I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews, which you’ll find in the posts I’ve linked to.
In addition to the book awards I give out every year, I keep note ( 🙂 ) of more good books I’d like to recognize whenever my award season calls for it. So here we have my latest list of Noteworthy Reads! You’ll find them listed in the order I read them, except for some series books I grouped together.
To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal for making the list, see the bottom of this post.
The Coin Slot Chronicles
(4 books)
Rashad Jennings
•
Christian Middle Grade Fantasy
A bullied eleven-year-old is in for a magical adventure with a golden arcade token!
I became a fan of young Arcade Livingston pretty much right off the bat. He’s a tremendous bookworm with a great sense of humor, and he and the other likable characters in these stories had me laughing out loud at times. But, of course, Arcade’s international trips through time aren’t empty fun and games. Meaningful nuggets of wisdom are scattered throughout his adventures, and these four entertaining novels build on each other with inspiring messages.
Simulated
Nova McBee
•
Young Adult Suspense
A (former?) math genius goes after a sims hacker who may be an ally—or an enemy.
Once I plunged into this sequel to the novel Calculated with both feet, I had to keep swimming with as few pauses as possible. Goodness. The danger and all the moving parts to the intrigue. The ingenuity and teen prodigies. The thought-provoking nuggets that add true depth to the heroine’s journey. So good! Now I’ve got to read Book Three in the series.
Saint Ben
John Fischer
•
Christian Fiction
If it doesn’t make sense, this unusual boy can’t just go along with it.
At first, I thought this nostalgic novel set in the 1950s sounded like a story about an innocent boy who’s so passionate about God that he makes hypocritical grown-up Christians see the error of their ways. Yet, this story is more complex than that. It doesn’t hand out a bunch of spiritual platitudes or easy answers to the problems it depicts and the questions it raises. And the disturbing, sobering, abundantly meaningful, unusual ending of this book fits the unusual boy who drives the plot. I can’t describe all the ways this story touched me, but I’m unlikely to ever forget it.
Cress Watercress
Gregory Maguire
Illustrated by David Litchfield
•
Middle Grade Fantasy
New neighbors and dangers await a young rabbit who just lost her papa.
Although Cress is at a difficult preteen age and a tragic time of life, she has some really admirable moments in this tale of family, friendship, adventure, and growing up. The story has quite a delightful style: adorable (but not in a corny, saccharine way), fresh and imaginative, clever and humorous with pretty stellar wit. And there’s such authenticity to the parts that pulled on my heart. Again, not in a corny or sappy way but a real way. The novel has got compelling substance, brought further to life by the wonderful illustrations. Bravo!
Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us
Jasmine L. Holmes
•
Christian Biography/Memoir
Their names are often left out of American and church history.
Now, I won’t take for granted that everyone who sees this book will know this: This read is for anyone with an interest in American history, especially in relation to the history of the church. I appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from unsavory aspects of history that others don’t always touch. Still, the book isn’t a mere indictment of America’s shortcomings or wrongdoings. Holmes uses a nuanced brush to illustrate the past in a way that makes a case for faith while serving as a challenge to herself—and to us.
Harmony Series
(8 books)
Philip Gulley
•
Christian Fiction
A Quaker minister returns to his small hometown—and the folks here might make him pull his whole head of hair out.
This entertaining series has absolutely hilarious comedy and more. There’s an engrossing mix of the laughable, the ironic, the serious, and the heartbreakingly beautiful as Harmony’s townsfolk experience challenges, successes, tragedies, and joys. Sure, though some of the characters tend toward the outrageous, their attributes and doings are based on recognizable reality—which is what makes these novels compelling. The author’s understanding of human nature is thoughtful and sharp, even with his easy writing style. A series well worth the read.
Entries for 2022’s Noteworthy Reads giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.
Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. One randomly determined winner will be notified by email on Saturday, December 10, 2022. If the winner does not respond by Sunday, December 11, 2022, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.
As a piece of noteworthy news, it took almost eight years before I could write this sweet contemporary love story that addresses the critical issue of spiritual abuse. Take a look at
We Were Real.
A successful singer-songwriter. A devastating assault. And the chance to recapture what’s true.
Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If one of these noteworthy reads is yours, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!
Prismatic Prospects 