'BRUCE's BOOKS' Club Reviews - Vol 1

BIG KID'S DEPARTMENT

submitted by: Jacqui A

My favorite book receives that accolade for two reasons. First, it's a story that causes me to stop and think about life every time I read it. Moreover, I've probably reread it about 100 times. The second reason it's one of my favorites, is that one of my best long-term friends gave it to me, even though she misspelled my name when she wrote, "To Jackie (sic), Create a wonderful life for yourself up there!" as I headed off to Alaska.

Written by Richard Bach, Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, presents Donald Shimoda, a modern day Messiah who walks away from adoring crowds to open the eyes and mind of the main character, Richard. Learning the lessons from the mysterious "Messiah's Handbook," Richard, too, becomes a crowd attracting Messiah who writes about the lessons in this book.

After reading this book, your mind turns over questions such as, what is reality? Is it just a perception or something else? Why are we on earth and what are we supposed to do? How do we know if we've done it? If you have the answers, you are a Messiah. If you don't have the answers, you're still a Messiah. Think about it. Read the book, it may help.

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submitted by: Popperfisk

Hidden Mickey’s: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secret, by Dr. Steven Barrett

Headed to Disney World anytime soon? One particularly fun thing to do while you are there is to search for Hidden Mickey’s. There are over 800 images of Mickey Mouse that the Disney Designers and Imagineers have cleverly placed through out the World… they may be woven into carpets, pressed in to concrete walkways, painted into murals – just about anywhere you can think of .

This book is the quintessential guide to their locations and is organized into 6 different Scavenger Hunts complete with clues, hints and points – the harder they are to find the more points you can score! There is also a version of the book available for Disneyland, and there is an Ap available for your IPhone.

Dr. Barrett is also a regular Blogger on the Disney insider’s website AllEars.net, where he frequently posts about new Hidden Mickey’s and ones that have disappeared or moved – something those whacky Imagineers love to do all the time! Enjoy!

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NOT-SO-BIG KID'S DEPARTMENT

submitted by: Mama Snooter

Time of Wonder, by Robert McCloskey

This ‘1958 Caldecott Medal’ winning book is one of my all-time childhood favorites, and is still relevant today. The illustrations are calm yet intriguing, in misty tones of watercolor wash – until the big winds hit the little island this family of four vacations on.

The story describes the islands around Penobscot Bay, Maine, and all that the folks who live there love about the sea, the shore, and the surrounding forests. Their island life is challenged by a coming hurricane, and the excitement of their preparations is profound. The best part is the wonder of exploring the UPPER limbs, trunks, and root systems of giant trees that were toppled by the storm. The girls find such treasures!

It all wraps up into the story of a never-to-be forgotten summer for two young girls, with boating and swimming and weather-worn rocks to climb on, and a close-knit family who takes care of each other. I just want to climb into the pictures and be with them!

I am so taken by this book that my ‘bucket list’ has always had a trip to Maine as one of my top three wishes. That wish was granted not too long ago, when my daughter was attending college in Boston. She arranged for a tour of Stonington, Maine, where she rented an old lobster boat and captain to tour the very same islands described by McCloskey. It was a dream come true! And, the lobster dinner afterwards, wasn’t bad either!

Robert McCloskey also wrote and illustrated: Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Main, Homer Price, and Lentil.
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