In 2017, Sara wrote this reflection on why she wouldn’t read The Handmaid’s Tale. It continues to be our most popular post. You can read it here. As we explore the possibility of hosting a podcast, however, we are starting to record some of our reflections and book reviews as spoken tracts. If you would…
Author: Sara Masarik
Curators of things Good, True, and Beautiful
Audio Review of The Ark
For many years, we have had a number of requests for us to record our book reviews so that busy moms could listen while they work. Well, after much discussion, we have decided to explore the idea of recorded book reviews as well as a regular podcast. While we finish exploring the idea and sort…
Purple House Press Sale
Here is a cheat sheet for the books we have reviewed that are in the Purple House Press Spring 2022 Sale – May 6-9, 2022. From their Facebook Sale Post: We had our 22nd birthday a few days ago, so naturally we’re having a 22% off sale….wait no, we can do better…let’s have our biggest…
Rowan Farm
Rowan Farm is a delightful sequel to Margot Benary-Isbert’s treasure, The Ark. This sequel picks up just a few weeks after The Ark concludes. I enjoyed this book. Rowan Farm is just as wholesome and enriching as the first. I am handing it to my 13-year-old without any concern except for one which I will…
The Ark
Oh, how I would have loved Margot Benary-Isbert’s The Ark when I was a teen! The Ark’s main character, Margaret Lechow, is a lovely soul whose sympathy with animals resonates with my own deep longing to have been raised on a farm. Like Margaret, I was never more comfortable anywhere than when I was at…
Urchin and the Heartstone
Urchin and the Heartsone, the sequel to Urchin of the Riding Stars, is easily one of the most beautiful books I have read this year. And, I read a lot of good books. In my review of the first Mistmantle book, Urchin of the Riding Stars, I mention that I was surprised and delighted by…
The Archer’s Cup
The Archer’s Cup is the third Jo Shanks book in the Green Ember Archer series. It is the ninth book published, and it occurs as the second to last book chronologically. And, true to form, it is both wildly entertaining and informational. The Green Ember Archer series serves to give the reader additional information and…
The First Fowler
“Jo Shanks,” Helmer said, “you have somehow given me an idea.” “What is that, sir?” Jo asked, believing he might finally be really receiving the compliment he had longed for from the gruff old buck. “That you,” Helmer began, “need significant extra training. I might allow you to join our training sessions once we get…
The Last Archer
One of the things I enjoy so much about the #RabbitsWithSwords world of S. D. Smith’s Green Ember books is that there are a great number of “minor” characters who are so interesting to me that I would love to see them get their own fully developed stories. As an example, the Weavers are written…
Ember’s End
This final chapter in the Green Ember series, Ember’s End, is sure to please readers. It is chock-full of exciting battle scenes, the dialogue between the characters is delightful and often hilarious, unlooked for miracles are in the offing, victory is at hand, and a mending of not only The Great Wood but also of…