My second-to-last post of mini-reviews for the year! This particular list contains first three books that were a solid four stars, then one that was merely three stars, and finishes with a whopping five stars. What are the books in question, you ask? Here you go!

Continuing my second read-through of The Lord of the Rings, I must say I struggled with the way that the book focuses first entirely on Merry, Pippen, Aragorn, and company, while the second half entirely follows Frodo and Sam’s story. I prefer the way the two storylines were intertwined in the movie version.

That said, I did find that I had more appreciation for the book the second time around, though I still don’t find that I prefer this kind of fantasy novel. The dialogue and characters are hard for me to get into, and the setting and action are impossible for me to visualize. But still, Tolkien had profound things to say and the courage and other virtues on display serve to invigorate me to courage in my daily life.

I have to be honest again — I don’t recall anything about this book except that I got it for free on Kindle a long time ago, I read it in the middle of the night with a nursing baby yet again, and I felt that it was good and helpful at the time. Since I gave it four stars, I feel like I can recommend it even though I don’t remember it. And hopefully some of the advice seeped into my subconscious and has been helping my writing!

This was a book club book, and I did have mixed feelings on it. Since I couldn’t make it to book club that month, I actually sent my thoughts on the book to a friend to share with the group. Here’s what I wrote right afte reading it:

I was back and forth several times whether I liked the book or not. It was so unique in content and style. I ended up deciding I did like it, though I found it a little odd in parts, and I felt like the narration style didn’t always make sense… like the writing was too stylish and “fancy” to be coming from Reuben as a character or something. It just sometimes felt off enough that it distracted me. That said, the writing was beautiful and I admire the author’s way with words immensely. I also really liked the way the themes of faith and growing up were woven in.

Continuing on my quest to read all of Liane Moriarty’s book, I found this audiobook free on Hoopla and listened to it. I found it just okay. As always, I admire the way Moriarty is able to get into different characters’ heads and write from their distinct points of view. And the mystery part was somewhat interesting.

I didn’t find the main character very compelling, however. And the resolution of both the big mystery and several other storylines fell a bit flat for me. It’s probably my second-least favorite of her books, behind only the atrocity that was Three Wishes.

Another book club book, I absolutely loved this one. It was short and easy to read, but addresses realities of the human spirit so powerfully. Time, place, and context are vague (intentionally so) but the story could easily fit almost anywhere or any time. You get a feel for the humanity of both sides of the conflict, and get to see the heroism of utterly ordinary people so strongly.

My book club dubbed this “propaganda done right.” It was powerful, and definitely led me to want to read more of Steinbeck’s works.

I’ll be out of town next week, but should be here the week after for my last group of 2021 reviews!