reading Archives

War of the Worlds

“This isn't a war. It never was a war, any more than there's war between man and ants.” Author: H.G. Wells H.G. Wells created the entire genre of alien invasion survival narratives. The way we imagine it now – through TV, movies, books, comics, you name it – all points back to The War of the Worlds. Now, I’m a fan of disaster fiction, and I’ve been salivating to get some time with this classic for years. Finally, I had the book and the time, but I quickly discovered that my anticipation outweighed the actual power of the narrative, if not [...]

Frances Carden2025-07-19T14:48:28-07:00July 19th, 2025|Tags: alien, alien invasion, aliens, book review, classic, H.G. Wells, read, reading, sci-fi, science fiction|

Captive in Iran

"Whatever God has planned is what will happen." Authors: Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh are tricked into visiting the Iranian police station, responding to an incorrect notice about a car registration. What happens next is their sudden, vicious imprisonment for being Christians and a 259-day stint in the world’s most notorious prison, Evin. As Captive in Iran unravels, Maryam and Marziyeh share the story of their imprisonment, the deprivations and unexpected moments of connection and hope. They were both given a simple out: renounce Christ and stop sharing Christianity with strangers and they would be [...]

Frances Carden2025-07-14T18:15:11-07:00July 14th, 2025|Tags: book review, Christian, Christianity, evangelism, Iran, memoir, nonfiction, prayer, read, reading|

Bad Tourists

Bad Tourists, Bad Logic, Bad Story Author: Caro Carver Three friends, bonded by collective loss and trauma, take a fancy trip to the Maldives on the ten-year anniversary of the massacre that drew them together. Camilla, an influencer/fitness instructor in an open marriage lost her brother in the killing. Darcy lost her mentor/boyfriend, and Kate is the sole survivor of that fateful night. They all found each other later, online, and bonded over a shared conviction that the man who was caught and prosecuted was not the true killer. Now in the Maldives, ostensibly celebrating Darcy’s divorce, they try to relax [...]

Frances Carden2025-07-14T10:23:30-07:00July 14th, 2025|Tags: Bad Tourists, book review, botm, read, reading, thriller|