Startling the Day

The London House by Katherine Reay, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 10:01:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The London House by Katherine Reay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this because you're an intelligent (probably) woman who seeks to enrich her life through good stories, good characters, and Truth. It's a story of reconciliation, hope, mercy, rebuking long-held survivor guilt, and openness to learning that we don't always know the whole story and we can't always see the whole picture.

Put this at the top of your TBR pile. This author knows how to get you involved in the character's hearts and minds while telling a good story and keeping you invested in the plot. I've read everything she's published and I practically have an alarm set for when she might soon publish a new one.

Micro-Summary:
After a tantalizing sneak peek into a mysterious scene in occupied Paris, we jump forward to modern day America. We first meet Caroline who comes from a family marinating in sadness, shattered by an embarrassing secret that was buried during World War II and a somewhat recent tragic death. Even more than 75 years later the assumed Truth still seems to rot under the surface.

The story gives us the perspective in the 21st century as well as point of views from the 1930s and 1940s. I personally love the switching back and forth of those different eras, it's one of my favorite trends and literature right now.

Why it's great:
Clearly an immense amount of research was done. I have at least a dozen notes in my Kindle encouraging me to look up a different Schiaparelli dresses and events reported in the book. I remember seeing an Instagram post where she got to go to London just weeks before the pandemic shut down began to do research for this book. Yes, that is when I decided I was going to keep checking to see when it became available!

There's an element of this book that only struck me a few weeks after finishing the book that is quite niche and important in this era of our culture where masculinity and femininity seem to be at odds. The male characters embody masculinity in the truest sense of the word (positive and negative) and the female characters live all the best (and the worst manifestations of) characteristics of femininity. In the end, they show the strengths of how we are created. We see how one can use gifts given to us to help others rather than focusing so much on gaining power and recognition.

Something I have read the author share is that many of her novels grow out of different specific C.S. Lewis books. I'm not positive which one this is, but she does mention a talk he gave on the BBC called, "Right and Wrong -- A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe." That title gives you a peek into the lessons you might learn from this book. I don't consider this chick-lit. There is intelligent philosophy weaved throughout.

I received a digital advance copy of this book. All words and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 10:39:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art. Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old by Elizabeth Goudge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though I'm unfamiliar with some of these writers, I'm delighted to get to know them in this book! There is something so cozy about a book of short stories, especially with themes of Christmas and the values that traditionally come with them.

This is a book for old souls or for those who hope to develop the old souls in your own children. Most of the stories aren't explicitly focused on Christ's birth, but they're stories with Truth as their guide.

I'm still working my way through the stories, seeing as I'm writing this in August, slowly approaching them like a wise ten year old who takes his or her time to eat the Christmas candy. I can't wait to make some of these stories part of our tradition.

I received a digital advance copy of this book. All words and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

St. Dymphna's Playbook, by Tommy Tighe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 10:04:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art. St. Dymphna’s Playbook: A Catholic Guide to Finding Mental and Emotional Well-Being by Tommy Tighe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Often we feel steeped in fear, loneliness, feelings of exile, depression, or other mental illness from the evil one. It's not a romantic poem in a few short stanzas when it's a part of your daily life. This book is exactly what it sounds like: a playbook. Instructions for finding your way for a myriad of illnesses plaguing you or your loved ones.

I liken the book to a faithful complement to the DSM. Rather than cold descriptions, you have occasional anecdotes and real, spiritually practical solutions. The solutions are rooted in faith, prayer, scripture, and hope. Mental illness is real and it can feel like a dark room into which you've been dropped. But through the Church and scripture God reminds us our feelings aren't reliable.

If you or someone you love are struggling with anything related to mental illness (depression, anhedonia, irritability, fatigue, hopelessness, anxiety, self-consciousness, OCD, scrupulosity, trauma, relationship struggles of all kinds, grief, and more), pick up this book as a guideline to lead you out of the darkness and a way to figure out how to turn on the light.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

View all my reviews

The vestments are rose colored, no longer the glasses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:19:00 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

We've reached the halfway point of Lent 2021 and in my own Linton tradition, I have finally come to the place of preparation to begin Lent.

Yesterday's rose-colored vestments marked the middle of our Lenten journey and after trying and trying and trying during Lent this year, I have finally made some headway in my spiritual journey and I almost wish that Lent was twice as long. I still have the endurance to build and the efforts to make in order to see the the fruits by the end.

Disclaimer: Lent is not a diet! And perhaps for the first time I am finally not treating it like a diet, though my spiritual woes tend to be in the food world.

I have an addictive personality, though I keep it pretty tame on the outside with as many efforts as I can. However, over the years I have been engaged in what I'll call a binge eating disorder and then binge learning and then a binge dieting. I finally come to conclusion that I should have been asking God for help this entire time instead of trying to do it all by myself. He has a vested interest in me succeeding over my food addictions as they are in obstacle for me to Him.

It is hard to find a Catholic book that addresses this and I think it's because Protestants cherry pick scripture verses to apply to their lives. Maybe that's not fair. But I want to make sure I maintain a Catholic perspective which includes the fact that Jesus himself gave himself as food for us. Therefore food is such a glorious gift from God.

I've been reading a couple of books that have been helping me and they're all written by Protestants, so I have to make sure I'm praying about the truth as I read them. I feel good about recommending Dr Michael Brown's Breaking the Stronghold of Food.

With the one exception of a time when his wife Nancy refers to Jesus' Last Supper and His final words of "it is finished," (oh how I wish I could send them a few Scott Hahn books), the rest is applicable to our lives as future saints. The major lesson that I've learned from it is that God is more powerful than any of my obsessive food thoughts and he wants me to be free of them.

Island living: how your decisions are not independent of others

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 18:55:00 +0000

A guy I worked with as a teenage lifeguard once told me his philosophy for red lights. I was yet to earn my learner's permit, so I was all ears.

"If the person in front of me goes through the yellow or red light, then I'm going through the yellow or red light."

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Even as a green fifteen-year-old, this logic made no sense to me. If everyone else in the platoon (marrying a civil engineer affords me new roadway vocabulary) follow that same protocol, no one would ever stop. There would be a perpetual line of cars going through until a gap was created.

Your decisions are not your personal decisions.

Most of the time. You don't make decisions independent of every other person. All of your decisions affect other people. Especially if you're a Trinitarian-ish-ly baptized Christian who is given the titles Priest, Prophet and King. We're called to do our best.

Our feelings about what we want do not justify decisions that hurt others.

Yes, there is always mercy, especially when we ask for it with our open hearts.

Thank God, but let's remember that these traffic signals are there to guide us (not KILL ALL FUN IN ALL OF THE WORLD AND KEEP A MAN DOWN).

What's your yellow/red light philosophy?

This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The 21: A Journey Into the Land of Coptic Martyrs, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 11:45:00 +0000

The 21: A Journey Into the Land of Coptic Martyrs by Martin Mosebach
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Firstly, read this book to gain insight from a man seeking Truth about 21 men who showed such devotion to Jesus that they died speaking to Him at the hands of their murderers. Secondly, read this book because you'll learn more about the Coptic religious men and women in Egypt and the potential for terror that their faith steeps in on a daily basis. Thirdly, read this because it will change you from within and make you see that we, too, need to embrace the courage that God calls us to live.

I cannot believe this book was translated from German in to English. That fact, merged with the gorgeous prose of a nonfiction text, earned the five stars.

However, beyond the technical beauty of the book, there is the journey of a man in awe of the faith of other men. The book teaches while also preaching. It is a testament to what we were called to be: firstly: disciples, secondly: prophets, and thirdly: teachers. The author manages to show, not tell, that order of our faith. He does so through his journey researching the example of these men who lived, that.

Highly recommended.

I received this book for free from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The Complete Food Substitutions Handbook, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:43:00 +0000

The Complete Food Substitutions Handbook: Including Options for Low-Sugar, Low-Fat, Low-Salt, Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, and Vegan by Jean B. MacLeod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You might need this on your shelf.

When cooking, either under time constraints that leave no room for another trip to the store, or with diet requirements, figuring out substitutions for items in a recipe can halt the process. You can go to Google or Pinterest, but we all know that leads you down a zero world problem rabbit hope of distraction and doubt whether or not to believe some food blogger.

This author has done her research (see multiple page bibliography) and provides multiple, measured substitutions for hundreds of food items. The book is simple: alphabetical order of ingredients with volumes of substitutions for those items. You'll read the names of foods you never knew existed.

The text doesn't identify which substitutions provide the vegan, low sugar, dairy free, etc option. One needs to know which of the substitutions from the list fulfills one's requirements.

Simple, but possibly an invaluable kitchen resource.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

It All Comes Back to You, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:42:00 +0000

It All Comes Back to You by Beth Duke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This will be your next book club read, you'll learn from it, and you might get in an argument with your friends about perception of some of the plot elements. A cordial, "Bless your heart" insult kind of Southern tiff. But then everyone with sip some wine and laugh it off.

I donated sleep to this book and it was totally warranted. I crave books that challenge me, contain deep and meaningful themes and color authentic and rich characters. This book has all of those attributes in addition to being delightfully readable.

As a writer myself, I was hesitant to read a book that followed a writer in her prices of novel creation. Please don't let that stop you. This book has inspired me to finish my own book and to keep going after that!

(view spoiler)

These characters have real flaws and no one comes out shining brilliantly. However, don't we all need that reminder? Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book and exchange for a fair review.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Love Big, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 10:37:00 +0000

Love Big by Kat Kronenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have yet to read Kat Kronenberg's first book, Dream Big, but I am glad that she recognized the need to remain a moral, kind person in the pursuit of dreams. Children need to learn that from day one, otherwise their pursuit of their dreams is all about them and they lose sight of others' needs.

The book is filled with gorgeous, engaging illustrations paired with current, colloquial normal speech. I appreciate that a character exists in the book who sets the example for how to be kind even when someone treats you poorly, rather than a typical children's book wherein the adult figure brings the wisdom down on the kids.

I can see this book working well in a classroom, in homeschool, or just as bedtime reading for all preschool and elementary aged kids. It takes courage to be kind in the face of adversity and we need more courageous people in this world.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

A Flicker of Hope, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 10:36:00 +0000

A Flicker of Hope by Julia Cook
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was written with obvious intent to be a read aloud book (teacher / adult reads to a group of kids) for kids aged 9 or 10 to mid-teen. It has great intention to help kids who feel like no one understands their sadness or whatever other emotion they're weighed under.

Unfortunately, there is so much telling and so little showing in this book, I don't know how it can actually reach the kids it's trying to reach. I can't imagine a too-cool-for-school group of kids from ages 10 to 14 who would actually humor a teacher trying to read this book. The language is geared for kids in lower elementary, but the problems and stresses (grades, job prospects, etc) are age appropriate for older students.

I was the perfect audience for this book when I was between 9 and mid-teen. I wanted approval from my teachers and I wanted to respect them, even if I thought something like this was cheesy. Therefore, I would quietly listen and try to learn from it what I could. However, while this book makes a good point of telling students to seek help from others, it does so in such a cheesy way that even goodie-two-shoes me wouldn't have grown in my understanding after listening to it.

The tips for parents and educators in the back of the book is gold. Perhaps that should be attached to a book more suited for younger kids so that parents and educators can help prevent flickering lights. I want kids who face struggle to have an outlet. I'm afraid this book isn't it.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Lightning Struck, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:30:00 +0000

Lightning Struck by Nichole Van
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Our souls are responsible for our hearts in this book, alive or kinda-alive alike.

I must admit that I read this one because I didn't want to skip it before reading the one about Tennyson... the one I am positively thrilled to read. I just wasn't that interested in Chiara's story because, frankly, I'm not a bird-like, tiny woman and I suppose I resent reading about someone who is. That judgement is one of the things made apparent to me in reading this book, so well done, you, Mrs. Van, for helping me see my prejudice!

As always in reading a book by this author, I was pulled in almost immediately by likable voice and an intriguing premise. A non-ghost ghost has little hope of becoming alive again, to his chagrin primarily because of his burgeoning love for a wounded ("NO I'm not!" -Chiara) woman who uses 21st century sarcasm and emotional barriers to push people away.

(view spoiler)

I know I can rely on a book that calls me to read it at every spare moment when I pick up a book by Nichole Van. Even this, the book I read just to make it to the fourth in the series, stands out as a worthwhile dive into a wounded character.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Another Woman's Husband, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 08:49:00 +0000

Another Woman's Husband by Gill Paul
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

Certainly the royal family and loyalists to the crown easily focus on the connection between Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana, but even this anglophile neglected to think much about it. This novel, spectacularly written, makes a fictional connection between the two women in a unique as only Gill Paul does.

The point of view switches back and forth between Mary, a dear and life-long friend of Wallis Simpson, and Rachel, a woman who was physically at the scene of Diana's ill fate in that Parisian tunnel. We gradually gain access to the vulnerabilities of all women (as well as the men, but they're certainly not the focus) involved in this web of insecurity.

It's such a pleasure to read another book by this author because I know I can rely on a character driven story that shows rather than tells. Her language is perfectly lush and descriptive, but only in ways that add to the reader's understanding of the plot and characters.

As I always hope to do (and occasionally achieve) when I pick up a book, I learned about life from this book. (view spoiler)

What a pleasure to read. I'm thrilled to have found this author after she's already produced so many books I can buy and read!

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Whisper Falls, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:22:00 +0000

Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wholesome, intriguing YA

What if a simple portal to the same spot, two hundred years different, opened up near your respite hang out?

This was my first young adult book in years and it was delightful. I was on the lookout for character development, historical accuracy, learning about the human condition, and authenticity of teenage mindsets. I found all to be well cared for and well done.

Both characters matured in playing ways, while maintaining flaws. The villain was disgusting, but the reader gets some believable insight into his reason for invoking what little power he had on his victims.

Historical descriptions felt real and lived in. Conversely, the narration of 21st century items and weighs through the point of view of a nineteenth-century pair of eyes was equally authentic.

one of my number one pet peeves is when an author holds your hand to try to explain things the entire time rather than showing. This author was a breath of fresh air, showing and not telling for the majority of the novel. I also appreciated how wholesome it was without being Christian fiction. Christian fiction hold the wholesome in front of your face the whole time smacking you with it every once in awhile. This book allowed the characters to be attracted to each other, but become friends before anything else. It happened the way we all wish it would, without over sexualizing seventeen year olds nor being naive.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The Forgotten Secret, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:21:00 +0000

The Forgotten Secret: A heartbreaking and gripping historical novel for fans of Kate Morton by Kathleen McGurl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I picked this book because I love historical fiction, my father-in-law is (directly) from Ireland, and the description seemed intriguing. In the end, the book paid me back with intrigue and an interesting story, but it took a while to get there.

One of my pet peeves when reading is when the prose *tells* rather than *shows* and I'm sorry to say that was a frequent distraction in my mind while reading this book. It had a compelling enough story, but the characters felt flat until about halfway through the book. Rather than seeing that as character development, I felt like I just wasn't privy to the personalities of the characters. They were too busy *telling* me things about themselves and their lives.

(view spoiler)

Overall, the fact that I felt I was being told so much instead of being able to uncover emotions, motivations, and metaphors on my own was frustrating enough to overtake the intrigue of the story. I did cry in pain at times and finally connected with both characters in the last 25% of the book, so that's lovely.

Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The Glass Castle, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 12:20:00 +0000

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oy. That was a recurring thought throughout this book.

What a raw story. I felt drawn to judging Jeannette's parents for their selfishness. It seemed their philosophy was that life was about them and that their kids were part of the obstacles, yet they also wanted to entertain their kids along the way. Every judgement I made of them helped me draw closer to my ah-ha moment: don't we all treat our lives a little like that?

Their selfishness was over-the-top, but it certainly helped shape Ms. Walls to be the person she became. There are redeeming qualities of these parents I judged so harshly, bringing about the reality of our similarities as humans.

Somehow, Ms. Walls managed to preserve the childlike innocence and rose-colored glasses view of her parents in the early years. It was an adventure for her in the first 8 years of her life. Gradually, the voice comes to grips with the reality.

Parts of this absolutely broke my heart. I sought the redeeming glimmers throughout it.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Love's Shadow, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:19:00 +0000

Love's Shadow by Nichole Van
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think Branwell is a more believable character than Dante (the main brother character in the first book) and therefore I'm head-over-heels for him. Swoon.

Rather than soul/reincarnation time traveling, as in the first novel in the series, this book centers around a family mystery and a bit of heartbreaking family drama. The characters felt real and as if they were based on people the author knows, a major draw for me whenever I read and judge a book.

(view spoiler)

Overall, I don't want this series to end. The author writes in a compelling way and has built a world well. I also love the richness of the characters, even if they are built in order to fall in love on the page.

Additionally, I have a growing hunger to visit Italy again. Ay.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Gladly Beyond, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:19:00 +0000

Gladly Beyond by Nichole Van
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 - I had no idea how much I enjoyed paranormal themes in a book that tickled the romantic emotions. For those who try to stay away from sexualized and sweaty bedroom scenes in your literature, this book is clean. I wouldn't give it to a teen because she might start thinking all interactions with men will be destiny like the characters in this book. However, I thought the writing was gripping, the story-line was entertaining, and the supernatural elements were intriguing.

The characters are pretty well fleshed out, but I would like to know how Dante turned out to be so perfect. I guess that's what we think we're looking for, or that he's perfect for Claire and so his flaws fall away?

Ho adorato the art, Florence, and Italian elements. They were so rich and so obviously from first hand knowledge. Art lovers and lovers of that warm Italian glow will swoon over these pages.

I only suspected the ending a few pages before it happened and I love it when an author manages that. I've already started reading number two because I kind of fell in love with Branwell a little....

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Memory-Making Mom, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:18:00 +0000

Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Basically, this is a Protestant's introduction into living liturgically. Yay for respect for tradition! It is imperative. Those Golden Nugget memories lock in the love and learning in one's childhood.

Sprinkled with personal anecdotes between the activity suggestions, the book makes it fathomable to integrate tradition in frequent succession. The author states that she wants this to be a real mom book, that the activities are suggestions, not a list of must-do items. It is a Christian book with multiple scriptural references. though the Kindle versions needs improvement, I'm sure the culture will fix the little bugs. I am giving it four stars because I am hoping that a book like this will inspire moms to use the liturgical calendar to teach kids about their faith in a fun way. Hopefully it will be deeper than simply a series of crafts.

There are many other resources you can use to go even deeper, including remembering wonderful people who have gone before us, the saints, and celebrating their feast days, as well.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

By the Book, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:17:00 +0000

By the Book by Julia Sonneborn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Too many people are under the impression that the lack of sex in Austen novels needs to be amended. "Strong women need more sex than the weaklings of the early 19th century." Do we not wonder if part of what makes our culture so much more abhorrent and less authentic might have something to do with strength of character rather than thinking that sex is simply a more complicated version of a handshake?

(view spoiler)

I realize that I'm comparing a contemporary book to one of high literary note, but this is really more a commentary on how this book does nothing for our culture, yet it presumes to emulate one that did.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The Secret Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:16:00 +0000

The Secret Wife by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Plot and interest: excellent. It got me. Historically believable: yes, I love imagining this! Narration switching: well-executed and well-weaved. Historical love story narration: eh.

(view spoiler)

Overall, I read it quickly because everything followed so well. I enjoyed the writing (minus Dmitri's love soliloquies) and I look forward to reading another.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Paper Wife: A Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 12:14:00 +0000

Paper Wife: A Novel by Laila Ibrahim
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Immigration is certainly a timely topic in the United States at the moment. This book was a peek into immigration from the perspective of a Chinese woman in the 1920s, during another time of immigration law changes. It's less about the political influences and more about the story of a woman learning how to live in her given situation and with her inner dragon.

Things I appreciated about this book are the author's prose, the respect for marriage (even in a situation that today's modern woman wouldn't idealize), the love for children, and the perspective of an immigrant who pushes through hardship. I was so delighted by the character of the husband; what a good man. And the main character (who has to juggle several identities, part of the intrigue) was easy to like and follow.

The beginning of the story grabbed me immediately. That was a great pleasure! At times, there was a lot of repetition in the story line and conversation. Parts could have moved faster, or focused more on character development during those slower times. Overall, I feel as if I learned from a solid slice of life of an immigrant Chinese woman from this era. It's clear a lot of research went into this without overwhelming the story too much. I will definitely read another from this author!

NetGalley and the publisher granted me this as a free eBook before publication in exchange for a fair review.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Mr. Dickens and His Carol, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:00:00 +0000

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This would be a good book club book around Christmas time. It's a cute fictional exploration of the process of writing for and the backstory of one of the English canon's most loved authors. I liked getting to know Charles Dickens as a person, rather than a writing robot, like I might accidentally see him.

I didn't like one of his emotional choices... but that's part of the character, not a criticism of the story or writing of the novel.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield, book review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 00:13:00 +0000

The Very Principled Maggie Mayfield by Kathy Cooperman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Intelligent chick-lit: something I haven't seen in a while! *Note: sexual scenes, be warned*

I haven't typically picked chick-lit books lately because they seem pretty shallow and easy to predict. This novel has thicker, deeper characters and a more intelligent voice than any of this genre that I've read in a long while. It was a funny read without being that exhausting sort that tries to make an obscure reference every ten words. This is just how the character thinks and it happens to be funny.

If you're a teacher, former teacher, or in education, this is a funny read for you. The author clearly consulted with many in the education world and hit the tone of the teacher/admin's rosy perspective almost perfectly. I am an ELL teacher, so I'm all around the school all day. Many of the details were spot on.... but she idealized it a little bit. Not enough complaining and venting from the teaching staff and admins ;-)

(view spoiler)

View all my reviews
This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.

Justify Protestant teaching for me real quick, m'kay?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 18:03:00 +0000

I just wrote this email to one of my favorite podcasts, one by a Protestant married couple that revolves around marriage and family life. I figured I'd just post it here in case someone wants to respond:

Hello!
I've been listening to your podcasts for several months and I look forward to them every week! I value how conversational it is and how you clearly both make the effort to show love to each other regularly. Additionally, I'm very impressed at how well-organized and researched it is, especially considering your busy lives! Christ's role in marriage has a mouthpiece in your podcast, so thank you!

I was just listening to your latest podcast (on awful marriage advice) and for one of the first times I cringed at something you said. You were sharing how some women in the Nashville mom's group had said that the men needed to "take care" of their sexual needs themselves sometimes. I appreciated that you combated that by pointing out that a man who does so regularly will start to weaken the bond between him and his wife. I want to challenge you to go deeper than that.

Why do you think masturbation is so wrong? I believe it's because it's a lie, just like sex before marriage is a lie, and why artificial contraception is a lie. The sexual act, as you said, was created by God as a part of marriage. It must be free, total, faithful, and fruitful in order to avoid becoming a lie. If any of those elements are removed, it becomes a lie. If a spouse masturbates, he or she is seeking pleasure with the parts of their bodies that God designed to help men and women bond in marriage, grow in their intimacy, be in cahoots with our Lord in creation (if it's the right time of the month) and to communicate, "I give my whole self to you."

Christ's love was and is free, total, faithful and fruitful and He calls us to act that way in everything we do, as well. He withheld nothing on the cross and we are called to do the same for Him and His Church. Marriage is an essential part of that. (I know this is a training video for teachers of this curriculum for teens, but it's a good peek into the Church teaching)

Basically, I'm asking you to justify non-Catholic Christian sexual morality teaching. Hahaha no big deal. I write this with some apprehension because I want you to know how much I appreciate so much of what you share. I also want to *listen* to a non-Catholic Christian try to explain the deep theology.

Thank you!

Elizabeth