Every year around Advent and Christmas, I want to write a deep, meaningful post about the season, but I never get around to it. And this year, having a sequential line of thought seems more elusive than normal. In the midst of frustration, it’s tempting to just give up and let the season pass without a contribution from me. But I refuse to be defeated!

So, here we are, gentle reader. Welcome to my attempt at an Advent reflection, as developed from my couch (which is actually a bed set up by my husband in my in-laws’ living room).

Why the curious living arrangements? Well, long story short, last year, I herniated a disc in my lower back. And despite one surgery this time last year, the disc re-herniated, and I’m currently recovering from my second surgery. Anyone who has experienced this knows the pain is terrible. And functioning day-to-day is a struggle, even after surgery, as the healing process is taking place. There are so many things I like to do this time of year, and it’s a struggle to keep from saying “humbug” whenever I hit a physical limit to what I’m able to do. It has been a time when the curse that inflicts all of humanity is felt personally.

I can’t pretend to have the answers to the questions that arise in the middle of such circumstances. But I can share the rest of the story and what helped me work through the most recent difficulty.

A few months ago, I was reading a book that used the hymn “How Firm A Foundation” as a point of reflection.1 One of the verses goes like this:

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

On its face, this verse has nothing to do with this time of year. I didn’t make the connection at first. But then it hit me. “Fear not, I am with thee…” Those words are very familiar to this time of year.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV)

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23, KJV)

Christ was born into the world, and one of the first things that was uttered in the aftermath was the words “fear not” because there was good news — God had come to walk among men. And He came to bring aid to and save His wayward, broken, and downtrodden people. This aid would not be a temporary band-aid of warm and fuzzy feelings, but a resuscitation of our very souls, if we would but welcome Him. And the promise of His being with us, well, that continues to this very day. Christ walks with us and gives us aid as we march toward His second advent, when He comes to destroy the curse of sin and death once and for all as the famous Christmas song “Joy to the World” implies:

“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.”

Now, these individual concepts are not new to me. But the combination of circumstances and timing has made them take deeper root in my heart. It was deeply impactful to remember and reflect on this reality — that because Christ was born, I have a Savior who walks with me and gives me aid when I need it most. Jesus is not an impersonal God. He will uphold me.

I’m just one person who is struggling, and what I’m walking through is not the same as what you might be. But I hope this can be an encouragement. Friends, if we are weary, hurting, or looking for answers, this time of year is for us! It’s for us to remember that the Lord has not left the world, or us as individuals, alone, without any source of hope or help. He is our help. He is with us.

I’m apart of The Good Book Company’s reviewer program, and received an electronic copy of each of these books for honest review. I include links to each of the books, but I do not receive compensation for referring or reviewing them.

September

John Knox: The Boy Who Changed a Country by Sinclair Ferguson

This little book on John Knox is the newest installment in the Do Great Things for God series.

This is a great introduction to John Knox. It hits the main points of his life, emphasizing what he did for the formation of the Protestant church in Scotland. The language is clear and the illustrations are beautifully done. But what I liked most about this book is the reflection questions, timeline, and map included at the end. There is also a QR code so that parents can get free resources. All of these things can help facilitate deeper engagement and further discussions, making this book a great resource for families to learn about church history.

With Heart, Soul, and Voice by Tim Chester

Tim Chester presents a new Advent devotional taking readers through the Nativity songs found in the Gospel of Luke - The Magnificat (Mary’s song), The Benedictus (Zechariah’s song), The Gloria (the Angels’ song), and The Nunc Dimittis (Simeon’s song). There are twenty-four days, with each section containing five to seven chapters.

I’m going to be honest, I haven’t finished this one yet. I want to use it as my Advent devotional this year and go through it slowly. I have read though a few of the chapters and I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. The book is also endorsed by people I’ve found to be trustworthy in the past, so I have no problem saying that this new devotional is worth checking out.

October

The Story of Christmas by Carl Laferton (Part of the God’s Big Promises Series)

Using stories and illustrations from God’s Big Promises Storybook, Laferton creates a Christmas focused storybook that takes children through the entire Nativity story - starting with Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and ending with the escape of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt. This book is geared towards children ages two to six.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this storybook. The Story of Christmas is beautifully illustrated. It’s laid out with small chunks in a chapter format with a clue finding element, all of which is meant to help keep little ones engaged as they hear the story of Christ’s coming. I love all of those elements. However, Laferton makes an attempt to make the language of Scripture more understandable for toddlers and younger children. I personally don’t love the end results of this effort, as it leads to some statements in the book that don’t totally align with the wording in Scripture.

For example, when Gabriel appears to Mary, The Story of Christmas has her asking “…how she could have a baby whose father was God” (pg. 9). Scripture has Mary saying, “how will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34 ESV). Granted I’m not a trained translator of the Bible, but this choice feels… off, and I wonder if there was not another way to phrase this and other parts of the story book that are closer to the statements in Scripture.

I’ll give Laferton the benefit of the doubt. I think he’s making a good faith attempt to create a book that delivers the gospel to children and I’ve liked some of his previous work. I will say though, if you are a parent interested in The Story of Christmas (or the rest of the books in this series), read them ahead of time before using them with your children and see what you think.

Your Incredible Eyes by Abbey Wedgeworth (Part of the Training Young Hearts Series)

Aimed at ages three and up, Wedgeworth uses rhyme to connect how children use their eyes to the Gospel story. This book is beautifully illustrated (Emma Randall is the illustrator). There is also an interesting feature where certain words are bolded throughout the text. I don’t know if this is the purpose, but parents could easily use those as markers to include some movement while reading this book to their children and increase engagement. The way Wedgeworth lays out the Gospel is simple, but accurate. But my favorite part is how the book is laid out. The first part of the story engages children by talking about their eyes and the good and bad things that they do. The second part talks about Jesus and the Gospel, using familiar language about eyes to relay that story. The third part tells children about how their eyes can be used for God after they trust in Jesus. It’s a wonderful format and the rhyming aspect adds an extra fun layer to an already engaging book.

I absolutely love this book and I want the others in this series as well! If you have littles and are looking for a fun way to encourage good behavior and tell the Gospel story at the same time, Your Incredible Eyes is worth checking out.

Conclusion

The Good Book Company has released some excellent books in the last few months! I look forward to reading more works from them and I encourage you to check out the books and resources they have to offer.

New Growth Press graciously sent me two books - one Bible study and one family resource - for review.

You Are Redeemed by Nana Dolce

You Are Redeemed is a Bible study on the book of Exodus. This is a study geared towards women and readers are meant to go through the whole of Exodus. There is not a corresponding devotional for every single chapter, though I didn’t mind this seeing that Dolce does a good job in keeping everything in context.

The study is set up very well. It is meant to be done over eight weeks, and each week is broken up into five days. Each week starts off with a full color page stating the theme for the section of Scripture that is meant to be read. Each day is broken down into five parts: Read (the passage of Exodus for the day), Identify (one or two questions meant to challange you and get you thinking), a short devotional, Consider (reflection questions), and Believe (a short passage from the New or Old Testament tying into the devotional).

I really enjoyed this study! Dolce does an excellent job at exploring the book of Exodus and tying it back to the Gospel. The questions at the end of each day are narrow enough to promote deep thinking about what you reading about that day, but are not in any way shallow. Typically, one question will focus on the day’s passage, one will focus on the tie between the passage and it’s relationship to the Gospel, and one is focused on self-reflection and application.

Exodus can sometimes be an intimidating book to go through. If you feel that way, I highly recommend this study. You will learn so much and come to a deeper appreciation for how God speaks to us through all parts of His Word.

How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams

While I don’t have children of my own yet, I’m always looking out for good resources for parenting and discipling children. So naturally, a title like How to Teach Kids Theology: Deep Truths for Growing Faith caught my eye. I didn’t read the book summary, so my expectation was that I would be reading a book about different doctrines one should introduce to young children and how to talk about them. Instead, I was met with a practical handbook on how to actually teach children about the Chrisitian faith in a comprehensive way.

Luce and Williams set out to provide parents and Sunday School workers with an instruction guide on how to “teach biblical passages and stories to kids with theological conviction and compentancy” (pg. 9). They begin the book with an argument for why it’s important to teach kids theology and defining what theology is. The rest of the book is dedicated to showing how theology impacts our lives and how to teach deep, but age appropriate lessons that point children to the Gospel and the greatness of God. Chapters two through eight begin with a short introduction before being broken up into three main parts: The Problem, The Principal, and The Practice. “The Problem” section focuses on an issue that often comes up in children’s ministry or discipling children. “The Principal” focuses on a truth that needs to be emphasised or practiced. “The Practice” is exactly what it sounds like - a section dedicated to giving practical advice on living out the principle highlighted in the prior section. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and the book comes with appendices geared towards helping readers apply the principles of the book.

I found the style of writing to be straightforward and approachable. Luce and Williams clearly put a lot of thought and effort into their method and arguments. I largely agree with their premise that children’s ministries often shy away from teaching little ones comprehensive theology and don’t want to interact with the hard parts of Scripture; and that shying away from these matters fails our children. I also appreciate that they give readers resources to carry out their recommendations. If churches will use How to Teach Kids Theology, I think it will make a big difference in how we approach children’s ministry all together. I highly recommend checking this book out! Parents and church workers alike will find something useful and encouraging.

End Note

Thank you to New Growth Press for sending me these books!

I look forward to exploring more resources from this organization and I recommend looking into them if you’re looking for Bible study, ministry, or personal resources.

ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies)

In the first four months of 2025, I’ve completed four total ARCS.

1. Echo Nova by Clint Hall (Enclave Publishing)

2. The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin (Enclave Publishing)

3. Rune by Victoria McCombs (Self-Published)

4. Cupid and Cupcakes by Kiri Patterson (Self-Published)

Out of these four, my favorites are The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine and Cupid and Cupcakes. In regards to Emlyn DuLaine, I loved the unique world that Lindsay built. I was captivated from the first page and found the main character to be relatable. With Cupid and Cupcakes, I was sold the minute I heard “inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma!” Cupid and Cupcakes is a fun and sweet novella. And it served me as a palette cleanser while I experienced fantasy burnout.

I have a number of ARCS I received that I’m still working through since I wasn’t on the official launch teams. It will probably be my June reading goal to work through those, as I will hopefully be joining the launch teams for a few more books in the second half of the year.

Classics

I went out on a limb this year and joined a classics reading challenge on Instagram where I have to read twelve classics in twelve months. So far, I’ve completed six.

1. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (partially read in 2024 and finished in 2025)

2. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

3. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

4. Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare

5. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

6. The Very Best of Robert Service by Robert W. Service

The Very Best of Robert Service was my first three star read of the year. His descriptions of the Arctic in his poems make me nostalgic for the Last Frontier, and some of his poems were even thought provoking. But most of his longer poems were a struggle for me to get through. They were either too bleak for my taste or written in unintelligible jargon that made me long for Huckleberry Finn instead. Robert Service is worth reading for his contributions to American literature, but I would recommend sampling a few of his poems first before expending your time on a whole volume.

I loved the rest of the classics I’ve read so far. I highly recommend them.

Non-Fiction

I completed two non-fiction books so far this year.

1. Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund

2. The Cross of Christ by John R.W. Stott

Both of these books were excellent and thought provoking. I listened to them both on audio, which was a mild error on my part. I find I retain more information from non-fiction books when I read the hard copies, and both these books deserve that attention. I will be re-reading them in the near future.

The truth is a two-fold matter. The first is that I lack discipline. Finding the time to write at least a little bit every day is not hard for me. I work part-time. I do not have children to demand my attention. My house does not take long to clean, and my social engagements are minimal. Above all, my husband is supportive and encouraging in my endeavors. But yet, I will not set aside the time to write. That is one hundred percent a “me” problem. Thankfully, it is an easy fix, and as I develop discipline in other areas of my life, I plan to start making time to write a part of my routine.

The second truth I have had to face is that I have allowed my pride and fear of failure to keep me from pursuing something I enjoy. I’ve had to confront this most recently because my dad has been encouraging me to write regularly over the last month or so. My dad is very good at holding me accountable, and when we talked last, I finally admitted that I didn’t think I had the ability to write for an audience. This admission prompted him to strongly encourage me to write anyway because, in my refusal, I may be robbing others of a blessing from God. This concept is not foreign to me. But to hear it from someone who means so much to me is a strong medicine agianst the fears that have long held me. And it is similar to the exhortation in my favorite prayer book, Every Moment Holy.

“Indeed Christian, take heart in this revelation! The outcomes of your labors were never in your hands, but in God’s. You have but one task: to be faithful. The success of your endevors is not yours to judge. He works in ways that you cannot comprehend. And in His economy, there will be no waste. Even what you judge as a failure, God will tool to greater purpose.” (A Liturgy for Those Fearing Failure)

I know this truth, but I need to believe it. Now more than ever, I need to remind myself that my one task in life is to be faithful and steward the gifts that God has granted me well. Not doing so would be a true waste.

So, this year, I'm setting out again to write consistently. May God use every word for His glory.

The Classics

1. I Wonder as I Wander- Simon Khorolskiy - This was the very first version of I Wonder as I Wander that I ever heard, so I’m a little biased to Simon’s rousing version. It starts with a traditional, haunting opening before transitioning into a melody with stirring drums and emphatic vocals. Do yourself a favor and watch the music video while listening. The visuals are stunning!

2. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen - Dustin Kensrue - This is not a “new” version perse, but it is more modern. While there is only a few of the verses from the original song, Dustin’s version has a nice acoustic rhythm that gives this classic an upbeat tone.

3. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels - Again, not a “new” version, but I think this song is really beautiful in an acapella arrangement. This stripped down version of the hymn allows you to focus on the words.

4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - The Gray Havens - This is a pretty short rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. However, The Gray Havens make the most of the few minutes of runtime lending beautiful vocals to a simple arrangement that honors the roots of this old hymn.

5. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Frank Sinatra - I should probably write a whole seperate post about why I love this song so much. I’ve listened to a lot of different versions, but there’s just something about the way Frank Sinatra sings this song that makes it feel both solemn and triumphant.

For the Children

1. Matthew’s Begets - Andrew Peterson - This song comes in the middle of Andrew’s well loved Behold the Lamb of God Album. While not an album specifically written for children, this song has an upbeat tempo that makes for a fun sing along for the whole family.

2. Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Corner Room - The Corner Room put out an album a few years ago called Remember and Proclaim: Scripture Songs for Little Ones. This is not exactly a Christmas album, but Isaiah 9:6-7 is a common passage used during Advent. This could be a fun way to assist memorization efforts or to just supplement family devotionals.

3. Little Drummer Boy - for King & Country - I don’t know many children who don’t like drums and this version from for King & Country has plenty of them.

Instrumental Albums

This is a pretty straightforward recommendation. Joel Clarkson’s Midwinter Carols Volume One and Two have virtually been the only albums keeping me focused and in the Christmas spirit as I do various tasks.

Original… Albums?

When it comes to original Christmas/Advent Songs it’s hard to pick just one from these albums.

1. Advent, Pt. One - Sarah Sparks - Sarah Sparks does not get enough attention for her music. Her lyrics are rich with truth and tender honesty, which is perfect for the more reflective moments of the Christmas season.

2. Behold the Lamb of God - Andrew Peterson - I play this album on repeat during Advent and Christmas. Andrew Peterson takes listeners on a journey through major events of the Old Testament and masterfully weaves them into the Nativity Story. I can only find the first studio album version on YouTube, but Spotify has a newer version with contributions from many of Andrew’s friends.

3. Heaven Has Come - Sovereign Grace Music - I admittly have a bias towards Sovereign Grace Music since I go to a Sovereign Grace church, but their Christmas albums, particularly Heaven Has Come, has some of the best original Christmas songs put out in recent years. I love the way the write music that advances the Gospel that people can sing together.

4. A Seed, A Sunrise - Caroline Cobb - I couldn’t find a complete playlist of this album on YouTube that did not also have wierd videos stuck in the middle. I know for a fact the full album is on Spotify. I love Caroline’s music in general, but the way she manages to create music that balances longing and expectant hope is really amazing. If you’re like me and you feel the tension of celebrating Christmas in a world that seems to be turning upside down, I recommend this particular album.

I could list so many other songs and albums here, but I don’t want this to be overwhelming. I hope you find something here to deepen your appreciation for the music of this season and to add something new to your song rotation.

Merry Christmas!

Well, I’m behind in my reading updates, but surprisingly not too behind in my reading goal for the year. I’m aiming for my biggest reading year in a long time — twenty-four books in 2024. So far I’ve read a total of fifteen. A healing sprained ankle is forcing me to take breaks long enough for me to finally write my thoughts down. So here’s a long overdue update of what I’ve though of each of the books I’ve read so far this year.

I don’t do a whole lot of summerizing plot points in my fiction reviews, but all of the books I mention below are currently listed on Goodreads (and I think most are on Storygraph as well).

Non-Fiction

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung - This book is a short, but powerful attempt to help answer the question, “How can I know God’s will for my life?” DeYoung does look at this question from a Calvinist perspective, which is a theological perspective I’m still investigating. Apart from that, I found this book to be encouraging and healing. I mentioned in my Goodreads review that I would like to see an updated edition come out. It was written in 2009 and boasts a forward from Joshua Harris (which on its own merits an update), so new data and information would boost the books ability to be relatable and applicable.

Young adults are the target audience for this book. However, I would recommend it for anyone, regardless of age, who is wrestling with the reality of how God’s will plays out in our everday lives.

Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry - This is my first time reading anything from Jackie Hill Perry, though I’ve been a fan of her and her husband’s podcast (With the Perrys) for years now. I don’t know if anyone who has read A.W. Tozer or R.C. Sproul on the topic of God’s holiness will find the information in this book groundbreaking. However, I’ve never read Tozer or Sproul, so for me this was a good overview of the theology of God’s holiness and what that means for a believer’s life. Jackie has a wonderful way with words, and I found her presentation engaging and thought provoking.

How to Tell the Truth: The Story of How God Saved Me to Win Hearts — Not Just Arguments by Preston Perry - This book is part memoir and part teaching, and one of my absolute favorite releases this year. Good evangelists are something that the church desperately needs right now, and Preston, using his life story, does his best in this book to build up a case for how Christ's followers can better their approach to sharing their faith. I felt at times that there was not enough expantion on some ideas. However, this is not meant to be a theological treatise. Overall, I appreciated Preston’s transparency and ability to use real-world examples to demonstrate his point. I highly recommend this book, especially if you need some encouragement sharing Jesus with others.

Reckless Christianity by Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Givett - Reckless Christianity was probably one of the harder reads I’ve gone through this year, both from an informational perspecitive and a personal one. Holly and Doug do a good job of balancing the task of evaluating poor theology with love for the people in a movement they are critical of. I had an opportunity to participate in a book group with the authors, and that trait is evident in them personally and in the book. Reckless Christianity is more on the scholarly side of writing. There are a lot of footnotes, and it takes time to digest all of the information. If you have some knowledge of the NAR/Word of Faith movement already, then you should definitely pick up this book. But if you are new to the topic, you may want to start out with one of Doug and Holly's earlier books such as Counterfit Kingdom. That or be prepared to do a lot of googling.

All in all, this is an excellent resource for people to understand the teachings of Bethel and the larger NAR movement. I would encourage you to pick it up, no matter your position or feelings about Bethel, and evaluate what Holly and Doug are saying for yourself.

The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett - While Reckless Christianity is my hardest read so far this year, The Deconstruction of Christianity is the one that has the most split opinions. If you read through the Goodreads reviews, you’ll find people who thought this book was extremely helpful and others who critique it pretty heavily. My initial review of Childers and Barnett’s work was very positive, and overall, I still think this book is helpful. But I do think their case would have been helped if they had used more straightforward language, fewer metaphors, and engaged a little more with the reasons people deconstruct.

The Deconstruction of Christianity is not a scholarly work or even strictly an apologetics book. It is an honest attempt by the authors to clarify terms around the deconstruction movement and to help the church figure out how to interact with those who are in the process of desconstructing. And that’s predominently what I would recommend it for.

Fiction

The Bands of Mourning and The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson - This year, I finished my journey with all of the Mistborn books… at least with the ones currently published. Sanderson is one of the few authors I have mixed feelings about, predominantly because he seems to enjoy ripping out the hearts of his readers in the most unfeeling ways. On a more positive note, I think Brandon Sanderson writes some of the best characters I’ve encountered in modern fantasy. I enjoy going on journeys with them, and I’m sad when those adventures end.

My feelings on whether or not to widely recommend Sanderson as an author became more complicated as I got farther into Mistborn. He’s talented, and the Mistborn books, for adult, secular fantasy, are relatively clean from on-page sexual activity (there are discussions of sexual assault, and Wax often makes innuendos and talks about his conquests). But they are littered with battle sequences and one-on-one violence, and I felt that bits of Morman theology come through in how he writes his religions. Some might think I’m overreacting. However, the reality is that everyone will feel differently about the content they encounter in their books. I’ll leave it at this- if you start to read the Mistborn series, do so with an awareness of your boundaries.

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Edited by Stacy King) - I had no idea that Manga versions of classical novels existed and I made this discovery while browsing the Manga section of Barnes and Noble with my husband. Overall, I felt Manga Classics created a fun and interesting adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Updates and changes were made to the dialogue and events of the story to make the thoughts and motivations of the characters clearer to the readers. Whether or not you find this a good thing depends on how much of a purist you are. Despite the changes, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The art is stunning and once you get used to the layout of manga, it’s easy to get swept away in the story.

I think that this adaptation is a good way to introduce the story to a reader who feels intimidated by the original form, or it can be used as an object lesson in adaptations. It's also a great palette cleanser if you want something fun to read.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - Emily Wilde is another book that I have some mixed feelings about. Upon completing the book, I felt that I really enjoyed it. Fawcett’s faerie characters are more in line with their traditional folk and fairy tale roots, which made for an interesting plot and interactions between the main characters. However, there’s quite a bit of violence and some mentions of sexual conquests by the main male character (though nothing happens on page). The more I reflect upon my reading experience with this book, the more I don’t feel confident in recommending it.

The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner - My husband and I are currently listening to The Queen’s Thief series on audiobook together. So far, we’re both enjoying it! Turner has created a fascinating world heavily influenced by Greek and Byzantine language and culture that I find unique. The characters are well-written. Gen is one of my favorite YA protagonists, and the many layers of his character come out in each successive book. I recommend this series if you like stories of political intrigue with heists thrown in and enemies-to-lovers romance.

Mari in the Margins by Rebecca J. Gomez - It's been a long time since I've read a novel-in-verse, and Mari in the Margins was a perfect introduction to the genre. I enjoyed how Mari's story unfolds and the different forms of poetry used to help us understand Marivel's thoughts and feelings. I related a lot to her struggle to put words on a page and cheered when she overcame that struggle. Overall, this was a delightful read.

This story is great for middle-grade readers or anyone looking to start their journey with novel-in-verse.

A Fire Ignited by Charisa Norris (Releasing August 13, 2024) - A Fire Ignited is one of my favorite books this year! It's a quick, fun read and is full of adventure.

For the length of the novel, the world-building felt good. Readers get to know the world's layout and the challenges people face early on, which allowed me to focus on the story without being overwhelmed with too many questions. I enjoyed Leyla as a character, and her healthy dynamic with her family is refreshing for a YA book. It is hard for me to talk about the plot of this book without getting into spoilers, but I enjoyed the fact that the start of Leyla’s journey is her determination to help her family and that the plot expands to something much bigger.

I recommend A Fire Ignited if you're looking for a book for a young reader who loves fantasy or if you need a good palate cleanser.

Winter’s Maiden by Morgan L. Busse (Releasing August 6, 2024) - I just finished the ARC for Winter’s Maiden a few days ago, and honestly, this book surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect from a Christian fantasy set in a world heavily influenced by Viking/Nordic culture, but I was pulled into the story from the start.

This novel follows two characters, Brighid — a clanless one fighting for the north, and Kaden — a healer working for the southern army. Both have gone through struggles and find themselves fighting in a war that quickly turns out to be manipulated by forces outside of simple politics. Since this is the first book in an upcoming series, there is a lot of world-building and character backstory in this book. Busse’s writing is descriptive and fast-paced. Some of Kaden’s character traits (his race and talents) draw from elements that Busse established in a different series she wrote. This is my first experience with her writing, and I felt like I could follow along with all of the information, so the lack of knowledge didn’t impact my ability to read the novel. I recommend picking this book up when it comes out. It will be released in physical copies and audiobook form so that you can enjoy this story according to your preferred method.

An Aside

The Daughter of Arden trilogy retells the Grimm’s tale “Maid Maleen.” As a child, I had never read any of the Grimm’s tales, so I was unfamiliar with “Maid Maleen.” I held off reading it until after I finished Promise, so I read the whole series without any knowledge of its origins, which did not affect my enjoyment of it. I encourage you to read “Maid Maleen” as it gave me a new appreciation for Loren’s work, but I recommend reading it afterward if you don’t want to go into Daughter of Arden with mild spoilers for the ending.

Also, I made a Daughter of Arden Playlist on Spotify. If you want music to go along with your reading experience, you’re welcome to check it out.

Exile

Exile is the first book in the Daughter of Arden Trilogy. The story follows Princess Maleen of Arden as she faces a difficult choice and the consequences of her choice. The choice- to marry a man she does not love or to enter into a specially built tower- is put before her by her father as her nation is facing an approaching war. What follows is a tale of longing, heartbreak, and learning to trust the Mighty One.

I liked Exile. I rated it four stars instead of three because the writing was well done, and I knew the last two books were guaranteed to be published. The first two-thirds of the book is a lot of character development, and since most of the time the setting is in one location… not a lot happens regarding action. But I did sympathize with Maleen as a character. What she grapples with and learns in the first book is essential to the rest of the trilogy. If you pick up Exile and feel like it’s starting slow — hang in there! Please don’t rush through it, or you’ll miss some fantastic moments that will help you understand Maleen as a protagonist. And some of those experiences come into play later in the series.

Wandering

Wandering surpassed my expectations as a sequel! I rated it higher than Exile, and it was one of my favorite reads of 2023. 

Due to massive life changes, I took my time reading Wandering. But taking the journey with Maleen was well worth the wait. I started rooting for her as she struggled — both physically against the hardships on her journey and emotionally as she works to understand the best path forward in the face of the devastating conquering of Arden.

We don’t just see Maleen grow. Wandering allows the reader to better understand Arden as a nation and the people that make up the world Maleen inhabits. Her companions along the way are compelling, and all work towards making the story richer (I desperately want a Dame Deberrah short story). Long story short, I enjoyed this sequel immensely.

Promise

The final installments of a series tend to be all or nothing for me. Either I love the conclusion to the story, or I don't. Promise is a worthy conclusion to the Daughter of Arden trilogy and Maleen's story.

Maleen grows into herself as she seeks to follow the will of the Mighty One and do what is right for her people. She wrestles with self-doubt, learns discernment, and (delightfully) falls in love. This is the book I related to and learned the most from Maleen. Beyond the beautiful character development of Maleen and others (I also desperately wanted a Prince Jared p.o.v chapter), how Loren wraps up the series is profoundly satisfying and triumphant.

The Last Word

Author Loren G. Warnemuende excels at spinning a story that stays faithful to its roots, but also takes on a life of it’s own. Pick up the Daughter of Arden books. It's a wonderful take on an old fairy tale and you'll go on a beautiful journey with Maid Maleen.

If I could bottle a place—
Let it be this one.
The place where a snow capped mountain ends and an icy glacier begins.
A place where icebergs float on a wind disturbed lake,
and soft willow buds dance in the swirling vortex.
Let me bottle it—
and I’ll share the joyous sounds of water lapping against the shore,
and the little birds singing ther contentment while basking in the warm sun.
Let me bottle it so that I may carry it with me when I leave— for leave I must.

Almost two years ago now, I shared a post on Facebook saying goodbye to the town that I known has “home” for the majority of my childhood. It was hard then to get in the car and drive away from the house I grew up in— from the family that still lived there. And now I’m saying another farewell, but this time to Alaska as a whole.

I recently became engaged to a wonderful man and together we decided to put an end to the distance that has marked our relationship since the beginning. So began the moving process and over the last few months I’ve been searching for the right words to say to express my feelings about the changes in life. I don’t want to be misunderstood— I know moving on is the right decision. The changes taking place in life are too exciting. And my heart, while searching for the words to bid one place farewell, longs to be somewhere else.

It is strange how conflicting emotions can exist. I don’t understand how words like “bittersweet” work, but they do. And it’s easier not to reinvent the wheel. So, I’ll say it like it is— this time is bittersweet.

“Bitter” because Alaska is the only home I’ve ever really known. I was born and raised here. My early adventures and life-shaping experiences happened along the river shores and mountains so admired by others who come here only as passing travelers. I’m leaving friends and family. I’ve been anchored here since I first drew breath, and now I’ll only be a visitor when I come back on holidays and vacations.

“Sweet” because I’m going to make a life somewhere new, with someone I love. There will be new places to explore and adventures aplenty to go on. I will form new relationships and rekindle old friendships. There will be the joy of building a home together and all the new experiences that accompany that process. There is contentment and peace with the decision to leave. And that makes all the difference.

There is a concept that exists amoung Christian communities— the earth is not our true home and, while we gladly inhabit this realm, we long for the eternal home that Christ promised us. In the process of leaving one place and heading to another, I’ve gained a new appreciation for this idea. Regardless of how long we live in one location, our residence is temporary. So, while we live in our temporary spaces that we call “home,” we work to live well and build up our communites in the process; sharing the Gospel and hopefully leaveing them better when we depart. I’ve tried to do that here in Alaska. And, by God’s grace, I’m going somewhere to take part in that process again.

I’ll end with a section from A Liturgy for Leavings from Every Moment Holy.

By your Spirit, O Christ,
make us faithful in the meanwhile,
as we go out to labor in the diverse fields to which you have assigned us,
laboring unto that better meeting,
and unto that new-made world
that is yet promised and that has already begun.
O Spirit of God, be as present in our parting
as you were in our gathering.
Be present in our journeys.
Be present in our days to come.

As I walk down familiar frozen paths I behold deciduous leaves and conifer needles framed by icy shards. They glint and sparkle in the sunlight in ways that a camera can't quite capture. And I think about how remarkable it is that my two imperfect eyes can comprehend the beauty of this winter world when my phone camera fails me. "Wonderful" and "beautiful" and the words that consistently come to mind even though I know the frost encased wonders are, for all intents and purposes, trapped in a state of dying.

But it is here, upon observing leaves set in a state of shimmering decay, that a truth is impressed upon me.

In death we will be made

into something new. And we will wait.

We will wait like the captured, glazed forest waits for the lion's roar of spring. We will wait for the fullness of the seasons to pass and for a trumpet's call to sound. And then we will feast together and wait no more.

Like the subtitle says, you are entering a work in progress.

A few years ago, I revived a blog under the same name as this substack as I began the journey of rediscovering my love for reading. For a number of reasons, I’m finding that the old format does not work well for me. So, here I am, starting over.

Initally when a reader browses this substack, they’ll find a series of posts that existed on my old blog. These will serve as a starting point as I work on new content. In the future, I plan to post mainly book reviews to start. But eventually, some original writings will find their way here as well.

Thank you for joining me on this journey! I hope you will stay and continue to be apart of the communtiy.

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