books

Book Review: My Side of the Mountain

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My Side of the Mountain
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every kid thinks about running away at one point or another; few get farther than the end of the block. Young Sam Gribley gets to the end of the block and keeps going–all the way to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. There he sets up house in a huge hollowed-out tree, with a falcon and a weasel for companions and his wits as his tool for survival. In a spellbinding, touching, funny account, Sam learns to live off the land, and grows up a little in the process. Blizzards, hunters, loneliness, and fear all battle to drive Sam back to city life. But his desire for freedom, independence, and adventure is stronger. No reader will be immune to the compulsion to go right out and start whittling fishhooks and befriending raccoons.

I am certainly not an outdoorsy person, but I loved this book so much! What an adventure to live off the land all alone in the woods!
The writing is charming, Sam’s character is full of pluck and resourcefulness, and I was completely involved in every little woodsy adventure. Continue reading →

Holiday Children’s Book Gift Recommendations

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Victoria @ A Hermit’s Progress: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxjNYl3oyiIarerhymiNsUg
Books Mentioned and Where to Buy Them:
Child of Promise: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989775321/
The GingerBrood: http://www.amazon.com/The-Gingerbrood-Brent-Vernon/dp/0983163839/
The GingerBrood website:http://brentvernon.bigcartel.com/product/the-gingerbrood-new
The Twelve New Days of Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/The-Twelve-New-Days-Christmas/dp/097081951X/
God’s Word: http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Word-Making-Him-Known/dp/1596388595
Prayers Works: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433688697

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Book Review: ArchEnemy

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ArchEnemyArchEnemy by Frank Beddor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“The Heart Crystal’s power has been depleted, and Imagination along with it. The people of Wonderland have all lost their creative drive, and most alarmingly, even Queen Alyss is without her powers. But at least the vicious Redd Heart seems to be similarly disabled. Amazingly, she is attempting to team up with her enemy, Alyss, in order to reclaim Wonderland from King Arch. Alyss might have no choice but to accept Redd’s overtures, especially when she begins to receive alarming advice from the caterpillar oracles. . . .”  -GoodReads

(This review is Spoiler Free!)

I thought this was the perfect ending for the Looking Glass Wars trilogy! A big climactic battle at the end and then everything resolved. The world of Wonderland is so imaginative and magical, and I loved how it connects with Earth. Wonderland is very different from the Lewis Carroll books, and has such a cool twist on the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the whole cast of Wonderland characters, and even Alyss herself! Continue reading →

Book Review: Called to Write, Chosen to Publish

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Called to Write, Chosen to Publish
Called to Write, Chosen to Publish by Rachael K. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is inspirational and helpful to any writer! The author gives encouragement from their own personal experiences with writing and from Scripture. Each chapter starts with a Scripture verse that has to do with writing in some way, and at the back of the book there is an index of Bible verses that are paraphrased to apply to writing and publishing.

Several chapters focus on writing as a healing exercise and a way to work through your own grief and move past painful experiences. Other chapters talk about worshiping and glorifying God through writing. There’s even a chapter about writing music, which I was happy to see since I’m a pianist!

The author made me think about aspects of writing that I had not truly considered before; like writing with truthfulness even if I’m writing fiction, and writing with grace. I need to learn to trust myself and my writing instincts, and not be such a perfectionist.

This little book really inspired me to write more, to write for God, and to write with abandon and freedom!

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Chestnut Soldier

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The Chestnut Soldier
The Chestnut Soldier by Jenny Nimmo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was completely entranced by every word in this book, and read it all in one sitting!
This last book in the trilogy is told from the perspectives of both Gwyn and Nia, the story weaving around them like a mystical dance. Nia’s long-lost uncle, Evan, is a soldier recovering from being wounded, and he comes to visit her family. But it soon becomes evident that Evan is being used as a pawn in magical warfare, and Gwyn must find a way to convince Nia that something is wrong with her uncle, and get her help in saving Evan from the evil within.

This story is deliciously haunting, unearthly and weird in the magic of myth and legend that comes to life. Every scene is dripping with suspense and hidden meanings, but there’s also humor and brightness that stands out against the dark themes. The writing is absolutely genius! Continue reading →

Book Review: The Goddess Test

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The Goddess Test
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I fell in love with this retelling of the Persephone story set in the modern day!
Kate’s mother is dying of cancer, so Kate makes a deal with Henry (Hades) that she will undergo seven tests and stay with him in the Underworld for 6 months out of the year as Persephone did, and in return he will keep her mother alive. But some of the gods don’t want her to succeed, and every second she spends in the Underworld, her life is in danger.

I liked Kate’s character immediately. She is a caring and generous person, but she also has a no-nonsense attitude that makes her gutsy and edgy! Her interactions with people were full of humor and just… a realness. She is surrounded by the supernatural, and she has this beautiful raw humanity. She is frail. She is confused. She is awkward at times. Discovering the world of the Greek gods through her eyes, and seeing her develop slowly into a more confident and connected person was simply fascinating. Continue reading →

60 Second Review: DreamHunter and DreamQuake

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“DreamHunter” and “DreamQuake” Duet by Elizabeth Knox
For more info about these books, check out my more in-depth and detailed review on GoodReads.
DreamHunter Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1029664290?book_show_action=false
DreamQuake Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1032000134?book_show_action=false