The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

 

Amy Lynn Green is back with another WWII era novel and this one might be my favourite yet from Green. 

The first and central aspect of this story that captured my attention was that, while this was a WWII novel with loss and romance, at it's core, the story centered on community and friendship that can form in unlikely places. While Avis, the new housewife turned librarian is positioned as the main character she really feels more as one of many surrounded by the quiet Martina running from her past while caring for her children, the spirited Ginny with her big dreams, and Louise the wealthy library patron alone but for her cook and gardener. 

Green packs a lot into this motley crew and any of the characters could easily have overshadowed the other and yet Green really brings them together well. I loved how gently their stories were teased out as their relationships grew. I loved how natural their shared moments were as they realized how much they had to offer and how much they came to mean to one another.

Also, it was just refreshing to read a novel where female friendship played a larger role than romance or intrigue. I feel this really helps The Blackout Book Club stand out in its genre.

I was also pleased to see Green sticking to her trademark of incorporating some sort of correspondence from the characters within the plot, this time in the form of the official notes from the book club. I've come to look forward to these unique sections of writing from Green and this novel's inclusions were a delightful way to gain extra insight into Avis, Ginny, and Freddy especially, and it was a testament to Green's skill with this literary format that the sections always felt natural.

Green quickly made her way onto my author's to watch list after her novel Things We Didn't Say but The Blackout Book Club easily moves her into one of my favourite current writers.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

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

A Curious Faith by Lore Wilbert

 

If I was limited to a single book recommendation for 2022, this would be the book.

Wilbert has a gift for writing. Her words are empathetic and conversational, born out of experience as she shares her own journey with a faith that makes room and encourages space for hard questions. I was encouraged that, although her work revolves around deep matters of life and faith, it never feels inaccessible or stuck in theoretical head games. Rather, Wilbert is content to sit in the questions alongside her readers in the messiness of where life and faith intersect, a willingness to live with the unanswered questions as long as needed.

The concept of a book about faith and questions instantly grabbed my attention. Wilbert has divided her book into three distinct segments: "Questions God Asks: Living Curiously", "Questions We Ask God: Listening Curiously", and "Questions We Wish Someone Would Ask Us: Loving Curiously."
I really appreciated this framework that firsts starts with a curious God seeking to know his creation first before moving into the reflection of the individual reciprocating with their own questions. In a market that is filled to the brim with books prescribing the "right" way or the quick fix, it was refreshing to see a book that was willing to bring some balance back to the dialogue and reaffirm the value of questions for a healthy faith and spiritual dialogue. 

My one regret with this book is that I did have a timeline to read it. I really feel this is the kind of book that lends itself to a slow read and a pacing that lends itself to reflection outside of the pages to get the full intent of the author (I definitely plan to reread this one without a timeline when life settles a little bit in the new year).

5 out of 5 stars

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

Start with Hello by Shannan Martin

 

I've followed Martin online for years and always appreciated much about her writing and her skill definitely shines through on each page. Throughout the book Martin has a style that feels very authentic and conversational. It just feels appropriate that a book on living well as neighbours and authentic community reads like sitting down in the kitchen over tea and having a conversation filled with questions, advice, and story. Martin is a storyteller through and through finding the beauty in everyday moments and interactions. The stories are inspiring in that Martin weaves them out of such ordinary space that finding your own such moments and interactions feels achievable and natural.

I also appreciated how Martin focused on simplifying connection for readers, how to focus less on presentation in favour or presence and how to live vulnerably and openly within healthy trust. There wasn't anything terribly new in these pages but the book is a helpful refresher on the basics of living well with others. 

That said, there was a lot that just, personally, missed the mark for me in this particular book in this season. Although Martin has done a lot of work expanding her horizons beyond her own worldview and privilege that work hasn't yet crossed into disabled perspectives based on what I found in this book.

For example, in one chapter, Martin advocates for humanizing people by using person first language among other things but in the disabled community many dislike person first language due to a complicated past, it's always safer to ask. It felt out of place to see advice like this as a statement, especially considering a previous chapter on listening.

Throughout the book, Martin talks about challenging her introverted nature and getting out there, finding ways to connect with her neighbours through walks, service, daily routines like walking to school. Martin book was peppered with stories at how these daily routines gave room for moments of connection that eventually lead to deeper community. However, there were no alternatives for those with disabilities that might prevent that, no gentle awareness that the tasks she suggests may not be an option right now. I was actually surprised how much of the book focused on simply getting out and being aware. 

Much of Martin's book felt geared towards reclaiming prepandemic rhythms and even spoke of getting back to normal with gatherings or past terminology but many I know in the disabled community are still in various levels of isolation or with reduced capacity due delayed treatments or long covid. Even in Martin's expanded circle of awareness it felt hard to see space for safe and accessible connection with current events.

While I still appreciate Martin's voice on so many topics this book just fell short in my experience. 

3 out of 5 stars

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