This was a crazy month. To put it lightly. On top of a bajillion events, my husband got sick. And then I got sick. Also, work exploded on me and took over some of my preciously hoarded free time. I was not impressed. All this to say, I didn’t read much this month. Oops? Or, maybe I should just say I didn’t finish much this month. That sounds better. Until I remember all the unfinished books sitting on my shelf… (didn’t I say this last month? Maybe I need a vacation…)
Anyway, on to the books I did finish!
Phantastes by George McDonald.
I have already gushed about the book in a different post. You can find it here. Needless to say, I really, really enjoyed the book, and would recommend it for fantasy lovers. If you like fairy tales, you will probably like this book.
Cold Clay by Juneau Black.
A youtuber recommended this book because of its cozy elements. I, in desperate need of a light and cozy book, picked it up. Basically, it is a murder mystery set in a society of talking animals. Think Beatrix Potter style. The characters are all animals who work together in harmony, and often stop for tea. The frequent food breaks were my favorite part. Obviously, everything looks better after the occasional slice of pie. The murder mystery was kind of meh, and easily solvable. In my opinion anyway. But I love a good mystery, and in this book the mystery seemed to take backseat to the setting. I did enjoy the setting of a cozy town with quirky inhabitants though.
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan.
After I read this book, I wanted to be quiet for a while, sitting and thinking about everything I learned. I have continued to think about the ideas presented to me since I finished it a couple of weeks ago. This was my nonfiction book of the month. I heard this author speak at a conference, and I have found his speaking and writing style to be engaging and also deeply compassionate. I definitely enjoyed this book!
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.
I read this one a looong time ago, back when I was on a quest to read all of Jane Austen. When I was sick, I wanted to read something that didn’t overwork my brain, so I picked this one up and finished it in one day. Yay me? But also, what else was I going to do? I love the story, but it is not her best work. It is stiffer, more formal, than her other novels. Her characters in this story are less quirky, less funny and memorable that some of her other characters. Almost as if Austen was still learning her own style, and how she wanted to write. Although, Elinor and Marianne are among my favorite sisters in fiction. Also, Mrs. Jennings is hilarious. I do like it, I just like some of Austen’s other novels better.
There you go, my sad reading month! I have spring break this month, and I hope very much I will be able to get in some great reading time.
Have a great day!
Shaina Merrick
The Beauty of a Story 