Books that Became Me

  I wrote this essay for my newsletter subscribers in May's newsletter and wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it would bring you joy.

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Books.

Just seeing this five-letter, one syllable word brings a smile to my face.

My life has never been the same since I wore out three copies of the Little Golden Book, I Can Fly by the age of three. (Sorry Mom.) Even then, I recognized books can take you on quests.

If it’s true your cells regenerate every seven years, then over my lifetime of reading I’ve changed many times over. I like to think that pieces of my favorite books remain stitched into my DNA.

One of my favorite lines from You’ve Got Mail Kathleen Kelly says, “When you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way no other reading in your whole life does.” I’ve always believed this is true.

In middle school and high school, books became long- lost acquaintances. I found a real home as a spunky red-headed orphan in Anne of Green Gables, watched old maid Valancy Stirling become who she was meant to be in The Blue Castle, crossed swords with The Three Musketeers, and quietly carried the moral weight of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s also where my love and slight obsession of all things Jane Austen began. (Emma is still my favorite).

College deepened my relationship with literature. My major (and I’m sure you can guess what it was) required reading I might never have selected on my own. Some books challenged me, intimidated me, and some stayed with me long after the semester ended. The Faerie Queen, The Lady of Shalott, Middlemarch, and The Souls of Black Folk all expended my understanding of what literature could do. They taught me books are more than stories, but conversations across generations.

Whenever someone asks me for my favorite book, my mind immediately short circuits under pressure. Choosing one feels impossible and disloyal because the books I love are tied to different versions of myself.

Over the years, I’ve changed as a reader. When I was younger, I read for adventure. Today, I still see reading as an escape from reality, but I read a little slower. I find myself relishing the beautiful cadence of words, insights, and themes of a book. The excitement of opening a book knowing I may not be the same person when I close the book remains the same.

Perhaps that’s why I continue to love reading so deeply. Books do more than entertain us. They accompany us. They leave fingerprints on our lives in ways we don’t always recognize until years later.

Isn’t it wonderful that pieces of all these stories will remain with me forever?

Part of Your World is Delightfully Nostalgic

When I heard Karen Witemeyer was writing a fairytale retelling of Disney's The Little Mermaid, I was thrilled because of my connection to the film. When I was five years old, I got a VHS of The Little Mermaid (1989) for my birthday and promptly played it on repeat till I practically wore out the tape. Ariel's world of adventure and longing completely captured my imagination. (Be honest, aren't you still singing along to the unforgettable soundtrack?)

Fun fact: Jodi Benson who is the iconic voice of Ariel is from my hometown which only made my childhood obsession that much more magical. 

Part of Your World is Karen's clever reimaging of this fairytale. It's evident that this story is close to the author's heart. 

Fairytale retellings can be tricky to pull off. Lean too heavily on the original storyline and readers feel the story is too predictable. Karen manages to have enough nuanced Easter egg references to the Disney classic that are innovative and subtle.

Muriel Quinn feels far more at home beneath the waves than within the rigid expectations of society on land. As the youngest daughter, her father expects her to embrace the duties and decorum of respectable womanhood even if that life feels confining to her adventurous spirit.

Zane Erickson understands that same tension between expectation and passion. Despite coming from a wealthy and respected family, he chooses to pursue architecture instead of following the path laid out for him, creating friction between his ambitions and his family’s wishes.

Together, Muriel and Zane’s struggles reflect the heart of every great fairytale retelling: the desire to pursue the life that calls to you, even when the world expects something else entirely.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is its underlying message of redemption. The theme that God can redeem anyone is woven naturally throughout the story, giving the novel both emotional depth and spiritual encouragement without overwhelming the narrative.

Fans of fairytale retellings, historical romance, and faith-filled fiction will find a great deal to enjoy in this read. Karen Witemeyer once again delivers a story that feels imaginative, heartfelt, and delightfully nostalgic. I'd rate it a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 stars not to be missed. I loved Part of Your World and am looking forward to re-reading it when it's released in June. It's the perfect summer read not to be missed.

**I received an ARC copy of Part of Your World in return for my honest opinion. All views expressed are my own. **

 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room Essay

 I wrote this essay for my newsletter subscribers and got such positive responses; I wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it would encourage you.

If you like this content, you can subscribe to my newsletters through this link (Blonde Classic). 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room by Emilee Hill

At 41, I have been “single as a Pringle” for most of my adult life. And yes, now I’m craving Pringles. I’ve had two serious relationships in my life. I ended both of them because of unhealthy issues on their part that they were unwilling to seek help for, and I knew I couldn’t live with that.

 Friends and family often ask if I’m dating, and the current answer is no. Because honestly, how do you meet normal people these days?

 Usually after I say, “No, I’m not dating anyone,” the next question is, “Are you okay with that?” Lately, my answer has been yes. I am at total peace with it.

 That answer made me pause and ask a deeper question. Is it the right kind of peace? Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet. Have I become so comfortable being alone that I now see future relationships as disruptive to my peace? Or am I finally okay on my own and just overthinking it?

 I don’t have a clear answer yet. But I do know this. The right relationship would not take away my peace. It would meet me where I am.

 Over the past six years, I’ve grown accustomed to and often truly enjoy my alone time. As a single person, I have total autonomy and freedom over every area of my life. I can hog the remote control, bake brownies at midnight, or take a two-hour bubble bath with a good book.

 It’s easy to settle into that independent mindset, like Flowers by Miley Cyrus or You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore. Sometimes I find myself leaning into the attitude of “I don’t need anyone.”

 And if I’m honest, there are moments when that independence feels strong and freeing. But there have also been quieter moments. Times when I’ve wondered what it would be like to share life with someone or questioned if I’m missing something. Not constantly, but enough to remind me that I’m still human.

 Society sends mixed messages about singleness. On one hand, independence is celebrated and praised. On the other hand, there’s an underlying pull that suggests if you aren’t paired up, you’re somehow missing out. Between those two extremes lies the truth.

 Singleness isn’t a waiting room where life is on pause until something better comes along. It’s a life that is already happening.

 From a faith perspective, singleness isn’t a consolation prize or something to be fixed. It is a season with its own purpose. In First Epistle to the Corinthians 7:32–34, Paul speaks about the unique freedom unmarried people have to focus on the things of God and give Him undivided attention. This does not make marriage less valuable, but it does affirm that singleness is not lesser.

 If you are in a season of singleness, I want to encourage you. Maybe you’re struggling with loneliness, comparison, or the feeling of being overlooked. Jesus does not promise marriage to all of us. If we are in Him, what more do we truly need?

 That doesn’t mean your feelings don’t matter. They do. Acknowledge them. Be honest about them. But don’t let them define you or keep you stuck there.

 What has helped me most is surrounding myself with godly people, whether that is family, pastors, or friends, who offer wise and loving guidance. People who care enough to speak truth, even when it’s not always what I want to hear.

 Stay open to what God is doing in your life. Be intentional with your relationships and your experiences now, instead of putting your life on hold for what might come next.

 As for me, I’m still learning, still growing, and still working on contentment. But I believe the right kind of peace is this. Being grounded enough that whether love comes or not, my life is already full.

The Moon is Blue is a Sharp Romantic Comedy

 

Otto Preminger directed The Moon is Blue (1953).  Based upon a 1951 play of the same name it is a comedy of manners.  This genre gently satirizes social conventions, romantic expectations, and the unspoken rules governing polite society. 

This film broke some censorship barriers in Hollywood for its casual use of words like "virgin", "mistress", and "seduction" in discourse. It's relatively tame in comparison to today's movie making standards, but in the 1950's it challenged the boundaries and limits of acceptable film content. 

Maggie McNamara plays the role of Patty O'Neill an ingenue...caught between the interest of two aging playboys portrayed by William Holden and David Niven.  What's a girl to do?  (I'd have a hard time deciding between the two.) Each offers a different appeal leaving Patty (and the audience) wondering what choice she'll make. 

Going into watching is film, I was aware that it was controversial, but I found it well written, sharp, and witty. The dialogue is the film's greatest strength. It's quick, playful, full of subtle humor that keeps the viewer engaged and wishing they could have some of the same clever comebacks. 

If you enjoy films from Hollywood's Golden Age, I urge you to check this one out.

Fun Film Trivia:

The Moon is Blue (1953) is Maggie McNamara's film debut. She previously played the role of Patty O'Neill on stage in Chicago. 

Australian American director Otto Preminger also directed a German version of this film called The Girl on the Roof (1953). The young couple that speaks to Holden and McNamara on the observation deck of The Empire State building also make cameo appearances in the German version.  

Bird on a Wire is a Heartfelt Story

 

If you're looking for a book on motherhood, identity and what truly makes someone a parent you need to pick up author Katie Powner's newest release Bird on a Wire. 

Katie is an author I've been wanting to read for a while. When I saw the opportunity to join the influencer team for this book I jumped at the chance. Her style of writing and cadence are engaging and keeps you turning pages. She handled heavy topics with depth and sensitivity. 

Eighteen-year-old Bri Marshall and Forty-year-old Laura Gambler's lives are interwoven through the parenting of baby Providence. Bri is Providence's biological mother and Laura is his foster mother. 

The author did a great job of balancing but also intertwining Bri and Laura's stories as they struggle through the trials and triumphs of being a parent. Bird on a Wire tackles the tough question who is the better mother for Providence? 

Bri was a hard character to relate to. I'm not sure it was because she struggled with an addiction to drugs or if it was her youth. One aspect I didn't like of Bri is I felt she was slow to do what CPS required if she wanted to be reunited with her son. She's a well written character; I personally had trouble relating to her and this impacted the emotional connection I had to the story. 

In contrast, I related more to Laura. I appreciated her caring and compassion nature as she is trying to correlate parenting her own children but also falling in love with a precious newborn. Her perspective grounded the story for me.

Fostering isn't a topic I see in a lot of in Christian fiction, and I thought Katie Powner did an exceptional job approaching it with equal parts honesty and grace. 

I'd rate this book a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. My half-star deduction is mainly because I had trouble relating to Bri. 

Bird on a Wire is an emotional, thought-provoking story that have you shedding a few tears and stay with you long after you close the book.

Not What We Pictured is Rom Com Gold

If you haven't read Becca Kinzer's books this is your official nudge to do so! Her latest release Not What We Pictured is comedy gold with her trademark humor, heartfelt moments, and characters you won't want to leave behind. Her books should come with a PSA or a warning label...prone to cause fits of laughter when reading in public. 

I've been a fan of her books since her 2023 debut Dear Henry, Love Edith. Becca keeps getting better and better. She is the queen of creating small towns filled with zany characters. In each of her books, the town is like anther character. 

If you like humorous, clean romantic comedies Becca has you covered and then some. Her books have a great balance of comedy, heart and substance. I could spend the rest of this review raving about what I love about her books.

I appreciate that all of her characters are different. You don't feel like you're reading the same character in a different plot or vice versa. This makes her books especially satisfying to re-read. I also like that her story and plot pacing are fast. It keeps you turning pages. I binged Not What We Pictured in three days and it was only because real life kept interrupting. 

This story had strong screwball comedy vibes and reminded me of classic films such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), and You Can't Take It with You (1938). The forced proximity trope and the banter between McKenna and Nate was my favorite part of the story. Becca's gift for dialogue shines in this read. You can practically hear the timing and rhythm of each exchange. 

I've read and reviewed all Becca Kinzer's books and noticed a trend in all my reviews. All of her books are consistently rated a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. My reason for the half star deduction is that her heroines cling a little too tightly to their plans until the end. As a romance reader, sometimes I want my heroines throw caution to the wind and pick the guy over their well laid plans.

 All of Becca's books are standalones. If I had to rank order of First Love, Second Draft, Not What We Pictured, Dear Henry, Love Edith, Love in Tandem and lastly A Very Merry Match-Up. 

If you are in the mood for a romantic comedy that will make you laugh and give you a happily ever after love story you need to check out Not What We Pictured. 

Even So We Speak: A Final TIU Reunion

 

The morning after my Trinity International University (TIU) reunion and I'm sipping coffee out of my cobalt blue TIU Alumni mug...still smiling. 

It's been a minute (ok, 18 years) since I graduated. However, the sense of pride and nostalgia at graduating from a university that has always put Christ at the center has never waned. TIU's mission "to engage men and women in God's redemptive work in the world" shaped and grounded my faith in ways I still carry today. 

Weatherwise the day was beautiful. A little windy, but the sunshine warmed you on your way down memory lane. I was met with recollections at every turn as I walked around the campus from my old my dorm building (Madsen 400's), The Lew, Melton dining hall, Waybright center and Rolfing library. 

I remember my first time as a prospective student. The unexpected sense of belonging I felt.  Looking back, it's not just the campus, but the professors who made it what it was. I may be biased, but I had the best English professors. Dr. Baxter, Professor Fleming and Dr. Graddy poured wisdom, guidance, and care that left a lasting impression on me. 

  (Dr. Graddy and I. With 37 years of teaching at TIU, he has touched countless lives. I'll be forever grateful.)

The reunion itself was thoughtfully planned down to the smallest detail. They had fans with the scheduled posted, two delicious meals served in the dining hall, a reunion worship service and a 2nd evening worship service.  

During the first praise and worship service, they had a time for alumni to speak about what TIU meant to them. One by one several alumni from all decades had similar messages about how their time at Trinity felt like home.  And I realized I wasn't alone in how I felt. 

There was a unity in the room, a connection of not just our shared educational experiences, but living out our faith through worship. The heart of what Trinity has always been about. It made me think in the Gospel of Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Eighteen years later, Trinity still feels like home. I'm grateful for what was built in me while I was there. It was a wonderful God-honoring day with reflection, connection, walks down memory lane and maybe a few happy tears shed.