For the Love of... Wulder?!?!

I am about to share with you (drumroll please) one of the worst books that I have read this year. Worst might even be an understatement, it's just that... bad. The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul sounded promising enough. Donita K. Paul has written a handful of other dragon books and the cover of this novel boasted, "a fantastic journey of discovery for all ages." It was a journey all right, but it was not in the least bit fantastic!

This novel follows young Miss Tipper, her long lost father (who left when she was 5 but has come back through a weird portal and know disappears and reappears randomly), a giant parrot named Beccaroon (really?!?!), an aspiring young artist who is a big fan of Verrin Schoop's (Tipper's father) artwork, a grumpy old wizard, and an even grumpier and crazy librarian. This rag tag team comes together to go on a quest to find three of Schoop's lost sculptures in order to reunite them and fix the portal that Schoop is stuck in. It's a pretty ridiculous plot that maybe possibly could have worked out, but fails miserably. Throughout the story and their quest, and all their little trials they become closer and also get closer to Wulder (the all knowing, powerful thing? Like God? Who knows...).

Overall, this story isn't worth anyone's time. None of the characters are likable or memorable, the plot is slow, silly, and drawn out, and the story is overall... boring! I wanted to stop reading after the first 20 pages, but the good little reviewer I am toughed it out and read it to the end (what a waste!). If you value your time you'll pass on this ridiculous book!

Oh, and a happy thanksgiving to all!!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Over the Top, But in a Good Way

It's getting cold and snow is on more than just people's imagination. It's coming. That being said, winter is my favorite time to read. I love curling up with a book in front of the fireplace. It just feels right. Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs fit the right criteria. Christian romance isn't normally my cup of tea, but Higgs paints the emotions of her characters on beautifully, it's hard not to get at least a little swept up in the story. The novel follows you Elizabeth Kerr and her mother-in-law, Marjory, as they find shelter in Skelkirk with their cousin, Anne. The two young women have lost all, Marjory's sons (and Elizabeth's husband) were killed fighting with the Jacobites on the wrong side of King George. They lose their titles, land, possessions, and money and are forced to Skelkirk to live with a poor cousin. The three become close and all have budding romances: Marjory with her former manservant, Gibson, Anne with the local tailor, and Elizabeth with her wealthy employer, the Admiral. The story is quite long and takes a while to develop, but overall I can't fault the author for beautiful prose and character development. A pretty good read, especially for this time of year.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Out of the Closet and into the Church

This week's book, Out of a Far Country: A Gay son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope by Christopher and Angela Yuan was a surprise feel good book. I stayed up til 2 in the morning last night because I was unable to put this book down which came as a huge surprise to me. I'm not going to lie when I received this book I was dreading reading it, it looked like another cliche "I stopped being gay for God" book. I really had no desire to read it. But once I started it sucked me right it. Each chapter is told through either the eyes of Christopher or his mother and it is interesting to see each of their different perspectives on the situation. When Christopher, Angela's youngest and closest son, tells his family that he is gay, she leaves him an alternative, to accept the family or the homosexuality. Christopher chooses his homosexuality and leaves home because he is tired of living a double life. Angela decides that she has failed as a wife and mother and plans to go visit Christopher one last time in Atlanta before killing herself. Her train ride down to Atlanta though takes an interesting turn when she picks up some christian literature and finds God. She accepts Christopher for who he is and makes it her life's goal to transform her husband's and her sons life through Jesus Christ. The story chronicles Angela's spiritual journey and Christopher's spiral into the gay community, into the HIV+ community, and finally into the drug community where he becomes a minor drug lord and ends up having to serve a few years in jail. While in jail his parent's badgering about Christianity slowly begins to take its toll and he becomes a completely different person. He decides that being homosexual wasn't what defined him and that God didn't hate gays, He only hated the act that gays performed. Christopher decides to remain celibate and to spread the word of God to the gay community and to anyone who listens. He still currently gives talks, lectures, and teaches, he hurries along before the AIDS makes him incapable to do so anymore. It was truly an awe inspiring story and I appreciated that it didn't have the usual "God hates fags" theme going on. I would definitely recommend this book. It is a fantastic read.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Faith and Politics: an Often Fatal Combination

I feel like it's been forever since I last posted, sorry for the delay!

This month I reviewed, Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics, by Alisa Harris a short quirky memoir about coming to terms with living out her faith. Alisa Harris grew up picketing abortion clinics, going to republican rally's, and debating her fellow home-schooled friends. She thought that being politically active was the best way to live out her conservative christian faith. As she gets older however she begins to realize that maybe no matter how hard you try you can't change the world if you're hiding behind your signs. You have to live it out in your actions every single day.

Overall, I felt that this was a very poignant well-written, and inspiring memoir, it's perfect for the ultra-religious, the non-religious, the politically savvy, the non-political, it's just really great for everyone. The stories that Alisa shares from her childhood are funny, sad, serious, inspiring and fulfill every emotional pull that you could possibly combine in a book. I would recommend this book to anyone, it illuminates an important aspect of our culture and tries to make sense of our hectic society. In an age where Jonesbro Church members picket army funerals and harass the public this book attempts to come to terms with this era's culture warriors. A must read for everyone!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Mercy Come Morning

I was finally able to find some free time this weekend to sit down and read some books. I finished The Lost City of Z which was a fantastic must read novel and Mercy Come Morning an alright book that I would probably never read again. Mercy Come Morningis the tale of woman having to come to terms with her mother who is dying from alzhiemers. Krista comes back to her hometown to settle things with her mother and to spend some time with her old high school beau. Of course Krista has to overcome many obstacles such as forgiving her mother for neglecting her as a child and learning to trust herself around Dane. Thankfully, the Lord is on her side and gives her the courage to face her trials. Overall, this book is sappy and everything turns out like it's supposed to. It's a good read for those who know people going through Alz and having to cope with it's affects. It's not anything that I would ever re-read or reccomend though.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me

When my copy of The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall arrived I have to admit that I wasn't too thrilled to start reading it and it wasn't because there was a farm and a wistful looking young woman in Amish garb adorning the cover. I honestly just don't do well with religous romantic novels. In this book's defense though it wasn't nearly half as bad as I thought it would be. The novel doesn't just have one main character or even two. It has about 10 and it even comes with a character guide in the back. Basically a bunch of single Amish men and women overcome many obstacles in order to be together. Instead of their plain lifestyle being a challenge they have to learn to trust God completely in order to be with the ones they love. As mentioned, the novel focuses on many different characters. First there is, Sylvie, a young woman who flees her home and family to work on a dairy farm miles away after making a mistake she can't bear to face. Then there is Aaron, a recoverin alcoholic who comes back to his his parents to seek a new life  and forgiveness, while home he encounters their new farm hand Sylvie and the attraction starts. Next is Cara, a young mother who fled a life in the big city of New York and from an abusive stalker. In Amish country she finds solace and true love in Ephraim. I could list off all the charaters and their troubles but that would take nearly as long as reading the story yourself. It isn't a bad read either. I'd give it a shot. First impressions aren't always a good thing, I'm glad I tried reading it. It proved that all religious romantiv novels aren't as ... obnoxious as I like to think they are :)

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Suprisingly Simple

The One-Day Way by Chantel Hobbs wasn't exactly rocket science, but its simplicity is still empowering. Chantel doesn't promise all the hidden keys to success, she outlines the major one that stares everyone in the face, all we need to do to be happy and content, is to live each day to the fullest and to not look back on our faults and slip ups. If we take it one day at a time then we will be happy with our lives in no time. It's a great concept, it's just so damn simple. I was expecting something with a little more substance. I'm not doubting that this truth is empowering and helpful to our lives but at the same time I am boggled at how she turned this tiny revelation into an entire book. Impressive. This book wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. It prompts you to take action with your life, but at the same time I felt it was a little lacking. I think that it's one of those books that everyone will react to differently. Regardless if its a New York Times Bestseller or not, it still worth the read.

Hope everyone is having a happy summer. My grad school starts in a mere three weeks. Scary!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”