Mini Book Reviews--Fall 2015

The book titles are linked to Amazon for your convenience!

1. Strong and Of Good Courage--31 Devotions on Spiritual Warfare by Leann Guzman.

Full disclosure: this book was written by my oldest f1riend  friend I've known the longest. It's awesome (along with her first book of devotions, Women of Blessing: 31 Days of Flowing in the Favor of God). If you are looking for a great devotion to start in 2015, this is an excellent choice. It's not a creepy, mystical approach to spiritual warfare; rather, it's full of wise, practical advice you can begin applying in your prayer life right away. Buy it! It's only $10, so it's a good deal. (I probably should have plugged her book earlier so you could order it for gifts. Oops. You could order it anyway and give the person a printout of your Amazon checkout screen. There.) Five stars.

2. The Smartest Book in the World: A Lexicon of Literacy, A Rancorous Reportage, A Concise Curriculum of Cool, by Greg Proops

I always liked Greg Proops on "Whose Line Is It Anyway" so I picked this up on impulse at the library. I didn't finish it. For one thing, it has waaaaay too much about baseball for my taste. I'm not a big sports fan in general, although I do enjoy watching a game now and then, but reading about baseball is definitely not my thing. The whole book sounded like he was trying too hard to be clever and likable (a common occurrence with books written by comedians, I've noticed), Also, I have no idea why Facebook kept choosing this book cover as a picture when I linked any post to Facebook. Two stars.

3. Dear Mr. Knightley, by Katherine Reay

Well, it's finally happened. I've read a Christian novel that I liked. And that didn't make me cringe (not even once) due to bad writing or heavy-handed approach to Christianity. I loved the allusions to Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Edmond Dantes, and the like. Even though the ending is a little predictable, I can't complain--such is always the case with romances. It was great fun getting to know Sam, the narrator. I'll definitely read Katherine Reay's other books--and it looks like she has several more. Four stars.

4. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, by Holly Black

I didn't finish The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, but the premise is intriguing and Holly Black is a talented writer. Although the part of it I read is incomparably better than That Other Vampire Novel, part of the reason I stopped is that it's now basically impossible to write an enigmatic vampire hero and make him believable...at least to me. Also, I don't know much about horror, but the first half of the novel had me on edge in a good way, but then when the action began, it didn't live up to the promise. I don't know, you might feel differently, especially if you like supernatural romance/horror.
Three stars.

5. Various Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett (Lords and Ladies; Carpe Jugulum; Monstrous Regiment).

When I'm anxious and/or depressed, I can read very few things. Terry Pratchett's novels are wonderful whether I'm feeling good or awful. The first two are part of the Witches strand (I can't think of a better word) and the third is mostly a stand-alone book, although Commander Sam Vines of the Ankh-Morpork Watch plays a significant role. His books are always funny yet they are very wise. If you want to try them, you can jump in almost anywhere without fear of being spoiled. But because I am a rigid, inflexible person, I like to read them in order. Here is a handy chart if you are like me (and lucky you, for getting to read these for the first time! I'm going to start buying them in paperback and rereading.) Four-star average.

Click to make bigger, so you can actually read the book titles.

6.

Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch In the Throat: Yuletide Yahoos, Ho-Ho-Humblebraggers, and Other Seasonal Scourges, by Jen Mann

I actually laughed out loud several times while listening to this audiobook. The laughter was probably helped by listening to the author read it; her deadpan delivery is perfect for her material. I now read her blog. Four stars.

7. The Lake House, by Kate Morton

I couldn't get into it at first, probably because of the multiple points of view and deliberate omission of information to keep the reader in the dark. But I continued, because Morton is a good writer who knows what she's doing. The big reveal felt anticlimactic for me, because it seemed so contrived, but I don't know, YMMV. It was perfectly fine (how's that for damning with faint praise?) Two stars. I'm currently reading Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher and loving it. It's a perfect Christmas book.

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley

Well, it finally happened. I read a Christian novel that I liked. And that didn't make me cringe (not even once) due to bad writing or heavy-handed inclusion of Christianity. 

To tell you the truth, I had completely forgotten that Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is Christian fiction. I bought it as an e-book from BookBub, a service that alerts readers to discounted e-books. Initially it caught my attention because the title refers to one of Jane Austen's heroes, and I like Austen's Mr. Knightley very much. Still, I didn't expect much from the book since I've encountered quite a bit of Austen-inspired fiction, and most of it is as dismal as the Christian fiction I dislike.

Dear Mr. Knightley is an epistolary novel, meaning it is written as a series of letters. In this case, almost all of the letters are written by the main character, Samantha Moore, a survivor of the foster care system who got through the hard times by escaping into classic novels, especially those of Jane Austen. After college, Sam receives the opportunity to attend journalism school through a grant from an anonymous donor who asks only that she write regular letters to him to keep him apprised of her progress. The mysterious benefactor uses the synonym of "George Knightley."

The setup may be contrived, but Reay captures Sam's personality perfectly. The lonely young woman pours her heart out onto the page as she would a journal, only with more dialogue and better pacing. In many ways, the book reminded me of two other favorite epistolary novels: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Daddy Long Legs. While a reader of classic literature will surely love the many allusions to works by Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte (among others), those who haven't read those books can still enjoy this one. 

The spiritual part of the book is deeply felt and ingrained in the theme of redemption, grace, and forgiveness--yet Reay never slathers it on thick or makes her characters too good to be true. I take it back--I now read Christian fiction, at least if it's written by Katherine Reay.

Stitch Fix #2 (But My First Review!)

Hi everybody! I thought I'd take a break from my usual reflective posts and show you some fashion. A few months ago I signed up for a styling service called Stitch Fix. What is that? Well, I'm glad you asked.

When you sign up with Stitch Fix, you fill out an extensive online survey about your size and body shape (be honest; it's only going to help you!) and your style preferences. I especially liked rating the sample styles so they would know my preferences. (For the record, I'm mostly classic/preppy with a little romantic and boho style thrown in--or at least I wanted to try some of those items.) You also specify how often you need casual, business casual, date night, and special occasion clothes. Finally, you can exclude certain colors and items.

Once you get your items, you have three business days to try them on and decide. There is a $20 styling fee--but if you decide to keep anything, the fee goes toward that, which makes keeping at least one item totally worth it. Also great: if you keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount. I wasn't going to keep the earrings (see below) but it was $50 cheaper to keep them, so I did!

As far as the price, I know some people won't pay this much for clothes. (You can specify a range of price or "As cheap as possible.") I am pretty cheap but these clothes are a) boutique quality so I doubt they will fall apart after a few wears like some things from Target;

b) unique yet designed to fit into my existing wardrobe--the stylists look back at other Fixes to find items that will mix and match with their selections. I almost didn't keep the blazer but once I saw how many ways I can wear it, I decided the cost-per-wear ratio would make it worth keeping.

Finally, I would highly recommend making a Pinterest board and sharing the link with your stylist. I think that is partly why my two Fixes have been so successful. I mean, I know my stylist is good, but giving her some visuals of the clothes I am drawn to really helps, I'm sure.

Kaylie French Terry Blazer, $128.

I love this blazer! I have long wanted a navy blazer and the soft, soft fabric makes this one perfect for my lifestyle--not too dressed up. My tween daughter may steal it; she tried it on and it almost fits her. Never would have thought a blazer would be her style, but that's how cool this one is.

(Note: the lighting makes it look darker than it is. It's actually a lighter navy.)

Poppa Open Cardigan, $58.00

Also a huge win! I needed a cardigan like this and this one is so lightweight, I can wear it even though it's still hot here. My stylist was right; it looks lovely with the coral top from my last Fix, but lots of others will work as well. I will have to wear a color underneath so it doesn't wash me out, but I can do that. I think it will look great with skinnies and brown boots or booties in the fall and winter.

Haven Dress, $64.00

OMG, this dress is PERFECT. Comfy, flattering, versatile, and a perfect fit. I wore it to church on Sunday and it was so comfortable. No ironing needed, ever. Next time I will wear my red heels with it. I can see layering it with a blazer or cardigan or my jean jacket for sure. I would take more of this dress in a different color/pattern!

Arturo Plaid V-Neck Top, $48.00

I like this top too! I thought maybe it would  be too loose on me but the pictures say otherwise, don't you think? Another great top in fall colors but lightweight. I wore it with white jeans here because my dark skinnies were too dark. C thinks yellow or red (both are in the plaid) would work. I can also layer it under a jacket in the winter, preferably an olive green military jacket like I keep seeing everywhere and have requested if Stitch Fix gets one. (I won't wear it with red pants if I wear a military jacket! Talk about Christmas!)

Mayla Stone Crystal Stud Earrings, $38.00

These were very pretty but more than I would normally pay for earrings. However, the discount made it possible for me to keep them. I can probably wear them with more than I think.

Overall thoughts:

Kiersten totally nailed it! She got my style and added some fun things I might not have picked but love. I'd love to have her style me again!

If you would like to try Stitch Fix, please consider signing up with this link:

Alison's Stitch Fix Referral Link

For every person who signs up, I get a credit to be used towards my next Fix... a big thanks to my pastor's wife who signed up after my last Fix!

Finally, I know I didn't do a review of my first Fix, but here is a picture of my husband and me in which I am wearing a coral top and statement necklace from it. As you can see from the previous pictures, I will be able to layer this top on into the fall.

I can hardly wait until my next Fix. My budget says it will have to be in November (I am on the every two months plan) but it's so fun, I would love to do it every month...and blog about it, of course!