Though some of you are following me on Goodreads, I have decided to track my monthly readings here on the blog as well. You may remember my #19for2019 post from the beginning of the year where I set a goal of reading 100 books this year. Due to an extremely hard load consisting of my work responsibilities, Masters classes, Literacy Specialist certification, and just life in general, I am way behind on my goal (55 books right now). Nonetheless, I you can have a look at what I read in November.
William Wilberforce: Freedom Fighter
Betty Steele Everett
Though very short, this book summarizes William Wilberforce’s life — his upbringing, salvation, political career, and most importantly his fight for abolishing of slavery. I loved the little details about his life and the devotion to his Lord. He was willing to die to himself so that God could use him.
“His warfare is accomplished, his course is finished, he kept the faith.”
Sarah’s Key
Tatiana de Rosnay
Similarly to Sophie’s Choice, this book speaks about the terrors Jewish families had to endure during World War II. The story begins in Paris in July 1942. Thousands of men, women, and children are rounded up and taken to Vel d’Hiv, in indoor velodrome France originally built to host the 1924 Summer Olympics. When the Nazis gave orders to roundup all Jews, the French police took matters into their own hands.
One night, Sarah and her brother are woken up by a loud bang on the door. When her mother opens the door, the French police orders them to pack up some clothes and follow them. Sarah, believing that they will come back home soon, locks her little brother in a secret cupboard — promising him that she will come back for him.
It is hard to review Sarah’s Key without going into too much detail (aka spoiling the whole book). I have always been a firm believer in the importance of remembering the evils that were done during the War. This book not only describes what the children must have felt when the Nazi helpers took them away from their homes, but also what the survivors felt when they realised their families were not coming back.
“Where are you, my little Michel? My beautiful Michel. Where are you now? Would you remember me? Michel. Me, Sarah, your sister.
The one who never came back; the one who left you in the cupboard; the one who thought you’d be safe.”
I love Frances Ridley Havergal and the truth and encouragement her hymns are filled with. Until now, I never knew much about her personal life. This tiny biography contains not only her salvation testimony but also the joys and struggles God allowed her to have. The illustrations only add to the sweetness of this story. The only think that was a bit distracting is the free verse Eileen Berry used to write this book.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and BJU Press for sending me this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
God’s Missionary
Amy Carmichael
What should I even say about a book written by such a godly and inspiring missionary? Amy Carmichael was always ready to examine her life against the Word of God. She lived what she preached and she loved sharing what God laid on her hearth. This tiny book has been such a blessing to me! I would especially recommend it to those whom God called to full-time Christian service!
“It is possible to touch the spirit of the world at many points with the best intentions, without making any appreciable difference in its worldliness. We may influence the tone of a community for the space of the hour we spend in it, but does our presence there lead to opportunities for direct unequivocal work for our Lord? If not, is it worthwhile?”
So, there you have it! I can’t believe I only read 4 books (other than couple of Beatrix Potter’s books I re-read). November was a bit crazy, but December has already been a bit better — at least as far as reading goes. Fans of Utopia/Dystopia should definitely come back in January to read the next issue of What I Read Last Month.
