This month I read the following books:
The Ravaged Land Series Books 1-3 by Kellee L. Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I got this as a cheap/free download from Kindle, but it was perfect reading for first few days around chemo whilst awake on steroids. I’m a bit of a fan of moral-teenage-dystopian reads when I’m having a few down days … and there’s a strong female character (she doesn’t feel strong), and the text doesn’t shy away from some difficult situations, questions, and frequent death scenes – leading to questioning about our overall existence. And yes, I’ve downloaded the second trilogy (what does one call that?) that completes the set!
From Now On: A Lent Course on Hope and Redemption in The Greatest Showman by Rachel Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been reading this alongside a small group on Facebook throughout Lent, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to think about a film that I had NO expectations of when I went to the cinema to see it, and ended up really enjoying (and tempted to have This is Me as my funeral exit song, though I hope that’ll be a long way day the line!). This is a very small book, with a whole lot of content in it … I don’t know how it would be to have read it entirely individually, as I found that the online conversations added new thoughts triggered by Rachel’s original questions. Really enjoyed a little theological thinking around what can seem quite a fluffy film!
The Ravaged Land Series – Books 4-6: Running Away, Escaping Fear, & Fighting Back by Kellee L. Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can’t quite decide if this is a 3 or a 4! I enjoyed it much the same as the previous trilogy (and it appears there’s a third trilogy coming) – much as I do most dystopian survival books – it’s doesn’t flee away from the hard stuff, but the story felt a bit rushed towards the finish!
Scar by Alice Broadway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This trilogy brings together much of the previous books (as you would expect) with somewhat of a moral and hopeful finish. Lies are exposed, but the end is still not every end neatly tied up (I like that)… I got a little confused sometimes about who’s supposed to be good/bad – but maybe that’s the point!!
The Resilient Disciple: A Lenten Journey from Adversity to Maturity by Justine Allain-Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Manageable and encouraging
I saw a number of people had picked up this daily reading book for lent, so, as I’m mostly at home and with the concentration of a pea (cancer treatment) I decided to give it a go. Reading (on Kindle) was v manageable – I highlighted a few areas – and gave something to think about bigger picture/smaller thoughts and actions – each day. Very helpful.
Shopaholic to the Stars: by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I haven’t read much chicklit recently, but used to enjoy Shopaholic series. In one way, still did – it’s v easy reading and characters are well drawn – although Becky never seems to learn – the whole buy/fashion thing is a bit out of my life experience but I do actually like that it ends with a rejection of much of that … oh — and the story is set to continue!!
