Happy Wednesday and welcome to day three of the Five Fall Favorites blog party!
You can find all of the information about Five Fall Favorites by reading my first post this week (click HERE), or by going to our wonderful host, Kate Willis’s, site (click HERE).
For a quick recap, every day this week, a group of bloggers (me included) are sharing our five favorite books in a variety of prompts – the goal being for us all to enjoy great new reads and cozy fall vibes!
This year’s theme is all about books that remind us of the Fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and so on! You’ll see a little variation of those fruits between bloggers each day (since there are more fruits than days in the week and we can pick and choose), so you should find plenty of good recs to add to your TBR!
Today’s prompt is all about peace!
I love reading books that have a peaceful feel. Whether that means peaceful characters, peaceful settings, generally peaceful vibes that I feel while reading, or messages that encourage me to be peaceful, they can be some of the most comforting books. Many middle-grade stories are perfect for this, so let’s read on!
(I’ve reviewed many of these in more depth on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or just other reviews in general – you can find the Goodreads link under each book, or by clicking on the book’s title).
Aliferous
Author: Alissa J. Zavalianos
Genre: Christian fantasy, romance, contemporary & poetry
Target Audience: MG and above
What Stuck Out to Me: I can’t say enough good things about this beautiful collection of short stories and poems. It’s comprised of four sections: fairy tales, adventure, romance, & whimsy/poetry. I honestly enjoyed every section. Each one held strong stories, inspiring lessons, and charming prose, and I’d feel comfortable loaning this to anyone, thanks to it being completely clean.
In the Fairy Tales section, my absolute favorite story was Coal of Smith-Harrow. It was such a fun spin on the Cinderella story, but delivered in a charming new setting, with likable and mysterious new characters, and again, precious and inspiring themes. All of the fairy tales were excellent.
Each story held its own special lesson, theme, and meaning. The adventures had so many deep questions and themes packed inside, and were delivered with lots of heart. I admire how the author explored the nuances of both good and bad in people. In the Romance section, I enjoyed all of the stories that the author included – each clean, sweet and engaging.
The poems in the last section were so sweet and beautiful. They’re hopeful, cute, full of good reminders, inspirational, and TRUE. Some of the poems were lighthearted and made me smile, others made me tear up, and still others just left me feeling motivated to be a better person – which is something I admire in writing. The author has a beautiful style of poetry. Overall, this is a book I can 100% recommend!
Tricky Content: G-rated. Rare use of d*rn and h*ck, and one use of h*ll (to describe a situation), non-described kisses, mention of a drunk and of a character that smokes, fairy tale magic, loss, grief, fighting, and mentions of characters dying in the past.
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone looking for a comfort read full of fun, quick, hopeful, and thought-provoking stories.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
The Treasure Hunt
Author: Kate Willis
Genre: Contemporary short story
Target Audience: MG and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This is absolutely adorable. Such a cute, quick read with light and wholesome feels. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the setting honestly took me back to my own childhood. The running around our large yard, playing outside, time with siblings, and making our own adventures especially. I enjoyed the warm, calm summer aesthetic of the entire story.
The younger, adventuring children were cute and likeable and I enjoyed their antics. The parents made brief cameos as a loving mom and dad working their own lives, while also doing a great job of caring for their kids. And the older sisters were sweet to take some time from their pursuits to make an adventure for the youngers.
The plot was fast-paced, but light and wholesome. Overall, it was a cute mystery, and something I would have loved to experience when I was that age. Themes of family and sibling bonds were strong, as well as working together and supporting one another. I had a lot of fun with this one, and you might too!
Tricky Content: Nothing! This was completely clean. I’d read this to my younger siblings.
I’d Recommend It To: Children approximately 10+ that enjoy light mystery stories, quick reads, and fun summery vibes!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Daughter of Kings
Author: Isabella Auer
Genre: Portal Fantasy
Target Audience: Teens and above
What Stuck Out to Me: The depth of this book amazes me. Though the cover may not portray how expansive the fantasy realm and story is, I compare it to the Lord of the Rings. The cast of characters is vast, relatable, and fascinating, the world is well-explored and conveyed through creative descriptions, and the writing style is flowing and beautiful, with subtle wit woven in.
Most of all, the themes explored are powerful. Themes of family, belonging, love, sacrifice, hope, perseverance, strength, and beauty. I was touched by them all, and it astounds me that this came from a new, young author.
I was blessed to know the author before she passed and am so thankful for this beautiful piece that she left behind. It really shouldn’t surprise me that this book has so much beauty and depth, because she had beauty, wisdom and faith behind her years. I wish there could have been more done to this, but it’s still definitely worth a read in my opinion.
Tricky Content: It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but from what I can remember, a couple of kisses, some peril, war and fighting, fantasy creatures and enchanted objects, death, grief, imprisonment.
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone searching for a thought-provoking, character-rich, and interesting fantasy read, especially if you enjoy Lord of the Rings vibes.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Beyond the Bright Sea
Author: Lauren Wolk
Genre: MG Historical Fiction
Target Audience: Children 10+
What Stuck Out to Me: I don’t know how to describe this book other than beautiful. When I picked it up (thanks to that gorgeous cover!), I didn’t realize that it’s considered middle-grade. However, the themes and truths explored, the glimpses into the characters’ hearts and how real they were, those were far from simple.
I enjoyed this book, and was struck by how effortlessly and beautifully hard truths were addressed. I absolutely loved the characters I was meant to love, detested the ones I was meant to detest, and – while the first few chapters were slow – the book gripped me after that.
The setting was so vivid I could practically feel it, and I really loved the primary mentor character to the plucky protagonist. Overall, it really comes down to the themes for me. Themes of hope, family, belonging, perseverance, and honesty. Painful at times, and healing at others. I’m so glad I read this one.
Tricky Content: Brief mention of alcohol and cigarettes, mild peril and suspense, loss, mention of stillborn baby in the past, (non-described) mentions of blood, people are bound and gagged, fighting, pictured prejudice (presented as bad).
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone who enjoys heartwarming and deeper-than-expected middle-grade stories with plucky characters, beautiful themes and descriptions, and a unique mystery plot.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
How to Handle Adversity
Author: Charles Stanley
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction
Target Audience: Teens and older
What Stuck Out to Me: This is one of the best books on adversity that I’ve ever read. As always, Stanley offers sound teaching and timely reassurances, and his writing style was conversational, succinct, and engaging.
I especially appreciated his reminders that it’s far more important not to ask why adversity is happening to us, but what can we learn from it? What is God trying to teach us through the trials? How does He want to work in others’ lives because of the pain we experience?
We all struggle with adversity. What changes is how we respond to it. Will we respond to troubles with whining, anger, and resentment? Or with faith, peace, and joy?
Far too often I forget that God has a plan through my pain, and this quick read is a reminder to pray and seek God more often, even if I’m struggling. Funny how when I remember and apply that advice, my life goes so much better (or at the very least, I feel much more at peace). It’s a read I keep coming back to!
Tricky Content: None that I can think of, though we should always read books like these with discretion and prayer.
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone seeking biblical encouragement and wondering how to deal with the hardships in their lives.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
We’ve come to the end of day three of the Five Fall Favorites blog party! What are some of your favorite peaceful books? Have you read any of the ones I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to find out!
Again, check out Kate’s host blog here for extra information, even more book recommendations, and to enter the special giveaway!
I’ll see you tomorrow for day four of bookish fun!
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The Treasure Hunt sounds so wholesome! I love that! And you’ve made me curious about Daughter of Kings. I’m going to go look into it now.
It’s a very cute story! And aw, I’m glad! I definitely thought it was worth the read.
I have Beyond the Bright Sea waiting for me on my shelves, I believe. I’m excited to read it now! And thanks for the shout-out with The Treasure Hunt! I’m glad you enjoyed it. <3
I honestly think you’d really like Beyond the Bright Sea! <3 And you're so welcome! Such a sweet and wholesome story.
I’ve read Treasure Hunt, but not the others. Alissa’s book is gorgeous. And the other 3 look SO GOOD! Specially Beyond the Bright Blue Sea. Thanks, Bella! Love your content notes 🙂
Yes, I love Alissa’s cover!! And I think you’d love Beyond the Bright Blue Sea! You’re so welcome, I’m so glad my notes are helpful 🙂