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Erik Larson (2003). A num- ber of my friends had read it, and one had read it recently and reminded me of it before my trip.
It’s a fascinating book that is subtitled “Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America.” The fair is the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Led by ar- chitect Daniel Burnham, the fair was an amazing achievement. The murders involve the true story of Henry Howard Holmes and his gruesome killing spree, much of it connected to the fervor surrounding the fair. I’d never given much mind to the 1893 World’s Fair and never heard of Holmes. The book is a compelling page turner.
As I look at my list, I real- ize it’s dominated by nonfic- tion and memoirs. For ex- ample, the memoir I’m cur- rently reading is “I am Brian Wilson” by the famous Beach Boy, with Ben Greenman (2016). (This memoir is not to be confused with Wilson’s other memoir, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” from 1991. That one triggered headaches and lawsuits over its content, and Wilson later disowned the project.)
My read of the 2016 book was spurred by seeing him
ny copies its sold since it pub- lished in 2005. Though the book is well-written with mo- ments of genuine and touch- ing bonds within the family, I just couldn’t get past how ir- responsible, reckless, selfish and abusive the parents were (her father was an alcoholic) as they moved their children from place to place. I sup- pose Walls’ wanted to show that, despite her complicat- ed upbringing, it somehow forged an independent will in her to succeed. But it also left behind damaged people.
In the past year, I also read works by authors who have appeared at Reedley College’s Speaker Series:
• “Origins of the Uni- verse and What It All Means” by Carole Firstman (2016). This, too, is a memoir. It is Firstman’s frank look at her complicated relationship with her father, Bruce First- man. The memoir uses dif- ferent ways to tell the story, including science, travel, philosophical questions and sections about her mother, Aranga “Randy” Firstman.
• “The Tortilla Curtain” by the prolific T.C. Boyle. In anticipation of his ap- pearance earlier this year, the Reedley College One Book/One College program chose this 1995 novel about two couples from different worlds in Southern California – a well-to-do couple living in a soon-to-be-gated hilltop community and a poor couple
The Reedley Exponent B11 Thursday, December 7, 2017 family are called “Some
Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent
My reading goals for next year include these three books – "The Re- mains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro, "Golden Age" by Jane Smiley, and "Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd."
RMBC
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Adore Him.”
Janzen said they want
songs to be familiar enough that audiences will join in. A selection called “A Tapestry of Carols” is a medley of clas- sics, such as “Silent Night” and “What Child is This.” (And, it helps that the lyrics of every song will be shown on large screens.)
Church members Kristi Schmidt, Toni Ensz and Karen Reimer, all sopra- nos, have each been part of the program for at least 26 years. They said they enjoy the modern arrangements as well as singing in the annual Christmas celebration.
“It blesses me,” Ensz said, “and I hope it blesses others in the season and brings them into the spirit of Christmas and the real meaning of what Christmas is all about.”
“That’s exactly what I was going to say. Ditto for me,” Schmidt said, with a wide smile.
And, Schmidt said, it’s a way “to worship the Lord at Christmastime in such a spe- cial way.”
Reimer said that she feels God has blessed her with a voice, and singing is a way to
serve her church.
And, how did she feel
about the first rehearsal with the choir with the orchestra?
“It’s awesome,” Reimer said.
“It blesses me, and I hope it blesses others in the season and brings them into the spirit
of Christmas and the real meaning of what Christmas is all about."
– Toni Ensz of Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church
The singers are from the congregation and include members who are trained in choral music, sung in college choirs or are music educators. The musicians come from the church and other communi- ties.
Like any production, the individual and group rehears- als add a polished, profes- sional shine to the yuletide program.
At the Dec. 3 rehearsal, an upbeat Janzen led the ensem- ble through the songs, from ballads to rousing selections. Some of them feature soloists. At a few intervals, Janzen had the group repeat a song or just
a segment of it.
After “Mary Did You
Know,” Janzen said: “That was pretty nice.”
The Christmas season is one of Janzen’s favorite times of the year, and one reason is “the wonderful music.”
And, for RMBC, it’s a gift to the community about the real meaning of Christmas.
“It really is the beginning part of the story of what God has done for us,” Janzen said. “And, that’s an important mes- sage to get out to people, that God does love them. God loves them so much that he sent Jesus as deity to become hu- manity so that we might have a savior. He was fully God, but fully man.
“He came as this baby, but he grew up to be our savior and one day will come back for us.”
The Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church will present “The Heart of Christmas” on Dec. 8 and 9 at the church, 1362 L St. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m.
Admission is free. Refresh- ments will be served after each program. Child care will be available.
For more information, go online to reedleymbc.org or call (559) 638-8123.
in concert at The Big Fresno Fair with musicians who in- cluded Beach Boy Al Jardine. It turned out this is the last tour that Wilson will perform the acclaimed “Pet Sounds” album in its entirety in con- cert.
Wilson now is 75, and the concert prompted me to re- listen to his music. I devel- oped a new appreciation for his artistry. The friend who reminded me of “The Devil’s in the White City” knew I was newly interested in Wilson’s music and told me about the memoir.
If you’ve heard Wilson in interviews, the writing captures his voice and way of talking. He writes about his father, who was abusive as well as a guiding force in the life of Wilson and his two brothers, Carl and Den- nis. They also were in the Beach Boys with the Wilsons’ cousin, Mike Love. He writes candidly about a lot of other things, including his drug use and his battle with his inner demons. But the book also is about finding lasting love with his second wife, Melinda, and, of course, so much about his great love for music.
“The Glass Castle,” a memoir by Jeannette Walls, was on my list for 2017, and I did read it. A lot of people are fans of the book about her unorthodox childhood in a poor family. A lot of people like the story, given how ma-
who’ve just illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to find a better life. The novel is as relevant today as it was 22 years ago.
• “The Realm of Last Chances” by Steve Yar- brough, who taught English in Fresno State’s master of fine arts program for more than 20 years. Most of his novels reflect his early years in Mississippi (and a bit about his experience liv- ing in California). Yarbrough now teaches at Emerson Col- lege in Boston, and “Realm” (from 2013) is set in New England. In writing about a couple’s struggle to stay con- nected, he creates a world of misunderstood connections, interesting characters, twists and turns, and, ultimately, forgiveness.
I was able to read one more book about a favorite subject: the British. It’s “The Anglo Files” by Sarah Lyall (2008). In fact, it’s subtitled “A Field Guide to the Brit- ish.” Lyall was a longtime London correspondent for The New York Times, and this nonfiction work is based on her past articles and ob- servations. It’s witty, giving the reader some valued in- sight into those folks who live across “the pond.”
For 2018, I again have so many books I want to read.
I definitely will read the final installment of Jane Smiley’s “The Last Hundred Years Trilogy.” The first two about the fictional Langdon
Fromleft,SharonJanzen,JaniceTrott,WayneSkaretandDewayneDavison wereamongthesingerspar- ticipating in the Dec. 3 rehearsal in Fellowship Hall at Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church for the congre- gation'sannualChristmasprogram. "TheHeartofChristmas"willbepresentedDec.8and9atthechurch.
Luck” and “Early Warning.” I’ve mentioned before that I didn’t want to immediately read the last book, “Gold- en Age” (2005), because it would be the end of a mar- velous journey. But it’s time to finish the trip.
My stack on my night- stand still includes “Bring Up the Bodies” by Hilary Mantel (2012). It also is part of a historical novel trilogy that started with “Wolf Hall” in telling the rise and fall of King Henry VIII’s trusted adviser Thomas Cromwell. “Bring Up the Bodies” fo- cuses on Anne Boleyn, and all Mantel’s readers are ea- gerly awaiting her final in- stallment that centers on the fate of Cromwell.
I also have “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishig- uro. Born in Japan, he has lived in England since he was 5 years old and this year was named the winner of the No- bel Prize for Literature.
I also will read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” a 2010 nonfiction work by Rebecca Skloot. It is Reedley College’s One Book/One College selection for 2017-18 and recounts an incredible story. Lacks was an African-American wom- an who, in 1951, was diag- nosed with terminal cervical cancer. She was treated at Johns Hopkins University but didn’t know that a doctor took cells from her cervix. The doctor discovered the cells could be kept alive and grow indefinitely.
Those cells for decades were used for a broad range of experiments that led to advances in medicine and science. But her family for years didn’t know the cell cultures existed while oth- ers profited off the patents of Lacks’ tissue. I’m looking forward to reading this one, too.
I still hope to find time for Ann Patchett’s novel, “Commonwealth” and the biography “Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life” by Ruth Franklin. Both are from 2016.
And, finally, there is this:
“Inside Out: A Personal His- tory of Pink Floyd” by the legendary group’s drummer Nick Mason. Growing up, I was aware of Pink Floyd and its songs but never re- ally paid close attention. My husband, on the other hand, has always been an ardent fan. This summer, we were in London when the Victo- ria and Albert Museum was presenting “Their Mortal Remains,” a popular exhibit about the band that included all kinds of memorabilia.
So now I am totally a Pink Floyd fan. The Mason book was written in 2004 but was updated this year to co- incide with the museum ex- hibition.
Check in with me a year from now to see how I did. And, please, take the time to find stories you want to read. Whether you’re read- ing books on an e-reader or in print editions, books are some of the best travel com- panions, whether you’re on vacation or waiting in a doc- tor’s office. Reading opens up so many worlds, real and fictional. I can’t imagine life without them.
Felicia Cousart Matlosz is Panorama Editor and can be reached at felicia@mid- valleypublishing.com
Michael Reimer sings a solo during a rehearsal on Dec. 3 for the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church's an- nual Christmas program. Called "The Heart of Christmas," it will be presented Dec. 8 and 9 at the church, 1362 L St. It will start at 7 p.m. each evening. The program is free, and the community is invited to attend.
Photos by Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent
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CRITTER CREEK WILDLIFE STATION
Come join us Saturday, December 9, 2017 11 AM until 2 PM for our
FALL OPEN HOUSE
Entrance is by donation. The gate will close at 1:30pm to allow you enough time to tour. The Open House will be unguided, so the pace is leisurely and there are more opportunities to take pictures. Our volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions that you have and to share stories about some of our permanent residents. The gift shop will be open where you can nd gifts for the holidays. We have a picnic area, so bring a lunch, or the country store next door has refreshments. There will also be a bake sale where holiday goodies will be on sale. Call (559) 338-2415
or email at crittercreekwildlife@hughes.net
for information.
Fresno Highway 180
Hill Valley Rd.
Orange Cove Manning St. Reedley
Highway 99
George Smith
Mistletoe
Squaw Valley
Sand Creek Rd.
Critter Creek
36710 Sand Creek Road Highway 63 (559) 338-2415
Reedley Elks
Lodge #2699
Christmas Bazaar
December 9, 2017 • Time: 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. 760 F. St., Reedley
Looking for Vendors.
Pay $15.00 a table. To reserve your table contact Cheryl at 638-1613. Leave message. Please make checks Payable to Reedley Elks Lodge #2699
There will be hamburgers, cheeseburgers. There will also be baked goods sold.
Come down and Christmas Shop. Proceeds to bene t
Elks Scholarship fund.
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