Blood Over Bright Haven

I read Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang for book club. The book description says, "An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant. What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power. Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance?"

This was a great book! I was very engaged in the story and really liked the characters of Sciona and Thomil. I haven't read a lot of adult fantasy type books (and really it's been quite awhile), so it was interesting to be back in a world-building type book. The book was kind of heavy at times with just lots of bad things happening, so I had to take breaks now and then. But it was a great story and premise, and at the end, I was just like, wow, that was crazy. I think it'll be a really fun book to discuss at book club.

Rating: * * (2/3) = Liked it

Small Things Like These

I saw Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan recommended on some kind of list and so got it from the library. The book description says, "It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church."

This was kind of a weird read for me because I wasn't sure where it was going and then it was suddenly done. I maybe should have read up on the book more so I was more prepped for what to expect because it is an award-winning and super cherished book. I am clearly missing the boat haha. But I did like a couple of the quotes at the end: "He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?" and "Already he could feel a world of trouble waiting for him behind the next door, but the worst that could have happened was also already behind him; the thing not done, which could have been -- which he would have had to live with for the rest of his life." I really liked the ending and the message. I saw in a review on Amazon that someone described it as being similar to The Christmas Carol, a meaningful story to read each Christmas. I think I maybe would have moved this to "liked" if I had gone into it seeing it like that rather than reading it more like a typical novel.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay)

Remarkably Bright Creatures

I just re-read Remarkably Bright Creatures for book club. Since I've read it before, I won't do a new post about it. But I loved the book again. It was so engaging that I got through it super fast (especially since I remembered how things tied together but couldn't remember all the details so was excited to just see things come together). I'm adding this post here so it still counts for my book count for the year.

When God Doesn't Fix It

I saw When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without by Laura Story advertised somewhere on the internet and decided to purchase it with some of my birthday money (since I'm a fan of the author's song Blessings). The book description says, "Laura's life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The fairy-tale life she had dreamed of was forever altered when they learned there was no cure to restore Martin's short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. In When God Doesn't Fix It, Laura draws from her own journey through ongoing hardship and shares powerful biblical truths about trusting God when life doesn't unfold the way we planned. Yes, with God all things are possible. But what happens when God does not change the situation? As Laura wrestled with broken dreams, she discovered joy, deeper intimacy with Jesus, and a faith strong enough to endure unanswered questions. For anyone learning to walk by faith when God seems silent, distant, or unwilling to remove the pain, When God Doesn't Fix It offers an honest and hopeful look at the hard truths."

I loved this book! It was super engaging with lots of meaningful insights. I liked the way the book was written--in order as she faced the trial surrounding her husband's health but with regularly clearly explained lessons. I think this book would really benefit people struggling with trials in their lives that don't just "get better."

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Exposures

I got Exposures by Lily Williams after seeing it on the new book list at the library. The book description says, "Let me tell you about the winter I had to face all my fears. I used to like a lot of things when I was younger, like dancing, baking, and most of all skiing. But as I got older, things started to change…I started to feel afraid of things like certain colors, numbers, and cracks in the sidewalk. But there was a way to manage these scary thoughts, and start enjoying the things I used to – it started with something called exposure therapy. Even though it was hard at first, I learned how brave I truly am. This is the story of my OCD and how, despite the challenges, I learned to face my fears."

This was a super well-done graphic novel. I really enjoyed it and immediately passed it onto my 16-year-old. The author did an awesome job helping the reader understand what it was like for Peyton to live with OCD, and I loved the way it showed her journey to overcoming the worst of her symptoms. The author's note shared that the author deals with a similar diagnosis but didn't get diagnosed as a kid (Peyton was 12) but instead as an adult--but this is how it could have been if she'd gotten help earlier. The illustrations were great, and it was a meaningful story. Definitely recommend this one.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum for book club. The book description says, "First published in 1901, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” follows the magical adventure of Dorothy, a young girl who lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry on a farm in Kansas. One day when Dorothy is caught up in tornado with her little dog, Toto, she finds her farmhouse has been magically transplanted to Munchkin Country in the mystical Land of Oz. Her house lands on the evil Wicked Witch of the East, killing her, and freeing the Munchkins from her rule. As a reward the Good Witch of the North gives Dorothy the magical Silver Shoes that belonged to the Witch and sets her on her way down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard for help in returning to Kansas. Along the way she meets several interesting characters including the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion who join her on her travels to ask the Wizard for help of their own. The journey is not without peril though, as the Wicked Witch of the West, who wants revenge for the killing of her sister and to regain the magical Silver Shoes, unleashes numerous dangers against Dorothy and her companions. 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' is a classic story of fantasy which is considered to be the first American fairy tale."

This was a fun read. I honestly don't know if I've ever read this book before. I maybe have, but it felt like the first time. I was constantly comparing it to the movie and to Wicked. There were parts of the book that aren't in either, and it was fun to read things like that. I thought it was an enjoyable read and think it'd be fun for Ollie to read. The characters were really distinct and just fun. I also loved some of the lines, like what Oz said to the lion about courage: "You have plenty of courage, I am sure. All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty."

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Everything is Tuberculosis

I've had Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection on my to-read list for awhile and finally had the time to get to it on audiobook. The book description says, "Tuberculosis has been entwined with hu­manity for millennia. Once romanticized as a malady of poets, today tuberculosis is seen as a disease of poverty that walks the trails of injustice and inequity we blazed for it. In 2019, author John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. John be­came fast friends with Henry, a boy with spindly legs and a big, goofy smile. In the years since that first visit to Lakka, Green has become a vocal advocate for increased access to treatment and wider awareness of the healthcare inequi­ties that allow this curable, preventable infec­tious disease to also be the deadliest, killing over a million people every year. In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John tells Henry’s story, woven through with the scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world—and how our choices will shape the future of tuberculosis."

This was a really interesting read. I knew very little about TB beside the fact that sometimes you have to get a TB test to get a job or something, but I had no idea how widespread it still is in poor countries. I thought John Green made many powerful points about how the cure is where the disease is not and the disease is where the cure is not. He also observes how we in rich countries don't care enough about TB since it doesn't affect us, so there aren't enough resources poured into it. It was an eye-opening book, and I think it's really meaningful that John Green has found a way to use his platform to speak up for people who are suffering from and dying from TB. One of his lines said, "How can I accept a world where over a million people will die this year for want of a cure that has existed for nearly a century?" I'd definitely recommend this book. 

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)