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hnnhhrsvsk's reviews
8 reviews
The Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Edward Veith Jr.
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
The Spirituality of the Cross is an excellent introduction to confessional Lutheranism and how it is unique amongst the vast spectrum of modern Christian denominations. Gene Veith is an excellent writer - he writes in concise language with clear structure, so the book is not overly academic, while staying fully informative and thought provoking. As someone who recently converted to Lutheranism, I found this book to be extremely helpful in my spiritual journey.
Extra Nos: Discovering Grace Outside Myself by Flame
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Extra Nos presents the personal faith journey of the author, FLAME, who grew up in a charismatic/prosperity church, moved to a Calvinist/Reformed Baptist church, before finally embracing Lutheranism. The second half of the book discusses different views of the Sacraments (Reformed vs Roman Catholic vs Lutheranism) and how the Sacraments provide a means of grace outside of us and our own abilities/goodness (Extra Nos).
As someone who recently left the modern evangelical/non-denominational church and had a past with Pentecostalism, I related greatly to FLAME’s journey to the Lutheran faith. I truly felt seen - amazed that someone felt the same as me, asked the same questions as me, and had the same doubts and fears as me. More importantly, though, felt the same joy and freedom as me when I embraced the Lutheran faith.
My only critique of this book is that, in the second half, I felt that FLAME could have dug deeper into some of the discussions on the Sacraments. I left wanting a bit more from that section. Furthermore, I felt that his arguments and points could have been more effectively presented if he quoted the Scripture he was referencing (even as a footnote).
Overall, Extra Nos was an engaging read and one that I truly related to and benefited from.
As someone who recently left the modern evangelical/non-denominational church and had a past with Pentecostalism, I related greatly to FLAME’s journey to the Lutheran faith. I truly felt seen - amazed that someone felt the same as me, asked the same questions as me, and had the same doubts and fears as me. More importantly, though, felt the same joy and freedom as me when I embraced the Lutheran faith.
My only critique of this book is that, in the second half, I felt that FLAME could have dug deeper into some of the discussions on the Sacraments. I left wanting a bit more from that section. Furthermore, I felt that his arguments and points could have been more effectively presented if he quoted the Scripture he was referencing (even as a footnote).
Overall, Extra Nos was an engaging read and one that I truly related to and benefited from.
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The House in the Pines is a masterpiece in the thriller-mystery genre. The author creates such an eerie atmosphere that draws you in deeply, quickens your pulse, and makes you want to read just one more chapter. The main character tries desperately to unravel the mystery of the death of her best friend seven years prior, but is shrouded by self-doubt, pill her withdrawal and alcohol, and disbelief from every person she reaches out to for help, to the point where you pain for her, but also question her reliability. The narrative switches back and forth between past and present as the main character slowly starts to remember what she was forced to forget. Certified page turner.
Only theee small critiques I have:
Only theee small critiques I have:
- The title is The House in the Pines, but the author almost exclusively refers to said location as the cabin in the woods. I wished she used the title a bit more!
- I would have loved to learn more about what happened to Ruby!
- Some mention of whether a chapter was set in the past or present would have been helpful, especially for the chapters where she is revisiting a location.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death
Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Shield Maiden is a retelling of a classic Beowulf story told from the perspective of a lord’s daughter who rises from a timid girl to a powerful warrior - although she maintains most of her naïveté by the tale’s end. A good premise, but overall the book fails to build the plot and flesh out relationships between the characters, and left me wanting more. The book easily could have been 100-200 pages longer - which is a compliment as much as it is a criticism. The characters were so interesting, yet the book was paced so quickly that it never felt that they were fully connected to each other. Additionally, there were several points in the book where characters made strange decisions that didn’t really make sense and were never addressed again. The ending seemed rushed and left much to be desired. Overall, it feels like a book 75% finished - which is a shame considering how fresh its concept is!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation - 2017 Edition by Martin Luther
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Wonderful overview of Christian and Lutheran theology.
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Our Violent Ends was challenging to get through. The plot of the first quarter of the book was just more of what happened in the first book, which made the ending of the first book feel a bit cheapened. Juliette continued to be too rash and bullheaded for me, like an entitled child who thought she was the smarter and stronger than everyone else. I thought she would develop a bit more in the end. Also, I found myself questioning why she was even fighting so hard for her gang in the first place? The only people she seemed to like were the Lang cousins, she didn’t even know the names of other members and treated them with contempt most of the time. The pacing was off for me, too. Some parts dragged on a bit too long, and then when something exciting happened it was quickly over and the story changed to another perspective. I know others really enjoyed this book more than the first, but it wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Kidnapping
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
These Violent Delights is a creative twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in 1920s Shanghai, a city split between colonial powers and gangs, both local and foreign. Chloe Gong does an excellent job conveying the depths and complexities of this multicultural, crime ridden city without boring the reader with long drawn out descriptions - it truly is seamless storytelling. It was an excellent historical backdrop to pair with the blood feud between the two houses.
My only issue is, my god, the main character can be infuriating at times. She is extremely obstinate and would rather fight than take a moment to think. I found myself reeling over some of the decisions she makes because she is just so hot headed sometimes. While infuriating, though, at least it’s refreshing that these characteristics are exemplified in a female character. The other characters are quite lovable. I particularly enjoyed the lighthearted back and forth and complicated friendship between the Mercutio and Benvolio characters.
Overall, a fun read that delightfully mixed one of my favorite plays with an exciting and mysterious plot, interesting characters, and a rich historical setting.
My only issue is, my god, the main character can be infuriating at times. She is extremely obstinate and would rather fight than take a moment to think. I found myself reeling over some of the decisions she makes because she is just so hot headed sometimes. While infuriating, though, at least it’s refreshing that these characteristics are exemplified in a female character. The other characters are quite lovable. I particularly enjoyed the lighthearted back and forth and complicated friendship between the Mercutio and Benvolio characters.
Overall, a fun read that delightfully mixed one of my favorite plays with an exciting and mysterious plot, interesting characters, and a rich historical setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Classism
Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife by Barbara Rainey
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Visually, this is a beautiful book. As someone who is girly and loves art, I was initially drawn to it because of its design and attention to detail.
Rainey offers biblically-based marriage advice and insight through Q/A “letters”, grouped into chapters by the simile she employs to answer the various questions from her “daughters” and to describe different aspects of marriage. I thought the personal anecdotes she included were particularly powerful and relatable. This book feels like one I could read at different stages in my own marriage and find new messages and meaning.
My main critique is that the choice to write as if she is answering a question asked by her daughters felt a bit too personal for me, as if I was reading an answer meant for someone else. At times it felt hard to see myself and my marriage in the situations and advice she was presenting because she took “letters to my daughters” a bit too literally.
Overall, a good read that wasn’t too difficult to finish in a few days during my daughter’s naps.
Rainey offers biblically-based marriage advice and insight through Q/A “letters”, grouped into chapters by the simile she employs to answer the various questions from her “daughters” and to describe different aspects of marriage. I thought the personal anecdotes she included were particularly powerful and relatable. This book feels like one I could read at different stages in my own marriage and find new messages and meaning.
My main critique is that the choice to write as if she is answering a question asked by her daughters felt a bit too personal for me, as if I was reading an answer meant for someone else. At times it felt hard to see myself and my marriage in the situations and advice she was presenting because she took “letters to my daughters” a bit too literally.
Overall, a good read that wasn’t too difficult to finish in a few days during my daughter’s naps.