September Reflections

Blame the new Blogger for any weird formatting issues. I am NOT a happy camper!!!

Books Reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

108. Marrying Matthew. Kelly Long. 2020. [November] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
109. Gentleman Jim. Mimi Matthews. 2020. [November] 376 pages. [Source: Review copy]
110. The Spoon Stealer. Lesley Crewe. 2020. [September] 360 pages. [Source: Review copy]
111.  Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622. Elisa Carbone. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]
112. The Paper Daughters of Chinatown. Heather B. Moore. 2020. Shadow Mountain. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
113. Like You Love Me. Adriana Locke. 2021. [February] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]
114. Beauty Among Ruins. J'nell Ciesielski. 2021. [January] 368 pages. Thomas Nelson. [Source: Review copy]
115. Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte. 1847. 532 pages. [Source: Bought]

Books Reviewed at Young Readers

91. Dragon's Fat Cat (Dragon #2) Dav Pilkey. 2019. (1992) Scholastic. 64 pages. [Source: Review copy]
92. Umbrella by Taro Yashima. 1958/2004. Penguin. 40 pages.  [Source: Childhood Copy]
93.  Too Many Lollipops. Robert M. Quackenbush. 1975. 32 pages. [Source: Book from my childhood]
94. Bathtime with Ducky Darling. Lucy Cousins. 2020. Candlewick. 8 pages. [Source: Review copy]
95. Star Wars: The Saga Unfolds: An Illustrated Timeline. 2020. Abrams. 24 pages. [Source: Review copy]
96. Amelia and Me (Ginny Ross #1) Heather Stemp. 2013/2020. 207 pages. [Source: Review copy]
97. DJ Funkyfoot: Butler for Hire (DJ Funkyfoot #1) Tom Angleberger. Illustrated by Heather Fox. 2021. [March 2021] 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]
98. The Candy Mafia. Lavie Tidhar. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. 2020. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
99. Up On Bob. Mary Sullivan. Illustrated by Mary Sullivan. 2020. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Books Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

66. The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-by-chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits. Rachel Dodge. 2020. [November] 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
67. Luke. (Thru the Bible #37) J. Vernon McGee. 1975. 312 pages. [Source: Bought]
68. Romans 1-8 (Thru the Bible #42) J. Vernon McGee. 176 pages. [Source: Bought]
69. Romans 9-16. (Thru the Bible #43) J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 144 pages. [Source: Bought]
70. Thru the Bible #44: 1 Corinthians. J. Vernon McGee. 1997 (1977) 204 pages. [Source: Bought]
71. His Accidental Amish Family. (Unexpected Amish Blessings #3) Rachel J. Good. 2020. [November] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
72. How To Eat Your Bible: A Simple Approach to Learning and Loving the Word of God. Nate Pickowicz. 2021. [January] Moody Publishers. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]
73. Thru the Bible #38: John 1-10. J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 180 pages. [Source: Bought]
74. John 11-21 (Thru the Bible #39) J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 192 pages. [Source: Bought]
75. Romans. The Ultimate Commentary on Romans. By Albert Barnes, John Calvin, Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and John Wesley. 2016. 4164 pages. [Source: Bought]
76. The Trinity: An Introduction. Scott R. Swain. Edited by Graham A Cole and Oren R Martin. 2020. October. 161 pages. [Source: Review copy]
77. The Gospel in Dickens: Selections from His Works. Charles Dickens. Edited by Gina Dalfonzo. Foreword by Karen Swallow Prior. 2020. 264 pages. [Source: Review copy]
78. 2 Corinthians (Thru the Bible #45) J. Vernon McGee. 1977/1996. 156 pages. [Source: Bought]
79. Unfolding Grace: 40 Guided Readings Through the Bible. Drew Hunter. Illustrations by Peter Voth. 2020. Crossway. 608 pages. [Source: Review copy]

Bibles Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

7. The One Year Chronological Bible. (NLT) Tyndale. 2007. 1728 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. NIV Young Discoverer's Bible. 1985. Zondervan. 1979 pages. [Source: Childhood copy]

5 Star Books

Dragon's Fat Cat (Dragon #2) Dav Pilkey. 2019. (1992) Scholastic. 64 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Umbrella by Taro Yashima. 1958/2004. Penguin. 40 pages.  [Source: Childhood Copy]
Too Many Lollipops. Robert M. Quackenbush. 1975. 32 pages. [Source: Book from my childhood]
DJ Funkyfoot: Butler for Hire (DJ Funkyfoot #1) Tom Angleberger. Illustrated by Heather Fox. 2021. [March 2021] 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]
The Candy Mafia. Lavie Tidhar. Illustrated by Daniel Duncan. 2020. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Up On Bob. Mary Sullivan. Illustrated by Mary Sullivan. 2020. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Gentleman Jim. Mimi Matthews. 2020. [November] 376 pages. [Source: Review copy]
The Spoon Stealer. Lesley Crewe. 2020. [September] 360 pages. [Source: Review copy]
The Paper Daughters of Chinatown. Heather B. Moore. 2020. Shadow Mountain. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte. 1847. 532 pages. [Source: Bought]
Luke. (Thru the Bible #37) J. Vernon McGee. 1975. 312 pages. [Source: Bought]
Romans 1-8 (Thru the Bible #42) J. Vernon McGee. 176 pages. [Source: Bought]
Romans 9-16. (Thru the Bible #43) J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 144 pages. [Source: Bought]
His Accidental Amish Family. (Unexpected Amish Blessings #3) Rachel J. Good. 2020. [November] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]
Thru the Bible #38: John 1-10. J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 180 pages. [Source: Bought]
John 11-21 (Thru the Bible #39) J. Vernon McGee. 1995. 192 pages. [Source: Bought]
Romans. The Ultimate Commentary on Romans. By Albert Barnes, John Calvin, Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and John Wesley. 2016. 4164 pages. [Source: Bought]
The Gospel in Dickens: Selections from His Works. Charles Dickens. Edited by Gina Dalfonzo. Foreword by Karen Swallow Prior. 2020. 264 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2 Corinthians (Thru the Bible #45) J. Vernon McGee. 1977/1996. 156 pages. [Source: Bought]
NIV Young Discoverer's Bible. 1985. Zondervan. 1979 pages. [Source: Childhood copy]

September Totals

September Totals
Pages	14748
Books	33

Yearly Totals

2020 Totals
Pages	89861
Books	297

 

 

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

115. Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte. 1847. 532 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.

Premise/plot: Jane Eyre, our heroine, is an orphan who never in her wildest dreams imagines living happily ever after. Raised by a cruel aunt and taunted by mean-spirited and selfish cousins, she only hopes to escape misery and find contentment--albeit humble. Her adventure--or misadventure--begins after graduating Loward School as she takes the position of governess at Thornfield Hall. There she meets her charming and precocious pupil, Adele, and the brooding Mr. Rochester. The two enjoy each other's company--perhaps because no one else quite understands them. But the two aren't courting--at least not at first. Jane falls for him. But is he falling for her? Could he fall for her? Does she want him to reciprocate her feelings? Could the master of the house and a governess ever marry and live happily ever after?! But it isn't just social class dividing these two--Mr. Rochester has a dark secret from his past that might prove a dangerous obstacle for our loving couple.

My thoughts: I love this book. I do. I absolutely love it. It is one of my favorite books to reread every other year or so.


Quotes:

How all my brain was in tumult, and all my heart in insurrection! Yet in what darkness, what dense ignorance, was the mental battle fought!

Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs. We are, and must be, one and all, burdened with faults in this world: but the time will soon come when, I trust, we shall put them off in putting off our corruptible bodies;

A new chapter in a novel is something like a new scene in a play;

“Jane, you offered me your shoulder once before; let me have it now.” “Yes, sir, yes; and my arm.”

“Thank you, Mr. Rochester, for your great kindness. I am strangely glad to get back again to you: and wherever you are is my home—my only home.”

“I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self, and best earthly companion.”

“My bride is here,” he said, again drawing me to him, “because my equal is here, and my likeness. Jane, will you marry me?”

Human beings never enjoy complete happiness in this world. I was not born for a different destiny to the rest of my species: to imagine such a lot befalling me is a fairy tale—a day-dream.

Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilised by education: they grow there, firm as weeds among stones.

Reader, I married him.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

114. Beauty Among Ruins

Beauty Among Ruins. J'nell Ciesielski. 2021. [January] 368 pages. Thomas Nelson. [Source: Review copy]

 

First sentence: CREEPING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR, LILY DURHAM slipped across the black-and-white tiled kitchen and checked the hallway before scurrying up the stairs to the main floor.

Premise/plot: Lily Durham, our heroine, finds herself a nursing aid during the first world war after her parents ship her off to England for her 'rebellious' suitor-repelling attitude. Lily and her cousin Bertie are nurses--or a nurse and a nurses aide--at a convalescent home in Scotland. There are many, many, many rules for them to live by--for all the nursing staff--but one is not to enter the private quarters of the family. How many guess that Lily will 'accidentally' break that rule a few times!

Alec MacGregor, our hero, is struggling...with many things. The future of his estate is in doubt for the debts are monstrous. And he's being haggled--pestered--by a no good reporter with a grudge against his family. His mother has disconnected from life; his sister is so ill she hasn't left her room in years. The last thing he's looking for is a beautiful young woman taking an interest in his well being...in his family's well being.

My thoughts: This one definitely has vibes of Beauty and the Beast. I haven't decided if this was intentional or not. (Not that Lily is Belle with her head stuck in a book. Perhaps just the setting of a crumbling castle with a super-cranky-grumpy master. Perhaps the thawing or breaking down of wall...) I loved the setting. I loved the Scottish hero. (You pretty much have me at hello anytime there's a Scottish hero!) I loved the setting of World War I.

 There were many things I enjoyed about this one. I loved the characterization of Lily and Alec. But the characterization of most if not all the other characters is on the weaker side. In particular, her parents are particularly one dimensional and just plain old MEAN without any real reason. They're just stereotypically opposed to anything that might bring their daughter happiness. I couldn't understand her mother...at all. The plot could also get a bit melodramatic in places. I could have used a little less drama. Sometimes I feel romance novels over-push it in the drama department when it comes to inventing obstacles to make it difficult to get to a happy ending. I think the war offered enough natural obstacles without so much more going on in the background.

Still all that being said, I definitely enjoyed it more than not. I really liked the romance. 

 

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

113. Like You Love Me

Like You Love Me. Adriana Locke. 2021. [February] 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "You're late." The accusation is tossed my way before the door closes behind me.

Premise/plot: Sophie and Holden star in new romance novel by Adriana Locke. Holden spent summers with his grandpa, his Pap, which brought him in and out of Sophie's life quite a bit in their growing up years. But now both are fully grown up and experienced. Both have failed relationships behind them, but do they have a happily ever after before them?

Holden wants to get his dream job--in Florida--but his would-be-boss is looking for a family man with a loving, supportive wife. (And to be fair, at the time he first applied, he was technically engaged to be married). Sophie needs money to pay property taxes on her bed-and-breakfast. (It was her grandmother's bed and breakfast.) The two "need" something from the other that a marriage of convenience would provide. But is playing with happily ever after too much of a risk for their hearts? Can they learn to live without each other once more?

My thoughts: I never know whether to start with what I did like or what I didn't like. About the star rating (if you're reading this at GoodReads and can see my rating), I'd rate it two and a half stars if possible--for the completely and totally neutral rating.

What I Didn't Like:

• I didn't like the cussing/profanity. This is 100% subjective.
• I didn't like the graphic-ness of the smut. It was a little too what-goes-where for me. Again this is 100% subjective. Another person might find it steamy and marvelous. (Not me.)

What I Did Like:

• I liked the small town setting and getting to know a few of the town residents. (Her brother and sister. His grandfather. His receptionist. A few others? like the woman who is famous for her pies?)
• I liked them as a couple. I wanted them to make it work.
• I liked having both perspectives. The narrative is told in alternating chapters.
• I liked that once the initial encounter was graphically portrayed all future encounters were non-graphic and occurred off-page. (This isn't always the case.)

What I found humorous:

Granted this is a netgalley review title, but when she's talking about thread count on the sheets--she's sheet shopping--there's a typo: 

"And guests will pay premium dollar for the little touches like homecooked meals, nice soaps, and threat counts." 

I am guessing people won't pay more to stay at a place where their lives are threatened!!!

 

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

112. The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown. Heather B. Moore. 2020. Shadow Mountain. 384 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Donaldina Cameron leaned her head against the cool glass of the window as the train slowed to a stop, its whistle mimicking the call of a mournful dove—deep and melancholy—a fitting echo of her life over the past few years. With no husband, no employment, and no parents to watch over, she felt as stagnant as a warm pond on a lazy summer day.

Premise/plot: Based on a true story, The Paper Daughters of Chinatown is a must read. I'm not one to throw around the word must lightly or thoughtlessly. Nor am I one to toss around five star ratings. (Especially this year I've tried to be more mindful.) But this has to be one of the best books I've ever read...at least in the "based on a true story" category or sub-genre.

The book opens in 1895 and spans several decades as it follows the ministry of Donaldina Cameron as she serves as a teacher, rescuer, and guardian in San Francisco's Chinatown. She is trained to rescue young girls and young women--Chinese--that have been sold and trafficked. The Presbyterian Mission Home in which she serves faces much opposition. But their work changes lives.

“Rescued?” Dolly had questioned. “Yes,” Mrs. Browne said, lowering her voice, although only the birds and sunshine were within earshot, “from the brothels of Chinatown.” “Women and girls,” Mrs. Browne corrected. “Some of the girls are as young as eight or nine. They’re brought over from China by highbinders, promised a good life and marriage in America, yet the promises are lies. These young girls are sold as domestic slaves or forced into prostitution.”

Why the name Paper Daughters???

“The girls take on new identities in America, and their lives are controlled in every way. They’ve been reduced to what we call paper daughters. Without a home. Without care or love.” “Paper daughters,” Dolly whispered. These girls had become no more than documents with false names; they had given up not only their identities but their dignity.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved this one. It is easily one of the best books I've read this year. It is both sobering and inspiring. It is incredibly sad that humanity is so depraved that the selling of little girls is a recorded fact. But it is also incredibly uplifting that there are those willing to give their all to fight, fight, fight these wrongs. Dolly's life story is incredibly inspiring and beautiful. Her crown in heaven must be beautiful.

I know my review doesn't do the book justice. The book goes into incredible detail about the mission home, about the lives of those rescued, about the personal lives of the staff, etc. I just can't regurgitate that in my review. (That wouldn't be doing a service either.) Just know this is a beautifully compelling work.


© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

111. Poison in the Colony

Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622. Elisa Carbone. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I am different. That is what Samuel says, and I believe he is right.

Premise/plot: Poison in the Colony is a companion book to Blood on the River. This book features Samuel, the main character in Blood on the River, but it is narrated by Virginia Laydon. Carbone has fictionalized the people of Jamestown and crafted a compelling historical coming of age novel.

Virginia Laydon was the first white child born in Virginia. Very little is actually actually known about her life and her personality. Carbone has given her Virginia the gift of "knowing" or second sight. She uses this ability carefully and wisely to help keep her family safe without raising suspicions from her neighbors. (Not always successfully.) She lives at a time when it took very, very little to be accused of witchcraft and killed.

The book focuses on Virginia's life and community. There is a time of peace with the native tribes--but will it last??? Can either really truly come to trust the other?

My thoughts: I enjoyed Blood on the River. I enjoyed this one too. As I mentioned though she uses real names from the records and other primary sources, all the characters have been fictionalized.

I would recommend to those that enjoy--adore--historical fiction. I would not necessarily place this one in the hands of reluctant readers or history haters.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

110. The Spoon Stealer

The Spoon Stealer. Lesley Crewe. 2020. [September] 360 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: EMMELINE DARLING SUFFERED A TWINGE OF DISCOMFORT IN HER right hip as she reached over to pull the heavy floral draperies across the paned windows in her sitting room.

Premise/plot: Emmeline Darling, our heroine, is preparing to go to an event at a library when the novel opens. She's signed up for a four week class on memoir writing. In the class she'll meet a few kindred spirits and a few UN-kindred ones as well. Some people just can't be appeased or pleased. Some people seem persistent in being in perpetual conflict. As she reads her writing aloud to the class (of mainly senior citizens), friendships are formed and lives are changed.

As her memoir unfolds--within this framework of a library class in 1968--readers are drawn into her story and her life. It's been a hard, hard life. The fact that Emmeline remains Emmeline--half glass full Emmeline--is astounding. 

I'm tempted to leave it at that. To not reveal too much. But I hesitate to leave it at that as well. Is that enough of a hook to persuade you to add this one to your list?

If I were to do a book talk for The Spoon Stealer, I might just use this:

“You are a fraud, Miss Darling. There is something not quite right about you. I’m not sure what it is, but I know one thing. You will never have this spoon. It will never belong to you. You have no business even thinking you can possess it. And the fact that you want to crawl over here and take it from me speaks volumes, don’t you think?” 

The class couldn’t believe their ears. Joyce Pruitt had gone completely squirrely. Only Emmeline and Joyce knew it was the truth.

This one is a must--in my humble opinion--for those that enjoy stories with a strong emphasis on friendship, for those that love dogs, for those looking for a realistic exploration of the effects of mental illness on families, for those that love oh-so-human characters, for those that love a feel-good-resolution that is worked for. It's set in 1968/1969. Her memoirs reflect on her childhood (early 1900s), and the war years (both World War I and World War II).

My thoughts: I really loved this one. In terms of emotions--not plot, story, or characters--I'd compare it to Steel Magnolias. It was sad, uplifting, thoughtful, funny.


© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

109. Gentleman Jim

Gentleman Jim. Mimi Matthews. 2020. [November] 376 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Beaten and bloody, Nicholas Seaton sat on the straw-covered floor of the loose box, his legs drawn up against his chest and his forehead resting on his knees.

Premise/plot: Margaret Honeywell is head over heels in love with Nicholas Seaton. The problem? Well, he's an illegitimate child of notorious 'Gentleman Jim' and she's the daughter of a wealthy squire. Though they come from different classes, both feel the other is home. When a bully--and her father's pick for her future husband--frames Nicholas Seaton for a crime he didn't commit--theft--Margaret helps him escape in the night before he can be brought before the magistrate and punished. Will she ever see him again? Can she bring herself to marry another?

Flash forward ten years and Margaret Honeywell just has months left to find a husband before she loses everything to that same old bully--Frederick Burton-Smythe. The problem? Well, he has the final say in who she marries. And he has a mind to marry her himself. (Of course he does.) Of course, there's also the fact that she is still very much broken hearted over the man who never came back home--Nicholas.

When she hears that Frederick Burton-Smythe is going to be fighting a duel...against an opponent who has skills...she realizes her position. IF he dies what will happen to her? There's no reasoning with him--she's had most her life to try to talk sense to him--but what about this other fellow, Lord St. Clare???

Their meeting is enough to take her breath away...

My thoughts: Gentleman Jim is a Regency Romance. It opens in 1807, but most of the book occurs in 1817. It is a thoroughly satisfying romance. If you like regency romance or historical fiction in general, then this one might prove worth your time.

Is it a clean read? I'd say it was more PG-13. It's more steamy kisses fade to dark.

I think it would make an awesome movie!!!

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

108. Marrying Matthew

Marrying Matthew. Kelly Long. 2020. [November] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: WANTED: An Amish Mail-Order Groom. Age 20–35. Must be willing to live in remote Appalachia and build life in said community. Must love books, horses, and possess good teeth. Appearance must be tolerable at least, though bride would favor a gut mind over looks. Must understand a woman’s sensibilities and not be judgmental. Must realize that Gott is the Third in a marriage. Reply to . . .

Premise/plot: Tabitha Stolfus, our heroine, has placed an ad for a mail-order-groom. She hopes to be married before her father--a very successful businessman (wood carving is his business) returns home. He wants her married, no question. But she's not convinced that he would approve of her advertising for a husband. The man who responds to her ad and comes to Blackberry Falls is none other than Matthew King. King has his own reasons for responding to the ad--namely he wants to learn woodcarving from Tabitha's father. Will these two fall in love after their marriage?

My thoughts: I loved the premise of this one. Not so much the Amish aspect of it but the mail order aspect of it and use of the marriage of convenience trope. Reading the description made me think I'd enjoy this one. (Even though as I mentioned Amish fiction isn't my favorite or best sub-genre or sub-sub-genre.)

Can you feel a "but" coming???? BUT. What I wasn't expecting was a SMUTTY Amish romance. It is a bit of a puzzlement, in my opinion, granted I am not representative of every reader. Perhaps there's an audience of romance readers that would welcome the Amish/religious aspects of it (the God-talk) that are still looking for a liberal dose of smut. I would venture a guess that I'm in the minority of romance readers. That is by preferring CLEAN or clean-ish romance novels I am in the minority. The majority of romance being published is smutty and I would guess that's how the majority of romance readers want it. It sells. I didn't realize there was a market for smutty Amish fiction though!!! Maybe this isn't the only one? Maybe there really is a whole sub-sub-sub genre of smutty Amish/Mennonite romance novels out there??? But it still felt odd to me.

There's another but coming. But I will say that it was nice to have a SECOND love story added in. And the mystery element was also nice.



© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews