Book Talk Wednesday-- Southernmost

'The rain had been falling with a pounding meanness without ceasing for two days and then the water rose all at once in the middle of the night, a brutal rush so fast Asher thought at first a dam might have broken somewhere upstream.  The ground had simply become so saturated it could not hold any more water.  All the creeks were conspiring down the ridges until they washed out into the Cumberland.  There was no use in anyone going to bed because they all knew what was going to happen.
They only had to wait.'

I don't usually begin by copying the complete first paragraph, but I can't remember the last time I read a book whose first paragraph so symbolically sets the stage for the story that is about to unfold.

Asher Sharp, a small town Pentecostal preacher, wanting to help two men, after their home is destroyed, finds himself questioning long held beliefs.  He alienates his wife, his congregation and his community.  After serving up a sermon on tolerance,  Asher is fired by the Church hierarchy. 

When the Courts award Asher's wife full custody of Justin, he takes his son and leaves for Key West in hopes of finding and reconciling with the brother he turned against years earlier.  In search of a brother, Asher and Justin discover the importance of just loving.

   

"I've studied on it a lot, Lydia.  You know I don't believe that way anymore.  All my life I've thought I've understood everything in that Bible, but now I know that none of us can know the mind of God. He's too big for that."

Southernmost is a timely and beautifully told story of re-evaluating ones beliefs and the consequences incurred.   Asher discovers, what I believe, "love thy neighbor", truly means.   I promise this is one of those reads that will make you sit and ponder long after you've turned the final page.    Southernmost  touched my heart and conscience in so many ways, and is going to the top of my "best books of year" list   

  If you are looking for a book that will stir up a great book group discussion...
this may be the one. 

*****

Perfect Pairings

May I suggest you pour yourself a nice tall glass of iced tea and head out to the porch.   Heck,  just take the whole pitcher outside, you are not going to want to put this book down. 

Happy Reading Friends, and

Enjoy!

Wednesday Book Thoughts -- A Night Circus

"The circus arrives without warning.

No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers.  It is simply there, when yesterday it was not."

The Night Circus

Erin Morgenstern

I wish I could tell you how many times I have picked up this book and placed it back on the table or shelf in various bookstores.... my mistake!  

Published in 2011, I may be telling you something you already know, Erin Morganstern's The Night Circus is a treat for the senses.  I found it a bit slow in the beginning, but soon realized I was completely immersed and pleasantly drowning.   It is a fantastical tale of a mysterious circus, and those who are manipulated within it's grounds. 

 Is it slight of hand... smoke and mirrors... or is it truly magic?     

Who is the magician and who is the puppeteer?

This breathtaking fantastical tale has something for everyone.... mystery, manipulation, betrayal, murder and romance.  Beautifully written, with well-developed characters.  

(There are no clowns in this one.)

 "You will be fine", the fortune-teller says. 

"There may be decisions to make, and surprises in store.  Life takes us to unexpected places sometimes.  The future is never set in stone, remember that."

This may be one of my favorite reads this summer!

To compliment you reading enjoyment might I suggest a rich dark red with a sliver 

(or two... you're not going to want to put this one down) of nice chocolate.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Happy Reading my friends!