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.

Recent Reads {Patrick: Son of Ireland}

Patrick: Son of Ireland by Stephen R. Lawhead - I've been a fan of Lawhead's historical fiction for a few years now, and if I remember correctly, this was the first book of his that I read.  Lawhead weaves a richly detailed storyline for St Patrick's background around the historical details known about his life before he returned as a missionary to the Irish.  The narrative begins in Succat's youth, introducing us to a privileged young man in Britain.  He has the misfortune of being taken by Irish raiders and sold as a slave in Ireland, where he spends seven years before finally managing his escape.  In Lawhead's version, he begins training with the druids before leaving Ireland.  When he returns to Britain, it is to find his family dead and the estate gone, and his former friends much changed.  He winds up as a soldier in Gaul, then finds a measure of success and happiness in Rome.  When the plague lays the city low and claims his wife and child, he is plunged back into despair, but it is during this time that he receives his calling to return to Ireland.  I love how Lawhead takes the historical character and events and adds a supporting cast of fascinating characters, and incredible detail to the backstory.  As in his Celtic Crusade, Pendragon, and Robin Hood series, Lawhead blends history and legend and fantasy so well it's sometimes hard to tell where the line between fiction and history falls.

I have sometimes  been puzzled by the inclusion of Lawhead's books in Christian bookstores, however, so I want to add a caveat of sorts.  While Lawhead does usually present Christian beliefs very positively, he also presents ancient druid beliefs, mythical elements and some mysticism as compatible with, or even a component of Christianity.  This wouldn't sit well with all readers, which is why I point it out.  In my personal opinion, since it is fiction, and fantasy fiction at that, it's not something that bothers me.  But I wouldn't consider these books to be exactly "Christian fiction" either.

As I said though, Lawhead has become one of my favorite authors, and though this is at least the third time I have read Patrick (I like to read it every year around the middle of March!), I enjoyed it just as thoroughly, and am considering how soon I might re-read some of his other books that I own.

By the same author:  Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, The Skin Map

Recent Reads {Dark Moon of Avalon}

Dark Moon of Avalon

The feature shelf at the library came through again! 8-) This is a novel of Trystan and Isolde, a retelling of this medieval romance that follows Isolde as she endeavors to win allies among the smaller kings of Britain with Trystan as her guide and protector. Of course they have long been in love with each other, but they don't admit it till near the end! Admittedly, it took me a couple of chapters to feel like I could keep all the supporting characters straight and really get involved in the story, but before I was halfway through the book I was well and truly drawn in and willing to lose sleep in order to finish! I was pleasantly surprised that the story stayed "clean" too - when picking up any book styled as a tale of romance, I half expect lurid bedroom scenes, but thankfully Elliott appears to have much more class than to resort to that. Dark Moon of Avalon is part of a trilogy - part one is entitled Twilight of Avalon, and part three is slated for release this fall. Dark Moon worked fine on its own, as I didn't even realize it was a sequel until I'd finished. However, it's possible that my confusion in the early chapters might have been avoided if I'd read the books in order. I do plan on reading Twilight in the near future.

Recent Reads {In Search of the Mountain of God}

In Search of the Mountain of God: The Discovery of the Real Mt Sinai by Robert Cornuke and David Halbrook - I think this may be the first book in which Cornuke shares his experiences in search of archeological evidence of Biblical events, and it's a real eye-opener. The quest begins with Cornuke joining a team looking for the place where the Israelites crossed the Red Sea during the Exodus, and the conclusion they come to is that the crossing was most likely to have taken place near the southeast corner of the Sinai peninsula, and that they crossed over to what is now Saudi Arabia. The next logical question then arises - then where is Mt Sinai? The traditional location is at St Catherine's in Egypt, but as the authors point out, there are some real problems reconciling the traditional locations with what the Bible says, and what would be logical. The book reads like an adventure novel, and my only complaint with it is that I think I would have personally preferred the search story set out chronologically instead. Cornuke presents a solid case for dismissing the traditional locations as erroneous, and considering the claims of the mountain he and partner Larry Williams explored in Saudi Arabia as being the REAL Mt Sinai. I highly recommend this book, and the DVD that was made several years later as it also features interviews with and photos from an American family that lived in Saudi Arabia and were able to get their photo-evidence out of the kingdom and share it with Cornuke and Williams.

I guess it's only fair to include this disclaimer: after reading the book and/or watching the DVD, the maps and Sunday School lessons that give the "traditional" route and locations will irritate you.  LOL  ;-)

Related DVD:  Mountain of Fire

By the same author:  In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah

Recent Reads {Northanger Abbey}

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - If I remember correctly, this is one of Austen's earliest novels, although it wasn't published until after her death.  I don't find it as engrossing as Pride and Prejudice - the heroine Catherine Morland is naive and a bit "blonde" ;-) but she is at least likeable.  She develops from being a sheltered and rather ignorant girl to a much wiser and self-disciplined young lady in the course of the story.  In short, while Elizabeth Bennet is already quite mature in P&P, we watch Catherine actually grow up.  Her love interest, Henry Tilney, is kind and witty, but I'm never quite sure what he sees in Catherine to attract him! It was interesting to read Peter Leithart's assessment of the novel in Morals and Miniatures, and gain a better understanding of how Austen's characters are developed.

By the same author:  Pride and Prejudice

Recent Reads {noonie's masterpiece}

noonie's masterpiece by Lisa Railsback, with art by Sarajo Frieden - This was Kennady's lucky find on the 'new books' feature shelf at the library recently.  She was looking for something to read, but wasn't sure what she wanted, so I introduced her to the gamble of checking the feature shelves.  This time it definitely paid off, as she loved this book!  The book is full of whimsical drawings and artwork that illustrates the story. 

(Kennady gave me the details for this summary)  Noonie is a ten-year-old girl who is also an artist - an undiscovered and under-appreciated artist.  Her dad is an archaeologist and is traveling around the world, but Noonie believes if she can win an art contest he will come home.  She lives with her aunt and uncle and cousin, and has a best friend named Reno.  She wants to be discovered as an artist, and her dad has told her that her mom was an artist (her mom died when Noonie was very young).  At the start of the book she is in her "blue period" and moves into her "purple period" when she enters the contest.  Her family laugh at her painting, but Reno helps her get it ready for the contest.  She imagines many famous artist encouraging her.  Although she doesn't win a prize, her family think her painting is good after all, and her dad continues to encourage her by telling her about her mother's "polka-dot period." so she decides that her own "polka-dot period" will be even better than her "purple period!"