Recent Reads {Thorn in My Heart}

Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs - I'm not sure how long I've had this on my to-read list, but it's been awhile. And now that I finally picked it up and read it, I wish I'd done it so much sooner - it's a wonderful book, and I immediately grabbed the second in the series and got started on that. This is a historical novel, set in Lowland Scotland in 1788, but is based on the Biblical story of Jacob. The description on the back cover only hints at that connection, but readers familiar with the Old Testament patriarchs will not be able to miss it after about page 3! Jamie is the Scottish character that manages to trick his father and claim the family's inheritance rather than have it go to his twin brother. Then he escapes his brother's threats by going to an uncle who has two daughters. Of course Jamie immediately falls for the younger daughter, but it is the older who falls for him. The uncle is quick to take any advantage he can of the situation in order to get free labor from Jamie for as long as he can, and doesn't scruple at bribery or threats or even pitting his daughters against each other in order to turn his own profit. Jamie and the two daughters, Leana and Rose, are all victims and deceivers in turn. In the Biblical story, both daughters were married to Jacob, but clearly that part of the story wouldn't be culturally "possible" in eighteenth century Scotland, so one of the things that kept me turning pages was the anticipation of how Higgs would manage that part of the parallel story. No spoilers here - but it was incredibly well done! I was hard-pressed to put the book down once I got started.

Recent Reads {In Search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant}

In Search of the Lost Ark of the Covenant by Robert Cornuke and David Halbrook - This is the third book by Cornuke and Halbrook that I've read, and it was fascinating. Cornuke made several trips to Ethiopia, where it's believed that the Ark of the Covenant is located. Cornuke visits Axum and Lake Tana as well as the St Mary of Zion Church, and interviews monks, priests, and scholars. The narrative provides a unique view of the religious practices and daily life of the people of Ethiopia, and the Biblical research raises thought-provoking insights about the possible role of the Ark and the prophecies and clues in Scripture. Of course Cornuke and his team never see the Ark themselves, because it is kept in complete isolation, but there is enough evidence to be convinced that the object the priests guard so carefully is indeed the Ark, and that it may yet play an important role when Messiah returns. Reading this book has been particularly timely, as our adult Sunday School class has recently studied the Exodus, and are now studying the Tabernacle worship of the Jews while in the desert.

By the same authors:  In Search of the Mountain of God, In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah

Recent Reads {Lady Macbeth}

Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King - I genuinely enjoyed this historical novel featuring Lady Macbeth telling her own story. My previous knowledge about Macbeth and his queen was limited to what little I remember from Shakespeare's play, so this novel based on historical evidence (what little there is) of these eleventh-century Scottish monarchs was an eye-opener. King has taken the bits of pieces known about Macbeth, his queen (Gruoch, or Gruadh, shortened in the novel to a nickname - Rue) and her previous marriage, and the other kings of the time, and woven them together with historical information about battles and conflicts and daily life in Scotland at that time. She imagines Gruadh as a strong warrior-princess of Scotland, a leader with her own claim to the High Kingship and her own sorrows and joys and challenges. The story captured my interest early on, and kept me engaged throughout, so that I felt just a bit disappointed that I'd reached the end of the book! I also really appreciated that she told her story in a dignified manner - without stooping to bodice-ripping or anything unnecessary like that. Good book, and I may check into other titles by this author!

Recent Reads {The History of England}

The History of England by Jane Austen - this delightful short send-up of English history was written by Austen when she was a teenager, intended for performance for her family. It is a parody of history texts, and ironically delivered by a fiercely biased narrator. It took me probably less than half an hour to read, but provided a great deal of amusement. It was part of a volume entitled Two Histories of England, but as I was really only interested in Austen, I skimmed the introduction, and didn't even bother reading the portion excerpted from Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England. Austen's witty sense of parody and satire is evident even in this early work, which she probably never intended for publication.

By the same author: Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility

Recent Reads {Sense and Sensibility}

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - I finished this classic over a week ago, and one of the movie versions is sitting here at my desk for me to watch. I have to admit that it took me awhile to get fully engaged in Sense and Sensibility, as I kept gravitating to some of the other books I was reading so after a few days away from it, I had to remind myself who all the characters were again. Once I was several chapters in, I was more drawn into the story and it was easier to pick up where I left off without confusion. Elinor and Marianne are likeable protagonists, with Elinor representing 'sense' and Marianne representing 'sensibility.' As Peter Leithart points out in Miniatures and Morals, the idea of 'sensibility' of Austen's time was more what we would think of as emotional and overly dramatic; everything based on feelings and an undisciplined show of them. Colonel Brandon, and to a lesser extent, Edward Ferrars are the male characters that share Elinor's tendency towards 'sense' - governing their own feelings and emotions wisely, making mature judgments, and considering their responsibilities to and feelings of others. All the other characters demonstrate excessive 'sensibility' in some way. John Dashwood is weak and spineless, thinking only of his own ease; Sir John Middleton is hospitable and cheerful, yet really doesn't consider the interests or preferences of his guests; Willoughby is a selfish player who uses others for his own gain and has little moral fiber; and the female characters are all selfish or silly and heedless of others in some way. Despite all their faults, several of the characters are quite likeable. Marianne's self-indulgent and over-dramatic nursing of her own hurts is ridiculous, - I would have liked to slap some sense into her, and yet I couldn't help sympathizing with her and hoping things would come out right for her in the end (as of course, they do). And thankfully, Marianne does get some 'sense' and maturity towards the end of the story.  Mrs Jennings is a class-less busybody, but she does have a generous heart and means well, so even as I shook my head at her nonsense, she was a character I could like. In contrast, I'm just a bit disappointed that Lucy Steele and Willoughby don't get a more obvious punishment. ;-)

By the same author: Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, The History of England

Recent Reads {Twilight of Avalon}

Twilight of Avalon by Anna Elliott - I actually read the second in this series a couple weeks ago, and should state up front that I liked the second one better. Although the events of Dark Moon of Avalon follow the events of Twilight of Avalon, it seems to me that each novel stands well on its own. That said, the endings of both are left very open, leading naturally into the next installment, so I think that if I hadn't already read what happens next, the ending of this first installment would have been rather unsatisfying. The story begins while ancient Britain is mourning the death of the High King Constantine, Isolde's husband. The remaining kings are jockeying for position and power, while the threat of Saxon invasion looms ever closer. Isolde is in a precarious position, as others try to use her status as widow and as Queen of Camelard for their own gain, and she must decide if there is anyone she can trust as an ally, and if there is anything she can do to preserve Britain. One of her few allies is Trystan - at that time a prisoner and a mercenary. She doesn't recognize his strong connection to her own past, having shut away all her memories from the time before she was married to Constantine. The storytelling is well-done and the characters are compelling, but my complaint about the book would be language that is more graphic than in the second novel, although that is a rather minor point. Also, I noticed several grammatical/typographical errors, which should probably be blamed on the editing and publishing rather than the author; but in all honesty when I am reading a book that replaces the word "gait" with "gate", for example, my opinion of the quality does go down. Overall though, an enjoyable story - not as gripping as Dark Moon of Avalon, but I still plan to read the third installment when I find the chance.

By the same author: Dark Moon of Avalon

Recent Reads {Quitting Church}

Quitting Church: Why the Faithful Are Fleeing and What to Do about It by Julia Duin - Julia Duin, religion editor for The Washington Times, has put together this thoughtful and well-researched exploration of why there may be a growing number of "formerly churched" as well as "unchurched" people out there.Duin does not give us a 'how-to' book, offer simple steps to bringing folks back into the church, or even on keeping the ones we have.  She does offer valuable insight into what those disengaged or dissatisfied Christians are thinking and feeling, whether they have already bolted or not.  The challenge then, is for the pastors, church leaders, and laypeople to see where church is not living up to the mission given to it, and where we can make changes that more accurately reflect Christ and His Kingdom.  I thought the book did a good job of highlighting the disconnect that so often occurs between our Christian beliefs and how we live them out - or at least how others perceive that we are living them out.  I'd be surprised if there's any believer of any stripe who doesn't disagree with at least one thing presented in this book, or who isn't at least a tiny bit offended by something in this book.  But, I would also expect that all believers who read it will experience a little bit of the heartbreak that occurs when the Body of Christ fails its members.  By presenting the problems and question that are prompting Christians to disengage from established churches without trying to come up with a 'one size fits all' or '12-step program' solution for churches, Duin leaves it to the readers to assess where their own local church body may need to refocus on what the Bible tells us the Body of Christ should be like, and what course corrections might need to be made.