Acoustic Worship Sessions
By Clark Beckham
Reviewed by Paul Delger
Singer, songwriter, and American Idol alum (season 14) Clark Beckham puts his spin on six modern worship tunes with his project, “Acoustic Worship Sessions.”
“I think the elements of this record have always been in me, I just didn't know how to put it together,” Beckham said. “When my love for God and my love for soul and R&B met, this is what came out.”
The playlist consists of “Great Are You Lord,” “Goodness of God,” “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” “Gardens into Graves,” “How Great is Our God,” and “Nobody Greater.” The music provides an invitation to reflect on God’s vast nature, and the soothing piano, blended with Beckham’s vocal ability to reach the high notes, gives the record an interesting balance. (NCS Records—NRT Music)
Astronaut! A novel
By Oana Aristide
Reviewed by Ethan Meyers
Repressive regimes always want their citizens to feel one thing: fear. It’s an emotion that’s present from the opening pages of Astronaut! In Nicolae Ceausescu’s Romania, there’s little respite from that feeling.
Constantin is one of the police officers assigned to investigate eight-year-old Lia’s purchase of a yellow vase. He’s one of a privileged few to know there’s more going on than the official story tells, but nobody will tell him everything.
Oana Aristide, who was born in Romania under communist rule, masterfully weaves together the lives of these two protagonists in a story that reads like an imagined version of her own childhood.
I’m not sure if Aristide is a Christian, but the lesson of Astronaut! resonates with the words of 1 John 4: there is no fear in love. (W. W. Norton &Company)
The Other Bennet Sister
Reviewed by Lorilee Craker
Long overlooked as the least pretty and interesting of the five Bennet sisters, Mary Bennet’s story takes the lead and a powerful life of its own in this new series.
When a family tragedy occurs, Mary’s life gets an unexpected new start in London with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners.
In her new setting and feeling more comfortable in her own skin, Mary begins to catch the eye of new friends and even potential suitors.
The journey to Mary owning her life and choices is filled with obstacles and foes (hello, Caroline Bingley!), like real life is. Viewers will find comfort, inspiration, and gladness as they root for Mary and themselves to become someone who lives as if they are deeply and unconditionally loved. (Britbox, Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel)
Mists over the Channel Islands
By Sarah Sundin
Reviewed by Sonya VanderVeen Feddema
Sundin’s fast-paced, emotive narrative gives readers a picture of life in the island of Jersey during the Nazi occupation.
Here Dr. Ivy Picot helps run the respected family medical practice with her father.
When Ivy meets Gerrit van der Zee, she is drawn to what seems to be his kindness, but his German army uniform repulses her. However, as Ivy is drawn into the resistance network, she begins to understand that Gerrit and Bernardus are other than they appear to be and are risking their lives for freedom.
Mists over the Channel Islands is a profoundly satisfying read that points to God’s goodness and faithfulness even in times of war when all seems lost. (Revell)
The Lowdown
Written by Wayne Coleman: In When All Hell Breaks Loose: Trusting God When It Hurts, CRC pastor Coleman shares a powerful and deeply personal testimony of faith in the middle of crisis. Through painful family trials, unanswered questions, and seasons of uncertainty, he discovers that God’s presence is often strongest when life feels most broken. (Independent)
Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor: In a new Sense and Sensibility adaptation, three sisters experience love and heartbreak after they're forced to leave their family estate with their widowed mother and move to a humble cottage. (Oct. 16, Focus Features)
Reimagined in Brick Form: The LEGO™ ONE PIECE animated special is a two-part retelling of the events from Seasons 1 and 2 of the pirate saga. Follow along as Usopp, the Straw Hats’ most reliably unreliable narrator, spins a tall tale about the Straw Hats' journey across the East Blue into the Grand Line. (Netflix)
Written by Charles Geschiere: From Glory to Glory is a study of what culture is, as deed, belief, and habit, its opportunities and its risks, its possibilities and its limitations. In this book written by a CRC pastor, readers will be challenged to think about their own place in God's world in today's culture. (Xulon Press)