Winter is officially over!
I started out burning through books… and then quickly burnt out. I’ve been learning a lot about social media and platforming, and I think the stress of it got to me again. I needed to be reminded that God is in control, and I don’t need to worry about it! Just keep learning, keep trusting, and He will take care of the rest. I ended up backing off for a week from a lot of writing things, taking the time to Listen, Be still, and refocus. It was good to remind myself why I am doing this, and that it’s about obeying His calling and glorifying Him, not comparing myself to others.
Have you prepared a cozy cuppa? Here are some recommended reads from my winter afternoon lunch breaks, and even one I enjoyed during the stressful blizzardy commutes I endured this year. 🙂
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, JK Rowling
This was the first time I’ve listened to HP on audio book. I began listening to it a few weeks ago when actual winter hit Michigan, which was perfect timing because I spent extra time in the car driving to and from work. I don’t enjoy driving, but having an audio book on during a ride that lasts more than 20 minutes helped to keep me focused instead of worried, and this was a perfect choice. Jim Dale does so many wonderful voices, and Hagrid even sounds just like in the movie! It was a real treat.
Disowned by Sarah Addison-Fox
Addison-Fox creates an edgy world that in places feels familiar, and yet it is constructed together in a new way. I liked the character Maggie especially, but I struggled to connect to the main character. There’s a lot of sorrow and pain in her past, but I appreciated her curiosity and interest in learning. I am looking forward to reading the next book! This is the first cover, and Addison-Fox has recently changed the cover, but I loved this one the best.
Ogre Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine
It’s was so great to have Ella’s world back in my hands. This book contains the same witty dialogue and clever story-telling. It had a few surprises on the way. (They were the sort of surprises where you go “Oh! I should have guessed that.”) However, upon finishing it I did feel a little left behind. Something felt missing, and perhaps that is because- well, I’ll try not to give spoilers, but it is a prequel to Ella, so it sets us up for a few things in that book. It could be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading Ella first, then it will mean more to you.
The Electrical Menagerie, by Mollie E. Reeder
*Heart eyes* This GIF is so. amaze. Mollie’s ink baby just got a brand new cover and is now available on audio book! I loved the friendship between Carthage and Huxley. It was nice to read a book about a friendship instead of a romance. Huxley is adorably amusing, but I felt I identified better with Carthage. There were a lot of surprises, and I was impressed by how smoothly the character’s God-centered view fit into the world. You don’t always find that in Christian literature, and sometimes it comes off as awkward or “preachy” (unrealistic). This felt natural, and it was relieving. To sum it up, this was a sensational circus of fun.
That is all I have for now, friends! Until next season, read on!