4/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“Sometimes you have to do the work even if you don’t feel like it. Sometimes you have to put away your wants and do what needs to be done, which really means dying to self in order to find life.”

Adorning the Dark is all about community, calling and creating told through the life of Andrew Peterson. It is part biography, part spiritual growth, part handbook.

Reading as a Disciple

“Over the gateway of Self is a sign that says, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter.” It is a hellish, helpless place. Die to self. Live to God. Let your words and music be more beautiful by their death in the soil of worship, that the husk of your own imperfection might fall away and germinate into some bright, eternal song only God could have written.”

Dying to self is one of those Christian phrases that we hear often but are completely unsure how to live out. I like this quote because it gives some framework for that living out. I should desire that my “own imperfection might fall away and germinate into some bright, eternal song.” So much of dying to self, is being ok with our imperfections and letting God use our willingness to serve and obey despite what we see as weaknesses. Peterson gave many examples of doing things that were bigger than himself, it was not what was “advised” but what he felt God leading him to do and God was glorified.

Reading Communally

“You’ll be tempted to slow down, or take an easier route- but it is only by discipline that you’ll finish, and it is only in finishing that you’ll be able to offer up your humble work to those weary souls who may need it.”

I can say that discipline is not something I excel at. It takes a lot of effort to practice discipline. Even for something I enjoy like carving, I know I should practice more but there are days I’m tired or feel “uninspired.” Peterson urges the reader to practice perseverance in whatever craft you practice, not just for ourselves but also for the benefit of others. We are offering up beauty and truth to others and what people do with that is “[God’s] business and none of [ours],” a paraphrase of a Flannery O’Connor quote that Peterson mentions. Being in community can bring growth and refinement as others weigh in on our offerings but can also bring confusion and discouragement if we put too much weight on the opinions of others. It is a fine line to walk, between doing what we feel God has led us to do and listening to the outside voices, even those of people we respect. It is a tension to manage.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Adorning the Dark. It was masterfully done, it didn’t feel like a “teachy” book, it had plenty of stories from Andrew Peterson’s life but there was much to ponder and reflect over. It is for any artist but it is aimed more for singers and songwriters.

Other books:

Not only is Andrew Peterson a musician but he is the author of multiple other books that I would say are must reads including The Wingfeather Saga, which if you haven’t read, go read it now!

A formational book review by Megan

4.5/5 stars

“I had desired it [creating a being] with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished; the beauty of the dream vanished; and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”

Many people through out the world know about Frankenstein, Hollywood has given much attention to this tale of terror but fewer people actually read the book and know that Frankenstein is actually the name of the scientist who creates the monster, not the other way around.

Lance and I both read this book along with two of our friends here in Port Townsend. We recently got together to discuss the book so this book review will not follow the usual format.

I read the 1818 Frankenstein version that includes notes and discussion questions from Karen Swallow Prior, a Christian professor of literature and author of multiple books, she even added in the book a section titled “Reading Frankenstein as a Christian Today.”

Background

Mary Shelley was born in 1797 England to two revolutionary authors who did not believe in marriage but only married after they were expecting Mary and knew that their daughter would be at a disadvantage if the did not marry. Mary grew up outside the typical family boundaries, she had multiple half siblings from her parent’s illegitimate relationships and because of this she followed their idea of “free love” and ran away with author Percy Shelley (who was already married) along with her half-sister. Sadly, Mary endured the deaths of four of her children through miscarriages or premature death along with the suicide of a sister and Percy’s wife and eventually her lover. She was surrounded by death.

Unofficial Thoughts from the Unofficial DB Book Club

“I don’t like Frankenstein,” says Rachel. She is referring to Victor Frankenstein and his obsession for glory and prestige.

Rachel interjected this opinion as we compared the visions of glory sought by Victor Frankenstein and Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. Paul states that he will only boast of his weaknesses because through them Christ is glorified. Frankenstein set out to create his monster for his own glory, for the triumph of creating.

“A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.”

Compare that quote with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

We moved on to discuss the question, what truths does the novel convey about human beings as social creatures?

God created us for community, he desired to be with His creation while Frankenstein created for his own glory and once he created his monster, he wanted nothing to do with it. The monster continued to seek out fellowship and community, he desired relationship and acceptance which is what drove him to demand a mate from Frankenstein.

“but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid from its very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and detested.”

The monster was rejected by mankind and forced to live a solitary life and in his anguish he cultivated hatred and a desire for revenge. In the introduction, Prior discusses the importance of companionship and friendship and that perhaps the church today has replaced this idea with “mentors” or “accountability partners” instead of helping people find healthy “companionship in our lives and as well as the dangers of not having good friends.”

“I don’t like Frankenstein,” repeats Rachel.

Nature versus nurture is another great topic to discuss in view of the book. Was Frankenstein’s creature destined to be a monster in character or was that nurtured by the rejection of society and his Creator? Multiple times the monster begs his creator to take pity on him as his creation but his request falls on deaf ears. It can also be discussed that if we are created in the image of God, what was the monster created in the image of and does that bear on his character?

“Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension. Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master;- obey!”

“Did I mention I don’t like Frankenstein?” asks Rachel.

Final Thoughts

“Living as we do in a culture that increasingly questions the goodness (or even the existence) of a God who created a world and to whom we are subject renders this two-hundred-year-old novel more timely than ever.”

Karen Swallow Prior

Read Frankenstein as soon as possible, there is much to unpack and contemplate.

Formational book review by Megan

4.5/5 stars

“People’s stories matter.”

The Lost Year follows Matthew, Helen, Mila and Nadiya and how their stories are intertwined. How the decisions of their parents changed their own stories and how their own decisions will irrevocably alter their story.

Reading as a Disciple

“I suddenly wished that Nadiya had never shown up at my door. I missed that Papa and I were united in a great struggle. Doubt was a much lonelier place.”

Doubt is a lonely place. It is no fun to be in a place of confusion and uncertainty. We all want to know what God’a plan is; where should I live, what career should I pursue? It is just easier if someone tells us instead of trying to decide ourselves and feel good about our decision. Doubt creeps in when someone questions our choices, mocks or laughs at our decision or when we are alone in our decision and it seems everyone is doing something else. In The Lost Year, Mila longs for the days where she was united with her father in a common goal, but now she is filled with doubt and is lonely. Choosing what is right when it appears that you are the only one doing so is incredibly hard, Mila is forced to decide whether her father is right or wrong and what should she do about it.

It is good to keep in mind that in the midst of doubt and confusion, God is there. While we may feel alone and uncertainty feels normal, God is constant and is with us. Mila may have been lied to, she may be forced to make difficult decisions that everyone will tell her is wrong but God was with her as he is with us in our times of doubt.

Reading Communally

“Stories were powerful, but even more powerful was the act of sharing them.”

Stories are powerful, that is why it is good to be in a community that can be open and share life stories. That’s why support groups are so helpful. We need to share and to listen to people’s stories. If I don’t know someone’s story, it is easier to assume the worst of someone and we are less likely to extend grace. Hearing someone’s story gives us, the community, a chance to enter into a person’s story, to see them differently or in a new light; we have the opportunity to insert respect and kindness in their story.

As Helen becomes friends with Ruth, they share stories they have heard from others concerned for family in Ukraine. Ruth declares that Helen is a leader, this shocks Helen, she never saw herself as one and it took another person, hearing her story to encourage her in this character trait. “A leader. No one had ever used this word to describe me. But maybe, just maybe, I could be one.”

It always amazes me how God made every single person in the world, past, present and future, to be so incredibly different. Not only physically but also in our personalities and character and therefore, our stories are so immensely different. It is such a joy to discover how God created someone, (I am that weird person on a plane that enjoys talking to strangers.) In the moments of meeting someone new, sharing in a moment of their story, I remember imago dei, that everyone is created in the image of God. What glimpse of God does this person carry?

Final Thoughts

Great story! What’s beautiful is that part of this book is based on the author’s family history, she is sharing part of her story with the reader. She has done a great job with research and language. I highly recommend it to help people understand Holodomor and what life was like in early Soviet era Ukraine.

Formational book review by Megan

3/5 stars

“…but the worst that could have happened was also already behind him; the thing not done, which could have been – which he would have had to live with for the rest of his life.”

Small Things Like These is about a man named Bill Furlong and what he does when confronted with injustice and his own experiences in his past. He is forced to make a decision that involves self-censorship and the town turning a blind eye that may rock the boat more than he wants.

**A few general spoilers are below.**

Reading as a Disciple

“What was it all for? Furlong wondered. The work and the constant worry. […] Lately, he had begun to wonder what mattered, apart from Eileen and the girls. He was touching forty but didn’t feel himself to be getting anywhere or making any kind of headway and could not but sometimes wonder what the days were for.”

Worry. It seeps into the mundane moments of the day, the busy, hectic times and in our sleep. It can disrupt and upend your day in a moment. I recently woke up actually feeling rested (rare as a mom of littles) and the morning was beautiful with the sun shining but after a simple chance comment on finances, the morning suddenly didn’t seem so bright. We all can spiral into gloom and despair if we don’t consciously choose to look to God for hope and joy.

This book showed how worry can invade otherwise joyful seasons and disrupt your life but it also showed that we often do have to make difficult choices, that our worry can be the stress of having to make a difficult decision. We can’t hide from those times and many times they are unavoidable but God promises to be with us and we do not have to make them alone. Furlong was alone in the book, it seemed even his own family wanted nothing to do with the decision he was faced with but God will be with us and will give us the wisdom needed. Keegan wanted to bring as much separation between God and Furlong as possible since the church was the antagonist in the story but what you are left with is loneliness and hopelessness.

Reading Communally

“…he found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?”

We’ve got one life to live, one chance at life. You can sleep in the grave. God needs you to help save as many people as possible.

These are things I’ve heard or been told to bring an urgency to my Christian walk. I never liked this line of thought, as if it was our responsibility alone to “save” someone from the fires of hell. We are not the ones doing the saving first of all and furthermore, are not our days for bringing glory to our creator and simply pointing others to His glory? While there may be some level of urgency in sharing Christ with those around us, I don’t see evidence of a need for hurry in the Bible. Christ did not gallop from town to town sharing the Good News, he walked. While we might be tempted to think we have “one chance” to share Christ with someone, God is always working, with or without us.

While it is easy to take on an individualistic approach to the Great Commission, we must remember that we are part of a greater picture and that God is continually moving and working whether we join in His work or not. We are invited to join the greater body of Christ in His work to make all things new and to redeem what was lost.

Final Thoughts

“Before long, he caught a hold of himself and concluded that nothing ever did happen again; to each was given days and chances which wouldn’t come back around. And wasn’t it sweet to be where you were and let it remind you of the past for once, despite the upset, instead of always looking on into the mechanics of the days and the trouble ahead, which might never come.”

Overall, not my cup of tea. I would call it an “inspirational” depressing story. In the end, it’s all about “the thing not done,” to live with no regrets, but somehow, this story just left you feeling sad and depressed. I wasn’t quite into Keegan’s style of writing either. There was something lacking in this story and I think it came down to hope. Hope was placed in man; me, myself, and I, and it was only a faint glimmer anyways. You’re left wondering if there really was any hope. The problem is that our hope will fall flat if we look to man for saving, hope can only be found in Christ and Christ alone. This book was a great reminder of that. What is especially gloomy about this though, is that it is the church that was the source of pain and evil. So sad that this story is based on true events. We, as the church body, must do better.

Other books:

Claire Keegan has written several other books; you can look them up by her name, but I’m not sure I will be in a hurry to read any more of her books.

Formational book review by Megan

3.5/5 stars

“The law is important, Mex. Society cannot function without it.”
            “What if the law is wrong?”
            “What if the heart is wrong?”

Nowhere Boy is a story of a Syrian refugee in Belgium. He finds a cellar to hide in but is discovered by an American boy and the story follows their journey toward friendship and freedom. Marsh’s story compares the true story of a Belgian hiding a Jewish boy and addresses topics of when to disobey the law, or parents, smuggling, lying, and authority.

Reading as a Disciple

“What mattered wasn’t who you were. It was who you could be.”

Max is an American boy who has come to Belgium for a year with his family. He feels lost and alone in a place unfamiliar and struggles with his own identity, constantly comparing himself to his sister who seems to have it together. The book centers around finding your identity by helping and serving others. This is a great idea and one many people teach and strive for. But is that where we find our identity?

As disciples of Christ, our identity must come from Christ alone. It is not something I can choose and create out of my own liking. That would be a humanist perspective and what the rest of the world preaches; half of Disney movies are centered around this idea. What matters is that we look to God for identity, not our own aspirations.

Reading Communally

“People were always weighing their suffering against others’, not using it to form bonds.”

What if we were able to connect with others who are also suffering? When we are in the midst of the valley of despair we don’t usually think about others’ pain but this quote reminds us to set that aside and still move to connect with people and perhaps in that season of pain you can find a friend and person to lean on. Isolation is a friend of pain and it truly takes effort to not hide away from others when we are suffering.

Max was lost, without purpose, searching for his identity. He found purpose in helping Ahmed, if that was the right purpose can be left up to debate, but despite his decisions in helping Ahmed, it can still be said that he had the “courage to listen.” Something that many struggle with today, listening to those in pain, but it takes courage to stop our busy schedules to listen to what others have to say in the midst of their despair.

Final Thoughts

            Overall a great book but I would recommend it to be read in a group, not necessarily for individual reading. There are so many topics to unpack and discuss: disobeying parents, when is it ok break the law, immigration policies, smuggling, authority, lying… It’s a good starting point for discussion on many topics but doesn’t go in depth when it might have been nice. The low rating was because the main character isn’t relatable or likable; it took a while to get into the book. It still has something to offer for YA readers.

Other books:

The Lost Year (on my to-be-read pile, story involves Ukraine!) (Update: Finished January 2025, see review HERE.)

The Night Tourist

The Door by the Staircase

*I have not read any of the above books.

See post on Everything Sad is Untrue for other books on immigrants and refugees.