No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Incredibly written, one of the best books I've read all year. It's the kind of book that provokes thought and encourages growth. I have so many more questions that I would love to ask and answers I am curious to hear. You will experience anxiety, disgust, and disbelief when reading this book. Only disbelief that people can act this way, not that it doesn't happen. I know it happens. Nothing encompasses the turmoil and unrest of our current social climate like this book. View all my reviews
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I was meant to read this book, it was definitely placed in my lap, or Kindle, by God. I have never read a book about the church that I found instantly relatable and could be immediately to practice. Jonathan not only points out the problems, but gives proven solutions. This entire book was so easy and wonderful to read. It should be read by everyone, not just those in ministry, but believers and unbelievers alike. So much can be gained by a mutual understanding of the situations addressed in this book. I cannot sufficiently express how much I learned from this book. I look forward to seeing what more Jonathan writes and how much more he improves his community and the church as a whole. I am fascinated by Indian culture so I was delighted to see this offered on NetGalley. Nothing is more helpful to learn about other cultures than fables meant to teach children. You get a simple understanding of complex ideas, plus there are beautiful illustrations and fun characters. The themes addressed in this book are great lessons for readers of all ages and would make a great read aloud for any classroom or bedtime. I look forward to adding this book to my personal collection. I will be ordering this book from our local independent bookstore and I am hoping they’ll allow me to host a reading of the book with some Indian sweets. I want to forget this book and read it all over again for the first time. Never has a middle-grade book made me feel so much. My heart flip-flopped with every chapter and I often caught myself holding my breath as I turned the pages. Each revelation was more dramatic than the last. Having an “Astrid” of my own, each outburst and tantrum were both endearing and familiar. The relationships were unique and heartwarming. I didn’t know I could love fictional characters this much. Each chapter evoked tears and laughter. Astrid is a modern day Heidi, full of charm and tenacity. She made me laugh out loud, champion for her causes, and love her more each page. She tackles problems with a ferocity that I admire and envy. The author paints a picture of breathtaking scenery, beautiful vistas, and imposing, snow capped mountains. You can vividly imagine the roar of the river and feel the snow crunch beneath your feet. Warm spring air fills your nostrils as you breathe in the heady scent of new grass and spruce. Everything about this story was magnificent. It is not a story that can be rushed, but must be thoroughly digested, thought about, reflected upon. It’s written age appropriately with themes that an adult can enjoy and appreciate. I would love to see this made into a film or a written series. I want more of the little thunderbolt of Glimmerdal. Everything about this book was fantastic. I can imagine my middle school self, holing up in my bedroom for hours devouring its pages. It conjures up the best of books in similar genres, the museum is just as mysterious and vast as Hogwarts. The animal companions read like the daemons in The Golden Compass. However, this story lends a credible note as it doesn’t deal with magic, but is more of an alternate reality with a dystopian twist. Each and every character, including the furry and feathered ones, are brought to life with vivid detail. Ree, spunky and independent female lead character in a male dominated world speaks to “girl power” without the disrespect that often accompanies that attitude. Henri, the perfect level-headed complement to Ree, is intelligent and thoughtful, a voice of reason in a world of pseudo-science. The menagerie of now extinct animals gives the entire tale a humorous element, Phil the Dodo my obvious favorite. I can just imagine his playful nips and smell the down as he ruffles his feathers. The wide range of topics touched on by this story are made age appropriate and easy to understand, while remaining true to the message. Finding a harmonious balance between science and religion is something we’re made to face early on in life, and the author is successful in finding a middle ground that is neither blasphemous or offensive. Focusing on the respecting of other’s values, the equality of intellect and abilities between men and women, and the importance of every profession, whether menial or cerebral, artistic or everyday maintenance. All points are dealt with gracefully and playfully, without malice or contempt. Kudos to this author for creating a masterpiece of humor and depth for the middle school set. It’s an intelligent addition to a market often saturated with twaddle. The Perfect Christmas Gift for Marvel or DC fans!
Not only was this the perfect devotional for its age group, it was a superhero primer! Only since the Marvel and DC comics have become major blockbusters did I follow what was going on in these fictional worlds, but the backstories often eluded me. Since reading this book, I've gained so much more knowledge of each character and where they come from and I no longer feel like a novice. The language in this book is easy to follow and understand while getting across complex concepts of faith and God's grace. While perfect for late elementary to early middle-schoolers, it's also a great crossover to use as a witnessing tool. By correlating popular characters with some of the more obscure Bible figures, even as a mature, older Christian, I learned new stories and new names.
From the moment I started reading to the last page, I loved everything about this fantastic book.
An Unconventional Christmas Story
With her faithful slave by her side, whom she later freed, Salome survives starvation in the desert, escapes persecution from her in-laws, and despite these many trials, is fiercely loyal to God and the laws of the Torah. She challenges her rabbis and studies the scriptures in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
The prophecies that proclaim the coming of Jesus are a main theme throughout the book which makes this the perfect book for the holiday season, since the time of Salome’s death was estimated to be only one generation removed from the birth of Christ. While this is historical fiction, a believable saga has been created outside the bare bones the annals have provided, ensuring a pleasurable read that is comprised of faith, hope, and facts. Starting Frost can feel a bit ambiguous but despite not exactly knowing where the story is going, it’s told so well that you’re content to just read about the characters and their daily lives. The author paints beautiful, descriptive scenes of the mountainous Colorado landscape and capture moods perfectly with light and temperature. I felt cold and warmth throughout the story as if I was there in the town of Ballast. The use of specific colors lend to a skillful interpretation of the atmosphere. Amy Frost is not necessarily likeable, but extremely relatable. That being said, I loved her and we could be instant friends. Her struggle with alcohol is real. The inner monologue of her daily battles, the resistance to temptation, the mixed feelings of relief and failure of giving in, the everyday arguments and justifications to drink and reward yourself, the shame of losing control, it was all there in ugly, vivid detail. The narrative of the Black Hawk casino culture was appropriately dark and depressing. Nevertheless, in spite of the gloomy mise en scene, there are sparks of light and hope that keep this novel from becoming a melancholic tale. There are personal victories and epiphanies that feature growth and acceptance. Hurdles are overcome and relationships are forged or mended. Overall, it speaks to routine humanity with the hint of adventure that we all seek. My hope is that we see more of Amy in the future.
The Donner party is seeing a revival, this is the second book in the last two months that I have read that has been about this fateful tale. If you enjoy historical fiction about westward expansion, I definitely recommend this book. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the wagon train and survival, but that's where its similarities to Little House on the Prairie end.
I absolutely loved the heart behind this story. The author's voice is incredible and she weaves a tale that is incredible and tragic. Intense details transport you to the devastating, wintry landscape. Characters fully form in your imagination and become people with whom you feel you can engage. The way in which the main character tells the tale is unique and insightful. Her point-of-view was refreshing, neither self-pitying or boastful, just honest and real with a hint of darkness. Good historical fiction begs you to read more about the events it details, and this story definitely has made me want to check out every resource available to read about this devastating and grisly adventure.
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