Do I Have that Book? Blog Tag

Today I have another bookish tag (xD I did tell you I love tags, so you had fair warning xD). This was left as an open tag by Kassie—thank you, Kassie! ;) I’m going to try and do this only with my physical books. xD We’ll see how that works... I don’t have many physical books. 

*Note: Most of these images were taken from Google or Amazon and do not belong to me.*

01. Do you have a book with tattered edges?

I’m taking this as a book whose pages are tattered for decorative purposes. I do! One of my very favourite books, “Daniel Boone: Wilderness Scout” by Stewart Edward White. This is such an amazing biography... <33

02. Do you have a book with 3+ people on the cover?

Yes! “Little Town on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder. <3 I love those books... who else is a Little House fan?! 

03. Do you have a book based on another fictional story?

Yes! Among others, “Befriending the Beast” by Amanda Tero. Based on the Beauty & the Beast stories. ;) I really like retellings...

04. Do you have a book with a title 10 letters long?

Enter our first ebook... This was hard to find, but I do! “I Don’t Dance” by Jesseca Wheaton. This book is SO much better than the title suggests. It was just soo sweet. 

05. Do you have a book with a title that beings and ends with the same letter?

This was even harder to find, but yes! “Red Rover, Red Rover” by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick. Oh, I love this book!! And it starts off an amazing series. I only have these in ebook for now, but I want the paperbacks ASAP!! 

06. Do you have a mass market paperback book?

Thank you to Kassie for explaining what a Mass Market Paperback was, because I had no clue... But yes, I have one! “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Isn’t it gorgeous? <3

07. Do you have a book written by an author using a pen name?

“The Old River Road,” by Ivy Rose. She has now republished this under her real name, Hailey Rose. This book is really good and it is just GORGEOUS! 

08. Do you have a book with a character’s name on it?

Do I get double points if my book has two characters’ names on it?? “Jonas & Olivia,” by Victoria Minks. 

If you really want one name (we all know I’m very detail-oriented...), here’s an ebook... “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggins. 

09. Do you have a book with two maps on it?

I could only find one with a map. “Journey to Love,” by Amanda Tero. This is a lovely story! 

10. Do you have a book that was turned into a TV show?

I believe the Little House books were made into a TV show... and I have the whole series. 

11. Do you have a book written by someone who is originally famous for something else?

And we return to the ebooks... I am going to say “Waverley” by Sir Walter Scott. Scott was known for his poetry and when he published “Waverley” he did so anonymonously in order that it would be taken for what it was. 

12. Do you have a book with a clock on the cover?

“A Question of Loyalty” by Jesseca Wheaton. I haven't read it yet, but the two first books were amazing and I'm kind of afraid to read this one and end the series! I really need to get paperbacks of books 2 & 3...

13. Do you have a poetry book?

I have several! My favourite is “Poems Every Child Should Know,” by Mary E. Burt. It was so many lovely poems!!

14. Do you have a book with an award stamp on it?

Yes! This adorable little paperback beauty—“Sarah, Plain & Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan. ^_^

15. Do you have a book written by an author with the same initials as you?

Kate Willis has the same first initial...

 And James Lucas has the same last initial. (I have not read this book so I cannot recommend it).

16. Do you have a book of short stories?

I have several! My favourite is probably “Wind Chimes” by Victoria Minks--which I have in paperback. 

17. Do you have a book that is in between 500-510 pages?

*grimaces* *goes searching among her kindle books* Yes! “Arnhem 1944” by Martin Middlebrook. 501 pages. I have not read it yet, so I can't recommend it. :)

18. Do you have a book that was turned into a movie?

“Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery was! This whole series is so beautiful... 

19. Do you have a graphic novel?

No, but I read this one online and I want to get a paperback copy so badly! 

20. Do you have a book written by 2 or more authors?

Yes... “A Higher Call” by Adam Makos & Larry Alexander. 

And I tag...

Anyone who wants to do it. ;) Enjoy! 

Tips for Writing Reviews | Blog Post Round-Up

And, as I promised last week, today is a round-up of the posts that helped shape my review writing. I am sharing these because they helped me, and perhaps they may help someone else. :)

Why Write Reviews? 

First off, why write reviews? They are an investment. They take time and thought. Why bother to write them? These blog posts helped me realize why I should review books. 

1. Why I Write Book Reviews by Amanda Tero.
2. Why Authors Love Reviews More Than Chocolate by Abigayle Claire.

I write reviews because I want to help people find good books... and I want good books to be known. 

How do You Write Reviews? 

There are many ways to write reviews. Here are some posts that helped create my own style.

1. Short, Sweet Book Reviews by Hailey Rose.
2. Reviews that Make a Difference by Rebekah A. Morris.
3. Positively Negative by Kate Willis.
4. Book Review Etiquette & Tips by Victoria Lynn (I recommend watching the video too if you're like me and want to get every bit of info you can ;))
5. Let's Get Real! by Rebekah A. Morris.
6. How I Write a Book Review by Abigayle Claire.
7. Writing Book Reviews by Hailey Rose.

This is a short post, but I hope it's helpful! What are your thoughts on these posts?

So Much to Live For

Friend, are you struggling with thoughts of discouragement? Do you feel like you aren’t good enough? Do you feel like you’re never going to reach your dreams? Do you feel like you don’t have the privileges others have? Do you feel inadequate—not as good as everyone else? Do you hate how life is? 

I’ve been there. I’ve battled it too. But you know what? I kept on, and see what happened. 

When I was 13, I struggled with feeling like I would never reach my dreams and that I did not have the privileges others have. But I kept on. And now, my dreams are coming true, and I am surrounded by the blessings I craved.

I’ve struggled with feeling not beautiful enough, not clever enough, not good enough. But I kept on. And now, people give me the best compliments I could ask for—that I’m sweet. And they love me for who I am, overweight and clumsy and naïve and slow as I am.

So often, I’m frustrated with my life and I mutter, “I hate life.” But I keep on. And an hour after I’ve cried my frustration, I’m laughing at something. 

Is it raining right now? The sunshine will return. Is it winter time? Spring is on its way. Is it dark? The light is coming. 

There’s always hope.

My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. 

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

Are you built on that solid rock? Have you Jesus’ peace in you? Are you resting in the hope that faith brings? If you haven’t asked the Lord to save you, then do so right now. He will save you, no matter what. There’s always hope. 

There’s hope in life, in death, in joy, in sorrow, in peace, in fear. In the everyday, God will help you. In fear, God will sustain you. In grief, God will comfort you. In death, God will be with you. There’s always hope. 

Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t break someone’s heart. Don’t sin so grievously. Don’t end your story prematurely. Don’t lose faith. 

There’s so much to live for, even if your life is difficult. There are so many little things in life that can bring you joy. 

1. Friendship. That feeling when you and your friends have the most hilarious conversation that would creep any normal person out. When your friend gives you a sweet compliment. When your friend gives you a hug. When you chat over the phone. When you read a book together. When you encourage each other in Christ. God orchestrates the most amazing friendships.
2. Colour. The vibrancy of red. The depth of blue. The lushness of green. The serenity of lavender. The cheer of yellow. There are so many beautiful and amazing couleurs that surround us every day. They have me in awe. Stop and appreciate the colour in your life for a minute. 
3. Music. Violins. Pianos. Trumpets. Sonatas. Hymns. Impromptu singing. Choirs. Birds chirping. Music is so beautiful. Find the really good pieces and songs and listen to them. Nothing brightens your mood like music. 
4. Stories. Stories are everywhere. Everyone’s life is a story. Every book is a story. Every building has a story. And God writes the best, most mind-blowing stories ever. 
5. Nature. There is so, so much beauty around us. Sunsets. Flowers. Trees. Grass. Lakes. Clouds. I love the beauty of nature. It’s amazing. 
6. Ice cream. And all those other little treats that make your day. Muffins and éclairs and candy and chocolate and cookies and cake and pies and pastries... 
7. Smiles. Dimpled smiles, broad smiles, smirking smiles, happy-tears smiles, baby smiles, loving smiles, how-do-you-do smiles, welcoming smiles, I-love-you-so-much smiles. So many smiles. 
8. Laughter. There is so much humour in life. Laugh. Enjoy it. The smallest things can make you giggle—don’t smother it or feel ashamed or childish. God gave us laugher for a reason. 
9. Water. Commonplace enough, but oh so good. And so useful. And so beautiful. And so fun to play in. And so relaxing. God-given. 
10. Hoop earrings. Rhinestone rings. Ruffles and lace. Your favourite skirt. Those little accessories and outfits you love. The things that make you smile when you put them on. 
11. Adventures. Big eyes full of amazement. Laughing yourself speechless. Discovering things. Exclaiming over stuff. Enjoying your family. Making memories. Doing something new.  
12. Meals. Sharing your favourite food with someone you love. Relishing the tastes that fill your mouth. Poring over recopies. Appreciating the beauty of vegetables and meat and fruits. 
13. Dreams. Goals. Plans. Aspirations. Desires. Making us push and rewarding us. Stepping out in faith, holding God’s hand. Surrendering to His call. Accepting His plan. 

There’s so much to live for. There’s so much beauty in life. God gave you so much—trust that He’ll give you all you need. Stay and fight in His strength. 

~ / / ~

September is Suicide Awareness Month. Please, take time to reach out to people and make sure they're okay, even if they seem to be so. And pray. Pray for God to reach people before they end everything. 

Book Review 15: The Rivers of Sorrow by Ryana Lynn Miller

Happy Thursday, friends! Here is the third book in this striking series...

The Rivers of Sorrow 

by Ryana Lynn Miller

Synopsis: 

1863

Our Time of Trial

Life is not a bed of roses. It's often riddled with thorny trials that will make or break us. The same is true for the Mason family and their friends.

Richard shook his head, "General, sir, I am honored beyond words that the men regard me so highly...but I am only nineteen, sir."

"Days away from twenty," Jackson remarked, glancing down at a paper before him. "I want you to take this as an opportunity from our ever-kind Heavenly Father. He has His hand of blessing upon you, Lt. Mason. Don't turn away from His plans for you."

Join the Mason family as the war continues to rage around them, threatening at any time to take a dear one from them. War can bring out the best and worst in people, and when nerves are strained to the breaking point, will they be able to do what they know is right? And if they fail, will the wallow in defeat or arise the victor over their circumstances? 
You'll Learn About...

• Chancellorsville

• Gettysburg

• Chickamauga

• Camp Douglas

• The Cavalry

• Quiltings

• And Much, Much More!

When through the deep waters I cause thee to go, 

The Rivers of Sorrow shall not thee o're flow. 

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. These books just get better and better... or I should say worse and worse. I actually had to take a break at only 37% because I was getting so frustrated with the whole situation. The breaking up of families, the suffering, the hatred and pain, just hurt me so badly. Can’t you guys just stop, already?! But it is real, and they cannot stop. There are two more years and I’m almost afraid to read those two last books. How could things possibly get worse? I love characters on both sides. Almost all the characters I love have suffered. I was thankful when I reached 80% because I could soon close the book and know my people were safe for a little while. I never realized the full effect of the Civil War. I still don’t side with the South, but I also don’t agree with much of what the North does. I’m just torn. I’ve never had any war brought alive to me in such a way. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to read these books. 


A Favourite Quote: “‘[I]t only says it isn’t good..., not forbidden.’
“Dixie frowned. ‘Sir, if it isn’t good, then what is the alternative?’” 
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Sabine surveyed Seth from head to toe. ‘I know what you’re missing.’ He hurried from the room and soon returned with a glass bottle. Gentry nodded in agreement. 
“‘I ain’t gonna drink that,’ Seth declared. ‘If it’s medicine, I don’t need it and if it’s-’
“‘It’s cologne, Mason.’” 

Purchase this book.

~ / / ~

Do you enjoy reading books about war?

 

Thank You: A Tribute to Those Who Fought in Afghanistan

I was about 8 months old on 9/11. But aside from that, almost everything in this is exactly what it was like for me. This was penned by my sister, Annalissa.

I wasn’t yet thought of by my parents when 9/11 happened. I was born almost a year after. Instead, I grew during the war and never knew it. I probably heard references to the Twin Towers. I know the pictures really well. Afghanistan is associated with my childhood because I heard it on the radio all the time. I heard of soldiers going overseas to Afghanistan all the time and my childhood brain thought they were going to some soldier party. I probably asked my parents what they were doing there, but I don’t remember what they answered or anything. As I grew older, reading more (history) books, I read more about the Twin Towers. I met people who were alive when it happened. Who had been affected about what had happened to their country right before their eyes. Noting that it had happened in the U.S., I left it as something that didn’t affect us. I never realized that the Twin Towers were in New York and New York isn’t so far from Canada. I never imagined how I would feel if I heard of planes crashing in a tower and killing so many people. I never thought about how everyone felt; knowing of the attacks and not knowing what the attackers were about to do next.  I now know that if that has happened in my lifetime, I would have been nervous. I would no longer go outside at dark. But the attack didn't happen in my lifetime, and, as the saying goes, ‘Ignorance is a bliss.’I never put the Twin Towers and the soldiers going to Afghanistan together in my head. Ever. I have no idea why not. I never asked my parents if our soldiers were still in Afghanistan.I grew up in ignorance that, somewhere in Afghanistan so many soldiers died to give me the childhood I have. Some soldier might have even died the day I was born. But I didn’t know that. I didn’t know it until this year. The facts I had been told didn’t click until this year. And now, thinking of those soldiers, it hurts. It hurts to think that they were hurt, while I thought they were at a party. It hurts to think that they were dying, being wounded, fighting, while I thought the world was at peace. Every time I hear of a soldier being wounded or dying over there, I feel responsible for him.  Today I thank every soldier, Canadian, American, or of any other nation that was there. I thank you for giving us our childhood. "Thank you" doesn’t seem adequate, but that’s all I have. I can’t even say, ‘I prayed for you all that were there.’ I can’t even say, ‘I thought about you soldiers over there a lot and I felt sorry for you.’ In short, I have nothing to give but "thank you", while some of you gave all you had. Thank you. 

~ / / ~

Greater love hath no man than this, 

than a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13