What were our favorites from last year? Here’s our breakdown in no particular order.

Megan’s Top 3

1. Mythmakers by John Hendrix
2. Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey
3. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
4. Runner up: The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix

Lance’s Top 3

1. Descent into Hell by Charles William
2. Yours, Jack by C.S. Lewis
3. The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix
4. Runner(s) up: Tie between Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson and The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers… and Mythmakers…

Overall

Megan read:

• 36 books- 8,363 pages read
• 4 biographies
• 8 non-fiction
• 5 graphic novels

John Hendrix does some amazing artwork. Anything by Hendrix should be on your to-be-read list. I love books with beautiful art so graphic novels have been super enjoyable to read. Other favorite authors this year were, Katherine Paterson and Andrew Peterson. I usually enjoy and am encouraged by biographies but I read a couple this year that were just meh. I do not recommend Peter Pan or From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. We listened to quite a number of books this summer on our road trips; we particularly loved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wilderking Trilogy, such great audiobooks. I do tend to read a bunch of YA books because I do like to preview books for our family, maybe that’s “cheating” in terms of number of books read but I still think it counts. I didn’t get to read any books in verse but hopefully I will remedy that this next year.

Lance read:

• 22 (fun) books- 4,612 pages
• 2 Graphic novels
• 4 Spiritual Direction

Yours, Jack, spiritual direction in the letters of C.S. Lewis, was full of book recommendations for those he corresponded with. Not only was this book an interesting read and a helpful insight into more personal understandings of Lewis’ thoughts, but it was a treasure trove of new reading for me. I have only scratched the surface. I started with a recommendation he made of a book by a fellow, though intermittent, Inkling (the group that Lewis and Tolkien started, and beautifully described in Mythmakers), Charles Williams. He is one of the more controversial members of the Inklings due to his theology and ideas… and Tolkien didn’t like him. However, Decent into Hell was a beautifully written book in which the physical and metaphysical worlds merge, and people’s inner spiritual and character makeup begins to manifest physically. I would not recommend this book to everyone. However, if the word “metaphysical” does not scare you and actually brings a bit of intrigue, this is a read for you. I will likely be reading it again in the next couple of years. As usual, my reading was more like mining gold veins from one book and author to the next. So, not super wide, but further up, and further in. (We finally finished Chronicles of Narnia with the Boys. It was a great delight to share with them one of our favorite series of all time.)

5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

Dietrich Bonhoeffer had, through his life’s writings and now his deeds, reframed the Christian life through a lens of action. He called for a radical obedience that was not cheap but costly. Faith wasn’t just about creating a set of comforting thoughts about God; it was living out an ethic that called for sacrifice. You didn’t just pray for the tanks to stop rolling, you threw yourself in front of them.

A beautiful look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life. The book looks more closely at how the Nazi party came to power and how Bonhoeffer made the decision to work with the resistance to betray Hitler.

Reading as a Disciple

But the more he studied God, the more his heart longed for something greater than knowledge. He was learning everything imaginable about the spiritual realms but felt increasingly alone.

Bonhoeffer wrestled with so many deep and difficult questions that many of us may never have thought of, let alone have to answer. What was striking though, was his continual relationship with God, he continually leaned on God despite feeling alone. He continually served others, no matter who they were; he was a pastor to his fellow resistance members, to his jailers, to family and friends. In the end, when we had a chance to escape he chose to stay for the safety of others.

How could he, after all this, choose “self” over “other”? No. He could not run. He would stay. He would walk into the fire, eyes wide open.

What a challenging testimony of dependence on God for every step and unwavering conviction in the face of adversity from within the church as well as outside.  

Reading Communally

Would the church, indeed, act together in the face of injustice?

Despite his singular Lutheran upbringing, Bonhoeffer looked at all believers as one body, sanctorum communio, the communion of the saints. He looked to fellow believers around the world for support and admonished his local body of believers for not acting or speaking out against the injustice in front of them. Bonhoeffer strove to commit his life in service for others, he truly believed that to live for Christ was to serve others. Not only was he calling for the Church to stand up but he dreamed of what the Church could do if they were united. It is always a curious thought to ponder what would be accomplished if the Church lived for others and not denominational, political, social, economical… etc. etc. lines.

“The church is only the Church when it exists for others… not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.” (Direct quote from Bonhoeffer)

Final Thoughts

Such a beautiful book. I have always been interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his decisions, so this book helped to answer some of the questions I had. Hendrix does a great job with research and keeping the book focused. With any WWII book, there is just so much you could add but he was able to keep things within a small window and not overwhelm the reader with tons of information. I love that the book is beautiful and also thought-provoking. Dietrich was an average guy. In today’s Christian sphere, we see him as something above average but Hendrix did a great job of putting him on our level. Simply someone wrestling with his faith and how to walk it out.

Other books by John Hendrix:

Mythmakers- a must read!

Shooting at the Stars

The Holy Ghost: A Spirited Comic

Miracle Man

Go and Do Likewise!

And others…

Since we have been busy packing and moving, we haven’t had time to sit down and write out any official reviews. Instead of giving a single review, we’ll just give a list of some of our summer reads and our rating.

• The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers (Wilderking Trilogy #1) 4 stars- We listened to this as a family on our way to Montana. It was great as an audiobook! The boys loved it and its such a lovely retelling of the story of David. You can read more about my thoughts on it in my review from last year, I read the trilogy last year.
• Secret of the Swamp King (Wilderking Trilogy #2) 4 stars
• The Way of the Wilderking (Wilderking Trilogy #3) 4 stars
• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl 3.5 stars- Second time reading, we listened to the audio as a family. It’s one of those ones where I say the movie is actually better.
• This Homeward Ache by Amy Baik Lee, 4 stars- I wanted to write a review on this one but it’s been too long now since I read it and it will take me too long to remember everything. It was a lovely book though and perfect for this season of life. The main point was to redirect our longing for places or seasons of our life toward a longing heavenward.
• Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, 4 stars- So interesting learning about life under apartheid, really shocking that this was not that long ago.
• Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah, 3 stars- Very much like The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse but pales in comparison. It was cute and sweet though.
• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, 5 stars- Audio book with the family, second time reading this beautiful story of forgiveness, identity, and love.
• Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson, 4 stars- I read The Great Gilly Hopkins earlier this year and enjoyed it so I thought I would read another Paterson book. This was also great, I cried at the end. Great book for looking at grief in children.
• Liturgy of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis, 5 stars- Second time reading this one. Just some great thoughts on our humanity in Christ. Love it.
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, 4 stars- Audio book with the family. Quirky, fun book for the family. I loved that it was about a family having an adventure together.

Currently Reading

Discovering God through the Arts by Terry Glaspey- loving it already!

The Adventures of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton- It’s been on my To-Be-Read pile for a long time!

Other Exciting Book News

One of the current co-leaders and dear friend from Ukraine, Sharyn, has recently released her story of coming to missions as a book! Lance and I had the privilege to preread it almost a year ago. We were not only blessed to read the early draft and brainstorm organization/titles but we were blessed to hear of their faith and trust in God’s goodness and plans. Her story starts with how she came to Ukraine and ends with how the base helped in the humanitarian efforts during the full scale war in Ukraine. We both recommend this current missionary biography that will encourage you and strengthen your faith. You can buy a copy at YWAM Publishing, on Amazon for a Kindle version or just click HERE.

3.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“No rabbit is safe. Between now and tonight we must persuade as many rabbits as possible to join us.”

A survival story, rabbits must strike out on their own and create their own home but to do so will require courage, hope and friendship.

*I must confess that I have not read the original story yet so I feel a little funny giving a review of the graphic novel but it was interesting enough and had some food for thought hence this short review.

Reading as a Disciple

“O Frith! Are you sending us to live among the clouds?”

Fiver is a rabbit that often has visions of the future, it is his vision in the beginning that motivates Hazel and others to leave their warren. It is often seen as a message from their god they call Frith. Some rabbits don’t believe in Fiver’s visions but some do, others just think he’s weird. It was a reminder to me of how we sometimes take hearing from God. It can be confusing at times and not make sense but we continue to step out in faith and trust what we hear.

Reading Communally

“You called me over to show me a piece of wood, Blackberry?”

“It drifted down the river. It floats. Don’t you see? We could put Pipkin and Fiver on it and make it float again.”

“First Bigwig’s anger and impatience, and now my cleverest rabbit has lost his mind.”

I enjoyed the beginning and reading how the different rabbits worked together. We see the strong and brave acting within their strengths and those who are clever and smart using their skills to help everyone. No one was made to be useless and extra baggage. Every rabbit and other animal lives were precious and cared for, every life had value. Hazel shows patience in teaching the other rabbits who have been used to lording over others that that is not how they should function in their new home. It is good to remember to be patient with others and to make sure everyone works within their giftings.

Final Thoughts

I really need to read the original to truly give a full review. It’s hard to know if the things that I didn’t like are unique to the graphic novel or to the actual story. It is definitely not a story for children, it is high school and up. There is plenty of animal violence and cruelty and the graphic novel helps you visualize that so I can’t recommend it for just anyone but it does give lots of conversation starters on how to treat people and how to respond to bullies, the value of life and respect for others.

Other books:

I haven’t read any other of Richard Adam’s books.

3/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“… God specializes in protection, yet God’s protection may still include pain.”

As a young newly-married couple, Debby and her husband went to live covertly behind the Iron Curtain as missionaries in Poland. They encounter the cold of communism and the Cold War while relying on God for big and small needs.

Reading as a Disciple

“Seasoned by time, reflection gives way to three realities: In difficult circumstances, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain what God is teaching us. In difficult circumstances, most often, it does not matter what God is teaching us; it only matters who God is. In difficult circumstances, a shoulder, not a question is needed.”

God does not change, he is constant. This was evident through out Pulling Back the Iron Curtain. God is good and he cares for his children was something seen in several of the stories Thompson told. I loved hearing how she had prayed for a specific tea set and a real turkey and God provided those things as simple and unexciting as those things were, God heard her prayer and answered. God showed his character, his faithfulness was apparent and that was what mattered more than what lesson was learned in the midst of any difficult situation. It can be easy to focus on what needs to be done or what should have been learned but in trying situations, it is best to reflect on who God is.

Reading Communally

“We learned that- admitting wrong, asking forgiveness- transcends all cultural settings, crosses all political and geographical barriers, and applies to all human beings.”

I loved this chapter, it was funny knowing my own experience of living in Ukraine and it was also miraculous and shocking knowing what I know of life in the Soviet Union. Asking forgiveness was not a common practice and is still not common in countries of the former Soviet Union so this story of forgiveness is beautiful and such a lovely reminder of the power of saying “sorry.” The humble act of saying sorry and asking for forgiveness is a powerful tool around the world. It is critical to learn how to ask forgiveness if you are to be in community with others, it is unavoidable. We will at some point in our lives hurt someone and we will need to apologize. It is uncomfortable and can be super awkward but no doubt it can strengthen your relationship and help you grow in your relationships.

Final Thoughts

There were some great individual stories that I really enjoyed and some I felt challenged by but there were also plenty of chapters that were nothing special. Some chapters were generic or lacking details which made it fall flat. While I am glad I read it, I think there are other better missionary biographies.