Book Review: New Horizons

New Horizons
Mandie: Her College Days #1

written by Lois Gladys Leppard

222 pages // published in 2006 // Christian YA

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Newly arrived at the Charleston Ladies' College, Mandie and Celia are faced with challenges. Despite Mandie's best efforts to make new friends, her classmates will have nothing to do with her. To make matters worse, April Snow - her rival - has also enrolled in the college. Could she be influencing the others to give the girls the cold shoulder?

Mandie Shaw and her best friend Celia Hamilton have finally made it to college -- Charleston Ladies' College, to be exact.

My thoughts?
Awww... I'm sad that the Mandie series really is over. It is a series that I loved during my childhood. And here's Mandie all grown-up, going to college now. And again, that series is over too (before it could even really get going). Yes, there's only to be 1 book in the Mandie: Her College Days series.

This book is quite different than the previous series. I could tell from the start that New Horizons stepped up the game in terms of writing style (yes!), the not quite so stilted dialogue, and some in the (slightly) maturing characters. Snowball doesn't get to make as much of an appearance in this volume (which means he can't escape from Mandie so easily, if she doesn't have him with her, now can he? ha ha ha!). But all our favorite characters appear somewhere in the storyline.

To be honest though, the plot is pretty loose. The mystery itself doesn't stand out greatly as a big mystery... but it was all a fun throwback to the original Mandie series. It has some good elements in the plot, and I'm just thrilled that the author was able to fit in one final chapter of Mandie's life for us committed fans.

(It still left me with unanswered questions though. And if you're a fan like me, you'll know WHICH unanswered question irritates me the most that I'll just never know... But I can hope. And so can you.)

A clean read. Suitable for tweens and up.

paperback // e-book

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Get ready! A Literary Christmas is approaching!

It's that time of the year. (Well, soonish.)

A Literary Christmas is returning this year... on November 1st!

Get your holiday book-reading lists ready, folks.

Soon we're going to be all cozy with our festive reads...

Book Review: Siddhartha

Siddhartha

written by Hermann Hesse

152 pages // published in 1922 // philosophic classics

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Herman Hesse's classic novel has delighted, inspired, and influenced generations of readers, writers, and thinkers. In this story of a wealthy Indian Brahmin who casts off a life of privilege to seek spiritual fulfillment. Hesse synthesizes disparate philosophies--Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, Western individualism--into a unique vision of life as expressed through one man's search for true meaning.

“What could I say to you that would be of value, except that perhaps you seek too much, that as a result of your seeking you cannot find.”

It's considered a classic, so I read it... but to start my review off, I'll say that it's not exactly a favorite or anything like that.

Siddhartha is a tale about finding spiritual enlightenment, and it's a journey about finding your true inner self. The book might make you think about yourself, or make your question what you're seeking in your life. It is, like most classics, a book to make your think good and hard about your life choices, and perhaps helps you to see other people's lives through a new perspective.

The story feel like a parable, as if it has many layers of meanings. It is told to the reader simply. It's not wordy, but is filled with words of wisdom. I'm sure that everyone can find at least one good line in there to really sink your teeth into and apply to your life. Me? I probably ended up finding at least a dozen quotes that speak to my heart in some way. One thing this book does not lack is knowledge of the human race.

Overall, I found Siddhartha to be fairly interesting (hey, I finished it to the last page), but still not my cup of tea. Sometimes though, we need a good read about an important quest. Specifically a quest to sometimes find... ourselves. Because if one doesn't even know one's own self, then who are we, really?

Note to discerning readers: There is some mature content, more so than what I personally want in a book -- but at least it isn't too frequent or an overload.

“Searching means having a goal, but finding means being free, being open, having no goal ... because in striving for your goal there are many things you do not see, which are directly in front of your eyes.”

Buy the book!

paperback // e-book // audio

This is book #10 for me in the Back to the Classics 2018 challenge.
[CATEGORY: Classic With a Single-Word Title]




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Book Review: These Strange Ashes

These Strange Ashes

written by Elisabeth Elliot

152 pages // published in 1979 // Christian living

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In her first year as a missionary to a small group of native women in the Ecuadorian jungle, Elisabeth Elliot faced physical and spiritual trials. In These Strange Ashes, Elliot captures the mysteries and stark realities surrounding the colorful and primitive world in which she ministered. More than just a recounting of her early days, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to an authentic Christian commitment.

Another favorite book from Elisabeth Elliot!

This missionary survived a lot during her experiences in Ecuador as a single young woman. In this book, she shares four lessons in faith she had to overcome -- in a land far away from home, in a wild jungle with few comforts, and in just a few months of time.

While I read this book, I found many inspiring moments to ponder about. I tell myself that if she can take all THAT in stride (loss, death, jungle life in general, lack of staple household items)... Well then, I can do anything too, Lord willing.

Her way with words always reels me in -- and I felt it strongly in this book. She is so simple in her manner of storytelling, yet she tells you everything you need to know to make you both laugh and cry. Sometimes I can even detect a bit of humor in her tone. Elisabeth tells it like it is (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and doesn't ask for your pity during even the hardest times. And I'm telling you, she went through some terrible situations during that first mission trip to Ecuador.

My favorite line from the book, which deeply resonated in me:

"Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain."

Read this book. You won't be disappointed.

Buy the book!

paperback

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Book Review: And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None

written by Agatha Christie

247 pages // published in 1939 // classic mystery

BOOK DESCRIPTION

First, there were ten - a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal - and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion.

Wow. What can I say? It's definitely my favorite Agatha Christie novel that I've read so far (and I doubt there's very many that can overpower this one for me). This one will get you hooked, for sure!

After reading “And Then There Were None,” I can now see the same plotline has been used in many other books and movies. Because it's a good one – with depth. And no matter how you change the characters and the setting, it's still gripping.

Ten seemingly random people are invited for a stay at Soldier Island; they don't know each other, and they don't even know their host, but the vacation time and social house party is alluring. But then... death strikes! And in short order, death again. What's taking place is methodical murder. All of the remaining victims can see it happening before their eyes, yet they can't run away, and they can't prevent their own murders. Timed with precision, it's a struggle to the very end, as the truest of human emotions come out... when you're the one being hunted.

And such memorable characters too. I love them all. Christie did such a striking job of pairing just the right personality with each name. If any of them had been missing from the book, it just wouldn't have been the same story.

If you're interested in listening to the audiobook, be sure to listen to Dan Steven's. His British accent adds so much volume to an already amazing story.

Note to the discerning reader: There is quite a bit of mild swearing.

Overall? It's an engaging mystery with lots of twists. It may be on the dark side, but... it's definitely intriguing. And it just may make your heart pound a bit wilder as you read.

Oh, and I've got to get a print to hang up on my wall of the “Ten Little Indians” rhyme. It's so ominous, but strangely I want to memorize it word for word.

Buy the book!

paperback // hardcover // e-book

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