Believing God by Beth Moore

Thinking back to when I began reading Believing God I realized it has taken me a couple of years to get from start to finish. Yes, years. But I don't believe that to be without intention. 

You see, the premise behind Beth Moore's Believing God is, as you might have guessed, learning how to believe God. I have to say when I picked up this book I didn't know I struggled with unbelief. Growing up in a Christian home and attending Christian school my whole life I was pretty certain I knew what I believed. But what I hadn't recognized was the difference between believing in God and actually believing God.

As I developed a deeper understanding and recognition of this truth, I became consciously aware of doubt in my life. All these promises the Lord has given me I'd heard but doubted I'd ever receive. Because I, much like the Israelites, did not believe the Lord would ever take me to my promised land. In order to kick my relationship with the Lord up a notch from believing in Him to believing Him, I needed to read this definition of what "promised land" actually means: 

“Your personalized Promised Land is the abiding place where you get to see God keep the promise of a great harvest through your life ”

— p. 7

One of my most frequent prayers is that I would be able to get to know the Lord better. Understanding that the "promised land" for my life is not an actual receiving of physical blessings, but rather a harvest of spiritual returns deepened my relationship with the Lord in a new and profound way.  

As I soaked in each chapter I could almost see literal, physical parallels going on in my life reflecting what I was learning. Almost like I was taking steps through my desert of unbelief, across my own Jordan River, to the edge of my own Promised Land. And this is why I believe it took me so long to complete this read. I needed to truly live it out so that the Lord's truth could change my heart. 

To say I highly recommend this book would be an understatement. Believing God changed how I approach my relationship with God and strengthened my faith in a life-changing way. 

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

We all know Julian Fellowes is an excellent writer from our love of Downton Abbey, but I could not turn the pages of Belgravia fast enough. This novel is full of intrigue, mystery, love and excitement and if you are a period piece lover like myself, I could not recommend Belgravia more.

Opening the night before the Battle of Waterloo in Brussels, Fellowes introduces readers to a mismatched pair of young lovers, Sophia and Edmund, from contradicting social standings. Their love, however, unites their families through a deep secret that is not revealed till roughly 30 years later back in their home country of England. This secret is not the only unifying thread, though. The novel is named for the neighborhood in which these families reside, Belgrave Square, built by the father of Sophia. 19th century London proves to be a “small town” as individual storylines quickly cross streets.

What was so great about the plot of Belgravia, was how inquisitive I was while reading it. I kept wanting more detail and answered questions through each page flipped. And just when I would think I knew where the twist lied, I was completely surprised by revealed facts.

My favorite part about this novel is the attention to character development. Fellowes writes from the perspective of all characters equally, and you truly feel as if you understand each of them. All of the characters have their own history, desires and storyline. One could argue there is not one true protagonist or antagonist, which keeps things ever interesting, and never dull. And of course, all of these storylines are connected to one another, culminating in the final pages.

Belgravia receives a 5 out of 5 from me and goes onto my list of top favorites. It is definitely a novel I will pick up again in my lifetime.

Happy reading!

Go Set A Watchman

If I were to use one phrase to describe Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman it would be "growing pains." This sequel is set during the 26th year in the life of To Kill A Mockingbird's beloved Jean Louise Finch. She is all grown up now, living life away from Maycomb. 

Harper Lee's writing style does not deviate much, if at all, from her original work in To Kill A Mockingbird.  I would also mention that this is truly a sequel- meaning, you will want to have read the original before picking up these pages. And if you haven't read To Kill A Mockingbird, the next few paragraphs might not make much sense. 

From page 1 you feel yourself fall right back into the slow paced, one stop, quintessential, southern town that is Maycomb. While the town is the same, however, you immediately feel that the people are not. Beginning with Jean Louise. I don't want to give too much of the novel away, but I will say that Lee ventures back over the last 20 years of Scout's life that we have missed and recreates who you imagined her to grow up to be. She seems hardened and unlike what we (or at least I) envisioned. But like I said, growing pains. 

When I set out to read this work I was afraid that it would take away pieces of To Kill A Mockingbird from me. I didn't want to ruin the love I had for the classic, and I have to be honest, until about 3/4 of the way through Go Set A Watchman, my fears were coming true. The last quarter, though, sweeps you back to right where you want to be with Atticus and Scout and you remember why you loved their younger selves. 

Speaking of Atticus, he is as steady as the town of Maycomb itself. Harper Lee writes, "His private character was his public character," verifying what we all knew to be true about him from day one. Another constant of the novel is the political unrest surrounding Maycomb county and the South between whites and blacks. This political unrest coupled with Atticus's consistent character, push forth Jean Louise's growing pains. She is described as "born color blind." Her color blindness is the root to all that is Go Set A Watchman. 

On a scale of 1 to 5, my recommendation for Go Set A Watchman sits at 3.5. It's one of those novels you feel like you need to read because there was a lot of hype surrounding its release and because you feel as though you truly know the characters. I think you can live your life without ever reading the book, but considering Lee's writing style is simple, with a touch of humor, I'd call this one an easy read and a healthy library addition. 

"For thus hath the Lord said unto me, 

Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth."

-Isaiah 21:6