As a child, I could see how their world would become confusing and scary. Mother is spiraling out of control and taking those small innocent children with her.

This graphic novel was such a powerful story about mental health, religious control, abuse, parental kidnapping and childhood trauma. I commend Corey for writing it and speaking about his own personal story as I’m sure this will help and/or bring comfort to other individuals who read it.

I was a bit confused about the angel images in the later part of the book, otherwise it was a great book for older YA readers. 4.5 stars

Angeline by Anna Quinn

4.5 stars Fiction

When she took a life of prayer, I felt that this was an easy way out for Angeline. Entering the convent, she would have very few choices in her life. Living a life as a nun, her life would be structured, safe, and she’d be closely watched. Angeline saw this as a safe option and as she prayed for those who were sick, troubled, or suffering, Angeline’s own horrible loss of her own family was still sitting in the back of her mind.

Her comfort zone came to end when the convent she had grown to love had to close. Angeline was moved to another facility which was more tolerant and liberal of the world around them. The strict convent rules of the past, in which Angeline had become comfortable with are now cast aside and she now must learn how to adapt. Dressed in jeans, the other nuns spent less time in prayer and more time in fellowship and other activities. Were greater things in store for her here or was this a new challenge that God placed before her, to strengthen her? Moving into a yurt, I had to smile thinking about Angeline adjusting to this more relaxed atmosphere.

An item inside her yurt brings back childhood memories and I saw a side of Angeline that she had been hiding. What brought this on? I had to know. The book picks up speed as someone begins threatening the Sisters in this convent but who would do that and why now? As we dig deeper into Angeline’s past, we find that she’s been hiding something special from everyone. Are these items related?

I enjoyed the character of Angeline, she felt childlike and innocent until her world took a turn. The storyline was not what I expected when I started reading this book, I enjoyed all the twists that the author added. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Anna Quinn, and NetGalley for my copy of this book. This review is my own opinion of this book. 4.5 stars

Revival Season by Monica West

Oh, the memories. As I read, I was there under those summer tented services. These revival services brough in quite a variety of individuals. The metal chairs were set in perfect formation, the preacher pausing as he gathers his thoughts and his flock waited, for he had their attention now. Their amens and hallelujahs could be heard throughout the night as he walked the stage holding onto his Bible, for they hung onto every word he spoke, this disciple of God. For Miriam, her father is the preacher. She travels with her family to these revival sites and witnesses the other side of her father, the father that is not on stage. Why does her father act so differently? Why does it feel that everyone has their eyes shut?

As a popular preacher, Miriam’s father had stood before many during these summer revivals. Oh, he was good when he got up on stage, he had genuine acting talent when he had a mic in his hand. At the conclusion of his revival services, Reverend Horton conducted a healing service where he would lay his hands of those who wanted to be healed. Here’s where the problems start: Miriam has a brother who her father takes under his wing and Caleb accompanies Papa to all his church functions. Miriam thinks she has the power to heal like her father BUT Papa doesn’t feel that God would give women that kind of power. The way that he humiliates Miriam about this, it’s so childish. I would have lashed back at him in front of his congestion (Miriam sure had some strength to sit and take his abuse). Papa feels that the door is closed and no one can see what is happening in their family but does that really matter and is the door really closed?

I liked the character of Miriam as she grows intellectually throughout the book. She discovers that she possesses the strength and power to address some of the discrepancies that come to light. She also knows that she’ll need to build up those skills to address some other issues. She learns to address what is happening and not turn a blind eye to it. The abuse was real and although Mama was not willing to address it, Miriam was.

All through the book, Miriam did her part. She played the part of daughter and sister to those who needed her. She tried to be a sister to Caleb when he was around but she also had a sister named Hannah. She cared for Hannah when they were out on the road. Hannah had cerebral palsy and Miriam tried to make her life as normal as possible. If you’re like me, I thought a lot about Hannah. Her father is Reverend Horton, who conducts healing services while holding revival services, why isn’t she cured?? I found the answer later in the book when the Reverend told me, which lead me to dislike him even more (if that was possible)

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. It did deal with the issue of abuse and there was some religion in it as Miriam’s father is a pastor conducting summer revival services. Growing up attending a Southern Baptist Church in Iowa, I could relate to many of the revival services Miriam described and it brough back many memories. This was one summer that fifteen-year-old Miriam will never forget. 4.5 stars

“Brothers and sisters, are you ready to be healed? Before he finished the sentence, lines of men and women gathered in the aisle. Papa moved through the line, his confidence building with each healing. I patted my pocket with the holy water in it before closing my eyes and whispering a prayer. “Lord, let me be an instrument of Your will. Amen.””

No Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen

This book had a lot of themes going through it but it worked. Miriam, an 11-year-old girl is the protagonist in the story as her family moves into a rundown motel, in the hopes of creating a new future for themselves and the business. They had only planned this to be a short-term plan, hoping to save some money and then move on. Moving into a small community was different than New York City and the longer I read, the more I realized what this family was hiding internally.

As the family moves into The Jewel Motor Inn, the two children live in one of the rooms and the parents’ take-up residence in an adjoining room. As an 11-year-old, I thought that would be fun but I could understand the novelty wearing off. Maria, continues to work at the Inn, taking care of the housekeeping issues and helping the family become familiar with the motel. I loved how she helped Miriam learn Spanish and I felt that Maria was a very kind and tolerant individual. As her parents start the clean-up process, Miriam pitches in. On an errand to the diner next door, she meets Kate. Kate’s grandmother owns the diner and eventually, Miriam ends up helping out at the diner making pies.

Now that Miriam has met a friend, the two girls start hanging out together. While talking about their small town, they come up with a plan that they think will benefit everyone in it. Now, if only they don’t get caught creating their plan! An innocent plan which when you think about it, was harmless. I thought the girls were rather clever. As guests arrived to the hotel, Miriam meets Anton. This child was a gem! Anton arrived with his mother and his wheelchair. Miriam saw the wheelchair. I really think she saw the wheelchair before she saw Anton until Anton met her in the swimming pool. After that, Miriam changed how she looked at him. Anton was not the only person who tried to help Miriam with her fear of water, Uncle Mordy tried his hand at that, too. Uncle Mordy arrived to help out the family so he decided to help Miriam. Slowly, he introduced her the water, letting the water touch her upper thighs, it was a start.

The girls felt guilty for what they did for the town but they didn’t want to admit to anyone what they did. Just as the family is enjoying their new home, they discover something painful and disturbing at the motel. This event has a snowball effect on the community which all began because of emotions and the lack of accountability. I cringed to see this happened to them and I had to hope that somehow, they found find strength to fight it.

And what do you see? Just one of many that are out there.

A middle school read that packs religion, faith, friendship, disabilities, and family all in one book. I found it to be a fast read and I really enjoyed it. 4.5 stars

” They stand with their arms around each other. The man points and traces somthing in the air. The woman nods and smiles and I see tears rolls down her cheeks. “
“Is what we did good or bad? Yes, we fooled people, but if it makes them happy and gives them hope and saves the motel and the diner, is that so bad?”

How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace by Carole Boston Weatherford

This wasn’t what I thought this book would be like, but it’s a start. This song was a favorite of my grandmothers and it’s also one of my mother’s favorite songs, when I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it. I wondered what the song’s words came from and what they meant as it’s sang a lot at funerals and religious services.

The song began with John Newton aboard a slave ship. He’s a passenger as the ships being tossed about, during a stormy night. John hears the crew complaining as he worries about the ship going down with the storm. As the storm whips around him, John reflects back on his life.

John’s father was a sea captain and his mother stayed home and took care of him. She took him to church and John was a good Christian boy. When she died, John put on his sea legs and went with his father to the sea, where he got into trouble and he became a wild fellow. This was the time that he also met his wife, Mary.

The storm grabs John’s attention as the boat is being torn apart. Everyone fears the worse and hopes the best. The illustrations capture the fear that these individuals felt. Fortunately, they do eventually find land and John later retires. Once an individual who transported slaves, John now preaches to end slavery. I had a few questions about things that were happening here as it seemed rather choppy. John now writes the first lines to this famous song. Those lines travel across sea and land where other individuals sing them and add their own words to them until ……..we have a song. What? Yep! There are Author Notes at the back (which I highly recommend you read), Additional Reading and Info, and Amazing Grace (the song).

I feel that the illustrations captured the energy of this book. They were bold, colorful, and the individuals presented were nicely done. I was surprised at how much of the book was devoted to the life of John and how much of the book was devoted to the song, itself. Then, to find out that he only wrote the first lines to the song. That was a huge surprise to me! The Author’s Notes at the back of the book need to be read as I found them very informative. They helped answer some of my questions and put the book together for me. I also liked having all the verses of the song together in the back, with the nice illustration in the background, that was a nice touch. I was disappointed that not more was written about the rest of the song though.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I never would have picked up this book had it not been for bookclub. I almost didn’t read it because it really didn’t look or sound like something I would like YET, wow, what a story! It was a wonderful story built on strong female relationships and determined individuals.

Jacob was the one we all know about, the one whose name rang a bell with me. Anita writes that Jacob has 4 wives and 10 sons. Jacob is mentioned just a bit i

n this story but it’s the women’s lives who take over the pages.

Rachel was one of Jacob’s wife who was a midwife. She gives birth to Jacob’s only daughter, Dinah. The Red Tent which is the book’s title refers to the structure where women would go when they’re menstruating or when they’re having a baby. Dinah though, was able to go into the Red Tent anytime, to learn from the women who were inside there.

I liked how the women went inside the Red Tent monthly, for just a few days, to rejuvenate themselves. The outside world would continue on, while she held herself up, inside that structure with the other women, until she opened up the door and walked out. I thought this was powerful but then, this also had to do with their religion.

Reading this book was interesting but later, I located a guide to use with this book and that was an eye-opener. It had me analyzing situations and yes, I could see what they were addressing but I hadn’t thought of it that way. Had I not read this guide; this concept never would have crossed my mind. I hadn’t thought this much about historical or biblical times. Wow, this was a lot to think about and it started to make this reading material, deep. I was starting to see that there were some complex issues going on. One of my issues with this story had to do with keeping track of all the names of the characters as they made their journey.

I’m glad that I read this story. 4 stars.