Under the Starry Skies by Tracie Peterson

 

I've been thinking a fair bit about this particular story since finishing it the other night. While Peterson writing itself shows the skill and finesse one expects from a writer as prolific as Peterson, the content and characters frustrated me to the point of lowering my enjoyment of the story.

Cassie Barton is described as "sensible and independent" in the book's description but despite having lived mostly independent while her father grieved in a town marked by the railway and increasing activity from revolutionaries she shows so little common sense. She doesn't lock her door, she goes out to dinner with a man who threatened her as a show of Christian goodwill, among other things. All of Cassie's character development was connected to other characters, rather than independent she read as very passive and dependent as a result.

I was equally frustrated with Brandon's storyline. While I fully acknowledge his background was traumatizing and had a lot of potential for the solid redemptive storyline Peterson has favoured in the past. Brandon's communication with his pastor regarding his familial history, while most likely era, reads as very victim blaming/victim shaming which left a bad taste in my mouth as well. 

It is also important to note that this story involves domestic violence against women and children as well as two description of killing (one premeditated and one reactionary) for readers who may be more sensitive to those plot themes.

2.5 out of 5 stars

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

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.

Celebrities For Jesus by Katelyn Beaty

 

Every once in awhile you find a book that gives you something to sit with, think on, and continue processing long after you've closed the last page. I think Beaty has provided just such a book with her new offering Celebrities for Jesus. 

The lure of harnessing celebrity for Jesus is certainly not a new approach. I appreciated Beaty's recognition of this by giving readers a quick, but well-laid out, introduction to evangelicalism long standing interwoven relationship between business, celebrity, and their approach to the gospel. I found the history from Moody through Graham fascinating and certainly not a hard leap to the parachurch moguls, megachurch personalities, and social media influencers that permeate church culture today.

From there, Beaty looses no time highlighting the dangers and pitfalls of celebrity intermixing with the gospel pulling out current examples from RZIM to Mars Hill, ministries that, by all accounts, had started with sincere intentions and hopeful footing before allowing themselves to be swept into the pitfalls of fame.

 I personally found these real life illustrations helpful and sobering (especially having read A Church Called Tov earlier this year, I found these two books to complement each other surprisingly well). Although it was disheartening that Beaty had so many real life examples to choose from, some that have even continued to be revealed since printing, it was eye opening to see just how easily a ministry can get swept away and how evangelicalism does seem to have some built in weaknesses to celebrity due to its early partnership with business practices.

I also appreciate how Beaty doesn't try to wrap up the issue into a tidy ending . While she does bring the book to its conclusion well (I enjoyed Beaty's writing style throughout the book), she also acknowledges there isn't a quick fix or formulaic solution. I appreciated Beaty's willingness to sit in the mess that is the balance between fame and celebrity, the lure of celebrity for the kingdom, and acknowledgment that there is no easy fix in a socially saturated culture that is always evolving.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

 

A Dangerous Beauty is a romantic suspense novel by Melissa Koslin. While I was intrigued by the concept I don't think I was the target audience for this particular story. 

I enjoyed the concepts Koslin brought to Liliana as a main character. She really had some rich development as she healed and discovered herself as an individual on the other side of trauma. Meric was also an interesting concept that feels very familiar in the romance genre of the strong, quiet male on the road to redeeming his origins.

The suspense storyline was also interesting to see unfold. I appreciated Koslin's skill at drawing out her plot, laying clues and twists to help build up the final reveal. My problem came down to the romance.

As much as I enjoyed Liliana and Meric as characters in their own right: the modern setting, the isolated nature of the characters due to the plot, and the speed and approach that the more traumatic elements were handled I just couldn't appreciate the romantic aspects of the novel. It read too much like a trauma bonding scenario for me to really root for the couple at the stage the story took place.

For readers ready to dive in it should be noted that due to the heavier topic matter there are some potentially triggering plotlines including: loss of loved ones to violence, violence against women, sexual assault, scene describing assault with intent to kill, human trafficking. 

3 out of 5 stars

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

The Clutter Fix by Shannon Acheson

 

After a bit of a summer break it somehow feels right to jump back into reading and reviews with a book on decluttering and simplifying the day to day. 

For those of you who have poked around my corner of the internet for awhile, you may recognize Acheson's name, as I had the opportunity to review her last book Home Made Lovely, a how-to guide on finding your style and building a space that is welcoming and beautiful to those that live there. Now, Acheson's back helping readers organize their styles into functional and peaceful space.

There was a lot to like in here. At it's heart, this is a very practical book. Acheson really takes the time to break down each stage/room for decluttering to make the job more accessible regardless of how much clutter one is facing. I appreciated the variety of lists she includes both for keeping yourself on track an das a guideline to modify for your own needs.

Which was another thing  I appreciated. Acheson spends a lot of her introduction explaining how not all points in her book will apply to everyone, something I greatly appreciated. So many how-to/fix it books are so focused on promoting their method it can feel inaccessible for those who don't meet the target audience. Acheson, though, seems much more aware, even in comparison to her first book about the reality of different familial and living arrangements fully  encouraging her readers to take what fits their lives and leave what doesn't. In essence the book's first area of decluttering is it's own advice.

I  also appreciated Acheson's inclusion of different organizing types and how that can affect both your decluttering phase and maintenance phases. Our home holds four people, we probably fit into 3 of the 4 organization models she outlines in chapter 5. As someone already familiar with decluttering this chapter really opened my eyes to some of the areas where our family struggles and has already helped up make some real progress.

Overall, I appreciated this book for it's honesty. Acheson presents tips and tricks that are modifiable for any organizational type or personality who wish to have some more tools for taming their space. 

4 out of 5 stars.

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