No.589: What I Read in November 2021

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#83. GET YOUR LIFE BACK: EVERYDAY PRACTICES FOR A WORLD GONE MAD by John Eldredge
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★★☆☆
I purchased this book for my husband back in January for Epiphany.  We had listened to an interview featuring John Eldredge and he was so understanding about the modern, chaotic lives we lead.  This book collected his thoughts on the matter and practices we can start to combat the madness.  It started really strong and I was highlighting tons of quotes!  Sadly, by the midpoint, it kind-of fizzled out for me.

#84. CAN’T HURT ME: MASTER YOUR MIND AND DEFY THE ODDS by David Goggins
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★★☆☆
Oh man, this book!  David Goggins had a tough childhood, but through stubbornness and determination, he achieved so much.  I loved a lot of his advice (work hard, avoid making excuses, embrace suffering) but the examples from his life seemed a little too extreme.  My oldest son has also read it and we’ve had many great discussions.

#85. TALKING ABOUT GOD IS DANGEROUS: THE DIARY OF A RUSSIAN DISSIDENT by Tatiana Goricheva
(amazon // better world books)
★★★☆☆
This little book is the “diary” of a Christian convert during Soviet Russia and the hardships she endured for her new faith.  Eventually, she was forced to emigrate or risk being imprisoned.  My biggest takeaway from this book is that when the stakes are high and it comes at a cost, faith is passionate and strengthened.  On the contrary, comfort and prosperity can quickly diminish or squash it.

#86. THE HIDING PLACE by C.J. Tudor
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★☆☆☆
I really enjoyed Tudor’s book, The Other People, back in March so I thought I would give another one of hers a try.  This one was super creepy – I didn’t realize it was more in the horror genre!  It also had a confusing plot and I just wasn’t interested in the characters.  A miss for me. (P.S. Apparently, there were a lot of similarities to Stephen King’s book, Pet Cemetery, but I’ve never read that, so I was clueless.)

#87. THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE by George Selden
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★★★☆
Our second read aloud for school.  We’ve read this one multiple times before and it’s always a crowd favorite – they love that hilarious Tucker Mouse!  After we finished, we immediately dove into the sequel, Tucker’s Countryside.
(This was also my 1960 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#88. BENEATH THE TAMARIND TREE: A STORY OF COURAGE, FAMILY, AND THE LOST SCHOOLGIRLS OF BOKO HARAM by Isha Sasay
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★☆☆☆
I agree completely with another person’s review of this book – this was “an important story poorly told.”  First the good news: this book was not nearly as graphic as I expected.  The schoolgirls were neglected, starved and sometimes beaten, but I don’t believe they experienced any sexual abuse, praise God.  I found their story of survival powerful.  Now the bad news: my biggest issue was the fact that half of the book was about Sesay: her childhood, her work with CNN, her interviews with important politicians, the way she was always trying to find a way in to the building to get close to the girls, etc.  I wasn’t interested and it just felt like filler.  All in all, I feel the title is misleading and would more accurately be described as Sesay’s memoir of a particular news story that deeply touched her heart.  (Still possibly a worthwhile read if you’re looking for that!)

#89. BLANCHE ON THE LAM by Barbara Neely
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★★☆☆
From the back: “Blanche White is a plump, feisty, middle-aged African-American housekeeper working for the genteel rich in North Carolina.”  While working for a wealthy family at their summer home, Blanche gets caught up in a murder and needs to figure out whodunit before it gets pinned on her!  I enjoyed this one – solid three stars.  

#90. A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE by Brittany Cavallaro
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
★★★☆☆
I’m not usually a fan of YA, so this is another step outside of my comfort zone!  This mystery follows the great-great-great-grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson who attend a private school in Connecticut.  Someone is trying to frame them for a string of crimes and they have to solve the case to save themselves from imprisonment.  This one was fun.  Better than I was expecting!