its_ayanna's reviews
8 reviews

She-Wolves: The Untold History of Women on Wall Street by Paulina Bren

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Skip Tracer by Jive Poetic

fast-paced

4.5

Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal by Bettina L. Love

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A great read that should be read every couple of years and should be recommended to other believers!!!

Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe by Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

GOODNESS, YESSSSSSS, NOOOOOO, ARE YOU KIDDING ME, CALM DOWN Ayanna, and WOOOOOO HOOOOOO are just a few of, as the younger people say “All the things” that I said, felt, and perhaps both reading Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe by Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez. When choosing to read a book which deals with issues of this nature, I do not want to be screamed at, preached at, condemned, disregarded, or blamed. What I want is to read Truth, be invited to feel safe being vulnerable while revisiting some of the same experiences, learn about other perspectives, be reminded of the hope I have, how to practically be restored and restore others, and that’s exactly what I got!

The author uses her journey through the dark times of being abused in the church yet this book is not focused on her. She explores these experiences in such a descriptive way that the Body of Christ and those who were once part of the Body of Christ can benefit from. A profound statement Pricelis makes “None of us should belong to the Body of Christ and not know how to be the Body of Christ” resonated with me because I’ve seen and experienced where we learned how to follow the protocols of a local body while neglecting how to be who Christ instituted, His church. There is something in this book that many will find their story in. My hope is that wherever you find your story, as you’re reading, you will be inspired, motivated, feel seen, and be courageous to take action.

I really appreciate that this was an easy read in that I did not have to grab a thesaurus, a dictionary, or the like given the weightiness of the subject. Pricelis’s choice of words and wording allows the reader to remain in the book to reflect, meditate, and pray without interruption. There is a lot of repetition of the same ideas and the ordeals she’s gone through which may not appeal to everyone; however these points are relevant and leave a deep impression.

Being a Sanctuary is engaging, informative, sobering, and encourages the reader to take the steps to being a sanctuary. Pricelis is a straight talker who will challenge you because of her love for Christ and His Body (which she stands by). This book gave me a greater appreciation of the Lord, His ways, and those made in His image. If you are one who likes reading books that incorporates the Word of God, want to find language and solutions for what you or others have experienced, and practical ways forward, please invest in a copy for yourself and for someone you love! 

Sold by Patricia McCormick

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A must read that you would not be able to put down!

Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

What a fantastic read and written so well! The author keeps the reader engaged. Being from Brooklyn and growing up in the area where some of this takes place was an absolute fun adventure. A must read!!!!

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

BRILLIANT!!!