Kindred Spirits and Everyday Fairy tales
Friday, February 9, 2024
The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel
Monday, December 4, 2023
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
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
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.
Monday, October 30, 2023
When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson, PhD
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky
Friday, August 4, 2023
This is Where It Ends by Cindy K. Sproles
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
In the Shadow of the River by Ann H Gabhart
Book was provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. and Baker Publishing Group.