If you are a Catholic woman and you have just found Emily Wilson, then you have definitely found the person who can give the hard but good, emp5 stars
If you are a Catholic woman and you have just found Emily Wilson, then you have definitely found the person who can give the hard but good, empathetic but practical, and spiritual but realistic advice that every young Catholic woman needs.
I personally found out about her when one of my sisters started being more open about her faith among family, and even though we are a Catholic family and have all grown up in the Faith, I was a little weirded out about her excitement for Faith and promptly forgot about this woman on YouTube who wore a "Crazy Chiquita" sweatshirt. But I'm glad that our lack of shared excitement didn't dissolve hers because I eventually came to the realization that I wanted to get happy and excited about it too, that I wanted to feel like that about Faith, and I wanted to know what she was doing to be like that.
So one day I asked her what that name was again after she talked about getting some of her books, I looked her up on YouTube, and all of my apprehension lifted away. She just understands.
It's taken me long enough to get to reading another of her books, but it didn't take me long to read it! I thoroughly enjoyed it and flew through it, which means that I should reread it to take more time to consider the action sections at the end of each chapter. But it's on my reread list! And now I want to read another one!...more
One of my sisters recommended this book to me after she got it from Relevant Radio.
It's so powerful, vivid, and it definitely makes a girl thi5 stars
One of my sisters recommended this book to me after she got it from Relevant Radio.
It's so powerful, vivid, and it definitely makes a girl think about the state of her soul.
I have a feeling this review is going to be super short because I literally don't know how to cover everything that this slim - but Mary Poppin's bag-like - book somehow managed to capture so expertly.
The parts I especially loved were the excerpts from St. Faustina's Diary and seeing what Jesus and God told her, the types of visions she had, the visits God granted her to experience Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, as well as the miracles happened through Divine Mercy, the chaplet, St. Faustina's mission, etc. It was everything.
Every woman should own a copy of this book. (Another to add to my wish list since I borrowed it from a sister of mine.)
One of my sistersEasily 5 stars
Every woman should own a copy of this book. (Another to add to my wish list since I borrowed it from a sister of mine.)
One of my sisters recommended Emily Wilson Hussem's YouTube channel to me a WHILE back and I never got around to it until 2020, when it seemed like all of the other channels I was subscribed to seemed to be sinking deeper and deeper into the current social cultures that I have been realizing to be toxic. I was super disappointed when a DIY channel I liked to watch had a video on "Drunk or High Painting" (one that was later taken down), and I looked specifically for an Emily Wilson video after watching a different video from the same channel that left me feeling... icky. Emily Wilson was a breath of fresh air. Her values and morals lined up with mine, and I didn't feel like I HAD to do what society was telling me was a part of new social "norms." It was freeing to step away from channels that had seemed so good at first but had somehow turned constricting with all of their "freeing" ideals. It was freeing to return to those who value faith.
Unlike other books for women that leave you with more questions and doubts than answers, not once did this book make me feel less than, behind in life, unworthy, or without a purpose. Instead, Emily Wilson Hussem delivers hope to her readers in the form of scripture, uncanny connection, and guidance. She seems to know what her reader needs to hear and know, but not in the "you're perfect" route that seems to be popular but unhealthy, rather in the "God made you for a purpose" truth that we often forget. We don't have to be perfect to do His will. He will guide us to do more and better than we could ever hope to do on our own.
I already plan to read this over and put more careful reflection. Each section relating to a woman in the Bible has a prayer and a reflection at the end. These made me pause, but I answered the questions in my head more than anything. For fiction, I often think about it a lot whenever I'm not reading it to try to figure it out, but for devotionals I haven't stopped often or at all to do some deep reflection that I should. These books require some more thinking put into reading them, so I plan to reread some books this summer when I'm not in school.
I'll be recommending this one to my sisters and friends. This was a part of my reading for Lent and my pursuit of teachings to strengthen my faith and trust in God. But I think that it should be read anytime, even if everything in life seems to be going right. This author's insights may bring to light something that needs to resolved or followed, as they did for me.
This book is really good! It is written in third person and had basically two main characters, Megan Buchanan and Diane Hendrick Bernard. Aft4.5 Stars
This book is really good! It is written in third person and had basically two main characters, Megan Buchanan and Diane Hendrick Bernard. After finding out clues about her missing relation, Megan sets off on a journey learning about the strength it takes to keep family together and learn to forgive.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting a story of two families so interconnected and have so many secrets. The author held on to the mysterious and dramatic effect throughout, revealing it all at the end. The puzzle Mary Ellen Taylor so expertly created came together there, everything making sense.
I did take off half a star because some of the current time sections felt choppy and like the characters were stating too many facts off at once. I got confused from it and relied on the historical sections to learn which families were which and who fit in where. I became partial to those sections too because they were thrilling. I loved them. But I did remain interested in the current day characters as well. (view spoiler)[ Especially when Megan had her baby. I couldn't believe the author would put me in such intense suspense! (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, I recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. This one was thrilling. Pick it up. It's a good read. ;)
By the way, I love the cover! I plan to read Winter Cottage next....more
"What a pleasure - a novel that is all at once masterfully plotted, beautifully written, and filled with characters who are arresting, lovable,5 stars
"What a pleasure - a novel that is all at once masterfully plotted, beautifully written, and filled with characters who are arresting, lovable, and so real." -Elinor Lipman, New York Times bestselling author of Good Riddance and On Turpentine Lane.
I really couldn't put this book into better words than that, but I'll try.
My interest was originally caught by this because of the idea of two loves meeting after so many long years. It had the ethnic and magical element of the young couple separated in 1950's Iran, only to find each other again in modern America. I don't know about most people, but I also fell for the title. I liked the thought of reading about two people falling in love because of a stationery shop. It was just perfect. I was shocked by how much this book actually ripped my heart out. There is just so much feeling. I am still unable to describe it. (view spoiler)[Obviously it didn't end like Roya and Bahman would have liked, but they still had good lives. Personally, I liked Walter more than Bahman. But Roya and Bahman's betrayal was still heartbreaking. (hide spoiler)]
I absolutely recommend! Just be prepared for having a LOT of conflicting feelings!...more
I loved this one! So deep and it makes you rethink life and all that there is to be grateful for. Not to mention that this book is also basical5 Stars
I loved this one! So deep and it makes you rethink life and all that there is to be grateful for. Not to mention that this book is also basically a walking quote. So many good ones that if you wanted to write them all down you'd have to write down the whole book.
I think this one is similar to The Help by Kathryn Stockett but better. This book makes you feel a range of emotions: laughter, sadness, anger - definitely anger -, and a certain fullness that you get after reading a good book.
I definitely recommend to everyone. It is sooo good. And I kind of want to get this one for my own small collection of favorites. Read it!
Thank you to Sue Monk Kidd for writing this touching book. It was a pleasure to read....more
First Time Reading: 5 Stars I REALLY liked this one!!! Especially since it seemed like I was in a book slump. The sad thing was that it took me so long First Time Reading: 5 Stars I REALLY liked this one!!! Especially since it seemed like I was in a book slump. The sad thing was that it took me so long to finish because how busy I was. I set out to finish it this weekend. I'm glad I did. All I can say is: I knew it. (view spoiler)[I guessed that both Trystan and Ruckus were falling for Delaney. And I guessed that Olena's return would ruin everything between Delaney and Ruckus. BUT... Since I am going to have to say I'm on Team Trystan, everything is working out nicely! I do have a question, though. Does this mean, based on the ending, that Olena actually likes Ruckus and is trying to separate him and Delaney? And to do that, based off of what my sister told me, Olena probably told Trystan that the girl he loves is on Earth? Separate away, Olena!! (hide spoiler)] Lastly, thank you Chani Lynn Feener for writing this book. It was the best book that I have read in a while and a great start to 2018!
2nd Time Reading: After re-reading this one I did find some problems. But it is still a great read!
Summer 2019 Update: I reread this one to catch up on the story before the third - and FINAL (OMG!!😍😁) - book comes out. I still saw the same issues as when I read it for a second time, but I let myself enjoy it more than analyze it. This book is totally perfect summer brain candy! And despite that I have said it has problems, I've decided they are minor issues. I not willing to change my original 5 star rating because of the rush of feelings and emotions that I get from this one. Sometimes it's extremely hard to find a good book that does that. Anyway, totally recommend!!! Anyone a fan of sci-fi, romance, adventure, and humor? You've found the right book! Excited to reread the second book!!!...more
This book was so good! I loved how it was written and I can't wait to read the second book! There is only one thing that I can't quite understand... HowThis book was so good! I loved how it was written and I can't wait to read the second book! There is only one thing that I can't quite understand... How does the ending lead to the second book? It seemed resolved, so I don't really see how this ending can help another book start. Okay, so I just read that the synopsis of the next book and I can sort of see how there can be a second book. Still excited to read the next book! I think that I will give this book 4.5 stars for that one point. Otherwise, it was amazing and so INTENSE! Loved it!!...more
Five Stars! Like all the other books that Wendelin Van Draanen has written! Am I right? Okay, down to business. At first I... 1) Didn't really like Wren.Five Stars! Like all the other books that Wendelin Van Draanen has written! Am I right? Okay, down to business. At first I... 1) Didn't really like Wren. I couldn't figure her out and she did such horrible stuff that I thought I would NOT like her. 2) I wanted to know why her parents hadn't done anything sooner, and then why they choose to totally send her away for about 2 months without her knowing. 3) How come her sister Anabella acted the way she did with Wren. And... 4) Do they actually have camps like this is real life?
Now I... 1) Feel like I can understand Wren. She held back her feelings, even from herself, for a long time that I felt in the dark while reading. But as you witness her story, slowly you can feel how she changes. Little by little, but a lot altogether. 2) Her parents, I guess, didn't realize how far things had gone until it was too late. For them, it was the only option. Sending her to this pricy camp was their last chance to turn things around with their own daughter. And if they had told her about it, who knows what Wren would have done? She probably would have run sooner than at the airport. 3) I think that what was wrong with Anabella and Wren's relationship was that after their family moved, they no longer knew how to talk to each other. Sometimes when something life-changing like that happens, you don't know how to tell someone that something is wrong. And... 4) If there are really camps like this in real life, I hope that all the people who are enrolled come out with the same positive outlook on life and can feel strong enough to change like Wren was able to. It can be tough, but as Wren experienced, the fire inside has to start somewhere. Use Wren as your guide. Be strong! There is ALWAYS someone there to support you! Even if you think there isn't.
I love how this book didn't seem that deep at first, but if you think about it, the meanings totally change. Thank you, Wendelin Van Draanen for writing this book! I have learned a lot from Wild Bird and I want to say that I hope this book will soon sit next to Flipped and my other favorites!...more
Continuing "rereading middle school," when I looked through my read books and saw this one, it was an obvious choice. I remember reading it in 4 stars
Continuing "rereading middle school," when I looked through my read books and saw this one, it was an obvious choice. I remember reading it in middle school and loving it (and maybe reading it one other time too, but can't remember what year). I considered buying this one to reread it but didn't want to be disappointed in buying it if it wasn't as good as I remembered.
In reading it now as a super-senior in college, the book definitely has middle school appeal. That's not a bad thing, especially since that's kind of who the book is aimed for. But the author was also able to bring in things that would appeal to high school and beyond, so it makes it possible for a spectrum of ages to enjoy the book without having any details really dumb it down. I still really like the story, and while a same of the basic things stuck with me very clearly, other parts I had to relearn so that was fun.
Since I borrowed from the library before buying, I still do want to add it to my collection since I think it will be a good one to have on hand for a bit of fun. ...more
I guess my original rating from when I first joined goodreads.com was 4 stars. But honestly, after re-reading it and reliving it all, I have to give iI guess my original rating from when I first joined goodreads.com was 4 stars. But honestly, after re-reading it and reliving it all, I have to give it a higher rating because of all the great stuff Roshani Chokshi packed in this book. So, 5 stars.
The romance. I have to say, when I think of a great romance read, this one definitely comes to mind. As the reader, sometimes it is hard to get caught up in a romance depending on how it was written. But I totally got lost, and keep in mind that this is the second time I've read this one. I was in even more agony than the first time because I knew most of all the deception and heart ache and lies that would cause the characters to hurt. And Amar. Wow. If only he was real. I'm fairly certain that people who aren't interested in love would fall for him.
The chaos. I don't know if it's just me but chaos is always cloudy, murky, and dirty when I read it. I find it hard to understand. For some books, I just get annoyed at the hard-to-read chaos in it, but this book did it well because the realms were literally experiencing unparalleled chaos.
The descriptions. You've got to love Chokshi's writing in this one. It is almost like reading written music. I'm in awe sometimes how authors can think up descriptions that are new and vivid for the imagination. Definitely read if you love great writing and description.
*dreamy sigh* This is a GREAT book. Some parts are a little interesting and weird but it is definitely a new and original world to get lost in. Try it out and then read the second book, A Crown of Wishes....more
A part of me wonders how an author can make me want to give a book five perfect stars when everything ended so terribly wrong.
As withJune 2020 5 stars
A part of me wonders how an author can make me want to give a book five perfect stars when everything ended so terribly wrong.
As with the first book, my emotions have again been treated as cruelly as Arin and Kestrel have been treated, by each other and by others. I read the whole series some years ago and remembered surprisingly little from this second book of the Winner's Trilogy. I knew the key points: (view spoiler)[- Kestrel's engaged to the prince. - The emporer likes to weaken her or show her his authority at any chance he gets, an example is the sugar fork. - There's a ball where her engagement mark gets messed up by Arin. - She acts as Tenson's "moth." - And at the end Arin ruins everything by unknowingly exposing her in front of her father. (hide spoiler)] But I was blown away for a second time at how much higher the stakes are in the second book compared to the first. I don't know how Marie Rutkoski does it, but she found a way to make aristocratic life full of a calculation so precise, if a character fails to follow the rules or fails to hide how they aren't following the rules, the costs are deadly.
This book is full of suspense, and it got kind of suffocating because it kept building and building up throughout. And what made the suspense even more unbearable was the heartache. Arin had heartache. Kestrel had heartache. I had heartache. It hurt a good kind of hurt to read this one. If you read this book, welcome to the heartbroken club. Please tell us how sad you are about the end of this book and how you died with each mistake made by our awesome characters. Just to let you know, I'm completely serious. Read the series and join the club.
*sigh*
Also, has anyone noticed that Rutkoski wrote a REALLY good enemy? The Emperor is really good at it. He found a way to attack without seeming like he is attacking, threaten without being super threatening, and noticing without letting anyone else know that he's noticing. He's a really good villain. I think it's because of the setting he's in too. Rutkoski had to make her antagonist work around needing to look like a great ruler in court without his people knowing he did things specifically and going against him. They could suspect but never prove. It makes him even more scary because he could then strike without warning. And to be honest, I don't remember anything about his physical appearance. I just assumed he looked normal or average. And that's what I also love about him --even though I DON'T love him-- because Rutkoski avoided the "ugly, fat villain" that everybody seems to do to make their villain hate-able. Why should we instantly hate them because they're ugly or fat? Instead, why not hate them for their creepy personality because they're threatening and just as intelligent as the main characters? That makes it more interesting too.
Oh, Arin, Arin... What are we supposed to do with you? I never thought about it until the second book when Tenson and Kestrel talk about it, but Arin really is self-destructive. I'm with Roshar, the eastern prince, how did Arin manage to stay alive? Thoughout The Winner's Crime, he was a LOTTLE all over the place with his emotions and thoughts, letting them get in the way of thinking smartly. I groaned at his thoughts a lot because he was always thinking the wrong thing and making things difficult. I think Kestrel and Tenson might have also said he was making things difficult too. Great mind think alike. ;) But it doesn't end there, because when he does manage to figure out secrets, he still let's his emotions lead him around and do stupid things. (view spoiler)[Also, not to mention, he kind of ruins ALL of Kestrel's plans and gets her caught. (hide spoiler)] But I don't even know if I would have done things better or different, so I don't judge Arin too harshly. There were a lot of things he didn't know and when he found out, that caused some issues too.
Kestrel. She remains a character that I want to recreate in my own writing. It's her wit and quickness that have me awed and trying to anticipate what she will do next and how that will show me her plan. Rutkoski was fantastic in that, even though we are reading Kestrel's story in third person, we think we are her, even though we don't know the full extent of what Kestrel is thinking. It truly is amazing that that can happen. Love Kestrel.
Kestrel's father is... complex, if I could put it in one word. (view spoiler)[He loves Kestrel as a father but his loyalty to his emperor and to his country runs deeper than the love he has for his own daughter. It ran deeper than his trust in Kestrel after Arin confronted her in front of the General. And so the General gave up on her and told the Emperor her plan. It's sad that the people Kestrel loved most, Arin and her father, were her undoing in this second book. (hide spoiler)]
The parts with Jess and Ronan broke my heart. In the first book, you kind of get the feeling that Kestrel is a bit of a loner. Sure, she's Lady Kestrel, the General's daughter, and everyone likes to be nice to her. But even then, you got the feeling that her only true friends were Ronan and Jess. But the Herrani Revolution changed everything for Kestrel, even changing her friends into people she couldn't recognize anymore. And they couldn't recognize her because they were blinded by hate for the Herrani.
(view spoiler)[I do have to say, that while I loved this book, there was one scene that made me frustrated with it. The eastern Queen and Arin. I honestly didn't think having them kiss was necessary but Arin did make many mistakes and then many realizations after them. At least he quickly ended that before it could go too far. (hide spoiler)]
*sigh* I guess that brings me to the end of my review. I'm on to the last book, one I also don't remember too much, and am ready to finally, FINALLY see Arin and Kestrel happy (for the second time around). Pick up this series! It won't disappoint!...more
Of course I would love this one as much as I love the BBC show based (extremely closely) on this book! I grew up watching the 1995 TV show and 5 stars
Of course I would love this one as much as I love the BBC show based (extremely closely) on this book! I grew up watching the 1995 TV show and always am willing to watch it with my many sisters, one brother, and my parents. Since I first watched it a young age, the show never ceases to have some new meanings in the dialogue of the characters. In reading the book, I am sure I don't completely understand it all, but I did learn more than from the show. Unfortunately, most of the vocabulary was lost on me but I'm sure that with rereading this one every once in a while, things will come into light just as phrases with the show.
Jane is so Jane. Sweet and so unable to think horribly of anyone! It did grow a little annoying to me every once in a while, but I liked the constancy of her personality as a character and that Austen never swayed from it. I have read many books where characters suddenly change for no apparent reason except for it being convenient.
Elizabeth, I believe, is very much who Jane Austen must have been most like out of the Bennet daughters, despite being named otherwise. And I think that Elizabeth is supposed to be the character every reader connects to because of how relatable her feelings, actions, and wants are. I won't believe anyone who says they don't like her.
Oh, Lydia! Poor indeed. She is even more silly in the book than the show and I was so embarrassed and ashamed for her family than ever while reading this book. Goodness! Wickham! I won't even go there!
Mary and Kitty... they were much like I expected them to be from watching the BBC TV show, but I do think that I understand them better now than ever after reading Austen's own descriptions than from making my own.
Darcy and Bingley... much as I thought I'd find them.💕😍😊
And I feel like this is the most I have ever used language in this way, but I have been talking like this every once in a while after reading some chapters.
But anyway, totally recommend in general!!! I found it delightful, scandalous, romantic, and all around perfectly satifying!...more
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