Thursday, August 15, 2019

Quick lit



I'm linking up today with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share What I've Been Reading Lately...


This was a banner reading month for me, since lying around with a good summery novel was my top priority for how I wanted to spend my summer, and I've only pressed harder into that goal as the summer has drawn to a close.


Jeremiah

As in, the prophetic book in the Bible.  I finished reading through it earlier this month.


A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny




I did not realize this book takes place in the wintertime (in Quebec), or I might not have picked it up for my summer reading.  But although the mysterious death at the heart of it occurs in the middle of an ice rink, I still enjoyed being swept back into the little village of Three Pines and following master sleuth Gamache around again, having read the first in the series, Still Life, earlier this summer.


The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren




I might say that this one was my favorite on this list, if I wasn't embarrassed to admit it.  Total chick lit; a thoroughly romantic comedy that was actually funny [the bathroom scene almost made me laugh out loud]; but not as racy as some of Christina Lauren's other novels appear to be. 

A young man and woman who can't stand each other take their respective siblings' honeymoon trip when the real newlyweds are unable to go, dooming them to ten days together in paradise.  Unlike with a whodunit, the predictable ending only adds to the pleasure in reading this genre.  And bonus points because it reminded me so much of St. Lucia.


Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng




This one seems to follow the pattern of a lot of books I've been reading lately:  chapter one describes the climactic scene, and the beginning of the story starts in chapter two, working back up to the climax at the end, but by then you fully understand what's happening.  In this case, the climactic chapter one is a family's house burning down, started intentionally, apparently by the now-runaway teenage daughter.


Our Ancient Foe: Satan's History, Activity, and Ultimate Demise edited by Ronald L. Kohl




I've been working on this one for a while and I'm still only in chapter four.  (Probably because I spend my time reading [and rereading] things like The Unhoneymooners)

I'm reading it because I got it for free at a conference and it seems like an edifying thing to read.  But if I'm scrupulously honest, the most effect it's had on me so far is that I get "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" stuck in my head every time I see it sitting on my nightstand.


The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield




Another one I'm not thrilled about, but I'm reading it dutifully because we're doing a church-wide reading and discussion of it.  At least it's more readable than the rather scholarly Ancient Foe.

I'm trying to be open-minded and glean good things from Rosaria's tome on Christian hospitality.  And to be fair, maybe no one could write a book on anything and not come across as a know-it-all who's always perfect at whatever they're describing.  Honestly too, I think Rosaria's status as a celebrity darling of evangelicalism rubs me the wrong way too.  I'm so pleased at her faith, I'm encouraged that the gospel reached her in a spiritually dark place... but do I have to listen to everything she says? 

Obviously I have some sin issues of my own that are clouding my objectivism.  Hospitality isn't my favorite of the spiritual fruits; I'm too in love with the spiritual fruit of everyone-leave-me-alone-now.

I wonder why my pastors thought that people like me would benefit from reading this book?


Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan




This was a fun book.  I haven't seen the movie, which I imagine is probably fun.  None of the characters were particularly likable, though, including the hero, Nick, who was culpably clueless.  A lot of it dragged because it was such a litany of couture designer details that I neither know nor care about.  They're crazy rich.  I get it.  The glitz is probably more fun onscreen than reading it like a fashion column.


Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty




This is the one I'm not embarrassed to admit it's one of my favorites of the month (in the top two, at least...).  I have loved everything I've read by Liane Moriarty: Big Little Lies (so fun!), The Husband's Secret (although it's sad), and my personal favorite, What Alice ForgotTruly was right up there with the others. 

The chapters alternate between describing "The Day of the Barbecue" and each of the characters two months after The Barbecue, at which some horror transpired that has altered each person who attended, every one of whom wishes they had never gone.  What happened at the barbecue??  That's the driving force that kept me turning pages into the night.


The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand




I gave Elin Hilderbrand another chance after considering A Summer Affair a solid "meh."  I liked this much better. 

Unlike A Summer Affair, which is a pretty straightforward, frustrating, predictable, and somewhat sordid story, The Perfect Couple is a mystery, which I always appreciate.  The maid of honor's body washes up on the beach the morning of a grand wedding, right at the wedding venue, and nobody knows what happened.  Thus we delve into the secret feelings and motivations of the entire wedding party and guest list... is happily ever after really what is seems?


The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw




This is the first of Ada's book report assignments, so I'm trying to finish it ahead of her.  It takes place in ancient Egypt, and it's a coming-of-age story of an earnest boy who longs to be a goldsmith.  Ada's not excited, but I actually think it's pretty good.


Ephesians

I sailed through this little epistle in one morning after my trek through Jeremiah.


Ezekiel

Back to the Old Testament prophets I go after my brief hiatus in the New Testament.  I've just started Ezekiel.


I'd like to join MMD every month for her Quick Lit posts, but I sorely suspect this will be my most interesting reading month ever, as I'm now back in school and cannot--alas--spend all day lying on my belly in a patch of sun with my nose in a novel.








1 comment:

  1. I just finished The Gospel Comes with a House Key and thought it was fantastic. Definitely convicting in my own desire for everyone-leave-me-alone mentality when I am in my own home. I thought it was an honest book and solid in theology, probably my favorite on the subject.

    I haven't read Crazy Rich Asians but really enjoyed the movie. I am curious how similar they are.

    Here are my recent reads: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2019/07/july-book-reviews.html

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