"Not So" Little Pilgrims Progress

Pilgrim's Progress has to be one of my favorite books of all times. I've read previous versions of this story and was excited to see how Helen Taylor would have made this story welcome for younger children. I have to say that she did not do too bad. My only statement I'd say with this is that it is a bit of an advanced book for most 8 year old children, which is what the book sates it is applicable for. I would more place this into the age range of 10-14, I think they would understand the concepts better as well as have more of an ability to read through the book in its entirety.

The story is not a modernized account but more a retelling to enable younger children to understand. I enjoyed this story and while there were areas that were glossed over, it had to be in order to present to the intended audience. In this regard, the author does well. I liked Little Pilgrims Progress and would definitely read it again, however, it will likely be awhile before my younger brother picks up the book, he'd just not be able to read the book through yet. 

I would suggest this to parents/family members that have enjoyed the telling of Pilgrims Progress and would like to share a fresh perspective with their children. It's a great way to do family devotional in the evening. I am giving it 4/5 for family friendliness.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Big House, Empty Promises

The Big House on Adams Street by Alberta Sparks was a book that I picked after seeing it had not had many reviews of yet. I wanted to give it a chance and the idea for the story sounded promising. The story is loosely about a man named Fritz and a group of individuals that start a house in pre- Civil War America, even this information is not fully described at first. For the first two chapters, not once is the information on the time period of the book shared. Sure, you can guess, however, it's not stated, which to me is a bit of a flaw.

I really tried to get into this book, but the story was very disjointed. It started so many stories and yet I felt it never gave adequate time to the characters that had already been introduced, resulting in an almost 'flat-character' state for a few of them. The story also ended on a very abrupt note, almost as if it was rushed and a bow/ribbon had to be tied around to ensure it was a happy ending.

I would like to say that I could recommend this for individuals to read, however the truth of the matter is, that while it is a brief read, it is also not something I can recommend for purchase. At the end of the day, within this genre, there are other books that can speak to a community being created without the piecemeal story given in the Big House on Adams Street. As a result I give this book 2/5 stars, for there were some anecdotes in the story I found enjoyable, however on the whole it was not a book I would read again or suggest.

I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

A Lighthouse in the Night

As a member of Tracy Higley's Caravan, I have eagerly been anticipating the release of this book for several months. One of my favorite genre's to read is Biblical Fiction, I love a story around a period of Biblical history, a way to give life to the accounts of the Bible, a way things could have happened. In So Shines the Night, we are transported back to Ephesus. However our story begins in Rhodes and an introduction to Daria, our heroine whose story hints at a sad past. Once we are introduced to Lucas, the story begins and both characters head back to his home in Ephesus, Daria having agreed to tutor Lucas.

Already the plot thickens and gets interesting. Female tutors back in 57AD were not common and yet it is that very reason that makes me so interested in Higley's story. I love unconventional stories where a commonly perceived 'underdog' can make a difference. Higley in all of her stories has a strong female lead and shows that women who are led by God can do many great things, that the stereotypes of society and culture do not hinder them.

Neither character knew God and both feared evil, yet it was to that very evil at first that both were drawn looking for vindication, healing, and love. The story continues on and at times gets a bit murky, but all the loose ends are tied at the books culmination. So Shines the Night is a story of searching for healing that only Jesus' light can bring. It's about forgiving and not pursuing vengeance, about learning that it's God's power and not your own that saves, and finally about understanding that only God can be someone's redeemer, only God can make someone listen.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the Biblical Fiction genre, you are sure to enjoy this story. I give this book 5/5 stars for a well-researched story that I found hard to put down.

I received this book for free from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Dystopian Tales



Asylum is just the sort of book I would typically pick up. Christian Sci-Fi is one of my favorite genres and as this seemed to be a start to a new dystopian Sci-Fi universe, I was intrigued. While overall I enjoyed the book, the beginning of the book almost deterred me from completing it, however as I was doing a review of the book I wanted to take the time to read it in its entirety.

The beginning of the book was hard to get into. I did not know who was who, or really why. I've always liked to have a bit of knowledge about what is going on, the circumstances, but in Asylum, we seem to be baptized by fire. I felt at first that there had to be a prequel of some sorts to it, but there was not one. Once I got into Asylum, I did enjoy the story, it's just the sort of narrative that I can picture myself continuing the series with. I like the obvious parallels in the story to our Christian experience and trusting God even in the face of adversity.

I will be reading more of the Circeae Tales as they are published. All in all for a good story, even with a rough execution, I give this book 3/5 stars. If you enjoy dystopian Christian Sci-Fi this is the book for you.

I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

A Clarion Call

When I sat down with Quiet, I expected great things. I had heard a few reviews, and looked forward to reading it. Quiet was everything that it was promised to be. Susan Cain created an incredible book that really helped me to better understand a facet of myself. For the longest time, every Myers Briggs Personality test I would take showed me as a very strong introvert and I knew that was where I got my comfort zone from. As I went through college and started in the working world, things started to change. In an effort to be accepted, I forced myself to start being more extroverted, or as I called myself, an extroverted introvert, or as Susan Cain calls it, an Omnivert. 

Quiet is a book that shows it's okay to be an introvert, it is okay to do be who you are comfortable being. It teaches how introverts and extroverts can relate. In short, Quiet is a Clarion call for understanding the unique strengths that being an introvert and being an extrovert can bring. It goes over the history and how the US has been focused on the 'Salesperson' mentality, and why that was important.

In short, Quiet should be read by individuals of all backgrounds, but especially for those who are in a position of leadership or who identify as being an introvert. All too often we fail to reach our potential because we are too afraid, or we see a 'glass ceiling' of sorts. It is okay to be quiet, it is okay to be shy, and those characteristics can bring a great strength. 

I am happy to give this book 5/5 stars for quality of information. This did not read like one of the normal 'dull' self-help/understanding books, instead it was gripping, innovative. I have already recommended this to my family and friends, and will certainly recommend it to more.

I received this book for free as part of a Blogging for Books program operated by WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.