Book Reviews

Looking for some fun, summer fiction? Here are three book reviews from our Facebook page:

Lauren Holbrook series by Erynn Magnum (review by Michaela F.)

LOVE these books! Perfect for a teenage girl who loves to read a good romance comedy novel. Lauren Holbrook is in her early twenties and she works at a photography studio with her long time best friend. When a new secretary is hired and catches her best friend’s attention it is hard for her not to be jealous, but she soon meets a guy who catches her eye. This series of intertwining love stories is full of laughter, friendship and food! Watch as Lauren and her friends go through a time of change that is sometimes hard and confusing, but is good in so many ways.

Christy by Catherine Marshall (review by Courtney R.)

For those of you who like books more like Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, this book is for you. 19-year-old Christy Huddleson hears about a teaching job in the Appalachian mountains through a missions program and immediately takes them up on the offer. Soon she’s said goodbye to her family and is headed to the rural mountain villages where she’ll teach in a one room schoolhouse to children of all ages. Little does she know the what’s in store for her. Her time in the mountains will change her life forever as her eyes are opened to the simple and miserable lives her poverty-stricken students and their families lead. As her relationship with God is challenged in new ways, Christy sees life in a whole new way and finds out that sometimes the simple things are the most beautiful things.

Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn (review by Courtney R.)

Meet Sierra, a unique girl trying to stay true to her faith, make new friends, get a job, and keep her crazy curly hair under control. The series start off with Sierra coming home from a missions trip in Europe. As soon as she steps off the plane her life changes in every way. While she was gone her parents moved in with her aging grandmother in a different city and Sierra has to go to a new school, deal with the mean girls, try to find some sweet girls, and find the city’s best vintage store before she wears out all her old clothes. Oh and there’s also this guy that she can’t get off her mind. She definitely has her work cut out for her! Join Sierra on her crazy adventures as she grows up and discovers who she is and what she’s about.

For more books titles, see our “Resources” page for a list of all the books Not of this World has reviewed.

Ready to Die

Julia hurried through the narrow streets, her cloak drawn over her head. Her breaths were quick as she kept to the shadows avoiding the bright burning lights overhead. She froze and flattened herself against the cold wall as footsteps accompanied by voices drew near. The flames overhead seemed to be taunting her as they flicked closer, daring to reveal her. She closed her eyes tight and sucked in, counting slowly in her head to calm herself. She let out her breath only after they had been gone for five seconds. She quickly scurried away, faster than ever to make up for her lost time.

Finally she arrived, out of breath and with flushed cheeks. She crept down a flight of stone steps and ducked inside the low doorway where ten others sat in the shadows. They all froze as she entered, but once they recognized her they all let out their breath. Smiles lit up everyone’s face and relief was evident in their eyes. They were safe. One of the elderly ladies in the corner patted the ground next to her, inviting Julia to sit. She gratefully lowered herself to the ground and tucked her shaky legs underneath her.

Very quietly, in the dim light of a sole candle, they all began to softly hum. Julia felt her heart warm at the beautiful melody and the beautiful reason for their song. The peace was soon interrupted as three men crashed into their room. Julia’s heart leapt in her chest and she instinctively pressed herself back against the wall. The room was lit only by the torch of one of the men for the original candle had died at their entrance. Julia squinted her eyes just enough to see the stern, ugly face of a Roman guard through the flickering flames of his torch. She felt sick at what was to happen to her and her friends. “Having a secret meeting are we?” The tallest one barked. The room was silent. “Answer me!” He screamed into the deathly silence. No one made a sound. “Alright, I’ll be generous this time.” He sneered, “You all know that Lord Nero despises your like, you Christians.” He spat as he said the word. “So, if you’re not a Christian, I’ll give you five seconds to get out!” He narrowed his eyes at them through the flames.

Julia’s mind raced and her throat went dry. She could escape, they all could. But if she left she’d be proclaiming that everything she believed in was a myth. She knew everyone was thinking the same thing. After a second half the people in the room ran past the guards without looking back. Julia watched them flee and made a choice that could very well cost her her life. She decided to stay. The elderly lady next to her stayed also.

It was only the two of them and three others. They sat, waiting, for certain death. After a few seconds the tall guard gave a big sigh, almost in relief. He pulled off his helmet and placed his torch on the wall. His mean eyes suddenly looked warm and friendly. “Good, all the fakes are gone.” He lowered himself to the ground as did the other two “guards”. Julia was amazed. Tears spilled down her cheeks and onto the rough floor. That night she truly worshiped from her heart.*

Most of you probably don’t live in a place where you’re persecuted for our beliefs, but what if you did? Would you be ready to die?

“I don’t care about my own life, the most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

-Acts 20:24

*Based on a true story