Review: The King and Queen of Malibu: The True Story of the Battle for Paradise

The King and Queen of Malibu: The True Story of the Battle for Paradise by David K. Randall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who knew the history of Malibu could be so fascinating!!

I belong to the California Reading group here on Goodreads. Someone there recommended reading this nonfiction history about Frederick and May Rindge and their purchase of Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit (a Spanish land grant) in 1892. I love learning the history of my state and enjoyed this book from start to finish.

I listened to an audiobook version so missed out on seeing the photos in the book. That's one reason why I really prefer to read nonfiction in physical book format. However the narration was good and there are a lot of photos and maps on the internet that satisfied my need for visuals.

I'm terribly sorry the Topanga Arch Rock was destroyed. I get very upset about that kind of destruction, though some may think it was done by nature rather than vandalism. I tend to think it was probably the victim of human interference because in looking at the photos I found through Google, the art rock did not look like it was going to fall down on its own any time soon.

There was so much drama about the use of the Malibu land. The Rindges wanted people to stop violating their property rights but others insisted on barging their way through. In that respect it was a sad story of much struggle.

I really liked Frederick Rindge. He was born to great wealth but because of illness, lived a life of great difficulty. Through all his sorrows he became devoted to the Lord and to sharing his spiritual philosophies about right living. He wrote a few books about this, and I'd like to find and read them. Maybe they're on Archive.Org or Project Gutenberg. I haven't looked for them yet. He married a woman from a poor family and didn't let his huge inherited fortune interfere with his love for Jesus.

Well, Malibu is more interesting than I'd ever imagined. I'm glad I read this book!

View all my reviews

Review: The Cafe on the Edge of the World: A Story About the Meaning of Life

The Cafe on the Edge of the World: A Story About the Meaning of Life by John P. Strelecky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Draw Your Day: An Inspiring Guide to Keeping a Sketch Journal

Draw Your Day: An Inspiring Guide to Keeping a Sketch Journal by Samantha Dion Baker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daily art; be prepared to be impressed!

A great idea: draw what you see each day. Draw to fill your memory drawer with your self-generated images and impressions. Add some quotes and some quick notes. Voila! Beautiful journal!!!

The images drawn by the author of this book are fantastic. They are gently drawn with precision and accuracy. Obviously this artist has been practicing a long time and her art shows it. At the end of the book she mentions she's from "a family of artists" and I'm sure that helped.

Practically speaking, most of us reading the book are not going to produce images of that quality complete with meaningful quotes in calligraphy. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. That doesn't mean we shouldn't start where we are and have a bit of fun journaling our days while developing newfound art skills. Why not try?

I'm one of those who try. I know a lot of my art issues are due to the fact I haven't put in enough practice time. But as the years pass by, my art does make small improvements and I am still having a lot of fun with it.

I recommend this book to whoever isn't afraid to try. Don't expect (or moan about) a lack of perfection. Obviously this artist/author used some of her loveliest pages as illustrations for this book. The pages that fell short of perfection got left out I'm sure, so we're seeing her best work. Love it. Appreciate it. Enjoy it. Be happy for her that her artistry has progressed that far already. Her drawings are impressive. Now, let's see yours.

One little step at a time - we all can be artists and find joy in what we do.

Then there's the other challenge - the consistency required to be present and willing to take time drawing every day. That's something that eludes me but with effort I might get better at it.

View all my reviews

Review: Address Unknown

Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a small book with a huge impact. We all know what went on in Germany in World War II, but do we know what went on /before/ World War II? This book about two men who were business partners and friends in San Francisco tells the story within a series of letters written after one of the men, a German, moves home to Munich in 1932.

This was originally published as a short story in Story Magazine, a NYC publisher. The author was encouraged to drop her first name for a professional by-line. It is a short story in every way worthy of being a book - one that has sold hundreds of thousands of copies not only in the USA but also across Europe. It has been translated into many, many languages. It is worthy of reading.

View all my reviews

Review: Watercolor Success in Four Steps: 150 Skill-Building Projects to Paint

Watercolor Success in Four Steps: 150 Skill-Building Projects to Paint by Marina Bakasova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Legacy of Mercy

Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book two in the Waves of Mercy series.

This is yet another great Christian fiction novel by Lynn Austin who is (seriously) my favorite writer of Christian fiction at the moment. I've read five of her books this year, and I read four others back in 2022, which was my year of getting to know about Christian fiction. At this point I'd like to read /all/ her novels. I love her writing style and how she incorporates Christianity into her fiction.

This is the second novel about Anna Nicholson and her grandmother, Geesje de Jonge. Not everything goes according to plan for these women but along the way they learn to accept and be grateful for the will of God. It is also, sadly, the last book in the series thus far, so technically this is called a duology. Since this book was published eight years ago I'm guessing there won't be anything more written. But you never know, unless you're the author, right?

View all my reviews

Review: Waves of Mercy

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a touching story about immigrants from the Netherlands seeking religious freedom and safety.

The story is set originally in Leiden, in the Netherlands. A persecuted family leaves to go to the USA to find safety. They settle in Holland, Michigan with other Dutch families.

I love Lynn Austin's Christian novels and was surprised to be reading one that in some respects paralleled part of my own family's immigration story. My family came originally from Northern France where they were subject to religious persecution as Huguenots (Protestants in Catholic-dominated France.) They left there to settle in Belgium and my 10x Great Grandfather Johannes (or Jean) de la Montagne, went to medical school in Leiden. The same town this fictional family was from. My family sailed to New Amsterdam in 1636 before the name of the town was changed to New York. Johannes and his wife moved in with his two brother-in-laws. They had a home in Harlem which was then a small mostly-Dutch village north of New Amsterdam. They farmed the northern half of what is now Central Park. Johannes de la Montagne was the first college-educated doctor and surgeon to live in New Amsterdam.

Anyhow, since I already had an interest in immigrants coming from the Netherlands, I was thrilled to be reading a novel about a family that did the same.

This novel has a dual timeline as one of the characters is writing her life story, so those chapters become a flashback for her. It is quite an involved and complex plot. There's a satisfying ending which is what we always want in these types of books. My opinion is that it is well worth reading if you like Christian fiction.

This is not just a historical novel, but is also an intensely Christian novel that gives us much to consider about faith and the blessings of a Jesus-centered life. This novel kept me up until 5 am! I'm now reading the sequel.

View all my reviews

Review: Waves of Mercy

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews