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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

30 must-read books – #19

And for Book #19 in my ’30 must-read books’ for #blogjune 2016, it’s a return to the ‘classic’ Christian novelist with C. S. Lewis’ Cosmic Trilogy, which I read in my late twenties and fell in love with.

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An intergalactic parable; this trilogy with blow any ‘Narnia’ / ‘Christian apologetic text’ preconceived ideas clear away. Not to be read when tired; you’ll want to pay attention. And if you’re like me, these books will make you think – a lot!

Have you read them, dear reader? What did *you* think?

And here’s hoping that you have a great day, wherever you are!

KRidwyn

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

30 must-read books – #18

Book 18: A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers 🙂

Francine Rivers is one incredible writer. Inspiring in her brilliance. Her Mark of the Lion series is one that I turn to when I’m in need of ‘a shot in the arm’ as it were.

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I’m a sucker for a good historical novel (today’s post is book 18 and there’s Shakespeare, Austen, Dumas, Hugo, and Pargeter in the list already!) and the research in River’s novels is reminiscent of Bodie and Brock Thoene’s meticulous work.

[Unfortunately, although I have immense respect for the Thoene’s novels, I don’t have enough room in my ‘Christian titles’ week to include them 🙁 ]

This series is perfection. History comes to life amidst romance, political intrigue and the clashing of cultures. In spite of the enormity of world-building needed, there are no ‘info-dumps’ removing the reader from the story. It’s a thrilling ride, and I – for one – am caught from start to finish, every time I read them.

Definitely one for the ‘30 must-read’ list. What’s your favourite historical novel?

And have a great day, dear reader!

– KRidwyn

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

30 must-read books – #17

I must admit, I’ve found this year’s #blogjune to be SO much easier than in previous years. Maybe because I’m finally getting into my stride with it? Or perhaps because in 2016 I’ve run with a theme? And I hesitate to say a third possibility: because I’ve been writing more (novels, newsletters, writing challenges, etc) that the writing is flowing more easily? Anyway, it seems to be working because we’re past the halfway mark and it’s only now lack-of-internet problems are rearing their ugly head, I’m worrying about how-and-where I can use public data supplies to continue this challenge. Not because of lack-of-ideas, or lack-of-time. And that realization makes me happy. (The lack of internet, far less so. But let’s keep this a happy blog post, huh?)

Anyway, after all that introspective waffle, on to my Book 17 of 30 must-read books. This week, it’s Christian titles I’m recommending, and who could go past Tim LaHaye and Jerry B.Jenkins’ Left Behind series?

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This is an awesome series. The ‘end of the world’ scenario tends to cause a plethora of debate in Christian circles, but I’m glad that the approach taken by these authors stays true to one of the main interpretations of the rapture. I must admit, their interpretation (that the rapture occurs pre-Tribulation) concurs with my own, so I may be more easily impressed 🙂 That being said however, even if they’d written this series with a different interpretation (mid-Tribulation rapture, for example) I think I still would’ve included them on my ‘30 must-read’ list because their writing is so thoroughly compelling.

Have you read them? What did you think?

And have a fantastic day, dear reader!

– KRidwyn

PS I liked the ‘Left Behind – The Kids’ version too! Although admittedly, I haven’t finished the entire series, what I have read has left me in no doubt of their abilities to write masterfully for the MG / YA audience as well  🙂

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

30 must-read books – #16

I’d never read anything about spiritual warfare prior to This Present Darkness. It opened my eyes to the whole ‘angel / demon’ dimension in literature, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

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Frank E. Peretti is such an incredible writer, and this, his debut novel for adults (and its sequel, Piercing the Darkness) was a powerful novel for its time, sparking public interest in a spiritual realm.

This is one of those books that I could read time and time again – and have!

Do you have a favourite ‘angels / demons’ book?

And have a great day, dear reader!

– KRidwyn

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

30 must-read books – #15

I first encountered Arena in my early thirties. Being already familiar with Pilgrim’s Progress, I was impressed at this modernized version of John Bunyan’s original tale. I have read dozens similar, but in my opinion, this is the best.

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I was also interested to learn, while researching this post, that the Goodreads reviews for this novel are either full of praise, or full of scathing remarks. It appears this is a novel which polarizes its readers! Of particular interest to me were those reviewers who had not even realized that it was a Christian allegory until after finishing the book.

How about you? Are there books you’ve read where your opinion was the polar opposite of others’ opinions?

And have a great day, dear reader!

– KRidwyn

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Christianity family anecdotes Reading

30 must-read books – #14

Hello again dear reader! So today marks the third week of books in my #blogjune theme this year: the first several days were ‘literary’ works, the second were ‘fantasy / sci fi’. And now? On to Christian novels! Stay tuned over the coming few posts for my absolute faves. And there may be some that surprise you…

So I realized the other day that Raymond E. Feist’s Magician was, in actual fact, NOT the first fantasy book I ever read. Whoops! Rather, the first was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from C.S.Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.

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In my defense, I knew that this book would be one of my ‘top 7’ Christian books, to use in this third week of June, and it just didn’t occur to me that it was both Christian and fantasy. D’oh! Thanks to Jo for reminding me!

So anyway, I love this series. I remember as a young child, having animated discussions with my brothers about the rings (from The Magician’s Nephew) and what Digory and Polly could have, or should have done.

And now that I’m a mum, I’m enjoying sharing these same stories with my own cherubs.

How about you? Are there stories that you grew up with that you’ve passed your love of, down to a younger generation?

And have a great day, dear reader!

KRidwyn

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Random thoughts Reading

30 must-read books – #13

“Winter is coming” – well, here in Australia, it’s already arrived. But as I’ve blogged already, I’m in awe of the phenomenal marketing that George R. R. Martin receives on an annual basis for A Song of Ice and Fire. I mean – really? The lead-up to three whole months OF EVERY YEAR is now dedicated to mental images of Jon Snow, Eddard Stark, and white walkers!

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And the writing’s not half bad either 🙂 Which is why it makes my list of 30 must-reads. “Crown of gold” is my favourite bit so far. Apart from all the scenes with the dragons, that is!

What’s your favourite scene?

And as always, have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

 

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Random thoughts Reading Review Writing

30 must-read books – #12

Book #12 continues the fantasy genre for this week’s #blogjune posts. The Artemis Fowl series, by Eoin Colfer, is my ‘go-to’ example of magical races surviving undetected on modern-day Earth.

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In a similar vein, of course, are the more-well-known Harry Potter and Twilight series’.

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But as much as the Rowling and Meyer series’ are extremely well-written, I prefer the wit of the Colfer series. I found the mix of criminal masterminds with LEP Recon rather clever. Or perhaps it’s just the intricacies of the dwarf digestive system that amuses me.

Have you ever read them? What did you think?

And, as always, have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

 

 

 

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#blogjune Blogging challenges family anecdotes Reading

30 must-read books – #11

I just love dragons, don’t you?

And Anne McCaffrey’s dragons most of all.

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So today, day 11 of #blogjune, where I’m ‘chronicling’ (lol) my 30 must-read books throughout the month, this blogpost is dedicated to that most intoxicating of beast: the dragon.

Powerful. Enormous. In McCaffrey’s novels, linked irrevocably at birth to their rider, in a relationship that transcends love and devotion. And ‘cousin’ to those itty-bitty fire-lizards which I wished I could also have as a ‘pet’ – if only to protect me from Thread, Pern’s indefatigable enemy.

My first copy of Dragonflight was read so much, it unfortunately didn’t survive the process. Then, about a decade ago, Hubby bought me an Angus and Robertson gift card for Christmas, so I treated myself to spine-matching copies of the entire Pern series. And now not only are they a fantastic read, they also look so purty on my bookshelf! (Note to self: suggest to Hubby that Christmas is coming and I really liked that gift…)

Anyway, suffice it to say: my bookshelf doesn’t lie. I like these books. A lot. Immensely. Tremendously and extraordinarily and abundantly.

Have you read any? What do *you* think of them?

And have a great day, dear reader!

–Kridwyn

 

 

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#blogjune Blogging challenges Reading

30 must-read books – #10

I only discovered Kristin Cashore earlier this year – and boy oh boy, I am ever so glad I did! Graceling is a novel that took me back to my love affair with all things fantasy.

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It’d been a chance discovery. The novel had been mentioned in Writing Irresistable KidLit by Mary Kole, it had sounded interesting enough to be worth a look, and it was available in my local library. I fell in love with Katsa from the get-go; and from there, reading Fire and Bitterblue was a no-brainer. And, just as I wrote about yesterday’s Obernewtyn series my Isobelle Carmody: this series is so totally worth it.

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Kristin Cashore: my newest favourite fantasy author. Who’s yours?

And have a great day, dear reader!