The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holley Gerth

 

Honestly, if I can only recommend one book this year it would be The Powerful Purpose of Introverts. 

Throughout these pages, Gerth takes readers step by step through the strengths and weaknesses within an introverted person, with an emphasis on the strengths and how to live a healthy life in balance with the weakness. It was eye-opening.

The first two chapters Gerth devotes to actually examining the differences in how an introverted brain operates and leading readers through some tools to better understand how their personality functions within those differences. I love personality research and still found some great new material in here and personal insights.

The next ten chapters identified ten spectrums from struggle to strength for introverts. I loved how hopeful and proactive these chapters were. Growing up a known introvert, I was made well aware of the struggles introverts face. It was refreshing to see Gerth pair these with strengths for introverts as well as steps and understandings on how to move along the spectrum towards strengths like resilience, solitude, and confidence. 

This isn't a quick fix book or even a ten steps despite the break down of chapters. Instead, Gerth has provided a toolkit full of possibilities and affirmation that fills a long needed space on the shelves. 

While each page clearly shows Gerth's research into personality and processes of the brain, it's her passion for people and her hard won experience in this field that shines through each page and makes the information so relatable. 

5 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson

 Home Made Lovely by Shannon Acheson is a step by step introduction on how to curate your home into the space you desire. Tackling everything from personal style to how to be a good host, Acheson breaks down the basics in all areas of making a home into a thorough introduction to the art of hospitality.

Overall, there were some great points to this book. I really appreciated Acheson multiple idea lists throughout the chapters as they gave great jumping off points for inspiration on things like curb appeal and preparing for overnight guests. I also appreciate how many chapters conclude with worksheet pages allowing readers a chance to respond to the material they just consumed.

One of my favourite parts of the book were the sections on personal styles and colour. Honestly both are sections I've heard a lot about (thank you HGTV) but never really had explained in a coherent manner. The styles pages  with their pictures and key features were fun and informative and gave some great clarity and inspiration. While the colour wheel pages really helped give a wider colour theory and cleared up the difference between hue, shade, tint, and tone, so helpful for this whimsically eclectic Mama.

Now, there were two points that didn't sit as comfortably with this book and I feel they're worth mentioning as well.

First, chapter 3. Chapter 3 is centered on making your home "spiritually ready". Honestly, while some of this was interesting, the author and I come from very theologically different background and some of this chapter just didn't sit with me.

Second, there were definitely sections of the book where I felt either a generational or privilege dichotomy. There were points where she talks about saving coffee money or spending hundreds where designer versions would be thousands. In the communities I know that mentality could be very frustrating as so many don't have the wiggle room to "just skip something" as they live paycheck to paycheck.

I think there's still useful information and inspiration to be taken from the book for a wide audience but felt the need to point out this lifestyle difference as it caught me off guard.

4 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen

 

I've been a fan of Klassen for years, but I've never had one of her stories capture my interest and heart as quickly as A Castaway in Cornwall. I feel like Klassen took many lessons from her recent foray into series writing with The Inn on Ivy Hill to provide readers one of her richest stories yet.

First, I couldn't help but fall in love with her world. A Castaway in Cornwall uses the rugged shores of 1813 Cornwall filled to the brim with interesting characters for it's home. I felt like this book definitely makes great use of its setting and cast of characters as there are so many with moments to shine. From Eseld to Jago and Miss Chegwin (who honestly could handle a prequel of their own) the characters draw you in through their well written personalities and story. Klassen also used the characters to explore the interactions between poverty, smuggling, and wreck picking which happened on the coast in a way that highlights the ups and downs of that trade. I've always loved how Klassen uses history to build a solid, inviting world and this effort is no different.

Klassen also stays true to her routes by giving readers some solid leads to fall in love with thanks to the characters of Laura and Alexander. Laura's got the sweet, searching stubbornness that seems quite common to a lead in this genre yet at the same time Klassen brings a different twist. Laura's theme of rescue and redeeming the flotsam adds an interesting dynamic to her character, her struggles for home, and her relationship with Alexander. Alexander's story was delightful in that I honestly had no idea which way the twists and turns were going to land which made for a delightful page turner (until 3 am, oops, don't regret it). 

Again, I'm not terribly surprised as Klassen's research and characters have always been solidly drawing me in novel after novel and have only strengthened with experience. The big surprise, for me, in this book was the plot itself.

Klassen manages to keep a quick pace weaving in shipwrecks and war, romance and grief, old rivals and new beginnings. I loved the faster pace and the depth of her plot. 

On one side the historical aspect was exciting. Alexander's connection to the war and unrest kept me guessing throughout. The inclusion of the smuggling was an aspect I had read some on before but through her characters Klassen added a human element. I was also intrigued by the island of Jersey of which I was unfamiliar. It's Klassen's ability to take that historical framework and breathe story into through the emotion, dreams, and sorrows of her characters that makes her work so memorable. Themes of loss and regret were very present within her characters yet not heavy handed and the way that Klassen constantly wove in hope and restoration makes for a very satisfying read at the end of a very long year. 

Honestly, if you only read one of Klassen's books make it this one.

5 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."