The Seven Questions Book Tag

I stole this from Anna over at Bookends and Bwopper-Eels. I've had the tag itch for some time and this proved to be a satisfying fulfillment. 

Do you prefer a male or female main character? 

I would say I generally prefer male main characters, surprisingly. It depends on the context. I just find that there are more male main characters that I find to be believable or enjoyable to spend time with. Further, male main characters tend to do more interesting things without having to be blatantly obvious about being different in doing so. (Like, no male MC is claiming to be different because he shoots archery. He just goes and does it and is cool about it, but the girls have to go on a rampage about how they're different). But if I truly sat down and cataloged my favorite characters, I think I would find it a more even split. I also enjoy a lot of stories that involve ensembles of characters, making it even more difficult to determine if it's really a male or female lead.

Do you prefer colorful, attention grabbing covers or simple, understated ones? 

I have to say, I have some favorites in both categories. For example, I think I've waxed eloquent about the Firebird Trilogy covers and the Dreamtreaders cover, which are very colorful and attention grabbing. I especially like the layering of the colors in both series. However, I recently read Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake and found its more minimalist design pleasing and well-suited to the story.

A character you'd like to have as your boss at work?

Ooh, this is tough. I have  to decide who I would like to have bossing me around and who also has a deep appreciation for animals, but can also keep their head screwed on straight while under pressure. I feel like Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars might honestly make a good veterinary supervisor. His dry wit would certainly be welcome.

Books-a-Million or Barnes and Noble?

I love BAM, even though I don't frequent the one near me all that often. I find they tend to have a slightly better Christian book selection than B&N, so I'd say they're my favorite between those two. In reality, my favorite bookstores are a local chain called Schuler's that sells new and used volumes and Baker Book House, which is a Christian fiction outlet (they always have great deals and somehow manage to always spend 50 or more dollars). I look forward to being able to frequent bookstores again.

What age range of characters do you prefer to read about?

I still read a lot of teen and middle-grade fiction (teens to early twenties). I wish there were more clean books about people in their 20s and 30s. Maybe I'll set out to remedy that.

What would you tell someone who defiantly proclaims, "I don't like reading! Why should I?"

My first question would be if they had read anything outside of assigned school reading. I would then ask them what TV or movies they liked and hand them a stack of books that they might enjoy. I find that a lot of people who have grown unaccustomed to reading enjoy listening to audiobooks more than reading directly, so I might suggest that to them as well.

Thanks for letting me steal, Anna! Feel free to hop on board and join in the fun!

Friday Fiction Fix: "A Swiftly Tilting Planet"

5/5 Stars

While A Swiftly Tilting Planet is the third book in the Time Quintet, it should be easy to pick up this volume without having read either A Wrinkle in Time or A Wind in the Door, though that may help you be familiar with some of the concepts explained in the book. Of course, if you haven't read Wrinkle, I would recommend you pick it up, solely for the reason that it's one of my favorite books. 

The world seems to be at the edge of nuclear catastrophe within the next several hours. Even the president isn't sure what to do. However, the heavenly powers have not abandoned Earth to its fate and elect to send Charles Wallace back in time to points when the history of the world has turned on the tiniest of points. Will he and Meg be able to redirect the future? Or will the powers of darkness win as they always have?

This book won a five-star rating from me for the sheer emotions in it. I've read it before and I still teared up at a couple points. It somehow drives home for me the unfairness of life, but the beauty of love and joy shines all the brighter in those dark moments. The time-traveling aspect is a nice framework to the story, without getting bogged down in the details of it overly much. 

That being said, this book does have some iffy theology hidden in it. Seeing as it's framed in a fictional work and it's not overtly religious, I don't mind it overmuch, but proceed with a grain of caution. 

Recommended to: Fans of time-travel and fantasy, middle grade and up.

Don't Suffocate Compassion

Ah, the dreaded COVID-19 opinion piece. Let me start out by saying that I don't intend to tell anyone how to live with this article, only to take a moment to think and take a deep breath. The whole point of this is that we're in different places and circumstances right now; what I say may or may not apply to you. And please, don't use this to bash, single-out, or chastise anyone. This is a piece for self-reflection (myself included).

Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

There's a blanket of fear draped over the world right now--internet and in-person. It's understandable; six months ago, I doubt any of us would have predicted we'd be living in a global epidemic that's triggering unprecedented public health measures and likely preceding a global economic decline. Our habits, luxuries, livelihoods, and even lives are at stake. Fear is a natural response to such life-changing events.

Unfortunately, we seem to be burying ourselves in that blanket of fear until it's suffocating us. Moreover, it's suffocating our compassion.

As much as we like to say that we're all "alone together", the fact is that we only get glimpses into what others are experiencing.

For me, this outbreak has been a string of inconveniences, low-grade irritation, and mild anxiety about the future. I came back from a servant event in Florida, looking forward to visiting my parents a few times, celebrating my birthday and Easter, competing in a half marathon that I'd trained two months for, and starting to make plans for summer vacations.

All that has been put on the back burner to shuffle work schedules every other week as the vet hospital asks us to do more tasks, be more flexible, and burn vacation hours rather than work overtime. My spare time has been spent not looking at campsites, but sewing face masks to wear to work and in public. My visits to my parents have been replaced with Skype calls, my motivation to train for a half marathon that I'll run by myself has all but died, and Easter left me pondering that this is probably the longest I've gone without setting foot in a church in my entire life.

This is not to be "woe is me". This is just the only story I've experienced.

Source

I haven't experienced the lifestyle of a human nurse working double overtime to save patients without adequate PPE, living in a hotel to protect my family from the virus.

I haven't been a father watching his family business crumble under lockdown measures and wondering if he'll even have something to pass onto his family.

I haven't been a single person confined to my apartment for days, weeks, without any in-person interaction while laid off and trying to follow social distancing guidelines, but yearning for a drink with friends.

I haven't stood at someone's deathbed as they passed from the virus.

I haven't been a person in an abusive relationship who is now stuck at home with a violent alcoholic who was recovering, but is now driven back to drink by unemployment.

I haven't been a grocery store employee berated multiple times a day by customers and working to the bone for a small wage, just to feed my family and keep the world turning.

I haven't been a mother homebound with multiple children who needs room to think, breathe, and be away from her family for just thirty minutes.

I haven't been a new grandparent unable to see my new grandchild other than through a glass door due to fear for my own safety.

I haven't been a woman postponing the wedding she looked forward to for over a year to protect her family.

The fact is, none of us has experienced all of these stories, or the thousands more that are out there. And yet, when you scroll through the internet or listen to conversations at work, it seems that everyone thinks they have experienced all of these things--or at least, they know well enough about them to comment on them and everyone else's decisions and call them "The Problem".

I understand the fear of death. We have an opportunity to slow this virus by minimizing the people with whom we come into contact. Anyone who steps out of the strictest social distancing guidelines seems to be willfully endangering people's lives.

I understand the fear of economic decay. The economy's not going to be the same after this and even my seemingly iron-clad university job is fraught with uncertainty.  People calling for even longer or tighter shut downs seem to be willingly saying that they'd rather see people unemployed and starve.

I understand the fear of impeded freedoms. Crises like this are the perfect atmosphere for change and some of the measures taken can easily be seen as unconstitutional from an American perspective. People calling for arrests and more restrictions behind these measures seem to be calling for more governmental power and the institutionalization of a police state.

See how easily that fear turns into painting the worst intentions on everyone else's actions?

We acknowledge our own fear, but not other people's. Instead of assuming that they are struggling and afraid and responding with compassion, we assume that they have the worst intentions and are deliberately trying to cause suffering in our lives.

The fear that blankets us is suffocating our compassion for others.

We're so afraid for our own (or loved ones') safety, for our economic stability, for our ways of life, that we can't breathe. We can only see the looming shadows in the closet, not the objects that cast them.

Source

It's time that we try to peel back the fear and take a deep breath of understanding, compassion, and, as Luther would put it, "Putting the best construction on things".

We're all afraid and distant, and that makes it easy to put the worst possible intentions on others' actions.

Odds are, the man protesting the government's handling of the situation is not trying to kill people. He's probably justifiably concerned about what precedent this is going to set for our freedoms in the future. If you see his protest picture on Facebook, ask his opinion on it. Why did he go? What's he concerned about?

Likely, the nurse posting that you need to stay home and stop complaining about not working because "x number of people have died" in front of her today is not trying to crush your economic hopes and dreams and hoping you'll starve. She's probably exhausted, emotionally drained, and worried about her family. Ask if you can cook for her family or pray for her. Ask her what it's like.

Believe it or not, the family asking to reopen their landscape business is probably not in disbelief about the virus' deadliness. They're probably looking to put food on the table, trying to maintain a business they love (and have worked hard to build).  Support them when they reopen. Ask how you can help in the meantime.

It's hard when you're afraid, but try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. This is a new experience for all of us and, mostly, we're trying to do the best we can.

Undoubtedly, there are people out there who are convinced this is a scam, there are people endangering others willfully, and other people will seek to manipulate this crisis for political or economic gains in sinful ways. There are the hoarders and the fearmongers and the others who are so afraid that their behavior is becoming irrational and harmful to others and they can no longer see beyond the end of their own nose.

But don't assume those things about everyone you meet. You might be surprised about what they're going through. And what's more, you might find a way to help and show compassion. Sometimes, just feeling that you can do something to help is a powerful aid in the fight against fear.

Let's stick our heads out from beneath this blanket of fear, look each other in the eyes, and try to display some compassion to the others who are struggling. Recognize that your struggle and their struggle are different and be gracious to them as far as you are able.

Above all, remember God is still in control and ask Him for grace in these trying times. Because we certainly aren't going to make it through without His help.

Friday Fiction Fix: "That Hideous Strength"

5/5 Stars, Favorite

While That Hideous Strength is the third book of the space trilogy, it's really not necessary to have read either Out of the Silent Planet or Perelandra prior to picking it up. In fact, you might benefit from giving yourself a month or two between reading the first two books and this one; if you pick it up right away, you might well be shocked, confused, or even flabbergasted by the sudden change in setting and story telling. 

Mark Studdock has always wanted to be liked--to be part of the in-crowd. When the opportunity presents itself to be at the center of a new group called N.I.C.E that seems to be taking over his university--even all of England--he can hardly refuse. Meanwhile, his wife Jane is having troubling visions that seem to indicate that N.I.C.E.'s intentions are anything but wholesome. Will the free West stand? Or will it succumb to celestial powers of darkness?

If someone came up to me and told me that they didn't like this book, I wouldn't fight them. The first 80 pages or so are dry and academic in flavor (though I promise they have relevance later on), only to yield the stage to a somewhat bewildering array of extra-terrestrial powers, Arthurian legends, and science-fiction horrors. This is not a book for the faint of heart, even if it were to remain politically correct by today's standards. 

And that, I suppose, is why this book is so near and dear to my heart--Lewis will manage to offend your modern sensibilities in some way in this book, all while framed in a fantastically mind-boggling setting. He tackles topics such as wanting to be part of the in-crowd, what people will sacrifice for power, the influence of the news media, and the role of husband and wife in marriage. I can pretty much guarantee that something in this book will make you angry. 

However, that anger is a gateway to opening up for discussion, thought, and discourse on some very relevant topics. That Hideous Strength is therefore one of my favorite books. Every time I've read it, I've found something in it that has stopped me in my tracks, made me run through a whole gamut of emotions, and reconsider a previously held viewpoint of mine. And that, to me, makes a spectacular book, even if it isn't for everyone. 

Recommended to: Fans of C.S. Lewis who are willing to have a profound suspension of disbelief and have some modern conventions sorely offended.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Hideous Beauty"

4/5 Stars

Grant Austin has just won the Pulitzer Prize for his presidential biography. But just when he's about to celebrate his ultimate triumph over a former rival, he learns that there's a plot to assassinate the president--what's more, he's being framed for it. Can he overcome the forces of darkness that are behind the plot to save the president and himself?

I picked this up at my favorite Christian bookstore a while back simply because it had been published by one of my favorite companies, Enclave Publishing. For about the first 80 pages of the novel, I was pretty sure I had made a horrible mistake in buying it. I really didn't like Grant at the start of the novel and found him an unbelievably petty, childish, and immature man, especially for someone who had been able to interview the president. Thankfully, he had a good character arc throughout the novel that made him into a more believable (and likable) character. Usually, I complain that Christian novels lack characters with real faults; I think this novel swung just a little too far the other way, but I give Mr. Cavanaugh kudos for making a character that's not a goody two-shoes off the bat. 

Once we got past the initial high school pettiness that was the framework for the beginning of the novel, it was really quite enjoyable. It had a nice blend of spiritual and real-life action, some political intrigue, and a nice splattering of humor. There were a few moments of awkward inter-character relations that I didn't quite buy (Grant has a habit of picking up lots of women and they somehow all get along?), but I really can't fault the action. The climaxes were dramatic, believable, and provided a satisfying ending to the book. 

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick up the next installment or not, but I think I'm leaning toward doing so. 

Recommended to: Fans of spiritual warfare and action books who don't mind some odd characterizations.

Friday Fiction Fix: "A Wind in the Door"

4.5/5 Stars

As I've ranted about before on this blog, A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books of all time. As for the rest of the time quintet (of which I've read the first four), I have varying opinions. This is one of my less treasured installments, but it's still an enjoyable read and introduces some concepts that are further explored in A Swiftly Tilting Planet. It's not necessary to read A Wrinkle in Time before picking up this book, but if you haven't read Wrinkle, I would still suggest reading it first, as it's the more enjoyable book of the two. 

Charles Wallace has fallen mysteriously ill while stars are disappearing into a great rent in space. But according to the cherubim in the Murray's garden, it's all connected--and it's up to Meg, Calvin, and Mr. Jenkins to bring balance back to the universe. 

This book has some intriguing concepts about the interconnected-ness of the universe, from mitochondria to the farthest stars and from angels to garden snakes. Like all of L'Engle's works, I take her explorations into theology with a generous portion of salt. However, she does make some good points about loving your neighbor and avoiding hate, along with the classic struggles of good vs. evil. 

The overall plot can be a little heady with sidetracks into concept exploration. Unlike Wrinkle where we have some more definable physical action to break up these thoughts, Wind doesn't always have enough discernible physical action to break up the sometimes lengthy theoretical discussions, rendering it a bit dry in places. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable book written on an easy level.

Recommended to: Fans of  science fiction who enjoy exploring theoretical and theological concepts, middle grade and up.

Friday Fiction Fix: "Perelandra"

5/5 Stars, Favorite

It really surprises me that more people don't know about C.S. Lewis' space trilogy. I guess I'll have to do my small part in the world to rectify that. Seriously, if you've ever wished to read another Chronicles of Narnia that was slightly less strict allegory and more geared toward adults, this is what you've been looking for.  

While Perelandra is the second in the trilogy, it's not necessary to read the first book (Out of the Silent Planet) to understand the story. (In fact, I would recommend picking up either this installment or That Hideous Strength, the final book first, unless you really enjoy science fiction). 

Ransom has been summoned by the angels to go to a distant planet as Maledil's ambassador. Unlike Malacandra, this new planet is in the beginning of its life cycle, filled with new life and possibilities. Those possibilities have also beckoned the forces of evil, however, and he soon finds himself arguing-even fighting-for the heart, soul, and very future of an entire race and planet. Will this new humanity fall as Adam and Eve? Or will it stand? 

This imagination of the Temptation and Fall struck me to the core and continues to grow every time I read it. Lewis, as always, manages to weave a story of surpassing beauty and depth of thought. It's a book to be chewed on thoughtfully, not devoured. 

Recommended to: Fans of C.S. Lewis or fans of science fiction who enjoy theological themes woven through their books.

Sequel Review: "Cry of the Raven"

Hey there, folks! Sorry it's been so long. Life was a little crazy in the fall, but COVID-19 has provided a good opportunity to get back into the blogging and reading world. Now, more than ever, I feel that people could use some great book recommendations. I hope you enjoy!

5/5 Stars

This is the third and final book in The Ravenwood Saga and provides a satisfying ending to a stellar and captivating series. Morgan L. Busse does an excellent job throughout the series of blending together fantastical action, unique story-building, and themes of redemption and forgiveness. I would highly recommend this series to fans of Christian fantasy. If you haven't read the rest of the series, I'll direct you to my reviews of the first and second books before proceeding below.

Selene Ravenwood has finally come into her full power, but nagging self-doubts, the lurking shadow of the Dark Lady, and her own past continue to haunt her. Will she and Damien be able to hold back the Empire, even if it means working separately? And will the two of them be able to navigate the struggles in their own relationship and move past their differences to be able to keep moving forward?

This is an excellent conclusion to the series, though I have to say that it didn't touch me as deeply as the first two installments. I can't put my finger on precisely why, but don't let that hold you back from picking up the series. It's well-written and imaginative, and this certainly is a suitable ending to it. 

Recommended to: Teen and up fantasy fans who enjoy romance and supernatural powers.