Arena, by Karen Hancock

Review by Jen Nofziger

While we lived in Goshen, I had a very tried and true scientific method for picking out books for the WoW Connect! columns. I would walk into the Sugar Grove Church Resource Center, scan the spines of books, and grab one that caught my eye. Being behind schedule, in a hurry and having a deadline would be variables that helped perfect this technique. Now that the SGC Resource Center is no longer an option, my technique has been tweaked . . . a little bit.

So, it is off to the "new" public library for me.  My tried and true technique gets a little tricky here. Ideally, I would walk into the library, head to the Religious Fiction section, pick up a book that catches my eye, and be done. I have a good reason for picking "the one that catches my eye."  If I do too much reading of back covers and reviews and such, then I might pick only books that seem interesting and/or potentially good (in my opinion) and therefore won't get the variety necessary to make this column more interesting for everyone.

Here is where my "technique" breaks down:  There are 10 libraries in our "system" and, as far as I can tell, they are not organized in any fashion that makes my life easy. Some branches (but not the most convenient for me) separate the religious fiction from other fiction, others sometimes use stickers on the spine to differentiate in the general fiction, but, as far as I can tell, often times no distinction is made (depending on the branch). Obviously, as far as libraries go, I can't complain. I mean really, 10 branches, one of which is three floors full of books, glorious books? (And an 'old fashioned' typewriter, which is kind of cool.)  You might be thinking all my troubles would be solved if I just did some research ahead of time, determined a book, looked online for which branch or branches carries it and where in that library that book would be found. I'll let you know how that works  . . . someday . . . hopefully!

That being said, the book I found for this month (quite miraculously) was located in the general fiction section of the main library, with a "science fiction" sticker on it. You can find it at the Goshen Public Library in the Youth section (hmmm) or in the Inspirational Fiction section of the Main and Cleveland branches of the Elkhart Public Library. (Maybe categorizing library books isn't as easy as I think!) And, of course most bookstores.

Arena, by Karen Hancock was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I wasn't too sure I would like it when I picked it up off the shelf because it was 'stickered' as "science fiction," but Karen Hancock was an author we had read once in the WoW book club. Science fiction might be an interesting area to delve into, so I checked it out.

This allegory reminds the reader of how God can and does use all sorts of circumstances to reach His people. While the circumstances for the characters in this story would be quite outlandish, it is science fiction after all, it still points to this basic truth, which is applicable to "real life".

Callie and her friend Meg are pulled into a world beyond imagination where they face amazing trials and adversity while trying to get back home. They meet many people along the way that may or may not be there to help. There's adventure, there's love, there's aliens . . .

The story is an account of faith, a reminder to have faith, have faith, have faith (and then keep the faith).  And a story of how that faith can grow. And fail. And be questioned.  And then there is forgiveness. In their new world there are boundaries that exist not to keep people out, but to encourage people to make the right choices before they find their way out.

This book was just so well written. A wonderful story that I am glad I "happened" to come across when I was wandering around the library.

Firstborn, by Robin Lee Hatcher

Review by Jen Nofziger

If you read last month's installment of "Coffee and a Book," you know that this month I was going to try to find a wholesome story to enjoy - and hopefully recommend to you! Firstborn, by Robin Lee Hatcher, fit the bill rather well. This was a nice contemporary fiction book to curl up with and enjoy a nice warm salted caramel mocha (to which I may be addicted).

Erika Welby has quite the idyllic life in Idaho. She has married her high school sweetheart and together they have raised their son as they lived their “happily ever after." That's a great place to start, now isn't it?

Erika and Steven have been Christians for about ten years and have done a pretty good job of raising their son, Ethan. Steven's best friend since forever, Dallas, and his wife find the Welbys' faith a crazy idea that may work for others, but just is not for them. Except for Erika's cantankerous father and their shaky relationship, everyone is cruising right along and enjoying their smooth life. Until . . .  Erika gets a letter. 

Erika has managed to hide quite the secret for over 20 years, and now things are going to get interesting. Erika and Steven's marriage faces a crises when Erika receives the letter from the daughter she gave up for adoption 22 years ago. Kirsten is on her way to Boise from Philly to start a new job (Interesting side note: she makes a stop near South Bend while on her way). Not surprisingly, as everyone has to come to terms with what is happening and how they are going to deal with it, Steven and Erika's marriage is tested and revealed for what it really is.

I did enjoy reading this book. The story was a little formulaic, which may have been comforting after the last book, but not usually a characteristic I enjoy.  So, I wouldn't say it was “can't put down” good, (though I wish I had found that was the case, because then maybe writing this wouldn't have been so last minute!), but more “that was a heartfelt, well-written story” good. Hatcher clearly communicates to the reader everyone's thoughts and feelings as they work through an incredibly trying time. The author tells the tale of betrayal through the eyes of the Christian whose faith is tested, the Christian who "fails," the unbeliever who is drawn to God, the “baby” Christian who shows maturity beyond his years and a God who is always faithful. There is incredible trauma, great triumph and improbable forgiveness in this book, and gives you the opportunity to ask what you would do.