We all know the story of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The story of Ft. McHenry is usually told from the perspective of the writer, but rarely about the details of the actual flag. This adorable tells that part of the story! And it doesn’t stop with the famed battle; it ends with the preservation of the flag in modern day Washington D.C.!

I had no idea this book was non-fiction until we got to the end! The author was one of the many children Miss Dorothy blessed with her unconventional library! And she’s from North Carolina! That makes it even more interesting to me!

Math is something that I hate. With a vengeance. But! This book is so interesting! It shares about a woman who struggled to be taken seriously as a mathematician in a day when the field only accepted men. But based on her hard work and her own merit—not by whining and crying like modern feminists—she won her place in the annals of mathematic history!

I’m a sucker for a feel-good story and this fits the bill! Jessica lost her leg as a child and this book chronicles her and her dog’s struggle to find their place in the world after setbacks. Cried through the whole thing.

The Cold War has always fascinated me. I mean, who doesn’t want a stick of poison lip stick and all the other cool gadgets they had? But I think we forget about the hardships of those who lived through it, especially those in East Germany. This story details the escape of a group of Germans and the fantastic idea that saved their lives!

This is one of my very favorite books that I’ve read by Ms. Polacco and while some information is creative license, most of it is the true story of Tucky Jo, a WWII soldier, and Little Heart, an island native child. The end y’all. The ending is the best.

Underwater exploration is a fascinating thing! I’ve always loved the story of the Turtle and the CSS Hunley! And this story takes the history of the submarine to another level! The artwork is fantastic and the story is riveting! If you’re claustrophobic, maybe give this one a pass, lol!

This book is adorable! And it’s a beautiful story of how one boy with a dream changed his African village forever…and is still impacting his country even today!

Everyone knows who Vincent Van Gough is and about his beautiful artwork! This takes children on a journey, seeing possible inspiration for Van Gough’s Starry Night panting! It’s beautiful!

Another book about an artist, this book takes you on a trip through the gardens of Monet, all while viewing impressions of his many famous works! A lovely, whimsical, magical read! Even Dixie was mesmerized by the artwork!

Question of the Day: What books to you recommend for introducing children to real people?

Have a blessed day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

When you found my blog, you found a mishmash of content: devotionals, history posts, book reviews, book releases, news about my works in progress and the occasional short story.

And some of that isn’t changing.

But can I be honest? I hate writing devotionals. I never enjoyed it. I still don’t. I don’t know if I ever will. It was something I felt I had to do to please others even though I would legit stress out every time it was “time” to write another. Christian content isn’t leaving my blog by any means, but it will just be coming naturally this time. I’m not an “Inspirational,” writer. It’s just not me.

So, moving forward there will be no devotionals on the blog. Not unless God makes it very clear that I should write one, that is. I’m in a place where I feel ready to dive into that particular content again.

Another thing that is changing, and you probably noticed, I won’t be writing quite as many history posts. They will still be popping up, I just don’t have the time I used to for weekly/bi-monthly history research, haha! History is still important to me and I do so much want to bring this back to the blog, but it’s just too time consuming at the moment to fact check all my details, etc. But it’s not leaving completely so don’t despair 😉

The third thing that is changing is the kinds of books I will be featuring. In the past, I mostly covered middle grade books and non-fiction. As you’ve noticed, I now have started to include romance, manga and picture books. I know some were probably surprised by the first two. And that leads us to…

In short, I’m in a new place in my life. I’m married, I’m a mom and I’m, shocker, older. I know how to biblically navigate romance content, I know how to determine which comics are worth reading and which ones have dirty content. And as a mom, I’m reading a lot of picture books 😊

I am still careful with what I read. I censor content out of my personal copies just like I always have. I will still read middle grade, I’m just expanding my genres.

I’m not writing this to justify anything or seek pats on the back. I’m just letting you know, in case this isn’t what you want to read, that that’s completely fine! No hard feelings!

There will still be reviews, an occasional history post, book lists, writer thoughts, book updates and whatever else comes to mind, haha! I just don’t want you to feel confused by the changes as they happen. I haven’t taken a dive off the deep end, I promise😆

All that being said, my original audience has grown up! And I’m so proud of you all! And I thank you for staying with me for all these years or joining the journey over the years! And I don’t want you to leave! That’s why I’m endeavoring to share mixed and honest content here, so that there’s something for everyone, while posting stuff that I enjoy!

I hope that you will stick around for many years to come!
 
Question of the Day: How have your reading/writing habits changed over the year?

May God Bless You and Your Day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

This was the first book of the month! It was bittersweet, because Christmas in Kailua is the last one in the Kailua Marines series and I so didn’t want it to be over! As a mom to a little girl the same age as the main characters daughter, there were many parts that made me anxious or made me smile or made me cry. It was beautiful. It was the perfect end to the series and the ending of the book itself was so emotional! Loved it so much!

Age Recommendation: Mature Adult
Content: Language, some sensual content, divorce, and remarriage
Traumatic Content: There is a manipulative ex-husband who plays dumb and innocent then turns everything against the others. Also a house fire is a recuring memory, plus there a house fire in the end of the story. A toddler is in the house, but everyone ends up okay in the end, no injuries.
Goodreads Review
 
Next was Naruto 35: The New Two. Having seen the animated version first, I found it’s story style much more informative and easier to follow. That being said, I still enjoyed it! I don’t remember any content warnings, but this series does occasionally have some language and mild crude content, so be forewarned. It is easy to fix if you own your own copies.

Age Recommendation: 16+
Content: N/A
 
I DNF’d my third book of the year and of the month 😅 Padawan was a huge disappointment! I was enjoying it so much, and then they decided a character needed to be a they (yeah, it was so stupid and grammatically incorrect, I had to reread it five times to figure out it was pervert propaganda), and after some research to make sure I was right, I discovered the author wanted Obi-Wan to be “bi-sexual,” which we all know does not exist.
 
My next read was a reread! Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth! I love this whole series and Ivy is the character I love the most! She is quite relatable and this was my third time reading the book! I’ve got two more to read for Kellyn Roth’s reading challenge to catch up that is, so thank God for Audiobooks!

Age Recommendation: 16+
Content: N/A
Trauma Content: Mental health issues, anxiety, depression, child abandonment or feeling abandoned, reference to marital issues, toxic spouse, mental, verbal and emotional abuse, mentions of suicide, contemplated suicide.
Goodreads Review
 
After Our Castle rounded out my read through of The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy that I started last year. It was an excellent book that I think every young wife should read. I do think it’s best for older ladies (21+) unless you’re mature for your age. The rest of the books, I think are appropriate for 16-18+ and cover much needed topics.

Age Recommendation: 21+
Content: Violet struggles with sexual sin. It’s a very touchy topic and it is handled very well and in a Biblical manner, but some may find it too detailed for younger audiences. Also be aware natural birth control, marital intimacy and pregnancy are talked about. It is appropriate and again, something that needs to be dealt with. But it might be too much for younger audiences.
Trauma Content: Mental health issues, anxiety, depression, pregnancy anxiety.
Goodreads Review
 
I also read the second book in the Love in Charlotte Oaks Series, Somebody to Lean on and it was so cute! I loved the couple and their little adoptee was the cutest ever! And the ending was probably one of my favorites, right up their with Christmas in Kailua!

Age Recommendation: 18+
Content: Confusion on why they can’t share an apartment (she’s a yankee and sadly, like most of today’s society, never realized this was inappropriate); couple gets locked in a closet and they kiss (a little steamy for my taste);
Goodreads Review
~~~
Number of Books Read: 5
ReReads: 1
Genres: Rom-Com || Manga || Historical Fiction || Romance
Stars Given : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- 4  ⭐⭐⭐⭐- 1 ⭐⭐⭐- 0 ⭐⭐- 0⭐- 0
DNF: 1

My first book of the month was a huge letdown. Orchidelirium was supposed to be steampunk (already not my thing, but this was a review book) but those elements were so light, when they popped up they threw me out of the story. The younger sister is a manipulative gaslighter in my opinion. But the writing was good in general, just not my thing. I liked the details in the setting and all the flower facts (if they are right? I don’t do flowers XD). Most who read it love it, it was just not my thing and I didn’t really get the mystery of it. But like I said, if this stuff is your thing, you’ll probably love it!
 
Age Recommendation: 12+
Content: light romance, deception, lies, theft, toxic sister.
Goodreads review
 
Probably my favorite read of the month was The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark. Loved it so much I immediately ordered my own copy for my personally library.  I was an excellent collection of stories based of the animated series, but from different points of view/expanded points of view. The last story was a no for me, but one story out of all of them, that’s a win in my book!

Age Recommendation: 12+
Content: Last story is about a witch. I skip that one. I don’t remember any other content.
 
I read seven Naruto volumes, Naruto 36: Cell Number 10, Naruto 37: Shikamaru's Battle, Naruto 38: Practice Makes Perfect, Naruto 39: On the Move, Naruto 40: The Ultimate Art, Naruto 41: Jiraiya's Decision, Naruto 42: The Secret of the Mangekyo. These follow my least favorite arc in the Naruto series, because it’s so sad…there’s like, three of the most devastating events in the history of Naruto happening one right after the other so yeah, I might have cried…

Age Recommendation: 16+
Content: Same as above.
 
I read The Book of Spinjitzu in one sitting while letting Dixie play at the library 😊 It’s done in a journal/scrapbook style and from the point of view of Sensei Wu! It gave some background to the Ninjago series that you don’t get in the series. So if you watch Ninjago, check up this story.

Age Recommendation: 8+
Content: mentions of dark magic but in a negative light.
 
I love middle grade and I was excited to find a quick Star Wars read! Smuggler's Run is a story about Han Solo that takes place between episode IV and episode V. I had some issues with some of the content, but it was well written and I hope to get a copy to censor and adjust!

Age Recommendation: 8+
Content: a few scenes take place in a bar, “my truth,” talk.
Goodreads Review
 
I read two books in the Ninjago Spinjitzu Brother’s series! The Curse of the Cat-Eye Jewel and The Lair of Tanabrax were fun, fast paced reads that kept you on the edge of your seat! There are some elements of magic, but mostly, it’s just powers, these people are born with in this fantasy world. And they make clear distinctions between good and evil (the magic is usually evil 😉). I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Age Recommendation: 10+
 
~~~
Number of Books Read: 13
ReReads: 0
Genres: Manga || Sci-Fi || Steampunk || Middle Grade
Stars Given : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- 7  ⭐⭐⭐⭐- 5 ⭐⭐⭐- 0 ⭐⭐- 1 ⭐- 0
DNF: 0

Naruto has been a huge part of my TBR. I don’t have a lot of time to read and Manga is a fast read. In June, I read eight: Naruto 43: The Man with the Truth, Naruto 44: Senjutsu Heir, Naruto 45: Battlefield, Konoha, Naruto 46: Naruto Returns, Naruto 47: The Seal Destroyed, Naruto 48: The Cheering Village, Naruto 49: The Gokage Summit Commences, and Naruto 50: Water Prison Death Match. (Katja, that oxford comma was for you 😉) This wrapped up my least favorite arc and started one of my favorite in between arcs! I’m only 22 volumes away from the end of the series and I’m just a little bit excited!

Age Recommendation: 16+
Content: Same as above.
 
Did I mention I’ve been enjoying the Love in Charlotte Oaks series? Cause book 3, As the Crow Flies, is my favorite so far! I loved the airmen-turned flight attendant- turned pilot angle and that she’s like literally the sweetest girl on earth. And I’ve been rooting for Riley from the beginning. Not sure about book 4 because I don’t like the girl, but maybe she will grow on me XD

Age Recommendation: 21+
Content: Some Steam scenes, but nothing too far; references to alcohol, and mild suggestive humor.
Goodreads Review

I am continuing my Star Wars reads and this month, it was The Princess, the Scoundrel and the Farm Boy! It was a three star for me, because the author pretty much decided to change Leia and Han’s personalities. If you can think of this as a retelling, it’s excellent, even if Leia is a self-centered brat 😆

Age Recommendation: 12+
Content: Cantina, cantina girls;
Goodreads Review
 
I DNF’d The Princess and the Scoundrel about 6 pages in. It was hinting at things nobody needs to be thinking about in connection with Han and Leia. Might be a decent book beyond that, but I just wasn’t in the mood for it at the time. If I read it and it ends up being worth it, I’ll try and make a content guide for anyone else who would want it!
 
The last book of the month was The Journey that Saved Curious George, a non-fiction about the authors of one of my favorite children's book series! I personally found it a little hard to really “enjoy,” but it was an excellent book and I look forward to sharing it with my kids one day once I have them addicted to my favorite monkey 😇
 
Age Recommendation: 8+
Content: mentions of the Holocaust and WWII. It’s pretty light on details, but just be aware if you have young children.
~~~
Number of Books Read: 11
ReReads: 0
Genres: Comic/Manga || Sci-Fi || Rom-Com || Non-Fiction
 Stars Given:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- 6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐- 3 ⭐⭐⭐- 2 ⭐⭐- 0 ⭐- 0
DNF: 1

Question of the Day: What books have you been reading? Read any I mentioned? What’s something new you are trying in the realm of reading?
 
Have a wonderful day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

I’ve been trying to get this book read ever since I got it (2019 or 2020, Kassie, help me out 😆), and I really want this to be the year I get it read! I have started it three different times!

This is the story of Marcus Luttrell and the men who served and died in Operation Redwing. I first became aware of this story in 2012-2013 (?) and I knew exactly where I was when SEAL Team 10 started living this nightmare… It was eerie and it still kinda haunts me a little. So yeah, least I can do is learn their full story, right?

I read an article about amputees going back into the service and I was afraid it was all made up…then I found this book and let me tell you, I was so excited! I passed it up once at the library, but when I saw it was still for sale, I knew it was there for me 😆 So yeah, I’m excited to read about a hero who got a second chance to serve!

I’ve had this book for several years after my sister did a collection purge! I can’t wait to read about a Marine Colonel’s point of view, especially one I have looked up to ever since I was six 😁 Little me is very excited rn, haha! Plus its twenty years old so 😢

This is probably the book I know the least about. I know it’s about the service of Chris Kyle, but I’m not exactly sure if it’s about his whole career or something specific. But I do know it at least covers some of his time as a SEAL. Chris Kyle is no longer with us, which makes me want to read it even more urgently. I guess I don’t want to be part of the generation who forgets those who gave it all for us, even if their death wasn’t on the battlefield.

This one, oh man, I am so excited for! It’s a compilation of stories of men and women who have served our country, based on interviews done with the authors! Similar to Modern Warriors by Pete Hegseth, This book has nearly 400 pages of soldier stories! All written in bitesize pieces! With how little uninterrupted reading time I get these days, I’m sure this will be a good read for me, even if it will take time!
 
What’s on your patriotic TBR? Do any of these books sound interesting to you?
 
Happy Independence Day! Let Freedom Ring!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22