January 26, 2015

5 books on my future reading list

The Accidental Empress

I love history and historical fiction.

Especially when the author has a gift for writing. I haven't read this author before but have heard only great things. And this storyline sounds really intriguing.

Amazon says of the book here:

"The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry.

Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.

Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world."


*NOTE Sept. 2015: I've now read this book and can not recommend it. It was advertised, by the publisher, as 'Christian fiction' but is far from it. I was blindsided near the end of the book where the author writes a scene glorifying an adulterous affair. Though this is an historical novel and she stays true to the history, the scene was immoral and unnecessary to tell the story. I'm very disappointed in the publishing company for deceiving Christian fiction readers.


The Giver

I don't usually read this genre of book but I recently saw the movie and found it so thought-provoking.

I was taken aback by what I saw as a very strong pro-life message. I wonder if the author intended this? And did others notice it?

It reminded me of the words of Jesus as He hung on the cross:

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

Amazon describes it here:

"In a world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. 

Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price."



Bloodlines

Ever since I watched 'Roots' as a nine year old girl, I've detested racism.

And I've always believed inter-racial marriage was a beautiful thing orchestrated by God, just like every other marriage.

But that's never been a popular opinion.

When I read what this book was about I was so beyond excited. Someone with the same thoughts as me!

In the preface John Piper says:

"The bloodline of Jesus Christ is deeper than the bloodlines of race. The death and resurrection of the Son of God for sinners is the only sufficient power to bring the bloodlines of race into the single bloodline of the cross."

Powerful words. Needless to say, I can't wait to read this book.



The Butterfly and the Violin

This is one of those novels that goes back and forth in time, from the present to the past. I really love these kinds of books.

And the cover is so beautiful. : )

Amazon says here of the story:

"A Mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz--and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl--a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.
 

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover--the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul--who maybe the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: 

Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart."




When Others Shuddered

This contains eight short stories of real women who refused to give up in their service to the Lord. I've only heard of one of them and so I'm really looking forward to learning about the others.

The author in her introduction says:

"We have too few female heroes of the faith.

It is easy to name men who have worked for God in historic and substantial ways, but very often, when asked to name a notable woman of faith, our minds draw a collective blank.

Why?

Certainly it is not for lack of women who have served God."

In her book she introduces us to eight of these women:

Fanny Crosby
'Emma' Emeline E. Dryer
'Nettie' Nancy (Fowler) Mccormick
Sarah Dunn Clarke
Amanda Smith
Virginia Asher
Evangeline Booth
Mary McLeod Bethune

53 comments:

  1. These sound like very fascinating books!

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  2. I reread The Giver not too long ago, in preparation for watching the movie. I still haven't seen it yet, though. :S All of these look great. The Butterfly and the Violin is on my list for this year, since I've heard *wonderful* things about it.

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    1. I just finished The Giver. It was very good and I thought very similar to the movie. It actually helped make sense of the movie a bit more.

      I'm looking forward to 'The Butterfly and the Violin' as well. And it's on sale on Amazon right now for only .99 cents! Love those sales! : )

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  3. I have to read all of these! I just promised myself not to spend as much in books from now on and then I find about these books! Well, that promise just threw into dustbin, lol
    Thank you so much for introducing me to these wonderful books. I'll put them to my wishlist in Amazon and read them as soon as possible. I'm certain I'll just love them!

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    1. I try not to spend more than a couple of dollars on a book. Amazon kindle is great for that as well as Christianbook.com if you have an e-reader. And I also love my local library. Free books!

      If you have a Kindle, The Butterfly and the Violin is on sale right now for .99 cents. Here's the link:

      http://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Violin-Hidden-Masterpiece-Novel-ebook/dp/B00I5QX61Q/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422906671&sr=8-1&keywords=the+butterfly+and+the+violin

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  4. sounds wonderful books to read. I love reading books too and there will be a long list for me.
    Anyway, thanks for visiting my blig and leaving a comment:)

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  5. Looks like a good list! I think I'll add a couple of these to my TBR pile!

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  6. What beautiful and thought provoking choices. I'm adding them to my list as well :)

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    1. I'm looking forward to reading them all. Thanks for stopping by Mimi. : )

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  7. I am excited to read a few of your suggestions. I have read "The Butterfly and the Violin" and enjoyed it.I like to call these moments of enjoyment that we take to read and relax with a good book brain candy. :) Thanks for giving me some content to add to my list of 'need to read'.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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    1. Glad you enjoyed The Butterfly and the Violin. I think I'll have to read that one next! Thanks for stopping by Dawn. : )

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  8. I've heard of Giver from a half a dozen different places - which means one of these days I *have* to pick it up, right? Looks like a fun mix of books coming up.

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    1. I actually just finished The Giver. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy the story as well. : )

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  9. The Giver is an excellent read. My children and I had great discussions after reading it. (We have not seen the movie.) Giver is the first of a quartet by Lowry. We enjoyed the other books as well.

    Bloodlines in on my to read list. I hope you will share your thoughts after reading it.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know about the other books. I will have to check them out.

      Bloodlines sounds so good, doesn't it? I can't wait to start it soon. Thanks for stopping by Sharon!

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  10. The Giver is outstanding and yes, has a pro-life current woven throughout. You'll want to check out the other books in the series (although the fourth and most recent one wasn't worth reading imo).

    I'm intrigued by Bloodlines--adding to me "want-to-read" list yet again! :)

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    1. Glad to hear the author of The Giver has more books in a series! Thanks for stopping by Shonya. : )

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  11. I will have to add these to my list of books to read...they look great! The Giver is amazing, and I just discovered it is actually the first of a set of 4 books! So if you like it, you can always check out the other three (I haven't read them yet, on my 'to do' list!) I also love anything by Francine Rivers if you haven't read her yet...Redeeming Love is one of my top Christian historical fiction faves! :)

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    1. Redeeming Love is one of my favorites too! I love all of Francine's books. Thanks for the heads up on the other Giver books! Glad you stopped by. : )

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  12. I love when people share their book lists. :) Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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    1. Thanks for offering a link-up at your lovely blog Kristin!

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  13. Oh that, When Others Shuddered is going to be my next by...thanks.

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    1. I'm reading it right now and it's really interesting. Some wonderful women to look up too. : )

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  14. I think I'll be adding The Butterfly and the Violin to my reading list this year. Thank you for sharing these books. Visiting you from Woman 2 Woman ministries link up.

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    1. If you didn't see my other comments above I'll let you know it is on sale right now for Kindle for .99 cents. Here's the link:

      http://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Violin-Hidden-Masterpiece-Novel-ebook/dp/B00I5QX61Q/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422906671&sr=8-1&keywords=the+butterfly+and+the+violin#sthash.rwS8h8Tu.dpuf

      Thanks for stopping by Naomi and hope you enjoy the book!

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  15. I taught The Giver when I worked with middle schoolers. Great book!

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  16. The Giver is the only one on your list that I have read - it was amazing! Looks like lots of other people have read it and liked it as well. I need to make a list of books to read...I need to do better at just reading more. ;) Thanks for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!

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    1. Yes it sounds like it has been a popular book!

      Thanks for stopping by Rebekah!

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  17. I had to read the Giver in college and just recently watched the film. I, for one did not see a pro-life message but rather the opposite. The book and movie make it seem like everything is ok when we get rid of imperfect people. I think we are getting closer and closer to a society where getting rid of "imperfect" people is the norm. I like Lois Lowry's other books though- Number the Stars is really good.

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    1. Interesting to hear someone else's point of view. Thanks for sharing. I really saw a pro-life message in the main characters revelation of the real world and in his realization that each life has worth. I looked up Number the Stars and that does sound really good. I will be adding it to my TBR list.

      Thanks for stopping by April. : )

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  18. Thank you for this list! I pinned it. I found you on Wholehearted Wednesday.

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    1. Your welcome! Thanks for stopping by Kathryn. : )

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  19. "The Giver" is one I intend to read soon (we'll see how that goes...). I've heard a lot about it, but this was the first time I got a summary of what it's about.

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    1. Hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for stopping by! : )

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  20. The Giver was required reading for my girls in public school. We haven't seen the movies but plan to Lowry also wrote Number the Stars, another required book, about the Holocost. I m going ot teack down some of your other choices at the libraary or buy form y Kindle. Thank you for a list that is more than Chirsitan classics, how to live or theology. I do read those but appreciate having recommendations that I think I can rely on. Found you at Faith Filled Fridays. Blessings, Linda

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Linda, hope you get a chance to read some of these and enjoy them. : )

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  21. Thanks for sharing these book reviews at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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  22. I like finding new books and authors through others. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Grace & Truth. God bless

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  23. These look good! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what will be sharing this week! :)

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  24. These all look great! The Giver is the only one I've read, but I've read it at least 5 times so that should count for something, right? :) I haven't actually seen the movie yet, but the book series is one of my all-time favorites. My only complaint with it is that it is marketed to far too young an audience. I think it's a wonderful book for high school and beyond, but not for fifth graders!!! Anyway, thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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    1. Wow 5 times! You must have enjoyed it. I also agree it is a deeper book then a child may be able to comprehend.

      Thanks for stopping by Tina. : )

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  25. This is a wonderful list. I read the Giver with my school kids. We loved it. I saw the movie and it is well done.
    I have to write some of these down.
    thanks for linking to Sunday Stillness,
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  26. I also just finished 50 Women every Christian should know by Michelle DeRusha. It is excellent. http://www.amazon.com/Women-Every-Christian-Should-Know/dp/0801015871
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. I've had my eye on that one. Glad to hear you recommend it Janis!

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )