Zemeks' Updates

Letters To A Bullied Girl by Olivia Gardner & Buder

Karen & gerard — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:49:32 GMT

This book is eye-opening! It is a collection of letters written to Olivia Gardner by people from all walks of life. Olivia was being bullied by her classmates for being an epileptic. When Emily and Sarah read about this, they started a letter writing campaign to Olivia to help her get through this. I was bullied all through grade school and high school. To find out so many people went through the same thing was an eye-opener for me. I can just imagine how Olivia must have felt to receive such love. I know I often thought of doing myself in like she did. My faith in God got me through!!

If you were bullied or were a bully who now is sorry, read this book. All kids should read this book. This stuff hurts and you never, ever forget it!! God bless Olivia and Emily and Sarah Buder, you two are angels!

--Gerard Zemek (I give this book 8 stars)

Measure of the Heart by Mary Ellen Geist

Karen & gerard — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:05:44 GMT

This nonfiction book is about a daughter who quits her job to move back home to help her mother care for her father who has Alzheimers. Reading this is an enjoyable way to learn about Alzheimers, what to expect and how to deal with it. It gives many resources for support for those who have Alzheimers and their caregivers. I found it very interesting that the dad responded to music and could remember all the words to songs but couldn’t remember the right name of objects or people. He couldn’t read a book or newspaper, but he could read words written on a music staff such as song lyrics. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a relationship with someone with Alzheimers or who just wants to learn more about this disease.

This daughter's role as caregiver to her father was similar to my experience in caring for my dad, although fortunately mine did not have Alzheimers. The book I wrote My Funny Dad, Harry, shares my experience of being my aging dad's primary caregiver. He had diabetes and was practically deaf. I could certainly relate to what she was going through.

Gerard says:

What a wonderful book about Mary Ellen Geist who gives up her high paying job as a reporter, her lifestyle and all she knows to move back with her mom to take care of her dad who has Alzheimers. This book has it all--humor, sadness, touching moments. You get into it quickly and at points it is hard to put down. I enjoyed this this book! I give it 10 stars!

Breakfast At Sally's by Richard LeMieux

Karen & gerard — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:57:46 GMT

This is an excellent book about being homeless, written by a homeless person. He was once a very successful, wealthy business man who even had traveled abroad but when his business failed, he lost everything. His wife left him and his grown children didn't want anything to do with him. All he had was his van, some clothes, an old typewriter and his dog, Willow.

It's an inside look into the homeless way of life and their community. I will never look at the homeless in the same way again after reading this book because it showed how it could happen to anyone and how much a little help from someone can make a difference. Richard also suffered from depression and fortunately got some help. What stood out to me was the willingness of the homeless people to help out one another. Richard said the other homeless people became like a family to him.

It's a very interesting book about the 18 months this man spent living in his van which he was fortunate to have. Reading this certainly made me thankful for the things I have. The day I missed my bus one rainy, cold morning and had to wait an extra 20 minutes, I thought about the poor homeless people who slept outside the whole night and who would be outside today, looking for a place they could hang out for awhile just to warm up.

Gerard Read this too and Here's What Says:

Fascinating Look at the Homeless (8 stars)

This book is about Richard Lemieux who was living the good life and then all of a sudden became homeless. Very interesting look at the world of homeless people. Lots of characters in this book which helps a lot, I think. Easy to read. Best parts for me were the homeless playing baseball and when Richard refused to sell his dog at any price even though he had no money left.

Richard is writing another book and I am inclined to read it too. I recommend this book to anyone.

Living Beyond Yourself--The Fruit of the Spirit (Beth Moore)

Karen & gerard — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:35:06 GMT

This is a life-changing Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit. It was much better than I even expected. It is in-depth and has a DVD by Beth Moore which goes along with it. There is a lot of scripture to dig into and many interesting points that I hadn't thought of before. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in Christianity or who wants a closer walk with God.

I liked this study so well that I summarized each chapter under the "Parma Heights Baptist Church" section of this blog and am going to repost one each Sunday on my other blog at www.zemeks.blogspot.com.

War As They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg

Karen & gerard — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:27:26 GMT

Wow! Great Book! 8 Stars!

This is an awesome book about Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. Good from the beginning to the end. Lots of inside stuff I never heard or read about! Hard to put it down with Ohio State-Michigan game coming up soon. A must read for any fan of either school!

--Gerard Zemek

Last Chance In Texas by John Hubner

Karen & gerard — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:44:28 GMT

Interesting concept--I give this 4 stars.

"Last Chance in Texas" is about Giddings State School in Texas. Bad teens are there with a chance to maybe get help and not get sent to the big prison. You will not forget the story of Ronnie. What I found very interesting is the other offenders help by role playing Ronnie's life story.

--Gerard Zemek

Thunder on the Tundra by Lew Freedman

Karen & gerard — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:29:36 GMT

This is a quick read about a High School in Alaska. Barrow decides to start up a football team. Interesting story about the coach and players. I enjoyed the game descriptions the best.

Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury

Karen & gerard — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:10:31 GMT

Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury is Christian fiction about how God works in the lives of two NFL players, a low-income foster mom and her foster son. Each of them has their own issues which they turn over to God. I liked this book very much because it is about relationships and how God works in our lives. Although predictable, it is a fun and interesting read. I liked how it focused more on the private lives of the football players and their interaction with each other off the field between Sundays although the game coverage was interesting too. It pointed out some shortcomings of the foster care system and gives the website of www.AlexSmithFoundation.org where you can go to find out how you can help through the Guardian Scholars program. I rate this book 4 stars instead of 5, just because of its predictability. Even though I knew the end early on, I enjoyed seeing how it all unfolded and reviewing the discussion questions at the end. It's a quick, enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes football or stories about families or the working of God in lives. The message for the readers is what we do between our Sunday "huddles" at church is what matters most.

Gerard's Review: 3 stars--Too predictable for me.

This book would make a perfect Disney movie! Star quarterback falls for a hard-working woman. Her friend who died has a kid who she becomes a foster mom to and who just happens to be the star quarterback's son! Back-up quarterback gets the star quarterback to seek God, star finds son, realizes, yes, it is my son. Team wins super bowl. Star and woman marry and live happily ever after. The End

After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher

Karen & gerard — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:29:34 GMT

This book is about Shawn Simons and Aluaro Lianos, two guys caught in a fire at a Seton Hall dorm. They both got badly burned. They were friends and now their friendship is deeper. It tells how it affected their families and friends. It's a quick read that I recommend to anyone.

--Gerard Zemek

The Hurricane by Jere Longman

Karen & gerard — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:21:28 GMT

The Hurricane is about Cyril Cruthfield, a coach who put three different high schools together to form one football team after Hurricane Katrina. It is a good read but not really anything special about it. The best part is the stories about the football games.

--Gerard Zemek

Dewey by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

Karen & gerard — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:11:51 GMT

Karen's Review: Dewey, The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World was very good. It's about the love between a lady and the cat she found in the library book drop box that she let live in the library. It was a very friendly, affectionate, energetic cat who became famous and who greeted the patrons and laid in their laps. It reminded me of my relationship with my cats and how special they are. The end as he aged reminded me of our Moe cat. I think anyone who likes cats would enjoy reading this book.

Gerard's Review: I give Dewey, The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World as many stars as in the sky! This is one worth buying! My favorite book of the year!

Here are 4 things about this book:

1) You will LOVE this book.

2) You will not want to put it down.

3) You will cry a lot!

4) You will never forget it!

That being said, this is a wonderful book. I plan to get this book to have and read it again and again!! This book will touch you like it did me. What a special cat Dewey was and wonderful person Vicki is. Thanks for telling the story, Vicki. I wish I could have met Dewey and pet him!! Treasure and enjoy this book!!

--Gerard Zemek

The Shack by William P. Young

Karen & gerard — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:50:33 GMT

Karen's Review:

"The Shack" is an interesting fiction book about a father's distrust of God for not protecting his little girl from being kidnapped and murdered, and then not even being able to find her body. The father got to talk to God face-to-face at the shack and see a glimpse of heaven and eventually got to the point where he forgave the man who murdered his little girl. Interesting book but really unbelievable. Presents God as compassionate, loving and just even when things happen that we don't think should. Emphasis was placed on trusting God and being dependent on Him rather than ourselves. The most important point for me was when we question God, we are really judging Him based on only our limited knowledge--we don't know everything God does. It was interesting how through Mack's face-to-face conversations with God, the book gives some insight into God's nature but some things are not biblical. It did make me look at my relationship with God but is not entirely Biblical so when you read this book, you need to keep in mind that it is fiction.

Gerard's Review:

This will renew your faith! This is just an outstanding book. It will renew your faith in God and answer questions you might have about things. It's like a Bible study that's down to earth, nothing fancy. Machenzie Allen Phillip tells a super story. If you need a hug from God, please read this book.

When God Doesn't Make Sense by Dr. James Dobson

Karen & gerard — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:33:04 GMT

Holding on to your faith even When God Doesn't Make Sense deals with the topic of trusting God through hard times or times that just don't seem fair. The author gives many illustrations of times when people had bad things happen that just don't make sense, including illustrations from his own life. He gives some basic fundamental principles such as:

God is sovereign and is not accountable to man. No where does God promise to explain why he does anything or doesn't do something.

God wants us to trust Him regardless of our circumstances and even when we do not understand the "why" of something. Faith is the key that we have to hold on to no matter what.

Basically, God is sovereign, loves us but suffering is part of the Christian life too. Can’t understand everything but that’s when we need to exercise faith. God is not accountable to us. We need to commit everything to God whether we understand the circumstances or not and not expect perfection in this world. Rejoice always and know that God uses everything to accomplish His purpose. When crisis comes, we have only two choices--acceptance or despair.

Many times we hear of people who are ill and many people pray for them and they do not get better. Obviously, everyone dies sometime. Even Lazarus who Jesus physically raised from the dead died later on. If God would always answer the prayers granting our will when we pray for the sick, believers would never die.

If believers did not go through the same trials and problems as unbelievers, and the Christian's life was all sunshine and roses and smooth sailing all the time, people would come to Christ for the wrong reason, just so they would have an easy life. This is not Biblical.

At the end of the book, Dr. Dobson lists several questions often asked and answers them as best he can. I believe this book can help people who are questioning God to a degree, but it still comes down to one's personal faith in God and a surrender to His will.

I found some parts boring, but other parts very interesting. Overall, I liked it.

The Butterfly Garden by Chip St. Clair

Karen & gerard — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:27:27 GMT

Gerard's Review: What a Fascinating Story! (8 stars)

I'm so glad I took the time to browse through the books at the library and come across this one. An amazing true story about Chip St. Clair. This book is a real page turner that's full of surprises. Chip is a remarkable person! I highly recommend this book.

Karen's Review: A Bizzare story of Mystery, Hope and Justice! (5 stars)

Chip grew up being abused and not knowing his parents were on the run. Chip didn't find out until he was in college about the secrets his parents kept from him. He realized that they were both very dangerous people and he was fortunate to have survived into adulthood. This book shows the great influence a woman can have on a man and the importance of a good woman in a man's life. Lisa helped Chip sort out his past and loved him for who he was, bringing out the best in him. Growing up, Chip found solace in poetry and art. Not until the end of the book does the reader find out the meaning of the title of the book. I agree with Gerard when he says it's a real page turner and full of surprises!

Why Do Clocks Run Clockwise? and Other Imponderables

Karen & gerard — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:54:28 GMT

Mysteries of everyday life are explained by David Feldman in this book. It is full of unusual “Why” questions with answers to most of them. I enjoyed it because the questions were generally about things I never gave any thought to, for example:

Why do ants tend to congregate on sidewalks?

What are those twitches and jerks that occasionally wake us up just as we are falling asleep?

Why do bananas, unlike other fruits, grow upward?

What do Federal Express people do after 10:30 a.m.?

Where do houseflies go during the winter?

Why is scoring three goals in hockey called a “hat trick”?

How and why do horses sleep standing up?

Why are the hamburger bottoms so thin?

Why is the scoring system in tennis so weird?

It would be a great reference book for anyone with young children who are curious and eager to learn why things are the way they are. I read the 1987 paperback edition but there are more current ones available.