Bookish Musings

I started getting free books about two years ago. I greatly enjoyed reading every new book that I could possibly get. It became part of my life. The past two years have been an incredible journey. I was introduced to so many new authors and genres, but with all good things there comes an end. Though I will still continue to be getting books from the programs, I will be more selective in my choosing. I am tired of filling my head only with romantic fluff and yearn for more. (I am not against reading romantic novels, just wouldn't recommend it to be the only types of book you read.) I want also, to read books that edify the spirit and draw me closer to the Lord. In January, I read gods at war(review coming soon) and was super enriched and blessed by this book. My family and I have decided to each read a biography of great men used by God. We hope that with these books we can  nourish our minds, help motivate us to follow the good in their lives, and ultimately draw closer to the Lord. My book this month is The Journal of Jim Elliot by Elizabeth Elliot. 

You can follow me on Good Reads to check out my progress!

Book Review- Firstborn

Where does a firstborn girl fit in a world dominated by men? When Tiadone was born, her parents had two choices: leave their daughter outside the community to die in the wilds, or raise her as male and force her to suppress all feminine traits. Now, as the first female living as male in her village, Tiadone must prove her father didn't make a mistake by letting her live. As her male initiation approaches, Tiadone knows every eye on the community is on her, and desperately wishes to belong and finally be accepted.---But at every step, traditional feminine gifts and traits emerge, and the bird she's been twined with is seen as a sign of the devil. Worse, as Tiadone completes her rites, she finds she is drawn to her male best friend in ways that are very much in line with the female gender. Confused and desperate, Tiadone tries to become what she must be while dealing with what she indeed has become: a young woman who may be able to stand up to her despotic rulers and uncover her real purpose in life.

As a firstborn daughter myself, it was with great expectation I read this novel. I was truly appalled at the fact that baby girls were left to die in the wilderness just because they were born first- the atrocity. Though the book is fictional the plight for baby girl's survival is very real. All around the world baby girls are looked upon as trash, burdens, and dispensable. 

I enjoyed Tiadone her struggles were real and emotions true. To the world she is supposed to be a male, but only she knows the truth. Despite what a great character she was, the author could have done so much with this subject, but sadly failed. A few complaints of mine would be: the time period, was this book past or futuristic? Why do these birds who take at least a decade to hatch seem unnaturally smart, why does the world seem to revolve around these birds? 

The greatest disappointment was that this was not a "christian" novel. The author mentioned a 'creator spirit' that had some of the same attributes as God, but was very far from the truth. Overall I was confused and felt uncomfortable with some of the things, mainly the whole bird and human relationship, the weird visions and talking through the visions, and just the lack of Biblical beliefs. 

However, Firstborn allowed me to be grateful to the Lord for allowing me to live as a firstborn female child!

I received a complimentary copy from BookSneeze in exchange for this independent and unbiased review. 

January Goals Update

One month already into twenty fourteen, wow! In a previous post I mentioned that to help me actually accomplish my new years goals I would first, choose broad ones and narrow them down to monthly things to help reach that end goal and second, blog about it. So here's a months recap for you.

Read the Bible 1x- I am on track so far in my chronological Bible reading plan!

Get Fit- I exercised about 12 times this past month:\ Give or take I guess its better than nothing. I have also been drinking water a lot more!

Cultivate my Relationships- I did an Instagram/Youtube/Pinterest fast this past month as well. I really enjoyed that! 

-The Lord has really ministered me this past month on having personal convictions and hearing His voice. 

Improve my Work Ethic- I need to work on this one...

Work on my Talents- In the learn a new instrument department, I have picked up guitar (since I don't have one yet this will be a slow process.) 

-I started this new project where I will film one second of my day for the whole year and make a life movie. So far I've enjoyed it and can't wait to see the finished product!

So, I think I had a pretty productive month. How are you doing with your 2014 resolutions? Have you forgotten about them already?

Book Review- Shadowed By Grace

 As an avid WW|| reader I will just about read any book written in that era. I love learning about the war and reading different points of view, and this book was no exception. In Shadowed by Grace you see a new angle to World War || history mainly through art.  Lieutenant Scott's job was to track and protect priceless art masterpieces all throughout Europe. We witness a battle fought not with bombs and bullets but a battle to persevere cultures and history!

Cara Putman definitely ranks high in the originality department. Her writing style was very serene and simple drawing me instantly in to the WW|| "feel." I enjoyed her Characters Rachel and Scott, but would have loved to see them developed more. They seemed a bit surfaced and not super relatable, but still likable. The plot was very centered on Rachel finding her unknown father and through each place visited and adventures encountered that was the reoccurring theme, so the ending felt so quick and lacking.

Overall I think it was a well written remarkable historical side to WW||. I really enjoyed the photographic and artistic side to the story. There is a lot of mystery, action, and sweet romance.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for this independent and unbiased review.