In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women by Judy Stavisky

 In Plain View

Book Summary

A fresh view into a life that is anything but simple.

What does the life of an Amish woman really look like? Over the course of a decade, author Judy Stavisky, a curious outsider, spent hundreds of hours getting to know the women of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County Amish community to find out the answer to this question. She joined mothers and grandmothers, unmarried women and teens, on their shopping excursions for household items, fabric, and groceries. They drove miles between undulating fields and shared hundreds of hours of conversation on everyday topics--laughing together about sneaking healthier entrees into their family's evening meals, sharing concerns about their children, and trading family remedies for persistent coughs. As relationships evolved into enduring friendships, she grew to understand firsthand how Amish women bind their families and communities together.

In Plain View draws the reader inside a community governed by faith and separated by time, taking a closer look at the roles Amish women assume within their families and community, their fierce work ethic, and their camaraderie. Hundreds of years of shared traditions comes to life through a personal connection with Amish women, their own soft voices gently opening their world to an outsider.

My Thoughts

In Plain View:  Amish Women at a Glance by Judy Stavisky provides information on the day to day lives of Amish families.  Judy spent time with the Amish in Lancaster County to get a firsthand look at their busy lives.  The book is easy to read thanks to the author’s casual writing style.  She recounts the stories like she is chatting with friends.  We learn about the clothing the Amish wear, where they purchase their fabric, where they do their grocery shopping, schooling, appliances, gardens, canning, and so much more.  We see the complexities of their life as well as the joys.  The Amish live in close knit communities where faith and family are foremost.  It is a daunting task to feed a large Amish family.  I cannot imagine the long, hot hours spent in a kitchen canning produce and meat.  There are pictures as well.  We get to see what it is like to live without modern technology (no air conditioning, microwave, dish washer, a dryer, a regular washing machine).    You can tell that the author spent many hours with the Amish.  It is clear that she developed friendships and respects their lifestyle.  In Plain View is for anyone who is curious about the Amish and the way they live. 

In Plain View:  The Daily Lives of Amish Women is available from Amazon*.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs.  It is 24th A Tea Shop Mystery.  This series is one of the two that got me hooked on cozy mysteries.  I was wandering around a bookstore one afternoon looking for something different to read (this is before ereaders).  I happened upon a small section of books labeled cozy mysteries.  I picked up Death by Darjeeling (the first A Tea Shop Mystery) and Crewel World by Monica Ferris. Two days later, I was back at the store getting the other books that were available in each series as well books from other series.  Most of the cozy mysteries at that time were craft related.  What book or series got you hooked on cozy mysteries?  I am off to do some work around the house.  I hope that you have a fulfilling day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Anything but Simple by Lucinda J. Miller

About the Book

Plain? Yes. Simple? Well…

If you live in a conservative Mennonite community, edges are sewn shut and questions have answers. So if you’ve got a saucy tongue and a roving curiosity about the world, you’ve got a story to tell.

As a schoolteacher in a small Mennonite school in rural Wisconsin, Lucinda J. Miller wears long dresses and a prayer covering. But she uses a cell phone and posts status updates on Facebook. So why would a young woman with access to all these technologies remain in a sheltered community like the Plain Mennonites? How can someone with an eye for beauty and a sometimes sardonic wit stay within a tradition that values discipline and submission and uniformity?

Anything But Simple is the stirring memoir of a young woman’s rich church tradition, lively family life, and longing for a meaningful future within her Mennonite faith.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lucinda J Miller Kinsinger has always viewed herself as a shy little Mennonite girl, but refuses to let that stop her from pursuing what she loves—whether that’s writing with honesty and vulnerability or traveling to a remote village in China. In 2019, she married Ivan, the love of her life, and moved from the flat, tree-lined fields of her childhood home in Wisconsin to the rolling hills of Garrett County, Maryland. The couple has a baby daughter, Annalise. Since the publication of Anything but Simple, Lucinda has published a second memoir, Turtle Heart: Unlikely Friends with a Life-Changing Bond. She is columnist for Anabaptist World and blogs at lucindajkinsinger.com.

More from Lucinda

Me, and The People Who Shaped Me

My dad used to say that every person in your life is placed there by God for a reason. Even the ones you don’t like are there to teach you something.

Learn.

If you don’t, God may send someone else to teach you the same lesson you couldn’t learn the first time around.

Anything But Simple is my story, the story of a shy little Mennonite girl growing up to be a writer and asking questions along the way. It is also the story of the many people who enriched my life.

My dad, with his black hair and handsome face and stories from his past.

My mom, with her smooth sweaters and her sure and solid love.

My bishop with his mouth that turned down like a turtle’s.

My creative writing professor who loved words in a way I had never seen in anyone but myself.

Charlene.

Mara.

Deqo.

Jake.

From these people and alongside these people I arose, breathing, questioning, earnest.

Our journey, like the journey of all the squiggly and intricate humans that wander the face of the earth, is anything but simple.

My Thoughts

Anything But Simple is Lucinda J. Miller Kinsinger’s memoir.  We learn about her family history and her growing up years.  The author wrote an open and honest story.  Lucinda Miller was insecure growing up.  She wonders who she will become and what she will do.  We get to know her family and her ancestry.  The author tells us quite a bit about her preacher father.  Lucinda came from a large family where she never felt that she fit in.  We follow Lucinda through her early years as she grows up and blossoms into the woman she is today.  We learn about her insecurities with herself and with her faith. Lucinda was an avid reader.  I thought it was funny how she and her sisters would sneak Christian romances up to their rooms after visiting the library.  She was able to travel the world through books.   She explains about the differences between Mennonites and Amish.  We also learn about the different Mennonites (just like Amish there are different types of Mennonites).  I wish there had been more about her day-to-day life.  I enjoyed the frequently asked question section at the end.  We get to see that Mennonites are regular people who have the same dreams, wishes, and doubts as the rest of us.  I enjoyed getting to know Lucinda and the rest of the Miller family.  Anything But Simple is one woman’s honest account of her growing up years and what she learned.  

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lucinda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book.  Be sure to comm ent on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter.  Good Luck!

Anything but Simple is available from Amazon*.  You can follow Lucinda Miller Kinsinger on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release. Anything But Simple is part of The Plainspoken Series.  The other four books are Chasing the Amish Dream by Loren Beachy, Hutterite Diaries by Linda Maendel, Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi, Gathering of Sisters by Darla Weaver, and The Pie Lady by Greta Isaac. Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Rebecca's Amish Heart Restored by Tracy Fredrychowski.  It is the second novel in The Amish Women of Lawrence County series.   I hope that you have a joyful day.  We need more happiness in our lives (to combat the negative news reports).  I am going to go work in the garden.  I got my mother some plants (she is tired of waiting on my seedlings) and I need to put them in the pots I got for her.  I will have the company of Inky.  He is a black cat that lives in our neighborhood.  He spends a lot of time on my patio (I set him up a bed and food station).  He is such a sweetheart (loves belly rubs).  Do not forget to enter the giveaway. Leave a comment for an extra entry.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 2

A Reader’s Brain, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3

Inklings and notions, April 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 5

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 5

She Lives To Read, April 6

deb’s Book Review, April 7

A Melodious Sonnet, April 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 10

The Avid Reader, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

Rebecca Tews, April 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 12

Sodbuster Living, April 13

Boondock Ramblings, April 13

Vicky Sluiter, April 14

For Him and My Family, April 14

Spoken from the Heart, April 15

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Inside the Simple Life by Susan Hougelman

 Inside the Simple Life

Book Summary

A simpler way of life is possible. In this fast-paced and ever-changing world full of chaos and uncertainty, many seek a place where steadfast truth, godly values, and biblical principles are being lived out. That world exists among the Amish. Inside the Simple Life welcomes readers into a tight-knit community where peace and tranquility abound, where love thy neighbor means more than just waving hello, and where all needs are taken care of by each member of the community. Be inspired by real stories paired with stunning photographs of Amish life as told by an Englisher who has been welcomed into the private and fascinating world of the Old Order Amish. Let author Susan Hougelman's heartwarming stories of their simpler way of life stir you to embrace meaningful change through biblical principles lived out by the Amish people.

My Thoughts

Inside the Simple Life:  Finding Inspiration among the Amish by Susan Hougelman gives a look at the Amish through the eyes of an Englisher.  We get to see the true sense of community.  If someone is sick, for example, and they are unable to do their chores or plow their feeds.  The rest of the community will help them.  They will also provide meals, take care of their animals, do laundry, and clean their home.  They will also help with the medical bills.  If someone loses their barn or home, the community will come together to rebuild it.  Susan Hougelman gives us an inside look at Amish life and shares her memories.  There are beautiful photographs throughout the book as well.  I enjoyed reading Susan Hougelman’s recollections as she met the Amish people in her area and developed relationships with them.  We learn about some of the rules, rituals, and philosophies of the Amish in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.  I liked that while the Amish may dress differently and live differently from us, there are many similarities.  The author’s writing style is like she is sitting next to me chatting.  I can tell that Susan Hougelman respects the Amish and genuinely cares for them.  Inside the Simple Life only portrays the positive side of the Amish.  It is not a balanced perspective.  I did find that there was some repetition of details.  I would have liked the author provide information about the Amish that is not common knowledge.  I think our society and families would be better if we adapted some of the ways of the Amish.  Technology may help improve our lives in some ways, it can also be detrimental to families (less together time).  Overall, I enjoyed reading Inside the Simple Life.  Those readers who enjoy Amish fiction, will like getting to learn more about the Amish people of New Wilmington.  Inside the Simple Life is an interesting book filled with the author’s reminiscences of how she started her business and got to know the Amish of New Wilmington.

Inside the Simple Life publishes December 7 (originally it was November 16) and is available for pre-order from Amazon*.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be back tomorrow to share my thoughts on But Knot for Me by Betty Hechtman.  It is the 8th A Yarn Retreat Mystery.  I hope everyone has a joyful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.