In all seriousness, I can honestly say I've loved every one of my books this month, and, thanks to lots of you readers and your recommendations, I've been brave and stepped out of my comfort zone... I've read a book on christian living, a classic suspense story, a biographical novel and I even reached into the never before entered territory of the fantasy genre (unless you count Harry Potter!) I've loved discovering new authors, crossing genre boundaries and just generally trying out some new books. I SO encourage you to join the fun... its not too late!!
I can't wait to hear how you've all been getting on with your #atozauthors adventures... Here's what I've been reading...
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| Photo courtesy of pixgood.com |
FRANCIS CHAN
"CRAZY LOVE"
This was a quick read as far as nonfiction books go, and it was challenging from start to finish. Chan challenges the lukewarm Christianity that pervades much of the modern church and calls us back to biblical, radical living. Loving God and loving our communities in sacrificial and practical ways. I loved it. And although it was the first book I read in February, its message lingers, calling me not just to feel challenged, but for the way I live to be changed. A must-read for all Christians.
Favourite quotes:
"How many of us would really leave our families, our jobs, our education, our friends, our connections, our familiar surroundings and our homes if Jesus asked us to?" (p96)
"Be careful not to allow others lives to be the mold for your own... Allow God to be as creative with you as he is with each of us" (p167)
*****
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| Photo courtesy of www.etsy.com |
DAPHNE DU MAURIER
"REBECCA"
This book had me totally gripped from the word go... it was not AT ALL what I expected, but I couldn't put it down! Du Maurier weaves suspense throughout the book - a deep seated sense of forboding whispers on every page, with some wonderfully clever twists and turns along the way... Slightly Jane Eyre-esque without the gothic feel. It was just one of those books that leaves you with a hundred questions at the end and isn't totally satisfying in a perfectly satisfying way. I think this should be on everyone's 'classics to read' list. I highly recommend!
Favourite quotes:
"Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind" (p6)
"It's funny, I thought, how the routine of life goes on, whatever happens, we do the same things, go through the little performances of eating, sleeping, washing. No crisis can break through the crust of habit" (p358)
*****
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| Picture courtesy of bookwormburrow.wordpress.com |
DAVID EDDINGS
"PAWN OF PROPHECY"
This was my risk this month... I'm not normally one for fantasy novels and I never have been, but I figured now was as good a time as any to dip my toes into this new genre. At the recommendation of a friend (thanks Sarah!) who had also previously been unconvinced by this particular style of writing, I thought I'd give David Eddings a chance. ANd I'm SO glad I did!! I was totally sripped by Garion's story from start to finish, and there was a good balance of adventure, fantasy and good storytelling, as well as fantastic characterisation to boot. My only dilemma now is that there are 5 books in the series and I want to read what happens next! I'm really glad to have a new author AND a new genre to explore!
Favourite quotes:
"Good men will live their lives believing only in what they can see and touch. But there's a world beyond what we can see and touch, and that world lives by its own laws. What may be impossible in the very ordinary world is very possible there, and sometimes the boundaries between the two worlds disappear, and then who can say what is possible and impossible?" (p31)
"If you're old enough to ask the questions, you're old enough to hear the answers" (p258)
*****
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| Photo courtesy of www.storymerchant.com |
BENEDICT AND NANCY FREEDMAN
"MRS MIKE"
This book made me ache... the stunning beauty, the sheer size of that great, unbroken land with its terrifying majesty and heartbreaking harshness. Mrs Mike is the true story of Kathy, a young wife building her life on the frontier of northern Canada with her Mountie husband in a settlement in the early 20th century. It is mind-blowing, breathtaking, heartaching and heartwarming all at once. This book must be read... I was with the author every step of the story and it brings a new depth to historical understanding, as well as an appreciation of the beauty of life to all who read it. Definitely my favourite book of this challenge so far!
Favourite quotes:
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As I said, its been a fabulous month of reading! Hooray!
Now its time for you to let us know how you're getting on with #atozauthors! The linky is continuous so we can keep a record of all we've read, so you can just go ahead and continue to link up below. Please do leave a comment here and also take a look at some of the other linkers to get some inspiration for your own A to Z journey... and don't forget to leave a comment with them and say hi! We all need a little encouragement on the way!
In the meantime, happy reading! I'll see you on April the 1st!
Looking for 'C' recommendations anyone?? I seem to have read a lot of 'C' authors.
ReplyDeleteWow you have done so well this month! I still haven't picked up my C yet...I really need to get on it.
ReplyDeleteYou did so well! I've only read one measly book :( will do better this month :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so great when you get chance to really read...I've just finished 'A', a bit late on the bandwagon, but hoping to catch up :) thanks for hosting! Xx
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