 What’s the deal with the black & white saddle shoes?  Click here for the story of our farm in Greene County, Iowa. Here's looking at life at Simple Serenity Farm  Carla’s sister & brother-in-law Chris and Tony Woods, of Des Moines, were at the farm on Sunday, August 22, helping Carla do the lawn mowing and other yard work that we’ve struggled to keep up with lately, with all our medical appointments. The Woodses brought along their 18-month-old granddaughter Ari, who was a delight watching all the action from the porch with Chuck, catching up on her reading and then getting a moment on the lawn tractor seat! Click here for larger format Earlier photos in this series Iowa Hall of Pride netINS, Inc. Butler House on Grand B&B Sam's Barber Shop Douglas T. Bates III, Attorney KMA Radio's ''Chuck & Don Show'' Barack Obama story & coloring book The Monks of New Melleray Abbey RELATED LINKS About Offenburger.com Biographies Want to Reprint? Want Updates? ARCHIVES Chuck Offenburger's columns Christie Vilsack's columns Carla Offenburger's columns Carla's book reviews Jared Strong's columns Guest Columns The Simple Serenity Farm columns Farm Photos, 2006 - 2008 Our Iowa News Digest Along Our Way 
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What's Carla Reading?
“The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox,” by Maggie O’Farrell (2006) This book will give you goose bumps. It is a story with the most fascinating twists and turns. I guarantee that you will be utterly surprised – and you will not be able to put the book down. Or perhaps you will force yourself, too, so you don’t have to read the next page, or so the book doesn’t end. Oh, I know I’m probably making it out to be more than most of you will make of it, but this book hit me profoundly for some reason. Nearly everything about it was unexpected. To start with, my friend Nancy Teusch recommended it. While she was reading it, she was repeatedly telling me that I had to read it. I like most everything Nancy tells me to read, but I’ve become accustomed to her tastes – and this book didn’t quite fit my mold for her. That was the first surprise. While I was reading it, I kept asking Nancy, “Tell me again why you liked this book so much.” Our conversation will probably continue. Perhaps it’s simply that the book is so unexpectedly wonderful. “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox” happens in Edinburgh. It starts with two sisters, Kitty and Esme, and a set of odd parents, to say the least. But then it is Esme who becomes the odd girl out, in so many ways. And it is disheartening and maddening to her parents. Of course, as the title suggests, Esme ultimately vanishes. The end result is so bizarre I wouldn’t know how to explain it, if I were going to – which I’m not because it will ruin the story for you. And you must read the story for yourself. But Esme doesn’t fit in and her family isn’t happy with her unexpected or unusual behaviors. They are presented the perfect opportunity to take care of Esme, and indeed, Esme disappears from their lives. And then there is Kitty. But “The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox” actually is told around the life of Kitty’s granddaughter, Iris Lockhart, some 60 years after Esme vanishes. And the disappearance of Esme is so thorough and complete that it is Iris who must deal with the utterly surprising aftermath. Esme will steal your heart, Kitty will infuriate you, and Iris will not let you down. O’Farrell takes her reader from past to present quickly and sometimes it was a bit hard to follow. In fact, I had to catch myself a few times to follow the story, but in general, I have come to like books that do this – share the past within the present. And O’Farrell is an artful storyteller. The front cover has a blurb from Audrey Niffenegger, author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” which states, “A strange, sad and marvelously well-written novel.” I couldn’t say it any better. Don’t miss this book. - Carla Offenburger Now readingLook next for my thoughts on completing all 19 of John Grisham’s books – in the order they were written. I’m done! Yippee. Most recently reviewed “The Age of Innocence,” by Edith Wharton (1920). A classic that’s worth the revisit – I’m so glad I picked it up – and then couldn’t put it down. “The Best of Frank Deford: I’m Just Getting Started,” by Frank Deford (2000). The entire time I spent reading his book, I recalled his final thoughts on sports in his appearance in Adel, Ia., earlier this year, where he said, “Sports reaches us all. Even with all its abuses and excesses, it is a truly unifying element. I’m honored to be a troubadour out there singing about it.” And Deford is the best we could have “out there singing about it.” “A Cure for Dreams,” by Kaye Gibbons (1991). I have yet to find a Gibbons book that I haven’t liked. Rarely do I read one that I don’t think I’ll read again. This book will call me back, and I’ll pick it up again. It’s that wonderful. “Skies Over Sweetwater,” by Julia Moberg (2008). Sometimes it’s just plain fun to pick up a book randomly off the bookstore shelf and take it home to read. And that’s exactly what I experienced with this book. “Making a Difference: 182 ½ Ways to Change the World,” by Deborah Naybor (2003). This is a perfect book to give as a gift, or to get for yourself and keep as a checklist of things anyone can do to make the world a better place. And it’s a perfect size, too. At just 4-by-3 inches, it’s a thin easy book to put in your purse and/or briefcase and pull out when you just happen to be sitting around thinking, “How can I change the world?” You can do some of the things just as quickly, too. Comment from you readers Joan Hakes, Storm Lake: “I just finished reading ‘The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.’ Wow, what a read! It was the most unique style I’ve seen in some time. I’m a big fan of chapter breaks, so it was a struggle for me at first. I went online and bought it for my daughter, Molly, for 1 cent! Thanks for the tip – I really, really liked that book. What a sad, sad story! Hope all is well in Cooper.” You can write me with comments on my reviews or your own thoughts on books at carla@Offenburger.com.
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