Category Archives: American Literature

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: Techniques and strategies for freeing your life from clutter. Review: I am a bit obsessed with decluttering (and hoarding, too, which I guess makes sense) so I knew I just had to read Organized Simplicity. I have become a huge fan of Tsh’s blog and podcast and at this point I think I will basically read anything she writes! We live in an apartment and don’t really have a ton of space. Basically, if we own it, we are looking at it. I didn’t…

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Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women by Susan Hunt

American Literature

Synopsis: A study on how to cultivate mentoring relationships among women. Review: We read through Spiritual Mothering in my Friday morning moms’ Bible Study, and we all really got a lot out of it. The basic idea is that women grow spiritually both by looking up to women who are older than them, either in age or in spiritual maturity, and that women also grow spiritually by becoming mentors themselves. The book offers insights from the Bible and from the author’s own spiritual journey and…

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I Can’t Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas Cult by Wendy J. Duncan

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: A woman reflects on her time with Ole Anthony’s Trinity Foundation, which left after realizing that she was in a cult. Review: I Can’t Hear God Anymore was interesting for its insight into how someone becomes involved in a cult, though it was a little on the rambly side. I wanted a bit more theology, though I did appreciate the depth of her psychological self-awareness.

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Triumph: Life After the Cult–A Survivor’s Lessons by Carolyn Jessop

American Literature

Synopsis: After fleeing the FLDS with her 8 children, Carolyn Jessop becomes involved in the events following the raid on the FLDS compound where 400 children were taken by CPS because underage girls were being forced into plural marriages with old men. Review: I am fascinated by closed communities, and Triumph taught me so much about the inner workings of the FLDS, a radical sect of Mormonism that puts plural marriage at the forefront of their theology. Even better, I learned so much about what…

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Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

American Literature 3 Comments

Synopsis: Girl falls in love with vampire. Review: I know, I know, I’m a total latecomer to Twilight. And honestly I never would have picked it up if it weren’t for my dear friend’s commentary at Reads4Tweens. I also never would have read it if I hadn’t been able to get it for free for my Kindle from the library. I’ve never been that into vampires or romances. It wasn’t written as badly as I thought it was, but there were still some chunks that…

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The Games by Ted Kosmatka

American Literature

Synopsis: A geneticist prepares a computer-designed monster for competition in an Olympic gladiatorial competition between genetically engineered creatures, only the codes may have engineered the creature for more than just a game. Review: The Games is a fast-paced, scary thriller that harkened back to Michael Crichton’s down-and-dirty days. I have to say I regretted finishing it so late at night! Creepy monster + creepy computer + gladiatorial spectacle = quite the riveting read. Plus the prose was better-than-average and I actually enjoyed the author’s style.…

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Grace by T. Greenwood

American Literature

Synopsis: A father takes his son out to the woods–and takes aim, calling him a monster, and only the events of the previous year can explain how things went this far. Review: In Grace, T. Greenwood returns to Two Rivers for this intimate, gut-wrenching tale of a family gone so wrong that their troubles spiral out and affect everyone around them. Elsbeth is unhappy, her only pleasure in life her six-year-old daughter Gracy. Her husband Kurt is breaking his back in fear of a looming…

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Hapenny Magick by Jennifer Carson

American Literature

Synopsis: A tiny Hapenny named Mae finds herself fighting against a disguised troll who wants to turn Mae and the other Hapennies into food for her troll friends. Review: Hapenny Magick is an adorable little fantasy tale, perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy fantasy stories. The world is charming, the characters imaginative, and the illustrations captured my four-year-old’s attention in a positive way. I think she’ll enjoy this one when she’s old enough to read it.

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Daughters of Zion: My Family’s Conversions to Polygamy by Kim Taylor

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: A memoir by a girl who grew up in a Mormon sect practicing polygamy that spawned a feud between brothers that became a massacre. Review: In Daughters of Zion, Kim Taylor really made me understand the inner life of a girl who would accept polygamy. I really appreciated her honesty and candor in portraying the spiritual abuse she suffered and how she never questioned what was going on around her. She also showed the positive side of growing up in a tight knit community,…

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

American Literature

Synopsis: Against the backdrop of a dreamlike traveling circus, two magicians pit their powers against each other in a battle royale complicated by the transcendent love growing in spite of the rigid constraints of the game. Review: I had low-ish expectations for The Night Circus. I couldn’t wrap my brain around the weird plot description, and the glowing reviews had me suspicious that the book was all superficial charm. I could not put the book down. I was utterly transported into the world of the…

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