Welcome back once again my friends, to the monthly book review!
I’ve been blessed to be able to read stories put out by friends of mine -how fun to get to review them here! Grab a cup of tea, read through this little post and share with me what you’ve been reading lately! I always love to talk books!
The Noach Project: Navigating the Path of The Seven Noahide Laws: Stories, Key Lessons, and Resources by Leba Bat Noah – I don’t normally pull from the internet for a synopsis, but she’s written it just so well… here you are. – a collection of twenty-four powerful and deeply personal stories from individuals around the world who chose a different path: one of truth, moral clarity, and connection to Hashem. These are not tales of instant enlightenment but of hard-won insight, of wrestling with faith, walking through grief, and choosing meaning over comfort. Each story sheds light on the often unseen journey of Noahides, non-Jews who embrace the Seven Laws of Noah, drawn from the Torah’s eternal blueprint for humanity. Through their voices we witness both the beauty and the cost of leaving behind inherited beliefs, the struggles of living “between worlds,” and the strength it takes to build a life rooted in divine truth.
~This is a very special book for a niche audience. I did enjoy reading the stories of each person’s journey to their chosen faith. The book was well written and put together – a simply lovely book to hold. I did have some reservations about the terminology that was used by some of the interviewees – ‘christian’ is a very broad term and having grown up in it myself, what they were describing wasn’t anything I’ve ever seen in the faith. I’m not implying that their experiences weren’t what they were, I think that some specificity might have been helpful? I don’t know, maybe not. It was heartbreaking, as always, to hear how people of faith hurt and damage other people, while using that faith as a weapon. But, it was lovely to hear how the interviewees found peace and faith. Recommend to those who have either found the noachide faith for themselves or are close with those who have.
~~The author is a dear friend of mine.
Forest Flight by Tim Maddox – when a nobleman’s daughter is attacked on the road, she’s suddenly in a chase for her life. Running and hiding through the woods to safety, there are countless obstacles in her path, but her pursuers draw closer. Eventually, she’ll have to stand and fight. But does she have the strength left for what it takes?
~This was a delightful short story. And the cover is gorgeous. This felt like the beginning of a robin hood retelling, somehow. Which I loved. But, I very much enjoyed following her flight and pursuit through the woods and the ending was very nice. Definitely recommend.
~~Tim’s a fellow pnw author that I’ve met at a couple of author events! His clean stories are mostly fantasy and I’m thoroughly enjoying all I’ve read so far.
Remember My Royalty by Hannah E. Griggs- Hamish McGregor and his sisters, Catriona and Ealasaid must leave their homeland of Scotland and travel to America to live with their uncle in Texas. They promise eachother that they won’t forget – ‘s rioghal mo dhream, my race is royal. But life in Texas is hard for each of them, and they must decide whether the fighting surrounding them will come between them or if they’ll turn to the King for victory?
~I loved how this story was steeped in history, and so much of it that I didn’t know. Yes, I’d learned about the Alamo in school, but…
I liked how we followed the siblings from their homeland of Scotland on their journey to a new life and a new land.
Highly recommend for lovers of historical, faith-based stories!
~~Hannah is a lovely friend I’ve met through King’s Daughters’ Writing Camp! She writes mostly middle-grade Christian fiction.
The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan – When memories become legend that turn to myth that then turn to something long forgotten, the Third Age is on the brink of destruction. The Shadow is covering all, and only a few know the Prophecies to try and fight it.
~It had been several years since I’d read this and man the rollercoaster! All the things that happen! WHEW! Lan is still a favorite. Nynaeve I actually found a bit more… abrasive than my first read, but remembering some of her story later on, it didn’t bother me toooo much? Rand and Egwene’s concern for each other was so touching. Meeting Min was fun. Adore Tam al Thor. Trollocs look like Orcs in my mind’s eye, Fades look like the Ringwraiths and so on – but I think it’s helping me follow the story better. Keeping track of all the different story lines is the biggest thing with this series I think! Highly recommend if you enjoy Tolkien, with the caution that I wouldn’t recommend this for younger readers, as the fighting is rather intense and there are some slightly ‘sensual’ scenes (whether they’re in this one specifically, I can’t just now remember… but I do remember they’re in future books)
Sherwood by Meagan Spooner – Maid Marian never meant to stand in Robin of Locksley’s footsteps. But when news comes that he’s died – and the Sheriff’s laws are ever more unjust and the people need protection… Besides, the terrible Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand man, is waiting to step in not only as Lord of Locksley but also as Marian’s fiancé. Marian dons the green cloak and her sword and chooses to become her own Robin Hood.
~ This was a reread for me. I adore a good Robin Hood retelling. And this one is up there – it’s got all the necessary characters – Marian, Guy, Little John, Much, etc. But included are a whole other cast that bring the story to life – her father, Elena, Will, Allen, etc… The only caveat is there is one scene, one small section out of the whole tale that is a little more sensual in nature that I skip over but it also causes me to recommend you pre-read it if wanting to gift it, or have your teenager read it. If you want to read a full review, click here!
Currently Reading:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (dramatic reading, Spotify)
Leave It To Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse (audiobook, Librivox) – I’ve really fallen off listening to this!
In The Reeds by Tim Maddox
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson
Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry
Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell
Hopeful Upcomings:
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
~Laura
~I’m trying out a larger size font on this post. What do you think?
the start of a good life 