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Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King Jr. book opens with three chapters on the history of the oratorio, of Handel himself, and of the work Messiah; it is followed by detailed commentary on each segment of the work. Stapert’s book suffers from the challenge of any book written about music: words about music are only a pale reflection of the music itself. The writing, while knowledgeable, tends a bit to the pedantic side. It’s a worthwhile book, but recommended only for church libraries that have many serious music lovers in their congregations. Even then, I’d advocate for buying a couple of CD’s of the actual oratorio first. Rating: 2 —KLF AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF GOSPEL: Gospel Music from Early Spirituals to Contemporary Urban. Turner, Steve. Lion Hudson 2010, 208p, 9780745953397 [781] This book reviews gospel music from its foundations to the present time, focusing on the great performers of each era. It is heavily illustrated with photographs, mostly in black and white, but a few in color as well. The book will appeal most to those with an interest in the recorded performance of gospel music. Those interested in composers of gospel, or in analysis of the works themselves, or with a focus on gospel music in worship must turn elsewhere. There are indexes to songs cited, and to persons named, but no general index. A bibliography is included. Recommended only for libraries where there is extensive interest in gospel music, and even those libraries may wish to seek something with a more comprehensive scope. Rating: 2 —KLF � FICTION AMY INSPIRED. Pierce, Bethany. 320p, paper, Bethany House 2010, 9780764208508 [FIC] Amy Gallagher quit her job at a publishing house to pursue a life of writing. To pay the bills she took a low-paying job as an adjunct instructor at a local college and had friend Zoe move in to share the rent. But after two years of teaching she is still unpublished. To top it 24 off she has perpetual writer’s block, unlike Zoe who writes prolifically and has had lots of articles published. Amy’s boyfriend dumps her and on the verge of turning thirty, she wonders if she’ll ever marry. Many emotions are explored through Amy’s relationships with her family, friends and students. Bethany Pierce does a good job with character development, making them seem real and likeable, so you care about what happens to them as Amy becomes inspired to write and becomes an inspiration to others. Rating: 4 —VJ THE CHASM: A Journey to the Edge of Life. Alcorn, Randy. 120p, Multnomah 2011, 9781601423399 [FIC] This book is a short allegorical tale written in a science fiction genre that tells the journey of Nick Seagrave on his way to the shining city of Charis. Nick’s full story is told in the novel Edge of Eternity while this book is a short synopsis of his experience. The Woodsman accompanies Nick through untold difficulties and experiences offering him “a joy that will cost you everything you have but gain you everything that matters.” He also speaks of salvation and redemption, and tells Nick “I’ll be there to welcome you when you arrive.” The book has a Readers Guide at the end to elicit discussion. Randy Alcorn has written over thirty books with more than four million in print. Rating: 3 —RE DARK IN THE CITY OF LIGHT. Robertson, Paul. 414p, paper, Bethany House 2010, 9780764205699 [FIC] This engrossing historical novel, set primarily in Paris, encompasses the period of the Franco- Prussian war of 1870-71. The main character is an attaché to the Austrian ambassador to France. The impending war carries the thread of the plot, but it’s as much about the strained relationship between the attaché and his two grown children. Secrets, silence and lies heighten the suspense and are masterfully unveiled. A final extraneous, but very interesting “historical note,” separates truth from fiction and relates the Paris of that time to its modern counterpart. Aside from its fleeting references to God—and none,
I think, to Christianity—and the clean language, I’m surprised it found a Christian publisher. The book is very well written, and I recommend it, but I see little reason to add it to a church library. Rating: 3 —DKW EMBERS OF LOVE (Striking a Match, Book 1). Peterson, Tracie. 351p, paper, Bethany House 2010, 9780764208195 [FIC] The story begins in 1885 in Philadelphia as two young women, Deborah and Lizzie, graduate from college and begin their adult lives. Lizzie is engaged to be married to a wealthy future politician, but she decides that she does not love him and flees with Deborah to Perkinsville, Texas, which is Deborah’s hometown. Texas is where the adventure really begins. There were interesting points made about the issues of slavery, women’s rights, the environment and some medical advances that were being discovered at that time in history. This is the first in a new series, Striking a Match. Although very predictable, this type of fiction is very popular in our church library. Rating: 2+ —JD A HOPE UNDAUNTED (Winds of Change Series, Book 1). Lessman, Julie. 505p, paper, Revell 2010, 9780800734152 [FIC] The 1920s is the setting for this latest novel by author Julie Lessman. As the era draws to a close, smart and feisty Katie O’Connor is looking for a husband. But it will not be easy for her to choose between her good-looking, well-connected and wealthy boyfriend Jake, and the man she swore to despise forever. The reader will discover what happens when the boy she loved to hate becomes the man she hates to love. Although well-written, this book was entirely too long and may be daunting to read for many. Although this is the first book in the Winds of Change Series, readers will first want to read Lessman’s other books about the O’Connor family (Daughters of Boston Series). This book could have been written more concisely by eliminating some historical information that was not essential to plot and character development. Rating: 2 —MF 25 A HOPEFUL HEART. Sawyer, Kim Vogel. 347p, paper, Bethany House 2010, 9780764205095 [FIC] Desperate and without a dowry, Tressa Neill applies to the inaugural class of Wyatt Herdsman School in Barnett, Kansas, in 1888. This school teaches young women from the East skills needed to become a rancher or the wife of a rancher. Abel Samms wants nothing to do with the potential brides his neighbor brings to town. But he discovers something he likes in bumbling Tressa that forces him to reconsider his position. Readers will need to discover for themselves whether or not Abel Samms will risk his own life and his heart to help this eastern girl when her life is endangered. Author of numerous other novels, Kim Vogel Sawyer has written a story replete with plot twists, mystery, suspense, humor and inspiring characters. Throughout this tale the reader will see how God works in mysterious ways to bring comfort, faith and hope to His people. This book is for all readers who enjoy historical western fiction. Rating: 3 —MF LADY IN WAITING. Meissner, Susan. 336p, paper, WaterBrook 2010, 9780307458834 [FIC] Susan Meissner does a wonderful job of telling the dual stories of modern day Jane Lindsay, the manager of a Manhattan antique shop, and sixteenth-century Lady Jane Grey, age 11 and fourth in line to the British throne. Jane Lindsay’s husband of twentytwo years announces that he needs some space and moves out. She is shocked and devastated, but after unpacking a box purchased from an English jumble sale, she finds a beautiful ring with a Latin inscription and the name “Jane” engraved inside. She is curious about the identity of the other Jane. The story alternates between modern day Jane and Lady Jane Grey, as told through the eyes of her dressmaker and confidante, Lucy Day. As Jane seeks to find who owned the ring, we see the similarities between the two. Both have let others make decisions for them and had to look inside themselves and find Reviewers Kathleen Bowman Librarian Faith Lutheran, Appleton, WI Audrey M. Bruner Retired English Teacher, First Presbyterian, Myrtle Beach, SC Elinore Bullock Librarian, Fairmont Presbyterian, Califon, NJ Janet Condon Seabold United Methodist, Bainbridge Island, WA Pat Daly Vicki Jackman Mount Olivet Lutheran, Plymouth, MN Jean Duffy, Co-librarian Gordon Duffy, Co-librarian Jim Tennyson First Presbyterian, Santa Rosa, CA Rhoda Ebersole Christ the Servant Lutheran, Las Vegas, NV Bonnie Ehrke, Librarian East Koshkonong Lutheran, Cambridge, WI
Page 1 and 2: What’s inside? � Move your comp
Page 3 and 4: Letter from our President Kathleen
Page 5 and 6: He wrote the book on church librari
Page 7 and 8: Calendar All are welcome to attend
Page 9 and 10: The book that changed the world (co
Page 11 and 12: Reviews � BIBLE & THEOLOGY THE IN
Page 13 and 14: history. There is also a separate c
Page 15 and 16: PRINCESS WITH A PURPOSE. Chapman, K
Page 17 and 18: list of many characteristics intend
Page 19 and 20: without thinking about their lives
Page 21 and 22: variety of resources and how to get
Page 23: THE QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS HOPE NO ON
Page 27 and 28: Testament times, explaining the cus
Page 29 and 30: Reviews (continued from page 27) sh

Libraries Alive - National Church Library Association

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