Living Grace-filled in a SLATHY World

by Wendy Willard

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • My Writing
    • Creative Inspiration
      • + DIY
      • + In My Kitchen
      • + Just for Women
      • + Making Me Laugh
      • + Moral Support
      • + Quick Thoughts
      • + On My Nightstand
      • + Through My Earbuds
      • + Via Technology
    • Faith & Culture
      • + Endless Grace
      • + Craving Justice
      • + Not of This World
      • + Resilience & Healing
      • + Service Opps
      • + Trust
      • + Why are we here?
    • Family Life
      • + Adoption Care
      • + Foster Care
      • + Growing Up
      • + Parenting
      • + Tips for U.S. Families Abroad
  • My Coaching
  • Print Shop
  • Clothing Shop
  • About Me
    • What is SLATHY?
    • Get in Touch
You are here: Home / Creative Inspiration / + On My Nightstand / What I’m reading this summer (and why you should too): Part 1

What I’m reading this summer (and why you should too): Part 1

August 11, 2014 By Wendy Willard · Leave a Comment ·

I haven’t posted recently, due to our trip back to the US, but I’ve been reading a ton! As such, I’m going to have a few book reviews to post this week. First up is:

Running the Rift: A Novel

Summary:

The publisher’s description reads: “Running the Rift follows the progress of Jean Patrick Nkuba from the day he knows that running will be his life to the moment he must run to save his life. A naturally gifted athlete, he sprints over the thousand hills of Rwanda and dreams of becoming his country’s first Olympic medal winner in track. But Jean Patrick is a Tutsi in a world that has become increasingly restrictive and violent for his people. As tensions mount between the Hutu and Tutsi, he holds fast to his dream that running might deliver him, and his people, from the brutality around them.“

Why I picked it up:

I downloaded this book because it was on the $1.99 Kindle rack one day last month. I was a bit leery, as you never know if sale books are discounted because they can’t sell them otherwise… In this case, I was so happy I made the purchase!

My thoughts:

A warning: this book is long. Why do I always pick these super long books to read on the Kindle app on my phone? I also read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption that way, which is another 400+ page whopper (and translates into thousands of screens). Ironically, both are tales of Olympic hopefuls overcoming savage brutality in times of war.

I kept thinking the book was based on a true story, because it just feels so real. While the actual characters and situations are fictitious, the storyline follows historical events as they played out in Rwanda in the last few decades of the twentieth century. The author spent time working with genocide survivor groups in Rwanda, and clearly gained an astute understanding of what they endured.

Running the Rift book review

I love books that push me to learn about a culture, country, time frame, or event, and this book did just that. I found myself deeply involved with the characters, feeling compassion, pain, desperation, and then hope at various times throughout the story. I was also inspired, horrified, relieved, and encouraged, as I grew in awareness alongside Jean Patrick.

Why you should read it:

The genocide happening throughout the world today affects us all, even if we try to ignore it. Books like this help personalize the problem, so we can all identify with it — and hopefully seek solutions — no matter where we live.

Related Posts

  • Count it all joy (a.k.a. each week it sucks a little less)Count it all joy (a.k.a. each week it sucks a little less)
  • Grace-Filled ReadsGrace-Filled Reads
  • Jealousy – Part 2Jealousy – Part 2
  • Five specific ways you can support missionariesFive specific ways you can support missionaries
  • Social Media QuicksandSocial Media Quicksand
  • Loving EnoughLoving Enough

Filed Under: + On My Nightstand ·

Encourage and discuss here Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Featured Posts

This goodness—the idea that God is incapable of anything that is not inherently good—should be a life vest wrapped around my every word, thought, and deed. Yet, the idea, “this isn’t right” feels like an undercurrent always capable of pulling me into the depths of despair. 

Considering the Goodness of God When Life Doesn’t Feel Good

12 Daily Strategies to Focus on Truth

I Am Bookmark

Talking Back to the Anxiety Bully

An Anxiety Bomb of Lies and a Sacrifice of Praise

The Battle Cry of Tharseo

The Battle Cry of Tharseo (from Gospel-Centered Discipleship)

What is your drift-detection system?

Noticing drift-detection systems in the car and my life

Life’s big questions: Who am I? Why am I here?

Really, God? Can't I get a break?

Filling My Cup in an Unexpected (Unwanted?) Way

Facebook

Copyright © 2022 Wendy Willard · Get in Touch