Book Review

I’m once again joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature.  The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

(affiliate links included below – thanks for supporting this site!)

My reading got a little put off by one book that I trudged through and then my marathon viewing of Scandal. Still, I was able to cross off a few this month. Let’s get to it!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

I mentioned last month I picked the first Harry Potter up second-hand to preview in case my daughters wanted to read it. 

I feel like such a bad reader but I couldn’t stand this book.  I feel like I might be pelted by a gaggle of sorcerer stones any minute. I respect Rowling’s ability to create likable characters and an interesting new world but I just wasn’t hooked in the least.

If I weren’t such a stickler about finishing books I start and previewing it for the girls, I would have dropped it midway.  I don’t have too many qualms about the girls reading it if they want I suppose.  Just not for me.  Maybe I’ll still pick up the audio book at some point and see if it changes my mind.

Undaunted: Daring to Do What God Call You to Do

I saw Christine Caine three years ago at Catalyst.  She made a mark on me then and did it again with her debut novel Undaunted.  Part memoir and part inspiration, this book leaves you emboldened to do whatever God calls you to.

Eleanor & Park

I read Eleanor & Park at Anne’s recommendation.  She’s calling it one of her favorites for the year.  I don’t think this beats The Fault in Our Stars for me but if you like Young Adult fiction at all, you’re going to want to pick this one up.  Incredibly charming and gritty all at once.  Lots of language I wasn’t a big fan of but there was a truthiness to it that led me to give it a pass. My only issue is the ending.  As cheesy as it might have been, I wanted a cleaner, happier ending.

I’m currently in the midst of listening to Tina Fey’s Bossypants and reading Jesus > Religion by Jeff Bethke, Anything by Jennie Allen and Jodi Picoult’s Keeping Faith.

Have you read any of these? What’s your latest favorite book?

I’m once again joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature.  The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

(affiliate links included below – thanks for supporting this site!)

After so many non-fiction books, I got on a fiction kick this month including one book to which I devoted an entire post.

The Fault in Our Stars

Check out the full review here but I’ll say The Fault in Our Stars is one of my favorite novels ever.  Just so great.  #MustRead

Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game is totally and completely different than anything I normally read but I found myself sucked in and finished it in just a few days.  This one is being filmed as a movie and I’m torn about whether I’m excited or not. It’s certainly going to be better as a book but it could be really cool if they do it right.  Either way, it’s worth the read if not the watch.  Great characters, great plot, great pace, and two really great reveals.

Glamorous Illusions

Parts of Glamorous Illusions were downright charming but overall I found it a little slow, perhaps because it’s just Book One in a series.  I think this was a free kindle book and it kept me busy during my flights last weekend.

I picked up a used copy of Harry Potter over the weekend.  I could write a whole post about this but here’s the short version: I’ve never read any of it and I want to preview it before I see if it’s something I want to let Emma read.  Parents, any wise input on it?

I finished The Fault in Our Stars yesterday and declared it one of my favorite novels ever. Although I haven’t reviewed a book on its own in awhile and I even had plans for another post today, I need some space to gush.

If you haven’t read the book, please do two things for me.  Go buy the book.  And until you do, don’t read anymore of this post.

If you’ve read the book, please prepare your typing fingers because I need you to gush with me in the comments.

Here are some Gushy Thoughts about the book:

• What I loved most about this book is it’s fearless.  John Green wasn’t scared to make an entire book about kids with cancer.  Who does that? Who wants to live in a world of Kids with Cancer long enough to write, edit and deliver a novel about it?  I can’t imagine the writing process was an entirely happy one but I’m so glad he wasn’t afraid to live there for awhile.  He was brave to make Isaac blind and Van Houten miserable and Augustus dead.
• I love that John Green writes for writers.  He makes his characters have conversations about the improper use of “literally”, centers an entire plot line about a character’s need to know the ending to a story and often use poetry.  Even though I don’t get poetry, I appreciate that he does, that the characters do and there’s still something romantic about it.

“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.”

• There’s a truthiness and grit to Hazel without her being annoying and overly sarcastic.  She gushes over the boy often but only because she’s been pushed to the point by Augustus where it really demands it.  I was grinning like a fool at Augustus too so I’d be upset if she was too cynical about love.
• So maybe Augustus was too much.  I mean, he was a basketball playing, cancer suriving, good-looking, poetry quoting, wish granting, self-sacrificing boy but I mean.  He died.  He’s allowed to be awesome.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t mind, Hazel Grace.  It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” 

• I want to relive their Amsterdam trip.  Even though they were disappointed and really didn’t get what they were going for,the conflict made it all the more interested to read and the night they had together was well, epic.

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.”

• I couldn’t have been happier with the ending. Her mother was moving on and Hazel didn’t feel so much like a grenade anymore.  Hazel got a kind of goodbye from Augustus and an ending to her story all in one swoop. Even though we don’t ever know what happened to Anna’s mom, I rather prefer it that way.  It’s clear Hazel isn’t going to survive, but I’m glad that Green neither saved her nor put us through her death.

I know I’ll post this and think of 27 more things to gush about.  Ever since I finished it yesterday, I keep thinking about it.

So here’s your chance folks, gush about this book with me.  I mean, please tell me you loved it too.  There wasn’t anyone that hated is there?  I can’t imagine but tell me if you did.

Is there a movie in the works for this book?  I haven’t looked it up and haven’t decided whether I want one although I already have been trying to decide who could do Augustus justice.  Michael Rady (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) is at the top of my list right now.

Now, GO GUSH! Okay? Okay.

I’m once again joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature.  The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

(affiliate links included below – thanks for supporting this site!)

Alright so this month’s list is long but I had so many books in-flight and then we went on vacation.  I finished 4 there and then plowed through a few more.  Let’s get to it!

Beautiful Outlaw

Beautiful Outlaw is a fantastic read about the personality of Jesus. You’ll have to read my post Where was Jesus? to grasp the full impact this book prompted.  This is one of those books that will go down  in the “Changed my Life” category.

Just Lead!

Although I’m not a female leader in the church, I found Just Lead! to be applicable as a woman in a male-dominated field.  Highly recommend to any working woman.

The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life

The Getaway Car is my second memoir from a writer and I loved this one too.  Lots of great advice written with authenticity that has me wanting to complete a second read.

Start

I didn’t find Start’s message to be much different than Jon’s previous book Quitter.  It was good but if you’ve read Quitter, I’m just not sure you should rush to read Start.  However, if you enjoy Jon’s humorous writing like me, you might enjoy the read anyway.

Unblogger: Discovering the Power of Story in a “How-to” World

Unblogger is a nice, short call for bloggers to be good characters in life.

Prototype

The author and I went to the same church for a time when I was a teenager and even though we never really met, I still felt a sort of kinship to him while reading.  A lot of our experiences were the same and his vernacular and such was so familiar, there was an instant comfort.  Jonathan is a skilled writer and story teller and while parts of Prototype were moving and enlightening, others felt like we had drifted too far down a rabbit hole.  Still, I call this one a must-read.

The Plot Skeleton, Creating Extraordinary Characters and Point of View: Writing Lessons from the Front

I’m including these three together as they’re meant to be read together and they’re all pretty short.  If you have any interest at all in writing fiction, check these out.  I know this is kind of a “duh” but I’ve found reading non-fiction by fiction authors to be outstanding.  Two out of 3 of these are free for Kindle so writers, pick them up!

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet

I’ve been a faithful reader of Sophie’s blog BooMama for quite some time so her memoir of Southern stories was an absolute delight to read.

Whew, what a month.  My reading has slowed as we’ve been back from vacation and working really hard to get the kids’ rooms back in order since the water leak last month—sharing more on that this week.  What books have you read recently you’d recommend?

I’m once again joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature.  The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

(affiliate links included below – thanks for supporting this site!)

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Believe all the hype.  Bread and Wine is worth the read.  I was challenged, entertained and left in sobbing tears.  Don’t let the title scare you off. This is about way more than food.

Bloom has chosen this book as its summer book club selection so check that out.

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts of Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller

Blue Like Jazz has been on my list for years but I finally took the time to read.  Donald Miller has a way of being authentic without being crass and being spiritual without being uptight.  I loved reading how he came to believe in Christ as it’s so unlike my story, or many in my circles. 

The ScrewTape Letters by C.S. Lewis

I love C.S. Lewis so it’s no surprise that The Screwtape Letters was a fascinating read for me.  Really makes you think about life and the voices in your life and in your head and just the battles that are going on in and around you.  I’d consider this a must-read books for Christians.

A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd by Phillip Keller

I read the second book of this trilogy A Shepherd Looks at the Good Shepherd and found it absolutely fascinating.  It’s a look at John 10 through the eyes of a modern-day shepherd.  One of the best books I’ve read on Christianity in quite some time.  Another required reading for Christians book.

Everything by Mary DeMuth

There were definitely some gems in Everything, but as a whole, it just didn’t resonate with where I am right now.

Poke the Box by Seth Godin

Another one that’s been on my list for awhile, I read Poke the Box as part of a book club at work.  If you’re not familiar with Seth Godin, check it out. Otherwise, you’ve probably heard most of this message.  Still, a great manifesto about being  an initiator.

Wow, I read some fantastic books this month.  I hope you check a few of them out if you haven’t and let me know what you think.

I’m still trying to get through Jon Acuff’s Start and really enjoying it so far.  BooMama’s A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is definitely next on the list!

My to-read list is getting shorter.  What books would you add to my list?

I’m once again joining with Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly link-up for books called Twitterature.  The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

I’ve never read any of Stephen King’s novels but his writing/memoir On Writing was captivating. King was honest and transparent to a fault and I found it refreshing.  #MustReadforWriters

The rest of my completed reading is from the eBook bundle.

I love Tsh and her writing in One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler but found it a bit intimidating. I feel like I need to sit down and really make plans for how to incorporate these things.  I should probably take a note from the title and take it a bite at a time.

Crock On is a beautiful cookbook. The recipes are easy but scrumptious. #WorthIt

iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide had some good tips, especially around phone apps but I’m not sure it’s worth the retail price.  I’m glad I got this in the bundle. 

I desperately needed to read Hula Hoop Girl when I did. #BusyMomsBuyThis

Great perspective and tips by Hayley in The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley especially if fashion is a struggle for you. Her practical guide to thrift shopping was the star. 

Reuse, Refresh, Repurpose is a really fun eBook about reusing, refreshing and repurposing your clothes.  Really creative ideas but a bit of sewing experience would make this even better. #NotaSeamstress

Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging was another one that came at exactly the right time.  If you feel overwhelmed with blogging, you need this book.

I’m very curious if anyone else has had time to tackle any of the other books in the bundle!

I’m currently reading Start, Bread & Wine and a Shepherd’s Look at the Good Shepherd.  Can’t wait to talk about them next month!

What book have you read recently that you would recommend?

This is it, folks, we’re down to the last days of the sale—and my last post about the eBook bundle. 

You will not be able to get these books together after Saturday night at 11:59pm.  After that, you’ll have to pay full price individually!

 BUY THE BUNDLE NOW

I know—some of you are sighing with relief. But I hope that those of you who have picked it up are excited and can attest to its value.  I definitely wouldn’t have dedicated a week of posts to it if I didn’t think it was worth it!

Anyone have a favorite so far they want to share?

I made two recipes this week I didn’t share here.

I tried a beef dish in Crock On that was to die for.  Oh my goodness.  The kids didn’t even mind the leftovers.

Last night, we tried the Mexican Chocolate ice cream from Just Making Ice Cream.

So much good stuff in just those two books!

Thank you so much for letting me take the time this week to share about the sale.  A portion of the sales you bought here support this site and I appreciate it more than you know!

LAST CHANCE –> BUY THE BUNDLE NOW