Two Reads I Highly Recommend

This month I only have two books to review.  It feels strange not to read as much, but my time has been full of traveling and visiting family as well as working on a big crochet project.  Yet sometimes, it is worth it to have quality reading over quantity.  That would be true for the following two books. The first is a book I am rereading aloud with my husband as we travel.  I rarely reread a book but it has been enjoyable to share the adventure again this time with my husband.  It is also fun to notice details and clues the second time around.  The second read helped me better understand our time in Central Asia and bring closure to that season.  Here are the reviews.




1. The King’s Folly by Jill Williamson

This Christian fantasy book is set in the Five Realms with well developed characters and a plot that keeps you reading. Earthquakes are becoming more and more common even with frequent sacrifices to Barthos, the god of the soil. The King of Armania still needs to choose an heir to his throne from his three sons. Who will it be? His choice could determine the future of his realm. Magnonia, a realm ruled by women, is determined to rule all the realms even if it takes magic to do it. Will good triumph over evil? Will the characters step up to the challenge before them and do what is right? This book does a great job of introducing the characters and setting the stage for future books yet having closure at the end of this first book.  At first, I thought I would be overwhelmed by all the different characters, but the author did a great job of making each one memorable and tying everything together enough to keep you reading to find out more.  I really liked seeing how Armen (the true God) drew many of the characters to Himself in ways that fit their personalities just like God does with us today. 
 (Note: I was able to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review) 
This week we stayed with friends, and this book was laying on their coffee table.   Having read Kate McCord’s In the Land of the Blue Burqas, I was intrigued and asked our host about the book.  He told me it was a good and quick read.   He was right even though I would like to go back and digest the material at a slower pace when I have my own copy.  Often as I read, the words brought tears to my eyes as I related to her stories about Afghanistan.  I also appreciated how she talked about that when we go, our friends, family, and churches are affected and go with us in a sense.  She put into words well how it feels to go and why we went to Central Asia.   Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.

“We are not the saviors.  We reveal Christ, but the work is always His. We ache to see people come to know him and grieve when those who do suffer terribly for their father.  This, too, is part of the journey.” (p. 170-171)

How can we keep living, keep loving, and keep giving in the dangerous places God calls us to?  We remember, day after day, that Jesus loves us all and His Spirit is working within us and within our neighbors.  Sometimes we have the privilege of seeing the fruit of God’s Spirit in our lives and in the lives of others.  When we do, we rejoice.  Other times we walk by faith, confident in the the things we hope for, the things we cannot see.” 

As I read, I prayed for my fellow workers and friends back in Central Asia that they would see God’s heart in that place and that the seeds that have been planted would grow and come to harvest time.  I also just put in an order for a few copies of this book to give to family and friends to say thank you for coming on this journey with us.

Once again I am linking up with Modern Ms. Darcy’s Quick Lit  as different bloggers share what they have read this month. Also there are affiliate links in this post.


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