Book Review: Wednesdays in the Tower

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Wednesdays in the Tower
Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful book in this series! I loved the first book so much, and wondered what direction the author would take next, and I was astounded with the magical scope of the story! Castle Glower holds so many secrets and magical enigmas, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books.

In this book, Celie finds a mysterious orange egg that the Castle will let only her see. She hatches the egg, and cares for the newborn creature without letting anyone in the castle know about it. But her brother Bran, the Royal Wizard, finds Celie with her quickly-growing and mischievous pet, and the two have to find a way to protect the magical baby, and somehow protect the Castle from threats as well. Continue reading →

Ilvermorny House Recs

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Ilvermorny is the American version of Hogwarts, and here are my book recommendations for each of the Ilvermorny Houses!
What house are you in? Thunderbird, Horned Serpent, Pukwudgie, or Wampus? Continue reading →

Book Review: The Tightrope Walker

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The Tightrope Walker
The Tightrope Walker by Dorothy Gilman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When quiet Amelia finds an old note from a woman about to be murdered, Amelia finds herself compelled to follow the mystery and find out what happened to the woman. Along the way, she is launched into life, meeting new people, falling in love, and gaining confidence in her own abilities. As she uncovers the murderous secrets of the past, Amelia’s own past rises up to haunt her, and she has to choose to cover up her own neurosis, or free herself to live life to the full.

The mystery plot is really good! I was kept guessing and in suspense to the very end, and I was amazed how every little puzzle piece, that made no sense in the beginning, fell right into place at the end. I loved it! Continue reading →

Book Review: Finding God in the Hobbit

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Finding God in the Hobbit
Finding God in the Hobbit by Jim Ware

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this in-depth look at the Christian themes found in the Hobbit! Tolkien is one of my top three favorite authors, so I was hanging on every word.

The author takes various characters, events, dialogue, and plot points from the Hobbit and then uses them to illustrate a Biblical truth. He really brought forth some excellent points that I had never thought of before! I loved how the author worked “around” a principle, and showed you all the facets and different sides, and then hammered it home simply and concisely. I loved the forceful writing style!

I wish that there had been more literary analysis though. It read more like a devotional book with personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, and a “thought for the day” kind of moral at the end of each chapter. I liked that, but I was hoping for more analysis of literary history, fairytale story structures, classical writing influences, Greek philosophy, etc…
In short, I wanted it to be more intellectual than it was.

But the devotional style of the book was good too! I enjoyed reading it so much, and I was even brought to tears a couple of times.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear

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The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear
The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whimsical, wild, and hilarious! Imaginative, original, and wacky! I’m trying to find some good adjectives to describe this book, but none of them do it justice. I have never read anything quite like this! There are just so many things that are thrown together in this story… it defies categorization.

Bluebear recounts his first 13 lives, which range from adventures with the tiny Mini-Pirates to the Babbling Billows (waves who talk), and onward to a pterodactyl, a deceitful Troglotroll, desert nomads, and a professor with seven brains. You never know what insane character or monster is going to pop into the story next! There are a lot of supporting characters, and they are all wacky and weird with their own detailed history and their own quirks and habits. Continue reading →

Usborne Book Drive

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Books for MKs is a Protestant Christian not-for-profit organization, dedicated to donating books to Missionary Kids on the mission field. We currently mail books to over 140 missionary children! There is no cost to the missionary family at all, and the books are theirs to keep.  It is a free gift!

For the next three days, Books for MKs is holding a fundraiser together with Usborne Books!

 

Help us reach our goal for donations and Usborne Books will match 50% of donations in free books for the MKs!  This offer expires on Tuesday at midnight, so we need to raise funds quickly!

You can be a part of this amazing ministry, and help send books to children in need! Donate NOW at https://www.youcaring.com/books-for-mks-https-booksformks-wordpress-com-578134

We desperately need funds to cover the cost of postage and to buy more books. Help us put a smile on these MKs faces and reading material in their hands!

Continue reading →

Review: Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice

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Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice
Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice by Stacy King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun little adaptation of P&P into manga form, but it’s a little too cutesy and “teen drama” for me. There are roses and hearts everywhere, and the character’s facial expressions and actions are too overly dramatic.

I mean, if someone is going to collapse into a chair from illness, is it really necessary for them to pitch headlong to the floor in a flurry of curly hair and roses, and with their cloak fluttering behind them? haha! They couldn’t just sit down in a chair and faint like a normal person? Continue reading →