Sister of Silence Book Review

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When Sister of Silence first came out, I immediately bought a copy.  The author, Daleen Berry,  used to work at our local newspaper in Preston County West Virginia, and I’m always interested in any non-fiction book with regional ties.  I very much enjoyed reading about people I knew and even knowing as I read the book that my father was one of the people the author interviewed at the sheriff's office for her job. 

Sister of Silence is much more than just a book for those who live in our area.  The story is riveting. It is a hard memoir to read. When she was only thirteen and Eddie is twenty when he begins having sex with her.  She doesn’t realize this is rape so she tells no one.  This continues off and on for years until she gets pregnant.  She believes she will no longer be desired by anyone because she is “used” and so she and Eddie marry.  By the time she is twenty-two she has four small children.

Eddie becomes physically abusive, at one point dragging her down stairs and causing a huge gash in her leg.  She tells no one -- thus the title “Sister of Silence”.  Once he loses his job, she has to find a job and is hired by the local paper.  As she starts reporting domestic violence stories she realizes that is exactly what is happening to her. 

This is not light reading.  It is about childhood and marital sexual abuse, domestic violence, postpartum depression, and thoughts of suicide.  It’s a riveting book, but can also help others know they are not alone in their situation and give them hope for escape.

The one thing I would have changed about the book is the ending.  She goes into great detail about the things she survived, but I wanted to also hear about what happened after.  (This has since been published as Shattering the Silence!)  But I couldn't put this book down.  I give it a five star rating and I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about domestic violence.  It would also make a great gift to someone you think is going through a similar situation and don't know how to approach her and ask her if you can do anything to help.

Watch the book trailer here:

 

Read a preview:  

Book Review: Rebounders

Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success by Rick Newman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was both disappointing and a great read. The disappointment came because I expected it to be comprised of what was in the last chapter -- characteristics of "Rebounders". I expected a book filled with ideas of how to overcome setbacks and to be giving advice on how to make the best from a bad situation. So I was more than a little surprised that only a few pages were dedicated to this, almost as an after thought.

However, the book was a great read. Instead of learning how to turn your failures into successes, it was filled with examples of those who did just that. Before reading this book, I had only ever heard of Thomas Edison. However, I would love to read more about Tammy Duckworth. The chapter on her felt too short, and unlike some of the others profiled, I was left wanting to read more about her. In fact, I likely would have only given this book a three star rating if it wasn't for the chapter about her.

If you're wanting a how-to book, this isn't it. If you are looking for a book to sit down and read about those who have overcome adversity, this is your book.

Blizzard from Hurricane Sandy

Where I live, we were hit by a blizzard from Hurricane Sandy.  We lost power on Monday and regained it on Wednesday.  For some it will be ten days until their power is restored.  Here's some photos I took:

Book Review: The Radical Question and Idea

The Radical Question and A Radical Idea by David Platt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Radical Question and A Radical Idea is two books in one. That is if you consider a sermon a book, it qualifies as two books in one. However, don't let the size fool you. It has more depth and substance of books ten times its size! The first part, The Radical Question is a sermon. To those who have read anything he has written before, he seems like Super-Christian, but in this section he tells of a sermon he preached which fell short of what he hoped and he was never invited to speak at that church again. But he was focusing on himself and not on God. He challenges the reader to live a Radical life, sold out for the Lord. Not the American dream that is Christian-ized to make us feel better about ourselves. He makes us ask the question what would things look like if we took Jesus' words seriously and followed Him to the point of having our values upside down to the world's values.

In the second part of the book, he talks about the necessity of church as a place where people can be Radical with one another. One person can only do so much, but when people band together to work with each other, even bigger things can be accomplished. He talks about how his church focuses their services around the believers and not those who aren't Christians. The goal of his church is to equip the believers to go out and make disciples not to bring sinners to church and let the pastor see to it they are saved. As his church became more motivated to find ministry around them where they live, such as holding Bible times in their homes for children, he wondered why the church tries to organize how and where Christians serve. Platt also discusses how the modern church has become an entertainment center where the best speakers, best musicians and best performances are given each Sunday. While good speakers are okay, a church full of attractions is not exactly what Jesus had in mind.

I highly recommend this book. At only 112 pages it is a quick read, and I think it could revolutionize many people and churches.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. It in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

Please rank my review here:



You can read an excerpt right here:


The Radical Question and A Radical Idea by David Platt (Chapter One Excerpt)

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Funny photo -- Photobombing

Seems like everyone is getting into the photobombing craze, including guinea pigs.  Here's proof that it's happening in my household:

How do sexual innuendos equate breast cancer awareness?

This being breast cancer awareness month, I thought it would be a good time to re-run this blog post that originally was published October 10, 2010.  It has been modified slightly from the original.

Let me begin by saying I have nothing against breast cancer awareness.  In fact, I believe it's a good thing.  However, I was dismayed last year when women started posting their bra color on Facebook.  The idea was to keep the men from knowing what was going on.  Okay, first off,  men get breast cancer as well.  And second, how many of you who posted your bra color would be opposed to -- say announcing your bra color at church in the Sunday morning bulletin?  A friend of mine who's a pastor's wife commented last year that we had lost respect for our 'brothers' (meaning brothers in Christ) when we post the color of our intimates on Facebook.  I had friends post they weren't wearing any bra, etc.  I was amazed at the people who did and didn't post. (I did not.)  It's one thing to giggle about our underthings in a room full of women, but I don't feel comfortable telling the world what color my bra is.  (Although one of my friends who is a pastor posted that his bra color was orange.  I had to laugh as I knew it was a joke)

In 2010 it was sexual innuendos that were all over Facebook to supposedly raise breast cancer awareness.  The "game" to to say "I like it" and then say where you keep your purse.  I saw a friend's status earlier asking the question of this blog post.  I'm not sure myself.  Someone commented on her status a pervert came up with the idea, but he enjoyed it.

Maybe it's me.  Maybe I feel like I should have a little more decorum online.  Maybe it's the fact I think we shouldn't say anything online we wouldn't say in front of others in person.  Maybe it's the fact I realize I have friends on Facebook who are male.  (I think everyone has both male and female friends).  Maybe it's the fact I dislike posts that are a bit intimate or I feel shouldn't be things that should be posted on Facebook.  Maybe it's the fact I grew up in church and went to Christian schools and we were always taught to avoid all appearance of evil, and I don't think sexual innuendos, no matter how good the cause are something I feel comfortable in which posting on my status.

My mother is on Facebook and she thought all the "I like it" posts were saying where people liked to have sex.  My mother.  Female.  Knew this was nothing about breast cancer awareness. 

I do support breast cancer awareness, and to that fact I will say, "I do support breast cancer awareness, but not sexual innuendos, so I keep my purse on the floor."