Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

books about africa

Books I’m glad I read {A 2015 year in review}

I’m usually a lot better about telling you about the fantastic books I’m reading throughout the year. If you’ve missed that, never fear. It looks like I only posted an update in April, instead of three or four times, like I have in years past. And honestly, I wasn’t really thinking about posting a year-in-review for reading until a friend posted his list and said he was looking forward to mine! (Thanks for the motivation, Dave!)

Plus, it’s nice to go back and take a look at the books I’ve read this year and pick a few favorites. According to Goodreads, I finished 92 books this year, which is both an impressive number and slightly disappointing. As much reading as I do, I feel like it should be closer to 100. And in years past, it has. But I think some of those books in previous years were kids’ books I added because we had read them together.

So, 92 books, and I’m going to pick a few favorites. I will admit that it was a stranger year for reading for me. I ventured outside my usual genres, revisited some old friends, and spent a month reading mostly books about Africa after we went to Kenya.

In no particular order, here are some of my favorites from this year:

Fiction: 

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty is one of the most clever and engaging storylines I’ve ever encountered and raised  thought-provoking questions.

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain was part of my post-Africa binge reading. Based on the true story of Beryl Markham’s life, the story kept me turning pages and longing to return to Kenya.circling the sun

The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert. I didn’t know this book existed until it showed up on my doorstep as part of a fiction street team I joined. It’s a unique story of World War 2 and beyond and surprised me at every turn of the page.

The Martian by Andy Weir. After hearing an NPR segment about the movie and the real-life quest to put people on Mars, this book intrigued me. So well written and funny. (Language warning.)

Revival by Stephen King. It’s been decades since I read anything by King. He used to be my favorite author, even when he was freaking me out. This story is no exception, but it contains themes I love for King to address: religion, life and death, grief, addiction. It was a bizarre book, but it reminded me of so many reasons I admire King’s writing.

Best series: Two of the three books in The Song of Seare series by Carla Laureano released last year, and finishing the third one almost killed me. I hate to see a good series end, and when it ends well and unexpectedly, well, that’s even worse. Or better. I still haven’t decided. If you like the kind of fantasy that spins a tale of good and evil with magic, swords and an almost-Celtic nation with its own made up language, then this one is not to be missed.

Non-fiction:

accidental saintsAccidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber is a top candidate for my favorite book all year. She writes about faith in the context of community in a real and challenging way. I would read her stories again and again and be challenged in new ways each time. (Another language warning.)

Bandersnatch by Erika Morrison. I squeaked this one in just this week and haven’t had the chance to write a full review yet, so you get a sneak peek! If you’ve ever wondered if you’re weird or if God made a mistake when He gave you certain gifts or inclinations, then read this book and feel like you belong to a collective group of weirdos who are all working toward a coming kingdom in their own unique ways.

Coming Clean by Seth Haines. It looks like a book about alcoholism. It’s not. It’s a book about addiction. Every kind of addiction, whether we recognize our vices as such or not. And it’s a book about uncovering the pain we’re avoiding with our addictions and how we can step into the light.

Two-Part Invention by Madeleine L’Engle. Part memoir, part marriage book. And it’s Madeleine L’Engle, so really, that’s all you need to know.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I’m in awe of Hillenbrand’s writing and research process and the story she tells that reads better than some novels. She had great material to work with in the life of Louis Zamperini, but oh, what a story.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan. One of the only books to ever make me laugh out loud as I’m reading it. I think I was in danger of spitting food or drink all over the library copy I was reading. Food + comedy = perfection.

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. More than just a memoir by a famous person, I found this book to be an empowering read for creative women. Poehler tells stories from her SNL days and beyond, but she also encourages people, women especially, to go after their creative dreams.

So, like I said, it’s a bit of a crazy list, what rises to the top this year. If you’re curious about my reading habits, you can check out my weekly reviews here or follow me over on Goodreads.

I’m looking forward to more great reads in 2016. What tops your list this year?

A new African folk tale: Review of A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest by J.A. Myhre

Because I can’t get enough of Africa and Africa-themed reading, I took a chance on this book, a children’s tale set in East Africa, written by a missionary mom for her children while they lived there. With a to-read pile that is about to bury me, A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest isn’t the kind of book I would usually agree to review (I received a copy from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group). But I’m glad I did.

Think of it as a Lord-of-the-Rings style adventure–shorter, for sure, and not as well developed–but if your kids are into adventure stories that illustrate spiritual truths and point to redemption, then add it to your library.

Watch this video teaser of the book to get an idea of the author’s intent and the scope of the story.

By a few chapters in, I was hooked on Mu’s quest, the choices he had to make to survive, and the challenges he faced as this unexpected quest grew longer.

At its heart, the book is a story of identity, and I’m a big fan of stories that help children see themselves as unique and valuable, created by God for a purpose. One of my favorite exchanges in the book between Mu and the chameleon is this:

Mu, the boy, says, “Forgive my questioning, but I do not see how I could possibly have enemies interested in my whereabouts. … I cannot imagine who would be looking for me.”

The chameleon replies, “That is because you cannot imagine  who you truly are.” (p. 77) chameleon boy quest

A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest is a story that will engage kids’ imaginations and open conversations about home, identity and how choices bring consequences. But it’s also a story that addresses some of the harsh realities African children face: some chapters include themes of trafficking and the actions of child soldiers. These aren’t to be avoided in a realistic conversation about Africa but should be approached with caution and open discussion depending on the ages and personalities of the children reading.

Mu’s quest made me miss the beautiful landscapes of Kenya I saw earlier this summer, and it reminded me that for many children in Africa, Mu’s story isn’t fiction.

You can learn more about the book and the author here.