A Vision of Lucy

This time the book offered to me by Thomas Nelson Publishing, in exchange for a review was an ebook. (I love reading on my nook!)
A Vision of Lucy by Margaret Brownley takes place in the 1880's when women were considered not worthy to vote and were to marry so they could be taken care of, not necessarily because of love. Lucy is a young woman who has not yet married and is more focused on helping her brother go to medical school and developing her interest in photography than accepting proposals from men she doesn't love.
I enjoyed the references to the history of photography - having to have longer shutter speed depending on the light, having to stay still for so long - even that people use to have the backs of their heads in braces so they wouldn't move in the time needed to get the picture without blurriness.
I also enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter by Miss Gertrude Hasslebrink, a female photographer of 1878. They didn't always tie into the chapter which was confusing but the quotes were fun on their own anyway.
Three stars for this book.

Daddy Dates

Daddy Dates by Greg Wright was a book provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for a review. Since my husband is the dad, I gave him the book to read and review:

Greg Wright writes about the necessity of building and maintaining a strong relationship with his four daughters who range from pre-teen to late teenager.

His story centers on his method of calling his daughters and taking them on “dates.” Not the usual date of dinner and a movie, but quality time with his daughters by taking them to dinner, bookstores, libraries, fancy-schmancy dates, or wherever he can have alone time to talk, to get to know his daughters, and to learn their likes, dislikes and current problems.

With an early teen daughter myself, I particularly appreciated his discussion of girls maturing, becoming teenagers, starting to date, and eventually moving on to college. He has had many of the same struggles I have had and many of the same joys. I enjoyed reading his perspective, his shortcomings, his successes, and his failures then comparing them to my own. Nevertheless, parts of the book just weren’t me. I’m not sure I will ever call my daughter to ask her out, then show up at my own front door and knock like I am at a stranger’s house.

I give the book three stars largely because of the flow. I slogged through the book, but several times wanted to put it away and read something else. Someone who has a good relationship with their daughter(s) and spends quality time with them may find comfort in a similar perspective, but the book likely won’t shed much light. But for those dads, like Greg, who are distant from their daughters and want to draw closer, perhaps even becoming a confidant, this is an excellent book to give you some ideas and suggestions.