Safer Than A Known Way, by Pamela Rosewell Moore

This book is the amazing story of how God chose to use a young woman who, at age 21, surrendered her life to Him. Pamela Rosewell grew up in a loving Christian family in the south of England, but she had always resisted truly living her life for the Lord. There were three things she was afraid of God calling her to do: leaving her family and country, speaking in public, and being single. But, God had other plans, and one night at a youth retreat that she really didn't want to be at, Pam finally fell to her knees and told the Lord that He could do with her what He wanted--even if it involved her three fears. She finally knew true peace and contentment and soon after, found herself in Kenya, then Holland, where she worked as personal secretary to "Brother Andrew," as he is commonly known-- the author of "God's Smuggler." Then, for the next several years, Pam became the personal companion to Corrie tenBoom (affectionately referred to by many as "Tante Corrie," which is Aunt in Dutch). What an amazing, struggling, beautiful time followed! She and Tante Corrie traveled all over the world, both speaking to large groups and ministering to many different types of people. The Lord used this time in her life to grow her in so many areas and to bless her abundantly. She tells her story with simplicity and honesty of heart. I have recently been re-reading this book and it has been of great, timely encouragement to me at this time in my life and service to the Lord and His people.
~~Highly recommended for everyone!
(Published by Chosen Books, 1988)

I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

This is one of the most delightful novels I have ever read! It is written as the diary of 17 year old (or maybe she's 16 when the book starts?) Cassandra Mortmain, who lives in an old dilapidated castle in England in the late 1940's. She lives with her father "Mortmain," the author of a one-time bestseller, "Jacob Wrestling," who now spends most of his time in the castle tower, reading detective novels; her step-mother, Topaz, who was once a painter's model and currently enjoys "communing with nature and playing her lute," but is very kind and whom I found to be quite insightful; her older sister Rose, who is often found despairing of their family's horrid situation and no prospects for marriage; her younger brother, Thomas; and Stephen, a young man who is the son of their late housekeeper, who happens to be mesmerized by Cassandra and frequently copies out poems, giving them to her as if written by himself.
Cassandra is a witty young woman who writes truth as she sees it, and lives life in a very optimistic way. I found myself often thinking, after I'd read a paragraph, or even just a line, "I have felt exactly that sometimes." She has a way of putting into words an adventure--which is really just their family life, but from her perspective. Some might call this book a "coming of age story, " but I prefer rather "the diary of an honest girl who has a gift for seeing the things right in front of her that so many of us would have missed."
As you read this book, you will find yourself laughing out loud (in Cassandra's description of their local vicar, she lovingly describes him: "He is the nicest man--about fifty, plump, with curly golden hair; rather like an elderly baby--and most unholy. Father once said to him: 'God knows how you came to be clergyman.' And the Vicar said: 'Well, it's His business to know.' "), nodding in agreement, remembering your own childhood, and maybe even brought to tears a bit. The reason for the title is due to the usage of the word "capture" in trying to put into words one's character, as opposed to the "taking captive" usage. Cassandra's desire is to help the reader to truly understand and see in their mind's eye what her family's life is truly like at her beloved castle.
~Highly recommended, especially for young women ages 16 to 99 :-) (any younger should have their mum read it first, because I acknowledge that different families have different standards and ideas of what is appropriate for certain age groups)
(originally published by William Heinemann Ltd., 1949, England)

To Own a Dragon, by Donald Miller & John MacMurray

The subtitle here is, "Reflections on growing up without a father." I know this doesn't apply to me, and technically this book was written to guys (Don even gives a little apology to "the women reading this," for being crude and very honest about guy stuff :-), but what an insight this reading was! Don tells of his growing up experience, after his father left when he was just a toddler, of the men in his life and their attempts at helping Don, and his (most of the time) reistence to them. I learned of applications to my own life in regards to wisdom being passed on to me and my own stubborn refusal to heed advice. God gave us mentors and older friends (sometimes not in age, but more in maturity) to help to guide us and prevent unneeded mistakes.
The reason for the title is because, for Donald Miller, the idea of growing up with a father was as foreign to him--as much a fairy tale--as a boy's dream of owning a dragon all his own. John MacMurray contributed to this book through his mentoring of Don during his college years while Don lived with John and his young family. I was reminded of what an awesome thing a "normal family" is, when they try to follow in the way of Jesus. Don observed John relate to his wife and children and was often flabbergasted, because it was all so new to him. This is hard to put into words, but suffice it to say this: it's another Don Miller book (author of "Blue Like Jazz") and you won't be disappointed.
~Highly recommended, especially for folks who grew up in "broken homes," but also for those who regularly minister to young boys and men who are in families without fathers.
(Navpress Publishing Company, 2006)