A Bookworm's Book Reviews

Guest Post – The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Thank you Oli for this incredible book! If you’d like to know more about Oli and her work, check out her review and her website Adventures in Arabic.

Title: The Boy who Harnessed the Wind

Author: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Genre: Biography, Inspirational

Plot: When famine hits Malawi William’s family have to use the $80 that should have paid his school fees to buy food. He tries to keep up with his education by studying at a local library, where he sees a photo of a wind farm in America. If Americans can use wind to generate electricity why can’t he…

Rating: 4.0 – Really uplifting with a wonderful sense of place. William’s voice shines through.

Rating: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. You get a real feel for Malawi and rural life there, but without long descriptive passages. The authors don’t shy away from how tough life is for people, but it is told with real affection and respect. In a lot of ways it reads like a novel, the pacing is great, and while it is an emotional roller-coaster (I cried) you never really doubt that the ending will be happy. You get a sense for who William is both as the boy the book is about and as the man writing it. However his two friends are less distinct characters and while the paragraphs about how, exactly, he makes a windmill and generator out of junk are quite short I certainly found the parts about overcoming technical challenges less interesting than the bits about overcoming emotional challenges. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for a feel good read.

“The author of this review works for a Malawi-based NGO and blogs about her experiences at https://adventuresinarabic.wordpress.com/ “

Bridge to Haven – Francine Rivers

Title: Bridge to Haven

Author: Francine Rivers

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Abra was abandoned as an infant in the 1950s. Paster Ezekial Freeman found her under a bridge during his morning walk. She grew up in the city of Haven with an older ‘brother,’ Joshua. Abra was never content with her small town life. She longed for more. After she graduated high school, Abra headed for Hollywood. She quickly caught the eye of a manager. He changed her name to Lena Scott. Lena embraced her new life but at a cost. Her manager controlled every aspect of her life. She slowly lost all of her freedom. Lena moved in with her manager and started a very controlled relationship with him. Her manager continued to control more and more of her life. She was told what to wear, what to eat, and where to go. Everything she did was monitored. Lena learns about what she truly wants, and it’s not the Hollywood life. But try as she might, she can’t escape. Will Lena ever be able to escape? Does she have the courage to return home? Can she every have forgiveness for her mistakes? Can she be set free from her past?

Rating: 4.0 – a good book of loss, and forgiveness

Opinion: This was a different style of book for Francine Rivers. It was a little grittier than other books that I’ve read by her. But it still tells a heart rendering of love, loss, and forgiveness. This book doesn’t have many twists but Abra/Lena’s story still captivates your heart. Every person can relate to her story to some extent. Every person has some desire to escape growing up and longs for something bigger. There are many who, when they get their desires, find them unfulfilling, disappointing, or not at all what they wanted or expected. Abra/Lena’s story is also one of forgiveness. When we’ve made a mistake, or a series of them, we long for forgiveness. This may not be the most accurate in the way of forgiveness, because everyone forgives Abra/Lena. This does not always happen in real life. But I will give Francine Rivers this, she is great at dealing with the aftermaths of Abra/Lena’s actions. She struggles with coming to terms with her past. She struggles with it for a long time and has lasting effects. With time, Abra/Lena learns to accept her past and is at peace. This is an excellent story of love, loss, redemption, and forgiveness. If you love Francine Rivers, then you’ll love this story. This is a great story that pulls at your heart, I highly recommend it.

The Winter Witch – Paula Brackston

Title: The Winter Witch

Author: Paula Brackston

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Morgana is a pretty, young woman. She could catch the eye of any young suitor. Except that the people in her village think she’s odd because of her magical skills. Morgana also hasn’t spoken since she was a child. Her mother finds her a suitor in another small town. Cai is her new husband. He is a farmer just outside of town. Morgana is nervous at first and keeps to herself. She quickly befriends the maid who shows her how to harness her powers. While she learns to control her powers, Morgana learns to trust Cai. In town, Morgana is still thought of as odd because of her silence. She is weary of the town’s priest and the wealthy lady in town who has her eye on Cai. Morgana senses something dark in the two of them. The rich lady seems to have everyone wrapped around her finger. Morgana digs deeper into the town’s secrets. She finds out more about the people’s dark past. This puts everyone she knows in danger. Can Morgana convince Cai and the town of this? Will she be able to save him? And the farm?

Rating: 4.0 – a great book with lots of twists and turns

Opinion: This was the first book that I read by Paula Brackston. This book was much better than I was expecting. There are lots of twists and turns in this book. Though I was suspicious of the bad guy/girl from the beginning. It still surprised me how dark the characters go and how far they are willing to go to keep their power. I enjoyed learning about small town Welsh life. It took me a little bit to learn how to say all of the character’s names, cause they’re all Welsh names. Paula Brackston does her research when it comes to history and magic. That and her well written mystery is why I keep reading her books. I also enjoyed learning about the natural magic system and how light and dark witches use their powers. Do I believe in the ways of natural magic? No, but it’s still good to learn about it. All Paula Brackston’s books include some form of natural magic, and this book is no exception. The magic is based on real magical practices. If you’re looking for a historical fiction intertwined with magic and mystery, then I’d highly recommend this book.

The Hearts of Horses – Molly Gloss

Title: The Hearts of Horses

Author: Molly Gloss

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Martha Lesson is a horse trainer in 1917 Eastern Oregon. Some take her on since many of the farm hands are fighting ing WW1. Martha travels around to a few farms going in a circle, switching out horses along the way. At first, the ranchers are skeptical of her quiet ways of breaking (teaching them how to be ridden) horses. Slowly, the ranchers see how effective Martha’s teachings are. She starts earning their respect. They start sharing their lives with her. The ranchers also ask for her help around the farms if she stays for more than a day. Along the way between two farms, something spooks (scares) the horse she’s riding. Martha and her horse take a tumble off the road and down a small cliff. Both miraculously escape with scrapes, and a broken leg. How will Martha be able to continue training the horses? How will she be able to help the ranchers?

Rating: 3.5 – a good book with a slow and steady pace

Opinion: This book is a great read. Though it’s not the most thrilling book that I’ve ever read, it’s still a good book. It tells of the daily life of a girl of a small community. As a horse lover, it’s accurate about how horses are trained properly and what horses need to live. Molly Gloss is an accurate historian, too. She is a horse person and knows what she is talking about. She is also a local author, writing about life in Eastern Oregon, where she grew up and near where I live. She writes well and keeps the plot flowing nicely. As I said, this book’s not the most action packed book I’ve read, but it still keeps you reading. You want to know more about Martha, her life, and the lives of the people she comes to know. If you’re looking for a local author, read then I suggest this book. I’d also suggest this book for any horse lover or a historical fiction lover.

The Shadowy Horses – Susanna Kearsley

Title: The Shadowy Horses

Author: Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Plot: Verity Grey is an archeologist searching for the lost Roman legion, the 9th. The 9th vanished after being sent to fight against the northern tribes of present day England and Scotland. She and some other researchers found some evidence of Roman life near the Scottish and English boarder. A boy who lives near the archeological dig says he’s seen the ghost of a Roman soldier who has connections to the 9th. Verity is skeptical. Her boss is not. He’s insistent that they’ve found a site where the 9th were last camped. Soon after Verity arrives at the site, she starts hearing things. At first, she hears hoofbeats. Then she hears soldiers. Then she finally believes when she actually sees the Roman soldier. As they find more and more evidence of a Roman encampment, the ghost becomes more and more apparent and visible. Will Verity and her boss find evidence of the lost legion? What does the ghost want? Is he a friend or foe? Or is he simply searching for something?

Rating: 4.0 – a good mystery mixed with history and ghosts

Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though it took me a little bit to pick up on all of the British and Scottish terms, as Verity is English and most of the people she works with are Scottish. I enjoyed trying to read what the characters said in their proper accents but gave up as it became too distracting. I am still skeptical of ghosts, like Verity was at the beginning of the book, but the addition of ghosts in the story gave it a very unique perspective. The mystery surrounding is very good, it keeps you reading. There are enough twists to keep you reading and interested. I enjoyed learning more about Roman life in Britain. I also enjoyed learning some things about archeology as well as life in England and Scotland. If you’re looking for a historical fiction book about a less well known time period, then I suggest this book. This book also good for those looking for a good mystery.

Beyond All Dreams – Elizabeth Camden

Title: Beyond All Dreams

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Anna O’Brian is a librarian with the Library of Congress who specializes in maps. One day, she learns of a ship that’s disappeared at sea. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she searches for answers. In Anna’s search for answers, she meets Luke Callahan. Luke is a congressmen, one who’s past haunts him. At first he is hesitant to assist her. Anna wants answers and funds for the new Library of Congress. Luke thinks it’s a waist of money. He brushes her off at first. But Luke is the one of the few people who can help her. Slowly, he starts helping Anna. But some secrets are hidden behind the disappeared ship. People are trying to stop them. What secrets are hidden? Who wants the ship to remain disappeared? Can Anna and Luke ever learn to fully trust each other?

Rating: 3.5 – a good read with some good twists, and sappy romance

Opinion: This was a good book. I love Elizabeth Camden’s books for their history, mystery, and sappy romance. It was filled with accurate historical fiction, mystery, and sappy romance. I wasn’t sure how much political stuff there would be, but there wasn’t. Anna and Luke show a realistic past and overcoming past hurts. They are slow to talk of their pasts and to trust each other with their pasts. I enjoyed that character growth. There was also a fair amount of mystery. There seemed to be more plot twists than other Elizabeth Camden books, but that could’ve been me. If you’re looking for a great book about history, mystery, and sappy romance, then read this book.

Immanuel’s Veins – Ted Dekker

Title: Immanuel’s Veins

Author: Ted Dekker

Genre: Fantasy, Thriller

Plot: Toma Nicolescu is a highly regarded soldier in the Russian Army. He is tasked with protecting two sisters, Lucine and Natasha Cantemir, and escort them back to Russia. They are staying with Vlad van Valerik. Both Toma and Vlad are taken by Lucine’s beauty. Both try to win her heart. Natasha is instantly taken with the freedom and power Vlad and his people offer. She embraces it wholeheartedly and is slowly transformed into someone else. Vlad offers Lucine the same freedom and power. She is hesitant and can tell something is off. Especially when Toma returns to Vlad’s castle to make sure that the sisters are alright. He feels like something is off. He doesn’t completely buy into Vlad’s story. Vlad and Natasha slowly win her over. While Vlad and Natasha win Lucine to their side, Toma learns more about Vlad and his people. What he discovers shocks him. He rushes back to Vlad’s castle to fight for Lucine’s life and love. But will it be too late? Will Toma be able to save Lucine from a fate worse than death? Is it possible to save the others under Vlad’s control as well? Or will Vlad fully convince Lucine to join him and his people? Will Lucine accept his freedom and power?

Rating: 4.0 – this story is weird but fascinating and it keeps you read

Opinion: I’ve always loved Ted Dekker’s books. This one is no exception. This book is oddly fascinating. There were many times I was thinking uh, this is really weird but this is so fascinating, I want to know more. Ted Dekker took a classic monster legend and made it his own. I loved what he did with it. There were plenty of plot twists to keep me reading. Over the years, I’ve realized that Ted Dekker’s books deal with blood. The book revolves around saving or destroying people with blood. I don’t mind it because Ted Dekker does it in a non violent, non gory way. If you’re looking for an interesting read about history, love, and thrills then I suggest you read this book.

The Red Tent – Anita Diamant

Title: The Red Tent

Author: Anita Diamant

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Plot: Dinah is Jacob’s only daughter. He has twelve sons between four wives, this is early biblical times. But this is Dinah’s story and told through her eyes. She is loved by her mothers and is delighted whenever she is allowed to help growing up. There’s lots of work to do, taking care of the animals, washing clothes, etc. Her closest friend is her brother Joseph. Dinah envies the times the mothers and other women in Jacob’s camp get to go to the red tent once a month. When she hits puberty she understands the significance and a great ceremony is held. Hard times hit some time later. Jacob moves the family to Egypt with her grandfather Abraham. There, Dinah is married to a wealthy Egyptian’s son. She spends a short while with him before all of the Egyptian men are circumcised. Her brother’s, fearing for her safety and their own, attack and kill all of the men of the family, including her husband. Dinah flees with the remaining Egyptians. Her family thinks she’s dead. Dinah learns she is pregnant shortly after. She bears a son. Her mother-in-law is insistent that Dinah’s son be raised in the Egyptian culture. Dinah reluctantly accepts and becomes no more than a servant in the Egyptian’s household. Slowly, Dinah realizes that she can make her own way in the world. She leave’s her son’s household and lives among friends. Dinah finds her brother, Joseph, who’s become second only to pharaoh. She makes peace with her life and finds love again.

Rating: 3.5 – a good story, and a slow and steady one.

Opinion: This is an accurate historical fiction book. It carefully weaves the history of the time with biblical history. Though I don’t know my old testament as well as I should, the timeline fits, as there is only a brief mention of Dinah. The bible mostly focuses on Dinah’s brothers. I enjoyed learning more in depth about the lives of people in the bible and what life was really like. There were a few things I had questions about, that most people gloss over in the bible, but was able to see the reasons for them. This book was a little slow for my liking, but still a good book. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy ancient history and want to learn more about other culture’s pasts.

Guest Book Review – This is the Day

Thank you That Dad Stuff for another post. For all the sports lovers out there. Here’s Tim Tebow’s biography.

“Bookworm Dad: Tim Tebow This is the Day: My kids are bookworms. They love to read. They did not get this trait from me. I hated reading when I was a kid. Fast forward 25-30 years to today, if I find something I am interested in, I will read it. I still don’t read a lot, but I do Audible. Does that count? Is that “reading” a book? Kinda? Well, I do Audible A LOT! I recently came across a book by Tim Tebow – This is the Day.

“We went to our local chain bookstore, and I let the kids go off with their mom to find some new books to read. As I was wandering in the sports section, I came across a book by Tim Tebow. I picked it up and just started skimming it. I read a few pages and was really hooked. There are several situations that Tim writes about on how he used his fame or his foundation to help those in need. There are many references to God and bible passages. That did not surprise me. If you know Tim Tebow, you know he is a very religious man. (Look up, Tebowing.)

“While reading this book, I really like how he discusses the transition from Football hopes and dreams to his Baseball hopes and dreams and how sometimes you need to trust your gut. There are several personal stories with biblical principles throughout the book. Several situations that Tim found himself in made me think to myself, was it his gut telling him to do something, or was it God telling him to do something? I felt this way through most of the book. One thing is for sure if you’re a believer like me… you know what, check that… you know who was pushing him to do something.”

Here is a link for the post original post: This is the Day

Guest Book Review – The Sweetness Followed

Thanks to That Dad Stuff for this review. The Sweetness Followed by James Morley III

“Sweetness Followed is not some feel-good romp but rather an exercise in the slow dramatic burn. It’s an esoteric tale that can best be described as a hybrid of John Irving and Chuck Palahniuk. The sweet and the sour to use a food analogy. It is a small-town drama that looks at life with the glass as having a huge jagged dark crack in it. Or, to shoot higher, an alternate mythology as to why the world appears so fallen. Yikes.

“This is a book you want everyone you know to read, but they have to take it on faith because you cannot tell them what it is about. This is a work that seems to be entirely character-driven without an appreciable plot. This will never be in Oprah’s book club, not because it is not worthy, but because it is too deep. Not deep in the way pseudo-academic literature pretends to be; the book is quite clear and quite obvious. But it will hit you in your soul.”