novel
Book Review: 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.
Book Review: 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
Book Review: Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Grandma’s House TBR
Recent Reads: #Hobbalong, Shakespeare, Graphic Novel
I Love Spring Book Tag
Now that Spring is over, I wish it would come back!!
I was tagged by Booktube Couple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4dktzGb_vU
Helene Jepsen and Amanda Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shp2M…
QUESTIONS
1) How is Spring where you live?
2) Most anticipated book release this Spring?
3) Show us a book cover that makes you think of Spring.
4) Where are you going to read this Spring?
5) Find a cover with the sun on it!
6) What are your favorite Spring reads?
7) Find a book with many different colors on it.
8) Whom do you tag? Continue reading
Book Review: Messenger
Messenger by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am completely in love with the entire Giver quartet so far, and this third book is no exception!
This book follows Matty, whom we met in Gathering Blue, and his journey of self-discovery as he finds a power/gift within himself that he never had before.
As in the other books, we are introduced to a community where everything seems peaceful and content, but there is a dark secret in this seemingly happy society and there is a mystery for Matty to solve. It’s never what I think it’s going to be! I’m always surprised at the mystery, and so impressed with the deep social themes that are addressed. Continue reading
Book Review: Catch the Zolt
Catch the Zolt by Phillip Gwynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the story of Dom, who is told on his 15th birthday that his family owes an ancient debt to the Italian mafia. When every male family member reaches 15 years old, they are forced to do 6 difficult tasks for the Debt or the Debt will cut off an arm or leg, taking their “pound of flesh” in payment.
I loved that the whole “pound of flesh” thing is from Shakespeare, although the Bard is never mentioned.
Dom is a wonderful character with depth and interest. He has a crush on his best friend, the girl next door. He has a fun dynamic of mutual teasing with his siblings. He trains as a runner, and is obsessed with running. He’s just a well-rounded character, and a great POV for the whole story. Continue reading
Book Review: 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
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