July Book Reviews

 I'm a couple of days behind, but here are the three lovely books I managed to read in the course of a very busy July! Two nonfiction: a memoir and a biography, and one fiction: the next volume of my latest favorite series; one audiobook and two hard copies. 

Before I get into them, two life updates to share: 

1) I've started an author's newsletter. I attended a professional writers' conference last month, and one piece of advice I received was to do this thing and try to get at least 400 subscribers, as a sort of good-faith indicator of the audience who might buy, read, and promote my first novel. (Apparently, publishers like for authors to find these people themselves.) Oh, did you know I have written a novel, and I am working on getting it published? Well, if you would like to learn more about it, then please sign up to receive my newsletter! It is free and will come directly to your email twice a month.

2) I started a new job! I am working part-time/remote on the Response Team at Joni and Friends. I get to answer messages that Joni receives from people all over the world who write with prayer requests, volunteer/donation questions, requests for resources, or just sharing their story and how Joni's message has touched them. I really enjoy it and I'm thankful for this new opportunity to serve. 

OK, now for the books!

Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story, Ken and Joni Tada

To celebrate my new job, I recommended that my book club read a book by Joni Eareckson Tada. There are a lot to choose from, but we looked to see which one was most conveniently available, and this was the one. I've read it before, maybe twelve years ago, but I loved reading it again. It taught me a lot about what true love looks like, and it gives me hope for my own love story.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, vol. 5, Beth Brower 

Oh my goodness, these books just get better and better. This one covered the months of November and December, and I think one of my favorite moments is when the unassuming vicar, Young Hawkes, solemnly approaches the pulpit on the Sunday before Christmas and, without preamble, begins to read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as his sermon text. (I rather agree with him that it is a sacred work.) I am still Team Pierce (aka, The Tenant), though Hawkes continues to do things like this that gain him points.

MY JULY TOP PICK: 

If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter, Jennifer Trafton

I have the honor of calling Jennifer Trafton a friend of mine, and I have enjoyed our conversations over the past couple years about this exciting project and beautiful work. It was such a pleasure and delight to hold it in my hands and read it this month! It is a biography of Lilias Trotter, a single female missionary artist from the late 19th century. But it is more than a biography; while I learned fascinating details about her life that I never knew, I also learned how her faith and passion have impacted the world... and me. I loved how Jennifer inserted her own voice throughout, allowing the reader to get a glimpse of her research journey and the ways she was feeling personally connected to Lily. I loved the paintings - the "color poems" as they are called - that she included throughout the book, too. Each chapter title was a color: Crimson, Blue, Purple, etc., and she let their meaning and significance tell the story, as Lily deeply loved colors. A recurring theme in Lily's missionary reports and letters to friends and family back home was: "I wish you could see..." referring to the people, the plants, the landscape, and the powerful work of God that she got to witness in North Africa, so that's where the title originates. 

This book is incredibly well crafted - informative, inspirational, and challenging. I highly recommend it!