Last book in this heartwarming series. We see a conclusion yet a beginning to a family heritage and testimony. I cried at the epilogue. Seriously?
I apLast book in this heartwarming series. We see a conclusion yet a beginning to a family heritage and testimony. I cried at the epilogue. Seriously?
I appreciate how the characters are real and flawed and turn to God for their strength and Hope. This particular story takes place during the Depression Time.
It has been really fun for me revisitng these books after 20+ years. It's been a comfort read I didn't know I needed....more
It’s a big coming home book. All the feel good memories while I reread this.
Am loving all the characters and their gro“God doesn’t make mistakes, Josh”
It’s a big coming home book. All the feel good memories while I reread this.
Am loving all the characters and their growth. I cry and laugh with them.
Oke has a subtle way of infusing God’s truth in every sentence.
“The important things isn’t where we serve, but now. The question is not ‘what does He have for me in the future?’ but ‘Am I obedient to Him right now?’”...more
Just an amazing eye opening book. So many other good reviews are out there about this book- I could never do it justice.
Suffice it to say- I believe thJust an amazing eye opening book. So many other good reviews are out there about this book- I could never do it justice.
Suffice it to say- I believe this is a must read for any Christian. What are we doing to cultivate relationships? What are we doing to make long lasting friendships with those we are trying to reach.
This journey of seeking truth and finding it left me with so many self reflecting questions. It put me to shame.
I finally read a Gaskell book! I’m so proud of myself. Well, I was pushed on my some awesome book friends and so glad I did.
Mrs. Gaskell lives up to hI finally read a Gaskell book! I’m so proud of myself. Well, I was pushed on my some awesome book friends and so glad I did.
Mrs. Gaskell lives up to her reputation. Beautiful prose, character development, and a deep story intertwined with lessons we humans can take from and grow. A type of book you need to slow down and savour. I went back and forth between audio and the book.
It’s a love triangle/ mystery of sorts set in beautiful England among some of the most peculiar people ever. You will fall in love with some and fall out of love with others.
I was interested in the fact that she passed away before finishing this book and her publishers finished it how they thought she “might.” It’s that delicious sense of- I wonder if she really would have finished it this way, full of what ifs.
Forever and always will hold these books dear to my heart. I’m in a Book Club Group over on IG and we are re reading all the books in this series. So Forever and always will hold these books dear to my heart. I’m in a Book Club Group over on IG and we are re reading all the books in this series. So glad to be rereading these.
This second book is deeper on so many levels. It’s comforting to be reminded of foundational truths and promises of God’s word as we follow Josh and Aunt Lou and their story.
Love the parallel of seasons and change in physical seasons to changes and growth in our lives. Perfect fall read!...more
I didn’t realize until I was way too much that this is the third book in the Trilogy. Maybe I would have been more into it if I would have read the fiI didn’t realize until I was way too much that this is the third book in the Trilogy. Maybe I would have been more into it if I would have read the first two first.
It seems dark and sad. There is hope and joy intermixed into Lila’s story. I don’t follow and don’t understand all the inner voice dialogue. Robinson’s theology seems a bit off as well.
That all being said I need to read the first two and give this one a go again and see if it changes anything.
This was a reread after 25 years or so! I approached it thinking I would be bored and laughing it at.
It was such a good comfort read. It felt like coThis was a reread after 25 years or so! I approached it thinking I would be bored and laughing it at.
It was such a good comfort read. It felt like coming home. True nostalgia. I was even highlighting some parts and wiping away tears at several parts. I couldn't put it down at night.
Yes it was predictable and maybe some parts "cheesy" but Oke has a way with words- grabs all grief and happiness and just pierces your heart character by character. Glad to see one of my childhood favorites has stood the test of time. ...more
Finally read this classic. Really got into it after a slow start. Loved the evolution of the characters. The build up to the climax held me captive. MaFinally read this classic. Really got into it after a slow start. Loved the evolution of the characters. The build up to the climax held me captive. Made me really want to learn French and definitely need a thesaurus next to me. There’s just something about a classic and how it’s written they makes you slow down....more
A solid 4.5. I am just proud of myself for reading a classic and a book published in 1918!! I think this is the oldest book I have read yet.
Loved theA solid 4.5. I am just proud of myself for reading a classic and a book published in 1918!! I think this is the oldest book I have read yet.
Loved the older style of writing and way of putting words together. The description of the land and the immigrants were solid and heartwarming. So much symbolism from the land to the ploughs. Symbols from freedom to beauty. It’s a story of friendship and moving to a new home in the plains of Nebraska. A story and friendship not bound by prejudices and class or race.
It's good for me to slow down and read an older book. I like modern plot moving books but want to learn to love the older books as well. This one will stay on my shelf. ...more
My copy of this book is highlighted and. So many truth bombs! So much Scripture! I didn’t know I needed to hear these words, but I did. So many times My copy of this book is highlighted and. So many truth bombs! So much Scripture! I didn’t know I needed to hear these words, but I did. So many times while reading this book I was reminded how God is my Father, my “Abba”. I can come to Him for anything and just rest in Him. Growing up I knew I was adopted and chosen by my adoptive Dad. Even though I don’t know my biological Dad it’s ok because I have my Abba Father as my utmost foundation and am secure in Him. Lanna gives a good parallel between Dads here on earth and what they might or might not do, to what our Heavenly Father does and WHO He is! Also appreciated the truths about foregiveness and bitterness so much!...more
One of my first summer reads! Here we go with getting those to be read lbooks off my bookshelf.
I love memoirs. It's like a little glimplse into this One of my first summer reads! Here we go with getting those to be read lbooks off my bookshelf.
I love memoirs. It's like a little glimplse into this vast world where we all so different and have so many different stories to share. No one person's story is the same- and I am glad of that. Empathy is a trait that is lost in the world.
I enjoyed getting to know Nina and her family better as they struggled with their journey of infertility and and physcial journey of going to China. Her research is so well done on the country of China. So many new facts and tidbits. I learned so much. I could taste, see, and hear the culture along with her. I had some aha moments as I have seen my students doing or acting in a certain way and never knew way. The Chinese culture is so steep in their own traditions and customs. If you are a lover of people's stories and new cultures, this book fits the bill....more
3.5 Some practical applications- especially teen sons and Mom's. It's the stage we are at..
Aha moments- I love questions- that's how I connect to famil3.5 Some practical applications- especially teen sons and Mom's. It's the stage we are at..
Aha moments- I love questions- that's how I connect to family and friends- feel closer. My son hates questions. It's like an interragation sessions pushing him farther away.
Some parts repetitive. Glad he made a clearer mention this is not too teach a boy to be domineering and abusive. There is a fine balance. And I know a lot of women have been (and continue) to be hurt and shamed bc of teachings like this....more
Such imagination! Always in awe of authors who can create a whole new world of people and creatures and language. Quite the tale- any lover of fantasySuch imagination! Always in awe of authors who can create a whole new world of people and creatures and language. Quite the tale- any lover of fantasy and other worlds will love this. His humor and vocabulary kept me laughing. I could see where the plot line was going but it kept me guessing. Took me awhile to read this after my kids all read it. Love the Spiritual truths that pop out in this story. … And I made myself finally read it as I get to meet him this week!!...more
This was a Bookstagram book made me do it and so glad I did. My daughter got ahold of it before I did and we got to t"It's time to start a new story."
This was a Bookstagram book made me do it and so glad I did. My daughter got ahold of it before I did and we got to talk about it.
A sweet and huggable coming home story about three orphans during WW2. Predictable ending but delightful. We all need good endings. Loved all the references to books and reading....more
Such a different and out of the box look at The Ten Commandments. Seen by so many as a set of rules by which Christians must sadly and forecfully follSuch a different and out of the box look at The Ten Commandments. Seen by so many as a set of rules by which Christians must sadly and forecfully follow, Jen once again shows how this set of laws shoudl cause us to delight and rejoice in the work that Christ has done.
They are meant to convict, shape, and give us hope. She clearly shows how to us they are prohibitions but to Jesus they are prophetic. And this in turn leads us to salvation in no other but His works.
Obedience that pleases God begins in the heart....more
“There are times when words can’t do what you want them to do, no matter how much you wish they could.”Love Gary Schmidt and how he can put some words“There are times when words can’t do what you want them to do, no matter how much you wish they could.”Love Gary Schmidt and how he can put some words together and get you in the gut. He is my new favorite middle grade author.
This book for me was a little bit sadder and darker than the other ones of his I have read. But along with that sadness and darkness there is more light and hope. I wasn't sure at first where it was going to go and little by little he leads us to hope and light just like that. He is bold and courageous and so are his characters.
It's the story of a junior high girl (Meryl Lee- who we have seen before) dealing with grief, loss, family problem, and social problems. It's the story of a Matt Coffin dealing with a deep loss, and a violent past. It's these two worlds colliding and being kind to each. It includes a cast of characters- from adults who make a point to change someone's life to snobby Junior High kids who hurt people because- hurt people hurt people. All of this taking place during the Vietnam War, when the world is in a turmoil.
I love how he includes and weaves other literary works into his books. He is a genius at human emotion and pairing those emotions with literary characters. I wouldn't give this book to my junior highers- maybe highs schoolers....more
Trainwreck.... Probly should be more of a 2.5. I sat on this review for a long time before writing this. I keep thinking about it it. It could have mulTrainwreck.... Probly should be more of a 2.5. I sat on this review for a long time before writing this. I keep thinking about it it. It could have multiple layers of meaning. Definitely a book club book bc of the discussion it needs to have.
I went into this book blind. I had seen it was quickly becoming a big hype. I loved his Gentleman in Moscow and still want to reread it.
It would be really really easy to give spoilers so you need to go into it blind if you want to be on a train wreck. It’s a book I did not see where it was going and definitely didn’t see the ending. It kept me up at night type of book. The middle was sort of slow and then it seemed like it was never going to end. And then the end came… I was hoping for more and there to be better qualities- to say the least I was disappointed....more
3.5 I really really wanted to love this book. So many others have found solace and just a hunkering down to winter with her words and atmosphere. It fe3.5 I really really wanted to love this book. So many others have found solace and just a hunkering down to winter with her words and atmosphere. It felt like a Kate Morton book but no mystery. All the feels and atmosphere.
What didn’t work for me were the moral issues involved in the characters. I get it she isn’t a Christian author and her worldview is different, but for me that was a hang up when so much played off of that.
So go in with that caveat and savor the work of art, the feeling of safety and the beauty of words.
I'm a HUGE fan of: WW2 stories Women protagonists Epistolary Novels Back and forth in points of view Family sitatuational reality (drama) Subtle romance wheI'm a HUGE fan of: WW2 stories Women protagonists Epistolary Novels Back and forth in points of view Family sitatuational reality (drama) Subtle romance where the romance isn't the main thing Background and books that make me look stuff up History
Because of these things I really enjoyed Katherine Reay's new novel. It was very different for her and out of her norm. I have read everyone of her books (except her non fiction one) and I was skeptical and a little bit afraid of reading this one. But I really enjoyed it. It was heavy on History and learning from the past and being objective!
I would have liked to seen some more character development and more of the "angst" resolved. It did seem a bit over the top in some places the family drama. But I get what she trying to achieve.
Would have loved more action but the back and forth in letters was great! Loved how it ended in that POV. What courage.
I realize she doesn't put much faith into her books- and I've always wondered why. Faith would have resolved alot of the pain. But I would still recommend it for those who love the same things I do and I own all her books now!...more
Susy C. Lamb
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