REVIEW: Wisdom for Faithful Reading by John Walton

Summary and Review


Walton, Old Testament professor at Wheaton College, presents his overall approach to Old Testament (and in some ways Biblical) interpretation here. Readers of his Lost World books like The Lost Word of the Prophets, will be familiar with the general concepts. While the Lost World books apply these principles in a deep dive with a specific section of scripture, this book presents the overall approach. Many examples are given from Walton and other scholars.

I set an intention for 2024 to read one nonfiction book per month, and this was my January book. And then it became my February book as well. While I was tempted to blitz through to the end in order to check it off the list as “done” and meet that goal, I LOVED digging into this content, and I didn’t want to fly through it just to say I finished. I wanted to read and consider each section. I often read a few “chapters” at a time – or just one longer one – and made notes and dog-earred pages and then set it down for awhile so I could absorb it in polite-sized bits.

This rocked my world. It went into excellent, readable details of things I have encountered in other places about the care necessary when approaching Biblical texts with a 21st century mindset. The writing is conversational and easy to understand. I was challenged by what I read and saw familiar passages in new ways. While I could see using this with Biblical scholars, it doesn’t feel “academic.” (Although if your general approach to scripture is a verse or two at a time through a devotional, this will feel academic.) I think readers will need to approach this like any other scholarly work. Take your time with it; read carefully and closely. It may completely change your approach to reading and studying – and understanding – the Bible. I highly recommend it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: March 5, 2024

Happy March! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


The Imposter – A little girl’s lost stuffy goes missing and then is found – but something about Mr. Snuggles seems…. off.
Just Try It! – A dad tries to convince his daughter to try some new foods.
No Cats in the Library – A book loving cat tries to find a way into the library. I have already pre-ordered this one. It looks perfect!
Cactus Queen: Minerva Hoyt Establishes Joshua Tree National Park (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of the woman who fought for the creation of a national park preserve the desert.
The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith (Nonfiction) – A picture book biography of a “pioneering female drummer.”
Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In! AND Moose Blasts Off! – An early reader graphic novel series starring unlikely friends.
The Critter Club: Liz’s Perfect Painting – Book 27 in this early chapter book series. Liz tries to paint the perfect picture while petsitting.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Absolute Zeros: Camp Launchpad (Graphic Novel) – First in a new series. Three kids work together to save their space camp from a wealthy rival.
Coyote Lost and Found – A sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Coyote is feeling ready to spread her mother’s ashes, but she sold the book where her mother said where she wanted them spread. So Coyote has to track down the book by going back to the places they visited on their first trip – without letting her dad know she lost  the book.
The First State of Being – A boy in 1999, prepping for the looming Y2K crisis encounters a time traveler with a book telling what will happen in the next 20 years, and he’s desperate to get his hands on that book.
Free Period – Two pranksters are forced to join a community action club as punishment, but they discover a cause they actually care about – menstrual products for the kids in their school who need them. I have this one on hold at the library!
Table Titans Club (Graphic Novel) – A new kid at school finds a home in the tabletop gaming club, and then must fight for it and her new friends when the club’s future is put in jeopardy. I have this on hold as well.
The Enigma Girls (Nonfiction) – Middle grade nonfiction from the fabulous Candace Fleming about a secret WWII program using young women to help the war effort.
The No-Girlfriend Rules (LGBTQ+) – In an effort to solidify herself as a “good girlfriend,” Hollis joins a girls tabletop group to learn her boyfriend’s favorite game. (She can’t join his campaign because of the “no girlfriends” rule.) This is on hold at the library, too!
Promchanted – Two quarrelling teens push through a secret door at Disneyland before the prom and find themselves in the middle of Sleeping Beauty’s story – for real. Sounds amazing!
An Unlikely Proposition – Book 2 in the Unexpected Seasons series. Two young women looking to make their own way despite society’s expectations find love in “inappropriate” places. Is there any way for both of them to have the love they want?

 

Books for Adults


Baby X (Hardcover) – In a future world where clones can be made from stolen DNA, a bio-security guard and her client encounter a woman who says she is carrying the client’s baby. This sounds fascinating!
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the terrific Finlay Donovan series. Finlay and Vero plan a girls trip to cover their latest investigation when Finlay’s ex and her mother decide to tag along. I love this series and can’t wait to pick up the latest book!
Kilt Trip (Trade Paperback) – Rivals at a Scotland travel agency find common ground when he creates a private tour for her to places that hold special meaning. I am so grateful to have a fantastic local library – this one is on hold too.
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man (Trade Paperback) – A woman hopes to break an unwanted betrothal by proving her fiancé is a killer – and she wants his brother to help her do just that. But he has his own secrets to protect. This sounds amazing!
Listen for the Lie (Hardcover) – A woman once suspected of her best friend’s murder must open old wounds when a true crime podcast decides to dig into the unsolved case and find a killer.
Take Two Birdie Maxwell (Trade Paperback) – A Hollywood star in need of a career boost finds a letter from an ex who said he wanted her back. But the letter is unsigned. A reporter looking for a career boost as well, goes along on her quest to find the letter writer so he can tell the story – while keeping his own long-time crush on her a secret.
Three Kinds of Lucky (Hardcover) – Book 1 in the Shadow Age series. A woman with a rare talent for working with dangerous magical byproducts is pulled in to help with a research project when something goes awry and sends her, and the professor she was helping, on the run. Yes, please!
Let’s Read the Gospels (Hardcover) – A guided journal from Annie F. Downs to accompany readers who work through the four gospels in a month.

 

REVIEW: Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller

Summary


Charlie’s glad her dad has retired from the military so they can settle in one community for awhile. But at the same time, everything feels different. Her dad seems to know everyone in his old home town, making Charlie feel even more like an outsider. And after so many years when it was just Charlie and her mom, his daily presence in her life makes things awkward and weird at times.

But Charlie has a plan to make all this change start to feel like home. She’s going to make some new friends! She’s done tons of research, and she’s determined to do all the “cool” things so she can fit in right away.

Review


I can see why this has been getting such positive reviews! This is a lovely friendship story while also being about growing up and about identity (my favorite theme in a book). Some of Charlie’s choices are painful to watch – like her bristling at her dad as she tries to figure out where he fits into the family dynamic she and her mom have had for years. And the lying to her potential new friends because she’s trying not to stand out.

There’s a lot here that a book group could dig into for excellent conversation. I’d love to see a group of kids dig into this. The artwork in the graphic novel is lovely! I hope there will be some more Curlfriend stories in the future. Graphic novel fans are going to love this. Kids who like school stories and friendship stories will find a lot here to enjoy, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +