The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

In typical bibliophile fashion, I love reading about books, libraries, and other readers so it was quite enjoyable to follow Belle da Costa Greene as she navigated the world of elite manuscripts and high class expectations while hiding her heritage to maintain her job.

These 338 pages take the reader along the journey of Belle’s family changing their name in order to pass as white in New York as racial tension mounts around the country and even Northerners are not safe from prejudice. Belle’s sisters attain jobs as teachers and she as a librarian which leads to her placement as JP Morgan’s personal librarian as he seeks to build up a collection to rival libraries and museums around the world, placing himself in a place of prominence in the art world.

I’ll be honest, when I am reading a great book I often struggle to make notes for a review and am left just saying I liked it and it was put together well. There is something to be said of a well written book that keeps the reader engaged so I certainly will bestow the credit there, especially with two authors bringing this work to life. It is also important to note that I didn’t experience anything detaching me from the story, whether it be bad grammar, plot holes, or unrealistic moments.

It is also fun to see a historical figure brought to life amid the limited knowledge we have of Greene. The authors have some additional chapters where they each share a note with the reader and then go into detail of how they constructed the story from different small details recorded about Greene over time. As a reader and writer I loved learning the backstory of how they brought this novel to fruition, forming whole chapters originating from one sentence quoted to Greene.

Definitely an enjoyable read I would recommend for adults. There is no explicit content, but I would just put the 18+ rating on it to be safe as there is mention of affairs and abortion.

Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush

Aww, what a sweet story of these two women growing up together and staying connected through everything.

This is another book I got from the used bookstore in Canton, NC- Blue Moon Books. I have been in a moment of easy reading and I would say this was the perfect transition book, dealing with real people and their real experiences, but not a heavy thinking and processing book.

The Bush twins are not anyone I really know about or have had an interest in their lives. I was drawn to the cover and figured this would be a fun read to learn about them as individuals, twins, daughters and granddaughters of Presidents, and their adult endeavors. I was right; it was fun to read about their lives from their own perspectives and to see how intertwined not only they are, but the whole (extended) family, in one another’s lives.

Sometimes it gets weird for the reader when a book has two authors, but I will say it flowed better because the girls shared about the same experiences and ultimately, their lives are connected in a way most co-authors’ aren’t.

If anyone remembers my least favorite thing about memoirs it is the awkward chunk of photographs slapped arbitrarily in the middle of the book. And this book also delivers this annoyance. I enjoy photos, but I get frustrated by the placement. I like to see the pictures as I read along so I have to try to find the right pictures without spoiling anything for myself.

The writing style is very honest and relatable. The sisters do a great job of sharing important moments and their differing experiences in the same situations. Since I did not know much about the Bush family there were plenty of fun moments I experienced for the first time through this book. Let’s recap a few favorites.

Barbara as a child trying to order pizza for a party while her grandfather was President so the company hung up on her after she told them her name is Barbara Bush. And that would prove a pivotal lesson of giving a different name when needed! Did you know the twins are both named after their grandmothers? The idea of a bunch of Secret Service on a college campus (or two!) dressed in jeans with backpacks full of weapons trying not to be obvious as they follow the First Daughter around. Barbara spent a semester abroad in Italy in high school. The reality of Jenna’s husband picking her up at the White House for their first date. Just like that movie about dating the President’s daughter. (It’s the big white house- you can’t miss it.) Barbara started and runs a whole global charity. That’s phenomenal. Michelle Obama inviting Jenna to check out her old room the first time Jenna came back to the White House as a reporter during the Obama years. So many fun moments!

I would certainly recommend this book for anyone interested in memoirs, celebrity stories, political figures and familes.

Wingfeather Tales

This is an additional book of 7 short stories within the world of Aerwiar from the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. This was one of the fun books that I put on a list for secret santa (among others) and didn’t think about until I got the present and figured I might as well reading it since I was in between books.

And I’m so glad I did start reading it! Oh, what a joy to dive back into Aerwiar and read stories of characters we know and some we don’t.

The book starts out with “The Prince of Yorsha Doon” by Andrew Peterson. This story takes place in a city we don’t visit in the original series. It is the adventure story of reinstating the proper city leadership. Quick, fun, and moral. It personally reminded me of Curdie and the Princess.

Next, “The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe” by Jennifer Trafton is magical. Every part of this story is wonderful, from seeing the original habitants of Anklejelly Manor, to experiencing the numerous animals featured in Creaturepedia, to the pure irony Pembrick is left with at the end. All around delightful.

“Willow Worlds” by ND Wilson was not especially engaging. Fun little story. Nothing Special.

“Shadowblade and the Florid Sword” by Andrew Peterson is the first Wingfeather graphic novel depicting an evening with Maraly and Gammon following the original series.

“From the Deeps of the Dragon King” by AS Peterson is the much imagined story of Podo Helmer’s escapade earning him the name “Scale Raker” from the sea dragons. It is mighty and crazy. An epic adventure with a solemn conclusion.

“The Ballard of Lanric and Rube” by Jonathan Rogers is the well known (and sung) Annieran tale referenced in the original books. Very silly and enjoyable to see brought to life.

The last and longest story in the series, “The Places Beyond the Maps” by Douglas McKelvey, is a gut wrenching novella following Sara Cobbler’s father on his journey to meet the Maker after Sara is taken in the Black Carriage. It delivers. As this story coincides with the events of the original series it is amazing to see the moments connected and brought to life in the most fantastic way. I remember the 4th book being so phenomenal and emotional as the series concluded around the world, and this story provided me with the same depth of emotion and Christian themes depicted in the language.

Overall I loved this collection and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Wingfeather Saga. And would recommend the original series to anyone interested in this book of extra stories. It was so enjoyable for me that I decided to switch my opening reading for 2024 from rereading the Chronicles of Narnia to rereading the Wingfeather Saga.

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard

Ah yes, another Duggar memoir. This one is sharing about the family and life growing up as a filming family.

It is very well written, respectfully recounting her experiences while calling out bad behavior and lies. There are so many crazy things within the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP) that don’t add up and more things are revealed to the public as the Duggar children share their experiences with the world. One of the scariest things about IBLP is the limited control within the organization and at the family level. The Duggar children were taught that their family was different and to fear the outside world because no one else would understand them.

This is one of many points where we see a separation from the gospel. There are so many examples in Scripture of the necessity of community among believers and how that plays into our lives in the world. IBLP members separate themselves from other Christian groups and Jill shares how her family was part of a regular church before they decided to step into an IBLP church instead (after the church performed a dance at Christmas- Heaven forbid!); further isolating themselves from healthy Christianity. A key component to their faith is the branch of parental authority which they believe never ends, despite the clear direction of leaving and cleaving in the Bible. Understandably, this extended parental control often causes problems and can be a key component to the older Duggar children stepping out once married after struggling to reconcile having their own family amid the expectations to still act as a branch of their father’s will. This is also a main cause for staying in IBLP for so long as you grow up with such high expectations of your parents and believe they truly know everything and can do no wrong, and are only ever protecting you from the scary world outside your comfortable community.

It’s very interesting to learn about the structure and systems within IBLP and seeing the families affected by it. There are IBLP conferences which include a display of ‘model families’ that come on stage and perform a musical number (acapella of course- no devil instruments!) in their well groomed and perfectly matching, modest attire. This is one of the things that might sound okay initially- you have a set of guidelines for families and it makes sense to show and profile some families who display the desired qualities- until you remember that all these people are sinners saved by the grace of God and our only model is Christ alone. There are plenty of additional examples of something that sounds okay until you start to process it and remember the greater instruction of Scripture. As is the case for other cults, IBLP also has one main person dictating what is suitable for families, claiming this is from the Bible, but a little personal study time will render those expectations personal preference, not Biblical mandate. In the case of IBLP specifically, the one man dictating Godly living for families was an old single man who never married or had a family of his own. And if you know anything about my view of leadership, one main point for a good leader is to never ask of your followers anything that you would not do, have not done, or don’t know how to do yourself. Obviously Bob Gothard was all talk and no example in his demands for ‘model families’ which is a trigger for me.

Unfortunately, Jill experienced a myriad of additional difficulties growing up in relation to becoming a ‘filming family’ as her dad so proudly labeled them. Even though she was 12 when the first documentary filmed and 16 when the reality show officially started, Jill still grew up in the spotlight and remained part of the show for decades. Jill does a good job of illustrating the advantages of filming, such as buying extravagant groceries for a large family during filming weeks, building a new ‘Big House’ for the family, having the Network pay for and film her meeting her future husband in Nepal and beginning their relationship, hosting and airing their wedding. However, there are obvious dangers of growing up in the spotlight and the pressure a family feels to perform in a certain manner for the public expectations. In Jill’s mentions of filming it seems to be very motivated by money and casually referred to as ‘an opportunity from God’ to share how beneficial it is to have a large family. It is easy to see how this attitude and perception of filming as a ministry puts lots of pressure on the older kids to remain within IBLP and continue filming for the popular TV series.

Needless to say, IBLP is a chaotic and unhealthy cult that I hope the families involved are able to re-evaluate their involvement and seek Christ personally. It is very encouraging to read Jill’s story and hear how she met her missionary husband, they served overseas as a missionary family, and are seeking to live and raise their boys according to Scripture, not IBLP practices. My hopes for the Duggar family are the same as the Dillard’s. For them to evaluate their personal relationship with Christ as individuals and to reconcile over any differing opinions.

Read Along 2023

Here’s my book list for 2023

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams…  181 pages…… Book series to start the year, science fiction, Isaac’s book, humor…. finished 20 January… recommend

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams….  200 pages…  Book series to start the year, science fiction, Isaac’s book, humor…. finished 2 February… recommend

Don Quixote by Cervantes… 940… Classic, fiction, book you should have read in High School, over 500 pages, written in a different language….. 12 March….   recommend

Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo…. 206…. non-fiction, Christian living, celebrity memoir, cults, published this year….  23 March…… recommend

Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams…..  199….  Book series to start the year, science fiction, Isaac’s book, humor…. finished 31 March… recommend

Share Your Story by Kate Motaung….  137…  non-fiction, advance copy, favorite author, writing…..  8 April…. recommend… review on Amazon

So long, and thanks for all the fish by Douglas Adams….  167…. Book series to start the year, science fiction, Isaac’s book, humor…. finished 15 April… 

Courageous Series by Voice of the Martyrs…..  pages…. book series, children’s books, non-fiction, biographies, historical, Christian Living…..   24 April……  recommend

Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams….  230….  Book series to start the year, science fiction, Isaac’s book, humor…. finished 2 May

Wild Ride by Hayley Arceneaux…  181….. memoir, non-fiction, cancer survivor, astronaut, recommended by YouTubers….  12 May… recommend

Another Gospel by Alisa Childers…. 240…. non-fiction, Christian living, Youtuber author…. 29 May…. recommend

How to Write With Flair by Heather Holleman…. 115… non-fiction, writing, recommended by dad… 10 June

Lilith by George MacDonald…. 252… fiction, fantasy, book from college, classic…. 13 July

Dona Quixote: Rise of the Knight by Rey Terciero….   243….  fiction, graphic novel, inspired by another book, netgalley….  16 July…..  recommend

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte….  431….  fiction, classic, female author, recommended by friends….. 23 July…..  recommend

Children of the Phoenix by Oskar Kallner….  180….  children’s book, netgalley, science fiction, YA…..  25 July

Easy to Believe by John Hendricks…. 131…  non-fiction, Christian living, cults, book from a friend……  31 July…. review on Amazon

2am at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino….  260….. fiction, NC bookstore, picked for title and summary, magic realism….  6 August

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald…..  238….  fiction, favorite author, fantasy, children’s lit, classic….. 31 August…. recommend

Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis…  audiobook….  fiction, Christian living, classic, favorite author, recommended by friends…..  4 September….  recommend

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry…. 193….  non-fiction, memoir, Christian living, homosexuality, celebrity…. 24 September…..  recommend

Being Henry by Henry Winkler…  audiobook…. celebrity memoir, non-fiction, netgalley……  30 September…..  recommend

Take a Step with Him by Karen Brough….  246….  non-fiction, favorite author, advanced copy, Christian living…… 30 September…..  recommend

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande…..  263…..  non-fiction, humanity, recommended by dad, old age…. 3 November  recommend

Awake and Alive to Truth by John Cooper….  116…. non-fiction, Christian living, celebrity author….. 8 November

Dear Future Mama by Meghan Trainer….  204….  non-fiction, celebrity memoir, motherhood, published in 2023….  12 November….  recommend

Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix….  218…..  fiction, fairytale retelling, reread from childhood, YA…….  19 November….  recommend

Sister’s First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush…..   244….  non-fiction, celebrity memoir, twin authors, NC bookstore….  25 November…..  recommend

Christmas Stories by Max Lucado…..   286….  fiction, Advent, multiple stories…..  30 November….  recommend

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard….  267… non-fiction, celebrity memoir, cults, Christian living, published this year….  6 December…..  recommend

The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald….  audiobook…..  favorite author, fiction, fantasy, continued story, children’s lit, classic…..   8 December….  recommend

Doors by Susan Zeder….  50….  play, fiction, Children’s….  10 December

Museum by Tina Howe….. 54…..  play, fiction, social commentary, favorite author….  14 December

33 books! And that’s not all the children’s books included. I haven’t read that many books since I started keeping track of what I read each year. How exciting! 3 audiobooks, 13,544 pages, 6 memoirs, 9 Christian Living, 2 plays

Children’s Books: Pancake the Cat: From Funny to Fearless, Sally’s New Look, I Can’t Believe They’re Gone, Go Tell Everyone, Crow Helps A Friend, Last to be Chosen

And yes, I am still posting some reviews of some of the books I read in 2023 so if you don’t see a link to a book it might be coming in 2024.

The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald

For those of you following along, here’s another George MacDonald book! This is a second story following Irene and Curdie after the events with the Goblins concluded. And it delivers!

My goodness, I enjoyed this book so much. The library only had an audio version available so I listened to it on my way to and from work during the week. The only downside to that was the inability to underline so many phenomenal lines I heard. There is such a gospel- centered thread of language throughout the novel. So many parallels and beautiful descriptions that make me want to know more about MacDonald because of the evidence of his salvation in his language.

This story continues after the events with the Goblins in the first book. It features Curdie and Irene’s great great grandmother interacting at the beginning making me think the reader would not see Curdie reunited with Irene and her father after they rode off in the last book. I do enjoy the Old Princess and her magical ways, but I was quite eager to see the dynamic duo together again. The Old Princess sends Curdie off on a mysterious journey with lots of cryptic instructions and he does encounter Irene and her father where trouble is waiting for Curdie. In quite a fun and majestic way, Curdie helps Irene and her father overcome the numerous obstacles keeping them from success. Along the way we hear many one liners that directly relate to the Christian life. Even in the conclusion alerting the readers that we will not get anymore Curdie and Irene stories we see such a replication of Biblical events that furthered my appreciation for MacDonald and his works. Also I am more excited to continue my efforts in reading his work and learning more about him. I would certainly recommend this book!

Dona Quixote: Rise of the Knight by Rey Terciero

Dona Quixote: Rise of the Knight is a graphic novel coming out in September and I am so excited for it! I am not the traditional graphic novel reader, but I do try to read a variety of genres and styles. I was particularly drawn to this story because I recently read Don Quixote De La Mancha and was fascinated to see someone create a modern variation paying homage to the original work.

Bearly Reading 2022- final list

A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid…….. 136 pages…. fiction, Christmas, book featuring a character with a disability……….. finished reading 1 January

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella…….. 435…… fiction, favorite author……. 13 January….. recommend

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke…………. 663…. fiction, fantasy series, book about books……. 3 February…….. highly recommend

Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry……….168…. non-fiction, Christian living, book by a person I admire…….. 28 February…… recommend

Story of With by Allen Arnold………. 268……. non-fiction, Flourish book club, book about writing…… 6 March….. recommend

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand……… 466……. fiction, mystery, random book from the library…… 12 March

The Enchanted Castle by E Nesbit………. 291………. fiction, book I never finished previously……. 21 March

Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller………. 195……… non-fiction, memoir, book chosen by cover……. 3 May

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud………. 230……. non-fiction, recommended by a friend, lifestyle, career………. 21 May……. recommend

The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith……… 132……. non-fiction, Flourish book club, writing instructional……. 28 June

The Brontes: Eccentric Lives by Robert Johanson…… 62……. play, book bought in another country…… 29 July

Influence by Shannon Popkin and Kate Motaung………… 138…….. non-fiction, Flourish book club, book by an author I follow, writing related, Christian, book with two authors…….. 26 September

Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks……….. 228……. non-fiction, memoir-ish, book by a couple, marriage, book recommended by YouTubers I follow………5 November

Little Women: Mermaid Edition by Megan Lois Whitehall……… 360….. fiction, retelling of a classic, book for review……. 26 November

Take a Breath With Him by Karen Brough……… 145…… non-fiction, book by a friend, Christian, book for review…….. 23 December……. recommend

In It Together by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes……….. 205…….. non-fiction, philosophy, book for review……. 31 December

16 books completed, 4,122 pages, 6 fiction, 10 nonfiction, 1 play, 3 writing related, 4 Christian living, 4 did not finish (not listed, 3 will finish in 2023), additional book reviews from end of 2022 coming soon

What books should I read in 2023?

Moms in Children’s Literature

My dad forwarded me this article about the best and worst moms in children’s literature asking my opinion and input. Feel free to read the article first or just keep reading as I mention the mothers listed for context.

The 5 worst moms are listed as the Evil Queen from Snow White, Petunia Dursley from Harry Potter Series, Lady Tremaine from Cinderella, The Other Mother from Coraline, and Mrs. Wormwood from Matilda. My first point would be to make a distinction on having actual mothers versus stepmothers and adoptive mothers. The literary trope is an evil stepmother with Snow White and Cinderella as primary examples and it remains popular today in reality and fiction.

Some examples include Meredith Blake in The Parent Trap, the witch in Rapunzel (I think she’s called Gothel), and the countless variations of Cinderella over the years which are flooding my mind keeping other examples at bay. A Cinderella Story- Just Ella- Ever After- Ella Enchanted- Cinderella the Brandy version- and the Cinderella Story remakes 2 through eternity. I don’t know the story of Coraline so I cannot speak to the validity of that pick, even though that mother exists in an alternate reality… Not sure.

If you want to find bad biological mothers in stories you can include Mrs. Wormwood for utter neglect and the best thing she ever does for Matilda is sign the papers for Ms. Honey to adopt her instead. I would also include the mother from Hansel and Gretel in this place because she is the one convincing the father to send the children off to get lost and die of starvation in the woods.

Now I will make an argument to keep Mrs. Dursley out of good and bad categories. She belongs more in the neutral category swaying between the extremes because we do see her love for Harry come through the different books whereas there is no argument for those mentioned previously in this bad category to have any affection toward the (step)child of the story.

On to the wonderful! The five mothers mentioned in the article are Ma from Little House on the Prairie, Molly Weasley from Harry Potter, Marmee from Little Women, Dr. Kate from A Wrinkle in Time, and Mrs. Quimby from the Ramona series. Before checking back with the article for the list of good mothers I wrote down Little House on the Prairie because that was a good example of a present mother who came to mind while thinking on the bad mums, and I am not the only one who thinks so! Perfect.

I would easily agree that Ma and Marmee are great examples of good mothers who are involved in the story enough to be mentioned and biological mothers in that category. Mrs. Weasley easily falls into good adoptive mother category as she is a mother figure to everyone who meets her and has that natural nurturing capacity displayed in the series. I do like Dr. Kate and Mrs. Quimby very much, but would defer them to other mothers who play a more direct role in the stories. Certainly not bad mothers, but I would like more involved mothers to receive the good mother spotlight.

I would propose Helen in the Spiderwick Chronicles, Nia in The Wingfeather Saga, and Mama Bear in the Berenstain Bears to join the good mother category for birth mothers involved in the storyline. As an adoptive mother I would suggest Marilla in Anne of Green Gables.

It was a fun article to analyze and report back my thoughts. What about you? Who is your favorite and least favorite mother that I missed? Do you think there should be a list for birth mothers separate from adoptive and step mothers? Let me know in the comments!