Where the Light Fell: A Memoir by Philip Yancey

Where the Light Fell: A Memoir
by Philip Yancey
Convergent Books
Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

Philip Yancey is an engaging author who writes accessible, thought-provoking prose. I have read earlier books he has written, for which he says this book, Where the Light Fell, is a sort of prequel. Those earlier books mark Yancey as a singular author and thinker, one that raises the awareness and thought of his readers. This memoir confirms the author's clear perspective and honest voice.

I did not expect this memoir to engage me as it did. I found myself eager to return to reading it whenever I had to break off from reading. (Do memoirs normally grab readers like that? I did not think so.) I particularly enjoyed the detail of Yancey's early life so challenged by circumstances. His successful career as an author did not prepare me for the story of how he came to be the thoughtful, honest narrator of the Christian life. In particular, Yancey has a voice that finds the truth of the Christian walk, alert for legalism and integrity in the spreading of the Gospel. After reading this memoir, I better understand and now highly value his perspective. I'm returning to read those earlier books once again.

If you are curious about spirituality that is authentic; if you have questioned the line between observing Biblical obedience and the freedom that the Gospel is purported to bring; if you value free will within the Providence of an all-powerful God, you will want to read this book. So much more than a simple memoir, it is a slice of honest perspective into the reality of life, both now and to come.

From Convergent Books, with a publication date of 05 Oct 2021.
Thanks to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read this unique, valuable story that moves this believer closer on the Christian journey.

How to Train Your Dad by Gary Paulsen

 How to Train Your Dad 
by Gary Paulsen
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) 
Pub October 5, 2021

Paulsen's book is spot-on for teens who live in the normal USA, where big cities and subways are not part of the experience, making do with what they have, dealing with parents who have their own strong vision of what life should look like, and needing more room to grow into adulthood.

This is a young-adult version of the dry and often slapstick humor for which author Patrick McManus is well-known: life in all its glory and goof-ups.

The flavor of the narrative isn't for every YA or middle grade reader, but it will be just right for many. Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for a chance to read an advance copy. Coming October 5, 2021.

The Man Who Died Twice

The Man Who Died Twice
Book 2 in the Thursday Murder Club series
by Richard Osman
PENGUIN GROUP Viking
Pub Date: 28 Sep 2021

Best book I've read so far in 2021!

The first in the series was a surprise pleasure: unexpectedly compelling. And this second release, due out 28 Sep 2021 from PENGUIN GROUP Viking, surpasses the first in intricate plotting, characters I appreciate and empathize with, and my wanting more, more more of this group at Cooper’s Chase, the posh retirement village.

It can't be easy for an author to continue to develop characters without changing the original qualities that made readers love them initially. But Osman manages that deftly. And the new faces he brings into the Thursday Murder Club circle make the story richer and more evocative.

Thanks to Penguin and #NetGalley for the chance to read ahead of the release date. I am excited to report that you'll want to get your hands on this second book about the TMC as soon as you can!

Time Villains

 

Time Villains 
by Victor Piñeiro
SOURCEBOOKS Kids
Pub Date 06 Jul 2021 

This is a fresh approach to adventure for middle graders!

This summer I have an opportunity to be a MG librarian for summer school, and I was looking for an engaging adventurous read-aloud for my 6th graders. This new release answered with its tales of surprise, family and friends, adventure, and challenges. It offers a unique plot set-up, one that quickly engaged those students who are already moderately (or more) engaged in school. I also appreciated the fresh vocabulary it offered, along with the unobtrusive clarifying phrases for that vocabulary.

A good read, and thanks to Sourcebooks Young Readers and #NetGalley for the chance to preview this strong entry in the MG catalog. Releasing July 6, 2021. Add it to your To Purchase list!

Tender Is the Bite (Chet and Bernie Mystery #11)

 

Tender Is the Bite (Chet and Bernie Mystery #11)
by Spencer Quinn
Forge Books (Pub Date 06 Jul 2021)

This eleventh release in the Chet and Bernie series is excellent: the plotting is smooth and polished, and the read is a compelling one. (These books are always the kryptonite to my to-read pile: Everything comes to a halt so I can dive into their latest story. This one runs true to that pattern.)

The usual (and better than usual) humor is evenly embedded, the characters and the crimes are those readers care about without being uncomfortably gritty, and Bernie's relationships continue intriguing -- but satisfying as well. Tender is the Bite ends with Bernie (and Chet) comfortably situated and just ready for the next great adventure that author Quinn will share (soon, one hopes). The over-all feel of this release is comfortable: enough good moments, satisfying relationships, bad-guys taken care of, and the reader leaves feeling good for/about Bernie and Chet.

Chet the very-good dog's side narrative provides focus for humor as well as for keen insight into the greater human drama of the story. (Was there more of that monologue than usual? No, couldn't have been. This is Spencer Quinn, one of the best human story tellers around after all. So forget that thought.)

This books stands alone as a fun read, but it will be much richer for those who have read the earlier books in the series. Forge Books releases this title July 6 - you can have it in your hands in two days! Such a great read. Thanks to Forge and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance release copy.

The Audacity of Sara Grayson

The Audacity of Sara Grayson
by Joani Elliott
Meryl Moss Media / Post Hill Press 
Pub Date 25 May 2021 

I expected this book to be mostly fluff and relationship drama. I was pleasantly surprised.

Instead, the majority of the book tells of Sara grappling with actually authoring the book her mother charged her with (an interesting novel about novel writing). And through that process, Sara finds herself, her place in life and the world, and the stories of her family and her parents and their lives. Along the way, she finds a significant other who delightfully fits the niches of Sara's life and fulfills her in ways she didn't expect.

This book is well-written, appropriately humorous, and  the main characters are substantial and well-developed. Again, I expected more superficial characters (was it the bunny slippers on the cover that caused me to underestimate this wonderful surprise of a book?). Author Elliott successfully proved me wrong. There was significant depth of emotion and relationships in this read.

I found the first quarter of the book slow to start (perhaps my mistaken expectations). But I quickly engaged with Sara and her family and her challenges, enjoying the humor along the way and the evocative settings and developments further in the book.

Meryl Moss Media / Post Hill Press have this slated for release on May 25, 2021. This will be a reliable pleasure to read. 

Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor series #3)

 

Three Missing Days
Colleen Coble
Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Pelican Harbor trilogy offers excellent action adventure, usually starting about the last third of each book. This final book in the series stays true to form, showing evidence of masterful plotting and a steady, enjoyable romance.

The protagonists are sympathetic and generally engaging. At times, in my opinion, one character or another reacts exaggeratedly in an attempt to convey a particular characteristic, so perhaps consistent characterization may be a weak point in an otherwise strongly compelling series. This is balanced, however, by an authentic and realistic portrayal of a Christian faith playing out in times of the characters' happiness as well as suffering. I appreciate the author's deft ability to show an important reality often missing from many novels I read.

Each book in the series is an excellent read in itself, and together, the full story arc is a pleasure. I highly recommend beginning with the first and reading them through.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the chance to read this third book early. After finishing the second book, I was fixated on reading the third! Publication date is April 6, 2021. Be ready for it!

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter

 

Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter

by Timothy J. Keller

Viking Press

The brilliance of Keller's writing lies in this: heart-changing content made accessible.

This profound book is just that: life-changing, and open and accessible.

Easter is coming. But Hope in Times of Fear reaches beyond a particular season and shows how the angst of our current situation is swallowed up in the overwhelming hope and reassurance that the Christian possesses.

I especially appreciate Keller's explanation of the "Already-But-Not-Yet Kingdom." It helps encourage and strengthen my Christian life as I more clearly understand my place in and out of history.

To be published March 9, 2021, this is a read that feels warm and encouraging. With its basic thesis that "the resurrection [and] the Great Reversal bring us both the power and the pattern for living," it will communicate the eternal promise to believers and to consider-ers.

A must read that will surprise you - and leave you in a different place emotionally and spiritually.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

 

A wobbly beginning that did not engage me - but the writing became stronger and the book turned into a great read. For me, the amateurish cover on the book put me off, although it does accurately portray the essence of the main characters.

This is a worthwhile read, and I hope it might be the start of a series. 

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway - thanks to the author and publisher, Barbour Books (pub January 2021)

The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove series) by Amanda Quick

 

The entire Burning Cove series is a fun, fresh setting for Amanda Quick (yes, we know her by other names as well), and I've enjoyed each of the five novels.

This latest novel (fifth in the series, publication date 04 May 2021) has a different feel. It is largely set outside of the town of Burning Cove, but each of the characters and the action revolve around the place, the resort, and the club. In fact, the book ends with even more of the characters moving to make Burning Cove "home."

The feel of the relationship between the two main characters is different: a little more acerbic, a little more friction, and it's fun. Best of the book, I thought, was the further development of the relationship between Luther Pell (nightclub owner, and so much more) and Raina Kirk of the Burning Cove detective agency. There's more to Raina than we've been told!

The series is fresh, this latest title has enough variety to satisfy those who have read them all, and there's time to line up your own copy the first of May.

Thanks to NetGalley and one of my favorite publishers, Berkley, for the chance to read an early copy