What’s On Your Nightstand: Austin & Kring

by Trish on January 27, 2009 · View Comments

in Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand

I have to admit I don’t comment very much at 5 Minutes for Books, although I do read the posts. But I really enjoy participating in this meme and sharing a little bit of what I have been reading with other people. You can join in a lot of different ways, even if you just post a picture of your actual nightstand!

I got smart this month and made myself write down my thoughts about the books I liked as soon as I finished them – and before they had to go back to the library. :) So here’s a couple of good reads I found recently:

lynn-austinChronicling the lives of three sisters emigrating from Sweden to America in 1897, Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin is one of the better examples of Christian historical fiction that I have read recently. I enjoyed seeing the different personalities of the three main characters and watching them grow as they interact with the various people they meet along the way.

Of course, each of the girls meets a love interest or two along the way, and what romance doesn’t need a happy ending or three? If you’re looking for a light read and are a fan of this style, this would be a good choice.

sandrakringMoving from Christian fiction to a book where the main character is not a believer but writes Christian romance novels to make money, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Thank You For All Things by Sandra Kring. I was pleasantly surprised to find a complex story that delves deeply into the issues of healing and forgiveness and into how we can let our past hold us back from experiencing love (of any kind) in the present.

This book is a journey for both a mother and a daughter, as they each seek answers about their fathers: one for a father who was there but caused immense pain, and the other for a father she never knew, not even by name. With a strong supporting cast of characters and a writing theme, this was a very engaging book for me.

Coming up for me in the next couple of weeks:
Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music that Transformed Their Lives – I was asked to review this for Thomas Nelson and love what I have read so far.
Search Engine Optimization for Dummies – I’m a complete novice and have gotten asked to take on a project at work related to this topic. I am looking forward to learning about it but not enjoying the feeling of being in over my head!

So, what’s on your nightstand?

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{ 9 comments }

Kipi January 27, 2009 at 7:47 pm

I haven’t read either of these books, but they both sound very interesting!

Kipi´s last blog post..What’s on my nightstand – Jan ‘09

Haylee Jalyn January 27, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Ooo. These do look good. I’ve rarely dived into Christian fiction even though I hear great things about them. I suppose I just need some encouraging recommendations such as these. Thanks for your review!

Haylee Jalyn´s last blog post..Good ol’ fashion comfort

Nise' January 27, 2009 at 9:18 pm

Thank You For All Things sounds great! Thanks for the recommendation

Mimi B January 27, 2009 at 9:51 pm

The Lynn Austin book has captured my attention several times this past winter. Will have to look into that book. Haven’t heard about your other ones. Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,
Mimi B @ Woven by Words

Mimi B´s last blog post..What’s on your nightstand – January

Ellen January 27, 2009 at 11:27 pm

I read entirely too many magazines, spend entirely too much time online and haven’t read a book in longer than I’d care to admit. SEO for Dummies sounds great—but that is NOT what I need to take my mind off the web! I am interested in reading An Exact Replica Of A Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken. She is a beautiful writer, author of The Giant’s House, book is about her miscarriage.

Ellen´s last blog post..Let’s all help a girl with big dreams

Casdok January 28, 2009 at 6:20 am

The autistic child and music book sounds interesting.

Casdok´s last blog post..Shrek Rap – The Single. Brought to life.

The Gang's All Here! January 28, 2009 at 2:02 pm

I always enjoy Lynn Austin’s books. Clean, creative and great story lines. I also like how there’s not a lot of fluffy, girly, unbelievable dialogue.

The Kring book sounds interesting. I wish I had a free public library local – I’ve not read much new lately at all!

The Gang’s All Here!´s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday

Jennifer Hudson Taylor January 28, 2009 at 8:57 pm

“The Falcon and the Sparrow” by M.L. Tyndall is currently on my nightstand. I’m really enjoying it.

Jennifer, Snapshot January 29, 2009 at 5:28 pm

I always think of you as one of our regular readers!!

I think that we have a review of that first book from Lauren coming up this weekend!

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