The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why!

I was recommended this book a while back and it’s been on my shelf for almost a year! With the start of 2019, I’m really trying to intentionally read books I already have on my shelf, plus a Book of the Month selection to add some new releases into the mix. As soon as I picked this book up and read a few pages just to “see” if I wanted to read this one next, I couldn’t put it down!

The Red Tent takes place in Biblical times, following the family of Jacob: his wives and children, particularly his daughter Dinah. Dinah’s life isn’t covered very much in Genesis, so taking some creative liberties, Diamant decided to dive into this historic world and give these women a voice.

Broken up into three parts, with Dinah as the narrator, we follow Jacob’s family from before her birth with Jacob’s relationship with Rachel and Leah, her life growing up among a tribe of brothers, and her own adventures in Egypt.

This book was captivating. With the lens of fiction in mind verses actual facts, I was able to trust where Diamant wanted to take the story, and enjoyed the nuanced references to actual Biblical characters/situations when they were introduced. Dinah’s character is very relatable and it was really cool to catch a glimpse into a world (although not entirely accurate) of what these Biblical women went through/experienced. For example, their view of motherhood and the honor it is to carry a child was so beautiful. Dinah actually studies to become a midwife, so there was a lot of reference to pregnancy and giving birth in the book, which I really appreciated.

I also enjoyed the idea of the “red tent”; a place women went during the periods, not because they were shunned/shamed there, but somewhere they enjoyed going so they could connect, chat, and take time to share with their fellow wives/relatives.

I am giving this book 5/5 Stars for Diamant’s creativity, her captivating writing/storytelling, the character development, and the way it caused me to reflect on my own life and views of motherhood.

If you’re looking for something within the Christian genre, but isn’t “Self Help” or a romance, OR if you’ve never read Christian fiction before, check out The Red Tent!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Historical Fiction/Religion/Fiction

Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why!

Last year, when I was working at Barnes and Noble, I was needing a “pick-me-up” so I bought a few books, and this was one of them! A good old classic young adult read, with a fun sci-fi twist! Oh, and don’t forget a bit of romance 🙂

Your One & Only is based in the future, but not some random, futuristic utopia: planet earth, more specifically Costa Rica. But a lot has changed since humans roamed the earth. The “Slow Plague” has wiped out every human in existence, but before they died, a group of scientists starting a cloning process in hope that some form of “human” would survive. As time progressed, the clones have perfected their genes to have no defects, disorders, or health issues.

Introduce Jack: he’s unlike any of the other clones, because he is – in fact – human. How is this possible? How will the community treat and view him? An outsider with *gasp* flaws! One clone, named Althea-310, is fascinated by Jack. Will their connection help Jack feel accepted by the community, or push him farther away, threatening both of their lives in the process?

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline is so unique, which is why I was originally drawn to it. It was fun to dive into an easy read that still captured my attention. And it wasn’t super cheesy, either! It was very thought-provoking, sweet, and the bit of romance wasn’t over the top. Finlay does a good job of bringing you into this futuristic world without feeling overwhelmed with “cultural terms” you’re expected to understand from the get-go.

I’m giving this book 4/5 Stars because of the easiness of the read, the fun and new plot line, and the overall success of the writing.

If you’re looking for something a little “out of the box,” but still relatable, check out Your One & Only!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction/Romance/Dystopia

Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia, Publication Order #2) by C. S. Lewis

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why!

This year, I decided to FINALLY read The Chronicles of Narnia series (which I have mentioned in the Lit Sis podcast! Check it out on Spotify and Anchor, if you haven’t yet!) I thought I would be able to pump them out pretty quickly, but I’ve really been taking my time, and reading other books alongside of them, too. I actually read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2018 in December, but didn’t post about it because I thought I would finish the whole series in time for the new year, but oh well haha

So, first off, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe only got 3/5 Stars from me because it was the storyline that I was most familiar with from the series, hence it was hard to keep my attention since I knew where the story was going.

Prince Caspian was a bit more fun to read, hence the 4/5 Stars. This book takes place a year after the first book; but in Narnia, one human year is a lot longer! The four Pevensie children are back and with a new mission: help a young prince overthrow a false king that has risen up in Narnia. So much has changed since the Pevensie children were Kings and Queens, and they hope to help restore Narnia to its former glory.

I enjoyed this storyline, even though it took me waaaaayy longer than it should’ve to finish. Lewis is one of the most famous authors in history, and there is good reason for that! He does a great job of crafting the story, bringing the reader into the world of Narnia, and keeping things fresh. There are seven books total and after each one I keep asking myself, “what else can happen?” but Lewis brings a new spin/twist that the reader is not expecting.

I’m not sure how long it’ll take me to read the next 5, but I’m just going to try and enjoy the ride. 🙂

HAPPY READING 🙂

P.s. If you’ve read the Narnia series, or other C.S. Lewis that you love, comment below or DM on Instagram, and let me know your thoughts!

 

Genre: Fiction/Classics/Children/Fantasy/Young Adult/Christian

Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland #1) by Anthony Horowitz

My Rating: 5 Stars!

Here’s why!

Last year, I read The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz, and fell in love with his writing style. (I had never read any of the Alex Rider series, but my husband loves them!) Although Magpie Murders came out first, I just got it for Christmas and dove right in, reading it with alongside my sister!

Magpie Murders is a book within a book. Editor Susan Ryeland works for a publishing company in London, the exclusive publisher for Alan Conway’s Atticus Pünd series (Think Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes). One evening, Susan sits down to read the newest manuscript by Conway in his Pünd series, called ‘Magpie Murders’, and guess what? The reader reads it too. Yes! There literally is a book within a book, complete with title pages, reviews, etc. But as Susan finishes the manuscript, she notices something is off, and it seems like there is more than meets the eye within its pages.

I fell in love with this book hard and fast. It was a shock to actually read the manuscript that Susan is referring to, and took a bit to switch from the writing voice Horowitz created for her and the voice he created as Alan Conway writing Atticus Pünd. If this doesn’t prove Horowitz’s skill and masterful workmanship as a writer, I don’t know what else could! Horowitz uses a lot of allusions, foreshadowing, and really gets the reader involve in the story, which was so much fun!

I could rave on and on about the writing, the plot, and the character development, but just take my word for it: go do yourself a favor and read it for yourself!

5/5 Stars, hands down. Brilliant.

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime/Fiction

The Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why!

I first got interested in this book when I saw the TV series posted on Netflix. The storyline was super intriguing, and when I found out it was originally a book, I knew I had to read it. I actually got this book in the summertime, but thought it would be a fun way to start the new year!

The Sinner, originally written in German, is about a murder that happens in broad daylight. There is no mistaking Cora Bender stabbed a man to death, but the mystery is why: Why him? Why did she stab him multiple times in front of family and friends? What provoked this act of violence from a quiet, kind young mother? That is what the German police, especially the police commissioner, are trying to figure out. What should be an open-and-shut case takes the commissioner down a path he never saw coming to uncover the truth.

This book was hard for me to read sometimes, not just because of some of the content (which can be pretty graphic), but because I was getting so frustrated! Cora is good at bending the truth, only revealing what she wants you to know, and uses metaphors/Bible stories to do it. All I wanted the whole book was to know the TRUTH since she tells so many half-truths, and when I did know what actually happened, I was mind-blown. Granted, it took until the last like 50 pages to find out, and I do wish it would have happened sooner, but the way it was revealed and fell into place made it somewhat worth the wait.

Petra does a great job of using flashbacks of Cora’s childhood and family life to build up to the present case, which helps reveal the truth/motive that Cora is not telling the police. All Cora wants is to just be convicted and let it all be over with, but the police commissioner can’t let her go without knowing the motive behind her actions. As the reader, I felt the same way! I really appreciated the use of flashbacks to get a better idea of the story and start to piece it together myself.

I’m giving this book a 4/5 Stars because although I was happy with the resolve of the murder, some parts of the book felt unnecessary/confusing and it took me forever to finish because of that fact. Maybe some of the fluid movement of the writing was lost with the German to English translation, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. However, the very ending, too, was also confusing.

Overall, I liked the way Petra crafted the storyline, the creativeness of the actual plot/motive, and the way it made me think; but it didn’t hit all the marks for me.

If you are wanting a challenging, and provocative read, check out The Sinner! (and then watch the series on Netflix like me!)

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime/Fiction