Book Club, Just for Fun, and a New Hobby

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
We read this novel for book club, and I was floored by the depth of the story. The novel begins in the late 1800s, when Hawaii was still independent, and not yet a part of the United States. However, due to contact with foreigners and foreign diseases, Hawaiians were getting sick from bacteria that was no longer affecting the American population. One of these diseases was Leprosy (now called Hansen's Disease).

The story is historical fiction about a the life of a Hawaiian woman, Rachel, who is diagnosed with as a child with Leprosy. In order to limit exposure, inflicted individuals are treated for a period of time to try to eradicate the bacteria. If not successful (it often was not), the patient was sent to the island of Moloka'i in an effort to isolate the disease from the rest of the population. An official discovers Rachel's red rash at the age of seven. After unsuccessful treatment at the local hospital, she is sent to Moloka'i. Communication with her family is severed, although her father still maintains contact throughout the rest of his life. She is not alone on the island, as all girls and young women are required to live in the grounds monitored by nuns. She also has a favorite uncle who was sent to the island years earlier.

What I found so incredible about this novel, is that the story is true - people with Leprosy were sent away, essentially to die. So few were ever cured, that the island was full of graves for those lost. But the most fascinating part to me, was that despite the disease, people were able to find joy and make a complete life on the island. Rachel took up surfing, fell in love, made great friends, became a mother, and lived through the deaths of many others. This story even talks about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the dark part of US history where Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of ancient Hawaiian ancestors/religion compared to Catholicism. And the bond between friends and foster families was so touching.

I highly recommend this book, as a triumph of the spirit and the body against great odds.


Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
I have read several of Jen's books, and have always enjoyed her spunky style. If I wrote a memoir of my life, it would probably come off like her books. Small stories added together to create a whole persona. However, I had gotten tired of her shallow tales after the last book, so I've been on hiatus for a few months.

This book was unique though, in that each chapter was centered around an article of clothing that marked the event in her life. I love how she started with childhood and went into her early 40s with the book.

This is a fun read, but I preferred her other books more. The shock of her frank attitude is so fresh upon first discovering her books!


Birds of North America by Jeffrey Glassberg, Sheri Williamson, and Tom Wood
I have decided I wanted to start a new hobby. For the last few months I've been joking with Kevin about starting to bird watch. We even had a few spectacular sightings in the evenings last fall of a Hairy Woodpecker and a Barred Owl. So I am deeming myself a new "birder" and want to start this hobby in earnest! I checked out a book that looked like a good beginner guide to learn about bird groups, migratory paths, bird behavior, and the basics of identification.

This book had great photos and was good in that it didn't have pictures of every single kind of bird in North America. It covered all bird groups, but focused on a few images of birds within the category. Now I feel like I know what I'm looking for when I'm spying in the trees. I am now looking forward to a field guide with a bit more detail on all species, and there are many books available. I think I'm going to like looking for owls best, they are so elusive and I remember the thrill of hearing owls and dissecting owl pellets as a child at camp. I've also been mulling over where we could put a feeder that would draw birds but not our local squirrels or the outdoor cats.