It’s not often that I read so many “this is amazing writing” books in such a short amount of time, but these three? They definitely are among my favorites for all time. Let’s get right to it:
- The Correspondent by Virginia Evans – How on earth could I get to know the main character, Sybl, so incredibly well through merely “written” letters, correspondence from and to her? The author works her magic on this one, drawing you the reader closer and closer to Sybl’s heart, knowing and feeling her deepest vulnerabilities, longings, hurts and loves. It was especially meaningful and simultaneously heartbreaking that Sybl also lost a child, pouring out her pain. And mine. I hurt with Sybl, and I loved her. Beautifully, lovingly written.
- Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher – For a completely different reading experience – in a multitude of creative ways! – I thoroughly enjoyed the “mind’s vision” of the world that Kingfisher creates. Anja – socially awkward and by her description, no beauty – is recruited to discover how and why the princess of this kingdom is slowly dying/being poisoned, and then….to simply save her life. Overwhelmed by the whole ordeal, Anja is further frustrated to find that she’s been assigned two bodyguards. One of them, Javier, is especially diligent and…eventually, of interest to her. The mystery weaves and broadens, calling both Anja and Javier to use all of their talents – singly and together – to find a way to save not only the princess, but the kingdom. And themselves. Such a fun read…glorious ending!
- Theo of Golden by Allen Levi – Mr. Levi, how could this beautifully written, heart-felt, stay-with-me-f0rever book be your first novel? The construction, the heart, the sweet, endearing story…all blended into Christian themes that are actually lived in this beloved man, Theo? Not very often do I take the time to write out quotes that spoke to me, but I jotted down two from this book:
“Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose.”
“It is another of life’s great mysteries that sadness and joy can coexist so compatibly with one another. In fact, I wonder if, on this side of heaven, either one can be complete without the other.”
I could think about and write on either of those wise – and so very true to my life – statements. The theme of my novel Jordan’s Bend is exactly that second one: “Joy is a knowing down deep in one’s soul that God loves me. And nothing in this world – nothing – can change that.” Write another novel, please, Mr. Levi. I’ll pre-order it ASAP.