After this one, just three more posts to go!

I picked this one up at a thrift store at some point years ago because I love the movie, but as usual, didn’t get around to reading it for a very long time.

Ultimately, I didn’t love it. The writing style was engaging, and I like the core story, but I didn’t find it as compelling as the film version. For one thing, there was a lot more language and sexual references, and I didn’t care for that. But I also just didn’t think the characters were as likable for whatever reason. It did make me want to re-watch the movie sometime soon, but I wouldn’t recommend the book.

This one was recommended at a women’s theology conference that I attended with a friend last summer. Despite being something of a theology nerd, I was unfamiliar with the doctrine of divine impassibility, and was hungry for more information after the brief summary given by the conference speaker, so I ordered the book right away.

It makes the case very thoroughly, biblically, and logically for the concept that God does not have emotions, at least not in the same way that we do. That He is not changeable, not affected by us in the way that we are affected by things. It’s a difficult concept, and like all divine attributes our finite minds can’t fully wrap themselves around it, but it’s fascinating to delve into. Definitely read this short book if you’re interested in learning more!

This short book was given away at the same conference I mentioned before, and I found it very helpful as a brief overview on the topic of God’s attributes.

The main thing I found helpful in it was the simple clarity and definition on what constitutes an attribute and what does not, different categories of attributes, and the meaning of a few of the most basic ones. It’s one I definitely need to revisit, and would recommend if you’re interested in becoming more theologically literate.

Number 15 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series… far and away my least favorite thus far. There was really not much in the way of mystery, the plot felt contrived, and the resolution was both unsatisfying and involved values that I very much disagree with. A disappointing installment for me.

Angela gave me this one years ago when I was a new mom, but I never got around to reading it (mom life tends to make my reading life ebb at times), so it was good to finally read this practical and timely book.

While some of it is a bit outdated–some services, technologies, and indie publishing trends have changed since the book was published–I still found it helpful enough to merit a five-star rating. It gave good advice, but also served to re-ignite the spark of publishing and getting my stories out there, something I was very much in need of.

I’ll be back more with five more!