book review Archives

Live Not By Lies

A Guide For Christians in the West Author: Rod Dreher It’s difficult right now to be a Christian in the United States – or at least a practicing Christian. It is very much not the “in thing” to have rules, much less live by them, and for those of us who firmly believe that there are some things God forbids (like worshiping other gods) life can quickly become uncomfortable on so many levels, from fear of social ostracism to ramifications at work and with family. That’s why when Live Not By Lies first came out, I was so excited to read it. When [...]

Frances Carden2022-12-24T17:11:38-07:00December 24th, 2022|Tags: book, book review, Christian, nonfiction|

Little Fires Everywhere

Mothers' Lies Author: Celeste Ng Everyone lies. Sometimes, the lies burn everything down. In the quite suburb of Shaker Heights, a place of copycat houses, strict rules, and well off families looking for regulated lives, class warfare is about to explode. The Richardson’s are your typical, well-off suburban family. The mom is a semi-successful reporter who is comfortable, even if she is certainly not living the rebellious dreams of her youth. The dad is a doctor. The teenage kids are all normal – well, except boot wearing, convention defying, semi-crazy Izzy that is. But, every family has to have a black [...]

Frances Carden2022-12-24T13:59:32-07:00December 24th, 2022|Tags: bestseller, book review, class, fiction, motherhood, read, reading, social issues|

Barchester Towers

Drawing Room Drama and Religious Reactions Author: Anthony Trollope In Trollope’s second installment in The Chronicles of Barsetshire, the little town of Barsetshire is alive with drawing room intrigue, this time set along the lines of respectable holy war. The long-lived Bishop of Barchester has recently vacated his post and this life, resulting in a scramble for primacy among the backstabbing candidates. This results in a brand-new bishop, the lamentable (and viciously hen-pecked) Dr. Proudie, who is disgustingly low church and comes with his sidekick and supporter, the Reverend Slope. As Slope fights Mrs. Proudie for the right to rule the [...]

Frances Carden2025-11-26T16:17:38-07:00December 12th, 2022|Tags: book review, Chronicles of Barsetshire, classic, read, reading, reviews, trollope|