4 Amazing Books You May Not Have Heard Of

There are honestly so many books out there that not many people have read. Which is really sad. Sometimes I even forget that unpopular books can be so good. Like, "I haven't heard of it, so it can't be that great, right?" WRONG! I'm just re-learning this now, actually! I got stuck in a little rut where I read the books that everyone else was reading. The Hunger Games? Check! Opinion? It was okay.. Divergent? Check! Opinion? It wasn't even good. Ugh, aren't there any really good books out there anymore? Yes! And there are constantly more and more! On another note, anyone have any more good book recommendations for me? :D I'm re-learning to love reading now. Yay! :)

So, here are some of my very favorite books that you may not have heard of yet.

Number one: Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan.

Even though this book is for younger kids, it totally rules!!! I first read it in 5th grade. I was in a higher reading group, and we got this book. We all thought it would be terrible. But, my teacher said, "Just try it. Read the first bit, and just keep going." And we all loved it!! Jake Semple is a great example of changing for the right reasons. He's not exactly the kind of kid you'd want to meet, and after getting kicked out of every school ever, he lands at the Applewhite residence. This book is hilarious, and each member of the Applewhite family is wonderfully engaging. Remember, even though it's the notorious Jake Semple in question, this book isn't about the Applewhites surviving Jake, it's Jake surviving the Applewhites.

Number two: Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan.

Oh, this is SO good. It's about a woman who finds herself with some Australian Aborigines people, and spends some time. There are great messages in here and it's thoroughly a fascinating and interesting read. If you read the reviews (click the link), you'll see that some are annoyed about any fictional fabrications Morgan may have included. But, oh, I don't think that matters at all. As Albert Camus said, "fiction is a lie through which we tell the truth." And I really, really think that this book is certainly a truth. Definitely worth the read.


Number three: Kisses From Katie by Katie J. Davis with Beth Clark.

SO GOOD!!!! I decided to try it after reading this post on one of my favorite blogs, Curious Ramblings By Chloe. I loved it!! It's a real eye-opener to the fact that God will always provide as we do His will. It's really inspiring, and I would really recommend it to anyone.


Number four: The Diviners by Libba Bray.

Oh, this is the book that I think should take Divergent's spot on the popularity list. AMAZING! I have trouble making it through long, thick books if I don't love 'em. Not this book. This book is long, but I was engrossed the entire time. It takes you straight onto the streets of 1920's New York, in 3-D and full color. The main character is bright and bold and wonderful, and the plot is thrilling. It perfectly entwines amazing characters with the Roaring Twenties and intricate weavings of crazy real-life history and incredible fantasy. This is probably one of the few books that has literally creeped me out, and I wasn't even reading it at night. I'm really looking forward to the next book coming out, and I really hope it's just as good. I'm not much of a "series" person; the only series of books I've managed to get all the way through is Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (though that doesn't count, as it's not technically a series). So only the best. But I have high hopes for this one.


So there's some more books to go on your ever-growing reading list. :D :D These are definitely some you should try if you're ever wanting a break from the normal.

-SBN

Easter Beginnings

Today I randomly decided to start a blog. Just 'cause I thought it might be fun. :) The name of this thing is "Star-Spangled Sisu", a name I just stuck on without too much thought. It comes from me being very "American" in the somewhat Finnish culture of my church and such. "Star-Spangled", obviously referencing the star-spangled banner of the United States, and "Sisu", the Finnish term meaning (according to Wikipedia), "determination, bravery, and resilience." Wikipedia goes onto explain, however, that "the word is widely considered to lack a proper translation into any other language. Sisu is about taking action against the odds and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity." So a pretty Finnish term teamed up with a pretty American phrase.

Okay, enough about that.

So today is Easter! The day Jesus rose to save us and stuff! As in SHZ (Songs & Hymns of Zion, for those who don't know) #106:

1. Easter dawns our day of vict'ry;

mercy's morn is shining bright!

Now the chains of hell are broken;

lonely captives rise to light;

fears of night and wrath are vanished--

ev'ry cloud our Sun has banished.

2. Death, where is your stinging scepter?

Where, O grave, your victory?

Satan, you are proved a liar.

Ended is your tyranny!

In your kingdom Jesus found us.

There He crushed the chains that bound us.

I miss summertime singing, speaking of songs <3

Yay! :) That's a good song. Today was a great day. Chilled at home with family, etc. IT WAS GORGEOUS OUT TODAY! Seriously! :):) Some highlights included holding my dear baby nephew, seeing the Finnish girl staying at my sister's toss an American football for the first time, and looking through the 2013 memory book of the annual family camping trip in the backyard. It was good.

Missing summer!

Soon it'll be green again!

Summer services!!!!!!

Alright, that's enough for tonight. Thanks for sticking around! Bye!
-SBN