Share Your Shelf-October

It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to share what we've read the month prior. Hop over to the host blogs (The Other Side Of The Road,  Slices of Life, My Joyful Life, and Memphis Bridges) if you'd like to see more titles and reviews. Here's my October stack-

1984 by George Orwell

This was our book club selection in October.  I read this in high school and let me just say it 100% hits different in 2025. Whoa. It's pretty amazing how spot on this book is with all that is happening currently in terms of data collection, suppression of speech, cancel culture, redefining common terms, and artificial intelligence.  If you've never read this one you should. fyi-it's not a happy go lucky story by any means 

The book was written in 1948 (published in 1949) and Orwell (did you know his real name was Eric Blair?)  chose the title by reversing the date (1948/1984). When this book was written television was barely a thing, yet his picture of the future is scarily accurate. 

1984 is what we call dystopian, and it follows the main character (Winston Smith) as he rebels against a totalitarian governmetn led by Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites history to fit the Party's agenda. His rebellion grows with a forbidden love affair and in thinking his superior (O'Brien) is an ally. 

Our book club happened to meet on Charlie Kirk's birthday and I wore my freedom sweatshirt which some people appreciated, and some likely did not. It certainly felt right to me.  I gave this one 5 stars. 

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall 

This is one of those novels getting all the hype, and in fact has been optioned for a feature film. Eh. Its also a Reese Witherspoon book club choice. The plot centers around a love triangle and it's impact on a small English farming community. I found two of the three parties in this trio unlikable which heavily influenced my three star rating. I think I'm in the minority here but I'm okay with that. 

Broken Country is the story of a married woman whose first love drops back into her life and upends the quiet farm life she's made for herself. There's significant tragedy in the novel and I found that hard to read. While I felt compassion for Beth because of the tragedy she experienced her actions overall made me squirm. Overall the book was a downer, which I can be on board with (just ask my book club-I love sad stories) but in this case I was not. 

Go As A River by Shelley Read

I loved it. And it's sad in parts but there's a lot to love too. Go As A River is a work of historical fiction set in 1940's Colorado. 17-year old Victoria's life is changed by a chance encounter with a mysterious drifter named Wilson Moon. The subsequent relationship leads to heartbreak, tragedy, hard choices, and ultimately a rebuilt life. The story follows Victoria's journey of survival and resilience all set against the backdrop of her family's peach farm and the threat of the Gunnison River being flooded for a dam. 

The writing is excellent and the story compelling. Five stars for me. 

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis 

C. S. Lewis was a brilliant man and sometimes reading his writing has me questioning my own intellect. I absolutely love everything I've read by him, but often have to read his works slowly, and really allow his words to marinate in my brain before I truly get it. 

While that might not sound like an appealing invitation to read this book I encourage everyone to read it. It's very readable and the chapters are short. Lewis has a real gift for explaining complex theological ideas in a way everyman can understand. 

This wasn't originally planned as a book, and instead began as a brief series of broadcasts on the BBC during the early part of WW2. Lewis was asked to present these talks as a way as a way of comforting and reassuring British citizens during one of the darkest periods of time the world has ever known. 

Can you imagine us trying that now?  

Lewis lived much of his life an avowed atheist before coming to Christianity in his 30's. He manages to explain Christianity and why it makes sense in very un-churchy language. 

I've read Mere Christianity before but it was a long time ago. Our church is doing an evening stuy of the book so I'm reading again, and enjoying the discussion too. This is an easy 5 stars for me.