In the books I have read recently, characters have shared bits of wisdom. I enjoy novels and especially if there are good insights about life. Here is an example from each book.
The Winds Further West by Alexander McCall Smith.
Usually, the books I pick by Alexander McCall Smith are part of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. This is a different setting and has a focus on academia. A young man, Neil, with a medical career leaves his job in Edinburgh, Scotland under duress. He goes to the island of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. He has the opportunity to slow down and reflect on life.
“I suppose that we need to try to get back some of the things we have lost: courtesy, listening to other points of view, helping one another, accepting that people may have different ideas of the good; accepting, too, that people may be flawed but not entirely wicked.” P.139
Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer Wright
A young woman fleeing from a crisis reaches Galveston, Texas just before a hurricane hits the island. The story is based on the true story of the 1900 hurricane that caused huge devastation and loss of life. The main character (Ann who is really Kathleen) arrives penniless at an orphanage run by nuns. A young woman who is a novice reaches out to Kathleen’s painful situation. The novice, Emily, explains her own faith.
“Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He’s still there.” P.117
One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry. The Daniel Pitt Series.
In this murder mystery, defense of a suspect rests on a scientific study. Did fire cause the cracked skull or did the suspect bludgeon the victim? The scientific evidence that has been used in previous trials is challenged with new research. Miriam, a forensic scientist, addresses the topic of science.
“Science is a set of facts, measurements, figures, from which we make deductions. It depends upon which facts we use, what deductions we look for, and even what we want to find out. Science is just the latest theory we have, and as soon as another one comes along, a new discovery, a new way of interpreting them, then there’s a new answer! It’s not like mathematics that always adds up the same way, if you do it right. Science is a method of reaching a conclusion, not a conclusion itself.” P. 232
During this cold winter I have appreciated good books.
Sharing this with Estelle’s Book Review Linky and Share Your Shelf and with Between the Bookends .
Carol thanks so much for sharing your reads with Bookish Bliss Musings & More Quarterly Link Up dear friend.
Carol these sound like excellent reads. I appreciate your reviews.
Visiting from Estell & Melynda’s
Those all sound really good! I particularly like the sound of Last Light Over Galveston.