Marsha's Bookshelf: Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer

In the Spring of 1967, Mary Clare O'Brian, a sixth grader at the Saint Maria Goretti School, thought she wanted to be a nun. Actually, she wants to be Mother Superior of the Good Shepherd Nuns. So she begins to correspond with Mother Superior of the Saint Mary Magdalene Convent to find out what qualifications she needs and how to apply for the job.

Mary Clare is from a very large family - Mom has a new baby every year. Mom is pregnant again, but Dad isn't happy because there are already so many mouths to feed - and a good Catholic education is very expensive. Mary Clare, as the oldest girl, has to help out at home a lot. There's always laundry, diapers, bottles and babies to keep her busy.

The late '60s are turbulent times. There's a war in Vietnam, a host of Civil Rights issues, and The Feminist Mystique. Even the Vatican II is changing everything. One brother wants to go to war; another would rather go to Canada. Mom wants to be more than "just a housewife."

This book is like a window back in time to 1967. I'm not Catholic so I don't share Mary Clare's experiences with nuns and the Catholic school. But I was in the 7th grade in 1967, so I can most definitely relate to the times and the angst Mary Clare feels as she begins to grow up.

I can also relate to the large family in a way because my Mom is one of twelve kids. I've grown up hearing Mom and all my aunts and uncles talk about what it was like to grow up in the depression era with so many mouths to feed, the hand-me-down clothes and never-ending chores.

No matter what your background, you'll find Saint Training to be a very enjoyable, quick read and it is currently on the Kindle Best Sellers "Free" list.

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Hi, my name is Marsha, and I am a Bookworm!

Is there a "Twelve Step Program for Bookworms?

I *LOVE* to read. Matter of fact, I think I was born with a book in my hands and the only thing I remember getting in trouble for at school was reading. I know that sounds odd, but it's true - just ask my former teachers.

I always kept a library book in my desk so that when I finished classwork early (as usually happened), I could pull out my book and read while the rest of the class continued to work. I would get into trouble because the teacher directed the class to go on to the next subject or assignment and I would be so engrossed in my book that I wouldn't hear that instruction at all. My first clue that the class had moved on without me was when I'd hear the teacher yelling at me, "Put down that book!"

That happened at home too, only Mother yelled, "Marsha Lynne Davis!!! Put down that book!" Even at home, no matter what else I was doing, I always had a book or some other reading material in my hands. I read cereal boxes, cookie packages, toilet paper wrappers, etc. It really didn't matter what I read; I was *compelled* to read. I read while washing dishes and folding laundry. And, yes, I really have walked into walls and doors in my determination to continue reading no matter what.

Neither of my children take after me in my love of reading, much to my dismay, though I read tons of books to them when they were little. Or perhaps I should say that I "acted out" the books as I read to them. My parents and siblings would agree that I was the Drama Queen of the family. Now, I get to use my love of reading and acting with my grandchildren and with students who have significant disabilities or terminal illnesses.

For Christmas last year, my husband gave me a Kindle. What a perfect gift! Now I can carry thousands of books with me wherever I go. My Kindle is filled with almost 800 books as I write today. I have nearly every genre of books on my Kindle. (I don't read horror or anything with vulgar language or explicit situations.) I enjoy most everything else from Children's Books, Classic Literature, and Christian Fiction, to Bibles and Bible Studies. I also read Non-Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy to Mystery and Suspense. Maybe I'm simply a misplaced Librarian???

This Blog is intended to be a place where I can tell you about the books I am currently reading or have read. Understand that no publisher or author has asked for my opinion or endorsement; nor have they sent books to me to review. Every book I review here has been purchased by me for my own enjoyment. I'll tell you honestly whether I liked the book or whether I wish I'd spent that money on a different one entirely. And though I am a thoroughly satisfied Kindle/Amazon customer, there are other great choices of eReaders/eBooks out there to choose from.

I hope you'll find books here that you'll enjoy sharing with your own children or grandchildren; or that you'll love curling up with a warm mug of cocoa or coffee and a blankie to read yourself.

Thank you for joining me among my Bookshelves.