Small Country by Gaël Faye

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why!

I got this book last May with Book of the Month and was planning on reading it last year, but I moved across the country when I received it so it just ended up in a box and on my shelf. I’ve been trying to go back and read any Book of the Month books I haven’t read yet and knew I could pump this one out since it’s pretty short.

Small Country is about the author’s life in Burundi before the genocide in Rwanda began and his family had to move to France. Beginning in 1992, Faye invites us into his “coming-of-age” story and the loss, trials, and impact this neighboring country’s war affecting his entire life.

***

This book is an international bestseller and was originally written in Faye’s native French, but because of its popularity has been translated into other languages. Since I don’t speak French I read the English translation done by Sarah Ardizzone so I’m not able to judge how well it translated; however, people have said that the original in French obviously is the way to go if you are able since that is how the author originally wrote it. Like all books written in one language and translated into others, literary nuances and subtleties found in the native language might not translate as well into other languages, but overall transitions can be pretty accurate.

I’m not going to lie. Like I stated earlier one of the main reasons I decided to read this book this month was because I only have a few days left in May and wanted to get one more read in. Plus, this one is pretty short (183 pages) and was a BOTM I hadn’t read yet, so I just dove in without really feeling “drawn to it.” However, I am glad I finally sat down to read it.

Faye’s story is full of hope and beauty, but also lots of hardship and loss. I am giving it 4 out of 5 Stars because it wasn’t really until the very end (maybe within the the last 50 pages or so) that this book struck a chord with me and left me getting teary-eyed. Majority of the book just feels like Faye is allowing you to glimpse into the life he had in Burundi, his friends, family, way of life, and the “kid drama” that 10-12 year olds go through. I don’t want to write this aspect off because I think it’s important to realize that these African countries haven’t always been engaged in violence, hatred, and genocide, although the tension between Hutus and Tutsis  had been bubbling under society’s surface for a long time. Faye was able to bring humanity back to a people group and place that have been tainted by bad decisions of bad people by the rest of the world, reminding us that they led normal lives like you and me.

If you want a chance to get to know a place and the lives of the people there without the lens of what the future has brought them, dive into Small Country and Faye’s life. I can see why it has been an international bestseller and I commend him for opening up and sharing a very sacred – yet tender – time of his life.

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction/Contemporary/Autobiography/Memoir/War

Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why!

This is also another Book of the Month from 2017, but it wasn’t my pick it was my sister’s. A thrilling, shortish read that occurs within the span of a few hours, it received a lot of attention when it was first published. I was kind of iffy about it, but all in all I’m glad I read it, even though I didn’t rate it very high.

Fierce Kingdom is about a mom, Joan, her son, Lincoln, and their “eventful” afternoon/evening at the local zoo. A place they come pretty regularly, Joan enjoys the peace and quiet of the zoo, especially right before closing time at 5:30pm. She will pick up Lincoln from school and ask where he wants to go that afternoon, and the zoo is one of those options. On this day, they are hanging out towards the back of the park, enjoying playtime, but as they make their way to the exit Joan sees something that makes her sprint back into the zoo, hiding for their lives.

***

My sister recommended this book to me, not only because it’s a quick read, but because of how short a time span the entire book occurs. I believe it all happens over the course 3-4 hours! A lot of times, especially in thrillers, there is a lot of character build up and time that passes before the crazy action/drama occurs, and then everything happens really fast at the end! This book takes off sprinting and doesn’t stop until it’s over. You dive right into the action with no build up, which is very unique!

I am giving Fierce Kingdom 3 out of 5 Stars because before I started it I already had an idea of what causes them to run back into the zoo, and I was hoping to be proved wrong, but I was right. So right away I didn’t really feel like there was that “surprise” element I love to have in a thriller/action-packed novel. There were certain literary and narrative decisions I didn’t expect, but I wasn’t really in love with those, either. I kept expecting there to be a big twist at the end, but it also ended roughly how I anticipated, too.

However, all that to say, if you haven’t read a lot of thriller/action/suspense novels, this would be a GREAT option for you! I think the reasons I rated it so low are because I have read SOO many of this type of genre that my standards are pretty high. It is an entertaining read, and written very well, but to me it didn’t offer anything new.

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Fiction

How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why!

This was my May 2019 Book of the Month choice, and for some reason was drawn to it over some others that also caught my attention. It seemed like the good premise to a romantic/dark comedy laced with more serious undertones/themes. It reminded me of a book I reviewed and read last summer called Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which also was a great novel, so I decided to give it a chance!

How Not to Die Alone follows the life of a man named Andrew whose job is to go into the homes of people who have died alone, searching if they have any next of kin that need to be contacted about the deceased and plan funeral arrangements. Sounds pretty dreadful right? Luckily Andrew has learned to separate himself from his work, but in doing so as allowed himself to build a wall between him and those around him.

One day, a new girl named Peggy gets hired in his office who begins to shadow him on these house calls. Feelings begin to arise and Peggy starts to knock down that wall Andrew has put up over the years; however, there is one issue. Andrew has a wife and two children…or so the people at his office have been told.

***

This book sounded SO funny to me even though it does deal with some darker themes. The whole premise that he likes this girl, is actually single, and could go after her, but he has been telling this lie to his co-workers for the past 5 years that he has an entire family that he goes home to every night, so it would look like he was cheated on his wife, even though he wouldn’t be! So clever, so smart, and also so sad. The fact that Andrew had to create this “fake” family in the first place really reveals the depth of loneliness and fear of intimacy he has.

I am giving How Not to Die Alone 4 out of 5 Stars because it really captured my attention, was very well written, and was able to tackle some hard topics in a light-hearted way. Roper’s character development also felt very real. The struggles they go through are very relatable and you begin to wonder how Andrew is going to dig himself out of this mess he has created. Does he tell Peggy the truth? Does he shy away and stick with the comfort zone of his lies? The ending felt very conclusive and hopeful, which is always nice to have. 🙂

I really really like this book. If you are wanting to branch out, or have read Eleanor Oliphant as well, check out How Not to Die Alone, which just came out May 28th, 2019!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary/Romance

Lost and Wanted by Nell Freudenberger

 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why!

This was my April 2019 Book of the Month choice and I was drawn to it because it said it was a hard read, very intellectual, and might not be for everyone. So I decided to give it a go!

Lost and Wanted is about physics professor named Helen Clapp who begins to hear from her college roommate, Charlie, after losing touch a few years prior. But here’s the catch: Charlie just passed away. Over the course of a few months, Helen is thrown back into Charlie’s world and realizes just how important their friendship meant to both of them, allowing Helen to reflect on her own life.

DISCLAIMER: THIS NOVEL IS NOT ABOUT GHOSTS OR TIME TRAVEL

***

I was really intrigued by this book when it was an April selection. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was getting myself into, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It stretched me, made me think, and took me out of my comfort zone.

I have not read a novel by Freudenberger before, but she did an excellent job with character development, plot, and all the “science talk” that occurs. This book is packed with intellectual topics (mostly related to physics since that is Helen’s job), which was so interesting and challenging for me to read. I love reading a novel where not just my emotions are engaged, but my brain is, too!

I am giving Lost and Wanted 5 out of 5 Stars because of the way she handled this topic of loss, the relationships between the characters, Helen’s character development, the way it took me out of my comfort zone, and the little twists along the way that reveal just how Helen has been receiving texts, calls, and emails from her deceased friend. There were moments that were a little slow at times, but I think moments like that can sometimes be necessary to the story and they fit within the flow/feel of the novel.

If you really want to branch out and are up for the challenge, check out Lost and Wanted!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary

The Magician’s Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia, Publication Order #6) by C.S. Lewis

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why!

I HAVE FINALLY GIVEN A NARNIA BOOK 5 STARS!

The Magician’s Nephew takes place in London following a young boy named Digory and his friend, Polly, who decide to do some “adventuring” in the roofs/attics of the houses in their neighborhood. (Now, I’m not from London, but how it is described is that the houses are connected and there is a possibility of actually traveling from one house to the next through secret passageways in the attics). One day, they stumble into the attic where Digory’s uncle has his secret office, where he is not allowed to go. Expecting to get in trouble for disturbing his uncle, Digory doesn’t know what to do; however, Digory’s uncle has a proposition for the children, asking them for a favor. Next thing they know, Digory and Polly are whisked away to a world unlike any other and find themselves on an adventure they never could’ve dreamed of!

***

I was SO happy to actually be able to give this book 5 stars! I wasn’t sure what to expect since the Pevensie children or other characters I have come to know, were not in the story, but I loved it. Essentially, C.S. Lewis tells the Creation story using these magic rings that can transport you to different worlds, introduces a “devil” character, and sets up the beginning on Narnia/how it came to be.

This book felt so clever and ingenious to me. The way Lewis crafts the story, the characters, and how everything falls into place allowed me to dive in and read it very quickly!! This was the first (or maybe second?) of the Narnia books that I really felt invested in and wanted to keep reading instead of feeling like it was a chore to get through, and they’re not even that long!

THANK THE LORD FOR THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW!

I know in some of the box sets, this book is actually the first one they want you to read since it is the first chronologically, but I am glad I read it later! I was able to pick up on some allusions to certain characters or events that occur in the series, which I don’t think I would’ve noticed or known to have looked for if I read this book at the beginning.

I am hopeful that the last book in the series, The Last Battle, is able to tie up the series well and I can also give it 5 stars, but we will see! 🙂

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

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

The Horse and His Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia, Publication Order #5) by C.S. Lewis

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

Okay, I know this series is taking me forever, but I am trudging through!

The Horse and His Boy occurs during the reign of the Pevensie children, but takes place a long ways away from Narnia. In the land of Calormen in a little village on the sea, we meet Shasta, the son of a fishermen. Throughout a course of events, Shasta finds himself in the midst of a Tarkheena girl named Aravis, two talking horses, Bree and Hwin, and on his way to Narnia to escape the lives they have all left behind.

***

I actually read this book in like two or three chunks. I thought I would be able to pump out two Narnia books this month, but when I started this book at the beginning of April, I didn’t pick it back up until the end, just in time to finish before May began!

I didn’t mind this one, honestly, but I felt like 4 Stars was still a bit too high. I thought it was fun to get to know new characters, the overall plot was pretty easy to get into, and the ending was interesting to read, too; however, it just didn’t get me excited! There were a few pages/moments with Aslan scattered throughout the story that I thought were beautiful and stood out to me a lot, which was nice to have, instead of all of the Aslan “touchy-feely” stuff at the end.

I am giving this book 3 Stars out of 5 because of the statements made above. Was it a nice read? Yes. Were there moments I enjoyed? Yes. Was I captivated/excited by it? Not really. Only two more books to go in the series! I am still hopeful I will have a positive overall view of The Chronicles of Narnia, and that these last two will blow me away!

If you’ve read the Narnia series before, whether its been a long time or recently, OR if you’re like me and have heard good things, but never read them, now is your chance!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

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

Keep Your Love On: Connection, Communication, and Boundaries by Danny Silk

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why!

This is actually my second time reading this book, and I loved it just as much this time as the first. I read this during my first year of ministry school and after I finished it, I’m pretty sure I recommend it to almost everyone I know! It’s a great read for people in relationship, which is EVERYONE! (not just for marriage/dating relationships, but friends, family, co-workers, etc.)

Keep Your Love On is broken down into three sections: connection, communication, and boundaries, with each chapter and section building upon each other. Keeping our love “on” can be challenging, but if we want healthy relationship with those around us, it is a non-negotiable. Applying biblical values with years of counseling experience – and some funny yet poignant stories along the way – Danny Silk breaks down how to grow into a powerful person that is able to draw healthy boundaries, communicate in love, and protect connection, allowing you to be able to love against all odds.

***

I was able to read this book in a community group with couples around my age, which made it so fun! We were able to dialogue, have discussions about certain elements that stood out to us, bring up questions we had, seek advice from each other, and be held accountable in our attempts to keep our love “on.”

One of my favorite things about Danny Silk is his practicality. He has so much wisdom, but doesn’t just spout out all of his “step-by-step” answers. He combines stories, illustrations, and biblical elements to support practical steps we can take to implement these values into our lives and does so in such a relatable way! I found myself saying, “this reminds me of my relationship with _____!” or “I have totally done this before!” Sometimes all we need is someone else to articulate what we think/feel/believe because we might not know how to do so ourselves. (This is actually a point Silk brings up in one of his chapters!)

I’m giving this book 5 Stars out of 5 because of all of these factors. The reliability, practicality, the way everything builds upon itself, and the ease of the read all make Keep Your Love On one of my top recommended reads! This second read-through just confirmed it 🙂

Whether we realize it or not, we all can work on how we relate to ourselves and others. Pick up your copy today and next thing you know, you’ll be wanting to recommend it to everyone you know, too!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Christian/Nonfiction/Marriage/Self Help/Religion/Relationships

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why!

This book was recommended to me by a few people and I am very glad I read it! Unlike any other murder mystery novel I’ve ever read, Turton’s creative plot and conclusion was worth the pages (667 pages to be exact; but I did read the “large print” edition, compared to U.S. edition of 449 pages).

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is about (obviously) Evelyn Hardcastle’s death during a gathering at the Hardcastle’s estate called Blackheath. But there are rules at play. Evelyn will die at 11pm every night for eight days unless Aiden Bishop can identify her killer. Over the course of these eight days, Aiden inhabits eight witnesses to help him solve the murder, waking up as a new host each morning with each having their strengths and weaknesses in helping him find the killer. Once the killer is identified, Aiden will be able to escape this cycle; but until then, he will relive these eight days over and over again. And Evelyn will continue to die.

***

Just from the premise of this storyline, I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to step into this world and see what Turton had in store with these eight hosts and all that would be uncovered. The length of the novel did get to me at times and there were moments that were very slow and seemed unimportant; however, it is important to experience the day thoroughly as each host because you never know what little detail will help solve the case. The book starts off not in way you would not expect, but the “rules” are revealed fairly early on so you can read the rest of the novel with those in mind.

I am giving this book 5 Stars out of 5 because of its ingenuity and the way Turton crafted the plot with its overlapping/interconnecting moments. It was somewhat of a hard read for me to get through just because it was pretty long and I’ve not had a lot of time to read recently, but I don’t want to mark the book down for that. There is a moment that answers the question of why this is all happening that really took me by surprise, and from that point onward, I couldn’t put it down. I think I pumped out almost 200 pages that day to finish it!

If you are just as intrigued as I was just from this premise alone, don’t hesitate to get a copy for yourself and dive into the world of Blackheath, Evelyn Hardcastle, and Aiden Bishop.

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Fantasy/Fiction

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

I bought this book last summer and at the time thought I would begin it right away, but for some reason kept putting it off. I finally got around to it, and I got to say, I’m either just getting really tired of thrillers (am not surprised by them as much anymore) or this book wasn’t worth the wait.

Sometimes I Lie is about Amber Reynolds, who alternates between her present situation of being in a coma, only being able to take in her surroundings through sound, and a few days leading up to her accident. She doesn’t remember what happened to her, how she ended up in the hospital, or if anyone she is close to was involved.

“My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:

1. I’m in a coma.
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore.
3. Sometimes I lie.”

***

All in all, this story does have some nice little twists and turns throughout and the introduction of some childhood diary entries also muddles the waters, but I’m going to be honest. When I was looking back at the books I had read this month, I COMPLETELY forgot about this book. It has been a busy month for me, and my memory isn’t the best, but I think that just goes to show the kind of impact it had on me.

I am giving this book 3 Stars out of 5 for a few reasons.

1. I forgot I even read it.
2. The twists were good for the most part and there were some captivating moments, so it wasn’t a terrible read.
3. The ending was very unsatisfying.

I could probably go into more details, but I’ll just leave it at that. An interesting premise with some interesting elements, but not a thriller that would be on the top of my “Recommended List.”

However, if you’re open to it and think it sounds good to you, don’t let my thoughts hold you back! Dive in for yourself and let me know your thoughts! 🙂

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Fiction

The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

This is one of the many reasons I love Book of the Month: they help me read things that I wouldn’t normally pick up or are out of my “comfort zone.” When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was very intrigued! However, I feel like one vital part of information was left out for me to go into the story with the right state of mind: this novel is based on actual people and actual events.

The Age of Light is set in Paris 1929 and tells the story of Vogue model, Lee Miller, and her journeyl from being in front of the camera to behind it. Studying under the renown photographer, Man Ray, Lee gets an opportunity to experiment, explore, and develop her own photography style, and gets a little extra “one-on-one” time if you know what I mean 😉 (wink wink)

Told in a semi-chronological way, with flashes of Lee’s life during WWII as a photographer/journalist, The Age of Light combines historical non-fiction, romance, and some fictional moments to try and capture the life of this artist.

***

Like I stated earlier, I had NO clue this was based on an actual person with actual events and actual photos! I literally took it at face value and it wasn’t until AFTER I had finished the novel that I Googled these characters and their photography techniques. So in a way, I feel like my rating and view of the book is skewed since I rated it as a piece of historical fiction. However, there are some elements that I liked and did not like about the storytelling itself, so in a way, I think there’s still some relevance here.

First off, I really enjoyed how the book starts. We pick up the novel when Lee is much older, semi-retired from her career, and is hosting a dinner party. It is through this lens that the story of her life in Paris gets told as one big long flashback; but instead of flashing back forward to the dinner party/the timeline we first meet Lee, the flash-forwards are to her documenting the war. The only time we get to see the older Lee from the beginning is at the very end. I’m okay with overlapping and non-chronological storytelling, but I thought the book was going to go a different direction based on the way she set up the novel, and this just felt a little weird to me.

I am giving this book 3 Stars out of 5 not just for the way the story was told, but because there were a few moments I felt like nothing was really happening, making the book drag a bit. There were a lot of different bohemian parties they went to, or sections of dialogue that didn’t feel necessary, which made the book move slower at times. Overall, though, I didn’t hate it either. I thought there were some really great moments. I enjoyed the latter half of the book a lot and getting to know Lee Miller as a character – well, I guess as a person – too.

If you’re wanting an interesting read that will take you somewhere you probably never thought you would go, or if you are already a lover of Lee Miller or May Ray, then The Age of Light is for you!

HAPPY READING 🙂

 

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fiction/Romance