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books illuminated

Real. Refreshing. Reviews.

Tag: historical romance

October 1, 2019

August/September Stack

Stacks, No Comments

September 30, 2019October 8, 2019

Bringing Down the Duke

Books, 1 Comment

Five Star Reads

In Shock (2020)

A Woman is No Man (2019)

The Dearly Beloved (2019)

The Silent Patient (2019)

Where the Crawdads Sing (2019)

Educated (2018)

The Sun Does Shine (2018)

Genres of Interest

Historical Fiction

Science Fiction

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“Charles and Lily, James and Nan. They meet in Greenwich Village in 1963 when Charles and James are jointly hired to steward the historic Third Presbyterian Church through turbulent times. Their personal differences however, threaten to tear them apart. - “In The Dearly Beloved, we follow these two couples through decades of love and friendship, jealousy and understanding, forgiveness and commitment. Against the backdrop of turbulent changes facing the city and the church’s congregation, these four forge improbable paths through their evolving relationships, each struggling with uncertainty, heartbreak, and joy.” — As someone who was raised Presbyterian and is still very involved in the Presbyterian faith, I was drawn to this book initially by my own faith. However, this book is about more than just faith alone. It is about how to love those who are so different from yourself; how to believe in things that seem so out of reach; how to act on injustice; how to care for those who need it the most. Wall does a fantastic job in examining and writing about the lives of such different and imperfect people. A minister’s wife who doesn’t believe in God. A minister who loses faith. A minister’s wife whose faith is tested. A minister who isn’t convinced God exists. Now put them all together and see what happens. Wall has a way with words and I found myself highlighting multiple parts of this book to keep for myself for later. I’m not going to tell you this book is exciting and thrilling and is going to keep you on the edge of this seat. It would be a lie. But, it’s also not the way this book was meant to be read. It is meant to be savored, discussed, contemplated, cherished. In fact, it feels a lot like church. . . . . . . . #thedearlybeloved #bookreview #bookblog #religion #faith #love #literaryfiction #fiction #bookstagram #igbooks #booklover #bookworm #books #booksofinstagram #bookclub #bookish #bookphotography #booksbooksbooks #botm #bookofthemonth #wordpress

I admit finding time to read during this season has been difficult. I think when then holiday season comes around, it’s harder to find personal time and energy for ourselves. We dedicate a lot of ourselves to others during this time of year (which can be awesome and fulfilling BUT also extremely draining). - I have been working on knitting several Christmas presents for friends and family this year, which has slowly pushed my reading to the side. I guess one solution would be audiobooks but I just can’t get away from the joy of actually reading a book. So I’ve felt pretty conflicted with my time. I’m working on finding a new balance: continuing to serve others wile still finding time where I prioritize my own self care. It’s going to be tricky, but I think it’s something we should all continue to strive towards during this season of giving. - I’m currently reading “The Dearly Beloved” and so far it’s been a heartwarming and spiritual mediation about life choices and providential relationships. It seems quite fitting in this season of my life. I’m also working on scarf number three of five. Knitting was something my grandmother taught me when I was younger and it has seemed to stick with me through time. This is my first holiday season without her and knitting these scarves feels like I have her sitting right next to me❤️ . . . . . #holiday #thanksgiving #christmas #hanukkah #reading #books #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookworm #bookclub #bookish #igbooks #bookish #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #kindle #knitting #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank. But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer “The Whisper Man” abducted and murdered five residents. He would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night. - Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes, and his disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. - And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window… - One of my favorite parts of the book was reading about the complex and vulnerable young boy “Jake.” I enjoyed reading his own thoughts and reading about the thoughts others have of him. He seems to just know things that he shouldn’t. . . almost as if he has a telepathic gift. His character development is superb, and I found myself heavily invested in his well-being especially when his life becomes threatened. - My only complaint about this book is it felt too predictable. My most favorite thrillers are the ones where the twists are delivered with such a shock that it causes an intense visceral reaction–my heart starts to race, my palms get sweaty, I lean forward on the edge of my seat, I can’t read the words on the page fast enough. I didn’t quite get this kind of reaction from this book and that was disappointing, especially for a book that had an otherwise strong plot development. The search for the perfect thriller continues, but in the meantime you should treat yourself to this book as it will surely whet the appetite. . . . . #thewhisperman #botm #bookofthemonth #bookreview #bookblog #bookstagram #instabooks #igbooks #booklover #bookworm #bookish #bookster #coolgirlsread #thriller #crimefiction #fiction #spooktober #fallreading

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 ”More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.” - I remember when I first read The Handmaid’s Tale a few years ago before the launch of the TV series, I was mesmerized. I was shocked by how timely a book written in 1998 could be to current discourse and events. I was also shocked by just how far one woman’s imagination could go to create such a story. It was brilliant and evocative. The book left me and every other reader hanging on for more. Atwood knew just where to stop to hook readers, and that was something that I appreciated but made me frustrated (in a good way). - Now, after finishing this novel, I have mixed feelings. - I enjoyed the different points of view this book included, but I really only felt like one of them was profound. I found this book read more like the TV series and less like her first novel, which was disappointing. Also, if you’re looking for a definitive explanation of how everything in Gilead is going to turn out, then this book is for you. A little warning, though: I thought I wanted to know, but now that I know, there is no mystery left. While having a definite ending may seem ideal, I am sitting here wishing there was a little more left to my imagination. - I can say I genuinely enjoyed reading this book, and I actually breezed through all 400+ pages of it. However, looking back on the book now, I don’t think it was as good as I hyped it up to be in my mind. I think Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was an achievement that could not be outdone or even matched. Definitely do not read this book if you haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale; and maybe you should consider not reading it if you want to keep a little mystery alive. . . . . . #thetestaments #thehandmaidstale #margaretatwood #fiction #bookblog #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #book #books #bookreview #booklover #read #reading #bookreview #bookphotography #bookworm #igreads

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