BOOK REVIEW: "The Ultimate Gift"

The Ultimate Gift

By Jim Stovall

Copyright 1999

Executive Books

Adult Fiction

5 Bookmarks

This novella with a parable-like theme should definitely be on your Must Read list.  The Ultimate Gift starts out with attorney Theodore J. Hamilton reading the will of billionaire rancher, "Red" Stevens.  Each family member receives their inheritance in turn, until Hamilton reaches the youngest heir, Red's nephew, Jason Stevens.  Jason finds out he must earn his interitance through 12 months of assignments from his deceased uncle.

Jason makes the decision to play along to do what he needs to get his inheritance and is given his first assignment which is given to him in the form of a gift, the Gift of Work.  Jason spends that first month working as a ranch hand for an old friend of his Uncle Red.  Having thus far lived a life of complete luxury, he grudgingly carries out the job that is put in front of him. 

The second month, Jason is given the Gift of Money, where he learns that money is a tool and can be put to very good use.  As each month progresses and Jason collects the gifts that his Uncle Red has given him (the Gift of Friends, the Gift of Laughter and the Gift of a Day, to name a few), Jason starts to see the world through different eyes until he finally earns the Ultimate Gift, which is even more valuable than he could ever have imagined.   

This was a very quick read and really brought to light the things we should all look for in order to have a meaningful life.  I especially liked the chapter on the Gift of Dreams.  What an absolutely wonderful story!  It would be great for a book club or just a nice afternoon read.  Highly recommend.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Huckleberry Murders"

The Huckleberry Murders
By Patrick F. McManus
Copyright 2010
Simon & Schuster
Adult Fiction
4 Bookmarks

As you well know if you follow this blog at all, I am not a huge fan of mysteries, murders or anything involving too much death or intrique. However, I saw this little gem on the shelf in my library and was reminded of a time, many MANY years ago when I spent hours and hours poring over humorous essays in order to choose one to deliver at a state forensics competition (Humorous Speech was not my normal category, so it was a little daunting!)

Although I finally settled on "Getting Sex Out of Schools and Back in the Gutter Where it Belongs" by Erma Bombeck (mostly for the shock value), I do recall several McManus essays being good options.  Not only that, but my father makes THE BEST huckleberry pie ever made, so there was all sorts of nostalgia written on this book.  And it did not disappoint. 

The story revolves around playboy sheriff Bo Tully as he monitors the activities of his constituents in Blight County, Idaho.  Well, that is, when he's not trying to woo the ladies.  Sheriff Tully has a certain reputation around Blight County and doesn't do much to change his image.  When a Mrs. Poulson complains that her ex-husband is missing and that she thinks the tenant killed him, Tully gets to work.  Tully's mom tells him to talk to a psychic to find out where the body is, but Tully doesn't hold much stock in that.  Then Tully decides to take a break from his detectiving to go pick some huckleberries for his mom, where he makes a gruesome discovery of three bodies with bullets in the back of their heads.  And the mystery deepens. 

With funny little one-liners and prose worthy of any Sherlock Holmes tale, this one is a fun read.  The story is so silly that at times you will laugh out loud, but the next moment you just want to know who dunnit, which keeps you turning that page.  I enjoyed this one very much! 

(And don't mock me too much for admitting being a debate geek. It is a rare day when I lose an argument....just ask my husband.)

COMMENTARY: Delays, delays, delays......

I know you haven't heard from me in awhile.  No, I didn't drop off the planet.  I don't even have the excuse that life is busier than usual.  The reality is that I am reading a SUPER LONG book (1108 pages, to be exact).  I am hoping to finish the book next week (review will be forthcoming, of course).  I may have been referred to as a "bookworm" a time or two in my life but this is ridiculous! 

In the meantime, and in the interest of absolutely shameless self-promotion, if you need something to keep your reading mind busy and want to take a peak into my "other" life, check out my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BookOfHouses.

And I PROMISE!  I will be back here before you know it with a review worth waiting for.