Heaven's Lessons

I received a copy of HEAVEN’S LESSONS: TEN THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT GOD WHEN I DIED by Steve Sjogren from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze.  I found it fascinating from cover to cover.  It’s a short book of only one-hundred-sixty pages, but there is a lot packed into there.  The book opens with Steve Sjogren explaining about his near death experience.  Near death experiences have always snared my attention, as they probably do for many people.  Steve Sjogren mentioned that people might just not talk about them; therefore, they are more common than the populace believes. 

Steve Sjogren died during surgery.  His doctor had recommended the removal of his gallbladder.  However, when the surgeon operated to remove it, he struck vital organs instead, for Steve Sjogren was born without a gallbladder.  By the time the mistake was realized, he had bled to death.  Luckily, the professionals were able to revive him by pumping in fresh blood.  While he lay dying, Steve Sjogren looked around to realize he was surrounded by transparent people.  They had their hands linked as they prayed.  He understood them and saw only their goodness.  He believes that they were people who had passed away at the hospital, urging him to live. 

The rest of the book focuses on what Steve Sjogren learned in his new “life.”  He developed a new and more personal relationship with God.  I enjoyed reading about his inner thoughts regarding his new perspectives.  I highly recommend this book to everyone. 

Fire Prophet

I received a copy of FIRE PROPHET by Jerel Law.  It’s the second book in the Sons of Angels: Jonah Stone series.  I haven’t read the first book yet (but will when I run across it).  I was attracted by the fact it is a fantasy series – you know me, total fantasy lover.   

The books are geared toward middle grade readers.  Jonah is in eighth grade.  The other main characters are his siblings, Eliza and Jeremiah.  Their mother is a nephilim, which means she’s the child of a human and a fallen angel.  It makes Jonah and his siblings quarterlings, meaning one-quarter angel.  Cool, huh?  I haven’t seen many middle grade novels about angels, so this will definitely fill in that gap.  In this, the second book, quarterlings are being attacked so the children learn how to better use their abilities.  The religious aspects are strong – prayer can conquer evil. 

This book left me feeling invigorated and uplifting.  I highly recommend it for classrooms, middle grade readers, and family read-aloud time.  My only issues with the story was the simplistic writing style.  I couldn’t always picture everything well, and the author used a lot of adjectives and Telling phrases.  However, it should work fine for a younger audience.  I approve of the strong family dynamic.  I didn’t see much of that in the middle grade novels I read when I was substitute teaching in sixth grade classrooms.  

THE RIVER

I received a copy of THE RIVER by Michael Neal from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze.  I was excited to start reading.  Based on the reviews and back cover, I expected a book that would change my life, filled with mystery and courage.  By the time I finished, I had mixed feelings.  Unlike the reviews, this book didn’t change my life.  Yes, it did have powerful messages, but I didn’t look at the world through new eyes.

Gabriel Clarke is raised by his father beside the River.  When Gabe is five, his father drowns and Gabe moves to Kansas to live with his mother.  He grows up frightened and insecure, until he eventually returns to the River.  He faces his fears while coming to terms with his father’s death.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has had something traumatic happen in his or her life.

A few writing techniques in the book bothered me.  The author used simple, almost childlike sentences that made the story awkward to read at times.  There were also a lot of exclamation points and passive sentences, not to mention moments of Telling rather than Showing; I’ve learned from numerous writing websites not to use those techniques.

As a final note, the book’s cover is very eye-catching.  It holds the old world elegance of a diary.  I read THE RIVER at work and left my copy on my desk.  Many people came over to ask me about it.  Normally, no one questions the books I read.

WHISPERS ON THE WIND

Lauraine Snelling is one of my favorite authors of Christian historical fiction.  I read her series, Dakotah Treasures, when I was in high school.  After book 1, RUBY, I rushed to the bookstore to read the rest.  I also read her books TENDER MERCIES and A PROMISE FOR ELLIE, both from different series.  I didn’t love them as much as Dakotah Treasures; however, I was thrilled to receive WHISPERS IN THE WIND by Lauraine Snelling from Bethany House.  When I saw it available, I literally said, “Yes!”  It’s the second novel in the Wild West Wind series.  I haven’t read book one yet, but I’ll look for it next time I need to buy a book (which will happen soon, trust me).  I’ll also keep watch for book three when it comes out. 

WHISPERS IN THE WIND involves Cassie Lockwood.  Her father is dead and she left his defunct Wild West show to lay claim to his ranch in South Dakota.  However, he’d purchased the ranch with a friend, so only half of the land belongs to Cassie.  Throughout the story, Cassie faces many struggles: she has to convince the other owners to accept her, she has to decide if she loves Lucas, and she has to survive in a new home.  I enjoyed that she was a trick shooter, but would have liked to have seen more that aspect.  I also would have liked to have seen much, much more to the story than just her struggles.  After a few chapters, I wanted something awesome to happen.  Yes, there were adventures and dangers, but the story seemed too focused on Cassie adapting to the ranch. 

While I enjoyed the novel, I never felt that I connected well with Cassie.  We’re two very different people.  I personally liked Gretchen, a little girl on the ranch, much better, and looked forward to the parts about her. 

I do recommend this to other fans of Christian historical fiction.  It’s a sweet story that left me with a smile, and many times I laughed at Cassie’s ragtag family.   It really brought the time period to life. 

SNEAK

I received a copy of SNEAK by Evan Angler from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze. It’s the second book in the Young Adult, dystopian Swipe series (which starts with SWIPE, which I also read, courtesy of BookSneeze, and loved).  While I do love reading, only a few actually get me so excited I can’t wait to read.  This was did as soon as I opened the packaging.  SWIPE left me anxious to learn what happened to the main characters, Logan and Erin.  This quenched my thirst while still leaving me eager for what I hope will be a third book in the series.  I literally read SNEAK in one day; I couldn’t put it down for long. 

While I do read dystopian novels, that genre isn’t my friend.  I’ll often read them because one of my friends loves dystopian stories, so we can discuss them.  SNEAK actually made me want to write a dystopian.  Evan Angler is an outstanding wordsmith.  Without being too wordy, each sentence packs a punch and leaves you reading onward.  Despite the futuristic setting, the characters and adventures are realistic. 

The people in Evan Angler’s world must be Marked by the government.  After they are Marked, they can buy groceries, go to concerts, etcetera.  The Swipe series follows a group of the unmarked through danger, twists, and turns.  Since Erin and Logan are main characters, boys and girls will both enjoy SNEAK.  It would be a great addition to a middle or high school classroom library.  

CRUEL HARVEST

I received a copy of CRUEL HARVEST: A MEMOIR by Fran Elizabeth Grubb with Bryan Reardon, from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze. This is one of the most gripping memoirs I have ever read.  Once again, this was a book that captured me from page one and left me breathless by the time I finished reading in one sitting.  It reads like a novel, very smooth, with realistic dialogue.  Many times, I had to remind myself that these horrific events had really happened to an innocent young girl.  I imagined the students I have taught in the past and I cringed to picture them, or anyone, in such situations. 

The memoir involves Fran Grubb’s childhood, a twisted nightmare she had to endure without help.  So many parts left my mouth gaping; other sections made me shudder.  Her family members fled her father, but for a long while, Fran was stuck with him.  She watched him kill her sister and sexually assault them.  I wept with Fran during many of the heart-wrenching events depicted in the chapters, and at the end, I cheered for her hopes.  To have become such a wonderful Christian woman proves what a strong person she really is.  I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a though-provoking read. 

GRANT: SAVIOR OF THE UNION

I received a copy of GRANT: SAVIOR OF THE UNION by Mitchell Yockelson, from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze.  It is part of The Generals, a series about powerful Christian leaders.  As soon as I got it, my dad and uncle both requested to borrow it when I finished.  My mom also asked to read it, so it isn’t just a “boy” book. 

Prior to reading, I had known only a little about Ulysses S. Grant: a Civil War General who fought for the Union with great success and later became a United States President.  This biography makes him out to be so much more.  Yes, he did fight for President Abraham Lincoln, but he was also an ordinary man, who loved fishing and his family.  Spread out over sixteen chapters, the reader gets to experience Grant’s struggles with him.  I would have liked to learn more about his home life and childhood, though – these topics were rushed.  The biography focuses more on his part in the Civil War.  It is written in a simple way for anyone to enjoy, making it a fast read.  It will especially appeal to Civil War buffs and past war enthusiasts. 

I recommend this to history fans, as well as Christian readers who are looking for a role model.  Despite his faults, Ulysses S. Grant is someone to look up to; this biography proves why.  

ANGEL EYES

I received a copy of ANGEL EYES by Shannon Dittemore, from Thomas Nelson via BookSneeze.  It is her first novel, about a young woman named Brielle, which is short for Gabrielle.  She has always loved to dance, and happened to be discovered by a talent scout.  Using a scholarship, she left her country town for a boarding school in the city – and found deep tragedy.  I won’t ruin the surprise for you by telling you what the tragedy is, but I was disappointed in how long the secret was dragged out.  It felt like a writer’s ploy to keep the reader reading, rather than important to the story.  Knowing the tragedy right away might have enhanced my enjoyment of the overall book, but instead, I was a little irritated by how long it took before Brielle revealed it. 

Back to the story, Brielle returns home.  Her father is her only living parent, and does his best to make her feel better.  He felt a little too lenient for me.  Maybe I just have overprotective parents, but it seemed like he gave her a little too much space, acting more like a neighbor than a dad. 

Brielle meets the new boy at school, Jake.  He’s hot and warm, something she needs because she feels so cold.  His guardian turns out to be an angel.  He gives Jake his halo, which allows Jake to heal people.  When Jake gives it to Brielle, she gets to See.  I really enjoyed the angel aspects of the story.  They reminded me of the television show, Supernatural.  Then, there is a fallen angel, mysteries from her life in the city, and inner struggles.

Overall, I enjoyed this young adult novel.  Shannon Dittemore’s storytelling voice is hard to resist.  

Another for Today

My mother was rearranging the family room today. She set up the coffee table with some pretty decorations, and a book - her version of a coffee table book. It is John Adams by David McCullough. It is a great book, one I really enjoyed reading. (I am very into history. I probably should have majored in it. I'm also obsessed with the Revolutionary War, and used to volunteer at Fort Stanwix) It might not be my idea of a coffee table book, but so far it has sparked conversation. My mother and I are also going to start taking quotes from it to use on a daily basis.

Today's Novel

Today I shall talk about The Church of Dead Girls by Stephen Dobyns. Dobyns, Stephen. (1997). The Church of dead girls. Henry Holt & Co. The characters are all very believable, and by the end, I felt like I knew them. I felt like I could drive to their village of Aurelius and see them all there. This might also have to do with the fact that Aurelius exists near my actual hometown, so throughout the novel, places I ACTUALLY KNOW OF were mentioned. It kept me riveted to my seat, anxiously awaiting the next time Syracuse or Utica were mentioned, to name a few. I even grinned - yes, I grinned - when a Hamilton shirt was mentioned. I pictured my boyfriend wearing his Hamilton hoodie. Really though, this was a good book and I enjoyed it from cover to cover. The first chapter is amazing, although gruesome.

In all honesty, I really didn't get to read today. As one of my last days of summer vacation, I spent it watching Supernatural on television and then playing a video game. I shall try to read more tonight, but I may write instead.