Luggage and Literature

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

What I Read (April 2016)

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m doing things just a little bit differently than in the past. Since I decided to participate in the 2016 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is What I Read in April 2016, my brief book reviews and recommendations. 

Books Finished:

The Light Years (The Cazalet Chronicles Book 1) by Elizabeth Jane Howard

2016 PopSugar Challenge: a book recommended by someone you just met


An advance copy of this book was given to me to read and honestly review by an editor that I’ve not previously dealt with. So I’m counting it for this category. They recommended it to me because of how much I liked the Montmaray Journals series, and in particular The FitzOsbornes at War, as this book is also set in World War II. And although it was a bit slow to get into, because of the number of different characters and the fact that the perspective jumps between the characters, I really, really liked this book. I liked it enough that I’ve already purchased the second book in The Cazalet Chronicles, Marking Time.

If you’re interested in the book, it was just released as an e-book on April 27, so you can now read The Light Years, and the other books in the series, as well.

The Golden Road by Lucy Maud Montgomery


This book follows the same characters as The Story Girl. It ranks among my favorites by Montgomery. It was a sweet ending to the story of the King children. I just really find Montgomery’s books to be such sweet and easy to read books, that I like to pick them up after reading really difficult (because of subject matter or writing style) books.

C.S. Lewis: A Life Inspired by Christopher Gordon


I read and loved Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series. And I’ve downloaded a couple of his other books onto my Kindle, and just haven’t read them yet. So I was excited to learn a bit about Lewis.  And The Life Inspired series is a wonderful way to get a picture of a person. C.S. Lewis’s journey from atheist to Christian is fascinating.

Paradise by Toni Morrison

2016 PopSugar Challenge: a book from Oprah’s Book Club


To be honest, I’m not a huge Oprah fan. So I really had no idea what books she recommends. I googled to find a list, and happened to see this one on the list. I’d previously bought the book from my local library at their annual book fair. It’s always a great opportunity to pick up some literature from all genres at great prices, and is fundraiser for the library to boot. And it meant not buying a new book to knock out one of my PopSugar categories. Win, win!

In any event, this book is unusual, but worth sticking it out for. The sections are each told by different characters. It was a good book, but it was one that I had trouble staying with and getting through.

WordPress: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide! by Andrew Johansen


and

WordPress Made Super Simple by Jack Davies


I picked both of these books up for free on Kindle when I was getting ready to convert my site to a new theme. I wanted to make sure that I at least understand the basics of WordPress and websites. These books are great for absolute beginners. I picked up a few tips for them, but they aren’t really for anyone who has been using WordPress for any length of time. Good starter books though.

Waiting on God by Andrew Murray


This devotional is a daily devotional, with short chapters. I listened to each entry in the morning while driving to court in other counties. The book was published in the 19th century, but the teachings and challenges met in the book are equally applicable today.

Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind by Anne Charnock

2016 PopSugar Challenge: a romance set in the future


I delayed writing about this novel because I don’t quite know what to say about it. The book jumps between three stories set in three different time periods. I thought that they might be tied together and unified, but it just never happened. And essentially the book just ends, there seems to be no overarching theme or plot. It just baffled me. But the characters were strong females, and were written well. I just don’t know where this was supposed to go or why. I counted it for the challenge because there is an element of romance set in the future.

The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen


This book was not tough to read, but it was tough to keep reading. What I mean by that is the subject matter was depressing and confusing, not because it was poorly written (it isn’t) but because it’s told from the perspective of a child confused about his strange world and trying to make sense of it. The story becomes more positive and uplifting at the end, but only after it travels through some really dark territory. And the characters never do totally redeem themselves because of their tendency toward sacrificing the daughter for the sons. Troubling to me. But worth a read nonetheless.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay 


I absolutely loved this novel, and can’t wait to read more by Katherine Reay! This book was recommended by Crystal Paine over at Money Saving Mom, and even listed as one of her favorite books of 2015, but some of the reviews turned me off from purchasing it months ago. But my friend Carrie raved about how much she enjoyed it, so I hopped on it when it went on sale on Amazon. And I am so glad that I did.

It is written as a series of letters from bibliophile Sam to her anonymous scholarship benefactor, Mr. Knightley. You can see her growth as a person from insecure child trying to push everyone away, into a strong young woman wanting the most out of life. It’s inspiring, and a definite feel-good novel. And it gave me some great recommendations for further reading, through Sam’s references to them throughout the book. In particular, look for Oliver Twist in next month’s reviews.

Florence Nightingale: A Life Inspired by Lynn M. Hamilton 


These books work great to listen to while I’m driving. They’re engaging, with short chapters and I always learn something about an interesting individual. I had obviously heard of Florence Nightingale, but hearing of her was about as far as my knowledge of her went. She was a real pioneer in nursing and sanitation, as well as a thought-leader in her generation, feats even more impressive as she was a woman. I recommend this book, and all of the Life Inspired books. They are very well written. 

Stars Upside Down by Jennie Goutet

2016 PopSugar Challenge: an autobiography


Part travelogue, part faith journey, part autobiography, this book was great! The way that the author tells her story, I could definitely relate to her, even though she’s gone through some extreme hardships and unusual circumstances in her life. I enjoyed it enough that I started following her blog, and would likely read more of her books.

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

What I Read (December 2015)

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. Non-fiction ensures that I’m always learning something new. Devotionals ensure that I’m keying into my faith. And fiction books are just so enjoyable to read! This is What I Read in December 2015.

Books Finished:

Loyal To A Degree by Horst Christian


Last month I read, Children To A Degree, which was so good! I’d put the rest of the series on my Kindle wish list; and they are part of the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, so I was able to borrow this book this month. I loved it just as much as the previous entry in the series. They have serious and violent subject matter, World War II in Nazi Germany, but follow the lives of children. So the series is an interesting take for a couple of reasons.

Notre Dame Vs. the Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defeated the Ku Klux Klan by Todd Tucker


This book starts and ends strong, but is a little slow going in the middle, as the author sets up background information on all of the major players. It appears to be well-researched, and takes up a historical event that I was unfamiliar with. And it’s even more interesting, since it’s told from the perspective of a Notre Dame alum from well after this event took place.

The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

This book is best started on December 1, as each entry is dated,  I started it a couple of days late, because I discovered it in a Christian bookstore after December 1.  It is beautiful, as Voskamp’s writing always is. I picked it up because of the beautiful cover art, and the book includes wonderful illustrations inside too. I loved it, and will read it again next Advent season for sure. If you liked One Thousand Gifts, then you’re sure to love this book as well.

The Story Girl by Lucy Maud Montgomery


Told by a little boy who is spending time living at his father’s family farm while his father is working oversees. Much like the early Anne books, the story follows his childhood friends and adventures. This one differs slightly in that it is told by the boy later in life as an adult and reflecting back on those days. If you enjoyed the early Anne books, this will be a great read for you.

Adoption: What Joseph of Nazareth Can Teach Us about This Countercultural Choice by Russell D. Moore


This little book(let) is about Joseph’s decision to adopt Jesus, and what that would have meant for him in his day. But in addition, the book makes the argument that we as Christians need to do more to adopt and love those whom are unwanted and unloved, whether they be orphans, the poor, etc. And indeed, how different our world would be if kids could grow up in loving Christian homes, which certainly could happen if our churches were more encouraging of adoption. Since I work as an attorney in child welfare as my ‘day job,’ I work with kids who have been abused and neglected every day. It’s incredibly sad when kids don’t have anywhere to turn or anyone to love them. And there is a shortage, both here in Nebraska and nationally, of foster and adoptive homes. And the Christian church could change this.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Christmas Series Book 1)


A Christmas classic, you can’t go wrong reading or rereading this story during the holiday season. This year I learned that Dickens actually wrote a series of Christmas books, so I’ve challenged myself to read them all. I think this still ranks up there as my favorite, but The Cricket on the Hearth is probably a very close second.

The Chimes by Charles Dickens (Christmas Series Book 2)


This story follows Trotty and his daughter. One evening Trotty follows the chiming of the bells and climbs the bell tower, only to wake up and find that he died nine years before. In the same vein as What a Wonderful Life, Trotty watches how life has gone on without him, and the despair of his loved ones’ lives. However, the despair is not lasting, as there is a twist at the end.

The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens (Christmas Series Book 3)


This sweet little story mixes love of home and love of family to create a lesser known classic. As in A Christmas Carol, spirits are used to help characters to find the right path forward. A sweet little story with endearing characters. I enjoyed it very much.

The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens (Christmas Series Book 4)

This story follows two sisters, as well as a young man that they both love, Alfred.  Alfred goes away on a journey, and when he returns at Christmas time, the sister to whom he is engaged has apparently run off with another man. The plot is reminiscent of Jane Austen, and was an enjoyable little read.

The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain by Charles Dickens (Christmas Series Book 5)

In the final installment of Dickens’s Christmas book series, a man comes into contact with a ghost, and makes a bargain whereby he essentially has no feelings. But in exchange, he passes this along to all those that he comes into contact with. The story then follows the discontent that he sows with everyone he meets, and his ultimate conclusion that he no longer wants this curse. As in A Christmas Carol, he again comes into contact with the ghost, who gives him a way out. A nice little story, but it was harder to follow than the others, and is probably my least favorite of the five books.

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

What I Read (October 2015)

by //

Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. Non-fiction ensures that I’m always learning something new. Devotionals ensure that I’m keying into my faith. And fiction books are just so enjoyable to read! This is What I Read in October 2015.

Books Finished:

The Memory Thief by Emily Colin


The plot of this novel was a bit bizarre, but definitely made me want to keep reading to find out how things were going to resolve themselves. The story is written from the perspective of each of the main characters, which means that the story could jump around a big in chronology without feeling disjointed. I really liked it.

A Better Way: Make Disciples Wherever Life Happens by Dale Losch


This book discusses the current model of discipleship (missionaries and church planting) contrasted with a new model of discipleship (people working in chosen fields and starting businesses to gain access to countries that don’t allow missionaries and to spread the Gospel). I thought that the arguments were compelling, in particular how quickly each Christian making one new disciple each year could make believers out of the population of the entire globe. However, I would have liked to have read more geared toward those of us making disciples in the US, and more ‘how to’ like tips for actually making disciples. It has a good message for how the church can adjust its efforts to create believers in the modern era. And I think this message is one worth listening to, as there are many, myself included, who want to help people become followers of Christ, but do not feel that we are supposed to be full-time ministers or missionaries.

Further Chronicles of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery


After reading the rest of the series, I had to finish it up. This book consists of short stories about people from Prince Edward Island, and who are tangentially related to Anne Shirley and the other main characters of the other
books. Some are happy, some are incredibly sad, and some are actually ghost stories. Quite enjoyable.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell


After finishing Outliers last month, I just had to read another Malcolm Gladwell book. Although I liked Outliers better, The Tipping Point was also excellent. The book essentially endeavors to explain the spread of epidemics of all kinds. The explanations all made perfect sense through Gladwell’s masterful anecdotes. I definitely recommend this one, as well.

Pianist in a Bordello by Mike Erickson


This was a fun and entertaining little book. I had a difficult time putting it down. The general plot is that a young man by the rather unfortunate name of Richard Milhaus Nixon Youngblood is running for political office, and decides that to bolster his claim of honesty in all things he will publish an autobiography. Most of the book is that autobiography. I so recommend this novel, as it really was engaging.

Toward the Sunrise: An Until the Dawn Novella by Elizabeth Camden


This little novella is the tale of a woman enrolled in medical college and hoping to be a medical missionary, at a time when women are not terribly welcome in colleges. She is the daughter of a groundskeeper, and the wealthy absentee landowner pays her tuition. It was a sweet little story, that also contained an excerpt from the novel by the same name. It was sweet and heartwarming. I’m
looking forward to reading the novel.

Blogging: How To Start A Profitable Blog by David Lim


This book is a realistic look at what blogging is actually like, and what is needed to monetize a blog. Good starter or refresher tips.

Miramont’s Ghost by Elizabeth Hall


This book was really good…until it wasn’t. What I mean by that is that it started out as a very interesting story, with character lines that drew me in, and a plot that kept me reading. But then toward the end, the story line felt rushed to completion, and many of the plot points, the visions experienced by the main character, Adrienne, weren’t seen through to completion. And many of the
characters were simply dropped, with no resolution. And it felt almost as if characters were changed from good guy to bad guy, and as if terrible things happened, for no apparent reason, as they didn’t really move the story. And
the final chapter of the book felt almost as if it were pulled from another story, as there had been no foreshadowing to help it fit together with the rest of the book. Overall, I didn’t like this book, although I thought that I would when I started reading it.

Lost Highlander by Cassidy Cayman


This was a fun little novel that included romance and adventure. Although it’s definitely not a literary masterpiece, it’s a fun story that’s an enjoyable way to
pass the time. And it’s not as smutty as what the cover of the book might indicate. 😉

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

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