No Coincidences

Tag: writing

  • The Mourning Dove

    The Mourning Dove

    The Mourning Dove was one of my favorite books of 2020.  It’s the first book I made Beth read.  I read it in 2 days which isn’t much to brag about at only 84 pages.

    The inside cover reads:

    “A tender story of growing up, exploring life, exploring life, and discovering the boundaries and the defining moments of love.”

    The back cover reads:

    “The Mourning Dove is heart touching. It penetrates your soul and makes you glad to be alive.”

    -Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

    This story is so good, so uplifting, so all the good things.  I will put it at the top of books I would recommend to someone.  It’s especially easy to recommend because it’s such a quick and easy read.  I know people are increasingly busy and it’s hard to find time to sit down and read a long book.  This book is short and sweet.  You will finish it feeling like you’ve grown immensely after spending time with Pop, the main character’s grandpa.

    After finishing the book, I wanted to write a screenplay.  This book would make such a good movie.  The message in it is simple. The story of a young boy learning adult lessons is timeless.

    I had no idea Larry Barkdull wrote another book I loved titled Zion: Seeking the City of Enoch.  Mr. Barkdull has an easy-going writing style that I enjoy because it’s not so difficult to follow.  His stories flow and are combined with good messages.  I’ve walked away from both his books feeling like I’ve learned something about life and myself.

    I can’t say enough good things about this book.  It can be found online for like a dollar.  Buy it.  You won’t regret it.

    Sadly, while looking up information about this book I learned that Larry Barkdull passed away in 2016.  I’d like to share this from his obituary:

    Many will remember him as their gospel doctrine teacher, home teacher and friend, as he tended to the needs of those he loved. Larry also served weekly in the temple as an ordinance worker, a calling he cherished. Above all else, Larry’s greatest joy was his family. The only title he wished to follow his name was D.A.D. He left his family a legacy of great faith and leaves a hole that can never be filled. Words cannot express the least of what we feel. We love you. Our hearts are broken, but we know we will be together again.”

    I don’t know how you can read that without a tear coming to your eye.  Mr. Barkdull was clearly an inspired and important individual sent for an important purpose in God’s plan.  I’m grateful I got to see a glimpse into his soul through his writing. 

  • The Last Juror

    The Last Juror

    The Last Juror was written by John Grisham in 2004. It is his 18th novel written. I read a lot of nonfiction so a break into a fictional story is always a breath of fresh of air.  But diving into a book from an experienced novelist like Grisham is particularly refreshing.

    This is the first novel from Grisham based in Ford County, Mississippi since his first novel ever written, A Time to Kill which was published in 1989.

    I enjoyed this book a lot and finished the 355 pages in a handful of sittings.  It’s one of those books where it’s difficult to stop because at every stopping point there’s some sort of cliffhanger that keeps you reading.  You expect something like that from such a great writer. It’s amazing to read a Stephen King or John Grisham and spend half the time enjoying the book and the other half marveling at their literary capabilities.

    The plot of the story is an interesting one.  It is based around a 23-year old college dropout that purchases a failing newspaper and the story that goes with his maturation as a small business owner and only provider of news in a small town.  I wonder if the name “John Grisham” weren’t attached to this book if a publisher would ever give it a second glance.  The plot doesn’t scream thriller, but when you’re a talented writer anything can become an entertaining journey. A name goes a long way when you’ve shown the sort of success Grisham has shown.

    Like I said, I enjoyed the story.  It kept me engaged.  I was interested.  I never felt bored or dragged along.  I was always interested in what was going to come next.  That said, I don’ think everyone would enjoy this book.  I could easily see most readers becoming bored with the story.  Some readers may feel the story is particularly slow through stretches in the middle.  With reading so much nonfiction, I’ve become so used to reading through slow or dry parts of books.  It’s hard to say if this is truly a page-turning fiction or if my perception has been skewed. 

    If someone is going to read one book a year, find another more acclaimed book.  There are so many phenomenal books out there, options are endless.  If anything, read Grisham’s first couple books. I haven’t read his first books (yet), but I imagine they are great given how many novels and movies have followed.

    I wouldn’t read this book a second time but I’m glad I read it once.  It was an interesting and engaging story to me.  I look forward to reading some of Grisham’s earlier novels as time goes by.

    After writing this my curiosity took me to the internet to see how others felt about this book.  Obviously, feelings about a book will vary wildly depending on the source, but what I found is this novel is generally well received.  Of the 3 dozen or so novels Grisham has written this is often rated as one of his better books. 

    Maybe my fiction-good-book-radar isn’t as messed up as I thought it was.

  • At Peace in the Light

    At Peace in the Light

    By Dannion Brinkley with Paul Perry

    Copyright 1995

    _________________________________

    I don’t recommend books to people often.  This book I recommended directly to a cousin.  This was a great book. I wonder if I say that about every book I read…

    At Peace in the Light is a true story of a man who has died twice.  Both times he was struck by lightning.  Both times he returned to his body.

    I guess not everyone would believe this to be a true story.  I love near death experiences. I am all in on belief in near death experiences. They often support what I believe to be true of the afterlife.

    I often joke that being struck by lighting would be the way to go.  I say that’s a clear indication that God needs you back pronto.  Dannion’s story made me rethink this slightly.  His return to his body was an excruciating experience.  His body was destroyed both times, inside and out, by the lightning strike.

    Two very interesting points from this book.

    • Dannion’s near death experience gave him special abilities.

    Dannion became famous as a psychic.  It seems whatever happened to him left him with some ability to speak or understand the souls of individuals around him.  It’s fascinating to read his description of his “powers” for lack of a better word.

    • Dannion’s near death experience led him into an interesting career change.

    After Dannion was struck by lightning he received clear instruction on what he was supposed to do.  His purpose was to setup a center to help people spiritually transition into death.  Dannion describes a major issue with our society being the fear of death.  It was his new purpose in life to help people transition into their next life.

    It’s partly for this reason that Dannion transitioned into hospice care.  To hear Dannion describe the rewarding experience of caring for the dying made me reconsider somewhat what is important in life.  Near death experience books often help me re-orient my priorities.

    We live this life to die. Ultimately, the most important moment of this life will be how we die.

    I have a new appreciation for the sanctity and importance of hospice care. The cousin I recommended this book to works in this field.

    I have had one experience with “assisting” someone (for lack of a better word) who was near death.  A friend’s mother-in law was nearing the end.  She had battled with cancer and it was time. This friend is not a member of my faith, but, in his words, “we don’t really know our priest.  We know you.”   So, he asked me to come give her a priesthood blessing.

    It was a unique, uplifting, powerful experience I will never forget.  This lady I didn’t know, had never met, was so frail.  You never know what a person is thinking in these last moments. It’s hard to understand the pain, fear, acceptance, peace; whatever emotions and feelings they are experiencing.  It was an honor to get to lay my hands on her head and let her know her Father wanted her home, and soon the pain would be gone.  Soon she would be happier than she could imagine.  Though she would miss her children here, and they would miss her, it was time for her to progress into the next part of her journey.

    This was one experience I had with a person moving on. It has impacted me ever since. It was something I’ll never forget. Imagine having thousands of these important experiences.

    For anyone that hasn’t read a near death experience book, At Peace in the Light may not be the best place to start. It kind of jumps into the topic.  I still recommend it. It may leave you asking for more.