Book Review: Stronger Than the Storm - Highly Recommend

This riveting debut novel, Stronger Than the Storm, by Deena Adams, had me locked in from the start. With well-drawn characters and intense conflicts, the story demands just another page. It resonated with me because of our journey with a wayward adult son. However, any parent will put themselves in these shoes and learn something about themselves from the journey. We all regret our mistakes. The book is gritty, real, and raw. Life is the same. God grows us the most in the midst of storms. It could be summed up in a simple sentence: The scars of sin run deep, but God's grace soothes and heals.

Beth Holbrook is elated by an offer of publication for her parenting book. As a pastor's wife and parenting coach, things are at a high point. Within the space of one day, those successes begin to crumble, when her 18-year-old daughter runs away. Leesa is on a self-destructive path. Indeed, she digs her hole deeper and deeper as the pages fly by. (Oh, how I could relate!) 

Beth and her husband Kevin, like many couples parenting a prodigal, have differing opinions on the necessary response. These pages articulated the very difficulties I fought in seeking the best course of action with my wayward son. They illustrate the gamut of emotions parents and prodigals experience. Will the ripples from Leesa's sin spill over to fracture Beth and Kevin's marriage? Can God bring good from hopeless, unwanted situations?  

The book has won several awards. It earned first place in the American Fiction Awards for the religious fiction category and Contemporary Novel of the Year in the Christian Market Book Awards. I was grateful to read this story of God's redemption, prior to Trevor's death, because it reminded me of God's presence in the battle. Pain drives prodigals, but their pain spills over into other lives. This book is important! Sin scars the entire family. But God... works with our weaknesses to reveal His strengths, and praise God, He is stronger than any storm we face! We can count on God's providential hand to carry us when wounded and weary, and redeem us when broken and spent.

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I moved this review up in my queue as it is currently on sale in e-book form for a few more days. Snag the savings! You won't regret it!

 

Book Review: The Exiles

The audiobook of The Exiles jumped out at me from the shelves at the library. I have a graduate degree in Victorian British history. Thus, the transport of criminals to Australia during that period interests me. Christina Baker Kline weaves a compelling story about women caught in poverty and exiled. This story made my drive time (trips to transport Sean from Purdue) a real treat.

In early nineteenth-century London, Evangeline's governess life is about to evaporate. The employer's son seduces her and gives her an heirloom ring as a promise when he departs on holiday. Accused of stealing the ring, she is imprisoned and sent to a penal colony in Australia. On the convict ship, she befriends a midwife named Hazel.

The progress of Evangeline and Hazel is juxtaposed against the story of Mathinna, an Aboriginal girl exiled from her people and taken as a curiousity by the new governor's wife. Unfairly treated and too poor to stand up for themselves, Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna, endure humiliations and deprivations. Yet, they band together to make their way in the world.

There is a definite deliniation between the wealthy and the poor. Sadly, this presentation of colonization is undoubtedly accurate. What a hardship to think of being sent an ocean away for a crime you didn't commit! Even Hazel, who stole a silver spoon, is not treated with the respect she deserves for her vast knowledge of natural remedies. These are tragic characters living in harsh conditions. Yet, there is hope and camaraderie, even in the gloomy Van Diemen's Land. Kline does a fine job of crafting characters and plot. I was glad of those longer trips that allowed deeper listening. It was fascinating to consider Australia in the time of England's convict transporation. I noted from the back cover that it has been optioned for television. If it is accessible, I will happily watch.

Book Review: This Book Made Me Think of You - Highly Recommend

This book made me think of why I love books! They can meet you right where you are and tap into your most intimate wishes, hopes, and dreams. They can soothe sorrows! I don't know if I was merely ripe for this book by Libby Page (daughter to author Sally Page). Perhaps, This Book Made Me Think of You is merely brilliant for anyone and everyone. Oh, how I adored it! The characters are relatable. The premise is perfect. Plus, the book is brimming with book recommendations. Like I said, it is a brilliant book! My favorite read of 2026!

Listen to this outstanding first line: "The right book in the hands of the right person at exactly the right moment can change their life forever." That's what Alfie, the owner of Book Lane believes. When Alfie calls Matilda Nightingale to tell her she has a book to pick up at the bookstore, she insists she didn't order anything. Alfie explains her late husband scheduled a year's worth of monthly books to get her through the first full year without him. Of course, ever since his death six months ago, Tilly hasn't been able to read. What follows is a year-long adventure as Tilly regains her reading mojo and learns to live again without the love of her life.

I immediately thought, "Man, if my husband died and left me twelve selected books, I would be utterly blown away by the gesture." Like Tilly's husband, my husband is not really a book reader (he does read some, but only in his slim selected categories and, primarily, God's Word) so I know I'll never experience this scenario. Ah, but because of this book, I was able to live through it vicariously, through Tilly. Even though it deals with grief, it is incredibly life-affirming.

It took some time but I jotted down all 96 book titles mentioned in this book. Probably half to two-thirds are titles I've heard of or know. I have only read 19 of the books listed. So, now that I have the whole list, I have much to add to my endless file of books to read. Book recommendations are always welcome, as are books that feature a bookshop. And how can you not be sucked in by characters who love books?

I adored Tilly! She and I would be friends IRL. We would be two peas in a pod. Here's a line that could describe me: "After reading, crafting has always been her way of relaxing, but what she has in enthusiasm she does not possess in skill." Ha, too true! Like Tilly, I took a leap and visited Paris on my own. What fun when she explores Shakespeare and Company and finds this quote: "I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being." So many parts of her story gutted me.

I also want bookish friends like Alfie and Rachel. Everyone should have a special bookstore, and a special bookseller, like Alfie. His role in this book is tremendously touching. Rachel's part of the story made me squirm. If Tilly can forgive Rachel and restore friendship, I know I should be able to forgive and restore a friendship with a "Rachel" in my life. Bookish friends have a value beyond expression.

Indeed, this is a love song for books, both in the long recommendation lists and in the way individual books meet Tilly's need at just the right moment. Here's another line that resonated: "Maybe this is what books do, she thinks, whether stories real or imagined or poems compiled in one place for people to flick through in search of what they need. They offer something universal but allow you to find your own meaning among the words. They are for everyone and yet they are for you too." At the end, Tilly says, "I am the person I am because of the books I have read. My reading history is a map that shows the path of my life." I want to be like Tilly, a "bookish soul eager to help steer you on your way." Indeed, I wish I could read this for the first time all over again!

Word of caution: The emotions in this book are very raw and real. If you've recently lost a loved one, the story might be bookish cryptonite for you - just a place you cannot go for the moment. Still, there is merit in following Tilly's journey as she heals from the grief and finds solace in books. Moreover, I did mark this as a clean read, but should note that there are one or two curse words and a few times the Lord's name is taken in vain.

Book Review: Humankind

I love the cover of this bestselling book, Humankind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time! It is gorgeous! If we all moved through life seeking the good of others, this world might be easier to endure. Yet, this book falls short of full and effective kindness. I believe man's greatest need is salvation found in faith in Christ! However, this too, is a need for kindness because if we do not reach out with the gospel to our neighbors and friends, how will they ever know the grace God offers? My heart breaks over the rampant evil in this world. I wonder, how can God hold back His judgment another day? Surely, He is coming soon. Are you ready for His return? Will He take you out of this evil world and give you eternal life with Him?

Brad Aronson's life changed when his wife received her leukemia diagnosis. Suddenly, people stepped up and into their lives. He noticed the dramatic effects of kindness. In cataloguing acts of kindness, he hopes to encourage others to step up and meet needs that will impact lives. This book is bursting with stories of heroes doing little things with big impact. The examples are heartwarming and inspirational. Each chapter ends with encouragement to take action. It contains so many inspirational quotes.

Even if you don't take time to read this book, you can visit Aronson's website to gain tons of ideas for putting love in action to meet the needs of others. When life is getting you down, take a moment to read one of Brad's inspirational stories. If you're willing to give your email address, you can sign up for regular doses of kindness and inspiration. Perhaps you'd like to read the book with your book club. Aronson offers discussion questions and is willing to field specific questions if you submit them to him.

This book offers such a positive message: Step out in kindness and reap big rewards for little actions!. Now, I want to see transformation on an even grander scale. What if your private prayer, your tiny testimony, and your enticing example led others to the living water of Christ? Oh, the needs that might be met, if you spent five minutes in prayer for a brokenhearted brother or a crushed colleague! I hope my life is full of tangible kindness. But, even more, I hope my life exudes, indeed spreads everywhere, "the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Book Review: The Well-Watered Woman

I appreciate author Jordan Raynor's weekly book recommendations (although, I realize, many he hasn't actually read). When he mentioned Gretchen Saffles' book, The Well-Watered Woman, I noted it on my endless reading wish list. Then, I experienced a God-thing a few months back, repeatedly encountering the story of the woman at the well. Each time, the teaching held a little different angle. By the fifth time, it was clearly something God wanted me to camp on for a time. So, I returned to this title and checked out the audio version. This is an excellent, Bible-rich book.

The Well-Watered Woman encourages readers to seek the well of living water, the word of freedom, and the way of fruitfulness. Every chapter presents a hypothetical thirsty woman. This taps into each of our longings and needs. She outlines the transaction: bring your nothing; receive His everything. She asks, "Are you trusting in Jesus plus something... or are you trusting Jesus alone?" 

The Word is our water - Deposit truth so you can withdraw during times of drought.

The Word is our protection - "We fight from the victory of Jesus, not for victory. Victory has already been claimed at the cross."

The Word is our roots - "Every desert season has a purpose--nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God."

I loved her encouragement to look for gospel intersections everywhere. It brought me back to my verse of the year (2 Cor. 2:14) and my daily pursuit to live out the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. I loved another beautiful section where she spoke of often overlooked wildflowers. Growth may be ongoing, even when it is underground or unnoticed. Some blooms take years to develop and bud. Moroever, she reminds that the well-watered woman lives a counter-cultural life. Does my life look too much like the world? Do I blend in or stand out for God?

For more from this author, seek her ministry, The Well-Watered Woman, which she has based on Isaiah 58:11 ("And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." KJV)

Book Review: Triumphs of the Heart

I plucked Triumphs of the Heart: The Promise of Joyful Living from my shelves to accompany my morning devotional studies. Cheryl Ford does an excellent job of bringing women of the Bible to life in these mini-biographies. Each chapter seemed to spur me along to consider aspects of the heart. How I want to incorporate some of these encouragements into my daily living! This is a book I will hold onto, even in my efforts to purge belongings.

The author highlights eight women in the Bible with characteristics to emulate. I mentioned, at the end of this post, that my verse this year was drawn from Ford's first chapter on Anna (the watchful heart). I hope to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. I hope to watch, as Anna did, for our Redeemer's return. Other types of hearts are mentioned, too: a tenacious heart, a searching heart, a valiant heart, a daring heart, a liberated heart, and a sacrificial heart. 

It was no coincidence that I read the fifth chapter, exploring Esther, during the weeks my Bible Study Fellowship class was focused on Esther. Then, the final chapter on the woman at the well (the good-news heart), seemed something the Lord wanted to drive home to me. While I read that chapter, I heard two different sermons from two different churches and both considered the woman at the well. Then, I saw a Facebook post highlighting this woman's example. In the end, I decided God was trying to remind me to draw from His living water, rather than coming up empty with my own resources in my daily battles. He was also encouraging me to spread the good news as she did. I love when God repeats the lesson until He drives it home. I also love that books fall into our hands at specific moments of need. Isn't that the coolest! 

Book Review: Uneasy Street

Uneasy Street, by Becky Wade, was the first book selection for the Christian Fiction Reading Challenge. Many individuals balked because it is the 3rd in the Sons of Scandal trilogy. While I prefer to read books in order, I had no difficulty reading this as a stand-alone novel. It was a wholesome romance that follows two wounded people from friendship to alienation to tolerance to love.

Sloane Madison has had a troubled upbringing. One bright spot is her deceased sister's daughter, Ivy. When Ivy's adoptive parents go away for a house-swap trip, they leave Ivy in Sloane's charge and put them up in the guest house on a wealthy property. It seems like a horrid trick when Sloane discovers the owner of the property is none other than her former business partner, Max Cirillo. Max wants closure but Sloane wants nothing to do with him. His lack of concern and spiteful retaliation in the past require forgiveness Sloane cannot muster.

Forgiveness is a key theme in this book. From neglect to misunderstandings to adulterous mistresses, there's lots of forgiveness fodder. Ivy has her own sub-plot as she searches for her biological father and discovers an unexpected wrinkle in her adoption story. I loved Ivy and her rats. I even liked Sloane, in spite of her constant bristle with Max. Max was physically swoony, but I struggled to feel as drawn to him as the others. 

Each character comes with baggage and that baggage is steadily unpacked throughout the story. I loved the concept of giving to others what you need for yourself. So Sloane is learning to seek to meet the needs in others that she wishes her family had met for her in her childhood. Although I was unable to make the Zoom call interview with the author, I did watch it at a later point in time. My favorite part of that interview was when Becky articulated the truth that everyone experiences a novel differently because we come at the story with different histories, perspectives, and needs. I think this is also why you can read a novel at one point and then later, in reading again, experience it in a whole different way. If you are interested in watching that interview (including reader questions), click here.

I will happily try another Becky Wade book at some point, but I've too many books on my stack to seek the first and second in this trilogy. Indeed, before I even read this book, I had taken this screen shot of the author's declaration that all of her books are written without AI. In this day and age, that's a promise I want to bank on in books I read.

Book Review: Every Hour Until Then

Every Hour Until Then had a lengthy hold list at my library. How amusing that it came available just after I read about Michael J. Fox's forays into time travel. This is my first Gabrielle Meyer book. I've been noting recommendations. It takes a clever author to weave a time-travel book well.

Every Hour Until Then is billed as an inspirational Victorian and WWII-era time-travel romance. I wasn't aware it is the fifth in her Timeless series. I decided to plunge ahead anyway because I've always been interested in Victorian England. Meyer poses a fascinating premise. Characters in her time-travel series live in two separate eras (alternating between the two with each sleep) and must finally decide which path they wish to remain in permanently. For this novel, Kathryn uses what she learns in 1938 London to foil Jack the Ripper's deadly intentions for her 1888 sister, Mary Jane.

I'm intrigued by the idea that the Ripper was undetected because he was protected by the brotherhood of Freemasons. This sounds like a plausible theory. While the book didn't suck me in as much as I'd hoped, the two time periods were interesting when paired together. In 1888, Kathryn is the daughter of an eminent doctor with Freemason ties. In 1938, she is in London on assignment to help put together a display on Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. The rules of time travel in the novel add danger to Kathryn's desires to intervene to save her sister from becoming the fifth and final victim.

I'm not sure I will backtrack and begin at the start of this series. I'm quite interested in Victorian London, but not as interested in other time periods and places. The time-travel element sometimes felt clunky. Plus, the inspirational elements were stroked more than seemed necessary. Still, it is currently ranked 18 in Christian Historical Fiction books. It was an interesting story, if you're a big fan of time-travel novels. Moreover, the subject of the Ripper might make for lively discussion in a book club setting.

Book Review: I See You've Called In Dead

What a romp of a read! Had I checked Amazon first, I'd have noticed the numerous, well-earned awards and accolades. I See You've Called in Dead is not my standard fare. The premise hooked my attention and I was eager to find a book to lighten my mood. Even though cautionary content threatened, I persisted for the plentiful laugh-out-loud moments. John Kenney certainly knows how to write humor. I shared some hilarious lines with my husband. Yet, this is not just a fluff read. Kenney bores down into deeply meaningful questions we all struggle to answer. From the standard, "Why am I here?" to "When life falls apart, what makes it worthwhile?" The book provides lots to consider and is full of interesting, heartbreaking characters. I really felt for the main character. Plus, I loved his interactions with his young neighbor. Here's the alluring premise:

Bud Stanley is an obituary writer for a major publication, but his work is slipping. When his ex-wife calls to say her mother died, it pushes him, already defeated and almost drunk, over the edge. In his plastered state, he begins to contemplate his own obituary and writes a fanciful one only to accidentally hit return. During the resulting suspension from work, he attends the wakes and funerals of strangers hoping to learn how to truly live.

One minute you're cracking up at Bud's wry humor and the next minute you're reeling from the weight he carries. Bud's not the only funny one. His boss, his landlord, and his landlord's housekeeper all deliver their own share of comic retorts. It has been billed as a "coming-of-middle-age" book. Even this is funny. I've never seen "The Office," but it apparently has a similar feel. Still, I'm fairly certain the book is more poignant and has more depth than that show.

Substack recommended Kendra Jernejcic's February book reviews. I loved how she summed up this book: "These challenging topics are couched in some of the most humorous and insightful writing I've ever read, making the subject not just palatable but incredibly life-affirming. I found myself laughing at the razor-sharp dialogue and insane sarcasm while wiping away tears at the sheer beauty and poignancy of Bud's observations and internal reflections."

At one point, Bud says, "People can break you. Through pain. But also... through love... I was broken two years ago. And Tim... he showed me grace and dignity and kindness when I had none, wasn't able to see it, kind of gave up. Tim saved my life because he showed me how to live." Finally, one of my favorite lines from the book: "Maybe we're all obituary writers. And our job is to write the best story we can now." I think this would make a great book club selection as it is funny, yet thought-provoking. If you're on the fence, go take a look at all those glowing endorsements.

📒 Content Caution

Book Review: The Correspondent

I have been a correspondent. In my early days, I had a few best friends with whom I exchanged lengthy letters. In my teen years, I had a friend who had gone off to college (in Indianapolis, at Butler University, of all places). That friend faithfully responded to my many letters. In my college years, I continued that correspondence and also wrote to family members. Post-college, I had a deepening correspondence with a fellow mission-team member. Then came letters back and forth between people I met in my travels. After my oldest son was born, I sought out a foreign pen-pal.  Yes, I have always loved composing and receiving letters!

This book, The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans, articulates exactly how I have felt. It is easier for me to process things and to express myself with the written word. Don't box me into a corner with a verbal fight! Allow me to defend myself and put forth my views in a letter. This is a beautiful book about a character who seeks to deal with life's losses through her correspondence with others. Sybil van Antwerp writes letters to her brother, her best friend, favored authors, and young people she hopes to mentor. She urges a college dean to allow her to audit courses. To some, she writes about her adoption and the feelings it engenders. To others, she writes her terror at impending blindness. Then there are the letters, left unsent, to an individual named Colt. When she starts receiving anonymous letters with ill-intent, she must face her past and all its tragedies and triumphs. As readers, we get to follow this process through the letters she writes and receives.

I love epistolary novels, so when I saw the popular buzz, I knew I wanted to read this book. And when I say buzz, I mean buzz. The book is currently ranked #3 on Amazon. It has won many accolades and awards. My husband came into the room and began talking to me as I was nearing the conclusion. I could not tear my eyes away. Then, the tears threatened and spilled over. Of course, he wondered what made me cry, but he is not a lover of fiction. I tried to explain the great sorrow, but he had not been drawn into it as I had through countless pages. I feel sorry for him. What joy it is to slowly unravel a tale leading to empathy and compassion for a character drawn from the author's imagination. If you read this book, be sure to take time for the author's acknowledgements at the end. I even looked up the scripture reference for James 1:17. Although this is not a Christian book, that verse resonates after reading this story. 

📒 Content Caution

Book Review: Heaven and Nature Sing - Highly Recommend

Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World, by Hannah Anderson, is a book I wanted to place on my Christmas list. The writing is beautiful, and the insights fresh and deep. I wish I had read this earlier in the year so I could recommend it in time for Advent use. Since I listened to this in audio form, I struggled with two prevailing desires. I wanted to savor the words and take notes from the reflections. Plus, I hungered to see the illustrations provided by Hannah's husband Nathan. I'm so grateful someone recommended it in The Rabbit Room Chinwag group on Facebook and also grateful to find it available in audio form through Hoopla. Still, I think this is a book better consumed in hard form, and I would love to own a copy.

Heaven and Nature Sing contemplates various natural aspects of the Christmas story, exploring minor details like snowflakes, snakes, and swaddling clothes. It looks at Christ's birth through a new lens. It certainly earned its selection as an ECPA Christian Nonfiction Bestseller for Christmas 2023. I wish I had known about it in 2022, when first published.

Several points stood out. When feeling common and even sometimes worthless, we must remember that we have been sanctified and made holy by the Holy One. "When you feel common, remember that the holiness of God never runs out and His grace is as limitless as He is." I loved the Day 5 reflection on silence. Considering the silence between the Old and New Testaments, and the silence of Zachariah from his doubt (after years of pleading with God), was a great reminder for times when we feel we cannot hear God or He cannot hear us. She writes, "Our inability to hear God's words is no measure of His ability to hear ours."

Discussing family land, she remarks that inheritance is more about stewardship than about possession. She talks about our "kinsman redeemer," who takes responsibility for His offspring and calls us His own. How important it is to give our children a sense of the habits of faith! We long for peace in this chaotic world. She notes that in tolerance, we often ignore wrongdoing in order to avoid conflict. But, "the peace of God does not acquiesce." The habits and traditions of Advent rehearse the truth that, with heaven and nature, we sing, looking to the One who will crush the deceiver.

This is perhaps one of my favorite Advent books. I have been mentioning it to others. I also think this would make an excellent selection for a Christian book club in November or December. So much to contemplate and discuss. The thoughts are enlightening, personal, and universal.

Author Spotlight: Sara Brunsvold

My reading habits have shifted in the past few years. Frustrated with less-than-subtle agendas in modern books, I've focused more on Christian books. How freeing to know I won't have to encounter unsavory content or wade through endless expletives! In addition, I'm honing in on specific authors and following their publication paths. My list of beloved authors is growing.

One author I've added to that list is Sara Brunsvold. I had the rare opportunity to attend an author talk just days after finishing her first two books. Sara is a down-to-earth, personable, and committed author. I am impressed by her drive to submit her writing to the guidance and use of God. She does something I always intend to do before each writing session, but often forget: she prays at the outset of every writing session. That is powerful!

Sara's books provide realistic characters in difficult circumstances that emphasize the grace and purpose of God. I have enjoyed every single one of her titles. Her most popular is her debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, which won the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. I had this title noted in my phone many months before I saw an advertisement for her author talk at a local church near me. This book has garnered 734 five-star ratings on Amazon. My review can be found here.

Her second novel, The Divine Proverb of Streusel, really struck a chord with me. It emphasized things we share in common. I grew up in several small towns in Missouri and have a German heritage. Even though I'm not much of a cook, I copied out several of the German recipes shared in the novel. Many of the questions I asked at the author talk focused on this book.

Just a few months ago, Revell released her third novel, The Atlas of Untold Stories. This is a story of a mother-daughters road trip to literary locations in the Midwest. Relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters can be complex. I loved how the journey led to great self-awareness, forgiveness, and redemption. Click here to read my review. Thanks to my pre-order, I also secured a guide to the road trip, in case I wish to take my own road trip one day retracing the steps of these characters. Shortly after the release, I reached out to Sara for an interview. If you haven't yet read a Sara Brunsvold book, you should remedy that soon.

Q1: Please share with us the research process that went into creating The Atlas of Untold Stories. Did you visit these locations with your own daughters in tow?

Sara: As a lifelong Midwesterner and an English major, I was familiar with the rich literary heritage the middle of the country boasts. I wanted to showcase that heritage. For research, I started inventorying the many Midwest sites connected to American literature. After whittling down the list to those my characters would most likely visit, I re-read the literature associated with those sites and studied the biographies of the authors. I was also able to visit many of the sites myself, often with my daughters and husband along with me. On one trip, my mom was with me, which was a sweet memory.

Q2: Which literary location was your favorite? If a reader only has time or means to visit one location on this literary road trip, what is a must-see?

Sara: If you have time for only one visit, I would recommend the Branson and Mansfield, Missouri, area. The two sites are fairly close together. Mansfield is where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in her later years and wrote the Little House books. Her home and farm have been well-preserved, and the museum is amazing. Meanwhile, Branson is where Harold Bell Wright wrote The Shepherd of the Hills. The historic farm where the novel is set has been preserved for tours, and a stage production of the story takes place on the farm.

Q3: Did you have a favorite Midwestern author prior to embarking on the research and writing of this novel?

Sara: I grew up near Hannibal, Missouri, which is the boyhood hometown of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). He will always have a special place in my reader’s heart.

Q4: In the acknowledgements, you mention praying for future readers every time you sit down to write. What a gift! Can you describe how you prepare for each writing session? Is there a favorite writing location? Important writing utensil? Mindset motivator?

Sara: I start every writing session with prayer. That is a must. I keep my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of my faith and every word that springs from it. Readers are almost always in view for me as I pray over my writing session. Most days, I am writing at home at my desk in the corner of my bedroom. Sometimes, though, a change of scenery helps spark creativity. In those cases, I will go to the library, a park, or a local coffee shop.

Q5: In every novel I have worked on, I've hit several walls (mostly toward the middle of the writing process). What is your favorite or most effective writer's block buster?

Sara: I relate to this! I once heard an author coach talk about “upstream issues,” and that was a game-changer for me. More often than not, the issue is not “writer’s block,” but a kink upstream from the place where the creativity seems to have run dry. I will go back several chapters (sometimes all the way back to the beginning, if necessary) and read/edit my way through the manuscript again. Maybe I made a decision earlier that isn’t quite playing out as well as I hoped. Maybe there is a detail that jumps out at me as a thread I need to pull forward in the scene where I’m stuck. Maybe the pacing is off, or the emotional arc is askew. A time or two, I just needed a reminder of how much I love the story I’m working on. Resolving upstream issues is my go-to fix.

Q6: I'm impressed with how you integrate your faith in your writing. You seem deeply dedicated to pursuing what God wants from your writing. Do you have any advice for Christian writers on how to integrate faith without hammering the message over the story? This is one of my chief complaints about some Christian fiction. I believe the story should supersede and subtly convey the message.

Sara: Spoken like a true artist whose heart belongs to Christ! One thing I observe about the author community is how we tend to overthink this, and I get it. When you are creating something in worship of a Holy God, it is only right to be reverent about what you put on the page. That said, the very same Holy God for whom we are worshipfully creating is fully capable of guiding us on where to use heavy strokes of Christian content in our art and where to have a lighter touch. If we are bowed before Him as we write, He is faithful to guide us. We don’t have to try to figure it out in our own reasoning.

Q7: The Atlas of Untold Stories emphasizes how important it is to allow our children space to become their own person. This is a personal struggle for me. God gives us each a unique story. I read a quote, "You cannot protect your child from their testimony." As a parent with a child attempting to break the chains of drug use, I wonder what you would say is the most important action involved in letting go?

Sara: What a wonderful, convicting quote. This is a deep question, and one I feel ill-equipped to answer. As I navigate the season of motherhood in which our girls are preparing to launch, I have leaned on prayer more than ever. Sometimes it is the only action I can take.

Q8: Branching off from those ideas, what would you say is the most powerful thing you have learned from the story God has entrusted in your life?

Sara: The most powerful lesson I’ve learned in my own testimony is surrender. Surrender to Jesus, surrender to God’s plans for my life, and daily surrender to the work He sets before me. Of course, surrender in motherhood is a big thing He is currently teaching me.

Q9: With these outstanding books under your belt, do you experience pressure to perform to the high standard you've established? How do you combat that pressure?

Sara: If I allow myself to, I certainly feel the pressure of expectations. But I have to remind myself that I’m not the main character. God is. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, so if He guided me through three books by his grace, He will do it again, for His own glory. That is the point I come back to in my prayers over my writing ministry. He will accomplish what He sets out to do; my job is to be obedient with the skills, time, and opportunities He has entrusted to me. I try to stay centered on that – and my husband is very good at helping me to that end.

Q10: Can you give us a glimpse into what you are working on now?

Sara: My fourth book, which releases in Fall 2026, takes the cross-generational female friendships of Steel Magnolias and mixes it with the forging of Christian community like in Neta Jackson’s The Yada Yada Prayer Group.

I'm grateful to Sara for taking her time to answer my questions. Her contemporary Christian fiction emphasizes hope, truth, and life. I love redemption in any story. It is so encouraging when brokenness finds healing and God moves in lives to restore and uplift. Sara taps into this so well in her novels. Be sure to check them out! You can find out more information, or sign on for her author newsletter, at her author website.

Mid-month Mention: Read Write Rendezvous

In 2024, I learned of an upcoming author talk held at a local mega-church near me. I eagerly and quickly read the first two books by Sara Brunsvold: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip and The Divine Proverb of Streusel. The author talk was wonderful. I feel a real kinship with Sara because I was born and raised in small towns in Missouri and come from German heritage.

Tomorrow, Sara's 3rd book, The Atlas of Untold Stories, releases. I pre-ordered the book and received it on Thursday, along with the pre-order goodies. What could be better than a story about mothers and sisters and road trips aligned around books? When I first heard of the book, I wanted to take a road trip myself to visit the sites mentioned in this Midwest book. By pre-ordering through Baker Book House, I received a copy of a road trip itinerary for just such a trip. Hmm, now to find someone to road-trip with me (i.e. do all the driving).

In checking out Sara's website, I discovered a reader's/writer's event that sounds absolutely marvelous. I doubt I'll be able to attend (expense, uncertainty of life, travelling alone...), but I thought my blog readers might like to know about this event. Sara is one of the many authors who will be there. Read Write Rendezvous takes place in St. Louis, from November 7th to 8th, 2025. I am familiar with the names of a handful of writers who will be in attendance: Amanda Cox, Jaime Jo Wright, Joanna Davidson Politano, Pepper Basham, and Sara Brunsvold.

If you sign up to attend the Read Write Rendezvous, let me know! I'd love to hear all about it, even if I cannot attend this year myself. There's always next year, possibly... 

Book Review: You Are a Tree

I always appreciate learning about books that my friends recommend on Good Reads. My friend, Sarah Ilsters, posted about this book. I'm grateful I found an audio copy available on Hoopla. The book contained so much to glean that I also accessed the eBook version and took notes.

In You Are a Tree, Clarkson explores various metaphors we use for things like wisdom, depression, love, and faith. One reviewer found it too heady, but for this English major graduate, it was a pure delight to delve into the words we use to explain and understand our lives and our faith. Metaphors help us express profound concepts. In this book, the author explores seven metaphors, many of which feel very familiar (people as trees, wisdom as light, life as a journey). But her words, expounding on these ideas, are ripe with meaning. She discusses our drive to be productive, as we so often see ourselves as machines. The Bible is chock-full of metaphors to help us understand God and His ways.

I was eager to access the eBook besides listening to the audio. At the end of each metaphor chapter, Clarkson offers resources to explore in connection with the ideas she has presented. These sections provide a prayer, an activity, a list of paintings, films, poems, podcasts, etc. to consider, and an explanation of why she recommends them. They were rich and provided a great jumping-off place. Excellent books move you to incorporate and personalize what you've read.

What a joy to take apart words and examine how we use them to elaborate on what we experience! I loved how she used scripture to flesh out ideas of wisdom and light. Her words on journeys and sadness moved me. This is a book I would love to own to highlight passages and explore the suggestions for further consideration. At the end, Clarkson provides further reading to accompany each chapter. I could spend hours thinking about the metaphors discussed in this articulate and engaging book!

Book Review: The Summer of Yes

One of my favorite books of last year was The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh. I recommended it to my new book club, not even realizing it was published by a Christian publisher. That book hit all the boxes of need in my life. It resonated like a megaphone. During my second read-through with that book club, I noted all the things Isadora attempted to improve her happiness quotient in her life. While I haven't pursued those lessons, I relished the opportunity to consider what stands in the way of feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

I jumped on the hold list as soon as I saw my library had a new Courtney Walsh book. The Summer of Yes is as uplifting and life-affirming as her previous book. Once again, it inspired contemplation and introspection. I questioned, "where do I say 'no' out of fear or discomfort?" The ability to determine your "yes" or "no" with integrity is a tricky thing. I have said "yes" in previous circumstances, based on a belief that it is something others want me to do. It may have even seemed God wanted me to do it, yet when life led in another direction, others then questioned my integrity and my belief in following God's leading.

This is a tangent, but one worth exploring. Where do we get the right to determine where God is leading another person and how can we be certain that God might not be leading them out of an opportunity, just as much as He led them into an opportunity? This is very personal. My parents were Salvation Army officers for many years. Then one day, my dad said God was calling him to leave the ministry. I cannot express how many people cast judgement on them for this action. Even the wording in the Army's officer covenant holds marital implications, as if God's calling is a calling for life. In my opinion, that's not how God works. Biblically speaking, His call has led His followers into and out of opportunities, even into prison experiences. The important thing is to filter these decisions through a lens of God's desires for us. This is not a straightforward task. We can think we know God's desires (and often think we know God's desires for another person), but sometimes that is personally motivated rather than spiritually motivated.

Back to the book and why you should say "yes" to reading it. A random, life-threatening accident lands Kelsey Worthington (assistant editor for a publishing company) in a hospital room with Georgina Tate (eminent businesswoman). Kelsey recognizes Georgina and her curious mind kicks in. She asks Georgina if she has any regrets in her long life of breaking the glass ceiling. Kelsey is processing her life, in light of her near-death, and wondering if what she is pursuing will be worthwhile in the end. This is a valid question everyone should explore.

Kelsey determines to alter her life by saying "yes" to things she has always turned down. She begins by taking time off work (something she never did) and spending time at the zoo with her best friend (again, she admits she was a crappy friend). But the more she ponders Georgina's life, the more she is convinced that the intersection of their lives was with purpose. She believes that purpose is to pursue the "Summer of Yes." Kelsey hijacks Georgina's life and leads her on a road trip that will alter both of their lives and will cause them to re-evaluate their decisions.

Georgina's handsome son adds a layer of romance. The characters are interesting and believable. Walsh nails the voice again. Kelsey and Georgina both are very particular and opposite characters. I enjoyed the road trip aspect, the thoughts to contemplate and personalize, and the positive resolution. Various lines made me laugh out loud. This is a book about redemption and forgiveness, my favorite themes to explore. I recommend this book if you catch yourself turning down opportunities because they require you to step out of your comfort zone or approach things you feel unqualified to attempt. After the acknowledgements, there's a section with discussion questions, making this a perfect option for a book club.

Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures - Highly Recommend

Some authors hit a debut novel out of the park on the first swing! This was a gem of a book! I observed the many recommendations from other book lovers and now must rave about it myself. With entrancing characters and multiple story problems presented, Remarkably Bright Creatures sweeps the reader into this magical world near Puget Sound. I honestly was sad when the book was drawing to a close because I wanted to stay in the story longer. Indeed, I had fifteen more minutes to my drive time, so I reversed and listened to the final 5 tracks on the CD all over again. It is a remarkable tale that leaves you in a happy place.

Not that the story shies away from significant loss. No, each character is dealing with overwhelming sorrow and challenges. But as they come into contact with one another, they are changed. The initial narrator is an octopus named Marcellus, who is detailing the final days of his captivity in the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova Sullivan is the petite Scandinavian widow, in her 70s, who tidies the aquarium every night. She is not only grieving the loss of her husband to cancer but also the mysterious loss of her 18-year-old son Erik three decades ago. The interactions between Marcellus and Tova are magical. When Tova falls and injures her leg, the aquarium director hires Cameron to fill the position temporarily. Cameron is in Sowell Bay seeking information about the parents he never knew. His past abandonments have left him stuck.

Initially, I thought the title applied to the octopus. After all, they are incredibly intelligent. I had read of an escaping octopus in Sy Montgomery's The Soul of an Octopus (did Van Pelt read Montgomery's book?). Toward the end of this tale, Marcellus attributes this title to humans, and it feels quite apt. For all the bumbling and stumbling we do with one another, at times we can be "remarkably bright creatures."

What a delightful read! It well deserves its recognition as an instant New York Times bestseller! This is one I would happily return to in the future. If you don't believe you can get behind an animal narrator, please allow yourself the willful suspension of disbelief. You will not be sorry! The endorsements are long and varied, but these were three of my favorites that articulate far better than I can:

"Shelby Van Pelt has done the impossible. She's created a perfect story with imperfect characters, that is so heartwarming, so mysterious, and so completely absorbing, you won't be able to put it down because when you're not reading this book, you'll be hugging it." - Jamie Ford, author of Songs of Willow Frost and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

"Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing. Shelby Van Pelt makes good on this wild conceit, somehow making me love a misanthropic octopus, but her writing is so finely tuned that it's a natural element of a larger story about family, about loss, and the electricity of something found." - Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here

"Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt's elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable. Despite the unorthodox relationship at its core, the debut novel offers a wholly original meditation on grief and the bonds that keep us afloat." - Elle

Book Review: How to Read a Book

I remember enjoying The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. So when I saw another title, How to Read a Book, on the library acquisitions list, I put my name on the hold list. Three days before it was due, I finally dove in and devoured it in 2 days. Although it is not a clean title (some sexual activity described), the story caught me up, and I valued the writing.

How to Read a Book tells the story of the intersection of 3 people who meet at a bookstore. Their lives have already intersected, but the bookstore serves as a conduit for redemption and forgiveness. Violet is a 22-year-old recently released from prison after killing a teacher in a drunk driving accident. Harriet, a retired schoolteacher, runs the prison book club. Frank is the husband of the woman Violet killed. 

Several powerful themes spin in the pages. One is the idea that we are all human and the playing field is level, no matter what our actions have been. I loved this line, "People set their husbands afire, they nurse their dying mothers, they rob demented old men, they sing songs that bring listeners to tears, they kill a woman while drunk on love and 86-proof. The line between this and that, you and her, us and them, the line is thin." The book also delves into second chances. Violet deserves a second chance, despite her manslaughter conviction. So do Harriet and Frank.

Finally, the book highlights how stories function and how they change us. With stirring, poetic passages about the "meanwhile," within a story, the author stirs the reader to contemplate how to read a book and how to read a life. "Even the least eventful life holds an avalanche of stories.... The one I chose - the one that now composes this epitaph - isn't a story at all. It's what Harriet would call the meanwhile, the important thing that was happening while the rest of the story moved along.... I took a life. I lived and died. Meanwhile, I was loved." Beautiful! The writing and lessons within these pages captivated and comforted me.

📒 Content caution: sex

Book Review: The Second Life of Mirielle West

Long ago, I read Philip Yancey and Dr. Paul Brand's book, The Gift Nobody Wants (otherwise titled, The Gift of Pain). Ever since, I have wanted to explore leprosy more. This affliction, where patients do not feel the healthy warning signals of pain, goes all the way back to the Bible. Jesus cared for and healed lepers. Despite the outcry against them, despite public stigma, Christ met them where they were and didn't hesitate to touch their wounds.

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore tells the story of a California socialite shipped to the Carville leper colony in the 1920s. Her first telltale sign is a burn from an iron. She didn't feel the pain. Upon a doctor's inspection, the white patches of skin identified her as a leper. Aptly titled, this book highlights the difference between her first life (filled with the sorrows of a lost child, depression, and alcoholism) and her second life (lived in isolation at the national leprosarium).

According to The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, Carville was in operation between 1894 and 2005. Amanda Skenandore presents an engaging historical fiction based on the facts and details of both the dreaded disease and the imposed isolation. My heart ached for the children and adults forced into residence at Carville. Simultaneously, I respected the nurses and doctors who worked tirelessly to ease the patients' suffering and to seek a cure for leprosy. This is a tale worth visiting and one worth discussing in a book club.

Book Review: The Year of Less

I enjoy learning what others are reading via Goodreads updates. A friend highlighted this book as one she wanted to read. It sounded intriguing. Cait Flanders is the author of The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store. As if to emphasize less, the title is all in lower-case lettering. Of course, the length of the subtitle is more. Crazy!

This book (part self-help, part memoir) is a fascinating tale of paring away inessentials and analyzing what drives us to buy when we don't need and cling when we should release. Since my goal is to pare down my belongings, I thought this book might provide insight and motivation. Flanders explains how emotionally fraught our purchase patterns are. Some people (myself included) overeat when they avoid feelings, some people binge watch movies (myself included), and some use retail therapy. For years, Flanders used alcohol, food, and pointless spending to assuage feelings of insufficiency. After success in getting sober and losing weight, she addressed the money/belongings issue.

As her bio on the back cover proclaims, she is "a former binge consumer turned mindful consumer of everything. Through personal stories, she writes about what happens when money, minimalism, and mindfulness cross paths." Her writing is fluid and easy to follow. She provides expert insight into her addictions. (Her biological father should be strung up for his role.) Her self-examination and her willingness to sit in the pain causing those behaviors endear her to the reader. 

Although I am not a binge shopper, I am often lured into purchases under the guise of saving money. My frugality isn't economical when I buy what I do not need. Hopefully, by reading this and other minimalism books, I will get a handle on the excess in my life and strip down to a more meager existence. In some ways, I have no choice. If we move after our youngest graduates, we will not be seeking a home along the scale of what we now maintain. 

Indeed, we would not have selected this house if we weren't meeting family needs by taking residence. Previously, we lived in a two-bedroom bungalow in DeKalb, Illinois. Our oldest son's room wasn't big enough when our middle son came along, so Trevor's crib was in the dining room. Now, after years of filling the extra space we have, I am tasked with going back to a bare-bones existence. We shall see if reading books helps me face this challenge. It is easier to read about minimalism than to implement it. Thankfully, I will have my husband to hold me accountable.😇

Joining a New Book Club

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

I'm the perfect candidate for a book club. I love any opportunity to discuss the books I consume. However, sometimes book clubs can be tricky. For years, I belonged to a book club that met an hour away from me in a northern suburb of Indianapolis. The hour long drive seemed worth it to me. I appreciated the books they selected. We conversed easily. At the beginning, I felt very welcome and involved. Over time, things shifted. The book selections failed to interest me. I wondered if I was truly a welcome contributor. Somehow, they left me off the reminder email list a time or two. Intentional? The drive became difficult as we were experiencing major transportation challenges. Thus, I abandoned that group.

For a while, I attempted book clubs at my local library. This was a bust, too. Most of the times, the books selected were not ones I felt worth the time investment. 

In January, I joined a new group established on Facebook. Their first selection was The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. I had listened to it in audio form when my oldest was much younger (perhaps when it first came out around 2003 - he would have been 7). My resounding memory is that the author nailed the voice (the autistic narrator is fascinating) and that the language was very foul (I could not listen when Bryce was in the car with me). Then, I read the book again with the afore-mentioned book group. I cannot remember their take on the book.

I didn't mind reading it again, but put it off until the last minute. Indeed, I skim-read the book in the hours before the book club meeting. There are many commendable attributes to this book club, so I'm hopeful. The others are true book enthusiasts, bursting with book recommendations for books that sound appealing (mostly historical fiction, but I'm okay with that). The others seem welcoming and vocal. Since the majority own dogs, we spent a good deal of time discussing the horror of the first moments of the book (off-putting to several), the curious and cruel incident. We discussed characteristics of individuals on the spectrum. We discussed whether character actions were realistic or believable. Mostly, we kept going back to book recommendations. I'm always up for those. 

Plus, I felt genuine interest in the February and March selections: Forty Autumns and The Women.  I attended the February meeting this past weekend. We had a lively and empathetic discussion. I felt comfortable enough to share more personally than I intended. The others were supportive and encouraging. I felt seen. I'm pleased that we're forming connections. Hopefully, the timing will work out so I can attend again in March. Perhaps this will provide an opportunity to bless others.