Book Review: Inkling

In Inkling, we meet Ethan, a middle-school boy who encounters a sentient blob of ink that has escaped from the dad's sketchbook. He learns the ink needs to devour words and images, much as humans also need nourishment, and as it feeds on books, it gains knowledge. Ethan learns the quality of the material he feeds Inkling impacts his personality; comic books lead to frenetic, wild Inkling, Anne of Green Gables and other classics lead to a more thoughtful, measured blob.

Ethan and his sister are being raised by a single dad, since the mother died from cancer; there's a growing understanding that Inkling came to be in order to heal the pain and distance that have resulted between Ethan and his dad, as well as to resolve the creative block that has stymied the dad's artwork.

Inkling can create, and this is where much of the tension resides. Ethan tries to find a balance on making a storyboard draft for his class project before letting Inkling transform it, but when his dad and others get access to Inkling, their motives are less pure and more exploitative.

I imagine this as a wonderful book to offer to children whose previous reading experiences were strictly comic book or graphic novel form. While I appreciate those genres, this could be a well-placed gateway book to interest them in the structure of more traditional chapter books given the periodic illustrations and the content focusing on comic books and storyboards.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Everyday People

I've long appreciated short stories, but they took over my reading pile after I found myself with unpredictable bursts of reading time when I was in the throes of my newborn babies. When my hygiene might be suspect and there may or may not be a well-rounded meal on the table and I might not remember when the floor was tidy enough for me to vacuum thoroughly, I could find satisfaction in beginning and finishing a short story in one sitting. I am past that sleep-deprived state, but I will always have a fondness for short stories.

Everyday People: The Color of Life--A Short Story Anthology is a curated collection of short stories. Many had me highlighting a line or passage (certainly not a given for me), and I would sometimes have to pause mid-paragraph to digest.

In the introduction, we learn the stories have all been written by people of color. And regarding the title Everyday People, Jennifer Baker reveals, "The name of this anthology is not meant to solely focus on the racial composition of the writers or characters but to showcase the larger story and relationships depicted as well as the landscape--be it in New York City, Maine, Alabama, Great Britain, South Korea, Ghana, or Sri Lanka."

My heart would tug as I would become invested in these stories, wishing I could alter outcomes and guarantee happiness. The fact that I was so drawn in speaks to the caliber of the work. They are far reaching. Perhaps we're following a fantastical account of a mental connection that allows individuals to communicate without speaking. Then there's the story of the older woman who enters homes with newborn children to support the families, but only for a fixed amount of time before she takes her leave. And the account of how people get into prostitution. Or maybe we're reading of the grandmother and granddaughter who can catch ghosts in their hair.

I imagine this title being used as required reading in a college course, leading to rich conversations in class. Some of these stories will make you uncomfortable, but as we wrestle to articulate what wrung us out, there can be insight into ourselves.

For those wanting more, at the close of the book you can find numerous recommendations in "Reading List of Contemporary Works by Women, Nonbinary, and Transgender Writers of Color/Indigenous Writers."

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Madeleine L'Engle Herself

Madeleine L'Engle has worldwide recognition as the author of A Wrinkle in Time. I've had some of her other fiction and non-fiction recommended to me, but I've been amiss in exploring more, even as some of those titles wait patiently on my bookshelves.

Madeleine L'Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life is filled with hundreds of L'Engle's quotations grouped into ten different categories; she delves into "Creating Characters," "Inspiration and the Creative Process," "Elements of a Writer's Life," "Writing from Truth," and "The Wisdom of Children," for starters.

I entered unsure if I'd like this format compared to her essays and longer works. However, I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I highlighted this book extensively; Carole Chase compiled the quotations, pulling from speeches and writing workshops, in addition to L'Engle's published works. She found all the pertinent bits and put them together into one volume I marked up time and again.

L'Engle writes in a way that seems effortless and so much of it resonated with me, even in brief snippets. There are some overlaps and themes that emerge, but not enough to be a detraction. It's a beautiful work, one whose insight and connections surprised me. And, if you're like me, with young people offering frequent interruptions or perhaps if you yourself also suffer from periodic bouts of insomnia, I can confirm that this is the perfect sort of title to pick up, make progress on, and then set aside until your next opportunity.

A welcome addition was the Reader's Guide. While you would expect to find the discussion questions, the aspect I appreciated most was the inclusion of the writing prompts. The intentionally structured prompts are geared towards composing fiction, non-fiction, and poetry to allow individuals to focus on their specialty or stretch themselves, as they see fit.

The best compliment I can pay is that while this text was an enjoyable read in and of itself, it's creating a deeper longing in me to engage with L'Engle's other titles. It would be a suitable gift for the writer in your life needing encouragement or inspiration, or anyone who admires L'Engle's work.

(I received a digital ARC from Convergent Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Louisiana's Way Home

Louisiana's Way Home is a sequel to Kate DiCamillo's last book, Raymie Nightingale, the first time DiCamillo has returned to a previous novel. We begin with Louisiana Elefante's grandmother and guardian whisking her away in the middle of the night, leaving home and friends behind. Louisiana resents the separation from friends and pets, all because of a purported reckoning of the family curse.

Louisiana is a character that is spunky and still pulls at your heart strings. She has a vivid personality with big feelings and heartfelt observations: "In some ways, this is a story of woe and confusion, but it is also a story of joy and kindness and free peanuts."

We follow along as Louisiana and her grandmother drive away from Florida and how they adapt when adjustments must be made to their travel plans. When they have a forced stop for some rehabilitation, Louisiana connects to the locals, making friends and foes. Louisiana, already a child who has had to shoulder more than most, learns more details about her origins and wrestles with those revelations.

Kate DiCamillo is a wordsmith and captures reality so accurately. She creates worlds where there is hurt and pain, and in spite of it all, beauty emerges. I found myself blinking away tears at the close of the book. And being reminded that people like Grandfather Burke exist in the world is everything.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Virgil Wander

Leif Enger garnered much praise for his lyrical novel Peace Like a River; I had the opportunity to teach it in my freshman English class. When So Brave, Young, and Handsome was published, it fell flat for me, but I was cautiously optimistic when I learned Enger was coming out with a new novel this fall.

Virgil Wander was a pleasure to read. Its title character has a near-death experience, one that changes the course of his life. His previously lonely but comfortable existence is altered on every level.

With Enger's characteristic finesse, Virgil Wander is a lovely, entertaining read. Enger has managed to create a town filled with personalities that come alive, a vivid place that I would love to explore. I'd start in the cafe, then spend a few hours flying spectacular kites with Rune, and conclude with a movie at the Empress Theater. The humor can be tongue-in-cheek, and I couldn't help but be amused as the run-down town finally settles on a theme for their annual celebration (no spoilers from me). Themes of friendship, family, and belonging are prevalent, and there are mysterious incidents and visions, and readers are left piecing together what is real and what is a side effect of Virgil's injuries.

Enger does not disappoint with this newest novel. It can't edge out Peace Like a River, one of my favorite books, but it is a beautifully written, engaging read that I genuinely loved and see myself returning to and enjoying again and again.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Grove Press in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Bible Journaling Made Simple

I grew up at a time when the most interaction you had between a page of the Bible, beyond reading it, was a possibility of highlighting or underlining a passage, possibly with an added liner note (and some people didn't even feel comfortable with that). I don't know if the popularity of bullet journaling had any impact on the emerging popularity of creating visual art on Bible pages, but it's been interesting to see the evolution take place.

I have a creative side, but my drawing abilities are at the level you'd find in an average early-elementary-school-aged child. However, I have some friends that have begun Bible journaling, and we bought our oldest a Bible with pre-printed marginalia that she colors in. I appreciate seeing what others can do.

When I saw the soon-to-be-released book Bible Journaling Made Simple by Sandy Allnock, I was interested to review it. It is rich with helpful step-by-step illustrations aimed at non-artists. The primary goals are to teach techniques that will give others confidence as well as create a new medium for interacting with the text. As far as the latter is concerned, Allnock shares how she reads in the morning, reflects on a key verse or theme throughout the day, then if she is inspired, she will draw or paint in her Bible that evening. Whether or not she creates, she has deepened her faith by her reflections.

Allnock starts each chapter with a number of questions for those who may go through this book in a group setting, and at the close of each chapter, she recommends similar passages that could use the illustrations that were the focus in that section.

I appreciated how Allnock intentionally recommends quality but affordable materials to make beginning Bible journaling an inexpensive venture, as well as making sure, if she paints over the entire page, that the text is still readable underneath. With how thin most Bible pages are, one can imagine them curling with a lot of water or paint applied. She also has suggestions for how to safely iron a page to combat that. She also recommends patience and reminds people not to be too critical of their handwriting, fear of painting, and so on.

I found this a pleasant experience; I'm not yet sure if I have the confidence to color and paint in my Bible, but maybe I'll take an intermediary step to do a page or two in a bullet journal (another suggestion of hers). Bible Journaling Made Simple is just that -- a good resource for those who don't feel they are naturally artistic but have an interest in learning.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGally and F+W Media in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Silent Night

I love the Advent season and can be caught listening to Christmas carols long before it is thought appropriate. To foster similar love in my two children, we have a tradition of wrapping up books with winter or holiday themes and beginning after Thanksgiving, each daughter opens a book a day. Every year I add a couple new titles and remove lackluster ones. New to my collection last year were three picture books with song lyrics as the only text.

Silent Night by Lara Hawthrone is a beautiful book with the simple but profound lyrics of the beloved song sprinkled on each page. The illustrations are beautiful, and since I grew up seeing Jesus portrayed as white although he was a Jew in the Middle East, special mention must be made that I am drawn to the accurate representation throughout the book -- the holy family, shepherds, wisemen, even angels have dark skin.

I love this picture book and expect it will soon join in the Advent book rotation, where it will remain for years to come.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Modern Patchwork Home

As a newly married adult shortly out of college, I didn't see the value in owning a sewing machine -- my short exposure through a sewing unit in junior high gave me basics but I left it at that. I was early in my knitting abilities when I started teaching English at a middle school. However, the teacher next door to me changed that. She was my age, also a knitter, and a huge resource to me as I taught. She became an informal mentor, able to give advice and answer any questions. I learned she was a quilter, but I imagined it as a fuddy-duddy activity, with dated-looking results.

Then one day, another teacher brought her quilt in to show off to my mentor, who had taught her. The colors were playful, the pattern modern. That day was when I envied that skill and vowed to acquire a sewing machine. I put it on my Christmas list, but my husband and I loved exchanging gifts way early, so by Thanksgiving I was already in possession of my new toy. After a lesson from my mentor, I was off. I made quilt samplers for everyone in my family the following Christmas, and my sisters have gotten various quilts from me for different big events (they are of varying quality, but my heart was in it).

When I saw the cover of Modern Patchwork Home: Dynamic Quilts and Projects for Every Room (edited by Vivika Hansen Denegre), I was delighted to get an advance copy. The quilt on the cover draws you in, and as I'd seen similar patterns but didn't know how they were constructed, I was ready to dig in.

Graphic Cross Quilt

The photographs are well staged, and the book is replete with colors and patterns that draw you in. I love the Braided Table Runner as well as the Reflected Wedges Runner. I can so easily see the Twisted Flower Tote filled with a current knitting project and my Kindle, as long as I make duplicates for my girls so they don't steal mine. The Sketchbook Cover caught my eye. And someday I'd love my make the Module Quilt or Urban Trek Quilt, and something about the Graphic Cross Quilt catches my eye.

Twisted Flower Tote

While you see there are several projects I would love to make, the tips at the start are the exact education I need before beginning. I am too much a beginner to know some of the tricks of the trade, like how to make multiple blocks at a time; there are instructions for how to make half-square triangle blocks two at a time, even as many as eight at a time, with cheats on how to alter to your own needed size. I've watched friends work with paper piecing, but that was another elusive detail, now revealed.

Reflected Wedges Runner

Such a beautiful book with helpful tips and clear directions is bound to inspire others to visit fabric stores and sit down at their sewing machines again.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and F+W Media in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you)

Book Review: Belonging

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home is a powerful memoir by Nora Krug that is captivating both verbally and visually.

Nora Krug grew up in Germany and discusses what it was like learning about WWII and their country's atrocities. When in school, nothing was sugarcoated and there was a sense of collective guilt. Her parents were born after World War II, but the more she learned, the more curious she became as to the involvement of her grandparents and other relatives.

When she moved to the United States, her interest only grew; she wasn't proud of being a German and would try to hide her accent because of the reactions of others when they found out where she was from. But as she began to long for home, she wanted to dig into the family stories.

Heimat is a German word introduced early and returned to often, which refers to a place where you have familiarity, where you feel connected, where you belong.

"Perhaps the only way to find the HEIMAT that I've lost is to look back; to move beyond the abstract shame and ask those questions that are really difficult to ask -- about my own hometown, about my father's and my mother's families. To make my way back to the towns where each of them is from. To return to my childhood, go back to the beginning, follow the bread crumbs, and hope they'll lead the way home." (page 54)

So begins Krug's return to Germany as she visits where her grandparents lived during the war, searching the archives, conducting interviews, and unearthing the truth. It's an engaging book that is an important read as we all weigh how events throughout history and our family's involvement in them shape us.

I was intrigued by how the graphic novel format would convey the information, and I was suitably impressed. I've been reading books on drawing techniques and artistic journaling, and this book was a feast for the eyes. Nora Krug is a skilled artist and I felt as if I was reading someone's personal accounts in their journal, illustrated with all the care you see in adept bullet journal aficionados (let that comparison not take away Nora Krug's skill -- she is talented, and I also follow some bujo artists, so the connection is meant to be a fine compliment). The use of photos, sketches, dried flowers, even images of medals and wood carvings, make this a rich tribute.

I experienced this in a digital form, and while it was a rich, beautiful work, I highly recommend, if possible, you read a physical copy. Some of the background images span two pages, so it's a richer experience if you can see it spread before you.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Scribner in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Girl Squads

As a mother of two young daughters, I want them to feel confident, capable, and powerful as they grow up. Strong female role models are important for them to look up to, both in their social circles and in the world around them. Not only is it positive for them to have individuals to admire, they also should witness strong female friendships.

Girl Squads: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History by Sam Maggs is a new book aimed at highlighting how women can band together and support each other in their joint accomplishments. Each chapter has a specific focus, with several "girl squads" highlighted within those categories. Each of the stories has an illustration to accompany it.

The author shares stories of friendships of female athletes, warriors, scientists, artists, and activists from around the world.

The accounts are thorough, supported by many factual details. I suspect the audience is geared towards upper high-school or college students. While the accounts can be empowering, my one hang-up is how "chatty" and casual the language is. It's as if it's a pep rally for sisterhood. While I can get behind the importance of encouraging each other, not all will be interested in the language; "and, like, ..." is typical, as well as descriptions of "dang," "bad-ass," and "kick-ass" throughout.

If you aren't looking for high-brow literature and think you or another in your life will embrace the conversational language, these stories will be perfect. Some will be familiar, like the female SCOTUS judges or the black women mathematicians at NASA highlighted in the book/movie Hidden Figures, bu there are numerous stories of women previously unknown to me.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quirk Books in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Sold on a Monday

I recall being shown the iconic black-and-white photo of young children behind a sign "4 children for sale," taken in the 40s. A journalist had captured it and the image captivated readers as it spread across the United States.

The image haunted author Kristina McMorris. As she imagined circumstances behind it, she created the novel Sold on a Monday.

We experience the story through two main characters, journalist Ellis Reed and newsroom secretary Lily Palmer. Themes of family, loyalty, and responsibility are addressed.

Overall, the story is solid and is a pleasant enough read. I admit, however, that I was never fully pulled in. To borrow a phrase supplied by an iconic Supreme Court decision for my own purposes, I can't always say what it takes for a story to become literature, one that envelops me and makes me forget that I'm reading, but I know it when I see it. This wasn't quite there, but I can see some book clubs enjoying a discussion on this.

I appreciated the additional information at the close of the book, including the original photo and details on what happened to those children, a reading guide, and a conversation with the author.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Gospel in Color -- For Kids

When I was younger, I remember being at the home of someone in our church. There had been some adult Bible study. As it finished and we were all running around, one of the other kids took a toy from me. I felt wronged and went to my dad to seek out justice. When I pled my case, the woman he was speaking to bent down to me and said, "Why don't you pray to God that the boy would have a changed heart and give it back to you?" Even as a child, I had a genuine faith that I was nurturing. But that response made me feel so empty and frustrated. Here were adults, in such a position to intervene, and they were going to instead sit back and see if God would divinely act?! Couldn't God act THROUGH the adults who were present and use this as a teachable moment?! I didn't have the words then, but now I see more so how that didn't rest well with me. We don't need to passively sit back -- we can live out our faith, stand up for those who have been wronged, and demand justice.

I've been intentionally reading fiction and non-fiction by people of color the last few years, trying to immerse myself in their experiences and stories and learn from them. I have age-appropriate conversations with my daughters and try to fill their library with diverse picture books.

The Gospel in Color -- For Kids: A Theology of Racial Reconciliation for Kids by Curtis A. Woods and Jarvis J. Williams caught my eye in hopes of it being a good resource to share with my daughters. At times I worried it might fall back into the passive role -- willing for us to pray for changed hearts so racism is erased, for instance. However, the authors didn't mince words in the introduction and throughout as they talk about events with a biblical lens:

"People have killed other people for racist reasons, yet sometimes racism is far more subtle and sneaky -- so sneaky it seems almost invisible at first. Racism can be present in words and actions that seem polite, but are actually subtle ways of letting people know they're less valuable because they're different."

There is an adult version of this book, whose chapter contents mirror these so that adults and children could work through the books alongside each other. In the Introduction, there are suggestions for how to go through the book based on the age of the child (ages 6-9 need more support, while children ten and up could do it more independently).

The chapters are written with accessible language and defined terms, along with discussion questions to supplement the material. Talk of sin, the good news, and reconciliation is prevalent. In the last chapter, the authors provide five ways to live out the gospel "in color." They encourage reconciling with others, but they do admit that: "Forgiving someone doesn't mean we pretend we aren't hurt, and it doesn't mean we just ignore whatever they do. Forgiveness means we don't retaliate with hate, but commit to loving them instead. Even when we forgive someone, the process of reconciliation means they must still seek to make things right, undo damage they've done, and face the consequences of their actions."

I appreciated this book as an introduction to racial reconciliation for children.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Patrol, LLC in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: L. M. Montgomery

This summer I read a biography of Lucy Maud Montgomery; while I'd been a fan of her novels, I didn't know anything about her personal life. It was enlightening to see how much of her life made it into her works, sometimes as idealized events and redeemed outcomes from her actual life experience.

When I saw L. M. Montgomery by Isabel Sanchez Vegara in the Little People, Big Dreams series, I had to read it. I wondered how they would condense events into material accessible and engaging to younger readers.

It is beautifully done. The illustrations are engaging and accurately convey pivotal moments in Maud's life and there's a good balance between text and pictures on each page. The only published work of hers mentioned by name is Anne of Green Gables, but as that is her iconic work, it's appropriate for it to be the focus and for details of her inspiration to be mentioned.

One small quibble I had revolves around when the book mentions her accepting a job at the post office in order to submit stories without anyone else being aware. In truth, the post office was run out of her grandmother's home, where Maud was raised, so while Maud did help with the post office, this book makes it seem like she sought it out when in fact, she was stepping up to help out as her grandmother aged. A perk was being able to send out stories, but that wasn't the primary reason she helped out.

There are multiple titles in the Little People, Big Dreams series, and this is another winner.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Nature Craft

I have two creative daughters. When we're outside, they're always picking up feathers, pine cones, helicopter seeds, sticks, acorns, and special rocks. I try to keep most of their treasures outside in a special place for them, although some rocks get washed and end up in their inside collection. However, beyond that, I'm at a loss for what to do with them. Enter Nature Craft, a new title by Fiona Hayes.

Hayes takes found items from nature and alters them to create whimsical new creations -- nests, flowers, owls, bunnies, coral reefs, and more. There are a couple masks, but most of the projects are meant for display. The cover doesn't accurately convey the contents, as I feel the most winsome projects didn't make the cut on the front.

The snail project, using clay, sticks, and seashells, is darling, and the tortoise was another favorite of mine. The birds and koala just make me want to squeal from their cuteness! The trees and snowflake would make charming Christmas ornaments. And the uses for helicopter seeds are brilliant, as we have no shortage of those in our yard and neighborhood.

These projects seem accessible to my girls, currently 4 and 8, although depending on glue needs, I might need to intervene if a glue gun is necessary (I burn my fingers enough with that as it is so I won't expect my daughters to manipulate that on their own). I have a digital copy of this book, but I want to add a physical copy to our home library -- it's the sort of book that invites page flipping and I want to facilitate ways for my girls to sprawl with a copy and be inspired. Some of the projects have natural items that we won't happen upon (sheep fleece, for instance, although as a knitter that aspires to be a spinner, I do have roving on hand), but substitutions could easily be made.

I know I will be referencing this book throughout the year to make use of my daughters' found treasures. And these creations are so charming that you better believe I'll be crafting right alongside them!

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Planet Grief

There have been moments of great loss in my family; my brother committed suicide at 19, and we lost our first daughter when she was born premature and only lived six days in the NICU. Those deaths shook me -- for months, even years, they were only a thought away at every moment, and my emotions were close to the surface. I was fragile, but I was fortunate enough to have people around me that supported me through those losses and gave me space and time to process them.

Planet Grief by Monique Polak is a thoughtful treatment on grief. This children's chapter book is structured with alternating chapters from the perspective of the two main characters, one female, one male, with both teenagers processing losses in their family. They are brought to a weekend grief retreat and respond hesitantly at first.

Christopher lost his dad two years ago, Abby lost her mother two months previous. As they learn the stories of their peers and submit to the exercises of the grief facilitator, they begin to heal.

The lessons I learned through grieving come through time and again in Planet Grief. Lamenting over the hurtful things people say, learning who sticks by you and who keeps you at arm's length, understanding that grief looks different for everyone, processing thoughts of shame or guilt when the death was unexpected, and on and on. It is clear the author drew on the experiences and research of grief.

I appreciated the true, accurate portrayals contained in this book. At times the execution kept me from fully engaging (characters seem more like types than individuals), but I could see myself purchasing this title for a younger loved one beginning their own journey after a loss close to them.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Imperfect Courage

Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared by Jessica Honegger reads as an encouraging pep talk from a good friend.

Much like my inner circle of friends is there to offer support or correction as I go through the varying rhythms of life, I imagine Honegger as my cheerleader. She is in your corner but she isn't willing to let you stay comfortable and safe, removed from the world. She calls you to find your passion and invest in it.

This beautifully written book is an easy read but also pushes the reader to be courageous because of what there is to be gained if you step out in faith, however imperfectly situated you feel you are.

While I didn't recognize her name, I am aware of the company Jessica Honegger started: Noonday Collection. This book is the story of how the desire to adopt from Rwanda transformed her and her entire family, leading to the start of this thriving fair-trade, direct-sales business.

The journey was not without its hiccups, and Honegger is transparent, willing to reveal the time they were inventory-heavy and their lack of communication led to uncertainty and distrust with their ambassadors and artisans alike. How her own self doubts, imposter syndrome, and her Itty Bitty Baloney Sauce Committee have been hurdles to overcome.

The book isn't simply a how-to for starting your business. I would suggest that is secondary. While the Noonday Collection allowed Honegger to have this platform, the book is an easy-to-read account that encourages others to make bold changes to create rich, meaningful lives. The chapter titles are phenomenal and the contents do not disappoint; there's Own Your Worth, Embrace Vulnerability, Discover the Sisterhood Effect, Widen Your Circle, and more. I found thought-provoking passages to highlight in each chapter.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Benefits of Being an Octopus

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a riveting Young Adult novel. In the acknowledgements Ann Braden reveals this book was inspired by the need for students in poverty to view themselves in literature. Braden also dedicates the book to her single mother, and those two details inform how she was able to craft such a heartfelt, genuine book.

Zoey is a 7th grader with three younger siblings. Her single mother has moved them into her boyfriend's trailer. There's never enough money and her mother is stretched to near breaking, so Zoey is expected to assist with childcare. As I have witnessed in real life, children faced with such issues mature quickly because they have to. The realities of their life are raw; there is a constant fear of overdrawn accounts and past due bills, with a reliance on public transportation or your own two feet because having a working car of your own is a luxury.

Zooey repeatedly watched a show about octopuses and found herself drawn to their abilities, and references are naturally worked in throughout the book:

"If I were an octopus, things would be so much easier. I'd have one arm to wipe Aurora's nose. Two more for holding both kids' hands when I pick them up from the Head Start bus stop to keep Bryce from wandering into the street after some rock he's spotted. One to hold Hector and his diaper bag on the afternoons when my mom works at the Pizza Pit. One to adjust my shirt because it doesn't really fit and it can get too revealing if I'm not paying attention, and I don't want to be 'that girl.' One so I could do my homework at least some of the time if I wanted. One to pick up the Cheerios that are always on the floor. And the last one to swipe a can of Easy cheese from the Cumberland Farms convenience store. Because little snowmen out of Easy Cheese are the most magical thing little kids have ever seen. And Easy Cheese letters on a saline is totally different than having to eat regular saltines."

We witness the value of teachers and the pivotal role they can play to notice what's going on, in spite of a student's hopes of fading into the background and being invisible; they can come alongside struggling students and challenge and support them. Zoey has one particular teacher who won't let her fall between the cracks, instead urging her to "suck it up" -- to see her circumstances for what they are but not to wallow in them. Instead, look at your life honestly but make changes. Zoey is stretched by this teacher and her participation in debate club, and her decisions have pivotal impacts on her mother and two close friends.

This book made me ache and be anxious because the text feels genuine. Without revealing spoilers, there isn't a magical, unrealistic happy ending, but there is improvement and hope for the future. As I also read Educated, this was a complementary pairing to that memoir about poverty and education. The fact that they worked so well together further reinforces how well written The Benefits of Being an Octopus is.

Research has demonstrated that reading a book creates empathy; the mental connections are as if the reader has lived through the experiences themselves. With that knowledge in hand, this book would be a valuable tool in classrooms and could create a lasting impact on students to see each other as they truly are and to bring awareness to the varied experiences they have when they enter the doors of a school.

(I was provided a digital advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Eternal Current

In the introduction of The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, Aaron Niequist sets up an analogy he will return to repeatedly throughout the book, that of God's kingdom being a River with the intent towards "healing and restoration of all things," and that we are all invited to jump in and swim.

If I'm honest, while I appreciated the analogy at the start, I wish Niequist didn't return to that language in every chapter; it seems heavy handed to over-emphasize the analogy (we might be "lost in the religious weeds" or "trapped in one small pond," maybe we are "fully submerged," perhaps we notice "God's River of blessing and healing flows constantly").

That critique aside, Niequist has a compelling story about his journey of faith. He grew up unable to question, believing that those outside his small faith practice were getting it wrong and weren't truly Christians. While serving at a church, disillusionment and frustration led him to examine his faith more deeply. Eventually he is able to explore what it would look like to form "a practice-based, discipleship-focused, neo-liturgical, ecumenical, Eucharistic gathering." He is encouraged to form the Practice on Sunday nights at the church where he leads worship so that he can delve deeper into relationship with others exploring their faith.

I appreciated his thoughtfulness as he explained the core framework of every gathering of the Practice and expounded on the importance of community and participation. It struck a chord with me as I recalled when I served on a hiring committee at a former church; as I learned more of the nuts and bolts of a typical staff week, particularly what took place outside of Sunday mornings, I understood the intentionality and realized that was what led to the effective, vulnerable Sunday gatherings.

From Niequist's stories, the Practice must have been a powerful, meaningful experience. The shared prayers, questions, and modeled exercises detailed in the book offer practical support for others seeking to grow similarly.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Quid Pro Quo

Quid Pro Quo by Vicki Grant is an amusing middle grade book with a great first line: "I started going to law school when I was ten years old." Cyril, now 14, is being raised by his young single mother who found bringing him to evening classes with her was easier (and cheaper) than lining up childcare. Through attending classes and quizzing his mother Andy for exams, he absorbs no small amount of law information.

When a stranger arrives at their home and begins living with them and has mysterious conversations with Andy out of hearing, Cyril realizes there are details of his mother's past that are unknown to him. When his mother disappears, he begins to investigate on his own to get to the bottom of what happened (he isn't interested in foster care, so he doesn't want to report her disappearance to the police).

There is adventure and intrigue (and some suspension of disbelief would be appropriate), but never did I doubt circumstances would be resolved positively. It's not a literary masterpiece, but it is a fun, amusing read. I suspect this book will appeal widely, and it would be just the book to grab the interest of a struggling reader; he or she can cheer on Cyril as he faces dangerous situations and manages to get to the bottom of the mystery.

(I was given a digital ARC from NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Toaff's Way

Toaff's Way by Cynthia Voigt is a children's chapter book told from the point of view of a young squirrel. Toaff begins the story living inside a dead tree before it is knocked over in a storm. Toaff must then navigate the world on his own, choosing where to shelter and how to stockpile food for the inevitable winter. His situation and the cast of characters around him are always shifting.

The names chosen for the characters are worth a mention in this book. All the squirrels have names that end in 'f' -- Toaff, Criff, Nilf, Soaff, Mroof, Tzaaf, Pneef, and so on, and admittedly this made distinguishing among side characters more difficult than it needed to be. The cats are named Snake and Fox, which also seems to be asking for confusion.

The descriptions for houses, barns, even roads ran the gamut of either effectively showing how Toaff ordered his world or seeming forced and stilted. In fact, I still couldn't figure out who one of the predators towards the end was meant to be, even after the descriptions.

However, even with those criticisms, there were descriptions in the book I appreciated. As an example of how Toaff compartmentalizes his world, he shares, "Predator was a word with long dark wings and sharp talons, while prey was a quick little word, helpless as a mouse." And while Toaff tends to be simple in his desires (shelter, food, companionship), there is heartfelt longing expressed in the words, "He never had belonged here and he had always known it. He had just hoped he did, and wanted to."

The origin stories different animals share brought me amusement as they argued who was in charge; perhaps the sheep caused the lake to be formed, then "caught" a farmer driving by one night, convincing him to stay and serve them. Or maybe the dogs are running the show.

This book was an uneven read for me. I suspect younger readers would be less critical and be quicker to embrace the story (even as I genuinely enjoy children's books, I recognize I can be harder to please). Experiencing the book through a squirrel's perspective would lead to interesting reflections and conversations among readers, and I can imagine excellent writing prompts that could come out of a reading of this book as students can create a short story from the perspective of another animal: How would your goldfish view daily events? What goes through your dog's mind when he's watching out the window?

(I received a free digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to complete a purchase, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.)

Book Review: The Dollar Kids

The Dollar Kids by Jennifer Richard Jacobson is a middle grade story about friendship, grief, and forgiveness. Lowen is a 12-year-old boy mourning the loss of his younger friend. Abe was constantly around, offering advice or friendly criticism as Lowen worked on his comic strips to the sound of his friend's constant babbling in the background. When Abe is shot, Lowen feels responsible and, as he won't admit why he feels this way to others, he is stuck with his blame with no one to come alongside and shoulder it with him and speak truth to him.

The Grovers, in an effort to reset the whole family, apply to purchase a $1 home in a small town that has struggled to survive since the mill closed. The Grovers gladly leave their city behind to start over when they are chosen as one of four families. The agreement for the $1 homes hinges on enough repairs being made before the end of the year.

Lowen has turned his back on art, as it's too raw. But throughout the book we get little snippets of comic strips as he uses that medium to process his grief. The illustrations are lovingly done and fit the text well.

Some of the plot points seemed forced -- the family has a litany of reasons for why they can't accomplish house repairs and the mom's success (or lack of it) in her pasty shop seems hot and cold. However, I was touched at the close of the book, and I did find truth in Lowen's struggle with how much to engage in forming new relationships when he sees himself as a bad friend to have.

I am a creative person. As such, I dabble in new hobbies and well remember the struggle of my first knitting attempt, or how long it took me to throw clay successfully on a wheel or to spin something that looked legitimately like yarn, I recall how my brain knew intellectually how it was supposed to come together even as my hands failed at the execution. The trick is to stick with it and not give up. I resonated with Lowen's observation about the essence of creating:

"To become good at something, you had to be willing to live through the maddening time when you don't have the skills, when you don't come anywhere close to what you can picture in your head. You try, you struggle, your performance stinks. You fail. A lot."

I think this is a solid book, even as I admit that I never fully entered the world.

(I received a free digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for my honest opinion. The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to complete a purchase, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.)

Book Review: Welcoming the Stranger

Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion, & Truth in the Immigration Debate was originally published in 2009; a copy graces our bookshelves, but admittedly, I had not yet read it. However, when I saw they were re-releasing it with revised chapters, I happily moved the 2018 title to the top of my reading list.

Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang are well poised to inform others on the immigration debate. They live in diverse neighborhoods and work at World Relief, a faith-based resettlement agency.

Soerens and Yang structured the book by first laying out the US immigration system. Then they examine immigration in the Bible through the lens of learning about God's heart on this issue and how Christians should respond. They thoroughly address common concerns as well as statistics to show the value of immigration. They offer possible solutions and challenges the church should consider as we live in a country where immigration divides people politically and socially.

The appendices offer practical support in the form of discussion questions, lists of ministries and organizations that serve refugees and immigrants, resources to get involved politically, and suggestions for further reading.

I found myself underlining swaths of this book. It is a timely resource, with the updated sections particularly relevant, and there is no shortage of concrete facts and footnoted materials. While this book is written from an evangelical standpoint, I believe others of different (or no) faith could see the value of this revised and updated text.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review. The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to complete a purchase, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.)

Book Review: Raise Your Voice

Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up by Kathy Khang is a thoughtful read perfectly situated to encourage others with practical guidelines for how to step up and speak out.

Khang repeatedly returns to the biblical story of Queen Esther as a lens to guide us in how to speak up when we find ourselves in a place of influence, even if taking a stand may be dangerous.

I love to read nonfiction titles, but I admit I find myself putting some authors on a level above me; the rest of us are down below, as we have less courage, less innate ability, less brilliance. They tell their story, but it ends there -- I don't necessarily find natural take-aways to implement in my own life because they are so superior to us mere mortals. Their foibles, if documented, seem to be conquered easily, never to be a stumbling block again.

However, Kathy Khang is real to me; she genuinely shows her process of learning to raise her voice, as well as times she chose not to and how those situations shaped her. Her words and experiences resonated with me. I am naturally non-confrontational and a people pleaser, so it was a powerful example to hear from someone who found her gender and her culture came with expectations for keeping the peace, and yet she was able to go beyond those expectations to learn to boldly stand up and speak out. Khang admits it didn't always turn out well, and at times she has had to admit she was wrong. All the more, those instances resonate with me, since speaking up can be a complicated process filled with hasty misjudgments and misunderstandings.

My copy is filled with highlights, as there were so many passages I want to return to. The sections detailing what to do before, during, and after speaking up are phenomenal. There are no shortage of opportunities to speak up on social media, and Khang's best practices there are relevant.

Khang doesn't sugarcoat what can change when you start raising your voice. She recognizes things can be uncomfortable, but she reminds us that, "Speaking up doesn't increase division. It brings injustice and sin to the forefront. Speaking up can be an avenue of truth and healing, which can be painful for you and your friends."

This was a valuable, well-written read.

(I was given a digital ARC copy from NetGalley and InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

ARC Book Review: Adequate Yearly Progress

I taught middle school and high school English for two years after college. I happened to become a statistic by leaving teaching early, although the reason I did was primarily because of a move out of state that would have meant I would have a third first year of teaching. I feared I would burn out with all the prep work required, particularly given the atmosphere of the public school environment was so different from what I had trained for and taught in previously. I worked in a relatively small district that boasted two highly ranked liberal arts colleges in town, with invested parents who were firmly behind teachers, and most students had some self-motivation to succeed. Then I moved to a larger city where the graduation rate was much lower and there were metal detectors in the schools. For my own mental preservation and in acknowledgment I would likely be over my head and unsuccessful, I stepped away.

I still have a fondness for stories that focus on teachers, so when I heard of the premise of Adequate Yearly Progress (Roxanna Elden), I picked up the book. Each chapter is told from the points of view of several teachers and administrators. Brae Hill Valley High School is located in the inner city and is receiving special focus from the new superintendent, who sends in a young consultant with more power than he deserves due to his limited classroom experience.

We get glimpses into the lives of the educators inside and out of the classroom. The cast of characters includes the coach more focused on winning football games, the earnest woman from Teach Corps who is convinced she knows better than seasoned teachers how to motivate and succeed, the English teacher who is a spoken-word poet outside of the classroom but struggles to be effective when her teenage students read more at an elementary level, the rigid math teacher who maintains a thin grasp on sanity with her plastic-sleeved binders, and the acronym-loving administrators who want numbers to improve but insist on less than helpful means that actually stand in the way of progress.

I was entertained by the book, seeing aspects of myself in different characters from my short time teaching and being able to resonate with struggles in the book. There's no one hero, as everyone is flawed, but that led to a genuine story and you find yourself rooting for (and against) specific characters. It feels tongue-in-cheek at points with the various caricatures, but that may be what helped me enjoy the story. And there are embedded truths that lead to genuine reflection on how there is a huge disparity in public schools in our country, based on socioeconomic status:

"Rich kids could mess up and still go on to college. They could commit crimes and still go on to become CEOs. They could cheat on their taxes, or defraud sick people, or run banks into the ground, and leave others to clean up their messes. Hell, they could even become president.
Meanwhile, one screw-up could transform a kid like Gerard Brown or O'Neal Rigby from a superstar into a big guy with a criminal record who did menial jobs and made authority figures nervous."

(I was given a digital ARC from NetGalley and Rivet Street Books in exchange for my honest review. The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to complete a purchase, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.)

ARC Book Review: Nowhere Boy

I am behind on my book logs, but I had to recommend another title first. In May I joined NetGalley to read Advance Reader Copies of books before they're published in exchange for honest reviews (long story stort: Leif Enger's upcoming novel was my initial incentive, although there are so many great titles being published that it was no burden to browse).

As I was reflecting on categories that were most of interest to me, children's fiction was at the top of the list. I enjoy discovering picture books with my daughters, and with an advanced reader in my 7-year-old, I'm always looking for exceptional chapter books. Enter Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh. The cover alone is engaging and colorful. When I learned it involved an American boy and a Syrian boy crossing paths in Brussels, I began immediately.

Thirteen-year-old Max and his family are from the United States but have relocated to Belgium for a year. He's less than enthused about attending a school in French and isn't afraid to let his parents know his opinion. Ahmed is a 14-year-old Syrian refugee, fleeing the violence in Aleppo while grieving the loss of family members. Both boys are lost and struggling, just trying to survive their circumstances.

Each chapter alternate point of view, a style which works well for this format. When the boys meet and become friends, under the cover of secrecy, both slowly open up and begin to trust. A kindred friendship develops, and it is through Ahmed that Max begins to feel at home, connect with others, and have a cause that he feels strongly about.

The terror events that happened in Paris and Brussels are also set against the backdrop of this book, and it's a powerful, timely piece on what the experience of a refugee is like.

This is a little out of my daughter's league for subject matter (it would be more appropriate for upper elementary or middle school students), but I already know a couple families who would love this book. It's relevant and as I read it, I kept reflecting on how powerful this story is -- it is polished and researched and feels so real. Themes of justice and morality are addressed (particularly the tension of what we are called to do because it is right even if the laws don't condone it). There's suspense and action in the book that it's easy to stay engaged; I could envision a classroom doing a interdisciplinary unit on it.

Parts of the story are inspired by Albert Jonnart, a lawyer whose family harbored a Jewish boy during WWII (Max lives on Jonnart Street). They were turned in by neighbors and Albert went to prison for hiding the boy.

At the close of the book, there's a short Q&A with the author, which revealed how Katherine Marsh was able to write such a well-done, relevant book. We learn her family moved to Brussels for her husband's job as a journalist, and they rented a home on Jonnart Street. Brussels offered a front-row seat to the refugee crisis and Marsh found herself reflecting on the story of Jonnart as well as how it could be recreated under a modern lens.

This is a special book, no question.

The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to complete a purchase, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.

Book Log: April 2018

My youngest sister has been doing an annual post of books completed, and I always enjoy looking through it. I do keep a log of my finished books, so I thought cataloging my completed books at the close of every month would be a good way to dust off this blog and encourage me to jot down a few lines -- or a few paragraphs -- with my impressions (a compiled list will appear at the close of the year). I don't like spoilers, so while I put some initial thoughts after each title, when possible I'm purposely vague regarding plot specifics so as not to dissuade any of you from reading them. This is my third year doing this (here is a list of my 2017 books, and here is the list of my 2016 books; these pages don't have commentary, but if there's a title that interests you, click on the appropriate month to learn more).

The included Amazon links are affiliate links; should you be inclined to purchase one, these links only mean Amazon will give me a small percentage of the cost, at no additional expense to you.

25) 4/1: Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans

I've shared before how pivotal Rachel Held Evans' book A Year of Biblical Womanhood was for me (I took a tangent when discussing the book The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, seen here). Because I pre-ordered her newest book Inspired, I had the opportunity to also be sent an Advanced Readers Copy of it so I could read it a couple months before it was released. In it, Evans comes back to the Scripture with new eyes, reminding herself why she was drawn to it in the first place, and she falls in love with it again.

In some ways, the format reminds me of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth; both recognize the Bible is written in various styles, and just as you wouldn't approach a book of poetry the same way you'd approach a history text, so you shouldn't read the Psalms the same you'd read the prophets and so on, but Inspired has a less clinical feel.

Rachel Held Evans has a small vignette before each chapter to bring light to the upcoming section. Perhaps it's a short story, a play, a poem, even a choose-your-own adventure piece.

Some chapters, like her section "Resistance Stories," feel especially relevant and timely. In the "War Stories" chapter, Rachel Held Evans reminds us it is good to wrestle with passages we can't make sense of, like widespread slaughter of people groups in the Old Testament:

"Brene Brown warns us we can't selectively numb our emotions, and no doubt this applies to the emotions we have about our faith. If the slaughter of Canaanite children elicits only a shrug, then why not the slaughter of Pequots? Of Syrians? Of Jews? If we train ourselves not to ask hard questions about the Bible, and to emotionally distance ourselves from any potential conflicts or doubts, then where will we find the courage to challenge interpretations that justify injustice? How will we know when we've got it wrong?" (pages 68-69)

I appreciated this book, following RHE's journey and watching her create and learn, finding herself retreating back into the Bible and being reminded of what she loves about it.

26) 4/2:  Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist

This was my first title that I've read of Niequist, although I have several friends that enjoy her. This book is a testimony of the power of food and of gathering around a table.

Each chapter offers a recipe (I listened to the audiobook, read by Shauna, and in those cases, there is a link to download the recipes instead of having to copy them down). Some recipes are more complex than others, and I enjoyed how she shared the role each of the meals played in her life. Moments of joy and grief are naturally covered. After all, I think of when my brother and first child died, how we were gifted meals upon meals, a welcome relief when we could barely form thoughts together, let alone cook a nourishing meal. And I think of when we welcomed two other daughters home, and in those joyful, sleep-deprived times, we were blessed with meals yet again. Food connects us, and this book discusses how that is a sacred thing.

27) 4/5: The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

This book was a labor of love. The first time I ever went on a plane was to travel to Russia when I was in high school, and I've been drawn to literature from that country ever since. I first picked this up about a decade ago and read the first 200 pages or so, but it was around the time we moved from Minnesota to Indiana, and sometime during that transition, I set it aside. I've been longing to get back to it, so when someone in my book club asked if there was a subset of people who would read it with her, two of us jumped at the chance. Once a date was set to discuss it, I set up a reading plan to ensure I finished.

These 600-plus pages make up only the first of three volumes. This copy is found just often enough at used book sales, but I've never come across the other books in the wild, new or used. My husband was kind enough to locate them online and gifted them to me, so I'm hoping to work through those volumes in the next year or so. A word of warning: one member of the book club switched to an abridged edition when it became clear she couldn't finish in time. However, as the discussion went on, she realized she got the overall picture but missed the specific stories that brought life to it and helped the other two of us appreciate it. So if you're intrigued, pick up the unabridged book(s), not the abridged copy.

Solzhenitsyn has compiled comprehensive information to inform us about how Russians were arrested and imprisoned with no cause in the years 1918-1956. The torture they endured, the interrogations, the monotony of daily life once they arrived in a cell -- much is covered in this volume. Solzhenitsyn wrote this in secret, and I'm in awe of his capacity to remember details, names, circumstances.

His insights are powerful; one section compares and contrasts Germany and Russia after World War II. Germany publicly prosecuted 86,000 war criminals, whereas Russia only put 10 on trial (given their populations, that number should have been closer to 250,000). Solzhenitsyn suggests that, when Russians hesitated to draw all of that evil into the light, wanting to ignore it and let sleeping dogs lie, they were teaching their youth that evil is not punished and, instead, is financially lucrative. Whereas Germany publicly condemned their sins, vowing to learn from them ("Not to put them on trial so much as their crimes", page 177). I mentioned this on a couple different occasions with a friend who grew up in Berlin, and she confirms that, when they discuss history, there is absolutely no sugarcoating Hitler's actions.

"We have to condemn publicly the very idea that some people have the right to repress others. In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future. When we neighter punish nor reproach evildoers, we are not simply protecting their trivial old age, we are thereby ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations. It is for this reason, and not because of the "weakness of indoctrinational work," that they are growing up "indifferent." Young people are acquiring the conviction that foul deeds are never punished on earth, that they always bring prosperity.

 It is going to be uncomfortable, horrible, to live in such a country!" pages (177-178)

His book is heavy and hard to read at times because of the subject matter, but he does have a sarcastic style that comes through that could bring a smile to my face in the darkest passages. And I found myself drawn to such beautiful, poignant insights:

"The sixteen-hour days in our cell were short on outward events, but they were so interesting that I, for example, now find a mere sixteen minutes' wait for a trolley bus much more boring. There were no events worthy of attention, and yet by evening I would sigh because once more there had not been enough time, once more the day had flown. The events were trivial, but for the first time in my life I learned to look at them through a magnifying glass." (202)

This is an important read and I'm hoping to start the second volume in the coming weeks. It feels so relevant to read and process and discuss.

28) 4/7: How the Light Gets In (Chief Inspector Gamache series, #9) by Louise Penny

The previous Louise Penny book ends on a heartbreaking note; we saw the inevitable path being laid, but that didn't make it any easier to stomach. In this volume, Gamache wrestles with the new normal of his altered (in)significance at the Surete as he also works on a case for Myrna: the death of her friend. As he delves into her past, he learns she also wrestled with her place in the world and how people viewed her, as she had tried to hide from her childhood of notoriety. Meanwhile, he has several moles in his department and all but one of his previously loyal core team have abandoned him for other departments.

I enjoy all of Louise Penny's novels, but this is tied as a favorite; I've learned I have a special place for the volumes where she has intricately woven several storylines. This one plays out spectacularly. We know Gamache's actions are being analyzed and as several cases converge, the tension heightens as we see what's at stake in the bigger picture.

29) 4/9: In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden

This was a lovely read. The prologue introduces us to Philippa, a powerful, efficient woman in authority. However, she resigns from her post to take orders, and the rest of the novel plays out in the Brede monastery.

I appreciate the portraits we get of the various members -- they are well-rounded instead of being visions of holy, unattainable, perfect nuns. Each is shown with foibles and weaknesses, but we witness them working to love each other through their failings as they struggle to live faithfully in their cloistered home.

There's humor and vulnerability throughout. I loved the truth inherent in the following exchange:

‘Weren’t you surprised that God should have chosen you?’ a young woman reporter, writing a piece on vocations, had asked her. ‘Yes,’ Dame Perpetua had answered, ‘but not nearly as surprised as that He should have chosen some of the others – but then God’s not as fastidious as we are,’ said Dame Perpetua.

I'm still processing the ending, trying to decide how I feel about the events, but overall it was a pleasant, thoughtful read and a loving tribute to a monastery the author had occasion to get to know.

30) 4/10: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

I continue to make my way through the series on audiobook, enjoying Jim Dale's masterful readings. This is the volume with the Tri-wizard Tournament.

I was still a little behind my daughter's progress, but wait until next month when I jump ahead!







31) 4/14: The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Gamache series, #10) by Louise Penny

Gamache is taking in a long-needed rest, spending long stretches at home with his wife for the first time in many years after having retired from his post. His friend Clara is worried about her husband's absence and finds the courage to open up to Gamache.

This ended on what felt like a necessary conclusion, even if it's disappointing and devastating in a way.






32) 4/18: The Nature of the Beast (Chief Inspector Gamache series, #11) by Louise Penny

A boy disappears and in investigating his absence, events from the past are dredged up. Long-time residents of Three Pines must wrestle with their inaction and silence as truth comes to light.

One note: I adored Ralph Cosham as a narrator, but he passed away between books ten and eleven. I was a little jolted when I began listening to the gentleman chosen as a replacement, but by the end of the book, while he's different, I could appreciate him as a skilled narrator. It took some adjustment, but in this and later titles, I can admire his skill while also mourning the loss of the artistry that Ralph Cosham brought to the text.


33) 4/20: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

This was a reread for me; I first read the book last summer, courtesy of my sister's copy. This winter I got a hold of the movie, which filled a lovely evening, as much of the dialogue is word for word from the letters. Then I checked out the audiobook when I saw it was available. It's still fresh in my mind (the paperback, movie, and audiobook all happened in about six months), but the audiobook is well done and is performed with multiple readers to cover the various letter writers.

I enjoy epistolary books, but this one is extra delightful given that these are actual letters exchanged. It's a beautiful picture of friendships forming from an initial love of literature. As time goes on, Helene gets involved in their difficulties by sending food parcels to them, and it blossoms from there. It's a short read/listen, well worth encountering.

34) 4/23: A Great Reckoning (Chief Inspector Gamache series, #12) by Louise Penny

Gamache had retired from the Surete, but after some time off, accepted a position at the Surete Academy, training new cadets. There was rot in the Surete, which led to the events of Gamache's departure, and he suspects the academy had individuals that had an agenda to create loyalists instead of cadets who will become officers that seek the greater good.

Gamache fires some faculty and hires others, one of which is a gamble, given his history. Gamache even selects the incoming cadet class, and one particular student he takes under his wing. Amelia Choquet doesn't seem as if she will finish and she's rough around the edges, but Gamache knows her back story and chose her in an attempt to stop the cycle of hopelessness and grief.

When a professor is killed, Gamache finds himself investigating again, and a copy of a map leads him and some students back to Three Pines to investigate.

35) 4/26: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

When friends share their top reads of all time, this book comes up just often enough as a favorite book. I bought a Kindle copy on sale several months ago, but as my reading time fluctuates, I also ended up buying it on Audible when it was discounted. I steadily listened to it, and for much of the book, I was entertained but was waiting for the moment I'd understand why people loved it so.

It's not a short read/listen; the audiobook clicks in at nearly 27 hours (although about 30 minutes of that is a conversation with the author). There's a lot of buildup, but the final hour or two are riveting. Irving admitted in the concluding interview that he started with a premise of what would it take for an atheist to believe in a higher power, and he wrote that story. The Vietnam War feels like a character, although we are hearing about it years in the future. It's a tribute to friendship and to family.

Small sidenote: when I was younger, I saw the movie Simon Birch, which is loosely based on this book (I can recall the circumstances of watching it -- at the annual cabin campout through our 4H club -- but the movie was forgettable). I decided to watch it again after concluding the book, but I was highly disappointed in the alterations they made, even as I understood why. The book's closing is so powerful that it's hard to settle for the diluted retelling.

36) 4/30: Glass Houses (Chief Inspector Gamache series, #13) by Louise Penny

This title, although the 13th in the series, still manages to engage readers by new methods. The structure of this one begins with a trial, where Gamache is testifying. We try to piece together details, and some chapters go back in time so we can live out the events Gamache is referring to.

A mysterious masked and hooded figure appears in Three Pines, standing ominously in the square, refusing to speak or leave. When the figure is later found murdered, the investigation is muddled and we switch between the trial and the events leading up to the discovery of the body and the time afterwards to see what could have been changed.

Louise Penny is not afraid to try new formats for her Gamache books, which is one reason I keep coming back. I heard an interview with her where she admitted that she doesn't want to get bored writing formulaic mysteries, so she keeps playing around until she finds something that captures her interest. This isn't a favorite of mine, but it was still an enjoyable listen