Atlas Girl Book Review

 Finding Home in the Last Place 

I Thought to Look

SUMMARY:  Emily Wierenga left home at age eighteen with no intention of ever returning.

     Broken down by organized religion, a childhood battle with anorexia, and her parents' rigidity, she set out to find God somewhere else - anywhere else.  Her travels took her across three continents in buses, cars and planes, across mountains and over deep blue seas.

     What she hadn't realized was that her faith was waiting for her the whole time - in the place she least expected it.

      Poignant and passionate, Atlas Girl is a deeply personal story of the yearning we all share to be truly known, entirely forgiven, and utterly loved.

REVIEW:  Emily's story is one every girl should read.  She has been in the shoes of  many of us: struggling with body image, feeling loved by her parents, and struggling with her faith.  She is quick to give God the glory and admit when she feels like God has left her alone.  She acknowledges when she sees Him at work throughout her life.  I thought it was admirable when she returns home to take care of her ailing mother, which helps strengthen her relationship with both her parents.  She also gets to watch as her parents' relationship is strengthen and grow in adversity.  

     Really, the only thing I had a problem with was how the story would jump around.  It would start out with the author at her parents' house taking care of her mother, the jump into stories of her youth or in the past.  After reading a few chapters, it all started to make better sense.  It could be confusing at times but I could see why she wrote it this way.  

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author and blogger at www.emilywierenga.com.  She speaks regularly about her journey with anorexia and lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband, Trenton, and their two sons.

A Promise in Pieces Book Review

Quilts of Love

SUMMARY:  A small gift, a simple promise, a life forever changed.

     It's been more than fifty years since Clara cared for injured WWII soldiers in the Women's Army Corps.  Fifty years since she promised to deliver a dying soldier's last wish.  And fifty years since that soldier's young widow gave her the baby quilt - a grief-ridden gift that would provide hope to countless newborns in the years to come.

     On her way to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Clara decided it's time to share her story.  But when the trip doesn't go as planned, Clara wonders if anyone will learn the great significance of the quilt - and the promise stitched inside it.

REVIEW:  This novel is different from most World War II stories I've read but was interesting in how the story played out.  One of my favorite parts was Clara telling her grandson her story and the story of the quilt and his continued interest.  I like how even though Clara's life wasn't easy, she chose to listen to the Lord's leading and follow Him.  In doing so, she blessed many woman and their babies with the quilt and showed them the love of the Lord.  It covers a lot of history but does it quickly without leaving out important details.  This was an enjoyable book.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author, and blogger at emilywierenga.com.  She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Trenton, and their two sons.