Dreamlander by K.M. Weiland

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Genre: Fantasy, Christian Fiction

Book Summary: Chris Redston is a journalist generally tired of life. He's tired because when he sleeps, he has vivid dreams of a fantasy world. Soon, he learns that the fantasy world, Lael, is as real as his own, and as the Gifted, he exists in both of them and there is a great destiny he must fulfill. He is the expected hero, but may also be both worlds' undoing.

Indulgent Book Talk: I'm just a fan of this author. She writes the kind of fiction I aspire to write, so reading her books is as much of a lesson in writing as an enjoyable read. And enjoyable this book was. I'm appreciative of fantasies that can contain themselves in one book and don't need three or four (or more!) to tell their stories, and K.M. Weiland's plotting and story-telling are riveting. I think we call books like this "page-turners?" I definitely was clicking my Kindle pretty furiously through this one!

Glorifying Elements: Weiland is a committed Christian and is also committed to flushing out those themes in her writing. One interesting thing she did that I haven't seen done very often in the fantasies I've read is include a group of people who are essentially not believers, who call for a change to "outdated traditions." Even better, these people became the majority in the book and the characters (and the reader) often felt the heroes were at impossible odds. Nevertheless, the protagonists stick with their beliefs, knowing they are right, even when most of the world thinks they're wrong.

Worldly Elements: No language or icky scenes. Some violence and battle scenes but nothing over-the-top or gratuitous.

General Recommendation: Yes! I plan to buy a hard copy of this book for rereading and sharing.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

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Genre: Non-Fiction, Biographical

Book Summary: Acclaimed Christian biographer Eric Metaxas writes the first biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer published in several decades. In it, he not only seeks to tell the story of the extraordinary man who lived an exemplary Christian life during Nazi Germany and became part of the plot to assassinate Hitler, but by using extensive amounts of Bonhoeffer's own writings, proves the Bonhoeffer was very much an evangelical, fundamentalist Christian, putting to rest the recent argument that he was a humanist and not a Biblical Christian.

Indulgent Book Talk: This book was long but excellent. It was dense but worth it. It was highly readable and described in detail Bonhoeffer's life, his theology, and his relationships with those around him. I started the book in the midst of the presidential election, and now that we have elected someone who I believe is perpetuating a modern-day holocaust of the unborn, it was interesting to see how one man behaved and acted in a regime that was even more flagrantly evil. While I in no way believe that Bonhoeffer's actions or decisions apply directly to our current situation (they don't; Nazi Germany was a unique evil) it was both encouraging and informative, and I am still thinking about it and how I can apply Biblical truth to living in a fallen, evil world.

Glorifying Elements: Bonhoeffer believed that one must not just believe Christian doctrine, but that Christian doctrine must influence and inform a Christian's actions, even unto suffering and death. Of the many Biblical truths that were lived out in Bonhoeffer's life, this was the most pervasive and influential. He believed in action and doing, not just sitting and thinking (though he did a lot of that too). He sought to live out the tension between faith alone saving us and works justifying our faith to world. He was not perfect, but he took this seriously and that showed in his life.

Worldly Elements: As with any Christian biography, we must know that the author is a sinner writing about a fellow sinner. Bonhoeffer was no Jesus, and he was imperfect and made mistakes. Arguably, his decision to help with the plot in assassinating Hitler might have been one of them. There are God-fearing believers on both sides of that debate, and honestly, I'm still not sure where I stand. But what can't be mistaken is that Bonhoeffer thought and prayed through every decision he made, and like everyone, regretted some of the actions he took in his life.

General Recommendation: Do yourself a major favor and invest in the hours it will take to read this book. It definitely has the potential to shift your paradigms and change your life.

Behold the Dawn by K.M. Weiland

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Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Book Summary:  Marcus Annan has secrets, and he would prefer them to stay that way. However, the Crusades are in full swing, and a rogue monk, a war, and a woman in dire need of his help threaten to reveal those secrets and endanger not just Annan's life, but the lives of those around him as well. This is a really moving story of redemption and never being too far gone to be saved, even from oneself.

Indulgent Book Talk: I have been following the author's blog for some time now; she gives good writing advice and motivation for aspiring authors (you can find it here). Anxious to read something with a good story, and having an inkling that the Weiland was a Christian, I picked up this book. I was not disappointed. Weiland is not only a strong writer, but she also has a no-nonsense way of telling stories that I really admired. Her facts are well-researched (as far as I can tell, being by no means an expert on twelfth-century history), and her characters are believable and realistic. She also succeeds well at what I think Christian authors should be doing; that is, crafting a compelling story in its own right that reflects the love and truth of the Gospel without coming across as preachy or trite. Hurrah!

Glorifying Elements: This entire book presents the Gospel well, as I have already said. Specifically, through the troubled character of Annan, she really drives home the totality of Jesus' salvation and love for sinners. All without sounding like a gospel tract or resorting to Amish women in bonnets! Hip Hip Hurrah! She also discusses the fact that the Crusades were not representative of real Christianity, but rather a bi-product of the corrupt Roman Catholic church (the only one at the time, since this is pre-Reformation) and power-hungry government leaders.

Worldly Elements: Nothing remotely gratuitous. You can give this book a good solid PG. There is some violence (this is the Crusades, after all), but the description is restrained. There is also a mention of an intimate relationship between a husband and a wife, but again, no specific descriptions. Bad language is non-existent, except for some historical insults and name calling.

General Recommendation: A definite yes. If you have a Kindle, this one is less than $5 too. :-)

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Genre: General Fiction

Book Summary: When Margaret Lea, an amateur biographer, is commissioned to write the biography for extremely popular and mysterious author Vida Winter, she is thrown into a story of intrigue, scandal, and lies that have characterized Vida’s life, a life that is quickly succumbing to disease and old age. Margaret has demons of her own though, and as the novel progresses, both Vida and Margaret learn not only the awesome power of a story, but the freedom that acknowledging the truth brings.

Indulgent Book Talk: This book was a reread for me, and a delightful one at that. This is a book lover’s book, indulging the reader in the craft of writing and the potency of a good story. It is beautifully written and expertly crafted in its plot, and reflects the style and tone of nineteenth-century British Gothic novels (think Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights). I love how this book deliciously unfolds the plot and keeps the reader engaged the entire time, wondering what exactly is going on and being surprised when everything is brought to light. Even with a second read, this book did not fail to disappoint, and I noticed more nuances and small twists the second time around.

Glorifying Elements: Two major themes that resonated with me were the value of the truth and the importance of friendships. Vida Winters has told lies to the media her whole life about who she is where she came from, which has literally destroyed her life, emotionally and physically. Having Margaret write her biography is her confession of sorts, and the more she reveals, the more peace she seems to have with her life and the direction it has taken. Likewise, Margaret comes to terms with a tragedy of her own and the way it has impacted her family and is left with a sense of closure at the end. The book clearly shows the dangers of taking fiction too far, especially when the lines between fiction and reality are blurred.

Additionally, one thing that Vida and Margaret have in common is their reclusive natures; Margaret loses herself in books and Vida has maintained none but one volatile relationship in her life. Their conversations together and with others they encounter eventually bring them out of their respective shells, and they are both better because of it. God created us to exist in community with each other, and this book, though it makes no claims to any sort of Christian worldview, clearly shows the danger in resisting relationships with others: that we can become hard, selfish, and desperately lonely without even realizing it.

Worldly Elements: This book is really very dark and moody, and if it were put to film, I imagine it would receive a PG-13 rating. One thing you might want to be warned about is that there is an incestuous relationship depicted, but the author handles it with a lot of tact and virtually no description; you only know what is going on by vague dialogue between the two characters. It is in no way glorified or reveled in; in fact, it is one of the main things that sets in motion a lot of the terrible events that happen in the book, including rape and the birth of illegitimate children. Setterfield really does a fantastic job though of making sure the reader understands what is going on without wallowing in the messy details of such happenings; she could’ve very easily done that, and a lot of authors do, but she doesn’t, and that’s deliberate. I really appreciated that about her. She respects the intelligence of her readers in this way, I think.

General Recommendation: I don’t know if I would call this one of my favorite books, but it is certainly one that I have enjoyed more than once, and I appreciate it both for its writing and its story, which doesn’t often go hand-in-hand in every book I read. If you are not just a reader, but a bibliophile, you will probably really like this book. Fans of Gothic literature will also like this respectful homage to that influential period in English literature. It is a dark book, not one to read if you are looking for something cheerful, but the ending is uplifting and satisfying.

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

Genre: Christian Fiction, General


Book Summary: I don't terribly often reread books, but considering this one is in my top-ten, and the fact that I've been needing some eternal perspective on suffering, I decided to pick this one up again. I was not disappointed. This book follows two friends, old college roommates who are worlds apart. Ben Fielding is an American Harvard graduate and businessman, on a fast track to be CEO of a successful international company. His roommate and friend, Li Quan (pronounced Chuan, the book helpfully explains), is also a brilliant Harvard graduate, but has moved back to his homeland of China and lives a humble existence as a locksmith apprentice and fights for his life and family in the underground Church. When Ben travels to China to do research for his company, he stays with Quan, and his life is never the same again.

Indulgent Book Talk: This book never fails to bring me to tears multiple times in a reading. The writing isn't terribly remarkable (though definitely skilled and readable), nor is it groundbreaking in style, and therefore probably would not find its way into any sort of literature canon (except my own personal one), but the themes, story, and characters are heart-wrenching. Though a work of fiction, Alcorn did research, and many of the events of the novel are pieces of real things that happened, in one way or another. With a focus on and a poignant portrayal of the persecuted Christian church, specifically in China, but also throughout the world, no Christian can read this novel without catching a glimpse of God's heart for His Bride, especially those who suffer joyfully for the sake of His name. When I first read it, it was the book that developed in me a heart for the persecuted church (a passion probably second only to my heart for the unborn), and this second rereading still had a strong effect. Our Western suffering is so small in comparison to what others go through, and we have to struggle, I think, to follow the charge of Hebrews 13:3 to "remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you are also in the body." This book, for me at least, helps me do that.

Glorifying Elements: This book has almost everything going for it: great characters, Biblical themes and even teaching (especially teaching that is helpfully apologetic in nature). It has a very real conversion story in it that doesn't strike the reader as contrived, nor is the character's life suddenly easy; it in fact gets harder. This is a theme that is sadly missing from many Christian novels, that coming to Christ can make life more difficult, not easier, so it's refreshing to see it so expertly portrayed in this novel.

Worldly Elements: There are none, really. There is violence portrayed, but it is not graphic or overdone, just realistic for the subject matter. Randy Alcorn speculates about Heaven and what it is like, which has Biblical basis.No doubt though Alcorn would readily admit the portrayal has to be taken with a grain of salt, since the Bible is not super clear on many of the specifics of Heaven.

General Recommendation: If the fact that this book easily makes it to my list of top ten isn't enough for you, I don't know what more I could say would be! Except maybe the knowledge that if you purchase the book, all royalties go to efforts to help the persecuted church around the world.