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Book Review: Messenger

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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: Looking for God in Harry Potter

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Looking for God in Harry Potter
Looking for God in Harry Potter by John Granger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this in-depth analysis of the Harry Potter books, specifically tying together classic Christian themes and symbols. The author has become an expert on Harry Potter and gives lectures at B&N University. He also has a degree in Classical Languages and Literature, so you know he really knows what he’s talking about!

At the time this was written, only the first 5 HP books had been published, so the author also speculates, sometimes with funny results, about what he thought might happen in the final two books. I wish that there were a newer edition of this with thoughts on the final books.

The book begins with a personal story about the author reading HP to his children, and tells how many people in Christian communities have bad-mouthed the books in the past. He addresses concerns some Christians might have about HP enticing children into actual witchcraft, and very thoroughly disproves that notion! He uses Scripture, classic story-telling tools, and quotes from HP to show how the HP books actually give a very clear picture of a Christian world, a loving God, and the everyman’s search for purity through Christ. Continue reading →

Book Review: Richard III

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Richard III
Richard III by William Shakespeare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this last play in the War of the Roses series. There’s tons of action and plotting and intrigue. It certainly does not get boring! It’s not my favorite, since I was unable to really connect with any of the characters, but the plot moves along very quickly.

Most of this play is just people getting murdered. Wow. So many murders! So many. Continue reading →

Book Review: Little House in the Big Woods

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Little House in the Big Woods
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve read this book so many times that I’ve lost count! Every time I am charmed all over again by the stories of wilderness survival told from the perspective of a little girl. The beauty of this novel and the others in the series is the simplicity of life that is described. Gather food, build a home, work hard and have a little fun on the side- this is all they required back in the day. In this entertainment age, it’s so refreshing to be transported back to a time when things were so much simpler and slower. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Slow Regard of Silent Things

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The Slow Regard of Silent Things
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a beautifully weird book! In this novella (part of the KingKiller Chronicles), we follow Auri through a week in the tunnels of the Underthing, as she sets her vast home to rights, fixes leaky pipes so that no one comes down to repair them, and scrounges for food and necessities. She explores the tunnels and passages of the Underthing, discovering new rooms and hallways, and even ventures on to the Top of Things.

This is not a book for everyone. It’s very strange. It doesn’t follow a regular plot or have conflict or character development. But its sweetness is in the glimpses of brightness and dark, the silly wisdom of a girl hiding from the world and embracing it at the same time. Auri’s little story is charming and haunting and wild! Continue reading →