This was a very slow month for books I read. I mean, after all, I was on vacation for 2 weeks. I know most people read more on vacation, but when you’re traveling with 2 young children, and spending most of your days in theme parks, well, reading just did not happen on the trip, which is fine! With the 3 books I read this month, it brings my total number of books I’ve read this year to 14! Hooray!
*Life After by Katie Ganshert
Synopsis: On the day of a late spring storm, in Chicago, Autumn Manning boarded an “L” train. A bomb explodes, killing everyone in the train car except for Autumn—the sole survivor. A year has passed and Autumn suffocates under a blanket of what ifs and the pressing desire to bring the victims back to life, every day, if only for her. She doesn’t want their stories to be forgotten. She wants to undo what cannot be undone. An unexpected ally joins her efforts, also seeking answers and trying to find a way to stumble ahead. But one victim’s husband, Paul Elliott, prays to let the dead—and their secrets—rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to hurt his loved ones. Caught between loss and hope, these restless souls must release the past to embrace a sovereign God.
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve read a handful of Christian fiction books over the past few years, and I think this has been my favorite so far! The characters are likable, the story is compelling and well-written, and the focus on God is well-done — it’s not too over-the-top, but it does show His grace in a beautiful way. I would definitely recommend it!
4 stars.
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Synopsis: A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near her home in Deadwood, South Dakota, when she falls through the earth. She wakes up at the bottom of a square hole, its walls glowing with intricate carvings. But the firemen who come to save her peer down upon something even stranger: a little girl in the palm of a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, the mystery of the bizarre artifact remains unsolved—its origins, architects, and purpose unknown. Its carbon dating defies belief; military reports are redacted; theories are floated, then rejected. But some can never stop searching for answers. Rose Franklin is now a highly trained physicist leading a top secret team to crack the hand’s code. And along with her colleagues, she is being interviewed by a nameless interrogator whose power and purview are as enigmatic as the provenance of the relic. What’s clear is that Rose and her compatriots are on the edge of unraveling history’s most perplexing discovery—and figuring out what it portends for humanity. But once the pieces of the puzzle are in place, will the result prove to be an instrument of lasting peace or a weapon of mass destruction?
You guys. THIS BOOK. I actually won it in a Goodreads Giveaway and am so glad I did, as I’m not sure when I would have picked it up otherwise. It was fascinating and fabulous and so interesting and I read it in one day. The story is told through interviews with the different characters, by a nameless interviewer who ends up reminded me of Red on The Blacklist (which I loved, because I love Red), as well as the occasional journal entry, news or military report. The story is less about the robot however, and more about the characters, and their beliefs. It very slightly reminded me of The Book of Strange New Things, which I also loved (see my review here). I just was so enthralled by this book, and I would recommend it to everyone! I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book of the series – out this month!
5 stars.
**Curious Faith by Logan Wolfram
Synopsis: We are born with an innate curiosity to explore, marvel, and believe there is more to life. But, laundry piles up. Bills pile up. Ultimately, life piles up. We can doubt God’s goodness and the everyday becomes marked by restraint, limits, and settling for the routine. Hardship extinguishes our hope and we exchange curiosity for control. Curious Faith is about rescuing the now.It’s about exploring possibility with a God who is unlimited, unpredictable, and ever-loving. In these pages, Logan Wolfram invites you to overcome feelings and outside circumstances that inhibit growth and rob you of hope. Pursue curiosity to enjoy the wonder of an open-handed life. Cultivate curiosity. Reignite your faith. Discover God’s goodness to fully experience your life again.
It seems to me that whenever I read these types of Christian self-help/inspirational books, I either love them or they’re just very mediocre to me. This was in the latter category. Logan shares some great insights, and I love the imagery of being curious and chasing after our God, to learn more about Him, but all in all, it’s not one I would read again. You might love it though! So give it a try if you think it’d be interesting to you.
3 stars.
Currently Reading: Sister Sister by Sue Fortin and Broken for Good by Rebecca Rene Jones.
On My Bookshelf: Too many! But a few are: Successful Leaders of the Bible by Katara Washington Patton, and Our Presidents and Their Prayers by Rand Paul, and Bite Me by Ally Hilfiger.
*I received free product from Blogging For Books in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
**I received free product from Family Christian in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
