The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Jayna Breigh & Kimberley Woodhouse

Aug24

God At The Centre

The Last Noel is a collection of three stories by Sarah Hamaker, Jayna Breigh and Kimberley Woodhouse. They are Christian contemporary stories set in the run up to Christmas. The three are similar but different. They all have God at the centre.

We learn about the power of forgiveness. “Forgiveness is the way to healing.” When we forgive, we release ourselves from the prison of bitterness. “Lord, God… Help me to pour out forgiveness. Please help no more bitterness to grow.” Sometimes we cannot forgive in our strength. We need to press into God and forgive in His strength.

Life can be difficult at times. We need to lean on God. “Mummy said you talked to God. How do you do that?” asked a five-year-old. God is literally just a prayer away. He will calm all the storms of life. “She’d had to give it completely over to God so she didn’t worry.” We must worry about nothing, and pray about everything.

In Kimberley Woodhouse’s tale Do You Know What I Know?, there ius a literal storm. We witness the community pulling together.

Within life, we may meet bad people. We know that whatever happens, when we know God, we can know that He is in control.

A character in Sarah Hamaker’s story Do You See What I See?, has little self-worth. “When you come from a bad home life… and… aren’t wanted by anyone, you start to believe no one will want to be with you.” She needs to know that she is loved, and that people will stick around.

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Eighty & Out by Kim Cano

Aug23

Very Charming

Eighty And Out by Kim Cano is a very charming and beautiful novel. The narrative sank into my heart and soul.

This is a book about a life and the relationships formed along the way. It is a book that is easy to empathise with – this could be any one of us. When we are young, we fear getting older – checking out at eighty seems sensible! However, as we get older, we realise that life is for living – carpe diem – seize the day!

Snippets of a life are shown over the years. We witness the awful persecution of African Americans in the 1950’s, even in the North.

In school, the lead character is ostracised for daring to be friendly to the new girl who is an African American. In her neighbourhood there is persecution and intimidation. “Shouldn’t we see if they need help?”… “I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ Dad cautioned. ‘It’s best not to get involved.” The grown-ups shy away from helping as they fear personal reprisals. Only a young girl feels empathy and has a conscience.

We witness friendship, and the heartache when one of a pair moves away to college. Even in 1960’s girls were held back from being educated. “Why do you want to go to college?’… A girl getting an advanced education was unheard of.”

The Vietnam War was an unpopular war in America. Boys were called up to fight. Some never came home. Others came home, physically okay but mentally damaged. “I made eye contact with him and wondered what unspeakable horrors he’d experienced over there, he had never told anyone.”

There was a beautiful bond between sisters. Death comes knocking. Grief is hard. “As I watched [her] casket being lowered into the ground, I felt part of me die. [Her] faith in me was my greatest strength. Without her, I was weak.” Death keeps on knocking. “All he can really do is take it day by day.” The road of loss is a hard one to travel. It is literally, one step in front of another.

We want the world to stop turning. “Life just kept coming and I didn’t have a choice.” We have to keep going – and one day we will realise that life is for living again.

Eighty & Out is a beautiful book that I never wanted to end. I loved Kim Cano’s easy style of writing. I look forward to reading more by her.

JULIA WILSON

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Summer Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Aug23

Teamwork Makes The Dreamwork

Summer Term At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is the eighth book in the Malory Towers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the books in order, for timeline progression. And continuity of characters.

Malory Towers was originally penned by Enid Blyton in the 1940’s. Pamela Cox has taken up the reins from book seven onwards. It is a seamless transition as the flow and style is the same as the originals. The books are perfect for the over ten girls.

We rejoin Malory Towers for the summer term, seeing familiar faces, and meeting new ones.

We see the importance of friendship, and learn the value of sharing problems. “Sometimes it helps to confide in someone.” What can be a burden for one, becomes lighter if carried by more.

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Five Have A Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton

Aug19

More Than They Bargained For!

Five Have A Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton is the eleventh book in the Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Familiar faces are off on an adventure again – as a caravanning holiday leads to more than the children bargained for.

Staying in two traditional traveller’s caravans, the five are looking forward to a peaceful time in the countryside.

First, they meet some hostile circus folk, then a face from the past returns, and finally there is a face-off with the bad men! No such thing as a quiet time for the five!

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