Tag: book reviews

Reminders of the Autumn

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A bare few thoughts on books this dreary Thursday evening.

68. Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery. This book was far more beautiful and enjoyable to read than I was expecting! Not sure why my memory seemed to think this book was lacking, but it’s not. It’s a wonderful, delightful little book. Of course though, now that I think about it, it is lacking something. Namely, Anne. Anne is barely in this book, but for some reason I didn’t mind it overly much. Instead, this book is all about the children but really more than that, all about the Merediths. The Blythe children have had their book, this book it’s time for the Merediths (and one Mary Vance) to shine. I loved meeting all the new children and reading about the shenanigans in the parsonage and of course the ultimate romance between two who had thought romance was only in their past. And yes, this book has shades of sorrow as well, as it looks to the future when these children will grow up and partake of and witness one of the worst wars known to man. You can feel the sadness as Montgomery writes with this war fresh in her memory. But that’s for next book! This one, by and large, is cheerful and ridiculous and a fun romp of a book.

69. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. This book was simultaneously fascinating and frustrating. Fascinating because it is written of a time and culture I know so little of and hence I much enjoyed reading of the clan and village life in West Africa (Nigeria) of a long ago (19th-century, really not that long ago after all!) time. Frustrating because the story itself felt a bit disjointed, jumpy and sparse and I struggled to stay engaged with the characters. That may perhaps be my own fault, but I simply didn’t think the writing in this one was that good. At times it felt like reading a textbook, even. Still yet. There is value in this book, simply because it reveals and sheds light on a period and place that I knew little of before. I was intrigued to know how I’d find this book because I distinctly remember reading this book back in English class oh so long ago (freshman year of high school!) and I wondered if I’d remember anything from it. Honestly…very little remained in my brain. But I did remember one thing. I remember thinking Obierika is simply the man, and I found that belief reinforced. Love that guy. Apart from that? There’s some fascinating characters – I especially found myself wishing we had more time with Ezinma, who pretty much disappears by the latter part of the book. And there are some deeper themes here, especially as they relate to the effects of imperialistic colonialism and the influence of outsider religion and its interplay with culture and family. In many ways, reading this book reminded me of reading 1984. Some really rich themes and heavy reminders of the brutality of man, yet presented in a poorly-wrapped, overly didactic package. Still – is there value in this book? I believe so. One more thing before I close. The last line? Absolutely brutal and perfect all at the same time. I can’t imagine a better one.

Edoras

James HoganLeave a comment

A few little book thoughts this lovely Wednesday evening.

65. Scott Pilgrim vs the Universe by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Another rousing Pilgrim adventure! This one got a little sad and depressing (bit of melancholy always helps with flavouring the whole) but probably necessary to set up the finale. I loved all the Ramona and Kim interactions and also seeing Scott continue to grow. I realised while reading this that one of the things I love the most about the author’s storytelling is his willingness to be random and cut from moment to moment without feeling obligated to explain in detail the narrative. So many little moments that just set the scene so well and then…cut! Next scene and we’re off. So many little slices of life as Scott continues to figure out what’s going on with Ramona. I love it. Also appreciated all the background Scott vs robot combat while the more important conversations happen in the foreground. O’Malley is a superb storyteller.

66. The Story of Christianity – Volume II: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L. Gonzalez. For the most part, I enjoyed reading this one and thought it was a decent high level overview of church history from the Reformation to the present day. Still though, even with the high page count, it felt like we were flying through events with barely a space to breathe and attempt to understand the years we were wading through. I’m aware this is really meant to be an introductory work to church history, but I still felt the method seemed a bit scattershot at times. For the first volume which of historical necessity covers a smaller population and land area, the high-level approach worked for the most part. Here, it feels that with such a large amount of history to get through, the choice of the author on which bits to focus on looms large over one’s comprehension of the whole. And sometimes I felt like the author spent time on political or historical events which really were not necessary to the story of Christianity and perhaps the words could have been spent better on other topics. I guess I’m just trying to say that the author has to focus on certain topics and personages to keep the page count manageable, but the selective nature of such feels that there is much that is brushed by. Some prominent theologians are of course mentioned and focused on, others ignored entirely. The author’s perspective of course necessitates such. The first half of this book was fairly good and even-handed, but the last quarter or so (mainly 19th/20th century) was a bit weaker. I would even argue the author’s focus on the liberation and ecumenical movements of the 20th century detract from other theological movements which are ignored almost in total. Still though, this book is still worthwhile in giving a fairly high-level overview of the institutional church. At times I feel a bit annoyed the author doesn’t seem to write from a Christian perspective (i.e., acknowledging work of the Holy Spirit or show passion for the gospel) but I freely admit that’s my own issue – obviously this writer is writing a scholarly look without the apparent bias of personal faith. I understand that! Still though, there’s a reason I love reading Iain Murray’s biographies and histories! Anyways, I’m grateful I read this, just would caution that there is much that is left out of this work and certainly a bit of a bias towards certain perspectives.

67. Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery. A lovely book. I confess once I picked this one up, I groaned a bit inside. My memory informed me that this book and the following one were my two least favourite books of the Anne series. And so it may yet prove to be upon re-read. Yet still. I found myself enjoying this one more than expected, perhaps because of low expectations! Yes, this is a different kind of Anne book. Anne is a wife and mother of a large family and honestly she is not at all the main character in this one. And…well, she seems a bit off and different at times! But is that not fair enough? She after all cannot still be the young lady studying at Patty’s Place with her college chums. Yes, this book mainly focuses on Anne’s children and moves in very episodic fashion. Yes, it relies at times overmuch on random dialogues and conversations that really are a bit much – oh the quilting chapter!! – but still? I found myself reading the last page with a smile and almost a tear. Perhaps helped by the bit that the last few chapters are some of the best of the book and really made me realize anew how much I love Montgomery’s work. Perhaps my perspective is also shaped a tad by the fact that I am now married (which I wasn’t the last time I read this!). I wonder how I’ll react to this one five (or ten!) years from now. Because yes, I will certainly read this again.

Ketchup Time

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A few thoughts on a few books. Happy Wednesday, dear friends, whatsoever this day may find you doing!

61. Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness by Bryan Lee O’Malley. This is still one of my favourites of the Scott Pilgrim series, I think. It’s melancholy and drama-filled and absurd and I love it so. Some truly lovely drawn panels and wonderfully sketched scenes. Natalie V will always be one of my favourite side characters in the series despite her villainy. And the vegan bits? Some all time moments for sheer ridiculous hilarity.

62. Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together by Bryan Lee O’Malley. I always forget about this volume but that said, it’s still a solid one. Scott is finally (almost) (semi) competent at being an adult (kinda?). He’s growing up before our eyes and it is wonderful to behold. I feel this volume is lighter on the drama than previous ones, which is not a bad thing. A breather before what is to come.

63. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery. Another fine entry in the Anne series. It’s a bit of an odd duck, what with the conceit of the letter-writing-to-Gilbert and the very nature of the in-betweenness of it all. Yet there is still much charm and beauty to be found in this one as Anne gallivants about and gets in random adventures here and there and wins all to her side with her very Anne-ness. It’s almost too much at times yet the author decently lamp-shades such and provides some lovely complementing characters in Katherine Brooks and Rebecca Dew. Never will this one be my favourite yet it is still a good read.

Subway Dreams

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Some book thoughts this Friday evening. Be well, my friends.

57. God The Son Incarnate by Stephen Wellum. A wonderful text on Christology, meaty enough for any theology nerd yet still quite readable for a layperson such as myself. This book took a while to get through, but it was never a chore or struggle. I much enjoyed this one and it was oh so good for my soul to reflect on the person of the Son and dwell on his beauties and glory. I appreciated the author starting this book with a survey of the history of Christology and analyzing the change of paradigms up to the present day and making it clear how our epistemology will affect how we understand the person of Christ. The author is very grounded in a biblical epistemology, which I’m sure will annoy the modern rationalists, yet I appreciate the author taking the time to delve into the importance of epistemology and then proceeding into the wonderful subject of the person of Christ, starting with the testimony of the Bible itself, then proceeding with the unfolding of our understanding of the the divine Word as we work through the church age (and the various Christological controversies that resulted in a more clear and vivid picture of Christ – his person and nature). I will most certainly not start discussing some of what I learned. Suffice it to say it was extremely interesting, enabled me to have a better understanding of the history of Christology, and aided me in better acquainting myself with the orthodox understanding of who Christ is. I did not find anything to disagree with, but I did at times face statements and perspectives that were difficult to comprehend. I would be lying if I said I perfectly understood this subject (as I think anyone would). I love this book because it aided in my daily devotion and meditation on Christ and pointed me further and deeper into my worship of the eternal Son. All praise be to God!! It also for certain helped me add more books to my reading list, though I was gratified to see one that I have recently read – Macleod’s “Person of Christ” quoted myriads of times. I do believe Macleod’s book is simply phenomenal and one I enjoyed more for the richness of its language, even if it isn’t quite as dense or detailed as this tome. Anyway, I stray. Just know that this book is worth the price of admission if you are at all interested in the orthodox understanding of who Christ is or simply seeking to read a book that will encourage your soul as you meditate on the glories of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is a beautiful book.

58. Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life – Vol 1 by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Sometimes you just need a break from a dense and difficult work and so you turn to an easy and entertaining graphic novel. And Scott Pilgrim fits the bill. I enjoyed this re-read, as simple and silly as it is! Of course it helps having the movie in the back of my mind at all times, as I visualize that and hear the line readings in my head. This is nothing serious or insightful, just pure fun. And sometimes that’s ok.

59. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – Vol 2 by Bryan Lee O’Malley. In the mood to continue my reacquaintance with Scott, I heartily enjoyed this read, especially because it delves into Scott’s past and gives a bit of his backstory (like his past with Kim!!). Also some great Knives bits and even a fun recipe and cooking interlude! I like this one. And question. Is it weird that I think Ramona is not the most interesting girl in this book? Or…even the second most interesting girl? For some reason, Kim and Knives were much more fascinating in this one. (and now I think ahead to Vol 3, where a certain Natalie V enters the scene). Anyway, this one was a fun quick read!

Breathing Deep of the last Aching Notes of Summer’s Song

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A quiet Friday night is upon us. A lovely little end of the week walk was enjoyed and even though it was rather hot – as is typical for September! – I did enjoy just walking along the trail and enjoying all the blessings my Father has bestowed upon me. And now! A couple of quick book reviews. Yes. They shall be quick. I promise.

55. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Could not finish this one. There are some lovely parts to be sure and some rather fine writing and I’m sure there is value to be found in this book. But in the end, I could not stomach another second of Florentino Ariza.

56. Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery. A jewel of a book and one of my favourites of the Anne series. I always approach this one by with joy in the anticipation and I have never been disappointed as I turn that final page. This book is one that is just a perfect delight of a read. There is a tinge of melancholy in this book and perhaps that is what gives the whole book such a well-rounded air of the true, I’m unsure. But apart from that, I simply adore the descriptions in this book and the way Montgomery shows so poignantly some of the feelings that come with growing up. Also? Montgomery always needs a character that pulls her away from that dangerous saccharinely sweet ditch and here she comes up with a brilliant one in Philippa Gordon. Phil is one of my all time favourite Montgomery creations and I smile every time I read one of her lines. We all need a Phil in our lives.

Before Midnight

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Quick book thoughts before going out and about this Friday night!

54. Two-Part Invention – The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L’Engle. I greatly enjoyed this one. It’s a memoir of sorts and it’s by one of my favourite authors and so the odds were in its favour, I’ll admit. And sure enough, a winner! This nonfiction by L’Engle focuses on her marriage to Hugh Franklin, who I’ll confess I knew very little about going into this one! If you know me at all, you know that I’m already a huge fan of L’Engle’s writing and so of course reading this one felt just like snuggling into a warm blanket and drinking a hot cup of cocoa. That’s not to say this story is all sunshine and roses. There are some very dark and depressing parts of this book, to be sure. But L’Engle is frank and honest as she describes her feelings even in these dark moments. You get a very good idea of what she believes and the nature of her faith in Christ in this book, which I found greatly fascinating and encouraging. You also get many of her musings on marriage and life and death. Of course all of this is intertwined with the narrative that L’Engle unfurls so brilliantly. Her prose is as simple and beautiful as always and the core themes of this book sing true. Oh and also? As someone who loves reading about artsy and literary subjects, I delighted in reading about L’Engle’s growing up and living in a very culturally rich and diverse environment. I most certainly felt some twinges of jealousy at times. All that being said? This was a beautiful read and heartily recommended for anyone who wants to know a bit more about one of the best American authors of the 20th century. I look forward to re-reading at a later date, especially when I’m a bit further along in my own marriage!

One and Five

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This lovely damp grey Saturday, let’s post a few thoughts on my latest reads shall we??

52. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery. A lovely book. My reading of Anne continues with the second book in the series and while I’ll bluntly state that it’s not quite as good as the first book, this is still a beautiful read. I could find little spots here and there to poke at, but there are also some truly lovely moments and lines. I love reading books such as this, ones that are simple and sweet and make me smile with delight at the beauty contained therein. I will note that this is the book where Montgomery apparently falls in love with the use of the ellipsis and I laughed to see how often she utilizes such. Also, I believe that in this book her powers of description soar even higher than the first book. I could read this book for the descriptions of nature alone. One of my favourite chapters was the one where Anne and her friends wander the countryside and have a beautiful day together conversing and laughing and tramping through the woods – a chapter only Montgomery could write with such simple elegance and joy.

53. Bearing Witness – What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists by Daniel Lee Hill. A powerful and insightful work. This is a book I was not sure how to approach at first, wondering how Hill’s engagement with early Christian abolitionists would serve to craft a call to action for the church today – are we as the Christian church to attempt to live out a social gospel in denigration of the work of Christ for us or ought we spend our time in a Christian bunker priding ourselves on our own fidelity and adherence to the orthodox faith? Hill masterfully addresses both these ditches while providing a pattern and ethos for how the church might truly bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ in this modern world in which we live. I much appreciate the author’s dedication to centering the work of Christ and refusing to downplay the true gospel while at the same time pleading with the church to understand what it means to bear the burdens of both our fellow Christian and our fellow man as we live in this world in this present age, yes aware of its fallenness and looking forward in hope to the coming redemption and renewal of this world when Christ returns, but also keeping our eyes open and seeking to understand the mission of Christ on this world so that we might model such and in the moments that pop up around us, improvise on the themes of mercy and grace and suffering that we see running throughout all of Scripture and indeed, those themes that our very soul resonates with as we are sealed and enlivened by the Spirit of God.

I fear this somewhat rambling first paragraph may not do the force of Hill’s argument justice. I have not even begun to express my appreciation for how the author works through the narrative of slavery and the abolitionary movement in the early history of the States. There is so much history and so many stories that could be told, but I feel the author does a very fair job of attempting to lay the groundwork for the story tellers he is about to unveil. I love that Hill recognizes that the three fiery and faithful Christians he highlights in this book – David Ruggles, Maria W. Stewart, & William Still – are Christian voices that can still speak to us today, as they are indeed a part of the living and enduring church of Christ. So in retrieving their voices from the past, Hill lets us be part of the audience that hears these brothers and sisters speak and thus we can seek to understand what wisdom might they have that we can then ponder in our hearts and be blessed by such. I loved understanding the stories of these three historic figures – nay, not just historic figures – actual real people and brothers and sisters in Christ! – and hearing how they navigated the fraught waters of early 19th-century America, a place where it was not at all easy or safe to be a black person, enslaved or free. Hill seeks to show that even though it may not have been easy or safe, these three still sought to work in and cultivate the spaces they inhabited and to faithfully go forth to bear witness to the gospel of Christ in working and suffering alongside their fellow man. The historical facts of their lives were fascinating but even more so, the force and light of their testimony was humbling. Are we living such lives of witness in the places in which we live and move and have our being, understanding that we all live under the gracious and merciful hand of God?

And that brings us to the author’s conclusion, where he seeks to extract the nuggets of wisdom from the testimonies and stories we’ve been listening to and ask how the church might respond. Will the church’s response to our own modern horrors and nightmares look identical to how Ruggles, Stewart and Still acted? Perhaps not, for society is structured differently and we may not have the same mediums of communication or fellowship as were present in early 19th-century America. Still yet. Do we see in their actions a framework for how the church might keep its eyes open to the opportunities are around us? Even as we center our lives around the gospel of Christ and remember our call to proclaim such boldly, does not the presence of the church in this world and its calling to suffer as Christ has suffered indicate an allotted portion of stepping alongside our fellow and seeking to bear one another’s burdens and mourning with those who mourn as we recognize the patterns of decay even in the structures of our everyday? And we ought be so washed and enlivened in the Spirit that our thoughts ever more often resonate with the commands of Christ to love one another and so our patterns of behavior will then meet the moments that we encounter so that we truly exhibit the love of Christ.

I am writing too many words, but I am grateful for this book. It is written at a fairly high academic level and though I enjoy such, it may not be for all. Still, I found it profitable. Some may not like that this book is not more “practical” or does not put forth any sort of concrete action plan. But I would argue that is not this author’s aim. Instead the author is attempting to set forth a paradigm for the church that will of necessity lead to a multiplicity of responses. There is not and cannot be a cookie-cutter approach to living Christ-like lives in this fallen world in which we live. Also in this book there are moments of dry humor that I greatly appreciated, but more than that, I very much was struck by the awe and reverence the author has for our God and for His Word and for the holy calling that is upon all of us to follow Christ. While we are yet on this world, we groan as we recognize that it is not our home and that while we are absent from our Lord, we are incomplete. We now inhabit the temporal but we look for the eternal, for that city that will one day be our home where we shall see our Lord face to face. We long for the day when our Lord will return and make all things new and wipe away every tear. And so in the now, we with hope look for what is to come and bear witness to the God who is our hope. Might we cry out to God that he might give us eyes to see and the grace to live in such a way that this witness is one that to the world makes it clear that God has not abandoned this world and that we are not alone.

Fever Dreams

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Some book thoughts.

51. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Such a lovely, sweet book and surely one of my favourite books to read if I simply want to read something beautiful. I think this book will always have a special place in my heart. I wish there were more books like this in the world, ones that point to the good and right and true while still recognizing the tinge of melancholy that is not entirely absent from even the sweetest climes. Oh I love this book! I do recognize part of my love for it is partly nostalgia – yes, I can still hear the dialogue from the old 1934 black and white movie – but still yet I cannot deny how much joy this book brings to my heart. I also want to state that this book is absolutely hilarious and I may or may not have laughed out loud several times as I was reading. This book is a treasure and a sheer delight.

Intermediate Form

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A few book reviews.

47. Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson. A fun read. Not great by any means, but this is far better than the last Sanderson I read, so I’ll take it! This book was a fascinating one, so much Cosmere everywhere and I feel as if my brain does not have the capacity to make all the connections I know are there. Very much feels like it is a support novel that will work inside the larger ecosystem of the next Mistborn trilogy, as well as move us closer to the last half of the Stormlight Archive. All that being said, was this a good book in and of itself? Well…yes and no. I still feel like Sanderson’s characters and plots feel a bit derivative and plastic these days. The main characters (even the draconic one!) just feel kind of blah? And the villain is cartoony to the max. Yet perhaps that was part of the point. I did love some of the new worldbuilding and connections that were made to the greater Cosmere, and there were a few lovely sequences (mostly in the latter half of the book). Sanderson continues to have some clunky sentences and word choice issues that takes one out of the moment. And there is very little subtlety and very on the nose philosophizing. And yes, another “crew” with diverse characteristics, a crew that the young female protagonist needs to win through her earnest empathy and praiseworthy devotion. Is this the third or fourth book Sanderson’s used that thread? Yet somehow I press on. This book did have some gorgeous art! And the quality of the book impressed – especially the dark mode! I am not really a fan of books that take place mostly in Shadesmere, but I appreciated the commitment to the bit with the physical book itself taking on its hues. Anyways, I feel as if I’m being too negative, but perhaps it’s just because I miss Sanderson’s older works. These newer ones feel sometimes as if they are pale imitations of what he used to write. Alas.

48. Little Labors by Rivka Galchen. An amusing little book about the joys, oddities, and pains of motherhood. Really a collection of observations and thoughts, as the author muses on motherhood, women who are mothers who are writers, and babies. I appreciated this one, even if at times I felt as if I had no possible way to relate to her words. Lovely writing and I appreciate the honest look into this author’s head, as odd as her thoughts are at times. But then…I shudder to think what my thoughts look like spilled out upon the page. We’re all a bit strange sometimes, no?

Ever Lovely

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A few thoughts on recent books this warm Sunday afternoon.

45. The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod. A profound work. If one is wanting to meditate more on the person of Christ, this book is a great treasure indeed. This book is one that I wanted to linger in, take my time in and enjoy, yet I couldn’t stop reading it because it brought me such great pleasure simply to think on the glories and majesty of Christ and who He is! I already can’t wait to read this again at some point (soon). It is dense at times and not always easy to wrap one’s mind around. Yet does that not make sense? We cannot fully understand all the deep mysteries of the nature of Christ, yet we try – and have tried for near on two millennia. This book unites several of my deepest passions – history/philosophy and Christ – so of course it is going to be a book that I love. This book showcases some of the beliefs regarding who Christ is and does a wonderful job of walking through the various arguments and debates that have swirled around such. The author does a fair job of presenting all sides of the argument, yet by and large he comes down on the side of the historically orthodox, even when these stances are difficult to fundamentally understand. At the end of the day, I rest in the statements made in Scripture itself, even when such seems to contradict what we think philosophically possible. I loved this book. It’s a bit heady and I don’t know if if it would be a suitable read for all. Yet if you want to challenge yourself and read a work on Christ that will truly make you think more deeply on who Christ is, I heartily recommend this one.

46. 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I think I just must not be a Stephen King fan. This is only the second (maybe third?) of his I’ve read and I’ve bounced off them every single time. Yes, they’re incredibly plotty and because of the subject matter, you do want to read through to the end. But this book just wasn’t doing it for me. I really think one of the main things this book has going for it is the plot point at its heart. Is the protagonist going to be able to save JFK from his grisly fate? And so of course, one races through the (very large) text to see what happens. With the exception of a few of the Jodie chapters in the middle – I loved reading about George and Sadie’s blossoming relationship and the kids at the high school, especially the play! – the reading experience was just not that pleasurable for me. King’s prose is merely workmanlike (word choice often obnoxiously repetitive) and though I know this is my issue, I really dislike all the strong and vulgar language used throughout. I don’t want to be putting this into my head and imagination. And of course, though the focus on the inhumanity of certain segments of humanity is one of the themes of the book (particularly in regards to brutal men), I very much dislike wallowing in such. Also, the evil of man shown throughout this work so strongly contrasts the glowing virtue of the protagonist, yet this contrast only highlights the undeveloped nature of said protagonist. He truly does seem like an angel, a bolt from heaven, grimly doing what must be done and yet what is his arc? Yes, he does cry again and yes, he does return to Sadie only when he has sacrificed his life with her. But it’s difficult to really see a real person behind the facade of Jake Eppings. I suppose if one simply wants a thriller, this book would satisfy. King does do a wonderful job at texturing his world and really getting across the feel of a place with all its grungy and wonderful details. Yet I simply couldn’t enjoy this one. I need to remember that King is not for me.