Reading, Writing & Pondering

    How You Got Your Name by Trey Kennedy and Illustrated by Jesus Lopez isn't quite the book I expected when I selected it. I thought this was going to be one of those serious, endearing books. However, this book is a silly book that is meant to be funny. If you are looking for a funny book to read with your child, then this may be just what you are looking for.  How You Got Your Name is a large colorfully illustrated book with a dust jacket. It is large and measures a little over ten inches square. It is aimed at children ages four to eight. It has a place in the book to write about choosing a child's name that could be meaningful, if filled out by the gift giver, parent or guardian of the child. Honestly, How You Got Your Name was too silly for us to enjoy but I am sure there are others that will appreciate the humor and enjoy the lighthearted theme.  I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

    On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni is her debut novel. I ended up reading the second book, The Blooming of Delphinium , first. It didn't matter, I enjoyed this one too. Cora Matthew is back in the town she started out at before her single mom took her away at age 7. They never saw her grandparents again and Cora doesn't know what happened. Her Mom passed away recently so she is back in town for the funeral and ends up receiving her family's run down lodge. She decides to remodel it. At the same time, she gets to know a variety of interesting townspeople. On Moonberry Lake is a character driven novel set in Minnesota. I enjoyed reading about all of the townspeople and I could pictures this area, maybe because we spent a couple weekends in Minnesota this past year. I enjoyed meeting them all. I enjoyed seeing Cora come into her own personhood, so to speak. I enjoyed the little bit of romance there was but I wish that had been a bit more of the story. I also liked how the ...

  The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a small but beautifully written book. It is a quick but powerful little read with lovely nature illustrations. The writer of The Serviceberry is an indiginous scientist. I enjoyed her description of the gift economy. As someone who both gardens and forages for goodies, I enjoyed this book. I love her descriptions of nature. I also like how she thinks about a nature economy which is built around gratitude, reciprocity, and community based on nature. The real world economy can be tough with scarcity, competition and even hoarding by some people--as seen in the latest pandemic. Serviceberries offer a beautiful model of health and wealth when shared among a community of people and animals. I wish everyone would read this book. The Serviceberry is a lovely book that would also make a nice gift. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own. ...

      I recently received two devotional church year journals to review. One is for adults and the other is for children. What I like about the adult journal is that it follows the liturgical year. The book itself is beautiful. The readings are in a larger print, which I personally like, as they are easy to pick up and read. At the front of the book, there is a page describing how to use the journal and then a few that explain what the church year is.  The other nice is, is that this book starts right out with Advent so it is ready to use right now. The Advent readings include Bible verses, commentary, hymns, prayers and space to write. All of the readings for various events throughout the church year include a similar style. I really like this style. They give a lot of food for thought and space to write. The Enduring Grace Church Year Journal For Kids is a larger workbook-sized paperback book. This is a book for elementary-aged kids and their families to read throu...

      Do you need a new Advent devotional to read this year? Let Earth Receive Her King by Alister Begg is both beautiful on the outside and full of Christmas reflections to stir your heart on the inside. Let Earth Receive Her King is divided into five parts. Following the introduction: Part One: Christmas in the Beginning Part Two: Christmas in the Land Part Three: Christmas in the Gospels Part Four: Christmas in the Letters Part Five:Awaiting the New Advent I like how this book starts before the Gospels. The story of Jesus actually begins in the Old Testament, which many of us know and yet so many years we just read the Christmas story in the gospels and call it a day. I like that this book studies all aspects of Christ coming and then the full story of his birth. This Advent book has 25 readings that run from Genesis, Isaiah, Luke, and more right through to Revelations. It encompasses the whole Bible. For me, this is new to cover so much ground in an Advent Devotiona...

  Do you feel weary? Discouraged? Does life sometimes seem out of control? Amid these moments, it can be difficult to embrace the fullness of life God promises in Him. In  Revive , popular author, speaker, and podcast host Cleere Cherry Reaves helps you reclaim God’s unchanging truth—for you and for your life. In 52 weeks of devotions, Cleere takes you on a journey to reclaim a spirit of truth all year long through Scripture, biblical declarations, and prayers to reconnect you to the joy and hope God longs for you to know. Join Cleere as you immerse yourself in God’s truth and recover the fullness of life that only Jesus offers. Each week you’ll find: Five declarations of truth to bolster your faith and remind you of God’s promises A short devotional reading to breathe life into your soul A Bible verse for meditation Bright and beautiful photography As you take this yearlong journey, Cleere calls you to: Replenish your soul through rest and prayer, knowing that God a...