July 13, 2015

5 books on my future reading list

A Wilder Rose

I loved watching 'Little House on the Prairie' when I was a little girl. Though I haven't read all the 'Little House' books, the ones I have were very special to me.

I did not realize that Laura Ingalls Wilder was not the sole writer of these beloved books, but was helped by her daughter Rose.

This novel is about their relationship.

Amazon says here:

"The Little House books, which chronicled the pioneer adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, are among the most beloved books in the American literary canon. Lesser known is the secret, concealed for decades, of how they came to be. 

Now, bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert reimagines the fascinating story of Laura’s daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, an intrepid world traveler and writer who returned to her parents’ Ozark farm, Rocky Ridge, in 1928. There she began a collaboration with her mother on the pioneer stories that would captivate generations of readers around the world.

Despite the books’ success, Rose’s involvement would remain a secret long after both women died. A vivid account of a great literary deception, A Wilder Rose is a spellbinding tale of a complicated mother-daughter relationship set against the brutal backdrop of the Great Depression."



Fierce Convictions 

I'd never heard of Hannah More till I saw this book. And I am really excited to learn more about her.

She was a poet, a reformer and an abolitionist in the late 1800's.

Goodreads describes this biography here:

"The enthralling biography of the woman writer who helped end the slave trade, changed Britain's upper classes, and taught a nation how to read.

The history-changing reforms of Hannah More affected every level of 18th-Century British society through her keen intellect, literary achievements, collaborative spirit, strong Christian principles, and colorful personality. A woman without connections or status, More took the world of British letters by storm when she arrived in London from Bristol, becoming a best-selling author and acclaimed playwright and quickly befriending the author Samuel Johnson, the politician Horace Walpole, and the actor David Garrick. Yet she was also a leader in the Evangelical movement, using her cultural position and her pen to support the growth of education for the poor, the reform of morals and manners, and the abolition of Britain's slave trade.

"Fierce Convictions" weaves together world and personal history into a stirring story of life that intersected with Wesley and Whitefield's Great Awakening, the rise and influence of Evangelicalism, and convulsive effects of the French Revolution. A woman of exceptional intellectual gifts and literary talent, Hannah More was above all a person whose faith compelled her both to engage her culture and to transform it."




Lady Maybe

If you're looking for a modern author, who writes like Jane Austen, check out Julie Klassen.

I love all of Julie's novels and can't wait each year for her new one to come out. This year she is publishing two! This one and another in December.

Amazon says here:

"In the new novel by the three-time Christy Award-winning author of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, a woman’s startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England… 
 
One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness…

Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie.

But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it."


I highly recommend Julie's books to Jane Austen lovers, and look forward to this one myself. 

Note: I have now read this book and can not recommend it. I love Julie Klassen's Austen-inspired novels, but this one just didn't sit right with me. There were 2 adulterous affairs and scenes that were very uncomfortable to read. Though there was a redemptive story near the end, I felt there was just to much information seeming to glorify the one affair. I'm hoping this isn't a permanent direction she is going in with her writing. : (




The Holiness of God

Have you ever really thought about the holiness of God?

What did Jesus mean when He taught us to pray  'hallowed be thy Name?'

I just started this one and I'm already loving it. This quote stood out for me:

"...we must seek to understand what the holy is. We dare not seek to avoid it. There can be no worship, no spiritual growth, no true obedience without it. It defines our goal as Christians. God has declared, 'Be holy, because I am holy' (Lev. 11:44)

To reach that goal, we must understand what holiness is."

Amazon says here of the book:

"Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet, even so, most people are hard-pressed to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people today don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.” 

R. C. Sproul, in this classic work, puts the holiness of God in its proper and central place in the Christian life. He paints an awe-inspiring vision of God that encourages Christian to become holy just as God is holy. Once you encounter the holiness of God, your life will never be the same." 





The Bronte Plot

I really enjoyed Katherine Reay's novel, 'Dear Mr. Knightly' which I found a depth I wasn't expecting. When I read what her new novel was going to be about, I was excited! I love the Bronte sisters and I know Katherine Reay will have incorporated them all into this new story nicely.

I also love English countryside settings in novels, as well as when the characters travel throughout the country. And that's just what happens in this one. : )

Goodreads says here:

"When a rare-books dealer goes to England, she discovers more than just the famous writing haunts—she discovers how to love and be loved in today’s modern world.

Victoria Seward makes a living finding rare books through means that aren’t always on the up-and-up. But if it makes the clients happy, who is she really hurting? After all, everything always turns out all right in the end. At least it does in her favorite books, the ones her absent father sends every year on her birthday, no matter where he is.

When her unorthodox behavior ruins her relationship with her boyfriend James, Victoria knows something has to change—she has to change. Enter Helen, a wealthy client seeking a companion for her trip to England to purchase antiques, and who just happens to be James’s grandmother. Helen has secrets of her own, secrets that help her relate to Victoria more than anyone can guess.

As Victoria and Helen travel across England, Victoria suspects there is more to this trip than Helen lets on. When Helen’s health falters, Victoria reaches out to James, reigniting feelings that were never truly extinguished.

Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, when hidden offenses rise to the surface. Victoria’s happy ending is within reach—if she can step out of the literary world and into the life that’s been waiting for her all along."


This one comes out November 2015.

 

40 comments:

  1. As one who devoured Little House books I am definitely interested in A Wilder Rose. Right now I'm finishing up The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel and just started Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner. I'm thinking it's about time I read To Kill a Mockingbird. Have you ever read it? You will love Fierce Convictions. It is so inspiring.

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    1. I read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' in high-school and it's one of those books that you don't soon forget. It had a huge impact on me. I need to read it again someday! You should definitely read it. (Can't remember if it is totally clean or not though, I think there was some swearing)

      Glad to hear 'Fierce Convictions' is good! I'm looking forward to starting it. Thanks for the other recommendations. I just picked up 'The Mystery of Providence' for .99 cents for my e-reader. : ).

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  2. I loved the Little House on the Prairie books! <3 I definitely need to read A Wilder Rose! :] Lady Maybe sounds pretty interesting too!

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    1. I'm looking forward to 'A Wilder Rose' and hoping it's good. If you like Jane Austen, you will like Julie's novels. They are so beautifully written. : )

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  3. I'm a huge Little House fan with several biographies, etc., on my shelf as well as the original series. A Wilder Rose sounds like a great addition. I love the sound of the story of Hannah Moore. What a fascinating woman! And, like you, I don't think I've ever heard of her.
    Thanks for sharing! I'm joining up with you today thru #RaRalinkup & purposefulfaith.com

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    1. I haven't read any Ingalls bio's but if you can recommend a good one that would be great! Hoping 'A Wilder Rose' is good.

      I've read a few books on William Wilberforce so I'm excited to read about Hannah More's involvement with the abolition of slavery. Glad I could share the book here.

      Thanks for stopping by Angela. : )

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  4. I totally need to read the Bronte Plot! The Bronte Sisters were practically my sisters as I was growing up. And like you I love the English countryside as a story setting. I have just started reading The Secret Garden to my kids and I enjoy reading it so much I get goosebumps. I know, I know, I'm weird L)

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    1. Hope you enjoy 'The Bronte Plot.' I can't wait to read it! And I definitely don't think you are weird, I get goosebumps when I read great books too! For example: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! Gives me goosebumps every time I read the good parts. : )

      Glad you stopped by Eva!

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  5. These all look really good and make me want to go buy some books!

    I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2015/07/family-time-1st-pitch-71415.html

    Colletta

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Colletta. Hope you enjoy the books you read this summer. : )

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  6. I just love your site, Cathy! I can count on you for what to read. Thank you for your ministry.

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Juana! It's always nice to see you drop by here. : )

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  7. Oh, a blog that's devoted to books...a girl after my own heart. :) Only it seems that you're among most of the normal population in that you read fiction as well as non-fiction. (Sometimes embarrassed to say that) fiction has never been easy for me to read. I can't seem to put myself into the plots. I know, I probably need prayer. :) I read my fair share of non-fiction books though, and I sure watched plenty of Little House television shows when I was little. :) The Holiness of God is one that I haven't yet read though, so thank you for the recommendation. ~ So happy to be visiting you today from the TellHisStory linkup. ~ best to you ~

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    1. Hi Brenda, glad you stopped by! I'm on chapter 3 of 'The Holiness of God' and it is excellent so far. I've learnt a lot already!

      I love non-fiction and fiction alike. After reading something intense in non-fiction it's always nice for me to read something lite in fiction. I know it's not for everyone though. : )

      Thanks again for stopping by!

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  8. I think we have similar tastes :) I'd definitely like to read Hannah More's biography and your description of an "author who writes like Jane Austen" was all I needed to hear!

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    1. You will love Julie's books! My favorites so far have been, 'The Secret of Pembrooke Park' and 'The Apothecary's Daughter.'

      Hope you enjoy! : )

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  9. All these sounds interesting I think I'd have to add them to my piling reading list as well. :)

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    1. Hope you enjoy those you read. Thanks for stopping by. : )

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  10. My youngest has thoroughly enjoyed the Little House series this year. We have been watching the shows as a family, too. I might have to get The Wilder Rose for a read for myself - love the title!

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    1. I thought the title was clever! Hope you enjoy it. : )

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  11. These books all look really good. Thanks for taking the time to share these reviews. I think I'd like to start with The Bronte Plot.

    Came over on Wise Woman Link Up. Glad to find your site!

    Also pinned you here: https://www.pinterest.com/melredd/blog-link-parties-and-blog-link-ups/

    Hope you have a blessed day,
    Melanie

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    1. Thanks for stopping by again Melanie and for pinning my post! : )

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  12. WOW thanks for the reviews - you've been bookmarked for future reference. From another Jane Austen and Little House fan.

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    1. Thanks for bookmarking my site. Look forward to you visiting again! : )

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  13. Cathy - I really appreciate your site and your recommendations! Thanks, again, more books I can't wait to read. God bless you!

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  14. I loved Fierce Convictions and even reviewed it on my blog. It made me want to read Karen Swallow Prior's other book, which I think is called Booked - Literature in the Heart of Me.
    I found Hannah to be very inspiring, and have followed up by reading a bio of John Newton by Tony Reinke. Fascinating period of history with lots of monumental historical decisions and godly influence.

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    1. Happy to hear you enjoyed "Fierce Convictions." I think I'l start that one soon. I enjoyed Tony Reinke's book "Lit!" So thanks for recommending his book on John Newton. I've read John Newton's autobiography, "Out of the Depths" and loved it! I'm like you, love this period in history. : )

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  15. I'v noted several titles for future reading, especially the Rose Wilder book. Thanks for sharing.

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

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  16. Some great books here and I appreciate you sharing this list with us at Good Morning Mondays. The holiness of God sounds particularly interesting. Blessings

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    1. "The Holiness of God' is very good so far. (I started it right away) : )

      Thanks for stopping by Terri!

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  17. Thank you for sharing these awesome reads. I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and have also read the books. Blessings!

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    1. It was such a great show! Thanks for stopping by Barbie. : )

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  18. Great choices! I found that RC Sproul book life-changing, and I'm excitedly awaiting both Klassen and Reay's books as well! Thanks for sharing this post at Booknificent Thursday this week! Always glad to have you!
    Tina

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    1. I'm really enjoying R C Sproul's book. I thought it would be to theological and hard to understand, but I'm finding his writing very relatable and easy to read. Thanks for stopping by Tina. I enjoy linking up with your blog hop! : )

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  19. So sorry to leave a comment unrelated but I can't find your email Cathy. Do you or anyone know of a book (fiction preferred, but not a must) of a widow or widower with children or Christmas in it? This request is from my blind daughter who is about to be on a long car ride URGENT to get fast response! Thank you Everyone! Forgive me for having to post it here! I am juana(at)juanamikels(dot)come. Cathy, keep up the GREAT work here! IF NOT, any great book, she is 18 and has a blank weekend, too as we are on a couples retreat.

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    1. Hi Juana, I did just read a book about a widower! It's called 'The Governess of Highland Hall' by Carrie Turansky. It's about a woman who comes to Highland Hall to be the governess to a widower with children. Her family are missionaries in India but her father becomes ill and they come back to England for his recovery. It's set in the early 1900's Edwardian era. It's the first book in a series of 3. Though it can be read alone. Mary may enjoy it she like historical fiction. Hope that helps. : )

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  20. Mary, my daughter who is blind that wants the book in the above comment, added, "Any good book on family love!"

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  21. Thank you, Cathy... off to audible.com to look for it!

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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. : )