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Yankee in Atlanta

August 7, 2026 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

7 Aug

Title: Yankee in Atlanta
Author: Jocelyn Green
Series: Heroines Behind the Lines, book 3
Major Themes: Civil War, Georgia, New York
Synopsis: Finding herself trapped behind enemy lines, soldier Caitlin McKae is forced to make a new life for herself in Atlanta as Union troops push closer and closer to the city.

I’ve been enjoying Jocelyn Green’s Heroines Behind the Lines series over the past few months, and recently got to listen to Yankee in Atlanta. I wouldn’t say this was my favorite story of the series, but I found it quite intriguing—and also loved being back with one of my favorite characters from the first book!

Publisher’s description:

When soldier Caitlin McKae wakes up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treats her believes Caitlin’s only secret is that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta.

Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who enlists with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman’s troops edge closer to Atlanta. Though starvation rules, and Sherman rages, she will not run again. In a land shattered by strife and suffering, a Union veteran and a Rebel soldier test the limits of loyalty and discover the courage to survive. Will honor dictate that Caitlin and Noah follow the rules, or love demand that they break them?

Yankee in Atlanta is a work of fiction inspired by first-person accounts from men and women whose letters and journals offer a glimpse into the lives of those living in Atlanta during the height of the Civil War.

My thoughts:

I loved all the different people Green pulled together in this story to make it work. It’s intriguing to try to imagine the kinds of things Union sympathizers may have faced in Confederate Atlanta—not a position I envy, for sure! I also loved that a German man (and his experience in the German Revolution in the late 1840s) played a role in the story, which brought an interesting perspective to the book and its place in history. Then there’s Ruby, who starred in Wedded to War—I enjoyed getting to see what happened to her throughout the course of this story!

This book wasn’t quite as much of a favorite of mine as the first two books in the series. I didn’t connect with the characters very well, and felt like some elements of the story dragged out a bit longer and were a bit more detailed than I prefer. Oh, well.

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially the kind that shows perspectives on history that you don’t normally find in books, I expect you’d enjoy Yankee in Atlanta. I’m glad I got to read it—Jocelyn Green is one of my favorite authors, and for good reason, I think!—and I’m looking forward to finishing the last book in the series soon.

WARNING: I listened to the audiobook and wasn’t able to take many notes. There is a bit of language, at one point, a man threatens to kill a woman’s baby if she doesn’t go along with him, and he tries to rape her. The marriage bed is mentioned multiple times, as one character struggled to give herself to her husband (the discussion surrounding that danced a little too close for comfort for me a couple of times). A man was married in name only to a woman; their marriage was later annulled, and he started a serious relationship with someone else. Somewhere around chapter 15, a woman remembers being a prostitute (this fact is brought up several times through the book). Chapter 17: Bloomin’. Chapter 26: Wedding night. Chapter 27: Man touches his wife’s breast, hang it all. Chapter 29: Lying. Chapter 36: Kisses.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Diamond of Darkhold

August 5, 2026 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

5 Aug

Title: The Diamond of Darkhold
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Series: The City of Ember, book 4
Major Themes: Dystopian, Friendship, Adventure
Synopsis: After discovering a book that seems to talk about a device meant for the Emberites, Lina and Doon head back to their old city to try to track the clues and help their people.

After reading The City of Ember, I was curious about what happened next, and eventually got around to reading books two and three, and when I eventually needed another audiobook, The Diamond of Darkhold seemed like a good option—and it would be satisfying to get one more series checked off! This one picks up soon after book two leaves off, and it was fun to see the completion of the series with this book. This book was one of my favorites of the series, second only to book one.

Publisher’s description:

Lina and Doon are returning to the city of Ember, but what awaits them in the dark?

Lina and Doon escaped the dying city of Ember and led their people to the town of Sparks. But it’s winter now, and the harsh realities of their new world have begun to set in. When Doon finds a book that hints at an important, long-lost device, it doesn’t take much for him to convince Lina to join him for one last adventure in the place they used to call home. But will this mysterious technology be enough to help their people? And what—and who—will they find when they return?

My thoughts:

After reading The Prophet of Yonwood, book three, I was somewhat cautious about this story. That one felt rather disconnected from the rest of the series, and in my opinion, while it’s an okay story, you can easily skip it and won’t miss it (if you’re curious, you can see my mini-review of that one as a postscript on my review of The People of Sparks).

Once I got into The Diamond of Darkhold, though, it felt like the spark of the story returned—I got heavily invested in the children’s adventures, hoping against hope that they’d find a way to help their people and solve the mystery presented to them. One of my favorite parts about this book was their return to Ember; it was fascinating to see the city through their eyes after being away from it for a while.

As far as a wrap-up to the series goes, I felt like this was one of the more cohesive conclusions I’ve seen in a while. Though some may complain that it was all tied with too neat a bow, I personally loved the notes of hope, forgiveness, and community this book ended on.

If you enjoy light dystopian stories, a thread of mystery, and a good deal of adventure, The City of Ember series is one I can recommend.

WARNING: A couple of times: Mentions of seeing bones or dead bodies. Chapter 3: Planning to lie to parents (lying also occurs in ch. 4, 8, and 11). Chapter 26: Blasted. Ending: Mention of aliens landing on Earth.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Hole in Our Holiness

August 3, 2026 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

3 Aug

The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung

Title: The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness
Author: Kevin DeYoung
Major Themes: Christian Living, Spiritual Growth, Inspirational
Synopsis: Holiness is one of the most-talked about topics in the Bible, and DeYoung’s goal is to show us how it’s just as applicable now as it was back in Jesus’ day.

One Sunday morning, I grabbed The Hole in Our Holiness as we headed out the door, intending to get a little reading in on our half-hour drive to church. One of my brothers picked it up before I did, flipped to the middle of the book, and started reading chapter six. I didn’t bother to try to get it back from him, just watched him as he was engrossed in reading. Just before we got to church, I asked him, “So…do you think it’s a good book?”

“Oh, it’s great!” he replied, “it’s just like reading a sermon!” He then went on to ask if I could find an audio version for him, because he has more time to listen than read.

I thought his response was hilarious—and a fairly good summary of this book!

Publisher’s description:

What does it mean to be holy? Why should we care? And how can we change?

The hole in our holiness is that we don’t care much about holiness. Or, at the very least, we don’t understand it.

This is a book for those of us who are ready to take holiness seriously, ready to be more like Jesus, ready to live in light of the grace that produces godliness. This is a book about God’s power to help us grow in personal holiness and to enjoy the process of transformation.

My thoughts:

Personally, I found The Hole in Our Holiness harder to read than some of the Christian living books I’ve read lately. It’s a much more difficult subject, for one thing—it’s pretty sobering to realize, all over again, how often I miss the mark in my Christian walk!—but this also feels a bit more technical than some works I’ve read. I wouldn’t put it on the same level as, say, Sinclair Ferguson, but it did take a bit more thought than some books I’ve read.

Don’t let the slightly more technical nature of this book be off-putting, though. Where I expected this book to carry some condemnation or a “boot up the pants” sort of attitude, DeYoung outdoes himself in an effort to be encouraging and make holiness seem like a possible, actionable goal, rather than some airy-fairy thing for super-Christians.

There were two things I especially appreciated about this book:

First, DeYoung finally gave me language for the tension between faith and works that I’ve been trying to explain to myself for years. Somehow, he managed to do it without being legalistic or too grace-focused, and I appreciated that.

Secondly, he spent an entire chapter discussing sexual sin. Using his own dating experience, he was able to explain physical purity before marriage in a way I’ve never seen before—and in the most concise, memorable way possible. My parents were heavily influenced by the “Purity Culture” of the 90s, and when it came to my dating relationships, they set up some rules to try to protect my boyfriend and me. I appreciated the heart behind those rules, but struggled to know how much of it was Biblical and how much was hangover from the hype when they were courting. The way DeYoung talked about it here, though, made a lot of sense…and instead of giving a bunch of dos and don’ts, he quoted 1 Tim. 5:2, and basically made the argument that if you wouldn’t make out with your brother, sister, a stranger, or a friend, why would it be okay to do that with someone you’re dating, who you may or may not end up marrying?

This book gave me a lot of food for thought, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it. I haven’t read any books on holiness (aside from the Bible) before this, but it’s definitely a topic I’d be more interested in pursuing in the future. In my opinion, The Hole in Our Holiness is a book all Christians should read, if nothing else but to push us all on to more godliness in Christ.

WARNING: Chapter 7 mentions infant baptism as normal and legitimate (the author is Reformed and occasionally quotes Calvin).

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Lizzy and Jane

July 31, 2026 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

31 Jul

Title: Lizzy and Jane
Author: Katherine Reay
Major Themes: Family, Food, Friendship, Cancer
Synopsis: Estranged since their mother’s death, Elizabeth and her sister are brought together again with Jane’s cancer diagnosis and Elizabeth’s failing culinary career.

Years ago, I remember seeing reviews for Dear Mr. Knightley, with multiple friends recommending the story. I didn’t have access to that book at the time, but soon afterward, I found Lizzy and Jane and decided to ask for a review copy. To my shame, I never quite managed to get around to actually reading the story, so it sat, languishing, in my Kindle. I had a goal this past year to work through some of my old ARCs, and this book was on my list. I’m so glad I finally took the time to read this story—it’s a gem!

Publisher’s description:

Lizzy and Jane couldn’t be further from Jane Austen’s famous sisters for whom they are named.

Elizabeth left her family’s home in Seattle fifteen years ago to pursue her lifelong dream—chefing her own restaurant in New York City. Jane stayed behind to raise a family. Estranged since their mother’s death many years ago, the circumstances of their lives are about to bring them together once again.

Known for her absolute command of her culinary domain, Elizabeth’s gifts in the kitchen have begun to elude her. And patrons and reviewers are noticing. In need of some rest and an opportunity to recover her passion for cooking, Elizabeth jumps at the excuse to rush to her sister’s bedside when Jane is diagnosed with cancer. After all, Elizabeth did the same for their mother. Perhaps this time, it will make a difference.

As Elizabeth pours her renewed energy into her sister’s care and into her burgeoning interest in Nick, Jane’s handsome coworker, her life begins to evolve from the singular pursuit of her own dream into the beautiful world of family, food, literature, and love that was shattered when she and Jane lost their mother. Will she stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane—and Elizabeth to Nick’s Mr. Darcy—or will she return to the life she has worked so hard to create?

My thoughts:

One of my favorite things about Katherine Reay’s books is the way she incorporates elements of classic stories while telling a whole new contemporary story. This book is, in a sense, an ode to Jane Austen’s works—but though I guessed from the title, before starting the book, that it would primarily be inspired by Pride and Prejudice, I must say I was thrilled to discover elements of my current Austen favorite, Sense and Sensibility, in the story as well. One scene that particularly stands out is when one character was brought to her knees because of a medical incident, and another character turned to her eventually, and said in effect, “That’s sweet and all, but can we be finished with our Elinor and Marianne moment?” I’d already been thinking how that scene was similar to one from Sense and Sensibility, and the comment made me chuckle. Definitely Reay at her best!

While I’d classify this book as contemporary romance, I loved that this book had more focus on the family relationships in the story than the romance, so in that way, it felt almost more like women’s fiction. The characters here were hurting in many different ways, and watching a fractured family move closer together—despite grief and loss—was one of my favorite things in the world. There’s a lot of deep heart work in this story…and while it’s not overtly Christian most of the time, the threads of redemption, hope, and faith were there, and I came away with a heart full of thanks for the transformation the Lord can work in our lives when we let Him.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the food element of this story! Having not read the back cover synopsis (I mean, why would you, when you can just discover it through the story?), that part caught me by surprise and thoroughly tickled my cooking heart. I’m not a chef, and don’t intend to be, but I loved the way the food in this story was creative, made with love, and used as a way of blessing and drawing people together. I want my home to have this kind of food culture.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-read, enjoyable story that has moments of lightheartedness as well as some deeper soul work, I’d highly recommend you check out Lizzy and Jane. I’m kicking myself for not reading it earlier, and I’m hoping to check out some of Reay’s other books before too long. Also, if you haven’t read Austen’s stories before this book, don’t worry—there are little easter eggs for those who know the classics, but your enjoyment of this book will not be lessened if you don’t know the stories.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

WARNING: Characters occasionally drink socially, hold hands, or kiss (never described in detail). Breast cancer, its effects on the body, and treatments are frequently talked about. Chapter 1: Worth a darn. Chapter 2: Lying. Chapter 4: Darn it. Chapter 6: Gee. Chapter 8: Heck. Chapter 25: Sleeping on a man’s chest on his couch at his house, alone (nothing wrong happens). Chapter 28: Brief reference to sex (talking about chemo’s effects on her body). Chapter 36: For goodness’s sake.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Adorning the Dark

July 29, 2026 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

29 Jul

Title: Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making
Author: Andrew Peterson
Major Themes: Creativity, Writing, Memoirs
Synopsis: A memoir of singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson’s creative journey, with encouragement and practical ideas for all writers trying to bring God’s light to the world.

Of the 51 audiobooks I’ve listened to this year, Adorning the Dark is unique in that it was one of the only, if not the only, audiobook I listened to at “normal” speed—everything else was sped up to 1.25 or 1.5x speed. Part of that, admittedly, is because Andrew Peterson is a fast reader…but it’s also because as soon as I got into the book, I realized this is one to savor, not speed through. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this book!

Publisher’s description:

Making something beautiful in a broken world can be harrowing work, and it can’t be done alone.

Over the last twenty years, Andrew Peterson has performed thousands of concerts, published four novels, released ten albums, taught college and seminary classes on writing, founded a nonprofit ministry for Christians in the arts, and executive-produced a film—all in a belief that God calls us to proclaim the gospel and the coming kingdom using whatever gifts are at our disposal. He’s stumbled along the way, made mistake after mistake, and yet has continually encountered the grace of God through an encouraging family, a Christ-centered community of artists in the church, and the power of truth, beauty, and goodness in Scripture and the arts.

While there are many books about writing, none deal first-hand with the intersection of songwriting, storytelling, and vocation, along with a nuts-and-bolts exploration of the great mystery of creativity. In Adorning the Dark, Andrew describes six principles for the writing life:

serving the work
serving the audience
selectivity
discernment
discipline
and community

Through stories from his own journey, Andrew shows how these principles are not merely helpful for writers and artists, but for anyone interested in imitating the way the Creator interacts with his creation.

This book is both a memoir of Andrew’s journey and a handbook for artists, written in the hope that his story will provide encouragement to others stumbling along in pursuit of a calling to adorn the dark with the light of Christ.

My thoughts:

One of my goals this year was to read more books about creativity, and, specifically, writing. This particular book wasn’t on my radar until a couple of weeks ago, but when I heard about it from a friend, I knew I wanted to read it.

Adorning the Dark is more a memoir than a how-to-write book. It’s not the kind of book that gives strategies and ideas for how to build gripping, well-rounded stories (although that does come into it, to some extent); its focus is on living a creative life for God’s glory.

Through his own experiences in the music and later, book-writing industries, Peterson shares how creativity is intrinsically embedded in each of our souls. Since we are made in the image of a creative God, we are creative—whether that creativity ever shows up in the traditional “arts” sense or not. And as children of God, we are called to express that creativity to the best of our abilities, develop our skills more, and keep creating—whether or not we ever “publish” or make our art publicly available to the rest of the world.

As someone who has dabbled in writing in the past, this book resonated with me on a level I haven’t experienced in a long time. Peterson makes it feel possible to create—without the pressure of feeling like I have to write or craft perfectly. There’s something freeing in that, and something scary, because it means I have to be vulnerable with myself, and allow myself to just try, despite the fear that it will turn out completely worthless.

Adorning the Dark is a book I fully intend to buy and put on my shelf. It’s good, and I don’t want this to be the last time I read it. I would highly encourage you to listen to the audiobook, though, because there are some things in there you can’t experience from the printed page—not only does Peterson read his book (and he’s got a good voice for it!), but he also plays some of the songs he used as illustrations in the story. That’s something you can’t experience well unless you’ve got the book in your ears.

Recommended to anyone, whether you feel creative or not, who wants to glorify God with your life. If only because this memoir is more about a life lived for God, than about the things we can make with our hands or hearts.

WARNING: Chapter 2: Darn. Chapter 10: For goodness’s sake. Chapter 12: “The life of a writer is absolute hell” (quote from Roald Dahl), heck. Chapter 13: For goodness’s sake.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com