October 2024 Reads!

This October I read a whopping seventeen books! My favorite by far was Wishtress, by Nadine Brandes. I've read her other books (I adore her Out of Time trilogy), and I was so excited to see this one finally make it to my university library.

I have also better aligned my ratings with Goodreads' recommendations, where:

5 stars - It was amazing!

4 stars - I really liked it.

3 stars - I liked it.

2 stars - It was ok.

1 star - I did not like it.

So, if my stars seem harsher, it's because I'm trying to give each book as honest a review as possible. I try to judge a book both on moral content and excellence in wordcraft. As a Christian, I am going to favor books more that feature godly and uplifting content. That being said, if a book is "moral" but was written horribly, it's still going to get a poor review. Bad art is still bad art, regardless of how well it matches my religious beliefs.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

Based on a true story, The Night Watchman tells about the struggling Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa trying to keep their land against a government who wants to take it away. Following the paths of Thomas, a night watchman, Patrice, an intelligent girl searching for her lost sister, Wood Mountain, a young man who boxes, and others, Erdrich spins a story showing the complexity of issues within this community. 

Erdrich's writing style is very poetic in a sort of natural way. The thoughts and motives of the characters really flow on the page, drawing the reader into the world of Turtle Mountain. Even the less attractive characters (such as the Mormons) are created in a way that makes them understandable, if not at least likable.

The story itself is very complex, and sometimes very dark. Erdrich does not avoid the harshness of life that her characters must face—whether it be Vera escaping trafficking and prostitution, or Thomas enduring the struggle against the government trying to take away his home. But even when writing about difficult topics, Erdrich treats the characters with respect, almost as if they are real (which, I believe some of them area).

This novel is so well-written that it could likely become one of the great American novels looked to in the next century. Erdrich tells a story that, while realistic in its portrayal of the troubles its characters face, ends with hope.

Three stars!

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief is the tale of Perseus (Percy) Jackson, son of a Greek god. Percy grows from a rather reckless, troubled boy to a true hero as he quests to prevent war among the gods.

The premise of this novel instantly caught my attention. Riordan creates a dynamic world and adventurous scenarios that kept me reading, even if the book is technically written for middle schoolers. The plot is always moving. The book also has spectacular twists that are hinted at enough to be anticipated but not fully revealed.

Most of his characters are very well drawn. The friendship between Percy, Annabeth, and Grover feels genuine and was a delight to read. Percy's character development and maturity from a more impulsive child to a wiser youth was gradual enough to not be unrealistic yet obvious enough by the end to show how his actions and the events of the story have changed him. 

Four stars!

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

In the next book of Riordan's Percy Jackson series, Percy, Annabeth, and his new friend Tyson journey across the sea to rescue Grover. Percy must further develop his gifts as the son of Poseidon to save both Grover and Camp Half-Blood, all while preventing the resurrection of Kronos. 

Percy's character development and relationship with the other characters was excellently-written. He certainly shows more maturity in his interactions with Clarisse. His bond with Annabeth was especially sweet to see grow. Riordan truly writes strong friendships that are a joy to read about. 

The pacing of this novel seemed a bit odd. The climax, with Percy facing off against Luke, didn't seem particularly epic, and the book had another fifty pages to go after it. Perhaps it would have been better if Luke had attacked their final chariot race and they had battled there. However, the twist at the end made up for it, even if it was somewhat predictable.

Four stars!

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

The third book of the Percy Jackson series introduces Thalia, Zeus's daughter, another potential hero who could either save or destroy Olympus. Percy teams up with her and the Hunters of Artemis to embark on a quest to save Annabeth. As they attempt to rescue her, they realize that the Titans have awakened more monsters, and that a new half-blood, a child of Hades, has emerged...

Riordan, as always, keeps the plot moving quickly enough so that the reader's attention is fully engaged. He drops enough references to Greek mythology to hint at the latest foes Percy and his friends will meet, but also keeps it vague enough so that I was still startled when I discovered the identity of the new possible bane of Olympus. 

As for the characters, I felt that Riordan is genuinely rather bad at writing women. Thalia and Annabeth have very similar personalities—perpetually angry at Percy for being stupid. The only difference is that Thalia is perhaps ten percent more hotheaded than Annabeth. Riordan does not do a very good job of distinguishing them, as well as Zoë. All of the women in this book have the same main personality trait: angry. I know it is the latest trend to make females salty about everything so they look strong or tough, but I found it rather one-dimensional. Annabeth is a daughter of Athena. It would make more sense if she were more somber or wiser—wise enough to not pick silly fights with Percy (yes, I know she's flirting, but it's still rather immature). Meanwhile, Zoë works with Artemis—she would also be more somber, I expect, instead of perpetually moody. It would have been nice to see more diversity of behavior among the women. They seem to be rather flat; one could really switch out their names without much change in the story. They do not have the life that Percy and Grover and even Mr. D have.

Overall, another great plot, but some of the characters could have been more three-dimensional instead of the usual angry woman stereotype. 

Three stars.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

This fourth book of the Percy Jackson series yet again raises the stakes as Percy must race against Luke and various monsters to prevent Kronos from attacking his beloved Camp Half-Blood. However, he must first find his way through the treacherous Labyrinth with his friends Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson, where they encounter new creatures, former friends, and the troubled Nico di Angelo.

The concept of this fourth novel yet again introduced fresh scenarios and maintained steady action. It was refreshing to see Annabeth finally receive her quest; Riordan seemed to delve a bit deeper into her character. The subplot with Pan also gave Grover a fulfilling character arc. As always, Riordan left many questions unanswered at the end of the book, which he will hopefully tie up in the finale. 

However, he had so much opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Greek mythology in the labyrinth. He could have described the rooms in more detail, but oftentimes his description seems too short to really give the reader a sense of the world they're reading about. 

Also, Nico seemed to make a remarkably quick turnaround from hating Percy to wanting to help him. It would have been better if that had been more drawn-out. Perhaps he could've betrayed Percy and his friends to make for a more beautiful redemption of his character. 

While this fourth book certainly improved my opinion of Annabeth, and Grover's development was delightful to watch, it fell short of the other books in world-building.

Three stars.

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis explores the basics of Christianity, working systematically from the evidence for God to the next steps in surrendering one's life to Christ. He painstakingly attempts to persuade the reader from atheism to deism to theism to Christianity itself, all written with his usual eloquence and wisdom. 

He goes through his discussions very systematically. He clearly thought deeply about the topics he examines. His experience as an atheist undoubtedly helped him to write about the moral law and his own convictions that pointed him to God. 

His writing style is very patient with the reader, which is excellent for nonbelievers and believers alike. Lewis shows a true humility as he approaches difficult topics of the faith, freely admitting that he is a mere layman. However, his heart for Christ and his Spirit-led virtue reassure the reader that he is not out to simply sell a book or build a name for himself: he genuinely cares about the reader's heart and drawing him/her to Christ. 

Mere Christianity is an excellent introduction to the faith for nonbeliever, but it is also a delightful refresher of the basic tenets of belief for a Christian as well. Lewis inspires humility and love for the lost in both his writing style and his approach to difficult topics in Christianity. 

Five stars!

Le Lai de Lanval by Marie de France

The Lai of Lanval tells the story of Lanval, one of the knights of King Arthur. Lanval becomes smitten with a mysterious woman who makes him vow to not betray her existence. However, when the adulterous Queen Guinevere attempts to seduce him, he accidentally reveals the woman's existence, destroying his relationship with her and threatening his life.

For a poem written around eight hundred years ago, Lanval kept my interest well enough. The writing (or at least the translation I read) is eloquent, romantic, and beautiful. I could certainly see the troubadours of Eleanor of Aquitaine singing or speaking it to entertain her. 

As for the characters, from a modern perspective, Lanval comes off as rather foolish. It seems remarkably inane to sleep with a random woman in the forest just because she is beautiful. However, it is Arthurian romance; hence, I cannot expect any of the men to have their wits about them when it comes to female beauty. One must suspend her skepticism when reading a lai.

The mysterious woman/girl mirrors Guinevere in that she is equally lustful, yet she is somehow supposed to be more innocent. I suppose it is because she's simply fornicating, not committing adultery (as Guinevere attempts), though she is not an admirable character either. But again, the Normans apparently had a taste for such illicit romance, so I try to suspend my questions.

Guinevere herself is as Guinevere always is: seducing her husband's knights. This poem has held up the tradition of the Queen as a spoiled, wandering, spiteful wife. Nothing out of the ordinary there. 

As a 21st century Christian, I dislike all of the characters in this tale, except for perhaps Gawain, as he is the only one who does not look like either a fool (Arthur and Lanval) or a flirt (the mysterious girl and Guinevere). However, as a literature appreciator, I will credit Marie de France with an elegant voice and delightful writing worthy of the courts of Henry II!

Two stars.

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes

Brandes spins another amazing tale with Wishtress, the story of Myrthe, a young woman with the power to grant wishes with her tears. After Myrthe is cursed to die with the next tear she sheds, she embarks on a quest to find the Well of Talents. Bastiaan, a man with the Talent to stop time, accompanies her. Both of them must find a way to save their kingdom from the Nightwell's evil waters, and the Well of Talents may be their only option.

The world building in this novel is spectacular. The concept of the Wishtress, Talents, and Banes features familiar fairy-tale ideas, but with unique laws. Her symbolism with the Well of Talents—"drinking from the well"—is beautifully done.

The characters are all well-written, with complex motives and characterizations. The reader can easily be sympathetic to Myrthe's plight and her struggle to break free of people's views of her power. Both her grandmother and Sven have treated her as property or a commodity for her entire life; witnessing her surrender to her true purpose, as defined by the Well, was a great encouragement. Her relationships with Sven and then Bastiaan also struck an emotional note because of how little Sven cared for her for herself, instead valuing her for what he could get from her.

Sven himself is brilliantly written. Initially attractive as the stereotypical boyfriend, he soon devolves into a misogynistic, controlling, greedy, power-hungry evildoer. The development of Myrthe's feelings about him from adoration to disgust shows how he morphs from a mere selfish fool to a flat-out megalomaniac. Brandes did an excellent job making me utterly despise him by the end of the book.

As for Bastiaan, he too had excellent character development, as he learned to recognize his own hypocrisy and stop making his Talent an idol. He strongly contrasts with Sven: where Sven is selfish, Bastiaan is selfless and has spent his entire life attempting to help his people. Where Sven cares about Myrthe only so far as he can receive attention or a wish, Bastiaan is willing to sacrifice his life for her because he loves her for who she is. And where Sven feigns courage and power while actually living in deception and cowardice, Bastiaan actually risks himself for his country. 

Wishtress is another fabulous read by one of my favorite authors, featuring spectacular world building, endearing characters, and powerful messages of redemption and surrendering to true calling.

Four stars!

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

In the finale of Riordan's series, Percy must battle to protect Olympus from Kronos's powerful army, all whilst trying to decipher a prophecy that suggests his doom. But a traitor is hiding in Camp Half-blood, threatening their ability to protect the home of the gods. The demigods must discover who they can trust as alliances shift and hidden heroes are revealed.

While, at first glance, the plot of this book might seem to drag because of its focus on the battle, Riordan still keeps it at a steady pace. Something surprising is always occurring, maintaining the reader's attention even if about 2/3 of this book seems to be on defending Olympus. The twists moved the story along and some of them even hint to another series Riordan might write.

The redemption of Luke was, by far, the strongest part of this novel. I'd been hoping he would be rescued in some way, and Riordan did not fail to please. The twist with who the prophecy referred to was performed excellently. Riordan's storytelling is strongest with his prophecies, I've found, and the way this one concluded was the most spectacular.

Four stars!

Theology of Home IV by Emily Malloy

Theology of Home IV merges flower arranging with the beauty of liturgy and Catholic theology. Malloy uses the rhythms of the seasons and church holidays to inspire lovely flower designs and sweeping descriptions of nature and the peace of Christian life.

This book was beautifully written. It offered a place of serenity and enjoyment of nature in the midst of hectic life. Malloy incorporates the Church calendar in her discussions of the seasons and faith, making for a very thoughtful approach to flower arranging.

I only wish there was a bit more about flower arranging itself. Some of the tips on design seemed rather short; I would have liked to have more ideas suggested and practical tasks to try.

Three stars.

Travels with Foxfire by Phil Hudgins

Travels with Foxfire offers a dynamic, attractive portrait of life in Southern Appalachia. This book spins tales of moonshine, bear-hunting, homemade biscuits, and good old-fashioned Southern Gospel music. Truly, it is a merry collection of stories.

This book was highly entertaining and simply warmed my heart. It truly capture a way of life and the culture of the people Hudgins writes about shines through. It gave me a great appreciation for an area of the United States I've never even visited. The recipes included in the cooking section were also very helpful! 

Three stars.

Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind by Mark Noll

Noll argues for a greater Christian presence in academics. He makes a case from Scripture and Jesus Christ Himself for pursuing academic excellence. This book examines most of the major disciplines in higher academics, discussing how Christ can transform and influence evangelicals' thought on them.

Noll makes some strong points for why evangelicals should beware of anti-intellectualism. His criticism is harsh and yet hopeful, especially when he examines current improvements in evangelical universities. He truly shows Christian charity when he suggests collaboration between denominations; his tone is that of a peacemaker.

However, the writing style in general bored me with its dryness. Most of the paragraphs are excessively long and full of passive voice and other forms of "academicese." He also seems to love block quotes that could have been much better summarized. 

While the ideas Noll presents are much-needed in evangelical circles, the writing could have presented them with more clarity.

Two stars.

Miracles by C. S. Lewis

Miracles systematically develops an argument for why the supernatural does indeed exist. Lewis battles both Naturalism and Pantheism, proposing that the Supernatural can and does invade our world. He warns against the tendency even in Christian circles to turn Scripture into mere symbols and fall to the current spirit of skeptical modernism. 

This book comes at a timely moment, when even many Christians scoff at the miraculous, as if Christ Himself did not come as a man—the greatest Miracle in history!—and then raise himself from the dead after three days. Lewis strongly scolds believers and nonbelievers alike for their lack of faith, using logic to argue that if God exists, miracles too must exist. If one believes in the great Miracle—the incarnation of Christ—so too must one believe in other miracles!

While this book was sometimes very hard to get through (it has less of the simplicity of his writing in Mere Christianity), its deep arguments and powerful prose were yet a delight to read!

Four stars!

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

The Unmaking of June Farrow tells the story of June, a woman struggling with odd memories that she fears are madness. When June is transported from 2022 to her past life in 1950, she has to discover the secret of her mother, her memories, and her madness in order to protect the future of all Farrow women.

The concept behind this novel was amazing. Young has a vivid imagination and the time travel seemed to fit together very well. She stirs up just enough mystery surrounding the Farrow women to make me feel like I'm reading some sort of Southern Gothic fantasy.

Her description of the Blue Ridge Mountains also stirred up my love for the mountains. She perfectly captures the small-town feel and features characters that seem to come alive with their mannerisms and speech. The setting also helps with the mood of rural mystery and legend.

The plot was also very satisfying; she ties up most of the the loose ends perfectly, enabling June to have a family and find love. My only complaint would be that she sometimes seems vague on the details of the Farrow powers; the vagueness maintains an air of mystery, but even when the time travel is explained I was still left rather confused about what happened. 

Three stars.

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's As You Like It follows various couples through their exploits in the forest. The main couple, Orlando and Rosalind, are both fleeing the evil Duke, who banished Rosalind's father and would have both of them killed. Through their separate wanderings in the forest, Orlando and Rosalind are eventually reunited and find love.

For a Shakespeare comedy, this one seemed remarkably clean. Either that, or I didn't catch the bawdy humor. But there is plenty of humor to go around between Touchstone and Jaques and their antics, as well as the girls' silliness around Orlando.

Most of the characters were likable and their trials endeared them to me. Rosalind and Orlando seemed a sweet couple: Rosalind's wit makes her an admirable woman, rare for many Shakespeare heroines. Orlando himself, while occasionally foolish, yet cut a dashing figure. I only wish his relationship with Oliver was expanded; it would have been a greater moment of redemption when he saves Oliver's life if there had been more backstory there.

Three stars.

Bread of Life by Abigail Dodds

Bread of Life goes through basic applications of Christian faith, discussing it with metaphors of bread-making and examples from the life of the author. Dodds shares her experience delving into bread-making and offers recipes for the reader to enjoy.

I know this book was meant to be more theological than bread-focused, but I felt that much of the theology seemed shallow and repetitive. I have come to not expect much from women's books about theology, and unfortunately this book did not exceed my expectations. I did not learn anything new from this book. It might be useful if one wanted to start a women's Bible study where they read this book and made bread while reading. 

The one part that I did appreciate was the example of the different kinds of women eating and how that reflected their spiritual lives. This symbolism seemed brilliantly done and was quite thought-provoking as to which woman represented my walk with God. 

If you wanted a book that brought theological depth to the average traditional Christian woman's lifestyle, Bread of Life is not it, but it had good bread recipes and could be a good reminder for a faithful Christian lifestyle.

Two stars.

Utopia by Thomas More

Thomas More gently critiques the selfishness and pride of his era with his somewhat satirical work on a "perfect" country: Utopia. The Utopians have all things in common, consider gold and silver of little value, and avoid war. They put their efforts towards industry and intellectualism, creating a society of hard workers and strong community.

More's writing is, at times, long-winded, but the general ideas of society remain intriguing. He seems to have put much thought into the ills of society and how they could be repaired. However, sometimes it is left uncertain whether he is being sarcastic or serious, especially with the ending section when he mentions that he disagrees with some aspects of Utopia. Of course, some of his ideas are flat-out foolish, as he does not take into account the natural disposition of humans to be selfish, wicked creatures. Utopia would not be feasible simply because within the first few days one would have free-loaders eating all the food and refusing to work. We have seen this experiment fail with communism.

His most profound segment was the one on pride—how pride only exists when people have something or someone to look down upon. Perhaps this part is the central message of his book: European society was set up in such a way that the nobility looked down on the peasants, despite the fact that the peasants did most of the work to support the country. I found those entire two paragraphs quite convicting. More implies that it is good to take pride in one's work, but the wrong sort of pride is that which compares oneself to others. 

Three stars.