"Gifted Hands" by Ben Carson, M.D.

  I read "Gifted Hands" for my Bookclub in March.  I am so glad to whoever suggested this book.  It is an autobiography by Ben Carson who grew up in the 60's.  His Mom was a poor single mother with a third grade education, working a lot of hours to provide for her two sons.  She was very strict about her boys getting a good education and their study habits which is comical at times.  The book first follows Ben throughout elementary, middle and high school and deals with things such as the prejudice he faced, his terrible temper, and his family's lack of money.  It then moves to college, med school, his courtship with his wife, Candy and finally his "calling" as a neurosurgeon.  

  I think that this book is so aptly named-'Gifted Hands'.  He really and truly does have a gift that he fortunately discovered and then through education, hard work and dedication has been able to help so many people.  The last parts of the book are little stories of different patients he's worked with, highlighting a set of conjoined twins that he and a team of other health care professionals worked for hours on to separate.  As a parent, I appreciated the emotion, the empathy and compassion he has for all of his patients and for the family praying in the waiting room.  This is definitely a man that I would love to meet and shake hands with.  In a world where good, solid, strong role models can be hard to find-Ben Carson stands out as a shining example of faith, commitment, and caring.

  One of my favorite "lessons" found in this book is that life is about decisions and that every decision has a consequence.  When he was a teenager, Ben admits having a horrible temper.  He pulls a knife on his friend and stabs him because of an altercation he had with him.  Fortunately, for both of them, the friend had on a heavy belt buckle and the knife didn't harm him.  He goes home and spends hours crying and then eventually praying and reading the Bible.  He asks God to take away his temper.  He says that he has never had a problem with it since!  This was the ultimate "turning point" in his life.  He could have hurt or even killed his friend in that momentary moment of rage.  He could have gone to jail, become bitter, turned to more crimes, drugs or other harmful behaviors.  It is a powerful example of how in a split second our lives can be changed-for good or bad.

Stars:  5

Prude Police:  squeaky clean!

"Watched" by Cindy M. Hogan

  So, there I was at Costco with my twin boys heading to the check-out line.  I did such a good job at by-passing the book section when we first started because the last thing that I need right now is another book.  But, then I accidentally (ok, maybe it wasn't an accident...) looked toward those beautiful and shiny new books and saw a big poster board with this book on it and at the bottom it said "clean teen read".  And, lo and behold, the author was right there signing copies.  Well, normally I don't like to make eye contact with the authors that come to Costco.  Here is why:  I feel guilty if I don't buy their book, and I hate to feel guilty. But, this author looked so nice and friendly and I remembered that my sister had actually read this series and liked it.  So, I stopped to chat...and buy a book...

  This book was a bit choppy and confusing at spots, (and I found a few editing errors that bugged me) but it almost didn't matter because I was really drawn into the story, the unfolding murder mystery, and even the mushy teen romance/drama.  And, the main character was very likable...in a flawed and sincere way. 

   I have a 15 year old daughter and I tried to read this through her eyes.  I think that if I'd read it from my very adult perspective, I might have rolled my eyes a bit.  But, as I read, I remembered being a teenager, being "in like", making tough decisions about sticking to my convictions and I found that it was really quite easy to relate to (minus witnessing a murder and being chased by "bad guys"!)  

  What I also liked about this book is that I can let my teenage daughters read it.  I don't have to worry about any unquestionable material.  There was no sex, just some age-appropriate kissing and holding hands, etc.  It was a fun read and I'm hoping the next book is even better.

Stars:  3 1/2

Prude Police:  one swear word

"The Cater Street Hangman" by Anne Perry

  I just love it when I meet a new friend and then we both discover our mutual love for books!  Let the recommendations begin!!  This book was recommended to me by my new good friend, Ann Marie.  Lately, I've really been reading a lot of murder mysteries, so I wondered about starting another one.  This book had wit, charm and plenty of twists and turns. I don't feel like I really got to "know" any of the characters extremely well, but since it's a series I'm hoping that the author gives you more about them in the books to come. I will definitely want to read the next book, and I'm anxious to see how the budding romance that starts in this book plays out.

  My friend who recommended this to me compared it to the "Amelia Peabody" series (by Elizabeth Peters) and said that they were just as good.  I've read the first four "Amelia Peabody" and LOVED them.  This book, in my opinion, wasn't nearly as witty and captivating as the Elizabeth Peters' series, but it was a good read.

Stars:  3 1/2

Prude Police:  I think there may have been a few little swear words...I can't remember.  But it stayed very clean.