Tag Archives: life

The Rest of the Story Book Review

25 Tuesday Jun 2019

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The Rest of the Story

Sarah Dessen’s latest novel The Rest of the Story hit shelves just in time for summer reading. It even takes place at a lake during summer as Emma Saylor visits her maternal grandmother she hadn’t seen since early childhood. As she reunites with her mother’s extended family years after the loss of her mother, she starts to learn some background. Dessen tackles developing new family relationships, handling the risks of alcoholism, and first love all within the view of a North Carolina lake. The slowly budding romance brings both sweetness and depth as Saylor develops her identity. Though generally revolving around teens, the story delivers a reminder to readers of all ages that we can learn more about ourselves and family by acknowledging the details, flaws and all, rather than ignoring them.

Katrina lake

I had the pleasure of reading the last part of this book set on a lake resort at a lake at a state park with my best friend. We read it together for our long distance book club, this time reading the final section and discussing it in person.

Book Review: Love Life Again

22 Wednesday May 2019

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Tracie Miles writes an accessible starting point for adjusting perspectives and making life improvements in Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life Is Hard. Each chapter covers a topic that includes an application the reader can make after reading. It makes a great discussion book to cover with a partner who wants to reach similar goals, and it may pay off to read only one or two chapters a week to give ample opportunity for applying the concepts. The content mostly stays at a surface level, making it a guide beneficial to anyone. However, for those with mental health issues I would suggest it as a starting point or supplement to licensed therapy. As someone who needs more I still find encouragement and direction from this work because each small step makes a different. It serves as a reminder for some of the everyday tasks I can maintain to keep up my mental hygiene as well as my Christian walk and relationship with God.

Book Review: This Must Be the Place

12 Tuesday Mar 2019

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Maggie O’Farrell’s This Must Be the Place has a spot in my top 10 reads from last year and probably the top spot for book club selections last year and a spot on my all time favorites list. This novel covers so much territory in time, place, relationships, and more. Daniel Sullivan’s life saga brings infinite contemplations on life as he navigates personal and career triumphs and pitfalls. Each experience feels so real, and each character makes you wish you could meet them in some capacity. O’Farrell has such writing strength in style, depth, and intelligence, and that makes her an author whose work I want to complete.

 

Book Review: Fiercehearted

16 Sunday Dec 2018

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I recently read Holley Gerth’s Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely with my friend Stacie.

I now feel like Holley Gerth is a kindred spirit even though we’ve never met. This book has short chapters that all share a vulnerable, authentic voice and a unique light. Gerth has a perspective on her life that allows her to see God in the seemingly ordinary details of her life, and this allows her to learn from her experiences. As she invites readers into these situations, they too can grow closer to God and recall similar times in their own lives. Gerth’s unassuming openness welcomes readers into a life lived in the light. Now I feel like I can walk with a more confident step.

I highly recommend this book and highly look forward to the next book of hers I read. Fortunately, I’ve got a few on my shelf waiting for me!

Book Review: Out of the Ashes

04 Sunday Nov 2018

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I received Out of the Ashes: The Heart of Alaska-Book Two by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House in exchange for a review.

This book packs depth and weight of numerous issues while still possessing a strong hope. Though taking place nearly a hundred years ago, the issues resemble common issues today. Katherine becomes a widow and has to deal with the trauma of her husband’s physical and verbal abuse, and Jean-Michel grapples with lingering haunting memories of his time at war in Syria. These lovers find their way back to each other, unsure of how to move forward with their lives and how or who they can trust. During their stay in Alaska, they find new hope as they put their faith in the Lord.

I find it refreshing to see characters new in faith. It shows an honesty in wanting to learn the right way to navigate life, a quest that continues long after that initial decision to follow. I also appreciate that it shows the depth to the difficulties these characters experienced. Their minds have altered due to their trauma, and the reality revolves around a complex healing. While clearly their faith lead to healing, the book shows that their journey holds more complexity than a simple realization.

Not only did the protagonists at the heart of the story and the romance show realistic experiences through authentic characters, the secondary players all provide round out insight into progressing life skills and developing friendships. Katherine makes friends with pregnant Cassidy as she sits on bed rest and Jean-Michel’s sister Collette, and the girls make a nice trio of support. Cassidy’s boss in the hotel kitchen provides some humor as well. This story makes a well rounded and insightful book. I have enjoyed getting an extra dose of hope through these characters’ lives and relatable earnest desire to move forward as best they can despite difficulties.

 

This books marks the second I’ve read by Tracie Peterson, Beloved Hope the first.  Both books come from a series and aren’t the first but can make sense read alone. Now I will keep Peterson on my radar as she seems to write characters who deal with trauma and handles it with authenticity, insight and hope. I recommend her stories from what I’ve read so far.

Book Review: How to Walk Away

17 Monday Sep 2018

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I absolutely adore this book by Katherine Center! I love how it maintains a fun, lighthearted feel but also carries some weight. Though heartbreaking to read about a girl exactly my age hopeful to start her dreams of beginning her career after graduate school and getting engaged to her longterm boyfriend experience such a tragedy, it provides a lot of hope. Margaret demonstrates true strength as she heals not only physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She reworks her goals and makes even better ones. Maybe she appreciates them more knowing what she had lost and what she had to do to get to the new places. The hospital setting gave a constant for most the story, and it all flowed so well. It kept me glued to the book in eager delight.

Book Review: As Bright As Heaven

01 Saturday Sep 2018

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I received an advanced reading copy of As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner from BookishFirst in exchange for a review.

I really have enjoyed taking a trip through history by reading this book. Though I can’t imagine what experiencing the Spanish Flu epidemic 100 years ago, much less compounding those great losses with those of the war during the same period, I can relate to the three sisters’ life dilemmas. They go through tough experiences and loss, and they maintain a personal strength as well as a strong connection with their family.

At first glance, I dislike jumping between perspectives, especially when it goes beyond two (this one has four). Yet I find Meissner does a good job making each character clear and interlacing the perspectives to get the story’s full picture. Especially as the book progresses, I enjoy the distinct characters and their various ages.

This book gives a great glimpse into a tough part of history. I feel as though I have lived vicariously through this family and now have a greater understanding of the time and its turmoil as well as its blessings remaining in the ashes, as the girls learn.

New School Year, New Planner Pages

22 Wednesday Aug 2018

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New school years have begun, and all of us have a reminder of fresh starts whether students or not. Retail stores offer numerous supplies to get started, ranging from pencils and pens to notebooks and planners. All these tools can give us tangible support to pursue goals. With one in hand, we can use what we have to take action.

As the semester kicks into gear and fall approaches, take time to consider what steps you can take to progress your goals. A new notebook awaits you to fill its pages with notes for planning and reporting. Each detail you choose builds your life. Take the action that helps you progress your purpose.

Book Review: Love, Life and the List

20 Monday Aug 2018

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I read Kasie West’s recent Love, Life, and the List with my best friend and book buddy. The book and the buddy reading served as a good reminder of creating and pursuing goals. Abby generated a list of experiences that would help her gain heart to put into her heart, and she pushed herself to fulfill those and learned about life and love in the process. In turn, I received a gentle nudge to keep growing and satisfying my own goals.

Abby was in high school and therefore at least ten years younger than me, but I found her experiences relatable. Learning how to share problems with your family and understanding they have difficulties too applied to anyone. The concept of participating in new experiences to gain understanding, depth and knowledge applied to any relational or professional goals as well. Most importantly, pursuing goals and having a team of supporters fit as an overarching message.

The story had a fun, lighthearted flow. Abby navigated school, family, friends, a developing hobby and love. The situations provided a balance of a little thought with a lot of fun. I enjoyed the ride and rooted for Abby to reach her goals and to connect closer with her friends and family.

Pathways to Purpose

15 Wednesday Aug 2018

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I do not stand where I would like in my life right now. My job does not progress my career path, my city leaves a lot desired, and I hold back on pursuing most my goals due to my own self doubt. Yet I can take small steps to guide me back to my purposeful path.

These days I spend a lot of my free time volunteer tutoring at a couple places in town. Those classroom hours boost my confidence that I do belong in such a setting and that I do in fact help others. It also gives me more experience in my field. Not having a job there at the moment need not stop me from getting that face time with students.

Neither this town nor this state fulfill what I imagine for where I would live long term. However, it has surprisingly offered places that fulfill some of my needs. Not only have I found several classrooms to assist, I have found ministries to aid in my own life. A local church offers free counseling, a service that helps me stay on track healing without putting me further in debt, and that same church has started a support group where I’ll meet other women in similar situations as me for the first time. Hope exists everywhere, and I can heal in this town as I plan and conquer my next step.

I have a long way to go in conquering my own self sabotage and doubt. This involves undoing walls I have put up nearly my whole life to keep others and myself out. Clearly it will take a long time to undo and rebuild. Yet it can happen. I can make the most of my situation, continue lifelong healing and progress as I grow.

My situation right now may not exist as I want or as it should. Yet each opportunity I have can get me there slowly. I must keep my eyes open for those chances and make the most of them. The majority of a situation may not fulfill needs or progress a path, but what we do with the parts within our control can make a difference in steering and following the right path.