Did you read any especially good books on holiday? I hope you will take time to recommend them to others. Can you beat a total of 30 books taken away? (No, it wasn’t me!). Two outstanding titles I would like to mention this issue are each about a woman from the Old Testament.

The first is ‘Abigail’ by Jill Eileen Smith. Abigail was one of David’s wives. I believe she is the only woman in the Bible whose intelligence is mentioned before her beauty. This was certainly to the fore when she faced David to intercede with him to spare the lives of her then husband Nabal and his household. (The Biblical account can be found in 1 Samuel 25). Richly told, we meet Abigail at first aged 15 betrothed to Nabal, a wealthy sheep farmer. Her marriage marks the start of a tough and turbulent time and when Nabal dies, she is offered a second chance of happiness with David and his then wandering tribe. She takes it but is she able to share him with the other wives he insists on marrying?

Jill Eileen Smith is the best selling author of ‘Michal’ (the first of David’s wives and the youngest daughter of King Saul). Her research into the lives of David’s wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in the Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in northeast Michigan. Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith (Revel Publishing), ISBN 978-0-8007-3321-6 £8.99

The second book worth mentioning is ‘The Red Tent’ by Anita Diamant. The main character here is Dinah, offspring of Jacob and Leah. Her mention in the book of Genesis (Chapter 34) is brief and violent. ‘The Red Tent’ is told in Dinah’s voice and opens with the story of her mothers - the four wives of Jacob - each of whom possesses a unique feminine trait, and concludes with Dinah’s own startling and unforgettable story of betrayal, grief and love. Another exceptionally told story with an original insight into women’s society in a fascinating period of early history. ‘The Red Tent’ is also a popular Reading Group choice.

Anita Diamant is an award-winning journalist and author of six books about contemporary Jewish life. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and daughter. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Pan) ISBN 978-0-330-48796-2) £6.99

Lynn Winter

Hello - Pud Swan - the new and unique Children’s book

Sold in aid of Naomi House Children’s Hospice

For children in the 7-10 age group

The two highlights of this last year have been, firstly the production of the new video for the website, www.pud-swan.org  and secondly the latest £1000 donation to the hospice on 24th July, making a total of £3000 raised from the sales of the book, since it was first published just before Christmas 2007... Thank you to all readers who have helped in this endeavour.

The video was kindly produced without charge, by TVPP a local Andover television production company as their contribution to the work of Naomi House... do visit the website and see the children interacting with the story. Incidentally, the first twenty pages of part one are now available for all to read on Google Books.

The whole set of three parts [in a slip-case] is still on sale for £20... each part may be purchased separately for £8.99. Orders may now be placed ‘online’ via the Paypal button on the website, or through any major bookshop and it is also available from the official Naomi House website ‘shop’... not forgetting also, from the author and publisher, who can be contacted on 01264-365-190.

As readers of my previous two reports will remember the book is interactive in so far as the readers are encouraged to do all their own illustrations, and is entirely educational in its story line, thus promoting imagination and learning.

       ‘It makes a good gift and supports a good cause’

Bryan Beggs

Autumn Edition 2010

Book Corner