and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
What a great book! I do enjoy Francine River’s writing style especially in her books that focus on real life issues. This one doesn’t disappoint. I like the feelings of hope that her books leave me with. This novel focuses on a pastor, Paul Hudson, who is called to pastor a struggling church in a small town. He turns the church around and soon it is no longer struggling at all. What happens in the following years chronicles a man’s struggle with power and overcoming past hurts and future temptations. It shows a man’s slide from living his life for God to living his life for himself only. Paul hurts his wife and son deeply. He makes a mess of his life. He forgets that God and preaching his word is what is important, not the material things. This book really took me on an emotional journey with all these characters and I became attached to them and felt their joys and sorrows. I was sad to see the book end. I would have liked to know what happened still in the next few years. I would highly recommend this novel especially to fans of Christian fiction.
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Another great read from Sophie Kinsella. In this newest novel we meet Lexi Smart. The novel opens with Lexi being 25 years old, out with friends, struggling with her job. She falls on some stairs and hits her head and wakes up in the hospital. The thing is, somehow it’s three years later, she’s married, rich, and has a high-powered job-not to mention she can barely recognize herself because of all the changes to her appearance. The novel goes on and lets us in to learn the things that happened to Lexi in those missing three years and takes us through her struggles now as she’s learning about herself and finding that having it all may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. It’s a fast and light read-perfect for summer reading I think. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for Sophie Kinsella fans and others.
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shephard
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
This book was a selection from my book club for April. It is based on a play and portrays the struggles of a black family in a different time. It shows their struggles with finding good jobs, trying to get an education, having money to just get by or even having money to get a decent house to live in. I liked the characters and found myself drawn to the mother-her pride and strength. What I got most out of reading this book was the strong sense of pride and love in this family. I thought it was a good book, not great and it was a quick read that packed a punch.
The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers
Dynah is a young lady going to a Christian college. There she meets the guy of her dreams and they are going to be married. One evening on her way home from work she is raped. From this point on this book makes you question all your beliefs and makes you ask yourself-just what would I do? Dynah’s life falls apart and she is faced with many life changing decisions. Throughout the book Dynah falls back on her faith and this leads her to making the decisions she ultimately does. This book is definitely a good read especially for anyone who has ever experienced a rape and a resulting pregnancy or anyone that has had an abortion or may be considering one and is conflicted.