Welcome to Litsy!

Whew, this story hit close to home.

I made up for all the reading I didn‘t do on vacation with book *buying*! That‘s how this works, right? The Maine midcoast is just full of lovely bookshops and libraries. Arctic Tern Books of Rockland and Left Bank Books of Belfast both helped feed the need for 📚. 😁 #vacation #indiebookstores #Maine #bookhaul

We rumbled toward Georgia from the west, the direction from which all great and powerful things originated. “Except the sun,” Caleb said, feeling particularly feisty as the novelty of another revival season settled in.

#FridayReads #FirstLineFridays

Authority figures typically earn their notoriety under good circumstances, but can also arrive on scene after narcissistic behaviors elevate them on self-made pedestals. Within the church community that can look so very different, and not something many people want to question or disregard. The technology instances in the book give it a current setting but could just as easily have been from 20-40 years ago or in the not to distant future.

Miriam respects her father and follows him every revival season as he claims to heal sinners; however, her faith falters after witnessing his violence. She is left grappling w/ “the truth.” She must explore “what it means to be a person of faith even after our belief systems collapse around us.” This book explores a system of faith and the complications that emerge, esp for women, when those systems are called into question. CW: domestic violence

Don‘t let the 100% Litsy rating fool you. Between a pan and a so-so. The storyline sounds promising - a pastor/faith healer loses his ability to heal - did he ever have it? - but his daughter finds she has the gift to heal. Okay, so far. But then of course it‘s considered a sin for a woman to heal. Add to it all the fact that the pastor is violent. Nah. Should have bailed but I‘m stubborn.

It‘s between a pick and a so-so, but I‘ll go with a pick. I‘d say 3 stars. The writing was pretty good but the book started to drag a little for me about 3/4 of the way. The character of the dad was infuriating and I wanted to take him out 🔪. The idea of “healing” and revivals and crazy church stuff is right up my alley, but this one was just ok.

I waited to go to B&N to get the tagged book. And, to my surprise, Hairpin Bridge was there a week early. Okay, #barnesandnoble. You got me.

I didn‘t grow up in church, and I find the idea of revival in tents a tad terrifying. So far, this book is telling me the same thing 😨

It was a GREAT day at my favorite bookstore. I had a gift card from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket. Super excited about these books 🤩

Look at this wonderful book club package from @SimonSchuster 👀 📚
Our library book club is going to return soon, and we have an excellent journal to track our choices! Plus these two exciting books I can‘t wait to read were included with a tote. #bookmail #arc #bookclub

Revival Season contrasts harmful religious beliefs with authentic faith. While I‘m not sure how I feel about the healing focus of the book, I did really enjoy the story. Ultimately, I think Miriam was a strong character who was, slowly, finding herself - her own healing - as she began to see things in her upbringing more clearly. The final chapter‘s offering was especially potent.