The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan - A Book Review

  

Cindy Morgan has won thirteen Dove awards, including Songwriter of the Year. She has written two adult non-fiction books, and one children's picture book. The Year of Jubilee is her debut adult fiction novel, but it reads like the work of a seasoned author. This coming-of-age story is told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird who is growing up in the small town of Jubilee, Kentucky in 1963. Her story focuses on challenges to the relationships within her family and among different parts of her community. Those having grown up in the south during the civil rights movement will identify with the struggles, as unfortunately will some who still see or live with disparities. Morgan deals with the theme of the purpose of suffering within both of these storylines, doing so with great wisdom and empathy. Her character development for both primary and secondary characters is skillfully accomplished resulting in strong emotional reactions on the part of the reader.

Even though we are only a third of the way through the year, I believe The Year of Jubilee will be one of my top five book at year's end. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - A Book Review

    

Things don't have to be perfect to get the job done. That was something that Creed Raines had been a long time in learning. Sarah Loudin Thomas challenges her readers to consider the cost of seeking perfection, the cost of making safety and security top priorities. She does this through immersing readers in Loyal Raines' coming-of-age story. Having lost his hearing nine years earlier as a four-year-old, Loyal's deep desires to fit in in a hearing world, to be loved and supported by a father who was burdened with guilt, and to be trusted by a mother who wanted to shelter him, propel him through both the difficulties and adventures of the summer of 1934, the summer he found the dead man on the river bank.

I read this book in two days being compelled to put aside much else in order to see how Thomas would work out all of the different aspects of this story. She wove a beautiful tale of learning, trusting, loving, and redemption. I most highly recommend The Right Kind of Fool, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - A Book Review

   

I typically review Christian fiction; while This Tender Land is a coming-of-age story of a young boy's desperate search for an accurate view of God, it is definitely outside the realm of Christian fiction. It did, however, give me a lot to think about as I share the love of God with those whose life experiences have caused them to view Him as uncaring and even cruel.

Odie and his brother, Albert, are orphans placed in the care of the Lincoln Indian Training School, although they were not Native Americans. There they were often beaten and isolated. Any glimmer of hope was almost immediately extinguished. Circumstances led them to flee from the school and the law accompanied by six-year-old Emmy and a mute Sioux named Mose. Their paths crossed those whose actions contributed to Odie's view of God, sometimes confirming, other times softening.

Outside of frequent vulgar language, the story is very well written, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it. I was provided a copy from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.