1. The Novelist by Angela Hunt ***
[Read from May 01 to 04, 2013]
This is a
pretty gripping story, or actually two stories in one. The story
within the story is an allegory of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden and
Jesus' redemption. The main story is about the writer of the allegory
and her troubled son. I appreciated the writing lessons as well as the
spiritual lessons in the story, though I didn't think it was perfect.
2. The Castafiore Emereald by Hergé ***
[Read on May 07, 2013]
A Tintin comic. A bit more chaotic than I liked, but still funny & interesting.
3. The Land of Black Gold by Hergé ****
A Tintin comic. Quite funny, though there was some swearing in German that I could understand. :(
4. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp *****
[Read from April 23 to May 19, 2013]
I was sort of expecting the
usual modern instructional/inspirational book--helpful but a little dry
or shallow. Instead, this book is a lyrical feast. The author asks
hard, penetrating questions, and helps us to see God's love for us in
every detail of life, even the ugly side of life. The only thing I
didn't like about it, that I recall, is the painting of Christ and the
way she reacted to it, since I don't believe we are to make likenesses
of God, even God in the flesh--especially because we don't know what He
looked like and our perceptions might skew things, or make the painting
an object of worship, instead of the actual Christ. Perhaps there is
danger of people thinking her pantheistic, as she "finds God" in
everything/everyone, but she quite clearly refutes that in the section
about the moon, and you can tell she is speaking poetically, or of
finding God's glory/handiwork in everything.
Overall it is a beautiful book that will certainly stick in my mind and heart.
5. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi **
[Read from May 20 to 21, 2013]
This
was a fun, adventuresome read, especially while I was ill, but the
ending frustrated me, as well as a few other things. Yes, the main
character showed some good courage, but she also showed dishonesty and
disobedience to parents. I can understand the reasoning for the way it
ended, but it wasn't right. If it weren't for the ending, I probably
would have given it another star, since it was well-written and
entertaining.
6. Jimmy by Robert Whitlow ***
[
Read from May 26 to 30, 2013]
Not a
riveting read until near the end, but it does give some things to think
about, and is a touching look into the head of a simple, sweet boy.
The Book of Acts - I read it again for my own daily Bible reading. Always interesting (and inspired) reading!
