Blog Post

2022 Book Report

Kari Ragan • Jan 13, 2023

“ 'Way leads on to way,'

wrote the poet Robert Frost,

and I hope that you’ll discover that

book leads on to book."

― Sarah Clarkson, Book Girl

Writing my annual book report is something I really enjoy doing.

Throughout the year I write reviews online for the books I read and then at the years end, compile them all together here.

It's a process of reflection.

What have I been feeding my mind over the course of the year? I think back to the walks or drives that were made more pleasant by listening to a good story.

With out further ado, my book report:

Winter and Spring

January | 3 Books:

Amos Judd

By J.A. Mitchell

Beautiful book, 1901, Eight lovely illustrations.

Overall, this book is beautifully written and is a fun/short read. This story is difficult to put into a specific category because it could be considered a romance, mystery, or science fiction.

If anything else give this book a try just for the fun of reading an unknown classic.

Plus afterwards you can watch the 1922 silent film The Young Rajah on YouTube.

Spoiler alert: The main character, Amos, dies in the end - and he knew he would. He would have visions of things that were to come, he could see into the future. And no matter what anyone tried to do to stop events from playing out, they still played out exactly as he foresaw. It was a capability he was born with.

As a personal preference, I decided not to keep the book as I don't care for that sort of thing that is so outside the realm of reality, and the way God created and ordered the world. But, it was an interesting read. I picked this book up of course for the gorgeous cover and lovely photos within.

The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society

By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

“Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.” ― Mary Ann Shaffer

I often think about that quote when I feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of literature that exists in this world. What do I choose to read or not read? I rest in knowing that The Lord will guide me.

Listened to this classic again in January... and again December, finished it in January 2023. I’m losing count of how many times I’ve listened to it! I believe having first enjoyed it in 2018, this was my fifth time visiting the Channel Island of Guernsey.

I wish I knew more about author Mary Ann. Wikipedia says she was, "An American writer, editor, librarian, and a bookshop worker. She is noted for her posthumously published work The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which she wrote with her niece, Annie Barrows." She passed away in 2008.

I found this article about Mary Ann on BookSeriesInOrder to be so interesting.

Further Chronicles of Avonlea

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Sadly, failed to review this one after reading it. If I remember correctly, it really wasn't connected to the Anne series, though Anne did show up here and there. It was mostly just a collection of short stories, each chapter being a stand alone tale. Enjoyable on the whole.

February | 1 Magazine:

Calm :: Issue 42 of Taproot Magazine

Sitting down to read this magazine while my little boy napped has been something I’ve looked forward to of late. The break from screens and their informational allure, the ever pinging notification or thought to check this one thing. Physical, tangible reading is such a breath of fresh air. This issue lived up to it’s name in that each article did feel like a gentle settling, calm in the midst of my busy day.

The articles that most resonated with me were on making your own herbal drinks, some family traditions I hope to oneday incorporate into our family’s Sukkot celebration, and the personal stories shared - a mother passing on her love for Israel through food, and a daughter saying goodbye to her mom over yet one more quilting project. Overall I have been really impressed with and enjoyed the magazines I’ve read through Taproot.

March | 0 Books:

April | 6 Books:

Small Helps for Today

Selected and Arranged by Imogen Clark, 1892

Really enjoyed this daily devotional. Well selected and inspiring. And so elegantly old fashioned, just picking it up each day was a joy.

The Child From the Sea

By Elizabeth Goudge

This was my second Goudge book… at the recommendation of Sarah Clarkson I’ve tried to love Goudge, just just can’t. She’s not spiritually grounded, thus her writing has no solid foundation - and she writes about Biblical / spiritual themes. And I find that frustrating to no end. More so in her book, “The Scent of Water.”

Mom read this one to me… we found it at the dig. Mom said it was probably the longest she ever read - 598 pages! So sad hearing the tragic ending… gives you such a different perspective on the royals - how they were ever in need of money, and yet had such treasures at their finger tips. Lucy’s is such a tragic tale. It was well written, just so long and drawn out… and you felt like it was very fanciful. It’s nice to want to believe that Lucy had integrity and was merely unfortunate enough to fall in love with a prince. But, in my gut I feel like she was not the woman of character Goudge portrayed. A virtuous woman would just have stayed far, far away from Charles.

Walden and on the Duty of Civil Disobedience

By HD Thoreau

Skip the book and just enjoy the quotes. I was drawn to this book from the many quotes I've read from Thoreau's writing. Walden starts out so pessimistically, detailing many of the things wrong with civilization and systems, and the endless toil and labor. Taken with a heavy does of salt, he makes valid, good points. The main flaws I found with his perspective is that he is living isolated, disconnected from friends and family. And Walden is also only the span of a two year experiment living self-sustainably in the woods.

Far too much delving into Eastern / Hindu writings. A very God-less perspective, and one that does not lend to serving your fellow man, or forming meaningful connections with friends and family.

Also, the latter portion of the book got far too detailed about Walden itself... when the pond froze, how he planted his beans, etc. If you're interested in the prosaic specifics of his time at Walden as a memoir, I can see hanging in there for the whole book. But, on this side of having finished the book (highly sped up by the end!), I wish I'd just enjoyed the quotes and skipped this audiobook. It felt too disheartening. Like an old philosopher smoking his pipe and pointing out everything wrong with the world, and not engaging much in the things that really do bring about change in a society - which, as difficult as it is, is meaningful connections with other people. Something he totally insulated himself from in his time at Walden.

Excellent narration, you feel like it's really him telling the story. But slow, so you can definitely speed up the narration.

Grounded, A Companion for Slow Living

By Anna Carlisle

Really enjoyed this one. A great coffee table book, simple to read and look through - like a magazine. You feel grounded as you pour over it. It’s inspiring. Also feels like looking at Pinterest, only not so busy.

Roots :: Issue 43 of Taproot Magazine

Sadly, failed to review this one after reading it and now can’t recall anything about it, but I think I probably enjoyed it!

Anne of Windy Poplars

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Miss Shirley, beloved, matchmaker extraordinaire!

I was dubious beginning this one having read negative reviews, but perhaps because I didn't expect to enjoy it, I actually did. And I thought the reader did a great job.

I kept thinking as I listened of the movie, "Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987)" which is a blending of three novels, "Anne of Avonlea", "Anne of the Island", and "Anne of Windy Poplars."

This is one of the less popular Anne novels perhaps because Gilbert literally "doesn't get a word in edgewise" in that he's not even in the book. The novel is set up as a series of letters written to Gilbert.

What I'm always shocked at is all the pagan references throughout, fairies and mythical creatures and deities. I wish LM Montgomery had not let her imagination wander into all that darkness. But on the whole the stories are lighthearted and lovely. I enjoyed each listen, like a walk on a spring day.

I feel like a one liner recap of this novel would be, Miss Shirley, beloved by all and matchmaker extraordinaire!

Summer and Autumn

May | 2 Books:

Bird Preachers

By Rev. A.N. Mackray

Enjoyed this one mostly for the pictures. The chapters are interesting, he draws character observations from various Biblical birds and applies them to children as life lessons. It’s a little preachy, as is characteristic of the victorian era. But, overall I enjoyed it.

Emily of New Moon

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

She's not Anne Shirley. Hard to finish -- I was surprised to find that Montgomery actually wrote this trilogy after the Anne books. I thought perhaps this was earlier writing and her story telling developed. I was excited to listen to these after reading various quotes from the Emily books. But I had to make myself finish this one and so certainly don't feel like carrying on with the other two Emily books.

Adults all painted badly -- My main issue was if I was caring for Emily, I would probably be just like her aunts Elizabeth and Laura - that mix of stern and compassion, just trying to deal with this very unusual child. All the adults around her seem to be painted in a negative light. You keep waiting for the Miss Stacy who really nurtures and understands her, or the Marilla Cuthbert who is stern but also warm and sensitive under the austere surface. The adults in Emily's life just all seem like their dealing with so many issues of their own.

Lots of men -- It's concerning how much Emily is with men and boys. In real life something bad / abusive probably would have happen. I don't like how she is a 12 year old girl, but there is so much talk of marriage and subjects just way beyond her years. It should be more focused on what a girl that age is truly going through and feeling.

Fairies and Elves -- Such a heavy influence of the fantastical, imaginative, pagan... the wind woman, faries, elves... seems everyone in her life is saturated in the mystical. Where is the love of beauty for it's own sake? Or from a Biblical perspective since all these people supposedly do go to church. She writes of them being Presbyterian or Catholic. The world around us is beautiful because God made it. Or "the flash" as she calls it could just as easily be described as a moment of revelation or true seeing. But she makes it sound like something foreign, magical or highly unique to Emily.

Autobiographical -- I read on Wikipedia that this was Montgomery most autobiographical work. So, I guess as a child Lucy was Emily. And this was her experience as she worked out that urge to write, and was met with criticism and push back as a budding author.

Not the familiar Avonlea -- When I listened to the Anne books I loved the character development of everyone in Avonlea. You got to hear their thoughts, and appreciate them each in their own way. But with the Emily books it felt as though you keep waiting for something bad to happen. It's just not the beautiful, romantic world that Montgomery created for Anne. I didn't care for Emily, and consequentially didn't care for anyone in the story, so it felt impossible to really find it engaging. I just felt sorry for her aunts having to care for and shepherd this little girl who kept putting them in their place giving them "the Murray look" and in the end getting her own way.

I suppose if you really like fairies and the mythical world, or are an aspiring author yourself than you would enjoy this book. But, I found it just not at all to my liking and will just stick with the Anne books.

June | 3 Books:

A Chance to Die

By Elizabeth Elliot

A peak into the inner life Amy not in her writings. Amy Beatrice Carmichael (16 December 1867 – 18 January 1951) was an Irish Christian missionary in India who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote 35 books about the missionary work there. - Wikipedia

I read this book while in college and just this spring listened to it again.

Amy has been one of the most influential women in my life. I've read nearly all her books. She was an incredible women who led a life of full devotion to the Lord.

Her books give little or no detail about her personal life, both from a standpoint of Victorian modesty and spiritual humility. Many things are hinted at or veiled. In this book Elizabeth helps you to understand and get to know facets of Amy that are a mystery otherwise.

Both times I've gone through this book I've been deeply convicted and challenged about my own devotion to Christ. It's certainly a book that will stay with you and inspire you.

The Divinity Code

By Adam Thompson, Adrian Beale

Very Helpful, Bible-Based Guide. Think of all the accounts in scripture that would have gone differently had the men / women involved not paid attention to the dreams the Lord gave them.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28

What does that verse truly mean? Are all dreams from God? Do believers and unbelievers alike have dreams and visions? These questions and more are delved into in this book.

I found it very practical and helpful as I seek the Lord for discernment in interpreting the dreams He gives me. The dream dictionary is also a great resource. I often pull out this book when I've had a dream and need some help with understanding some of the elements in the dream.

It's not an end-all be-all that will unlock everything for you, but I'm glad they don't claim that anyways. It's meant to strengthen you as you walk with God, listen to His spirit and grow in your faith.

I've been meaning to finish reading this book for several years now and was thrilled to find it available on audible.

**Note: You'll need to get the hard copy for the dream symbol dictionary as the audio version only has the 2 of the 3 sections of the hard copy.

Wintering

By Katherine May

Makes you almost want to try sauna & frozen swims!

On the whole really enjoyed this one and found it very thought provoking. The narrator was great, so enjoyable to listen to. I appreciated the emphasis on how "wintering" happens in seasons of our lives like in nature, very cyclical. And how it's the effort we expend trying to push back the onset of "winter" seasons in our lives that causes so much stress, poor health, broken relationships and anxiety.

It's one of those topics that you feel could go in dozens of different directions, with so many facets to explore. But I thought on the whole Katherine did good job showing you what "wintering" looked like in her life, and how it looks on a practical, physical sense in the lives of those who live in some of the coldest parts of the world. There is no stopping winter, or "wintering" - it's more about what skills you learn along the way, add to your toolbox to thrive during that season not just endure.

July | 2 Books:

Wulf the Saxon

By GA Henty

It felt like all the same things happened on repeat

I’ve really enjoyed a lot of GA Henty‘s books, but this one wasn’t one of my favorites. There’s lots of exciting things that happen in the story, but still it felt like the same type of stuff kept happening. I always love how Henty gives the main character so much honour and integrity and he always has good ideas and upholds chivalry and justice etc., but it felt a little unrealistic. And too much time was given to Lady Edith, when you wish there would’ve been more about Wulf and Agnes, they just tack it on at the very end saying oh yeah and they got married and live happily ever after basically.

The guys that lost their arms really bothered me, I feel like they focussed on that a little too much for a book geared towards kids. Of course you know these battles were brutal and so awful, but still it is a book that’s geared towards teens.

And the narrator’s voice even though he’s a great narrator is just hard to listen to, I wish there was some other narrators that did more of his books. Overall I’d say it just wasn’t that great, and there’s other ones of his that I have enjoyed a lot more.

Braiding Sweetgrass

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

By Robin Wall Kimmerer

Grounding from a Native American view point. Like listening to "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo, I felt like this book helped me to take mental stock of my own relationship to the place I live. I found the section on "Windego" to be especially convicting - how there is that in all of us which takes too much, like an overstuffed closet.

I found the repetition throughout the book to be helpful rather than annoying. It's a lot to process, and you're meant to dwell mentally in this space of focusing on the gifts God has woven into nature, and how to practice the "honourable harvest" and live in "reciprocity."

Her perspective is laden in past generational grief and that's hard to relate to. But this is her story. And she's sharing from her history, and her view point and I think you just have to recognize that the book is not all about nature, it's also part memoire. Coming from a Christian viewpoint that believes in the Bible, it was hard to relate to the Indian perspective that plants and animals are the older, wiser ones, which is far different than the Biblical account where God places man in the garden to care for and have dominion over the plants and animals.

It's hard to know in the stories she shares about their beliefs where truth bleeds over into myth and to nail down what she actually believes about how things began.

I enjoyed all the beauty of nature she shared, about how sweet grass grows better when regularly harvested. How she raised her girls - all the good, grounding rhythms. Gardening, and saving salamanders. Making maple syrup and connecting with neighbours. The three sisters potluck feast. I think all these are "the way back home" as much as being an environmental activist. You have to start small, just where you are. And connect with the place you call home.

I read some reviews that critique her narration. I didn't mind her voice, it reminded me a lot of Elizabeth Gilbert reading her book, "Eat, Pray, Love." I did speed up the audio to 1.3 and that helped a lot.

August | 5 Books:

David Livingstone

By C. Silvester Horne

Interesting concise overview of an incredible life

I just listened to the podcast episodes on Martyrs and Missionaries about the life of Henry Morton Stanley and Livingstone. But were incredible men! I was shocked to hear that the infamous line, "Dr Livingstone I presume" was NOT actually said upon their first meeting. I know, I was shocked too!

I still have a hard time seeing Livingstone as a missionary. He was certainly an incredible man of faith and fortitude. And hearing this more lengthy account of his life I certainly feel less critical of him and more in sheer awe of all he endured and all He did for Christ and Africa. But, calling him a missionary just seems like a stretch. His aim was charting Africa, discovering the source of the Nile, helping to bring the slave trade to an end and paving the way for future missionaries.

An enjoyable listen, well read.

Laddie

By Gene Stratton Porter

Glad Hearts and a House of Song

So much to love in this story! Written from the perspective of Little Sister, she tells about her family and their trust in God. I love all the descriptions of the beauty of nature surrounding them. There is mystery, romance and lots of humour. It makes the simpler days so alluring and makes you want to walk by a stream, gathering flowers and enjoy a home cooked meal with the ones you love. Certainly one of my new favorite of GSP's books - up there with the Harvester and Keeper of the Bees. It's an unsung classic. There is so much woven in about strong character and how faith is the foundation for life. I would love to read this book allowed to my boys one day.

Several reviews stating they didn't like the narrator. I guess that comes down to personal preference, I thought she was great.

The Young Carthaginian

By GA Henty

Hannibal and his elephants!

I was intrigued by this title because I didn’t know anything about Hannibal. I only knew that he fought with elephants and took them over snowy mountains. And I had a vague idea that he was badly defeated in the end.

In the movie Phantom of the Opera they are performing an opera on Hannibal. But aside from that I had no connection with his story or the Punic Wars so I was interested to find out the true account.

I was back-and-forth with whether or not I actually enjoyed the story. There were parts of it that were really interesting and then there was other portions that were just really dull. Because Henty is such a war buff he tends to include a lot of conflict details that just aren’t that interesting. I like the personal story aspects when they zoom in focus on one man or a group of men. The parts when they were taken captive and had to come up with a way of escape were the most riveting portions.

And the last few chapters get really exciting with the main characters love interest. I always appreciate that there’s always a happy ending for the main character. The valiant hero that is portrayed as Hannibal seems a little too good to be true, but it is nice to think that he was a man of integrity in a very dark era.

The reader is great! I love his voice. he also reads Henty’s book For the Temple. I wish he did more of Henty’s books!

Tales for a Winter’s Night

By Arthur Conan Doyle

Engaging, but I miss Sherlock!

An interesting collection of mystery stories. I found most of them engaging. Though some were a bit disturbing. As other reviewers have noted, you miss Sherlock Holmes and his presence feels lacking. But then to you don’t have all the lines about his moods and vanity, ha!

I found it odd in the one about the Levitical priesthood breast plate that they called it Urim and Thummim. I’ve never heard it called that and thought that referred to two black and white stones that were separate from the breast plate of 12 Stones.

And I didn’t catch why the final mystery was called B.24, that felt like a mystery ending of itself. The ending leaves you hanging wondering what will become of the man!

I listened to these stories read by William Sutherland and enjoyed his grandfatherly voice.

The Silences and Solitudes of Jesus

By HH Bingham

A collection of sermons by Bingham. Enjoyed reading it as part of my devotions.

Autumn and Winter

September | 5 Books:

Anne of Ingleside

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Vignettes About the Blythe Children

I found this one to be mostly about the kids, and not so much about Anne. It seemed every character got their own story except Gilbert. But, it seems LM doesn't write too much from the perspective of the men, just the women and children.

Overall I found it entertaining, but not as enthralling as the first three books. It's more a conglomeration of short sketches telling about the lives of various people.

Under Drake’s Flag

(radio drama by Heirloom Audio Productions)

By GA Henty

Well done, enjoyable listen.

Janice Meredith

By Paul Leicester Ford

A Sitcom Plot-line with Revolutionary War Backdrop

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2022

I think my main criticism of this book is that it's 500 pages long. (I'm reviewing the story itself as I read a physical copy). The war progresses, but all the scenarios in the book just keep repeating as Janice is proposed time and again in chapter after chapter by one of half a dozen love struck men of varying ages and creepiness.

I've found with old books you often labor through the first 2/3s and then dash through the final 1/3 either glad you stuck with it, or ashamed to admit you just can't drop it and recognize it for the waste of time it is.

While some may like the dialogue that is made into colloquial jargon, I find it very hard to read. That and the French accent. Just say they spoke with poor grammar or a foreign accent in broken English.

Spoiler alert, the rouge gets the girl and the country boy gets shafted, I found this sad. I thought perhaps he'd die in battle. I just get so frustrated reading through a whole book (all 500+ pages) only to still dislike all the main characters at the end.

The scenario of a man falling moon-struck at Janice's feet, her parents in a dither, and the battle raging on in the backdrop just got to be a tedious circle to keep traversing. If her heart had been more true, or if she'd actually engaged in the conflict as a spy or something, not just a pretty face that bewitched literally EVERY MAN in the story, I think it would have been an interesting read.

I found the most interesting part was just getting a closer look at what it would have been like during those times. I felt like it gave a balanced take on men and women on either side of the conflict. Honorable people who did what they thought was right, and all those who just went with the flow or followed the money.

The military movements talk got tedious because it was hard to keep track of what side all the different names belonged to and though you needed it for the story, it could have been abbreviated to a few more relevant points. The characters were shallow.

Reading a book like Johnny Tremain (a work of historical fiction written in 1943 by Esther Forbes) would be far more worthwhile. Sadly, this is one that has a pretty cover but rather dull read.

Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur

By Frank Houghton

If you love Amy Carmichael...

...which I do. I've been inspired by her life and ministry for years. She truly was a servant of the Lord. I've read nearly all her books, and wow, her devotion was incredible.

If trying to decide between the Elliot biography and this one, I'd say either one but you don't need to read both since they cover all the same content just from a different slant. Elizabeth Elliot seeks to portray her as human. She was incredible, but still had flaws and not everyone always agreed with her or her methods.

This biography seems to glorify her a little too much, as in the category of a saint or Mother Teresa. Which is fine, but just very biased I think. Also it's a little too detailed. I feel like a third of the book could have been edited out and you'd still have a very well rounded biography.

If you're looking for a great missionary biography, I think I'd probably pick up a shorter one on her life or another missionary one. This one is just a little too in-depth and I don't think would be of great interest to everyone else you already know and love Amy through her writing.

Hats off to the author, he did a great job putting together an account of her life which she heavily veiled in genuine, selfless humility in her writing.

Under Drake’s Flag (full audiobook)

By GA Henty

Engaging story about early exploration

The history of Captain Drake's voyages is expertly woven through the fictional accounts of several boys apart of the crew. Their many adventures make this a very engaging story. I usually speed up his books since they are so long. Overall I'd say I enjoyed it, I just found the parts about the inquisition a bit much for a book geared towards teens. Henty tries to explain the inquisition by saying it stemmed from religious fervour and was actually not as horrific as it seems to modern ears given the horrific forms of capitol punishment in that day. Which historically I think is true, but it just felt a little too dark to dwell on in this genre. As always though, Henty is a masterful writer of historical fiction and you learn so much about the era.

October | 3 Books:

Revelations of Divine Love

By Julian of Norwich

Julian's Theology is Catholic

I first heard of this book through Sarah Clarkson's writing. I love the quote, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well"
- so much so I made an embroidery of it, ha! Listening to this book though I feel like it was a running stream of repetitive thought that was just very Catholic. Coming from a different faith background, I felt like there was so much emphasis placed on Christ's crucifixion, holy church and Mary. Very little to no emphasis placed on how we are redeemed to live a righteous life, one of faith and trust. And how Christ is risen and stated at His father's right hand. Excellent narrator. Just felt it was very hard to stay focused. And my goodness this woman loved to count, every other sentence is about a number... "then I was shown three things... this came to me in five ways... then seven truths were given to me." Anyways, book just wasn't for me. I think Amy Carmichael's writing has a lot more meat.

In Freedom’s Cause

By GA Henty

The true story of Braveheart

This is the true story of what happens to William Wallace of the movie Braveheart, and many others who fought with him and after him for Scotland.

I appreciated that they pointed out how those in Scotland acted much more nobly and humanly than did those in England. I also feel Henty goes into a little too much graphic detail about the horrors or the day. Given the target age group I don't think you have to be so specific. It would give me pause having my boys listen to the story until older.

I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the main character's love interest, but I didn't like that she went behind his back and did things without his permission. It's just not fitting for a woman, especially given the era. I was just surprised it was written that way because that seems so modern.

The discussion questions were a neat addition to this reading. It made me stop and think at the end of each chapter and take in the information given a bit more. I feel like audiobooks can just run over you like water and these questions were a nice recap of the main points of the chapter. I wish all the Henty books had this questions.

I thought Sir Archie was a great fictional character addition. The events recounted were engaging and interesting. I particularly liked the part where he is rescued from the cage. Very exciting!

Having been to Ireland it was neat to hear Dunluce Castle and the Giant's Causeway talked about.

Reader - Didn't love the guys voice, but still it's better than some. I found the speed to be a little slow so bumped it up to 1.2x.

The Librarian of Aushwitz

By Antonio Iturbe, Lilit Thwaites (translator), Dita Kraus (prologue)

She did it scared, but she did it. When I first started listening to this story I was perplexed that so many would put their lives at risk to use and protect eight tattered books. It felt wholly irrational. The whole concept of a family camp, a children's block made no sense in a place like Auschwitz. But one thing Holocaust stories do better than most any other literature is put things into perspective. Human life is so precious. And what better way to spend your days than investing in the life of a child, even if you can't be certain they'll live out the year.

It makes me think of the Chinese proverb, when you have but two pennies left, with one buy bread and the other a lily. We must have bread as well as beauty to survive. And the school kept them going, the teachers and the students. The books gave their minds something to hold onto when everyday life was dehumanizing them one horror scene after the next.

A lot of reviews are critical of the the way the author chose to put the book together - as historical fiction not just pure facts. It didn't bother me at all though. It was very engaging, and I finished this audiobook so much faster than I normally do just because I needed to know what happened next.

My biggest struggle was just not feeling like I really knew Dita. When the author shares about meeting her in person at the end of the book you get the sense of her indomitable spirit, her spunky forthrightness. But in the story it's hard to really lay hold of her character. And I can't quite put my finger on why that is.

It's also just so disturbing hearing about all the things you know about the holocaust, and then hearing more things you've never heard. And's that's just the nature of this genre. You live in that land of shadow while you're listening to the book, holding your breath and hoping it's all over soon because it's mentally hard just to wrap your mind around... and you're confronted time and time again with the unbelievable - that real people really did face these horrors and so much more. And it's what makes Dita so incredible. She did it scared. She chose to be the librarian. She had face to face conversations with Dr. Mengle. And still she held on to life, and chose to do the impossible. I just didn't feel like telling all these facts about the horrors of the camps helped the story. I would have preferred it narrowed to the things she witnessed, experienced and felt or heard whispered / rumoured.

As so many others have noted, the final section about what happened to the characters in the book is so valuable. I wish that in the story the author had given more insight into why Viktor chose to go back, even if fictionalized. I think he did it as recompense. Trying to find redemption through saving the lives of Renee and her mother. I don't think simple infatuation with her would lead him back to the hellish gates of Auschwitz.

I didn't understand the part about Jakov, Miriam and their sons execution either. Why were they reunited to be shot? I didn't feel like it was necessary to even go back to them if it was going to be so vague about why they were killed.

It feels almost too good to be true that, like in the Tattooist of Auschwitz, Dita is reunited with and marries a man she met in the camp. And you're so glad that life begins anew for her, and she and Margit have the tenacity to grab hold of each new day and forge ahead, living life.

It hard to call any book of this nature "good." But it was engaging, and valuable. I really didn't know much about the family camp or children's block so it was intriguing to learn more about it, even though so incredibly sad.

November | 3 Books:

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

By Joan Aiken

Engaging for Elementary Children

I enjoyed hearing the beginning excerpt from the reader about her mother and how this story came to be. It made me appreciate the story so much more.

I felt very drawn into it initially, but then it took so many extreme plot twists that it seemed to be too far removed from reality to be engaging. I think my perspective listening to this as a young girl was very different, and it was much more believable.

It feels like it has elements of "The Little Princess" and "Frozen" in it. It's a great story, and well written. I just felt like as an adult that I was swept into the world of white - snow and lurking wolves, and then suddenly I felt sceptical of a villainous lady so blatantly wicked, and everything being taken away from young Bonnie and then almost as quickly all restored.

The Dragon and the Raven

By GA Henty

Viking Battles, Valiant Deeds and True Love

As usual with Henty there is lots of battle accounts within the narrative. I found it hard to stay focused throughout. The threads of Edmond and Freida's relationship keep you interested. Overall I thought it was good, just I do find Henty's stories they always begin to feel a little long and I wish they were condensed with parts summarized more succinctly or omitted.

The Dragon and the Raven is also available as an abridged audio drama produced by Heirloom Audio Productions.

As has been stated in a previous review, the wrong narrator is listed. It's a man's voice, not Susan as listed. I did submit this to Audible. Decent narrator, no complaints. I usually speed up the narration a bit.

The Fledgling

By Jane Langton

Enjoyable and Thought Provoking. When you're faced with that child that is just, well, different, sometimes you worry. You wonder if they'll turn out ok. If it's just a phase or if something is really wrong. Listening to this book as a mother of young boy I thought about how I would respond if one of my children acted as Georgie did, just a little out of step from all the other kids. I loved how her family responded to her, gave her space to be her. Protected her and cherished her.

I read some reviews before diving into this one, and while it's rather outside of my normal genre, I was pleasantly surprised to find I actually really enjoyed it. Only after finishing it did I learn it's part of a series, Book #4 in the "Hall Family Chronicles." I found the writing to be really enjoyable. The way each of the characters were described, and the details that made them come alive. I feel almost as if I watched this as a movie.

I felt like listening to Thoreau's "Walden and On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" gave me a better appreciation for the constant reference to him throughout the book.

One review I read said they thought the goose prince speaking felt unnecessary. And, I think so as well. I wanted somewhere at the end of the book to have it all explained. To have the author spell out the analogies, and tell you Georgie never really did fly, it was all in her imagination. But, also I'm not sad that she didn't.

It's a sweet book, and certainly one that is enjoyable and thought provoking.

December | 4 Books:

Meal in a Barrel

By Amy Carmichael

My Mom read this one to me. I really enjoyed listening to it. Since I feel as though I know Amy and Dohnavur are familiar friends, it felt sweet hearing again the stories of God’s provision. It’s been a long time since I read any of Amy writing. I was so excited to find this copy of a very rare book on ebay, and so reasonably priced. I was inspired to start praying for orders, not just favours from God.

Noah’s Ark

By Rien Poortvliet

So moving pouring over Rien’s incredible artwork.

Children of the Handcrafts

By Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

Enjoyable read about the creative industry of early Americans

I purchased a 1946 edition and very much enjoyed reading it! I found it to be well researched. I like that it's geared for children, but written in such a way as to be insightful and informative for adults. The mention of Christmas, pagan deities (ship figure heads) and witches is annoying, but to be expected given the culture. I like that each story has a problem to be solved through creativity, ingenuity or the kindness of someone.

It was neat reading about people you know as adults, but may never have heard this story of their childhood. Highly recommended for kids (and adults too :) who love history and crafts.

Bailey was an American author who wrote more than 60 children's books during her career. In 1947 she was honoured with the prestigious Newbery Medal for "Miss Hickory."

He Was One of Us
By Rien Poortvliet

Another very moving book by Poortvliet. Looking at the way he depicted the characters in the life of Christ I couldn't help but think, why of course! That is probably how they looked. He captured the era, culture and emotion so poignantly. Highly recommended for any believer to own.