Books That ... Influenced Me Personally

One day late again, but nobody noticed, right? ;) This is the last article in my bookish series, so there's no telling what post I will have in store for you next week! Although, with any luck, that one will actually be posted on a Saturday.

I didn't even scan my bookshelves to create this list, so these are truly books that I remember leaving some sort of lasting impact on my life. They're roughly listed in the order I read them.

The Promised Land Diaries by Anne Adams

This is a series of six books that I'm pretty sure were gifted to me at Christmas one year. Either way, I devoured them. It was my first exposure to Biblical historical fiction, and I've loved that genre ever since. With a primary fictional character who records "first hand" events surrounding Biblical women, these captured my imagination. I still loan them out to preteens at church. (Only the first of six is pictured.)

The Bluebird and the Sparrow by Janette Oke

I know I've mentioned this one before. I think the main reason it stood out to me is because it was about the contention between two sisters. Well ... the contention the older sister (that would be me) always held against her seemingly perfect younger sister. Seeing how bitter that made the main character and how hard it was for her to actually ever love left an impact on me. I was determined not to be that sister ;)

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

I promise I don't stick this book on every list of mine just for the fun of it. Since the first time I read this was at a point in my life when I could relate to young Polly finding confidence in who she was, that left an impact on me. She was a role model of sorts. Now I can relate just as much to the older Polly and that is unusual in a book, I think. :)

The Tinker's Daughter by Wendy Lawton

Victoria Minks mentioned this in her Very Awesome Vlog Challenge #5, and it reminded me that it was one I couldn't get out of my head. It's about Mary Bunyan, the blind daughter of John Bunyan. She, too, deals with bitterness with the burdens she has to take on with her father's imprisonment. She repeats the Scripture "I can do all things" to herself incessantly to keep going. After the climax of the book, she finally begins to recite the entire verse. "...through Christ who strengthens me." I can still try to do things on my own, and that was a good reminder that a huge attitude adjustment and greater happiness can come from including Christ.

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Are you seeing a theme here? ;) I knew who John Bunyan was when I read The Tinker's Daughter, but I'm not sure my dad had read us Pilgrim's Progress aloud yet. I remember trying to unpack all the analogies and liking how the character's names described them. It really broadened my thinking about the Christian walk.

There's one more that comes to mind all the time, but I can't remember the title or character names for the life of me. I know it was about a young girl (she's on the cover--dark hair in a prison cell?) who was imprisoned for her beliefs, I think. I want to say it happened in the Philippines? Anyway. I remember another woman birthed a baby in the prison cell and the baby girl didn't live ... and all the time the main young woman kept true to God. And that stuck with me, because I never liked the idea of having to suffer for my faith as a kid. ;)

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I'm sure there are others that have influenced me since, but all of these books I read before I was a teenager. I think that's part of the reason they were able to influence me so much. What books have left an impact on your life?

Thanks for sticking around for this entire series! I hope you all enjoyed it :) I'd love to hear your thoughts on what I should blog about next.

The Sorceress and the Squid by Emily Mundell // Blog Tour

Guess what book releases today?! The Sorceress and the Squid by my friend Emily Mundell. Trust me, I've read it and it's amazing. I know some of you have heard me talk about it before, but now you can actually go get a copy! :D You can read Emily's kickoff post here.

First of all. Is that cover not amazing? I love it so much!! It's even neater because Emily commissioned a friend to paint it for her. I love that Micah Jonsson chose the nighttime scene; it fits the book so well.

Here's the description:

In the magical land of Perth, divisions between the Old Kingdom and the New have waged for centuries. The humans have long harbored a mistrust of the spell-casting Fae and vice versa. In the midst of this conflict, Estrella the Sorceress lays waste to the Training Academy for Human Warriors, making an enemy in the soldier, Jalen. During their standoff, Jalen is turned into a squid and Estrella, unable to restore him to his original form, takes pity on him and travels west across the Sea to bring him to the Wizard in hope he can be saved. But is there more to the unrest in Perth than meets the eye?

Hello, you should all want to read it now, because that description is awesome xP But here are some graphics Emily's concocted from Pinterest to give you a better look at her story. (Except for the last one which I made.)

I know, that's a lot of images. But this book is so quoteable! That's its first major virtue.

Another thing I love about it, is all the characters are so creative. Because it's fantasy there are a lot of different species, the main distinction being humanoid and Fae (Old Kingdom). It's so clever though, because how many different hostilities and misunderstandings do we have in the real world based on race and religion?? There's so much credibility to the humanoids who want to rid the world of the Fae, just because they don't understand them and are fearful of their magical capabilities.

That's another part I loved: the magic. I know magic isn't for everyone, but let me assure you that if you can enjoy the lighthearted magical elements of C. S. Lewis (if only for their deeper meanings) then you can enjoy this, too! I loved how Emily described Estrella's spells and the repercussions she has to deal with ... the primary one being turning poor Jalen into squid ;)

Which brings me to another point. Besides the names all being precious and unique (but still pronounceable), the characters are just as precious. That really is the best way to describe them in my opinion. That doesn't mean they're always straightforward. Estrella is super grouchy in the beginning, but Jalen's such a sweetheart and watching them learn to get along is so fun.

And I have to mention the dedication as well. I loved it and having read the book before there was a dedication, they fit each other perfectly.

All in all, the entire story made me smile and curl my toes, and that really is the biggest compliment I can give :) So 10/10 shrooms. I've read it 1.5 times now and nothing stands out to dislike, so full points to a story that I love.

Emily Mundell is a 19 year old author, artist, horsewoman and lover of the wonders of the wide world. She hails from the Great White North of Canada and has spent her life growing up in the heart of rural Alberta in a close-knit farming community - though she has often entertained fantasies of inhabiting the Shire.

Writing is her true passion – though horses and art take a close second. With fantasy as her primary genre, Emily has been writing stories since the tender age of eight when she finished her first “book.” She is currently working to complete her Creative Writing Certificate through the University of Calgary. An avid bookworm, true country-mouse, and unconventional tree-climber, Emily can usually be found on a horse, working on one of her half-dozen projects, chasing a loose cow, or being swept off her feet by the man she calls her own personal “hobbit.”

Find her on her ...

Blog: http://writeremilymundell.blogspot.ca/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/emundell97/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/e_mundell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emundell97/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16900796.Emily_Mundell

Find the book on ...

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B072MGPNSN

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/7211673

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35262606-the-sorceress-and-the-squid

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There you have it! Did I sell you on the book? ;) It's worth your time, especially if you enjoy clever fantasy or adventure. It's just extra awesome that you get to support a deserving indie author at the same time!

I'll be returning to my normal posting schedule on Saturdays now. Be sure to check out some other stops in Emily's blog tour! And definitely let me know if you get a chance to read the book :D