The first time I held my book! It was a humbling and fulfilling experience.

Loving Literature!

The Symbiotic Inspiration between Reading and Writing

I read to gain inspiration, appreciate the art of well-crafted words and sentences, and to learn about life from others on this amazing journey.

I highly recommend it.

~Nancy Nason Guss

Current Reads and Reviews

"Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch." ~E.B. White

The World According to Mr. Rogers:

Important Things to Remember

A Must Have Book!

All life events are formative. All contribute to what we become, year by year, as we go on growing.

~Mr. Fred Rogers

As part of isolation, I found myself reviewing various books around my house. I thought you might enjoy this one.

Rogers, Fred. The World According to Mr. Rogers: Important Things to Remember. Family Communications, Inc. 2004 and Hyperion for Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5) ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Living truths may be discovered all around us, from others and in whatever experiences the world brings. When our child needed help processing events, in addition to the Bible, we went to Mr. Rogers, where he and his characters shared positive messages for tough times. I realized that the times I guided our child to Mr. Rogers were those times that I too needed his grounding. So with that, I thought I would review one of his books for our journey through 2020 together. I read a lot during these times of isolation, and so I will review some of the wisdom from The World According to Mr. Rogers that was published by Hallmark in 2004. This is a great little book to have on hand. Whenever you need to be brought back to earthwhile imagining the ideal, this is the only book you'll need.

When I found myself with so many questions, I realized that many of the topics were discussed many years ago within the simple truths found in this little book. Mr. Rogers had something to say about just about everything. For example, regarding speaking out, he says:

The values we care about the deepest, and the movements within society that support those values, command our love. When those things that we care about so deeply become endangered, we become enraged. And what a healthy thing that is! Without it, we would never stand up and speak out for what we believe. We must take a stand.

Whether we like it or not, 2020 will go down in the books as one setting all records, and I see that we are at a crossroads. We will go one way or the other. Regardless, we are at the fork in the road, and there will be changes. We may get to choose our path; we may not. It depends on this election. Yet, we will see new beginnings. Mr. Rogers had something to say about this too:

Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else. I’ve felt that many times. My hope for all of us is that “the miles we go before we sleep” will be filled with all the feelings that come from deep caring -- delight, sadness, joy, wisdom—and that in all the endings of our life, we will be able to see the new beginnings.

I too hope that we continue to care deeply and joyfully do what is right. Bullying has become accepted by many, and suddenly we are inundated with men holding assault rifles as a show of strength. I think of Atticus Finch's definition of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird (paraphrased): When you know you've lost before you begin, but you begin anyway. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.

Mr. Rogers talks about this too. Evidently, he was often accused of not being "manly" because he didn't fit the macho mold, yet he was an extremely good person who did no one harm. He said:

When I was a boy I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power; but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen. Real strength has to do with helping others.

This is what brings me here to this spot. We must regain the strength and lens to see the world as about "thee" instead of "me." If we reach out to others, we show the best the world has to give.

Mr. Rogers said, “It came to me ever so slowly that the best way to know the truth was to begin trusting what my inner truth was…and trying to share it—not right away—only after I had worked hard at trying to understand it.” The beauty of this quote encompasses all we should be doing in life: _find truth, seek to understand; dig deeper.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a little guide to life during tough times. It has so much wisdom to digest, and it is the perfect book for anyone trying to process 2020.

1. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Some Writer! by Melissa Sweet is a fascinating story of one of my favorite authors, E.B. White. For those who do not remember E.B. White, he penned Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. However, my favorite work to which he is attached is Elements of Style by Strunk and White. This little book has carried me through high school and college, and I make a point of introducing it to my students. My students know that one of my writing mantras is "Omit Needless Words," which always introduces the quarterly focus of "be concise," making every word count. We then move into the next quarter's "be precise," which focuses on clarity. Although the story of Elements of Style is brilliant unto itself, it's first author was Professor Strunk, and this review is about Mr. White's story.

Melissa Sweet captures the essence of E.B. White's life, one filled with simple living, love of nature, love of nature, and love of his craft. Her illustrations capture the messages and highlight key ideas. I had the most fun reading through all of the quotes from White's

favorite authors and himself.

The book was written to bring an understanding of E.B. White to children, yet at age 62, I found it appropriate and enjoyable. Maybe that is because E.B. White continues to touch the child in all of us.

Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White

Melissa Sweet

2016 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

$18.99 Hardcover, 161 pages

978-0-544-31959-2

#lovingliterature. #somewriterreview. #greatreads. #currentreadsandreviews. #nancynasonguss.

Discernment and Rating System

All books are rated on a 5 ⭐️ system.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ =superbly written, brilliant message, useful application to life and/or learning, appropriate for all ages (unless stated in the review), and supports biblical lessons and teachings. Artistically presented and artfully crafted

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ = has merit, but lacks any one of the above - may need discernment to pick the useful and sift out the non-biblical; has artistic merit and provides ideas for thought

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ = has some merit, lacks two or more of above criteria - worth the read - maybe if it falls in your interest area

⭐️ ⭐️ = if it is in your interest area, you may like it. May have serious problems theologically; may not be appropriate for all ages or interests

⭐️ = not worth the time unless there is something in it you are seeking

Note: there are no half stars.

*Disclaimer: I enjoy reading a variety of books and seek to find all different perspectives. As a result, you may find books expressing different religions, values, politics, or view points. I believe it is important to read all so that we know what is actually out there. If we don't, we will never understand and run the risk of having to deal with something in ignorance and hoping for the best. Sometimes we must read that which makes us uncomfortable, and that's okay. I don't like reading about evil things, demons, or devils, but I do need to know how they work so that I do not fall into their lair. I don't like to do that either, but if I am to be truly informed, I must read all, with discernment, and take that for my life that aligns with the Bible and my interpretation of its essential truths. I hope you all do the same.

Happy Reading!

Archived Reads and Reviews

2. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Angel Detox: Taking Your Life to a Higher Level Through Releasing Emotional, Physical, and Energetic Toxins

Doreen Virtue and Robert Reeves.

12/11/13 Hay House

$5.00 paperback

ISBN: 9781401944315

During the season of Lent, I always try to find ways to live naturally, improve my eating habits, and focus on releasing emotional, physical, and energetic toxins. This began a few years ago, when I participated in a group at my church that lived according to The Daniel Plan (a Rick Warren program - on another note, I highly recommend it). This year, I am reading a book that leads the readers to asking angels to help detox one's body, mind, and spirit from the toxins bombarding our lives.

This book was a pleasant surprise. It provided simple, yet effective prayers, meditations, and practices, which served as a perfect Lenten guide. I recommend it for anyone desiring to release thoughts, addictions habits, or foods that deplete the energy. With that being said, I have an interesting note of caution (which is what brought this book from 5 to 4 stars). I am a Christian and work to follow Christ, pray only to God, etc. This book was written prior to Doreen Virtue's conversion to Christianity (yes, she joined the Episcopal Church, too). Therefore, please read with a discerning eye, take what is helpful, and be sure to keep God as the focus for your prayers.

Angels are biblical and God's messengers and helpers. As Jacob's ladder illustrated, they travel up and down the ladder between Heaven and Earth. We do NOT worship angels or pray to or through them. They may carry our prayers, but our prayers are to God, not the angels themselves. However, I view angels as our friends. We do not pray to our friends, but we can ask for their help and give permission for their assistance. When using this book, the prayers are genuine and helpful, but should be sent to God; the requests for assistance should not be called prayer, just requests. There are other helpful hints for removing toxins, as well, such as, diets, essential oils, etc. Finally, know that when we read something, we always need to be using that which is acceptable as noted in the Bible.

#lovingliterature. #angeldetoxreview. #goodreads. #currentreadsandreviews. #nancynasonguss.

3. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Space Clearing A-Z by Denise Lynn

2001 Hayhouse, ebook and paperback $19.95

Since I have been focusing on getting rid of clutter and increasing positive energy in my home, this free book seemed like a great place to begin. Check out some of the great offerings on Hay House, and I have really enjoyed Denise Linn's work. This is another one with great ideas, yet remember to discern that which is biblically permitted and supported.

One part of space clearing that I practice is finding anything that is not in alignment with the Word and deciding what to do with it. If it proclaims truths contrary to a healthy spiritual life, I toss it. If someone else can benefit from it, but it is time for the object to move on from me, then I donate it or give it to someone in need.

#lovingliterature. #spaceclearinga-zreview. #goodreads. #currentreadsandreviews. #nancynasonguss.

4. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ The Way of the Wolf: The Gospel in New Images by Martin Bell

A Ballentine Book published by Random House, Copyright 1968, 1969, 1970.

If you enjoyed my book or are interested in other allegories that make you think or want to explore the New Testament with new eyes, I highly recommend one of my favorites: The Way of the Wolf: The Gospel in New Images by Martin Bell. With over 20 short stories, these can be read when you have short snippets of time and don't want to get lost in a large book. The story that intrigued me enough to read the entire book is called "Where Are the Nine?" If you recall the story where Jesus healed 10 people, and one returned to thank him, then you'll find this one interesting. It is about what happened to the other nine and why they did not return. Let us know what you think.