January 2009: Book List
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christianreader1) Moon by Night – Madeleine L’Engle
I’m horrible, I know, but I am apparently working backwards as far as reading the Austin series by L’Engle. Last year, I read “A Ring of Endless Light” and now, the first official book of 2009 is Moon by Night. I read it during a quick road trip down to Virginia; I managed to read it all when it wasn’t my turn to drive. It was the perfect book for a road trip and was pretty ideal, since I’ve been doing some reading and thinking on the subject of prayer recently. A lot of what Vicky Austin grapples with, as a young teenager living in post-WWII America, and is trying to make sense of, while not quite as dramatic, is similar to things I’ve been thinking about. All my thoughts were actually pretty depressing – why doesn’t God answer everyone’s prayers, why do good people suffer, why pray at all when God might decide to let things turn out badly after all? – but this book really hit home and…I think that, like Vicky, I won’t ever understand it fully, but am okay with it. Sometimes trusting God doesn’t come easily.
2) Boy Meets Girl – Josh Harris
I liked it. I still prefer the term dating-with-a-purpose over courtship, but whatever you call it, that’s more the route I’d like to go when it comes to a serious relationship with a guy. It would be interesting to get a young guy’s take on it, however. :-P
3) River Secrets – Shannon Hale
And the Shannon Hale readathon continues. The third in a trilogy, the first being Goose Girl…and again, I have the misfortune of noticing that I’ve skipped around in a series again. Still, in spite of gaps in the storyline that would have been filled by Enna Burning, I was able to figure out what was going on in this book. It isn’t my favorite by her, I think Princess Academy still takes that title, but it was a nice quick read.
4) Bon Appetit – Sandra Byrd
The sequel to Christian fic novel Let Them Eat Cake. Fluffy, totally predictable, but cute in a Miss Match sort of way. Miss Match is still way better. One of my fluffier reads for the month!
5) Angel – Cliff McNish
In one word: lame. In another: ill-written. A total waste of my time; I’m still not sure why I even bothered skimming the last half of the book. General gist: Girl sees angels, meets another girl at school who believes in angels. First girl BECOMES an angel and works with other angels to do good in the world. Fact (according to this book): people do not have their own individual guardian angels, each angel has multiple wards. Another fact: there is no God, or at least, angels don’t know whether or not there is a God either. Piffle.
6) Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown – Maud Hart-Lovelace
An adorable book in an adorable series. Betsy, Tacy and Tib’s adventures as ten year olds are both hysterically funny and totally sweet. My favorite part? When all three girls decide that they’re in love with the King of Spain. ;-) The dialogue had my sister and I in stitches!
7) Boundary Stones – Aaron Eby
I’m a pretty big fan of First Fruits of Zion’s publications. Actually most of my family is; and so, my Dad ordered five copies of FFOZ’s latest book Boundary Stones. It’s pretty much a basic introduction to the idea that the Torah is applicable and still valid for believers in Messiah today. It reminds me a bit of some of their other books, but this one is a bit more simplistic. It’s easier to read and the format is in shorter chunks, making it a quick read for. Still, a lot of good stuff to chew on.
8) Life As We Knew It – Susan Beth Pfeffer
A doomsday novel, pretty much. An asteroid hits the moon, knocks it off kilter, which throws the earth’s lunar cycle out of whack. Tsunamis strike all over the world. Massachusetts is decimated, with Cape Cod and the islands never to be seen again. New York City is hit by 20 foot waves and the Statue of Liberty is swept out to sea. The world is in chaos and just when it seems that it can’t get worse – it does. Earthquakes and then volcanoes that cover the atmosphere with a layer of ash, blocking out the sun and creating the coldest winter ever. It actually reminded me very distinctly of the movie “The Day After Tomorrow,” except not as rapid a scale of events. The entire book is in diary format, written by a sixteen year old girl who lives in PA.
It was interesting, but I was bothered very much by the author’s definite bias towards both Christians and President Bush. While names are not mentioned, you can definitely tell that the president in the story is modeled after Bush. The one Christian character is portrayed as only wanting to die so she can be in heaven; she is fixated on her sins and is incredibly preachy. The minister is a definite villain, portrayed as someone who preys on the weaker and takes food that should have gone to those who need it more.
Still, I was riveted enough that I stayed up later than I should have to finish it and I am slightly interested in reading the companion book – it takes place in NYC.
9) Meet the Austins – Madeleine L’Engle
And I continue my project on reading this series backwards. This is the first book in the Austin series and we’re introduced to Vicky and her family as they take in an orphaned ten-year old girl, Maggy…who is a spoilt brat. Question: Why can’t more Christian authors write like Madeleine L’Engle? I love “Meet the Austins” because they are real. They aren’t preachy, but they are definitely Christians.
10) Murder on the Orient Express – Agatha Christy
I’ve never been a huge fan of Agatha Christy. And when I am in a Christy mood, I generally choose Miss Marple over Poirot. But since this is one of the most well-known of her novels, I decided to give it a try. And what did I think? Eh, I can still take or leave her mystery novels. It was interesting and somewhat thought-provoking, but not my favorite.
11) The Arm of the Starfish – Madeleine L’Engle
Adam is given the opportunity of a lifetime: to do scientific research under the authority of renowned scientist Dr. O’Keefe during summer vacation. But, unbeknownst to him, this isn’t any ordinary research program. Things are at stake here and before he knows it, Adam is drawn into a conflict where he must choose sides. In case you haven’t caught on by now, I have new favorite author Madeleine L’Engle – and the latest of my reads is just as good as all the rest that I’ve read.
12) Bright Candles – Nathaniel Benchley
Ever since I first discovered and read Lois Lowry’s book Number the Stars and later, Robert Elmer’s “The Young Underground” series, I've been interested in WWII Denmark, particularly the focus of how Denmark was the only occupied country that as a whole helped hide their Jewish friends and neighbors. I picked this up on a whim. It was okay, kind of meh and on the dry side. It was shelved in fiction, but it felt more biographical.
13) The Young Unicorns – Madeleine L’Engle
Another Austin book; they’re a definite presence in the book, but Vicky wasn’t the main focus and character for once.
14) Adam Canfield, Watch Your Back! Michael Winerip
The sequel to Adam Canfield of the Slash. Adam and his trusty (and cute) co-editor of their middle school paper “The Slash,” are back again to fight for truth and justice with the written word. This time, they’re dealing with bullies, both in middle-school and outside of school. Bullies their age and a bully…who has a little more weight to swing against the kids.
I didn’t think it was as good as the first book; it felt a bit scattered with the different news stories going on and left a lot open and hanging in the end. I have a definite feeling that there will be a third book that will resolve all the storylines that are left open, but it did feel a little too open-ended in comparision to the first that wrapped everything up nice and neatly.
Still, I enjoyed it. I love books that are about writing, about kids writing, particularly when it comes to fighting for truth and justice with the pen. The pen is mightier than the sword, as the saying goes. I’d read the third book when it comes out.
15) The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Initially, after my sister brought this book home, my first thought was: “Oh man, not another one of those books.” Dystopian. You know, the ones where something Bad happens to the world and life as we know it is forever changed and this is How People Cope With It. Technically, this book probably would fit into that genre, but I’m glad I gave it chance and read it.
Because it was…wow. I didn’t want to put it down, it was that riveting, it was that good. The general gist of the story is this: 12 districts, one capitol; each district chooses by lottery two kids, one boy, one girl, and sends both of them to participate in the Hunger Games. These games, which are broadcasted on television throughout every district, is a glorified show of brutality. Each participant must fight the rest to the death…only one participant can survive, only one person can win. As far as violence goes, it’s pretty high on the scale, but as far as other content: sex, innuendo, language…it’s clean. And the story is…wow.
The one downside: I have to wait until September for the sequel. And the first book definitely leaves you hanging.
16) Kiki Strike - Kirsten Miller
Now this an interesting novel. Kiki Strike is a sort of superhero for younger girls. At the age of fourteen, she has amazing skills and leads her own band of girls her age who are pros at: forgery, lock picking, disguise, stealing, etc... And they're determined to find that secret of all places, the Shadow City that exists deep below NYC. A bit of a mystery thrown in. It was interesting and I really like how they throw in tips at the end of every chapter from, how to disguise yourself, how to fool people into thinking you're innocent, etc... I wasn't too crazy about the lack of adult presence and the lying, however. I wouldn't hand it to my eleven year old sister.
Total Books for January: 16
Books Read in 2009 so far: 16
I’m horrible, I know, but I am apparently working backwards as far as reading the Austin series by L’Engle. Last year, I read “A Ring of Endless Light” and now, the first official book of 2009 is Moon by Night. I read it during a quick road trip down to Virginia; I managed to read it all when it wasn’t my turn to drive. It was the perfect book for a road trip and was pretty ideal, since I’ve been doing some reading and thinking on the subject of prayer recently. A lot of what Vicky Austin grapples with, as a young teenager living in post-WWII America, and is trying to make sense of, while not quite as dramatic, is similar to things I’ve been thinking about. All my thoughts were actually pretty depressing – why doesn’t God answer everyone’s prayers, why do good people suffer, why pray at all when God might decide to let things turn out badly after all? – but this book really hit home and…I think that, like Vicky, I won’t ever understand it fully, but am okay with it. Sometimes trusting God doesn’t come easily.
2) Boy Meets Girl – Josh Harris
I liked it. I still prefer the term dating-with-a-purpose over courtship, but whatever you call it, that’s more the route I’d like to go when it comes to a serious relationship with a guy. It would be interesting to get a young guy’s take on it, however. :-P
3) River Secrets – Shannon Hale
And the Shannon Hale readathon continues. The third in a trilogy, the first being Goose Girl…and again, I have the misfortune of noticing that I’ve skipped around in a series again. Still, in spite of gaps in the storyline that would have been filled by Enna Burning, I was able to figure out what was going on in this book. It isn’t my favorite by her, I think Princess Academy still takes that title, but it was a nice quick read.
4) Bon Appetit – Sandra Byrd
The sequel to Christian fic novel Let Them Eat Cake. Fluffy, totally predictable, but cute in a Miss Match sort of way. Miss Match is still way better. One of my fluffier reads for the month!
5) Angel – Cliff McNish
In one word: lame. In another: ill-written. A total waste of my time; I’m still not sure why I even bothered skimming the last half of the book. General gist: Girl sees angels, meets another girl at school who believes in angels. First girl BECOMES an angel and works with other angels to do good in the world. Fact (according to this book): people do not have their own individual guardian angels, each angel has multiple wards. Another fact: there is no God, or at least, angels don’t know whether or not there is a God either. Piffle.
6) Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown – Maud Hart-Lovelace
An adorable book in an adorable series. Betsy, Tacy and Tib’s adventures as ten year olds are both hysterically funny and totally sweet. My favorite part? When all three girls decide that they’re in love with the King of Spain. ;-) The dialogue had my sister and I in stitches!
7) Boundary Stones – Aaron Eby
I’m a pretty big fan of First Fruits of Zion’s publications. Actually most of my family is; and so, my Dad ordered five copies of FFOZ’s latest book Boundary Stones. It’s pretty much a basic introduction to the idea that the Torah is applicable and still valid for believers in Messiah today. It reminds me a bit of some of their other books, but this one is a bit more simplistic. It’s easier to read and the format is in shorter chunks, making it a quick read for. Still, a lot of good stuff to chew on.
8) Life As We Knew It – Susan Beth Pfeffer
A doomsday novel, pretty much. An asteroid hits the moon, knocks it off kilter, which throws the earth’s lunar cycle out of whack. Tsunamis strike all over the world. Massachusetts is decimated, with Cape Cod and the islands never to be seen again. New York City is hit by 20 foot waves and the Statue of Liberty is swept out to sea. The world is in chaos and just when it seems that it can’t get worse – it does. Earthquakes and then volcanoes that cover the atmosphere with a layer of ash, blocking out the sun and creating the coldest winter ever. It actually reminded me very distinctly of the movie “The Day After Tomorrow,” except not as rapid a scale of events. The entire book is in diary format, written by a sixteen year old girl who lives in PA.
It was interesting, but I was bothered very much by the author’s definite bias towards both Christians and President Bush. While names are not mentioned, you can definitely tell that the president in the story is modeled after Bush. The one Christian character is portrayed as only wanting to die so she can be in heaven; she is fixated on her sins and is incredibly preachy. The minister is a definite villain, portrayed as someone who preys on the weaker and takes food that should have gone to those who need it more.
Still, I was riveted enough that I stayed up later than I should have to finish it and I am slightly interested in reading the companion book – it takes place in NYC.
9) Meet the Austins – Madeleine L’Engle
And I continue my project on reading this series backwards. This is the first book in the Austin series and we’re introduced to Vicky and her family as they take in an orphaned ten-year old girl, Maggy…who is a spoilt brat. Question: Why can’t more Christian authors write like Madeleine L’Engle? I love “Meet the Austins” because they are real. They aren’t preachy, but they are definitely Christians.
10) Murder on the Orient Express – Agatha Christy
I’ve never been a huge fan of Agatha Christy. And when I am in a Christy mood, I generally choose Miss Marple over Poirot. But since this is one of the most well-known of her novels, I decided to give it a try. And what did I think? Eh, I can still take or leave her mystery novels. It was interesting and somewhat thought-provoking, but not my favorite.
11) The Arm of the Starfish – Madeleine L’Engle
Adam is given the opportunity of a lifetime: to do scientific research under the authority of renowned scientist Dr. O’Keefe during summer vacation. But, unbeknownst to him, this isn’t any ordinary research program. Things are at stake here and before he knows it, Adam is drawn into a conflict where he must choose sides. In case you haven’t caught on by now, I have new favorite author Madeleine L’Engle – and the latest of my reads is just as good as all the rest that I’ve read.
12) Bright Candles – Nathaniel Benchley
Ever since I first discovered and read Lois Lowry’s book Number the Stars and later, Robert Elmer’s “The Young Underground” series, I've been interested in WWII Denmark, particularly the focus of how Denmark was the only occupied country that as a whole helped hide their Jewish friends and neighbors. I picked this up on a whim. It was okay, kind of meh and on the dry side. It was shelved in fiction, but it felt more biographical.
13) The Young Unicorns – Madeleine L’Engle
Another Austin book; they’re a definite presence in the book, but Vicky wasn’t the main focus and character for once.
14) Adam Canfield, Watch Your Back! Michael Winerip
The sequel to Adam Canfield of the Slash. Adam and his trusty (and cute) co-editor of their middle school paper “The Slash,” are back again to fight for truth and justice with the written word. This time, they’re dealing with bullies, both in middle-school and outside of school. Bullies their age and a bully…who has a little more weight to swing against the kids.
I didn’t think it was as good as the first book; it felt a bit scattered with the different news stories going on and left a lot open and hanging in the end. I have a definite feeling that there will be a third book that will resolve all the storylines that are left open, but it did feel a little too open-ended in comparision to the first that wrapped everything up nice and neatly.
Still, I enjoyed it. I love books that are about writing, about kids writing, particularly when it comes to fighting for truth and justice with the pen. The pen is mightier than the sword, as the saying goes. I’d read the third book when it comes out.
15) The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Initially, after my sister brought this book home, my first thought was: “Oh man, not another one of those books.” Dystopian. You know, the ones where something Bad happens to the world and life as we know it is forever changed and this is How People Cope With It. Technically, this book probably would fit into that genre, but I’m glad I gave it chance and read it.
Because it was…wow. I didn’t want to put it down, it was that riveting, it was that good. The general gist of the story is this: 12 districts, one capitol; each district chooses by lottery two kids, one boy, one girl, and sends both of them to participate in the Hunger Games. These games, which are broadcasted on television throughout every district, is a glorified show of brutality. Each participant must fight the rest to the death…only one participant can survive, only one person can win. As far as violence goes, it’s pretty high on the scale, but as far as other content: sex, innuendo, language…it’s clean. And the story is…wow.
The one downside: I have to wait until September for the sequel. And the first book definitely leaves you hanging.
16) Kiki Strike - Kirsten Miller
Now this an interesting novel. Kiki Strike is a sort of superhero for younger girls. At the age of fourteen, she has amazing skills and leads her own band of girls her age who are pros at: forgery, lock picking, disguise, stealing, etc... And they're determined to find that secret of all places, the Shadow City that exists deep below NYC. A bit of a mystery thrown in. It was interesting and I really like how they throw in tips at the end of every chapter from, how to disguise yourself, how to fool people into thinking you're innocent, etc... I wasn't too crazy about the lack of adult presence and the lying, however. I wouldn't hand it to my eleven year old sister.
Total Books for January: 16
Books Read in 2009 so far: 16
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