A Handful of Quietness

Tag: Five Fall Favorites

  • Five Fall Favorites Day 5: Re-Reads

    Five Fall Favorites Day 5: Re-Reads

    I wish I re-read books more often. I always intend to re-read them, constantly dreaming of some illusory time when I’ll pore over all my favorite books again and again, but first-time reads make up the majority of my reading list.

    That said, there are a few very special favorites I’ve read more than once. I’m spotlighting a few of them for today’s Five Fall Favorites category–the penultimate category of the challenge, shockingly.

    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

    One of my favorite stories of all time, I read this once on my own and then again for my sophomore year British Literature class. If you haven’t read this book yet, you need to.

    I’m reading Villette, another book by Charlotte Bronte, right now, and it’s really good. It has reminded me of what I liked about Jane Eyre, which is probably due for yet another re-read.

    Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

    This is a book that many people find similar in mood to Jane Eyre. Although the previous book will always be my favorite, Rebecca‘s still an amazing book because of the gothic atmosphere and the narrator’s voice.

    Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

    I’ve read this book at least twice and consider it one of my all-time favorites. If you haven’t read it, you should definitely consider doing so, especially if you like Victorian slice-of-life novels.

    Take My Hand by Robin Jones Gunn

    Robin Jones Gunn’s books are some that I will read repeatedly because I find them cozy and encouraging. This last book in the Sierra Jensen series is my most recent re-read out of her novels, although if you haven’t read any of her books yet, I recommend starting with the Christy Miller series.

    Beyond Her Calling by Kellyn Roth

    The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy is a series that’s worth reading over and over. I enjoyed Beyond Her Calling (of which I have a lovely paperback copy) immensely both times I read it.

    Want more recommendations? Visit these blogs.

    Hannah E. Griggs | Blue Flower Story Company | Ellie’s Book Haven | Southern Scribblings | A Ruby in the Rough | Read Another Page

    Until next time,

    R.M.W.

  • Five Fall Favorites Day 4: Unusual Genres

    Five Fall Favorites Day 4: Unusual Genres

    How are we already on Day 4 of Five Fall Favorites? It feels like it just started. (But I’ve been working and applying to colleges all this week, and I’ve barely had time to read many posts. Hopefully I can catch up.)

    Today’s category is for books in genres I don’t usually read. This is a bit difficult for me, since I read a lot of genres (I don’t like them all equally, though).

    Testing of the Stars by P.D. Atkerson

    Sci-fi with spaceships and aliens isn’t my thing at all–yet somehow, this book and its sequels (especially the sequels–they’re better than book 1, so keep reading) became some of the best books I’ve read this year. I loved the characters so much that it could have been set in a medieval fantasy kingdom, and I wouldn’t have cared. (Actually, a few chapters are…you’ll have to read the book to know what I’m talking about.)

    The Beauty in Their Scars by Joanna Alonzo

    Not only is this book unlike what I usually read, it’s in an objectively unique genre: contemporary fantasy. By that, I mean fiction set in made-up countries in the real, “modern” world (think the early 2000s-ish time period where most contemporary romances are set) with mostly made-up cultural elements and a touch of fairy-tale “magic” (not exactly the right word for it, but I don’t know how else to put it). If that sentence confused you, I hope it made you want to read this book. If you need more convincing, you can read my full review here. (The prequel is free on all platforms.)

    A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

    I think this is one of only two non-Shakespearean plays I’ve ever read and the only American play I’ve read. Needless to say, plays aren’t a genre I default to, and I likely would never have picked this one up if I didn’t have to read it for my most recent literature class. However, I ended up quite enjoying it–I thought the dialogue was hilarious and the theme was impactful.

    Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

    Like A Raisin in the Sun, this is another book I read for school. I ended up enjoying it, although it’s very different from what I’m used to reading. I liked the writing style, the setting, and the themes.

    Like the Air After Rain by Kellyn Roth

    Historical fiction–mainly Christian romance–used to be one of my most read genres. Then I realized how frequently these books disappointed me and how they paled in comparison to actual historic literature. Recently, I’ve tried to avoid the genre–except for a few certain authors, of which Kellyn Roth is definitely one. I was amazed by Like the Air After Rain and think it’s one of the best historical fiction novels I’ve ever picked up.

    Want more recommendations? Visit these blogs.

    Hannah E. Griggs | Blue Flower Story Company | Ellie’s Book Haven | Southern Scribblings | A Ruby in the Rough | Read Another Page

    Until next time,

    R.M.W.

  • Five Fall Favorites Day 3: Non-Fiction

    Five Fall Favorites Day 3: Non-Fiction

    I have a complex relationship with reading non-fiction. Not too infrequently, I resolve to read more of it–lots more–but after one or two books, my dedication fizzles out and I start reading exclusively fiction again. My non-fiction reading tends to be very topical and a little random, as you might see when reading this post. That said, I’ve found several non-fiction books I really like, and I’m glad to share some of them with you today.

    The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

    I’d be remiss if I didn’t include this book, which I blazed through at an unusually fast pace (for me) just a few days ago. I’ve been pondering its subject matter, and after hearing it mentioned in this video, I knew I had to read it. I really liked the technology aspect; the child-rearing aspect, not as much.

    Rebel Code: Linux and the Open Source Revolution by Glyn Moody

    One of the most interesting non-fiction books I’ve ever read, this one recounts the early days of Linux and other open-source software–a subject I find intriguing. (Also, don’t you love the cover?)

    The Linux Command Line by William Shotts

    If Rebel Code is the book for someone who wants to learn more about the history of Linux and related software, this is the book for you if you want to learn how to use Linux. It widened my understanding of Bash and even introduced me to scripting. The best part about this book is that it’s in the public domain, so you can download a PDF copy for free.

    Cold Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace

    I haven’t actually read this book from front to back, but I’m fairly familiar with its contents since my Bible teacher two years ago would frequently assign us passages to read. I should really re-read it sometime.

    To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick–And How We Can Fight Back by Alden Wicker

    This was one of the first non-fiction books I read outside of school, and one I’ve recommended (either in FFF or some other blog post, I can’t remember) before. It’s about the modern clothing industry and its dangers, especially those of ultra-cheap fast fashion. It’s played a part in changing how I buy clothing. (It also has an amazing cover–I love when artists execute unique concepts like that.)

    Want more recommendations? Visit these blogs.

    Hannah E. Griggs | Blue Flower Story Company | Ellie’s Book Haven | Southern Scribblings | A Ruby in the Rough | Read Another Page

    Until next time,

    R.M.W.

  • Five Fall Favorites Day 2: Indie

    Five Fall Favorites Day 2: Indie

    Most of the books I read are either indie or published over a hundred years ago–with a growing number of books falling into the first category–so it’ll be difficult to narrow down five favorite books.

    These are some of the new and remarkable indie books I’ve read lately (I’ve found so many excellent ones this year).

    Initiation by Raven Markov

    This is an exciting, original dystopian (or alternate-contemporary?) story that I found on Goodreads one day and immediately knew I would enjoy.

    Humanities Class by Katie Candle

    I got to beta read this book and loved every moment of it. I also designed its cover. I recommend it if you like contemporary fiction with a touch of romance.

    Suzy and the Magic Turnip by S.M. Dunning

    This was one of those books I got as a review copy without knowing anything about it. I enjoyed it because it reminded me of the middle-grade fantasy books I read when I was younger, but better. I liked the polished writing style and academia vibes.

    The One Who Knows Me by Joan Embola

    If you like contemporary romance, you will love this series. Despite not being the biggest fan of romance, I liked this installment because of the college setting and the characters, who had their own struggles distinct from the romance aspect.

    Dronefall by A.L. Buehrer

    Easily one of the most unique and under-rated indie series I’ve come across, the Dronefall stories have enthralled me ever since I read the first installment last fall. If you like dystopian/cyberpunk settings and characters that will start to feel like your own friends, you should give this series a try.

    Want more recommendations? Visit these blogs.

    Hannah E. Griggs | Blue Flower Story Company | Ellie’s Book Haven | Southern Scribblings | A Ruby in the Rough | Read Another Page

    Have you read any of these? If not, what are your favorite obscure self-published works that I should read next?

    Until next time,

    R.M.W.

  • Five Fall Favorites Day 1: Recommended

    Five Fall Favorites Day 1: Recommended

    Happy first day of autumn! Today, not only do we get to celebrate the new season, but we also get to commence the tenth annual Five Fall Favorites blog party, hosted by Kate Willis and Rebekah A. Morris. (I’m amazed that it’s been going on for ten years, and that this will be my third year participating.)

    Today’s prompt is books I’ve already recommended for FFF, a category which will be difficult to narrow down since all my previous recommendations are among my top favorites. Nonetheless, here’s five that stood out to me (excluding “best of the year” categories, since those would make it just too difficult to choose).

    Kate’s Innocence and sequels by Sarah Holman

    This series has been one of the overall best I’ve discovered ever since I started reading indie fiction. I was thrilled to find out about the newest installment, released last spring. I still haven’t read it, though, mainly because I want to reread the first seven before diving into Kate’s Truth.

    Springtime in Surrey by various authors

    Another all-time favorite book, and one I’ve recommended countless times since I read it. Reading this during a trip to England was quite the experience, but I guarantee you’ll enjoy it no matter where you’re reading from.

    Mind the Gap by Erynn Mangum

    I gave a copy of this novel to a friend lately, which has reminded me how much I need to reread it. It has humor, travel, and a relatable main character–everything I could want in a book.

    The Lies We Live by Rachel L. Hackenburg

    This is my first (and to this day, only) physical review copy. It’s a particularly obscure book with only a handful of reviews on Goodreads, but I think you should read it if you like contemporary Christian YA.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

    This wouldn’t be one of my book lists without a work of older fiction, which is where this 18th century tome comes in. Even though I thought the plot was a bit bloated and poorly-structured, I loved the immersive atmosphere Radcliffe created in her most well-known work.

    Want more recommendations? Visit these blogs.

    Hannah E. Griggs | Blue Flower Story Company | Ellie’s Book Haven | Southern Scribblings | A Ruby in the Rough | Read Another Page

    Until next time,

    R.M.W.