Book Review - Evie Walters Takes the Wheel by Kathleen Fox

My Review

Evie Walters finds herself, at 71, a recent widow, adrift, and not sure what to do next.  Her children conspire to get her to move from their family home to assisted living.  Evie receives an orchid that reminds her of her first love, back in 1972.  She impulsively purchases a camper van with the plan to travel back to Montana to visit her first boyfriend Novel.  On the way there are several twists and turns, a lovable stray dog who adopts her, and a charming, eccentric cast of characters from the road.

I wanted to read Evie Walters Takes the Wheel because I am fascinated by van life, to the extent of watching van life videos on Youtube.  

Evie is a very sympathetic character:  caring, intelligent, and looking for more than her straight laced life.  It was wonderful reading about an older female protagonist.  I enjoyed her van adventure, starting as a newbie and then getting more comfortable with life on the road.

Of course I loved her encounter with the little dog who adopted her, Mrs. Brown.  I also enjoyed the colorful characters she met on the road.

The book is told in two storylines - present day and Montana, 1972.  Although there are certainly romantic overtones in this book, both with Evie's first love Novel in the past, and the feeling that Evie is moving toward something in the future, this is more a book about Evie.  It is, in many ways, a coming of age novel about an older character!   Through Evie's travels, she discovers herself.

Evie's daughter Melony is thoroughly unlikable and bent on controlling her mother.  We are told that she is exactly like Evie's late husband Royce.  From the glimpses we have of Evie's life with Royce, I found him very unsympathetic too ... meaning that any life she chose to have in the future would be a great improvement.

I found Evie Walters Takes the Wheel to be a leisurely, interesting read, and I would recommend it to other readers -- especially to anyone who has an interest in van life or more mature female characters coming into their own. 

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Book Review - Whom Shall I Fear? by Christine Caine

My Review

Whom Shall I Fear? is a devotional book about living fearlessly.  There are 100 devotions in this book.  I love the introduction:

"In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, where we have ample opportunities to feel afraid every single day, I want to reassure you that you don't have to live in fear.  I know that may seem hard to believe, and harder yet to do, but it's true.  Over and over again, God tells us in His Word to 'fear not' or 'do not be afraid.' And 2 Timothy assures us that 'God has not given us a spirit of fear.'" (p. v)

There are 25 devotions on each of these topics:

The Call to Rest

Fighting the Good Fight - With Prayer

In Spirit and In Truth

His Joy, Our Strength

Each devotion is a short two page format:  a Bible verse, a narrative that is personal or a Bible story, and a prayer.  This short format would be perfect for bedtime reading - or reading at night if you can't sleep.

There are some practical suggestions too.  For instance, in "Make Time," the author talks about how she unwinds with word search puzzles and then she suggests looking for things that relax you:  "What gives you genuine rest?  What provides you pleasure, leisure, and relaxation?  Running? Walking? Reading a book?"

There is a ribbon bookmark in this book to keep your place.  I intend to keep it at my bedside to read at night.

I recommend Whom Shall I Fear? for anyone who is looking for a reassuring devotional book for letting go of anxiety and fear.  The gentle tone and helpful stories and suggestions are very reassuring.

Book Synopsis

Learn to live to the life you are called to with the courage and joyful endurance that come from fully trusting in the God who fights for you.

What would you do if you woke up each day without fear? What wouldn’t you do? Today is the day to stop giving power to fear and start living the life you are called to.

Whom Shall I Fear? by bestselling author and internationally acclaimed speaker Christine Caine is your 100-day devotional journey to trade in your fears, overcome your doubts, and discover a life of courage and joyful endurance.

Christine Caine knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by the path in front of you. But the God we serve reminds us hundreds of times in Scripture to fear not, and Christine wants you to know that you, too, can overcome your doubts and fears, and you can live in confidence in the God who fights for you.

Whatever you’re facing, and whatever you’re called to, you can live an overcoming, enduring life of joy and purpose. Discover how:

• Your call to rest is more important than you think
• Fighting the good fight starts with prayer
• Worshipping in Spirit and truth helps you overcome
• God’s joy is your strength, and He wants you to live a life of joy too

Whom Shall I Fear? is a perfect gift for anyone who is:

• Seeking confidence and courage in God
• Starting a new chapter in life
• Working to overcome fears and doubts
• Facing challenges
• Needing to be infused with God’s strength, joy, and endurance

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1 NIV

Author Bio

Christine Caine is a New York Times bestselling author and an internationally acclaimed speaker whose message of hope and resilience has inspired millions. Along with her husband, Nick, she founded the A21 Campaign, a global nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking, and Propel Women, an initiative committed to activating women globally to fulfill their God-given purpose. Christine’s impactful work is also shared through her weekly podcasts, Equip and Empower and Life and Leadership with Propel Women. To learn more about Christine, visit www.christinecaine.com.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and TLC Book Tours for a copy of this book. 

Book Review: Galinda: A Charmed Childhood by Gregory Maguire

My Review

Galinda: A Charmed Childhood is a prequel to Wicked.  It tells the story of Galinda's childhood.  She is the youngest child and only daughter of a high born family who are facing some challenges.  Galinda believes she was born for more.  She dances in competitions and dreams of tiaras and pursuing her dreams - although she isn't sure what they are yet.  

I wanted to read Galinda: A Charmed Childhood because I love Wicked.  It's one of my top 10 favorite novels.  Learning about Galinda's childhood was intriguing!

This is a very interesting novel.  Surprisingly, it took me a little bit to get into the story but then I was immersed and really enjoyed the read.  It's a leisurely paced book with a lot about Galinda's family - her father, who is a businessman, her mother, who is often absent, and her grandmother, who may or may not have some magical powers.  Her brother Ham also has a subplot that runs through the story as well.

I have always been an Elphaba fan, but this novel gave me more empathy for Galinda.  Her childhood was definitely not a completely rosy picture.  I loved her flights of fancy when she had an imaginary playmate, when she dreamed big, when she wondered "what if."

The writing is, of course, vivid and lovely, with descriptions like:

"She was a fluster of pretty impatience, that child. She arrived at any doorway prepared to deliver a full sentence, an opening line, as if conversation was always stalled until she sailed into the room to initiate it. (eBook location 160)

and

" . . . interfered with the sealed globe of her own private Essence of Galinda. Which was like a bespoke perfume— it announced her and it completed her at the same time. If her father’s hand rested on her head, she could think about his hand, but when it withdrew, she’d waft on, forgetful, even oblivious. She was eight." (eBook location 193)

I recommend Galinda: A Charmed Childhood for readers who enjoyed Wicked and the other books in this series.  This novel brings something unique to the Wicked narrative that I think you will enjoy.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Vintage Advertising Postcards

I am still going through the big estate of postcards I found last year.  They are so much fun to research and to list!   The postcards featured today are all advertising cards - you'll find them in my shop.

This 1907 Stanley Steamer car postcard is an advertisement for Citizens and Southern Banks in Georgia and their available car loans.

I have two Ken Holmes illustrated postcards with a little cartoon about old timey service stations.  On the back of each card you will find an ad for the Big Bend Service Station in Van Horn, Texas ... with a listing of how far different travel destinations are from Van Horn.  Card 1 ... Card 2

Another Mid-Century card is an advertisement for National Awnings in Atlanta.  

I have many more unique postcards to list, and will post more updates here!

Book Review - Love Felt Like This by Julie Olivia

My Review

Love Felt Like This is the story of Beverly and Griffin.  Beverly is a sunny puppeteer.  Griffin is a gruff musician who is a single dad to a two year old daughter, Ava.  They come together, unexpectedly, over work and discover they work surprisingly well together.  Griffin travels to Beverly's small North Carolina mountain hometown with his daughter.  They stay with Beverly's family so he can work on some children's songs for the TV show she is working to revive;  Griffin also is working on original music after a long writing block.  They begin to connect personally, despite many obstacles.  What happens next is their story.

I wanted to read Love Felt Like This because I loved the author's If It Makes You Happy last year.  The characters in this story sounded appealing and unique.

I am now putting Julie Olivia on my list of authors that I always look for.  I have absolutely loved her last two novels.  Love Felt Like This is such a fresh and utterly original love story.  Beverly and Griffin felt so real.  Their story is warm and sincere.  They meet while working on their respective careers - which are both in a challenging place.  A relationship is the last thing either of them is looking for.  

Olivia had a long and difficult relationship with her high school sweetheart turned musician.  Griffin's priorities are getting his songwriting back on track and taking care of his young daughter.  I loved the friendship that sparks first between them, with sparks they both resist.  These are characters I genuinely liked.  Olivia's work was fascinating;  I have to say I've never read a book about a puppeteer before, especially with a lot of behind the scenes work details.  I also really loved her family, who are an important part of this story.  (And Pudge the Basset Hound!)

I enthusiastically recommend Love Felt Like This for anyone who wants to enjoy a heartfelt back and forth love story between two quirky and likable characters.  Five stars!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Company and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book.