January Reflections

Books Reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews:

1. Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories. Compiled by Martin Edwards. 2018. The British Library/Poisoned Pen Press. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Genres: Short Stories; Mystery; Classics]
2. Death's Door. (Billy Boyle #7) James R. Benn. 2012. Soho Crime. 358 pages. [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical Fiction; Mystery]
3. A Blind Goddess (Billy Boyle #8) James R. Benn. 2013. Soho Crime. 320 pages [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical; Mystery]
4. Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever. Gavin Edwards. 2019. Dey Street Books. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [Genre: Biography]
5.  Kopp Sisters on the March (Kopp Sisters #5) Amy Stewart. 2019. 355 pages. HMH. [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical]
6.  The Sobbin' Women. Stephen Vincent Benet. 1937. 26 pages. [Source: Online][Short Story; Comedy]
7. The Rest Is Silence. (Billy Boyle #9) James R. Benn. 2014. Soho Crime. 323 pages. [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical; Mystery]
8. The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency. Mandy Morton. 2014/2017. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [Genres: Animal Fantasy; Mystery]
9. The Giver. Lois Lowry. 1993. Houghton Mifflin. 180 pages. [Source: Library] [Children's Fiction; Dystopia; MG Fiction; Newbery Medal]
10. Twelfth Night. William Shakespeare. 1601. 272 pages. [Source: Bought] [Play; Shakespeare; Classic]
11. Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. 1953. 190 pages. [Source: Library] [Classic; Dystopia; Speculative Fiction]
12. Can You Forgive Her? Anthony Trollope. 1865. 847 pages. [Source: Bought] [Classic; Romance; Dysfunctional Families]
13. The Ministry of Truth: The Biography of George Orwell's 1984. Dorian Lynskey. 2019. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [Nonfiction; History; Literature]
14. The White Ghost. (Billy Boyle #10). James R. Benn. 2015. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [Historical Fiction; Mystery; World War II]
15. Gathering Blue. (The Giver #2) Lois Lowry. 2000. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [Speculative Fiction; Dystopia; children's fiction; mg fiction]
16. Messenger. (Giver #3) Lois Lowry. 2004. 169 pages. [Source: Library] [Speculative Fiction; Dystopia; Fantasy; Children's Book]
17. Son. (The Giver #4) Lois Lowry. 2012. 393 pages. [Source: Library] [dystopia; speculative fiction]
18. On the Horizon. Lois Lowry. Illustrated by Kenard Pak. [April 2020] HMH. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Autobiography; Biography; Children's Nonfiction; World War II; poetry]
19. The Pickwick Papers. Charles Dickens. 1837. 801 pages. [Source: Bought] [Classics; Adult fiction; Travel]

Books Reviewed at Young Readers

1. Two for Me, One For You. Jorg Muhle. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture Book]
2. The Favorite Book. Bethanie Deeney Murguia. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]
3. Sisters First. Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. Illustrated by Ramona Kaultizki. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]
4. This is Baby. Jimmy Fallon. Illustrated by Miguel Ordonez. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]
5. Mary Blair's Unique Flair: The Girl Who Became One of the Disney Legends. Amy Novesky. Illustrated by Brittney Lee. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture Book Biography; Biography]
6. Miep and the Most Famous Diary: The Woman Who Rescued Anne Frank's Diary. Meeg PIncus. Illustrated by Jordi Solano. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book biography; biography]
7. A Trio of Tolerable Tales. Margaret Atwood. Illustrated by Dusan Petricic. 2017. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [Short stories; children's book; humor]
8. The Return of Thelma the Unicorn. Aaron Blabey. 2019. [December] 36 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Picture book; animal fantasy]
9. Pig the Tourist. (Pig the Pug #7) Aaron Blabey. 2020. [February] 32 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Animal fantasy; picture book]
10. The Bad Guys: The Baddest Day Ever (#10) Aaron Blabey. 2019. [December] 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Early chapter book; Graphic Novel; Animal fantasy]
11. Keeper of the Lost Cities. Shannon Messenger. 2012. 496 pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction. MG Fantasy. MG Speculative Fiction, J Fantasy, J Speculative Fiction]
12. The Crayons' Christmas. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. 2019. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book; Christmas; Novelty]
13. Welcome, Baby! Karen Katz. 2019. 14 pages. [Source: Library] [Board book]
14. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. Catherynne M. Valente. 2011. 247 pages. [Source: Libary] [J Fantasy; MG Fantasy; J Speculative Fiction; MG Speculative Fiction] 

Books Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

1. The Twelve Brides of Christmas Collection. Barbour Books. 2015. 544 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Historical; Romance; Christian Fiction]
2. A Small Book for the Hurting Heart. Paul Tautges. 2020. New Growth Press. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Christian nonfiction; Devotional; Christian Living]
3. Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection. Tracie Peterson. Karen Witemeyer. Regina Jennings. Jen Turano. 2019. Bethany House. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance]
4. Holy Land Handbook: History, Geography, Culture, Holy Sites. George W. Knight. 2020. 288 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Christian Nonfiction; Reference; Travel Guide]
5. Last Words: Seven Sayings from the Heart of Christ on the Cross. Robert J. Nash. 2020. New Growth Press. 96 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Christian Nonfiction; Theology; Devotional]
6. Words of Jesus: 180 Devotions and Prayers for Kids. Emily Biggers. 2020. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Children's Book; Devotional; Christian Nonfiction]
7. Writing Joy on My Heart: A Bible Memory Devotional. Jean Fischer. 2020. Barbour Books. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Devotional]
8. Jesus: A Theological Primer (Board book) Devon Provencher. Illustrated by Jessica Provencher. 2020. [February] 22 pages. Crossway. [Source: Review copy] [board book; children's book]
9. Journey in Prayer: 7 Days of Praying with Jesus. John Smed. Justine Hwang. Leah Yin. 2012/2020. [May] Moody Publishers. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy] [prayer; devotional; christian nonfiction]
10. Sanctification: God's Passion for His People. John MacArthur. 80 pages. 2020. Crossway. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian living; christian nonfiction; theology]
11. Growing in Holiness: Understanding God's Role and Yours. R.C. Sproul. 2020. Baker Books. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction; christian living; theology]
12. The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About God That Sound Like the Truth. Jared C. Wilson. 2020. Thomas Nelson. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Christian living; Christian nonfiction]

The 5 Star Books

1. A Blind Goddess (Billy Boyle #8) James R. Benn. 2013. Soho Crime. 320 pages [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical; Mystery]
2. Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever. Gavin Edwards. 2019. Dey Street Books. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [Genre: Biography]
3. Two for Me, One For You. Jorg Muhle. 2019. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture Book]
4. Serving Up Love: A Harvey House Brides Collection. Tracie Peterson. Karen Witemeyer. Regina Jennings. Jen Turano. 2019. Bethany House. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance]
5. The Giver. Lois Lowry. 1993. Houghton Mifflin. 180 pages. [Source: Library] [Children's Fiction; Dystopia; MG Fiction; Newbery Medal]
6. Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury. 1953. 190 pages. [Source: Library] [Classic; Dystopia; Speculative Fiction]
7. The White Ghost. (Billy Boyle #10). James R. Benn. 2015. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [Historical Fiction; Mystery; World War II]
8.  Growing in Holiness: Understanding God's Role and Yours. R.C. Sproul. 2020. Baker Books. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction; christian living; theology]
9. On the Horizon. Lois Lowry. Illustrated by Kenard Pak. [April 2020] HMH. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Autobiography; Biography; Children's Nonfiction; World War II; poetry]
10. The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About God That Sound Like the Truth. Jared C. Wilson. 2020. Thomas Nelson. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Christian living; Christian nonfiction]

January Totals
Pages	9905
Books	45

2020 Totals
Pages	9905
Books	45

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

19. The Pickwick Papers

The Pickwick Papers. Charles Dickens. 1837. 801 pages. [Source: Bought] [Classics; Adult fiction; Travel]

First sentence: THE FIRST RAY of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into a dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of the public career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, is derived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highest pleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful attention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which his search among the multifarious documents confided to him has been conducted.

Premise/plot: Samuel Pickwick, Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass, Nathaniel Winkle are the primary members of the Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club. These fellows set off to have grand adventures (and some misadventures) as they travel throughout England; their goal is to be entertaining and share stories. Did they succeed?! Well. It depends on YOUR attention span and what YOU find funny.  (There's definitely some slapstick humor going on which doesn't necessarily translate well into print. But it isn't only of the slapstick sort. Far from it. At least one story has a gothic feel to it. Really there is something for everybody--if you're patient enough to read it all to find those enjoyable bits.)

I think one thing that would be unanimous is that Sam Weller (and his father to some extent) make this novel BETTER. 

There are snippets of plot lines. For example, the plot line of Pickwick getting sued by his (former) landlady. Or the plot line where his buddies go courting. But essentially the plot is very light. There are more characters introduced throughout this chunkster than actual plot lines. Which isn't necessarily a horrible thing--if you're patient and this is the only book within reach. Either/or.

My thoughts: I gave this one four stars the first time I read it. And according to that review, I did enjoy it and find it worth my time. This time around--the second time--I'm going to be generous and give it three stars. Yes, it's "lost" a star. But really considering how many times I was absolutely bored without a grin in sight versus the time I was entertained, three stars is generous. 

I will say this. What I enjoyed, I actually enjoyed. There were scenes that were fantastic. But as for the rest--it was meh at best. I do think the more I've read Dickens, the more I've come to expect from him.

Quotes: 

‘I am ruminating,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘on the strange mutability of human affairs.’

He had judged of his friend’s feelings by his own. 

‘Ah! poetry makes life what light and music do the stage — strip the one of the false embellishments, and the other of its illusions, and what is there real in either to live or care for?’

‘Ah! people need to rise early, to see the sun in all his splendour, for his brightness seldom lasts the day through. The morning of day and the morning of life are but too much alike.’ ‘You speak truly, sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick.

Mr. Pickwick ran to his assistance, but the faster Mr. Pickwick ran forward, the faster the horse ran backward.

‘I, sir,’ replied Mr. Pickwick, ‘am delighted to view any sports which may be safely indulged in, and in which the impotent effects of unskilful people do not endanger human life.’

‘It wasn’t the wine,’ murmured Mr. Snodgrass, in a broken voice. ‘It was the salmon.’ (Somehow or other, it never is the wine, in these cases.)

Every one has experienced that disagreeable state of mind, in which a sensation of bodily weariness in vain contends against an inability to sleep.

‘Mrs. Bardell,’ said Mr. Pickwick, at the expiration of a few minutes. ‘Sir,’ said Mrs. Bardell again. ‘Do you think it a much greater expense to keep two people, than to keep one?’ ‘That depends a good deal upon the person, you know, Mr. Pickwick; and whether it’s a saving and careful person, sir.’ ‘That’s very true,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘but the person I have in my eye (here he looked very hard at Mrs. Bardell) I think possesses these qualities; and has, moreover, a considerable knowledge of the world, and a great deal of sharpness, Mrs. Bardell, which may be of material use to me.’ ‘I do,’ said Mr. Pickwick, growing energetic, as was his wont in speaking of a subject which interested him— ‘I do, indeed; and to tell you the truth, Mrs. Bardell, I have made up my mind.’ ‘Dear me, sir,’exclaimed Mrs. Bardell. ‘Well,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘what do you think?’ ‘Oh, Mr. Pickwick,’ said Mrs. Bardell, trembling with agitation, ‘you’re very kind, sir.’ ‘It’ll save you a good deal of trouble, won’t it?’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘Oh, I never thought anything of the trouble, sir,’ replied Mrs. Bardell; ‘and, of course, I should take more trouble to please you then, than ever; but it is so kind of you, Mr. Pickwick, to have so much consideration for my loneliness.’ ‘I cannot conceive,’ said Mr. Pickwick when his friend returned— ‘I cannot conceive what has been the matter with that woman. I had merely announced to her my intention of keeping a man-servant, when she fell into the extraordinary paroxysm in which you found her. Very extraordinary thing.’   

‘Hush. Don’t ask any questions. It’s always best on these occasions to do what the mob do.’ ‘But suppose there are two mobs?’ suggested Mr. Snodgrass. ‘Shout with the largest,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. Volumes could not have said more.

That statement, Sir, may be true, or it may be false; it may be credible, or it may be incredible; but, if it be true, and if it be credible, I do not hesitate to say, Sir, that our grounds of action, Sir, are strong, and not to be shaken.

Magnus is my name. It’s rather a good name, I think, sir.’ ‘A very good name, indeed,’ said Mr. Pickwick, wholly unable to repress a smile. There — Peter Magnus — sounds well, I think, sir.’ ‘Very,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘Curious circumstance about those initials, sir,’ said Mr. Magnus. ‘You will observe — P.M. — post meridian. In hasty notes to intimate acquaintance, I sometimes sign myself “Afternoon.” It amuses my friends very much, Mr. Pickwick.’

The more stairs Mr. Pickwick went down, the more stairs there seemed to be to descend, and again and again, when Mr. Pickwick got into some narrow passage, and began to congratulate himself on having gained the ground-floor, did another flight of stairs appear before his astonished eyes.

 words ran high, and voices higher;

  ‘There is no deception now, Mr. Weller. Tears,’ said Job, with a look of momentary slyness— ‘tears are not the only proofs of distress, nor the best ones.’ ‘No, they ain’t,’ replied Sam expressively. ‘They may be put on, Mr. Weller,’ said Job. ‘I know they may,’ said Sam; ‘some people, indeed, has ‘em always ready laid on, and can pull out the plug wenever they likes.’

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

18. On the Horizon

On the Horizon. Lois Lowry. Illustrated by Kenard Pak. [April 2020] HMH. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Autobiography; Biography; Children's Nonfiction; World War II; poetry]

First sentence: On December 7, 1941, early on a Sunday morning, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii.

Premise/plot: Lois Lowry has written an autobiography in verse focusing on the second world war. The book focuses primarily on two horizons--the first being PEARL HARBOR and the second being HIROSHIMA. I say focuses primarily on those two huge events--their impact and legacy--but it doesn't do so exclusively. Lowry and her family spent time in Japan--her father was stationed there for the military--after the war. Nor is the book narrated exclusively through her eyes, her perspective. It is told in three parts or sections. The first and third are more her perspective, the second adopts the viewpoint of those who witnessed the dropping of the atomic bomb.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved this one so much. Granted I am partial to Lois Lowry. Granted I have a HUGE collection of World War II books. But I loved, loved, loved it. I hope others do as well. I really enjoyed the verse format of this one. Much more than I was expecting to enjoy it!



© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

17. Son

Son. (The Giver #4) Lois Lowry. 2012. 393 pages. [Source: Library] [dystopia; speculative fiction]

First sentence: The young girl cringed when they buckled the eyeless leather mask around the upper half of her face and blinded her. It felt grotesque and unnecessary, but she didn’t object. It was the procedure. She knew that.

Premise/plot: Claire is a Vessel, a birthmother, that was her assignment given at the Ceremony of Twelves. At fourteen she gives birth—or should I say delivered of—her Product. There is no he or she, no baby—just a product. They are not mothers but vessels. No maternal feelings or bonds allowed or encouraged. Claire is a misfit indeed since she can’t stop thinking about *her* baby, her son, number 36. Claire shocked the system in that she didn’t give birth naturally, her product had to be cut out of her. Claire is rejected from the program and reassigned to the fish hatchery. She pursues a connection with her son, wanting more, always more. Love may be a strange phenomenon in this cold and cruel community, but Claire is infected all the same. When Jonas takes the baby (toddler really since this is his second December), Claire is overwhelmed with emotion.

Son has three parts. The first and third sections are set in familiar communities. The first is where Jonas and Gabe escaped from. The third is the Village where Jonas lives as Leader—happily married to Kira. The second is a community new to readers. This is where Claire spends five to seven years, preparing herself for her journey to find her son. She will do antibiotics to find him and know he’s okay.

My thoughts: In the Giver, I, as a reader, was so focused on Jonas and his story, on the horror of the releases—new and young—that I didn’t think much about the other assignments, particularly the birthmothers. Son changes that. Claire’s story starts two to three years prior to The Giver.

This is an emotional read!!! I definitely love the series. The Giver remains my absolute favorite. One thing worth noting is that every single book has a different narrator, different style, different message, different tone. No two books are alike. Son unites the series and does a lovely job completing the story. 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

16. Messenger

Messenger. (Giver #3) Lois Lowry. 2004. 169 pages. [Source: Library] [Speculative Fiction; Dystopia; Fantasy; Children's Book]

First sentence: Matty was impatient to have the supper preparations over and done with.

Premise/plot: Matty, a character whom we first met in Lois Lowry’s Gathering Blue, now lives in the Village, a near perfect utopia—it seems. The Village has a long, long history of welcoming all refugees: the abused, the downhearted, the broken, and imperfect. Matty has been living with The Seer (aka Christopher, Kira’s father). But in the past few months, changes have been happening. People are less welcoming, less kind, less helpful, less compassionate, less empathetic and are becoming increasingly ruder and more selfish and self-absorbed. There is even talk of closing Village to outsiders (refugees) and building a wall. Matty has come of age since Gathering Blue and he is definitely the hero of this one.

The Messenger introduces readers to The Leader of Village. Readers will recognize him and the book where we first met him...

Of the three books in the series, this one is the most supernatural. While technically still post-apocalyptic, it is definitely magical in the supernatural sense.

My thoughts: Lest you conclude that this is a politically driven novel in response to a certain president, it was published in 2004. I had forgotten much of the plot, but I couldn’t help but see how relevant it is to the times.

Perhaps I unintentionally block the plot of this one?! It has a very Giving Tree feel to it. It is decidedly sad.

I do wonder if Matty was intended to be a Christ figure?! This story does not end with resurrection just a substitutionary atonement of sorts. I don’t want to read too much into it, but don’t want to ignore the obvious either. 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews