Since I can most easily make a compilation of 9 photos, I will list my top 9 books out of the 144 that I read this year (not counting re-read). I also add a couple highly recommended honorable mentions. In no particular order: 1. Anchor and Flares by Kate Braestrap: While many other completists of the … Continue reading Commentary: Best of 2016
Author: lutheranjulia
New Review: Hillbilly Elegy
It's taken me a couple weeks to sit down and write this review. In part, I have no ability to be objective about Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and a Culture in Crisis. Not only did it stir up things from my own childhood, but the realities that it exposes require wrestling and … Continue reading New Review: Hillbilly Elegy
Bullet Review: Out of Play
I received a free copy of Out of Play by Joy Norstrom from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Liked: lots of humorous moments good secondary characters with their own realistic plot lines the female protagonist is not a fully reliable narrator, but the author fully discloses why- which makes the character continually compelling- even … Continue reading Bullet Review: Out of Play
Commentary: In A World…
Content note: sexual assault I'm recovering from surgery. My inability to concentrate has actually been overcome by being sucked into Shelly Laurenston's Pride Series. Yes, I love a shifter romance with snappy dialogue and excellent world-building. And did I mention strong female characters. That's important. There are VERY strong female characters. I adore the consistency … Continue reading Commentary: In A World…
New Review: Born Bright
Most white people lack the language to talk knowledgeably about race and class in the modern United States. Even the most woke white person doesn't know what she doesn't know (unknown unknowns!). Having the humility to admit this and that you can be very wrong in what you do know takes nerves. I am steeling … Continue reading New Review: Born Bright
Bullet Review: The Daredevil Snared
Enjoyed: Continuation of story from second book Good character development of adults- male and female, protagonists and secondary obvious research into how diamonds are mined clear consent requested during sex scene! Not for me: Expected the romance to be a little more central due to genre Most of plot is about safety and mining, … Continue reading Bullet Review: The Daredevil Snared
Review: I’m Judging You
In the past week, I’ve struggled to finish a book, any book. I have half-read books all over the place, but they have too much plot or not enough, or I need more attention to learn from them, or I just can’t bring myself to care about the people or characters in the book. This … Continue reading Review: I’m Judging You
Bullet Review: The Sound of Gravel
Enjoyed: Well-paced, easy entry into the story Author acknowledges her feelings at the time, but doesn't dwell on them Characters do not disappear from the narrative without the reader being informed Location becomes an additional character in the book through excellent description Little to no attempt to explain or justify difficult or unusual religious beliefs … Continue reading Bullet Review: The Sound of Gravel
Review: CEB Women’s Bible
A couple weeks ago, I was asking a group of [church-going] children what they knew about the Bible. Among other shared information, we tried to name some Bible characters. They quickly shouted out, "Jesus!... Moses!... Abraham!..." The oldest kid in the group is probably 8, so that was okay. I asked for the names of … Continue reading Review: CEB Women’s Bible
Reads All The Things 