The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku: Despite what Eddie Jaku has experienced and written about, this was an accessible book that makes an impact without being too graphic. 4 stars.
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan: Interestingly written, and captivating even though nothing really stood out to me. I did like the protagonist’s thoughts and opinions, though I didn’t agree with everything she does. Not a bad book, but not the best. 3 stars.
The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford: A hilarious, witty classic that focuses on a pair of cousins as they transition from children to women eager for love and marriage, without really knowing what they’re doing. So many funny side characters who made me laugh out loud. 5 stars.
Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford: The sequel to The Pursuit of Love. Not quite as enjoyable, but still carrying the same humour, wit, and enchanting storyline. 4 stars.
Adventures in Prayer by Catherine Marshall: I read nearly a chapter a day after my quiet time with God and appreciated her commentary on different prayers and what she has found to be effective and lasting. 4 stars.
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman: Short chapters make this Christian book easy to read, remember, and apply. I appreciate that at the end of each chapter is a prayer and a practice, allowing the reader to learn and try things that help us “do the next right thing”. While I don’t tend to struggle with decision-making, the points in this book are valuable regardless and I did get a lot out of it. 4 stars.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura: A mysterious, well-written book translated from Japanese to English. I’m not keen on fantasy, but this was the perfect amount of magical realism, intrigue, and heartwarming moments. The characters stick with the reader and the ending was incredibly satisfactory. 4.5 stars.
Instead of writing longer reviews for Goodreads, I thought I’d try shorter thoughts that don’t summarise the book. Let me know what you think!
Sarah xx
the softest words 