12th Annual First Book of the Year

 

Thanks to Sheila from Book Journey for coordinating The 12th Annual FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR. 

Here is one of the collages with my chosen book featured. This is the book blurb:

The extraordinary story of a young fisherman who became the Founding Father of Christianity, the most influential and enduring institution in history.

2023 Paris Book Festival Winner · 2023 New England Book Festival Winner

He’s one of the most well-known figures in cultures around the world, etched into stained glass, painted in frescoes, even caricatured as standing at the gates of heaven with a long white beard and keys in hand. But long before he was portrayed as a venerated and untouchable figure, Peter was simply known as Simon, a twenty-something fisherman in a far-flung Jewish province controlled by the Roman Empire.

Loyal and faithful, impetuous and passionate, Simon’s quiet life is upended by the arrival of a man called Jesus of Nazareth, rumored to be the long-awaited Messiah who would rescue the Jewish people from oppression. When Simon meets Jesus, the mysterious man tells him, “You will be Peter,” a prophetic statement that would slowly transform Simon’s life. Eager to be free of the Romans, Simon joins Jesus in hopes that he can guard this leader who will, undoubtedly, build an army to challenge Rome. But as Simon waits for the army to form, he watches Jesus show a compassion for others Simon has never seen before. The miracles Jesus performs—healing the sick, feeding crowds of thousands—show not a display of military might, but of service and love.

Real, relatable and impeccably researched, You Will Be Peter draws on the four Gospel accounts to weave Simon Peter’s story into one seamless tapestry. Readers get a front-row seat to Simon’s three-year walk with Jesus, as Simon watches the Son of Man feed the hungry, raise the dead, upend the status quo and challenge the elite during one of world history’s most pivotal seasons.

In perhaps one of the greatest miracles, we can see ourselves in Simon, this ordinary man Jesus chose to accompany Him. Simon wasn’t well-educated, but he was faithful and headstrong. Though he could rush to judgment and use a foul word from time to time, he was the kind of friend who loved fiercely and was doggedly loyal—until he wasn’t. Although he failed, Simon wasn’t cast away from Jesus’ mission. In fact, his failures and subsequent redemption made him a more empathetic and capable rock upon whom the Church was built.

With storytelling artistry that transports readers to the first-century world, with the sights, sounds, and smells of that time, You Will Be Peter shares an age-old story told from a new set of it’s possible for one ordinary person, however unlikely, to change the world forever.

What book will be your first this year?

First Book of the Year (2019)

I immediately knew which book I would chose this year. From the moment this was available for pre-order, I have longed to own it and dive right in. When it arrived, I was knee deep in showing houses and in the middle of my big house clean out. Plus I had, once again, requested too many books to review for virtual book tours (at least I am consistent).

The cover art is stunning. The story sounds intriguing. Who wouldn't want to meet a younger Marilla Cuthbert, see her romance with John Blythe unfold, and wonder if the reason she was so hard on Anne when she came to Green Gables was because she, too, once was a dreamer?

While I've never read a book by McCoy, my hope is she will do the Marilla of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books justice as the story unfolds.

A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables . . . before Anne: A marvelously entertaining and moving historical novel, set in rural Prince Edward Island in the nineteenth century, that imagines the young life of spinster Marilla Cuthbert, and the choices that will open her life to the possibility of heartbreak—and unimaginable greatness

Plucky and ambitious, Marilla Cuthbert is thirteen years old when her world is turned upside down. Her beloved mother has died in childbirth, and Marilla suddenly must bear the responsibilities of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, keeping house, and overseeing the day-to-day life of Green Gables with her brother, Matthew and father, Hugh.

In Avonlea—a small, tight-knit farming town on a remote island—life holds few options for farm girls. Her one connection to the wider world is Aunt Elizabeth “Izzy” Johnson, her mother’s sister, who managed to escape from Avonlea to the bustling city of St. Catharines. An opinionated spinster, Aunt Izzy’s talent as a seamstress has allowed her to build a thriving business and make her own way in the world.

Emboldened by her aunt, Marilla dares to venture beyond the safety of Green Gables and discovers new friends and new opportunities. With her friend Rachel, she joins the Ladies Aid Society, she raises funds for an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity in nearby Nova Scotia that secretly serves as a way station for runaway slaves from America. Her budding romance with John Blythe, the charming son of a neighbor, offers her a possibility of future happiness—Marilla is in no rush to trade one farm life for another. She soon finds herself caught up in the dangerous work of politics, and abolition—jeopardizing all she cherishes, including her bond with her dearest John Blythe. Now Marilla must face a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference in the wider world and the small-town reality of life at Green Gables.

Purchase Marilla of Green Gables here!

First Book of the Year to Be Announced Tomorrow

First Book is sponsored and coordinated by Sheila at Book Journey. Here is what First Book is. The first book of the New Year should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year.

Make it AWESOME.

Then, once you have picked what it will be, email Sheila a picture of you with the book (send it to sdechantal@gmail.com). This adds to the excitement of the First Book. On January 1st she will post all the pics in a collage format of all of us around the world that are doing First Book. I do hope you will join us – friends, family, fellow book lovers.

What will mine be? You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

Musing Monday - Jan 15

Musing Monday is hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker.  It is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

I’m currently reading…
Up next I think I’ll read…
I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
I can’t wait to get a copy of…
I wish I could read ___, but…
I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK'S RANDOM QUESTION: Have you ever stolen insults from books and used them in real life situations?

We are back to Monday again. I hope you had a great week. My Christmas decorations are finally down and the winter decorations have taken their place. I'm in the middle of deciding what colors to paint the rooms in this house. Some are the original off-white and I'm done with that. I'm thinking maybe a silver gray.

In case you missed it, the blog last week had a review of The Body in the Casket by Katherine Hall Page, the last Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and the Bookish (will continue at a different blog), and The Friday 56 that shared a part of The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

At An Imperfect Christian Mom I posted a review of Go for No! by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz and shared some apps I find helpful for Bookish (and not so bookish) Thoughts. At Books Can Be Deadly I featured an interview with author Heather Weidner. Finally, at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection I posted a couple reviews, my STORYSTORM update, and an announcement about Janet Halfmann's upcoming book that ties into Black History Month.

Today, I'll begin reading my First Book of the Year in earnest. Did you post a First Book of the Year? What is it?

As for today's question, I can't believe I've never thought of stealing an insult from a book and using it. Maybe because my evil side is snarky and sarcastic enough not to need any help. (Blushes) How about you? Heard any good insults in a book lately? Would you ever use them?

Here's hoping you have a spectacular week.

First Book of the Year 2018: The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse

Sheila from Book Journey is sponsoring First Book of the Year for the fifth year in a row.

Today at her blog she has posted pictures of those of us who submitted our first book choices (can you find me?).

Here's a hint: I'll be reading The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

Mary Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

What will your first book of 2018 be? Why did you choose it? Any 2018 releases you're looking forward to?

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!

First Book of the Year Sponsored by Sheila at Book Journey

Sheila from Book Journey is sponsoring First Book of the Year for the fifth year in a row.

Here is what First Book is. The first book of the New Year should be:

A. A coveted book that you have wanted to read but have just not found the time.

B. A delicious favorite… one you have read before, but crave to read again.

C. Really whatever you want it to – it is after all YOUR First Book Of the year.

Make it AWESOME.

Then, once you have picked what it will be, you email Sheila a picture of you with the book. On January 1st she will post all the pics in a collage format of all of us around the world that are doing First Book.

Sign up here if you would like to join us!