How to Human by Carlos Whittaker: Book Review

Title: How to Human: Three Ways to Share Life Beyond What Distracts, Divides, and Disconnects Us
Author: Carlos Whittaker
Pages: 240
Publisher: WaterBrook
Publishing Date: January 24th 2023
Genre: Christian Nonfiction
Themes: human connection, community
Format: Kindle
Rating: 3*

GoodReads synopsis for How to Human

These are crazy times, people. We are more agitated than ever. We’re fighting. Wrestling with big issues. Less connected than ever to one another and to God. It’s a perfect debilitating anxiety, crashing relationships, and forgetting what it feels like to, well, be human .

In How to Human, author, speaker, and social-media personality Carlos Whittaker offers a fresh vision for becoming the best versions of ourselves. We can refuse to let disagreements define us. We can say no to becoming upset, rage-filled humans and say yes to fuller, happier lives. It begins as we make the shift from “me” to “we” to “everybody” in a three-part journey to be human, see fellow humans, and free those around us.

You’ll think, laugh, and be inspired by this practical guide, which reveals how to help others, how to hope fiercely, and how to experience the thrill of being fully human. Carlos describes a radical path of love—one that requires us to become builders rather than demolitionists. One that gets personal. One that moves toward others in faith rather than away in fear. One that, when times get crazy, is willing to get crazier (in a good way). One that understands the big joy of how to human.

My thoughts on How to Human

I am tempted to say this is your standard 240 pages Christian nonfiction book. And it does have that number of page. However, there is substance to it. Although I live outside US, I did recognise the trends Whittaker talks about in the people I see on a daily basis. 

For someone who follows Carlos Whittaker online, namely on Instagram, many of the stories he tells won't be new. I don't, so it was newer material for me. He writes in a friendly manner, I'd imagine almost like talking to his Instagram community aka Instafamilia on stories. I found this tone approachable and easy to like. There were a few thoughts and ideas I liked, but it's not necessarily ground breaking. Sometimes all you need is a refresher of the things you already know. 

I recommend this as a slow read. One chapter at a time, probably, would be enough to think about. It's surely more applicable States-side since the book deals with issues the Americans have to face every day. It's a call to humanity and love for the neighbour.

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley. However, all thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

The Water Keeper - by Charles Martin: Book Review

Title: The Water Keeper

Author: Charles Martin

Series: Murphy Shepherd 

Pages: 352

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publishing Date: May 5th 2020

Genre: Contemporary

Themes: Human trafficking; Florida, US; Lost family members; 

Format: Kindle

Rating: 3*

Plot: Murphy Shepherd is a man who works for the government (sort of), is a priest (sort of), and writes novels to heal (sort of). He tracks girls and young women who have gone missing, and were allured or kidnapped by human traffickers. With a history of almost 10 years of saving victims, he's faced with yet another tough case in the murky waters of slavery.

Liked:

- As the novel progressed, there were a few characters that joined Murphy Shepherd and became involved in finding Angel, a teenager allured by flesh dealers: people who sell and buy people. It's basically slavery. I liked the idea of a group of people, each with their own story, joining the mission, but having their personal reasons as well.

- The dog

- Cliche or not, there are some good quotes throughout the novel

- The idea that love is stronger than many failings and mistakes

- The idea that we all need a saviour. However, I would have liked to see this point made by pointing to God, not that much to a mere man. It is, after all, what we were all made to crave: a love that doesn't stop being poured over us, no matter what we do.

- Although very heavy, the topic is relevant. I learned things I didn't know about human trafficking and how the men involved in this operated. It might be uncomfortable to read, but to think this happens more often than we are even aware is sickening and heartbreaking

Disliked:

- too many coincidences, so that everything works out just fine in the end. Even the scenes where there are fights with the bad guys (the flesh dealers, as they are called) turn out fine. They were not the scenes that kept me turning the pages because despite the many bruises, cuts, shots, or hits the hero receives, he survives and is back on his feet in no time. And he manages just fine with little sleep and little food. 

- the convoluted plot - adding more and more layers to the story was a bit too much. The lost wife (two times! but third time's the charm!) and the unknown-of daughter were too much. It's difficult to follow along at times, and I wasn't always sure what was real and what not, especially since we were told in the beginning he was going to scatter his wife's ashes. Turns out, we were reading a page from the novel the main character wrote. A story within a story. It takes a while to figure this out.

- the way Charles Martin portrays women will never cease to irk me: always weak, always in need of a saviour, always so easy to fall for the good-looking, physically strong man, albeit not that emotionally strong. I know Summer was a woman who needed saving, but repeatedly saying she touched him, she kissed him, she wanted to be near him, despite knowing him for few days, was bothersome. 

- the man who is a saviour. I know that Murphy Shepherd is the human potrayal of Jesus Christ, I know this is the point of the novel. However, the only thing it seemed to underline is that a man can be a saviour all on his own. Oh, wait, not really. There's Bones, the man behind the action: he offers help unseen. I know there needs to be someone who saves the women caught in human trafficking, but hammering the invincibility and saviour-like persona of Murphy Shepherd was too much to read.

- there is a lot of description about the course Murphy took in his journey to find Angel. As someone who lives outside US, I didn't care for this, and I surely didn't Google it. In the same vein, all the details about all the boats - over my head & went in one ear and out the other.

- There are many details about many things, a clear sign the author did research, but it felt too much. I wish there wasn't the plot with the daughter or the lost & found (again! and again!) wife. Towards the end I couldn't wait to finish it, but I was still curious. Very possible I'll be reading the other books in the series.

Yesterday’s Tides - by Roseanna M. White: Book Review

Title: Yesterday's Tides
Author: Roseanna M. White
Pages: 432
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publishing Date: January 24th 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: WWI, WWII, Christian, Romance
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4

 

GoodReads Synopsis:

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, but he doesn't count on falling in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. When war breaks out in Europe, and their relationship is put in jeopardy, will their love survive?

As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White whisks you away to two periods fraught with peril in this sweeping and romantic dual-time tale. 

My review of Yesterday's Tides:

This dual timeline novel follows two women during the First World War (in 1912) and the Second World War (in 1942). I enjoyed following both stories, but especially the one during the year 1942.

Ignoring the very large number of characters, so large that I had to create a list of them to keep track, the novel flows smoothly. As you read more of the stories, you get familiar with all the characters. It's more a plot driven novel, but you do get to see the characters' development throughout. The mystery aspect of the novel, not knowing for sure whom to trust, the intrigue with the war spies and war intelligence made me turn the pages faster.

Besides the romantic plot line, where we learn about Evie Farrow's and Louisa Adair's love stories, the novel deals with themes of racism, class divisions, multiple generations, and war intelligence. The best thing was reading to see how the two story lines converge and how the characters connect with one another. It was a wonderful reading experience. I admit starting this hoping for an easy read during a weekend, but there is substance to the story, and a couple of weeks later, I still think about this story sometimes. 

For fans of historical novels, especially set during either of the two world wars, this is a good choice of reading material. In the note at the end of the novel, the author does mention how these characters are in fact characters from her previous works. I haven't read anything by her before, but I didn't feel like there was a lack of depth to the way the characters were constructed. However, those familiar with her other novels will probably get an extra level of enjoyment recognizing other characters.

I received a free e-book copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via Net Galley. However, all thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Bloomsbury Girls - by Natalie Jenner: Book Review

Title: Bloomsbury Girls
Author: Natalie Jenner
Pages: 370
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publishing Date: May 17th 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes:
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4*

Bloomsbury Girls introduces us into the world of a London bookstore, five years after the end of World War Two. The novel mainly focuses on three women, all employees of Bloomsbury Books: Vivien Lowry, Grace Perkins, and Evelyn (Evie) Stone. They come from different walks of life, but become friends, and in the end they are tied by a common goal they'll see to fruition.

Readers who've enjoyed The Jane Austen Society, the author's first book, will enjoy this one, too. Characters from the first book make appearances in Bloomsbury Girls. One aspect I really liked is how the author managed to make the novel sound as if you're reading something written in the mid-20th century. I sometimes had the feeling I'm reading a classic. Yes, some choice of words did sound precious, but I loved this aspect. No bland writing here!

Another thing I enjoyed tremendously was using real life people as characters. Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, Sonia Mary Brownell Orwell, Daphne du Maurier - all these become people of great impact in the novel. Besides there, there are a lot of characters in this book. The list at the beginning of the novel comes in handy, but for those reading an e-book version, keep a list, it'll be helpful. However, they all tie in well together, and no one is an unnecessary character. Each character, no matter how disliking they might seem in the beginning, is given enough background to help the reader understand them as a human. Looking back, I can't say there's a character I ended up not being interested in.

This is a historical novel, but we are not told a lot about the political, social, or economic state London is in 1950. The focus is more on the library's history and on its employees' personal histories. This is clearly what we call an inclusive novel, also one with lots of feminist tendencies. The desire to push the limits and go beyond the pre-prescribed norms of the past is reflected even in how each chapter begins: with one of the 51 rules of the store's general manager, Mr. Dutton. The chapters then go to show how they are, subtly or less subtly, broken. I thought that was a nice touch.

I also liked the observations sprinkled throughout the novel, via the characters' thoughts. The observations are mainly on a person's purpose and ambitions, the norms and regulations society imposes that constrain and never liberate. It's something that reminded me of her first novel, where the author would go into "a lecture" on various things. It's not something bothersome, especially since you get to understand the characters more. I must confess that at some point I was rather not in the right spirit to read, but upon further reflection, I realised this is not the kind of book to rush through. Nothing major happens, although the action takes place over a few months. It's more of what people would call a character driven book. I am glad I read it, though. I am sure I'll read anything else Natalie Jenner writers: she has a way of making a time period come alive and transport you in that setting.

I received a free copy of the e-book of this novel from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
 

The Library - by Bella Osborne: Book Review

Title: The Library
Author: Bella Osborne
Pages: 384
Publisher: Aria & Aries
Publishing Date: April 1st 2022
Genre: General Fiction
Themes: Books about books, Coming of age, Sheep rearing
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4* 

The Library by Bella Osborne is a kind of coming of age story of a teenage boy who befriends an older woman. Due to a tense relationship with his father, the teenage boy ends up living with the older woman and helping her on the sheep farm. How did the two meet? Through the library, of course. I loved seeing how the library is such an important part of people young and old in a rather small community. I like the whole idea of a community coming together to save a public space, be it the pool, the library or anything else.
 

This novel is basically about a small town, sheep, unlikely friendships, a library that needs saving, and becoming better because we live in community. I enjoyed it a lot!

I received a free copy of the e-book of this novel from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

Meet Me in the Margins - by Melissa Ferguson: Book Review

Title: Meet Me in the Margins
Author: Melissa Ferguson
Pages: 320
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publishing Date: February 2nd 2022
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Themes: Books about books
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4*

 GoodReads synopsys:

Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at Pennington Publishing, a prestigious publisher producing only the highest of highbrow titles. And while editing the latest edition of The Anthology of Medieval Didactic Poetry may be her day job, she has two secrets she’s hiding.

One: She’s writing a romance novel.

Two: She’s discovered the Book Nook—a secret room in the publishing house where she finds inspiration for her “lowbrow” hobby.

After leaving her manuscript behind one afternoon, she returns to the nook only to discover someone has written notes in the margins. Savannah’s first response to the criticism is defensive, but events transpire that force her to admit that she needs the help of this shadowy editor after all. As the notes take a turn for the romantic, and as Savannah’s madcap life gets more complicated than ever, she uses the process of elimination to identify her mysterious editor—only to discover that what she truly wants and what she should want just might not be the same. Melissa Ferguson’s latest—a love letter to books, readers, and romance—will leave fans laughing out loud and swooning in the same breath.

 

 My thoughts:

Likes:⁠
- a love story set in the world of publishing⁠
- the two main characters' alter-egos talk through notes and post-its⁠
- the hidden room!⁠
- the female main character: there are a few funny comments she makes⁠
- literally laugh out loud moments⁠
- work best friend who has a life outside work⁠
- redeemed sisters relationship⁠
⁠
Dislikes: ⁠
- the female main character's family⁠
- the predictability, at times⁠
- rather cheesy, but I knew that going in⁠
- not much depth over-all⁠
- the sister's fiancé. ugh!⁠

 I received a free copy of the e-book of this novel from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

One Italian Summer - by Rebecca Serle: Book Review

Title: One Italian Summer
Author: Rebecca Serle
Pages: 272
Publisher: Quercus Books
Publishing Date: March 1st 2022
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Themes: Italy, Time Travel
Format: Kindle
Rating: 3.5*

 

The one thing this novel does wonderfully is make the reader feel as if they're in Italy. I loved everything about that setting: the elegant hotel, the staff there, the food, the views. The author did a wonderful job writing Italy in this book.

I wholeheartedly disliked Katy, the main character. She's selfish and self-absorbed, swimming in her own grief only, disregarding other people. The way she speaks and behaves towards her husband made me raise my eyebrow and cringe at the same time. Katy claims her mother was the one great love of her life, and her passing away took everything that has ever meant anything to her away. I didn't get the same sentiment from her mother towards her, though. Katy seems to regard her father as a second class member of the family. Finding out that her mother had a life before she gave birth to her daughter comes as a total shock to Katy. She's a spoilt, immature 30 year old woman. She's quick to "fall in love" with a man she's known for a total of three days in Positano, and cheat on her husband.

Sure, some of her actions might be excused (might!) due to the weird time travel thing the author chose to include. I get it - it's also how we got to know Carol, Kathy's mother, before she became the domestic-goddess-housewife-on-a-pedestal her daughter insists she was. I actually liked learning more about Carol's character as a young person; she's a better one that the one Katy keeps telling us about as a woman, wife and mother. However, this time-travel bit was surprising and I'm not totally sold on it.

It's an interesting novel, but don't expect to like the main character. If you want to read a novel set in Italy and actually feel the setting, this is a good choice.

I received a free e-book copy of the novel from the publisher. All thoughts expressed here are my own.