October 2020 books

 The total for this month was 13 books, 2 magazines, and 1 book abandoned.

That brings the total to the year to 104 books, 29 magazines, and 6 books abandoned.

What's Your Angle Pythagoras?

by Julie Ellis

A wonderful, funny, and informative book with history about Pythagoras and his theorem about right triangles.  Part of the "Math Adventure Series", which we love!

Pythagoras and the Ratios

by Julie Ellis

Another Math Adventure book.  This time Pythagoras discovers the ratios that make musical instruments sound pleasing.

Adara

by Beatrice Gromley

Historical fiction about the Israelite slave girl who told General Naaman that the prophet Elisha could heal him of his leprosy.  Overall, it was reasonable, although there might be a few inconsistencies with the Biblical account.  I didn't particularly care for the aspect of Adara seeing and hearing Elisha through dreams.  It seems more likely that she would have just heard stories of his miracles.  No need to add mysterious dreams to the story.  There was nothing of that in the Biblical account.  Another nit to pick is the reinforcement of the theme that marriage is boring and that a girl has to choose between having an exciting life or being condemned to a life of domestic dullness. 

Victory on the Walls : A Story of Nehemiah

by Frieda Clark Hyman

Tells the story of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, from the perspective of Nehemiah's nephew.  There was a really gory scene at the beginning where a man gets his nose and ears cut off.  It is referenced throughout the book.  I didn't like how the author portrayed Nehemiah as arrogant, selfish, and even sometimes mean.  I don't see any evidence in the Biblical account for that portrayal.  There was one scene in the book that I thought was really insightful.  Nehemiah is resisting the attempts to allow the Samaritans to join them in worshipping at the temple and rebuilding the city.  The high priest tries to persuade him to allow it because the Samaritans might learn to follow Yahweh.  Nehemiah counters that history shows that allowing pagans in will only tempt the Israelites away from God to idols, rather than draw the pagans to God away from their idols.  Reminds me of how the Christian church is often tempted to compromise Biblical standards in order to "draw people in" or not offend them.

Within the Palace Gates: The King's Cupbearer

by Anna Siviter

Another novel based on the story of Nehemiah.  Totally different from Victory on the Walls.  This one portrays Nehemiah as a young man, and much kinder than the other book.  But it still invents so much stuff outside of the Scripture, that I abandoned it after a few chapters.  I guess Biblical fiction just really isn't my thing.  Even less so than fantasy.

Theras and His Town

by Caroline Dale Snedeker

A boy is taken from Athens to live in Sparta after his father is killed in a war.  He struggles against the harsh and cruel ways of the Spartans and longs for the songs and peacefulness of the Athenians.  Eventually, he runs away and makes his way home through many dangers, toils, and snares.  My quibble with this one is that the author seems to portray the Greek gods and goddesses and their statues in a positive light, even saying she would "willingly go around the world twice to see the beautiful statue of Athena.  It might be a good read-aloud and conversation starter about how this differs from a Biblical worldview.

Detectives in Togas

by Henry Winterfeld

Seven boys in ancient Rome try to rescue their friend and classmate who is falsely accused of desecrating a temple. Interesting mystery story.  I'm still on the fence about whether to recommend it to my kids or not.  Can't exactly put my finger on why.  Maybe just because there are other books that are so much more worth their time.

The Man from Snowy River

by Elyne Mitchell

read by Richard Aspel

Eighteen year old Jim Craig is forced to leave his mountain home in the Snowy River country of Australia after his father's death.  He goes down to the "flats" to earn the money to pay off their debts and earn the right to live in the mountains.  He finds himself falling in love with the daughter of his cantankerous boss and caught up in an old family feud.  He runs down a mob of wild horses to recover the boss's prize colt and earns the respect of the mountain men. This novel was written from the screenplay of the movie that was made in the early 1980, so it follows the movie almost exactly.  I watched the movie countless times in the '80s and '90s.  The scenery and the music in the movies is excellent.  I like how the book is able to give better understanding into the characters' thoughts and motivations. And the descriptions of the landscape and countryside (plants and animals of Australia) are great.  However, there is too much language and innuendo (in both the book and the mirror) for my taste.  More than I remembered from watching it before.

Ember Falls

The Last Archer

Ember Rising

The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner

The First Fowler

Ember's End

by S. D. Smith

These books saved a lackluster reading month! I won't take the time to review each of these individually, partly because I don't want to give away any spoilers.  The basic plot summary is this: the rabbit world has been oppressed for some years under the ruthless Morbin Blackhawk and his Lords of Prey and the ferocious wolves under their command.  The rabbit resistance has long been hoping for, dreaming of, and preparing for "The Mended Wood" where all will be made right again.  The way seems hopeless and impossible, and they are met by betrayals at every turn.  The cruelty of the oppressors is contrasted starkly with the mercy and forgiveness and integrity of the good rabbits.

The books are intense, though not as intense (nor as long) as The Lord of the Rings.  There are a lot of battles, especially with swords and bow & arrow, but I didn't find it gory.  There is a lot of humor in the bantering between characters.  And you've got to read the copyright page.  There's always something funny there.  This is a great series for boys who like adventure and battles.  But it's not just for boys.  There are courageous girl rabbits too.  My recommendation is at least 10 & up.  But you should read it yourself first and gauge how your children will react.  Very sensitive children or those easily scared might find it too intense.  These books definitely will benefit from re-reading, as there are many subtle details, veiled references, and complicated twists that you won't catch on the first reading when you are just trying to follow the main plot. My older three are enjoying them.  My twelve year old boy snapped them up as soon I finished each one. And, oh my! He's got another book coming out next month!!!