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A Stack of Books, Part 22

Summer is in full swing now, so what do you do when it’s so hot out that you sweat walking to the fridge for some ice tea? Spend the afternoon reading books, of course!

Despite how short todays list of recent reads is, it does actually amount to 14.5 volumes (not too shabby, if I do say sošŸ˜‚) And they have all been pretty awesome reads in their own rights, too (double score).

Let’s dive in!


Anonymous Noise, volumes 1-2 ā€“ I learned about this series from a fellow Bookstagrammer, and after finding volume one at the library and perusing through it, I picked up the first two volumes (because that was all they had on the shelf!) Itā€™s a high school romance centered around musicians, in particular a vocalist who is trying to reconnect with her childhood friend. There is drama and quirky bandmates stuck in the ā€˜friend zoneā€™ and le classic love triangle (sorta. I mean, she likes one guy but both guys like her but only she is really open with her feelings . . .) Iā€™m going to stop saying that shojo (romance) isnā€™t my genre, since I keep picking it up, but for this one Iā€™m in to see how the MC moves forward after the harsh rejection at the end of volume 2. It does have an engaging storyline and an interesting cast of characters, so Iā€™m definitely up for more.

Finding God in Anime 2 ā€“ Yā€™all, if you remember back in late May/early June all the hype I had going for this book when it first released, then you probably have a good idea of how much I enjoyed this book. Itā€™s a devotional and itā€™s chock full of biblical truths that can be found in anime (which, if youā€™re unaware, is an art style designated to Japanese animation, from which it originated). Now, this is not really any different than finding biblical truths in any other story under the sun, but for otakus, who seem to be in a league of nerd-dome all our own, it is so encouraging to see written right in front of us the evidence of our Christian beliefs displayed in our favorite stories that are generally viewed as more ā€˜out-thereā€™ than other stories. I mean, people are far more used to the idea of finding God in LOTR or Narnia than they are in Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist. But He is there in those stories. His truth. His principles. His teachings. All portrayed in a format that is easy for us to understand: story. And in the case of this devotional: specifically anime. For me, having this pointed out for the first time was a life changing plot twist! Volume 1 was a game changer. Volume 2 is a rallying cry. Turns out you can like anime and love Jesus without compromising your faith. It also proves that God can reach His people wherever theyā€™re at. No good story is unusable for the kingdom.

Shadow of Honor ā€“ Whoa! This is the third book of the Droseran Saga and was a pulse-cannon to my brain . . . and my heart. Kendig drops us straight into the action with world-destroying creatures, political subterfuge, and a desperate struggle to get home to the ones you love. I had forgotten just how intense this story isā€”amping up with each volume as the series progressesā€”and was swept inexorably away by the vivid action, compelling characters, and epic developments that unfolded at every turn. Jadon made me laugh almost every time he opened his smarmy mouth and I shared Tigoā€™s frustrations, felt for Marcoā€™s battle between his suicide mission and wanting to go home to Isaura and the wee lass. And then thereā€™s Daqā€™ti. I liked him from the moment we met, and watching his character development over the wild course of events was mysterious, fascinating, endearing, and downright COOL.

Natsumeā€™s Book of Friends, volumes 1ā€“10 ā€“ I love this series. As with most manga, I watched the anime first and fell in love with the ā€˜slice-of-lifeā€™ supernatural feel of the world and story. Set in Japan, itā€™s about a boy who can see creatures called yokai that are usually invisible to other people. Because of that heā€™s been labeled a liar and a weirdo his whole life, shuffled around after his parentsā€™ death with no friends and nowhere to call home. The course of the story follows his interactions with both people and yokai and how he slowly makes connections in both worlds through the crazy adventures that he gets involved in. Itā€™s fun and sweet and humorous and a little spooky at times with a strong thread of friendship, doing what is right even if itā€™s dangerous or unpopular, and sticking to your convictions in the face of conflicting ideals. I canā€™t get enough of these guys!


Currently Reading

In the Land of the Everliving ā€“ Book 2 in the Eirlandia trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead. I read book 1 several months back and was lax in purchasing the next two until a little while ago, shame on me. But now I’m about halfway through book 2 and am LOVING IT. So full of outcast heroes, deep friendships, and snarky banter! I really appreciate the easy pace of the story, and the writing is just so evocative that I can’t help but get lost in this world of ancient Celtic lore and legend.


Have you read any of these titles? What did you think of it/them? Do any spark your interest? Which one(s)? What have you been reading this summer so far? Got any recommendations?

Published inBook Stuff

4 Comments

  1. Ooh, I really need to read Ronnie Kendig’s series. It’s been on my TBR list forever and I just need to…. stop signing up for ARCs, really. Goodness.

    And I’m SOOO behind on my Stephen R. Lawhead reading. I think he’s written two series that I haven’t read, now! But I’m excited to get to them and read new stories from him, as he’s one of my top favorite authors of ever.

    Thanks for sharing your book stack!

    • Another Lawhead fan!šŸ˜† I haven’t nearly caught up to all of his books, myself, so we can be behind together. From what I can recall, he has the Dragon King series and the Skin Map series that I haven’t read yet. And Byzantium? I don’t remember if there are any others . . .šŸ˜… All I’ll say, though, is that so far, the King Raven trilogy is my absolute favorite of his.

      • Byzantium is REALLY good.

        I enjoyed the Skin Map series, though it wasn’t my favorite of his. I haven’t read the Dragon King since I was in jr high, but I remember liking it. His Pendragon Cycle and Song of Albion are my favorites so far… though I also love his crusades trilogy. And I’m one of the weirdos who really liked his foray into sci-fi. šŸ™‚

        I haven’t read Dreamthief yet or any of his stuff that’s newer than the Skin Map series.

        • Oh, cool! That’s good to hearšŸ˜Š Funny story, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Pendragon Cycle or Patrick (but maybe that’s because when I read them I wasn’t accustomed to ‘adult’ fantasy yet and there were details that weren’t exactly PGšŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜‚ But Song of Albion is a good one, for sure! Dreamthief was . . . interesting, as I recall. And I think the Eirlandia trilogy is the most recent after the Skin Map, but I haven’t checked to be sure.

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