A Look Back at 2014!

Hello Bookworms,

          2014 was a great year! In this post I’d like to take a moment and review the highlights of this year’s blog!

Let’s start with interviews!

          This year See Lizzie Read brought you two great reviews!

          This summer I was privileged to get to interview the Countess of Carnarvon, the current lady of Highclere Castle, the setting of Downton Abbey, and author of two books about Highclere’s history!

          This fall I was privileged to interview Maisie Dobbs author Jacqueline Winspear about her famous female detective and her brand new stand-alone novel The Care and Management of Lies!

There were many great reviews as well of fiction and non-fiction, novels as well as short stories! I was able to read 25 books this year and while I haven’t published reviews on all of them yet, I can tell you which 5 (in no particular order) were my favorites!

1. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
2. Out of the Shadows by Georgina Doyle
3. Hobbit Lessons by Devin Brown
4. The Lost Library by A.M. Dean
5. C.S. Lewis, My Godfather by Laurence Harwood

          I thoroughly enjoyed 2014 and I cannot wait to share more reviews and interviews with you in 2015!!

Until Next Time,

                   Lizzie <3

Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journey by Devin Brown

Hello bookworms!! ,

     Recently I received a Copy of Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journeys by Devin Brown. I’ve read it and now I’m ready to share my thoughts with you!

Summary

     J.R.R. Tolkien wrote an epic set of stories. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These large novels have entertained young ones and adults for generations. But have you ever examined the writing for the truths about life? There are lessons in Tolkien’s writing about unlikely heroes going on unexpected adventures that we can all apply to our lives. Professor Devin Brown uncovers these lessons in Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journeys.

Review

     This was the first book I have ever read by author and Professor Devin Brown. A professor at Asbury University (where he teaches a class on C.S. Lewis and Tolkien), Brown has written books on the lives and works of both Lewis and Tolkien. Brown’s writing is intelligent yet down-to-Earth to make sure that anyone can understand. He’s also funny. For me, that’s always a huge plus to any writing meant to educate.

     Hobbit Lessons has given me a new respect for the writings of Tolkien. While I had noticed little nuggets of wisdom myself, Devin Brown brings out lessons of which I had never before thought. That’s, I think, the best part of the book. He doesn’t go as much for the obvious that we notice (the typical good triumphs over evil) but he delves deeper to bring forward points that many of us may have overlooked.

     A word of caution: If you have not read the books or even seen the movies, this book will spoil a few surprises and endings for you. What’s the best solution? Read the books AND Hobbit Lessons!

     I HIGHLY recommend Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journey. This book makes me wish I was studying at Asbury University so I could take Prof. Brown’s class! But since I’m not, I will at least read his other books. J

 At 133 pages, Hobbit Lessons is an enlightening, informative, and fun read.You won’t regret having read it!

**A special thanks to Devin Brown, Abingdon Press, and Goodreads for the copy! J

 

Check out Devin Brown and Hobbit Lessons here:

Goodreads

 

Buy on Amazon

 

Until Next Time,

                Lizzie <3