5 Movies That You Will Love If You're A Bookworm

Hello darlings!

As a bookworm, I love watching films with literary themes as well as reading itself.
So I came up with five movies containing bookish themes that I have seen and enjoyed that I am going to share these recommendations with you today.
There is something cosy about many of these films and you feel connected to many of the characters through the love of books.
I realise now that all of these are period drama films as well, meaning I clearly haven't seen any modern day films about writers or books and that historical set movies are my favourites!

Well, let's begin shall we!



The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I have watched this movie several times and both me & my mum love it. I confess that I am guilty of having not read the book yet but it is on my list!
The movie is so heartwarming and beautifully filmed, centered around how books bring people together among other things and is set during and after the Second World War.
This was a pretty obvious one to add to the list!




Tolkien

As we were watching this film, my mum whispered to me, "This is going to be one of your new favourites isn't it." She was right!
This movie is so beautiful and truly wonderful. Even though I've only read The Hobbit so far, I loved learning a bit about the life of J.R.R. Tolkien from this film.
The actors were fabulous and it was a thoroughly enjoyable! I especially recommend it if you are a Tolkien fan yourself.




Bright Star

You'd best be warned that though Bright Star is a very beautifully filmed movie, it will make you cry...a lot!
But aside from that it is on this list because it is all about the romance between the famous poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, and involves reading, writing & reciting poems and other literary themes.
There are stunning scenes with bluebell woods and cloudy pink spring blossoms to feast your eyes on. I can't say much for the costumes, especially worn by Abbie Cornish's character Fanny Brawne, but the rest of the film is really lovely.




Miss Potter

Who didn't love Beatrix Potter's daring books when they were younger? I still do in fact and am pleased to own a cute little box set of many of her books.
It has been a little while since I have seen Miss Potter but I had to include it on this list since it is about such a famous writer.




The Book Thief

Obviously I could not have a list of bookish movies with out including the movie which even has the word 'book' in the title!
I read The Book Thief  some time after we first watched the film but it has been a while since I have revisited either book or movie and I feel it is high time I did so.
So unfortunately I don't remember a whole lot about the story but I knew I had to include it in this post.



I hope you enjoyed this post and discovered some new movies.
Do you have any films you would add to this list?


keep blooming,

My Top 10 Favourite Books of 2019

Hello darlings!

It's that time of year again, time to talk about my favourite books of the year.
These aren't necessarily book that were published in 2019, but just my favourite books that I read this year.
Most of these books came to mind fairly easily when I was looking over my 2019 reading stats on Goodreads.
I had a pretty good year of reading in 2019. I read a lot of good books and wasn't majorly disappointed in any of them.
But some definitely stuck out as my favourites and I am going to tell you which ones they were now.

This list is in no particular order, because I could never rank them.

1. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

I read this twice this year, so that says something! I really enjoyed this book and I think its the perfect read if you feel like your quiet time needs a boost in the New Year. It is short, easy to read and full of helpful tips & advice.

2. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

My first Julie Klassen book and one of my favourite reads of the whole year to be sure! I loved the mystery in this, the characters, the romance and the whole package. 

It was a chunky read but honestly I didn't mind because it was so good and I even had a slight book hangover afterwards!

I can't wait to read more of Klassen's books next year and probably reread this one because I have my own copy now.

3. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

After watching the movie adaptation for this book (actually filmed in New Zealand), I was of course interested in reading the book. The movie itself was emotional and beautiful, but the book only exceeded in making me emotional, even to the point of shedding tears!

The story is such a heartbreaking one but so well written and and though there are a few inappropriate comments (within their marriage thankfully) that I could have gone without, I do recommend this book to those of you who love a beautifully written, heart breaking historical read!

4. Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

I read the Ladies of Harper's Station series throughout this year and while I loved the series as a whole and enjoyed reading the other women's love stories, this one was my favourite.
Amos was a different hero to what we are used to seeing and his relationship with Grace that grows throughout this book is just the sweetest.
I love that they first communicate through telegraph messages, much like texting today only much cuter!

5. Love Defined by Kristen Clark & Bethany Baird

The second book on my top 10 in the Christian non-fiction genre. I read more of this genre in 2019 and I hope to read even more in 2020 because they a faith building and encouraging to read.

I have a review on this wonderful book, which I'll link here.

6. Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

I was introduced to the genre of Biblical Fiction this year by Jenna van Mourik (I highly suggest you look her up on her Instagram, Blog and Youtube channel, all @jennavanmourik!) and she raved about Land of Silence so I had to pick it up and I soon found out that her praises were not for nothing.
This book is so, so good and I am eyeing up Tessa Afshar's other books now...

7. Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations by V. Joy Palmer

I finally got to reading this book this year and I really enjoyed the story & Palmer's fun, quirky writing style. Also, the topic of being content with singleness was addressed in this story which is rare in the Christian fiction genre.
I cannot wait till her third book gets released! 

8. The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Another new-to-me author that I discovered this year was Lindsay Harrel. I have a written a review here on this blog so I'll leave that linked here.

9. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi

Ahh, just thinking about these books, especially this one, makes me want to read them again!

This lovely book had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time before I finally decided to pick it up this year. I shared all my fangirly thoughts on in a review here on my blog not long ago so if you are curious you can check that out.

10. Kind is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure

I listened to an audio book of this book read by the one and only Candace Cameron Bure and I really enjoyed it. She writes about her own life experiences and her career, all while presenting the message of kindness in a simple and inspiring way.



I would happily go and reread most of these book right now, that's how much I enjoyed them!
Have you read any of these? What was one of your favourite reads of 2019?

keep blooming,

In My Father's House ~ Book Review

Hello darlings!

Guess what?
It is time for another book review because this week I finished reading this little (but amazing) book and I simply had to share my thoughts with you!


I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for ages! My mum suggested I get it at a book sale once.
But last week I decided to read it and I am so glad I did (and wondering why I never read it sooner!).


Side Note: I apologize if my format for book reviews keeps changing. I am trying to figure out what works for me & this blog! I hope you enjoy this book review nevertheless!



Synopsis
"Many of the fiercest battles of the Civil War were fought in the home. Oscie Mason knows this all too well.
The first shots of the war were fired on her front lawn--a sign of things to come.
Oscie's a proud daughter of the Old South, but her stepfather, Will McLean, thinks the world of her childhood must change. 
Oscie won't accept anything he has to say. And the tension between them is about to explode.
To escape the war, Will Mc Lean moves the family to a quiet town called Appomattox.
But the war will follow them there, as sure as the hurtful battles will continue in Oscie's home, and in her heart. Can Oscie call a truce--or will all that she cherishes become a casualty of war?"


First, I have to comment on Rinaldi's writing. It was fantastic!
So simple and easy to read, yet to gripping and beautiful. All the characters were portrayed in a very real way and their imperfections weren't covered up.

My favourite characters were Oscie Mason and Will McLean.
I loved reading about their interactions and how their relationship grew as the story progressed.
It was also nice to e another type of relationship (in this a stepfather & daughter relationship) be the centre of the story rather than a romantic relationship.
I loved Oscie's spirit, McLean's will to do the right thing and care for his family.


The story itself is based on the real-life McLean family, whose front yard was where the first shots of the war were fired and later in their parlour where the war came to an end.
When I discovered that most of the characters in this book were real it only made me more fascinated and in love with this book!
It made me look into Wilmer McLean (Will McLean in the book) on the Internet and whet my appetite to find more stories set around the Civil War.
In my online search, found a photo of Osceola (Oscie) Mason's gravestone, which I found fascinating!


Throughout this book, if you pay attention, are some themes of forgiveness & healing which only make this story even more wonderful.

There are may amazing quotes in this book too. I will share a few of my personal favourites!

~ ~ ~ ~

"He had to put down the sacks of sugar and coffee then. Because, though he could hold off a mob at the depot with no trouble, even he couldn't kiss a girl with his arms full of contraband."

(This had me smirking!)

~ ~ ~ ~

"He looked down at my hand which he still held in his own.  'You're betrothed to a soldier,' he said.

'I told you not to give your heart to a soldier, Oscie.'

'They keep hearts best,' I said. 'Or so I've found.'

He was struck speechless then."

~ ~ ~ ~

"He was baiting me and enjoying it. He knew I was up to it. And, though he wouldn't tolerate sass, 

he expected me to give as well as I was getting. But something else was happening here, also. I was asking him to let me go. The way a girl asks her father. And he was getting ready to release me.

The way a father does, when he knows a girl's grown. But it wasn't any easier for him than I suspect it would have been for mt own daddy. Part of being grown up, I knew, meant I had to leave him with something. It wasn't anything he hadn't earned. And he was waiting for it."

~ ~ ~ ~

I sincerely hope that by now I have convinced you that you should go read this book RIGHT NOW!

It is truly a wonderful book. 

Now I am, of course, aching to read more of Ann Rinaldi's books...

keep blooming,

   

A Collection of Quotes // Kisses from Katie

Hello darlings!

I thought that instead of a normal book review, this time I would just share my favourite quotes from the book Kisses from Katie.

This book is a wonderful story of how God used and is still using her to make Him known among the nations. I highly suggest you pick it up, it will change you in one way or another.
This post is a compilation of quotes that I loved and highlighted as I was reading.

• • • •

~ Thankfully, God's plans do not seem to be affected much by my own. ~

~ Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces, and put it back together again more beautifully. ~

~  have learned that something happens when one makes herself available to God: He starts moving in ways no one could imagine. ~

~ This was one of the many instances when the Lord has shown me that the more I give of myself, the more He fills me up. The more I love, the more love I have to give. ~

~ But so often, when we stop to be kind when we don't really want to, that's when the sacrifice becomes most rewarding. ~

People often asked me then as they do now, "How do you do it?"

The answer has never changed and it is so simple: I don't. It's just a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. This plan, these "accomplishments," they are so not my own.

I am dependant.

Powerless.

Weak.

Drowning. 

While those adjectives may sound scary, they put me in a beautiful place, a place where I couldn't go one minute without crying out to my Father or I would sink.

If I continue to preach the gospel, and more importantly, live the gospel, here--even if outward conditions never change or change very slowly--and these people can live eternally with Jesus in heaven someday, a few years of suffering will pale in comparison.

~ Being a Christ-follower means being acquainted with sorrow.

We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it. ~

Even Jesus kept His scars after the resurrection. My stains are beautiful to Him and as I become dirtier and more beat up, I am becoming perfect, transformed into the image of the One who made me.

• • • •

I think that that last one is so beautiful! If you think about it, since Jesus became bruised, wounded, dirty and bloody for us, when we are true followers of Him we will ultimately become like this too. But he sees that as beautiful. To Him, it is beautiful because it shows complete surrender, total trust and reliance on Him. We are powerless, but He is our strength.

I just think it is a powerful image to think of. 

I hope these words made you think. I hope that they inspired or encouraged you. 

Please read the complete story in Katie's book, you will not regret it!

keep blooming,

Hannah

My favourite hymns

I feel like the younger generation has lost its admiration for these old songs, what with more modern music being produced by artists like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong and Lauren Daigle.

I enjoy listening to some of these modern worship songs, but they don't have as much depth as the hymns of old that tell of tested faith, God's faithfulness and His love.

The people who wrote these hymns wrote from life experiences and so these hymns are comforting in uncertain times. They remind us who God is and what He has done.


So here is a list of my personal favourite hymns in no particular order whatsoever!
And I'll include a favourite line or verse from each song.

• • • •

1. Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

via Pinterest

Okay, maybe this one is at the top because it is one of my top favourite hymns. 

"Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost our way

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way"

2. Be Thou My Vision

via Pinterest

I adore this hymn! It makes a beautiful prayer of the heart and soul. My parents, auntie, and friend all had it sung at their weddings and I think I want it at mine too!

"Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and thou only, first in my heart

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art"

3. Abide with Me

via Pinterest

Another really good one! My favourite version is sung by Audrey Assad and her lovely voice.

"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heaven's morning breaks, and the earth's vain shadows flee

In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me.

Abide with me, abide with me"

4. Come Thou Fount

via Pinterest

I love it and that that is all I have to say! The words also make a great prayer to pray.

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above" 

5. Christ the Lord is Risen Today

It is all wonderful, triumphant and joyful so I don't have a favourite line!

• • • •

What is your favourite hymn?

xoxo

Hannah

Love in Disguise // Book Review

This is the second time that I have to start this review because whilst I was halfway through, it disappeared from my drafts!
So, a few weeks ago I had a bookish craving for a historical/Western novel and I picked up this one.
I really enjoyed it and I had to share my thoughts about it.

~ • ~ • ~

About the Book

"Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation.
When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.
Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipment. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a grey-haired widow...or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.
Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays!
Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humour and mystery for a can't put down read."




My Rating

Now let me tell why I gave this book 5 stars!

• The plot was great and since I had not read the back cover I just dove right in and enjoyed it all the more because I knew nothing.
The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing right till the moment the culprit was revealed. I also loved that the romance plot wasn't too strong. The romance thread of the story only starts about halfway into it and it's very light too.

• The setting was the perfect small Wild West town I wanted for a historical novel.

• It was pretty clean in regards to the sexual content as well, because of the light romance.

• Though the faith content could have been a little more obvious, it was good!

• I had to share this quote from Steven to Ellie because it is just too sweet! Spoiler: 
( His hand cupped her chin and lifted it so that she stared straight into his eyes. "I see the beauty of your character--and it takes my breath away." ).

• The fact that underneath her disguise Ellie wasn't a stunningly beautiful woman but her character was true and that was what Steven loved about her, even after she removed her costume and makeup.


Add the book on Goodreads


Thus concludes my thoughts on this novel. I enjoyed this book a lot and I look forward to reading more from the author, Carol Cox!

What are you reading currently?
Do you like historical novels?


xoxo
Hannah

Berkeley Square // Thoughts (or you could call it a review)

Via Pinterest

Oh hey, Wildflowers!
Been a while since I've rambled about a movie or series, hasn't it? Well, today I have a whole post for you about this ten episode mini-series called Berkeley Square.
I found out about this from another blogger and I am so glad we watched it because as I am about to show you, it's really good!

via Pinterest

Alrighty, so Berkeley Square follows the story of three nannies during 1902, who all work in different households in Berkeley Square, London and end up all becoming friends.
The stories of them and the families they work for all intertwine in a most wonderful way and the whole thing is very entertaining.


The Nannies

via Google

Hannah Randall is Irish(and starts of as a ladies maid), and her story begins when she has just lost the father of her baby(born out of wedlock)to a riding accident. Hannah then seeks employment in London, and after some struggles lands a job working as a live-in nanny in Berkeley Square, while her baby is left in the care of a Polish woman she met on her arrival in London.

via Google

Lydia Weston is a country girl, who is employed by her family' landlord to assist their elderly nanny and better her self by getting a respectable job.
She is quite a darling girl, innocent and unfamiliar with the ways of the rich and city folk, but she succeeds in being a great nanny and good friend.

via Google

Matty Wickam is probably my favourite because of her cute romance with Ned Jones! They are a cute couple who don't really get along at first, which makes it all the better.
Ned is employed in as a footman in the house where Matty works as a hiding place. He is wanted for a suspected murder which was really just a self-defence case. The housekeeper is his mother, hence why she gets him employed. Anyway, back to Matty.
Matty is a stern but friendly nanny if that makes any sense!


The Story

Even though the plot is quite simple, it has it's suspenseful and emotional moments. There are characters you despise and those that you love, which is essential to have a good story.
Also, I must mention the children in this show are adorable, especially Bertie! Bertie is Hannah's nannying child and he's very sweet. Everyone is just so lovable! Well, mostly everyone...

via Pinterest

Ned is such a darling which the children. He and Matty are one of the highlights of Berkeley Square in my opinion. They sort of have a hate-to-love- thing at first, but the moments when they acknowledge their feelings for each other are the best.
Okay, okay, I'll stop rambling about them!

As for content, there is a slight bit of language but nothing too bad and a case of adultery. But all is resolved in the end, I shall say that.

All in all, this was a great find and the best part is that the entire series is on YouTube! (So you have no excuse not to watch it!)

So, tell me, will you be watching this now?

xoxo
Hannah

Behold Your King // Christmas Favourites Part 2

Hey Wildflowers!

I first would like to apologize that this post is a little late, due to computer issues and travelling.
But I am here now to complete this two-part Christmas Favourites post!

You can read Part One here.

For this part of my Christmas favourites, I wanted to focus on the spiritual part of the season.
This December I found a few great resources to get into the Word and fully prepare for the celebration.

The first one is a 3-part series by Revive Our Hearts called Unto You Is Born This Day.
In these three sessions, Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth take us through Luke 2 in a way I haven't ever read before. My eyes were truly opened to many new things about the Christmas story I thought I knew so well.

Next are three classic Christmas carols that I fell in love with this Christmas.
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly is a beautiful and sweet carol that is similar to Away in a Manger but has a different aspect.
O Little Town of Bethlehem is one that I never much liked when I was younger but I really quite like it now. It reminds me of Micah 5:2, here it is prophesied that the small town of Bethlehem is chosen out of all Israel to be the birthplace of the Mighty Ruler.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is also one that I came to appreciate and love.
So, now I strongly recommend that you go and listen to these carols and bask in their joy before the Christmas season is over!

Moving on, another favourite of mine was Luke chapter 2. Have you ever thought about how real, beautiful and wonderful the Christmas story is?
It is real because it is from the Bible. Mary and Joseph were real, ordinary folk who God chose to serve a great purpose.
It is beautiful because of how it was all so carefully planned and came about so perfectly, in a way that only God can accomplish.
And it is wonderful because it holds so much joy, hope and peace for this day and age. In the midst of unrest, wars, trials and anger, God has brought peace for us.

I truly hope that you all had an AMAZING Christmastime with your loved ones!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

xoxo
Hannah