Better Ways to Read the Bible by Zach Lambert

If I had to pick two words to sum up Zach Lambert's new book Better Ways to Read the Bible they would be hope and healing.

In this book, Zach takes four commonly used interpretive lenses in the Evangelical church: literalism, apocalypse, moralism, and hierarchy and uses a variety of resources to highlight the harm these lenses have caused over the past number of decades. He then contrasts them with four healthier options: Jesus, context, flourishing, and fruitfulness. 

I found myself instantly drawn in by Zach's easy storytelling approach to writing as he effortlessly weaves personal experiences with scriptural evidence and peer reviewed references. Though the topic is a bit more academic in nature, this combination of writing elements makes the book accessible and enjoyable and I often caught myself responding out loud to different points (which is a bit more of an issue when the kids are asleep and it's midnight, grin). 

However, my biggest takeaway, by far, was the sheer amount of hope I felt reading this book as someone who has lived through church trauma, deconstruction, and is trying to rebuild faith in a chaotic world. The graciousness with which Zach platforms other scholars is evident in every chapter. The commitment of inclusion and it's grounding in scripture is one of the best I've read in recent years. Best of all, for me, I now have a resource for the others in my circles who have been hurt by the church and need a safe place to start exploring faith again.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 

The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann H. Gabhart

 

Ann Gabhart is best known for her sweet romances set in the early 20th century Appalachians. I've been following her stories for awhile now and I know I can count on Gabhart to always have a close attention to detail and a wonderfully vivid, detail filled capturing of the Appalachian spirit and the traditions and personalities of those who lived in the communities there.

Once again I loved Gabhart's choice of setting. Sourwood was delightful to explore, especially through Mira's fresh eyes and Ada June's enthusiasm. Gabhart also tried to give a balance to the community from the sweet young Joseph to the distant Riley. As someone who grew up in a rural community I appreciate when a fictional community shows the same sort of quirks that make those communities home.

That said, these may be my least favourite of Gabhart's main characters. Mira is a sweet and brave young woman but I struggled with the way her relationship with Gordon was presented. The entire "God told me to pursue you" and continuing to pursue until they were married a week later is such a dangerous mentality that has been romanticized to the harm of many women. I feel like I would have enjoyed Mira and Gordon so much more if they had a recent history or a longer courtship instead of their red flag start and Gordon's continual refusal to communicate throughout the book.

Ada June's story on the other hand left me wanting more. I would have easily read a book solely devoted to her story of finding herself and her family. I loved how Gabhart paced her healing, I loved the respect given to her trauma induced mutism, and she had such a spirit about her. However, because it was Mira's story not Ada June's I found myself more invested in Ada June without the same level of resolution.

While Mira's story does follow the traditional pattern of a happy ending in this genre, Ada June's as a secondary character felt like it had loose threads. Still readable but less satisfying.

3 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book as part of the RevellReads program in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

 

Jennifer Deibel is back with another February release! 

The Irish Matchmaker is Deibel's fourth release and are her novels are becoming a midwinter tradition around here. I don't know about you but after a few months of Canadian winter I need something cozy, sweet, and delivers an ending that leaves me smiling and this tale fit the bill entirely.

This time Deibel invites readers into the lives of Donal Bunratty, a farmer and single father to nine year old Sara, and Catriona Daly one of the matchmakers of Lisdoovarna.

I loved these characters and the care with which Deibel crafts their story. While this definitely is a romance, Deibel made sure to give each character their own foundation to stand on. Caty's search for self and security and Donal's search for wholeness after the losses in his life provided a rich setting for the romance to bloom amid the Lisdoovarna Matchmaking festival (which does actually exist to this day). 

While A Dance in Donegal is still my favourite overall tale from Deibel, Caty and Donal are my favourite romance. Deibel's pacing in this story was delightful. The romance happens naturally allowing for so many sweet scenes (I still can't decide if the painting scene or the dance was my favourite). This more natural pacing also crossed over into the religious elements. Donal's journey through his hurt and grief, his slow return to his faith, and his eventual return to community felt relatable in that it honours his pain while still providing the hopeful conclusion you expect in the genre.

As usual, Deibel provides wonderful worldbuilding through her descriptions of the Irish countryside, the festivities surrounding the festival, and the use of Irish words throughout the story (I recommend a second bookmark for the glossary at the front).

4.5/5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, the views expressed are my own.

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

 

If I could only recommend one novel from 2023 it would be The Warsaw Sisters  by Amanda Barratt.

Following the story of sisters Antonina and Helena Dabrowska, sisters living in Warsaw, Poland during World War II, Barratt takes readers through a fictional insight into how the German occupation affected those left behind in the city.

Barratt shows a strong eye for detail weaving in many key events from Warsaw's wartime history. Her use of the sisters as story anchors throughout the occupation gave a natural way to cover so many elements of Warsaw's wartime history from Irene Sendler's work and the Home army to tragedies like the Katyn and Wola massacres. 

I also appreciated Barratt's character development allowing the events to shape the characters, their convictions, and their decisions as the war progressed. While not all of the decisions may be ones readers expect to see from this publisher, the choices felt understandable and reasonable given the reality and conditions the sisters faced as the war dragged on.

The Warsaw Sisters was not necessarily an easy read but Barratt has done her best to capture a fictional slice of historical events that need to be remembered, perhaps more than ever in these turbulent times.

5 out of 5 stars

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

The Deep Down Things by Amber C. Haines and Seth Haines

 

The Deep Down Things reads as a collection of both memoir and spiritual truths. There is no denying that both Seth and Amber Haines are gifted wordsmiths and storytellers. Their ability to paint images with their text, convey emotions, and lead readers through the details makes this a interesting read.

It was also interesting to read of their journey through trauma, away from their Anglican service and into Roman Catholicism. While not all of the theology is going to line up with the majority of protestant readers, I appreciated the reminders of how many things, such as holy silence, transcend denomination and are just inherent to following Christ.

I also appreciated the honesty present in their stories. I was unfamiliar with the authors prior to this book, but the nature of this story required a vulnerability and openness that can sometimes inspire a glossing over or toxic positivity in contemporary religious books which was refreshingly absent from the Haines' work. Instead, I found their book to be willing not just to face the "deep down things" but open to sit and wrestle with them as each scenario required.

I did find it interesting that their chapter on forgiveness/reconciliation still tended more towards what I've seen in evangelical circles. Perhaps more fresh in my mind as I just finished another book on trauma, I was surprised to see more the traditional focus on the need to forgive, the work on the affected party's side, etc. While they did acknowledge the need of both parties involvement for reconciliation and a small mention of when healthy reconciliation cannot occur, I would have loved to see if there was anything in RC practice about healthy boundaries, recovering from trauma, and so on.

4 out of 5 stars.

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson, PhD

 

When Religion Hurts You is a timely resource for those processing their own experiences or helping others process their experiences in high control religions (HCR). 

Inspired by Anderson's doctoral research as well as clinical and personal experiences, When Religion Hurts You gives readers an oversight on the multitude of effects trauma can have on an individual's nervous system, regulation, and overall mental/physical health before narrowing down to scenarios more common within a  HCR.

I appreciated that Anderson takes the time to make her information accessible without insulting intelligence. 

Her work on nervous system regulation/dysregulation is well written and presented in a way that is easy to follow. I appreciated Anderson's sections with practical tips for addressing inner voices, recognizing the need to pace healing, and even her reframing of healing vs healed. The book is a wonderful resource full of information that feels possible rather than just jargon (not to mention Anderson provides a wonderful resource library list in the back that is categorized by topic).

That said, I could easily see individuals who are working to heal from HCR but still stay within a Christian faith struggling with some of Anderson's main points. Obviously this isn't a theology book, it's a book about trauma. However, it feels like Anderson's work, either due to personal beliefs or limits due to the scope of the project, leans far enough away from faith that some of her statements on evangelical beliefs in particular could be dysregulating for people still early in their own healing.

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

 

In The Legacy of Longdale Manor Turansky brings readers the story of  Gwen Morris and Charlotte Harper. I've noticed an uptake in dual timeline stories the last few years and this one places the leads 100 hundred years apart but with unexpected ties that hold fast through the years.

Turansky does a solid job bringing these two characters to life and I felt Turansky does a good job balancing and weaving together both plots. I enjoyed both lead characters although I did find myself enjoying Charlotte's storyline more, perhaps due to the urgency of her timeline given the recent upheaval of their living situation. Turansky maintains a solid pacing that is both engaging but doesn't feel overly rushed as the ladies wrestle through grief, growing up, and romance.

I found myself with mixed emotions regarding the book's take on the theme of forgiveness. While in Gwen's timeline her family's past decisions led to some obviously laid out consequences, repentance, forgiveness, and moving forward I didn't feel that same pattern was always as clear in Charlotte's story. It felt like the responsibility was more on the women to forgive than to make space for acknowledging the hurt and harm that had occurred. 

Overall, this was a pleasant easy read, the characters and plot are solid with lovely historical nods and a good eye for detail and continuity. I'm just not sure if this is a novel that I'll be able to recall by name in a few months time.

 3.5 out of 5 stars

Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.