Quick Lit: What I’ve Been Reading Lately

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

I saw The Hiding Place movie when I was a girl. I’ve read a few other Corrie ten Boom books. I’ve even owned this one for a couple decades, but it wasn’t until my book club picked it that I finally dug in. What a story!

Corrie and her family worked as part of the Dutch Resistance during World War II, helping Jews in their community find safe shelter and hiding a number of people in a secret room in their home. Arrested for their work, sent to prison and then concentration camps, the ten Booms held to a remarkable, unshakable faith in God’s goodness in the midst of horror and the power of love to overcome hate. The book ends with these words: “Jesus can turn loss into glory.” So many things I will continue to think about. So many truths to embrace.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

It feels like everyone is reading this, has just read it, or plans to read it soon. This book is an absolute masterpiece covering three generations of a St. Thomas Christian family in Kerala, India. Some members of the family have “the condition” — a mysterious illness that causes them to drown or if they grow old, become deaf and struggle with balance. The matriarch of the family, Ammachi, prays that someday someone will be able to help with the illness. Various characters and storylines intertwine over the decades, keeping readers guessing at their eventual connections and if Ammachi’s prayer will be answered.

Author Abraham Verghese narrates his audiobook beautifully. It is evident he feels tenderly toward his characters and loves the world he created. This is a story of caste and class, faith and mystery, family and secrets, suffering and humor and the gift of pain, medicine that is art and art that is healing. Enthralling.

The McNifficients by Amy Makechnie

Lord Tennyson, an esteemed miniature schnauzer of a certain age, serves as the six McNiff children’s nanny. As summer begins and everyone’s home, there’s plenty of upheaval to keep Tenny busy: sibling spats, a brood of chickens, a toddler that is learning to walk, summer camp, a secret pet snake, and the news that Tenny might be replaced by a human nanny.

This middle-grade novel is a delightful romp told from a very proper dog’s perspective. Funny and sweet with plenty of love (and clever doggish observations), readers will root for Lord Tennyson and his chaotic, endearing family.