Five Fall Favourites Day 4 // Hope!

Day 4 already? This week is just FLYING by, isn’t it? I hope you’ve found as many great books as I have! Today we are channeling our inner 1950s kid and hopping onto our…

I have a bike, but I very seldom use it. I’m just not a cyclist. I prefer to walk. But for today I pulled out my beautiful blue bike and I’m leading you all on a little ride around our Turnapage Village! Are you all ready! Let’s go!

We have such a lovely village, don’t we? And it’s a beautiful day. I’m so glad that rainstorm didn’t last. Now we get to enjoy that gorgeous rainbow, and it feels so cool and fresh! I hope everyone has a sweater, because it might get a little chilly. Our first stop will be a quiet little country house where we’ll meet Miss…

(P.S. Click on the book title for a Goodreads link, and click on the book image for a link to a download of the book.)

1. Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.

Drawing heavily from personal experience, Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey in an effort to represent the many 19th Century women who worked as governesses and suffered daily abuse as a result of their position.
Having lost the family savings on risky investments, Richard Grey removes himself from family life and suffers a bout of depression. Feeling helpless and frustrated, his youngest daughter, Agnes, applies for a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy, upper-class, English family. Ecstatic at the thought that she has finally gained control and freedom over her own life, Agnes arrives at the Bloomfield mansion armed with confidence and purpose. The cruelty with which the family treat her however, slowly but surely strips the heroine of all dignity and belief in humanity.
A tale of female bravery in the face of isolation and subjugation, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece claimed by Irish writer, George Moore, to be possessed of all the qualities and style of a Jane Austen title. Its simple prosaic style propels the narrative forward in a gentle yet rhythmic manner which continuously leaves the listener wanting to know more.

As someone who struggles hard with having hope, I found this book really touching. The beginning is a little depressing, but I identified with Agnes a lot. And as the plot moved on, I related more and more to her. She ends in a beautifully triumphant way that really reminded me of the hope I have—and the duty I must fulfill. Full review here; click on cover image to be redirected to a free ebook copy.

I love the Brontë girls’s books and a lot of them deal with having hope. So I hope you’ll check those out too. But anyways, we just pulled up before our next stop, and this is…

2. Castaways by Jes Drew.

Emily Rogers thought nothing could be worse than her family moving across the ocean. When the unthinkable happens and the ship goes down, she learns just how wrong she is.

Now she’s stranded on a deserted island with her two young cousins and Christopher Williams, the boy who refused to leave until all the women and children were safe.

But the island hides many secrets and holds many dangers. And as they fight to survive and hold onto hope, one unsettling question rises above the others.

Is the island really deserted?

It takes a long time for the message of hope to appear—but when it does, wham! It hits hard—and well. I was actually struggling kind of hard with having hope when I read this, and it really spoke to me. It may not be for everyone, so please read my detailed review here (and maybe other reviews) but I found it really helpful.

A lovely island, wasn’t that? We’re heading for a villa next… a villa containing a story of

3. From the Dark to the Dawn by Alicia A. Willis.

Decadent Rome, 61 Anno Domini. The masters of the universe have crushed the Iceni rebellion with an iron hand, slaughtering and enslaving her people.
For Philip, his existence as a captive means living to hatred. He despises his rich, young master, resenting his life of servitude and the wrestling feats Marcus forces him to perform. Bitterness engulfs his soul until he only lives for the day when he will crush the might of Rome.
Then Christianity enters the picture. Taught by a Jewish breadmaker to know the man called Christus, Philip begins the struggle to forgive and honor his master. But forgiveness is not easy towards one who lives for himself.
Marcus Virginius knows nothing but power and pleasure. Destined to a successful career serving Nero in the Praetorian Guard, he wants no part of Christianity. And he is determined to crush Philip’s newfound faith – no matter what it takes.
Join Philip and Marcus in their journey of redemption, faith, and forgiveness. Is love enough to conquer hate? And will the light of the gospel ever surmount the darkness of Rome?
Persecution abounds – will the two young men survive its terrors and live to experience the bright hope of a new dawn?

There were a number of really good messages in this story, not just hope. But hope was a prominent theme, and it was SO well done. Hope of a future, hope in daily life, hope of a better character… it was just so encouraging on so many levels. Highly recommended! Full (detailed) review here.

Our next stop is also a house, but such a wee, dinky little house! You’ll have to pedal hard here. Wave hello to

4. Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery.

For as long as she could remember, Jane Stuart and her mother lived with her grandmother in a dreary mansion in Toronto. Jane always believed her father was dead until she accidentally learned he was alive and well and living on Prince Edward Island.

When Jane spends the summer at his cottage on Lantern Hill, doing all the wonderful things Grandmother deems unladylike, she dares to dream that there could be such a house back in Toronto… a house where she, Mother, and Father could live together without Grandmother directing their lives—a house that could be called home.

Oh, this sweet story! I read it last year when in the middle of university exams, selling our home of 13 years, buying a new home, and riots… well, it really gave me a lot of peace and hope. Full review here!

Down the hill we go! Our very last stop is right before us: a ranch. And right there with the pretty horse is Harley from

5. Stop the Rain: Never Leave a Fallen Comrade by Kassie Angle.

He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?
Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.
Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?

So this book is about PTSD. And I think everyone should read it, regardless of their nationality and beliefs. As someone who struggles with depression and self-hatred and suicidal inclinations, I found this book was full of hope—hope of a better future, and hope to keep living on. See my review for all my thoughts…

Okay, here we are at the Lodge! Just put your bikes in that little shed there. And then be sure to go into the Lodge to participate in the giveaway! It’s quite epic—open both Internationally and U.S. The prize is really awesome, all about books… of course! If we get enough entries, there’ll be a second place winner—and if we get more entries, there’ll be a third place winner!! So what are you waiting for? Hop on over! There’s also a Books room where you can get a free ebook, so be sure to check out the other blogs to find it!!

Well, there you are. I hope you found some helpful books here ❤ and I’m always on the lookout for books with a theme of hope, so PLEASE drop some recommendations down below!!