Tag Archives: Behind These Hands

Top Ten Tuesday: Books You’re Probably Missing Out On

10 Books You're Probably Missing Out On

Top Ten Books You’re Probably Missing Out On

If you read a lot, just keeping up with your favorite authors can fill your shelves and all your spare reading hours. No matter how hard you try, some amazing books will slip past you without you realizing it. That’s why, for this Top Ten Tuesday, I’ve made this list of ten of my favorite books you’re probably missing out on.

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

Honestly, this is probably one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I fell head over heels in love with the story and its characters. It became one of those books I bought multiple copies of so I could give them as Christmas gifts last year. (Apparently this is how I get people I love to read the books I love. It pretty much works.) Seriously, though, if you like Southern fiction and coming-of-age type stories, this is one not to be missed. It’s SO good. You can find my review here.

Traitor’s Masque by Kenley Davidson

This whole series is AMAZING. I’m a huge fan of re-imagined fairy tales, but these are truly something special. I love the character complexity Davidson brings to the stories and the strong heroines each book features. This retelling of Cinderella actually gives its leading girl some action. Rather than being locked in a room waiting for her prince, she’s caught in a web of political intrigue. It’s so good. You can find my review here.

Dreadlands: Wolf Moon by Jaimie Engle

Dreadlands is another of the great books you’re probably missing out on. I love the way this story blends werewolves and Norse mythology. It’s fast-paced but with a sweet romance, and a perfect read for a rainy afternoon. The story is pretty clean, too, so it’s a great book for readers transitioning from middle grade (elementary-aged) books to young adult (middle/high school books). It’s kind of a How to Train Your Dragon meets Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Check out my review for more.

Freedom’s Just Another Word by Caroline Stellings

I’ve read several books by Caroline Stellings, and each one is better than the last. I’m never surprised to learn she’s won an award for writing. Her storytelling is strong and crisp, and her characters seem to pop right off the pages. I knew I would like this book for its references to music– the legendary Janis Joplin even appears in a few scenes– and I was so very right. But in addition to music, it’s rich in its 1970s, gritty Southern setting. I highly recommend it in my review, and I stand by it.

Between Shadows by Kathleen Cook Waldron

I can’t help but have a special place in my heart for this fantastic book. The author and I met on an Alaskan cruise– one of those serendipitous moments where we connected long before I learned she was a writer, and wrote children’s books to boot! Imagine how much more excited I was when I had the chance to read and review this great book. The cover shows the silhouette of the main character, Ari, who’s dealing with his unconventional grandfather’s sudden passing. Ari’s grandfather lived in a remote area and painted his log cabin like a rainbow. The story is about friendships and loss and is spunky and heartwarming. A definite favorite I don’t get to talk enough about.

Glass Girl by Laura Anderson Kurk

I feel like Glass Girl is exactly the kind of book I wanted to read in high school. It’s packed with emotion and oozing with cowboy romance. It follows Meg through the aftermath of a school shooting and a cross-country move that takes her to the Wyoming wilds. Meg is so relatable. I love this book. More about it in my review.

Viola Doyle or an Unconventional Gift by Amy Lynn Spitzley

I truly haven’t talked about this book in a long time, but it’s another great hidden gem. In this book, Spitzley keeps us guessing with wild adventures and totally unexpected turns of events. I loved every surprise and the quirky cast of characters in the Victorian-ish setting. So much fun! You’ll find my review here.

Behind These Hands by Linda Vigen Phillips

I feel almost like I’m cheating to include this book, since I only reviewed it a few weeks ago, but I don’t think it’s getting nearly the buzz it deserves. In powerful, moving verse, Phillips shows the heartache of a family in which two young boys are diagnosed with Batten’s Disease. I’d never heard of Batten’s before reading this book, and it hit me hard because of the amazing writing. I definitely identified with Claire as the oldest child and the one under pressure to hold things together. If you’re a fan of novels in verse, you need to read this one. Seriously. And if you’ve never read one, Behind These Hands is a great one to try.

Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen

The story world of this book was so intriguing. It’s kind of Waterworld (the Kevin Costner movie) meets The Giver. I loved the high stakes and creepy dystopian elements. Definitely a good pick for fans of Ally Condie or Scott Westerfeld. My review is here.

Running Lean by Diana Sharples

Okay, I’m sort of cheating again. I really haven’t talked about this book in a long time, and I enjoyed reading it so much. I reviewed Running Lean in 2013, but part of the reason I’m including it is because Diana Sharples has a new book out called Running Strong, which is on my To Be Read list! I love her writing – it’s clean, and the stories are strong. Another great author for younger teen readers.

Add to my list!

What are your favorite books that never get the praise they deserve? Tell me in the comments or leave me a link to your top ten list.

August 2018 Monthly Wrap-Up and Bookish Conversations

Did you notice my new blog header?

This summer brought a lot of changes. Gabrielle is no longer blogging with me, but I wish her all the best with her own projects, and I really enjoyed having her as a part of The Story Sanctuary. Also, you may have noticed the new header and web icon images on the site. Yay for a fresh new look!

New tag line: Helping you find the right book for your reader.

Another big change is perhaps more subtle. Since I started writing reviews, the tag line of my blog was, “Young adult book reviews from a Christian world-view.” My goal has always been to write reviews of a broad range of books and include information that I, as a Christian parent, would want to know before passing the book on to young readers in my life.

I think, though, that the tag line leads people to assume that I’ll have certain views or only review certain books. It’s never been my desire to tell people what books they shouldn’t read. I’ve hoped to help inform readers about content and allow them to decide for themselves what’s appropriate or interesting.

Still a Believer

My faith is very much an important part of my life, and it will remain so. But I think I’ve been alienating readers who are looking for a more overtly Christian review as well as readers who have negative associations with the term “Christian world-view” and assume it means discrimination and judgement.

So, with all that in mind, I made a really difficult decision to change the tag line. I will still continue reviewing with the same focus: helping you find the right book for you or your reader.

What’s staying the same

My reviews will still include a content breakdown and cultural information about characters in the story. Specifically, the cultural breakdown is NOT meant to steer readers away from books because certain types of characters are represented. Rather, it’s meant to help readers from underrepresented groups find books whose characters represent them and to help readers looking for diverse literature to find it.

Diversity is super important to me. I believe literature helps us cultivate empathy for others by allowing us to imagine ourselves in someone else’s shoes, looking out through their eyes, experiencing their emotions. It’s certainly not a perfect education, but I do believe it helps. I know in my own life, reading diverse books has helped expose prejudices I’ve had often without ever thinking about them. It forces us to examine what we think in a way that our real day to day lives may insulate us from.

I’ll still continue to review Christian books as I always have, and I imagine my faith will come up here and there, because it’s part of me. I’m not looking to bury who I am. Rather, I’m hoping to be more transparent and less confusing.

At any rate, I’m hoping that going forward, The Story Sanctuary remains a welcoming space where we can share thoughts about books. I hope this blog helps you find books you had never heard of, and authors you come to love. That’s the greatest gift a book review blogger can get: knowing someone discovered a favorite book through your review of it.

August 2018 Monthly Wrap-Up

I’m going to do the wrap-up a little differently this time, too. Normally here’s where I’d list the reviews I’ve posted this month, but you can scroll through those on the home page, so rather than repeat them here, I’m going to do something different.

Bookish Conversations I Wish I Was Having: August 2018

Book I read in August 2018 that I’m most likely to reread: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. If you asked me before I read this book whether an author could make me love a swamp monster, I would have seriously doubted it. Kelly Barnhill proved me wrong.

Plus, I absolutely loved the theme about foster mothering. I straight-out bawled when Luna says about her relationship with her mothers that her love is not divided, it is multiplied. I really need somebody in my life to read this book so I can talk about it more!

Book I read in August 2018 that surprised me the most: Behind These Hands by Linda Vigen Phillips. I feel like reading a book from a publisher I’ve never worked with before and am not familiar with is often a gamble. I had no idea what to expect from this humbly packaged novel-in-verse. And wow.

The story and the power of the lines pretty much blew me away. You’ll probably keep hearing me talk about this one, because I just don’t think it’s getting the praise it deserves.

What book did you read this month that surprised you most?

Leave a comment and tell me about a book you read lately that surprised you.

Review: Behind These Hands by Linda Vigen Phillips

Behind These Hands
Linda Vigen Phillips
Light Messages
Published on July 7, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Behind These Hands
Fourteen-year-old Claire Fairchild has always known music would be her life. She enters a prestigious contest pitted against Juan, a close childhood friend. It doesn’t help that her thoughts about him have turned romantic. But nothing compares to the devastating news that both younger brothers have Batten disease.

While attending a conference about this rare neurodegenerative disorder, Claire receives word that she has won the contest. Her musical goals no longer seem relevant. She can’t reconcile the joy and prestige that a classical music career would bring to her life while her brothers are succumbing to an early and ugly death.

When Claire accompanies a friend on a school newspaper assignment, she meets a centenarian with a unique musical past and only one regret in life. Claire knows something in her life has to change before she, too, has regrets. With newfound courage and determination, she finds a new way to express herself musically while celebrating the lives of her dying brothers.

My Review
I always forget how much I love a novel in verse. There’s something truly amazing about finding a way to tell an entire story saturated with emotions in so few words. Behind These Hands took me to tears so many times, both with its tragedy and its beauty.

The descriptions of Claire playing the piano and composing her piece for the contest were so vivid I felt like I heard the music. Her heartache watching her brothers and knowing what their future holds hit me hard every time. The characters, especially Claire and her two best friends, felt real and full in every scene.

I didn’t expect to be as blown away by this book as I am. I want to read it a second time. I want to tell so many people about it. I love that it’s a fantastic story but also that it raises awareness of a disorder that affects real kids.

If you liked Solo by Kwame Alexander, the family issues and Claire’s courage may remind you of that story. If you’re a fan of novels in verse or moving contemporary fiction, definitely check Behind These Hands out!Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Cultural Elements
Claire is white. Her best friend Juan is Cuban.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used a few times. At one point Claire responds to two bullies with two middle fingers.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief kissing between a boy and girl.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.