By Father Michael Collins & Matthew A. Price
This
book covers Christianity from 2000 BC to present day. It is a very
intriguing book. Especially since it is about the Catholic church too.
It pretty much about every church that qualifies them self Christians.
I had a good time reading this book. It was very intriguing to see what other churchs have done. And what they are still doing.
There were many interesting little articles about various people and events.
If you enjoy reading about Christianity and the past, then you will definitely enjoy reading this book.
Review by
Sweetie Pie
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Rilla of Ingleside
By L. M. Montgomery
This has got to be one of my all time favorite books. While this book is technically part of the Anne of Green Gables series it is not necessary to read the other books in the series. In fact, if you are not fond of the Pollyanna like attitude to the Anne of Green Gables series then this book is much more realistic, sometimes to the point of being sad. This book has a dark aspect to it, the dark aspects of war and death, yet somehow escapes being depressing.
Rilla also instilled in me my interest in World War 1 and knitting socks. Rilla Blythe is Anne's youngest daughter and at the start of the book is only fifteen. She is pretty and sweet but she is also rather spoiled and vain. Rilla also has a slight problem with lisping which comes out when she is nervous.
At the start of the book you are struck with how peaceful everything is in the small Canadian village of Glen St. Mary. Rilla is like every other teenager then and now, all she can think of is her first "grown up" party and whether any of the boys will notice her.
Rilla seems so real, you can feel for her as she starts lisping right in front of Kenneth Ford, one of the most popular and good looking boys at the party. Then you feel her surprise and fear when someone brings news that England and hence Canada is at war.
Rilla's "perfect" life starts to unravel as first her older brother Jem and then others go away, some never to come back while others are unalterably changed. Yet there are funny moments such as when Rilla adopts a "War" baby or when a noted pacifist gets a tongue lashing in a church meeting. Rilla grows up from a spoiled child to a mature young woman who courageously faces hard times.
I really felt as if I was there in the midst of Ingleside, waiting for the mail and dreading telegraphs. This book has romance, humor, drama and sadness. Here is a quote from the previous book in the series, which ending ties into this one.
"Oh, I wish we had the old days back again," exclaimed Jem. "I'd love to be a soldier--a great trumphant general. I'd give EVERYTHING to see a big battle.
Well, Jem was to be a soldier and see a greater battle than had ever been fought in the world; but that was as yet far in the future; and the mother, whose first-born son he was, was wont to look on her boys and thank God that the "brave days of old," which Jem longed for, were gone for ever,and that never would it be necessary for the sons of Canada to ride forth to battle "for the ashes of their fathers and the temple of their gods."
The shadow of the Great Conflict had not yet made felt any forerunner of it's chill. The lads who were to fight, and perhaps fall, on the fields of France and Flanders, Gallipoli and Palestine, were still roguish schoolboys with a fair life in prospect before them: the girls whose hearts were to be wrung were yet fair little maidens a-star with hopes and dreams."
Reviewed by Elizabeth
This has got to be one of my all time favorite books. While this book is technically part of the Anne of Green Gables series it is not necessary to read the other books in the series. In fact, if you are not fond of the Pollyanna like attitude to the Anne of Green Gables series then this book is much more realistic, sometimes to the point of being sad. This book has a dark aspect to it, the dark aspects of war and death, yet somehow escapes being depressing.
Rilla also instilled in me my interest in World War 1 and knitting socks. Rilla Blythe is Anne's youngest daughter and at the start of the book is only fifteen. She is pretty and sweet but she is also rather spoiled and vain. Rilla also has a slight problem with lisping which comes out when she is nervous.
At the start of the book you are struck with how peaceful everything is in the small Canadian village of Glen St. Mary. Rilla is like every other teenager then and now, all she can think of is her first "grown up" party and whether any of the boys will notice her.
Rilla seems so real, you can feel for her as she starts lisping right in front of Kenneth Ford, one of the most popular and good looking boys at the party. Then you feel her surprise and fear when someone brings news that England and hence Canada is at war.
Rilla's "perfect" life starts to unravel as first her older brother Jem and then others go away, some never to come back while others are unalterably changed. Yet there are funny moments such as when Rilla adopts a "War" baby or when a noted pacifist gets a tongue lashing in a church meeting. Rilla grows up from a spoiled child to a mature young woman who courageously faces hard times.
I really felt as if I was there in the midst of Ingleside, waiting for the mail and dreading telegraphs. This book has romance, humor, drama and sadness. Here is a quote from the previous book in the series, which ending ties into this one.
"Oh, I wish we had the old days back again," exclaimed Jem. "I'd love to be a soldier--a great trumphant general. I'd give EVERYTHING to see a big battle.
Well, Jem was to be a soldier and see a greater battle than had ever been fought in the world; but that was as yet far in the future; and the mother, whose first-born son he was, was wont to look on her boys and thank God that the "brave days of old," which Jem longed for, were gone for ever,and that never would it be necessary for the sons of Canada to ride forth to battle "for the ashes of their fathers and the temple of their gods."
The shadow of the Great Conflict had not yet made felt any forerunner of it's chill. The lads who were to fight, and perhaps fall, on the fields of France and Flanders, Gallipoli and Palestine, were still roguish schoolboys with a fair life in prospect before them: the girls whose hearts were to be wrung were yet fair little maidens a-star with hopes and dreams."
Reviewed by Elizabeth
Beyonders; A World Without Heroes
By Brandon Mull
Jason is a young man who will be graduating out of middle school. He isn't the geek in school nor is he the popular kid. He loves baseball, but his not-very-supportive parents want him to go into dentistry. He currently works at the zoo.
One day while cleaning a hippo's cage, Jason is swallowed up by the hippo but he isn't in the stomach of the hippo he is in a whole different world. Lyrian, a world without heros.
For years Lyrian has been controlled by an evil wizard named Maldor. No one has been able to defeat Maldor for years. People have tried but no one succeeds. Supposedly there is a word that can destroy him. But if the word is spoken it is immediately forgotten by the speaker and all people around him. So enemies of Maldor devised a plan.
They hide syllables around Lyrian with clues to there location.
Jason stumbles upon one of the syllables. Then he goes to a blind king who knows about the syllables. And has been protecting another person from our world, Jason's world.
Jason and Rachel then go on a search for the remaining syllables.
This book starts out slow but then progresses into an entrancing tale of adventure. I love this book. It has made it way to my favorite book list. I would and will suggest this book to every person I know.
Review by Sweetie Pie
Jason is a young man who will be graduating out of middle school. He isn't the geek in school nor is he the popular kid. He loves baseball, but his not-very-supportive parents want him to go into dentistry. He currently works at the zoo.
One day while cleaning a hippo's cage, Jason is swallowed up by the hippo but he isn't in the stomach of the hippo he is in a whole different world. Lyrian, a world without heros.
For years Lyrian has been controlled by an evil wizard named Maldor. No one has been able to defeat Maldor for years. People have tried but no one succeeds. Supposedly there is a word that can destroy him. But if the word is spoken it is immediately forgotten by the speaker and all people around him. So enemies of Maldor devised a plan.
They hide syllables around Lyrian with clues to there location.
Jason stumbles upon one of the syllables. Then he goes to a blind king who knows about the syllables. And has been protecting another person from our world, Jason's world.
Jason and Rachel then go on a search for the remaining syllables.
This book starts out slow but then progresses into an entrancing tale of adventure. I love this book. It has made it way to my favorite book list. I would and will suggest this book to every person I know.
Review by Sweetie Pie
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle In Time
By: Madeline L'Engle
Review By: Christie S.
A Wrinkle In Time is not your typical science fiction book. Madeline L'Engle is a talented artist who crafts her words so they spin about you, whirling you up into her world.
And her world is a wonderful world. Especially in A Wrinkle In Time. Personally I would recommend her books to anyone. (Although you might be careful because it is sci-fi after all. )
A Wrinkle In Time is a coming of age book. You get to see the world through a young teenager's eyes. Meg Murry is uncertain of who she is and where she wants to go in life. She feels lost and insecure. In the beginning of the book Meg has not yet found out who she is or what she is capable of. These strong universal themes apply to the teenager in all of. At one time or another we felt lost in our own world or alone and untalented.
This is book is fantastically written. With an unimaginable world with sinister, evil antagonists and brilliant protagonists. Madeline L'Engle certainly delivers with out of this world adventure and characters who wriggle their way into your hearts forever.
Happy reading!
By: Madeline L'Engle
Review By: Christie S.
A Wrinkle In Time is not your typical science fiction book. Madeline L'Engle is a talented artist who crafts her words so they spin about you, whirling you up into her world.
And her world is a wonderful world. Especially in A Wrinkle In Time. Personally I would recommend her books to anyone. (Although you might be careful because it is sci-fi after all. )
A Wrinkle In Time is a coming of age book. You get to see the world through a young teenager's eyes. Meg Murry is uncertain of who she is and where she wants to go in life. She feels lost and insecure. In the beginning of the book Meg has not yet found out who she is or what she is capable of. These strong universal themes apply to the teenager in all of. At one time or another we felt lost in our own world or alone and untalented.
This is book is fantastically written. With an unimaginable world with sinister, evil antagonists and brilliant protagonists. Madeline L'Engle certainly delivers with out of this world adventure and characters who wriggle their way into your hearts forever.
Happy reading!
Jane Eyre
"Jane Eyre"
By: Charlotte Bronte
Review By: Christie S.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is filled with plenty of plot twists, conflict, dark secrets, and captivating characters that jump off the page.
Charlotte Bronte has a way of making her characters real and relevant even in today's modern world. Jane Eyre is universally considered a classic book.
Throughout the book you get to grow and change with a young woman, Jane. She is faced with many difficult and challenging situations. The choices that she makes shapes and defines who she will become.
The setting is considered to be somewhat dark and Gothic in nature. Certainly this is not a light read. The setting adds to the heavy nature of the plot, theme, and characterization.
The plotline is exceedingly unpredictable at times; making for a very interesting read. Foreshadowing in this book is rich and the red herrings abound.
The themes in this book are very heavy and require a lot of introspection, I believe. Themes such as duty and honor over self advancement. Integrity over personal gain. And being utterly selfless when it comes to love.
Overall, this book was written fantastically and is a wonderful read.
By: Charlotte Bronte
Review By: Christie S.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is filled with plenty of plot twists, conflict, dark secrets, and captivating characters that jump off the page.
Charlotte Bronte has a way of making her characters real and relevant even in today's modern world. Jane Eyre is universally considered a classic book.
Throughout the book you get to grow and change with a young woman, Jane. She is faced with many difficult and challenging situations. The choices that she makes shapes and defines who she will become.
The setting is considered to be somewhat dark and Gothic in nature. Certainly this is not a light read. The setting adds to the heavy nature of the plot, theme, and characterization.
The plotline is exceedingly unpredictable at times; making for a very interesting read. Foreshadowing in this book is rich and the red herrings abound.
The themes in this book are very heavy and require a lot of introspection, I believe. Themes such as duty and honor over self advancement. Integrity over personal gain. And being utterly selfless when it comes to love.
Overall, this book was written fantastically and is a wonderful read.
St. Elmo
By Augusta Evans Wilson
Augusta Evans Wilson was a famous Victorian author of the South that is almost unheard of today. Of her books this one was her most popular. As I read St Elmo I found that it has been compared to Jane Eyre. There are great similarities, like Jane, the main character Edna Earl is an orphan. She also lives in a big, rather scary house and the hero is another gruff, melancholy, agnostic, very much older hero like Mr. Rochester. Unlike Jane both she and the hero St. Elmo Murray sound,as one person put it," like they swallowed the Latin dictionary whole." Also Edna is a author, not a governess and far less strong-minded than Jane.
Edna Earl is all but adopted at twelve by Mrs. Murray, St. Elmo's mother and comes to live at their house, when her grandfather dies. She and St. Elmo don't get along at all as neither trust each other and it is to her immense relief that he leaves on a long trip to the Middle East. But first he puts a key to a mysterious chest in her possession with orders that she should not open it. Edna is a strong Christian girl so she, of course does not open it. Then when he comes back and she is seventeen things start to happen.
Both feel attracted to each other but St. Elmo is a rather rakish person and besides he shows a lot of attention to his cousin, Estelle. To add a bit of further creepiness, he flirts outrageously with his former fiance's daughter Gertrude who just happens to be Edna's friend. Edna and he get into constant disagreements over things and he is continually testing her faith in God.
This book is intensely romantic but perfectly clean. If you like Jane Eyre than St. Elmo might appeal to you.
Reviewed by Elizabeth
Augusta Evans Wilson was a famous Victorian author of the South that is almost unheard of today. Of her books this one was her most popular. As I read St Elmo I found that it has been compared to Jane Eyre. There are great similarities, like Jane, the main character Edna Earl is an orphan. She also lives in a big, rather scary house and the hero is another gruff, melancholy, agnostic, very much older hero like Mr. Rochester. Unlike Jane both she and the hero St. Elmo Murray sound,as one person put it," like they swallowed the Latin dictionary whole." Also Edna is a author, not a governess and far less strong-minded than Jane.
Edna Earl is all but adopted at twelve by Mrs. Murray, St. Elmo's mother and comes to live at their house, when her grandfather dies. She and St. Elmo don't get along at all as neither trust each other and it is to her immense relief that he leaves on a long trip to the Middle East. But first he puts a key to a mysterious chest in her possession with orders that she should not open it. Edna is a strong Christian girl so she, of course does not open it. Then when he comes back and she is seventeen things start to happen.
Both feel attracted to each other but St. Elmo is a rather rakish person and besides he shows a lot of attention to his cousin, Estelle. To add a bit of further creepiness, he flirts outrageously with his former fiance's daughter Gertrude who just happens to be Edna's friend. Edna and he get into constant disagreements over things and he is continually testing her faith in God.
This book is intensely romantic but perfectly clean. If you like Jane Eyre than St. Elmo might appeal to you.
Reviewed by Elizabeth
Brave New World
By Aldous Huxley
I did not like this book because it questions the very foundation of our society. There is no God, morality, or literature. One of the mottos of the “World State” (the global society) is that “everyone belongs to everyone else” (monogamy is not tolerated at all). Huxley brings in characters who question this society and even try to reform it, but it ultimately ends in a depressing manner. The character, John, in whom hope of reform had been placed, commits suicide because he cannot cope with how the “civilized world” operates, making me very unsatisfied with the ending. However, this book is a warning and such a depressing ending really emphasizes this warning because it gives a feeling that if society gets to such an end, it cannot be fixed.
This book was well-written but very disturbing. It serves as a profound reminder to not let society be so controlled that you lose all freedom at the price of happiness. The people of the World State are content to be controlled, even down to their thoughts and emotions, all so that their happiness is guaranteed.
I did not like this book because it questions the very foundation of our society. There is no God, morality, or literature. One of the mottos of the “World State” (the global society) is that “everyone belongs to everyone else” (monogamy is not tolerated at all). Huxley brings in characters who question this society and even try to reform it, but it ultimately ends in a depressing manner. The character, John, in whom hope of reform had been placed, commits suicide because he cannot cope with how the “civilized world” operates, making me very unsatisfied with the ending. However, this book is a warning and such a depressing ending really emphasizes this warning because it gives a feeling that if society gets to such an end, it cannot be fixed.
This book was well-written but very disturbing. It serves as a profound reminder to not let society be so controlled that you lose all freedom at the price of happiness. The people of the World State are content to be controlled, even down to their thoughts and emotions, all so that their happiness is guaranteed.
Abrams Daughter's
A five-part series by Beverly Lewis
The Covenant
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
The Revelation
In this series Ms. Lewis shows us a view of the Amish that shows forgiveness amidst sin and a few faithful followers who follow Christ regardless of their community's view of banning. Ms. Lewis leads us through the life of Leah Ebersol-the secrets of her sister, of her birth, of her nephew, and of her lover, Jonas Mast. Will his parents keep them apart forever, or will God intervene? Will Leah be able to forgive her sister for what she did and for what she did to Leah? Will the church's ban on her sister end their relationship forever? In this enriching addicting tale, we learn of love and forgiveness through sin and betrayal, fear and reproach.
Reviewed by Beckyelsie
The Covenant
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
The Revelation
In this series Ms. Lewis shows us a view of the Amish that shows forgiveness amidst sin and a few faithful followers who follow Christ regardless of their community's view of banning. Ms. Lewis leads us through the life of Leah Ebersol-the secrets of her sister, of her birth, of her nephew, and of her lover, Jonas Mast. Will his parents keep them apart forever, or will God intervene? Will Leah be able to forgive her sister for what she did and for what she did to Leah? Will the church's ban on her sister end their relationship forever? In this enriching addicting tale, we learn of love and forgiveness through sin and betrayal, fear and reproach.
Reviewed by Beckyelsie
In the Time of the Butterflies
By Julia Alvarez
In the 1950s and '60s the Dominican Republic is under the thumb of the dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. On November 25, 1960, three of four sisters who were leaders in a rebellion to overthrow him were killed. This book by Ms. Alvarez shows their development from children to women and how they became involved in the rebellion. Sprinkled throughout their history are glimpses into Dede's life-how she continued on living without her three sisters, and how she brings up the children of all four sisters. This is a harrowing, sad tale but also shows how hope, perseverance, and sisterhood can conquer against all odds.
Reviewed by Beckyelsie
In the 1950s and '60s the Dominican Republic is under the thumb of the dictator, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. On November 25, 1960, three of four sisters who were leaders in a rebellion to overthrow him were killed. This book by Ms. Alvarez shows their development from children to women and how they became involved in the rebellion. Sprinkled throughout their history are glimpses into Dede's life-how she continued on living without her three sisters, and how she brings up the children of all four sisters. This is a harrowing, sad tale but also shows how hope, perseverance, and sisterhood can conquer against all odds.
Reviewed by Beckyelsie
The Wise Woman, Or the Lost Princess
By George MacDonald
This book was interesting. It was a slow, boring read but the idea and points of it were very intriguing.
There is a Princess who is selfish and stubborn. She wants more and more. And it is getting out of hand, so her parents call up the Wise Woman. The Wise Woman takes Princess Rosalind away.
At a cottage where the Wise Woman keeps Rosalind, Rosalind as to do chores and such to get her food. After many weeks of this same thing going on, Rosalind starts to become nicer. Then the Wise Woman sends her to a shepherd and his wife, who just lost there daughter (not by death but by the Wise Woman). Rosalind is put to work in a different way then at the cottages. And she complains about it. And any trace of humility is once again gone.
Then after a while the shepherdess kicks her out. She is left alone in the forest until she comes upon the the Wise Woman's cottage and the Wise Woman. She has learned a lot in the forest. The Wise Woman then tests her to see if she is ready to go back to her parents.
This book for me was extremely boring. Though it had many interesting thoughts to it. If you enjoy George Macdonald then you will probably enjoy this.
Review by Sweetie Pie
This book was interesting. It was a slow, boring read but the idea and points of it were very intriguing.
There is a Princess who is selfish and stubborn. She wants more and more. And it is getting out of hand, so her parents call up the Wise Woman. The Wise Woman takes Princess Rosalind away.
At a cottage where the Wise Woman keeps Rosalind, Rosalind as to do chores and such to get her food. After many weeks of this same thing going on, Rosalind starts to become nicer. Then the Wise Woman sends her to a shepherd and his wife, who just lost there daughter (not by death but by the Wise Woman). Rosalind is put to work in a different way then at the cottages. And she complains about it. And any trace of humility is once again gone.
Then after a while the shepherdess kicks her out. She is left alone in the forest until she comes upon the the Wise Woman's cottage and the Wise Woman. She has learned a lot in the forest. The Wise Woman then tests her to see if she is ready to go back to her parents.
This book for me was extremely boring. Though it had many interesting thoughts to it. If you enjoy George Macdonald then you will probably enjoy this.
Review by Sweetie Pie
Whispers on the Wind
By Maureen Lang
When I first saw that this book was available for free on kindle I was super excited. (That was a limited time offer, it is not available free now.) I mean it is about my favorite historical subject, World War 1 and includes references to lace making. What more can I ask for?
This story revolves around a girl named Isa Lassone and her brave fight against the oppression of the Germans in Belgium. Isa is half American and half Belgian so when the war breaks out her family flees to America. But two years later, Isa, now eighteen decides to go back and help. That involves sneaking into a occupied territory which is not the smartest thing in the world to do. Isa is determined to not just deliver the important papers that her informant gave her but to use the gold she brought to secure the freedom of her nanny, Mrs. Kirkland, and her family.
What I like about Isa is that she is real, she acts like a child sometimes but in the end shows more courage than most eighteen year girls would ever dream. She begins to get drawn up into the Resistance movement as her nanny's son Edward Kirkland refuses to leave his country, and Mrs. Kirkland refuses to leave him. Isa has been in love with him since she was a kid, but does not seem to even notice her as anything but a pesky little sister.
Isa sometimes gets her faith into the "end justifies the means" category and Edward does not believe in God anymore so their journey toward faith is inspiring. Most of the Germans are portrayed as evil brutes but this book does not descend to propaganda to show the very real "atrocities" under German rule. In fact one of the best characters in the book is a German major. But some of the characters are seriously evil and slightly like Nazi's before they existed. But Maureen Lang was unfortunately accurate in portraying them the way many acted.
This book is never boring and while there are times when the plot becomes improbable the writing style is really good. The romance, as you can expect from a Christian historical novel is perfectly clean but very real and strong. On the whole this is one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time.
Reviewed by Elizabeth.
When I first saw that this book was available for free on kindle I was super excited. (That was a limited time offer, it is not available free now.) I mean it is about my favorite historical subject, World War 1 and includes references to lace making. What more can I ask for?
This story revolves around a girl named Isa Lassone and her brave fight against the oppression of the Germans in Belgium. Isa is half American and half Belgian so when the war breaks out her family flees to America. But two years later, Isa, now eighteen decides to go back and help. That involves sneaking into a occupied territory which is not the smartest thing in the world to do. Isa is determined to not just deliver the important papers that her informant gave her but to use the gold she brought to secure the freedom of her nanny, Mrs. Kirkland, and her family.
What I like about Isa is that she is real, she acts like a child sometimes but in the end shows more courage than most eighteen year girls would ever dream. She begins to get drawn up into the Resistance movement as her nanny's son Edward Kirkland refuses to leave his country, and Mrs. Kirkland refuses to leave him. Isa has been in love with him since she was a kid, but does not seem to even notice her as anything but a pesky little sister.
Isa sometimes gets her faith into the "end justifies the means" category and Edward does not believe in God anymore so their journey toward faith is inspiring. Most of the Germans are portrayed as evil brutes but this book does not descend to propaganda to show the very real "atrocities" under German rule. In fact one of the best characters in the book is a German major. But some of the characters are seriously evil and slightly like Nazi's before they existed. But Maureen Lang was unfortunately accurate in portraying them the way many acted.
This book is never boring and while there are times when the plot becomes improbable the writing style is really good. The romance, as you can expect from a Christian historical novel is perfectly clean but very real and strong. On the whole this is one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time.
Reviewed by Elizabeth.
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