A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

Sometimes, the presence of God may diminish, and we are left questioning His existence. The truth is He hasn't left us--we are not alone and this is when our faith retains the memory of His goodness and His blessings. I agree with this post, God is with us in light as well as in darkness.

I seldom read historical novels, but this one conveys to life the world of ancient Rome as seen through the eyes of a Christian slave. She is the Christian that we should all strive to be, giving and loving without selfishness or pride, and the hardest qualities to achieve for the vast assortment of Christians in the world today.

“Never doubt God in the darkness what he has given us in the light.” 
― Francine Rivers, A Voice in the Wind

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War is grievously amazing. An insufficient body of leaders are capable of sending the youth of the world to their deaths from the illogical idea of self-imagined slights. Though the majority of wars are fought in the name of greed and power--the two evil creatures that have left trails of corruption and horror on our Earth since the inception of time.

There's an immense truth in the featured quote that originates from the lengthy book of War and Peace. If humans exerted the energy to glimpse the depths of our own souls and examine the substantial faults found within--blaming the multitudes would cease, and our world would have diminished bodies for grieving parents to bury.

Hopefully, one day war will be the ancient history studied with fear and fascination, but until we stop giving the power to the few to govern the many, world peace is but a dream.

“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.” 
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

In 1939, MGM released a somber cartoon titled Peace on Earth. The title, based on the Christmas song of the same name, tells a despairing story of the categorical annihilation of mankind.

The song lyrics incorporate the words "Good will to men," which leads to the history of humans as told by a grandfather squirrel to his grandchildren.  He reveals the insanity of  men's desire to slaughter each other until there isn't a single human left breathing.

Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits wanting to live in a free society as far away from their former cruel leaders, yet the beings they despise with absolute disrespect are homo sapiens.
The book reveals that animals believe humans have a lack of regard for each other and the earth, which is revealed in the following quote.

In both the cartoon and book, human's destructive nature will end life and our nature will never change. War and murder are still prevalent on our earth, and men still look for elaborate ways to kill others who disagree with the ideas they possess,or for greed and enjoyment, but unlike the rabbits and squirrels, I still have hope that mankind may one day shed its malignant skin and respect and appreciate the differences that create humanity.

“Men will never rest till they've spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.” 
― Richard Adams, Watership Down

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

The story of insurgents fighting to eradicate oppressive overlords is as old as time, and many people may neglect fictitious stories since their lives are lived under insane, evil regimes today.

Governments are taking control of our personal freedoms at an alarming rate with sophisticated technology and "big brother" watching every word and action we take. Hopefully, one day the human race will defeat their love of power and greed, and the world will genuinely be free.

An Ember in the Ashes tells a story about a dystopian society controlled by the government, where everyone lives in fear. Most are too afraid to fight, and this is a book about those who are ready to give their life to end the tyranny.

I found a great quote in the story and think of all the dreams we could accomplish if fear didn't interfere.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Fear is only your enemy if you allow it to be. Too much fear and you're paralyzed. Too little fear and you're arrogant.” 
― Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes

The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

I embarked on the journey with Tarzan in "Tarzan of the Apes," which is the first book in the series. Although I considered this book intriguing, I never explored any subsequent books, and I'm not sure why. "The Son of Tarzan" reveals the love story of Tarzan and Jane, and subsequently Boy, and lovable Cheetah. Tarzan's destiny awaits him.

This meaning of this quote has surfaced previously-- from Jesus stating we shouldn't
worry for tomorrow to the school of "positive thinking."
 Lacking hope for the future united with experiencing anxiety accelerates towards a somber life.
The answer must reside within us one day at a time--hoping, praying and believing for a favorable future.

The Picture without the words can be found on Pixabay.com.

“... but life would be very miserable indeed were I to spend it in terror of the thing that has not yet happened.” 
― Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Son of Tarzan

After You by Jojo Moyes

"After You" is the second book in the series called "Me Before You" (a rather selfish title of the first book).
The following quote is part of the philosophy which holds the theory that the "fake it until you make it" attitude allocates a happier life to the discerning mind.
Whether this premise holds true or proves ineffective is a debatable question, which individuals must discern for themselves.
Should positive thinking triumph over negative thoughts if those thoughts present the truth?

Please let me know what your "thoughts" are after reading, and what you thought of the book.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“Sometimes the illusion of happiness could inadvertently create it.” 
― Jojo Moyes, After You

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale is a book that I would normally contemplate reading and promptly proceed to move on, yet the reviews on Goodreads (my favorite book site) are outstanding. Normally, if a rating on that site is a 3.7 or up, the author should feel extremely blessed, yet this book received a 4.53 which is exceptional.

The setting of the story is WW2 in France and there appears to be love in the air, perhaps with the enemy. Romance books are a dime a dozen and the same could be said for books set in wartime, so the writing must appear remarkable beyond expectations.
Perhaps one day, when I can afford a few extra dollars, I will buy the book on my Kindle and uncover why the rating is notably higher.

I agree with this quote and hopefully, most people are in harmony with the message it imparts.

All pictures (without the words) are from Pixabay, and clicking on them will take you to the site.

“But love has to be stronger than hate, or there is no future for us.” 
― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale