the_jesus_fandom's reviews
501 reviews

De taartendraak by Stephen Cosgrove

3.0

A funny story; it was translated a couple of decades ago so I liked how the language wasn't too simplistic like more modern children's books.

Surprises: 38 Poems about Almost Everything! by Lee Bennett Hopkins

fast-paced

3.0

The artwork adds a lot (and elevates some rather simplistic poems to something actually funny). Not every poem was what I would consider good (like I said, a lot were very simplistic), but others spoke to me with their imagery and form. So it depends on the poem how I'd rate this book. I would say the simplistic ones do outnumber the better ones.

(And to be clear, by simplistic I mean that they don't contain much depth or originality.)

Dolphin Treasure by Wayne Grover

adventurous tense fast-paced

2.75

 I remember this book from when I was younger! It made me love dolphins and want to swim with them for quite a while. 

 Of course, the author makes some very silly decisions, but he owns up to the fact, so whatever. It’s an exciting story. The scene with the necklace is actually pretty tense. 

A Sudden Swirl of Icy Wind by Anne Fine

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

 When you read a lot of books by an author who isn’t afraid to tackle complex topics, you’re bound to find a book you don’t agree with. 

 As a story, this is another good book, and the central message (respect other people’s faiths) is a good one. 

 I’m just not a fan of the “every religion is basically the same” idea. 

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter Roop

adventurous emotional fast-paced

3.0

 An exciting story of impressive bravery in a young child. 

The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Anne Fine

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

 Not as creative or original as I’m used to from this author. It really is just the fairytale retold without anything extra. 

Lijden in Gods hand: God wil meer dan ons geluk by Christa Rosier

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

 A very personal approach. Not always one I resonate with, especially when it came to the artwork, but the devotionals were actually very helpful and meaningful, especially since they were written by someone in the middle of tremendous suffering. I think those personal accounts were what touched me the most, you could see the rawness and realness of it. 

De Saadah sage - herinneringen aan Jemen by Truus Wierda-Graaff

4.25

 This book hit home extra hard for me, because I know the author (she goes to my church). The events of the kidnapping in 2009 were very shocking to us at the time, and though I was only 5, I remember we prayed for the missing family at every meal for months until the girls were found. 

 I would recommend this book to all of my friends (if it were in English). It not only teaches you about the history of Yemen, it’s also a unique insight into the life of a missionary there between the 70s and early 00s. 

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by Brandon J. O'Brien, E. Randolph Richards

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

 A very interesting read that shed new light on many passages for which I’d taken the meaning for granted. The only problem I have is that it’s hard to fact-check. Their explanation of things is often quite different from what we’ve always been taught, and it’s based on historical and cultural facts I have no way of verifying because I’m not a historian. 

The Toby Man by Dick King-Smith

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

One of my favourite childhood books. An entertaining and charming story with lovely characters.