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caaleros's review
5.0
I had a journey with this book. I requested it as an ARC because I’m a fan of Hannah Anderson’s writing. Even when she’s writing nonfiction there’s a beauty to her prose that I’ve always appreciated in addition to her ideas. My issues began because I’m used to reading books quickly and Turning of Days asked me to go slow. It asked me to take my time and let the chapters, which are basically short essays, stand on their own. I struggled with this. I didn’t want to take my time; I didn’t want to look up the extra scripture reading. But I realized that binge reading it wasn’t working for me either. I put it down for more than a year and I’m glad I did. Once I picked it up again, I was ready to take my time. I read a couple chapters a day, one or two in the morning and one at night. Sometimes I wouldn’t read any for a few days and then I would come back to it. It turned into a lovely routine that I was able to appreciate.
I have tried a couple devotionals in the past, but I never could get into any. I loved Anderson’s approach by starting in nature. She’s from rural Virginia and uses that landscape to inspire her reflections. These meditations are broken down into the four seasons reflect on nature to reveal the character of God and explore how nature can teach us about life and death, while pointing to the one who is to come again. I also appreciated the verses Anderson included for extra reading. It’s so easy to forget that the Bible is a beautiful piece of literature in addition to being the inspired word of God. It was nice to visit these verses that are either not read or get lost in the midst of a larger book.
If you love nature writings, I highly recommend Turning of Days. If you’ve never been a devotional reader, I would say this is a good one to start with. It worked for me. I feel like I would even read this again so I’m planning on buying a physical copy so I can have it on my shelf. If you enjoy this books, I would recommend Anderson’s [b:Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul|28592793|Humble Roots How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul|Hannah Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457527927l/28592793._SY75_.jpg|48761522] next as it is also very influenced by nature.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have tried a couple devotionals in the past, but I never could get into any. I loved Anderson’s approach by starting in nature. She’s from rural Virginia and uses that landscape to inspire her reflections. These meditations are broken down into the four seasons reflect on nature to reveal the character of God and explore how nature can teach us about life and death, while pointing to the one who is to come again. I also appreciated the verses Anderson included for extra reading. It’s so easy to forget that the Bible is a beautiful piece of literature in addition to being the inspired word of God. It was nice to visit these verses that are either not read or get lost in the midst of a larger book.
If you love nature writings, I highly recommend Turning of Days. If you’ve never been a devotional reader, I would say this is a good one to start with. It worked for me. I feel like I would even read this again so I’m planning on buying a physical copy so I can have it on my shelf. If you enjoy this books, I would recommend Anderson’s [b:Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul|28592793|Humble Roots How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul|Hannah Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457527927l/28592793._SY75_.jpg|48761522] next as it is also very influenced by nature.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
persistent_reader's review
5.0
This is book of essays that invite the reader to "consider the lilies" and all the ways creation can teach us about God. The reflections are thoughtful, wise, and inviting like the author's previous books. However, this volume has the addition of delicate and detailed illustrations by her husband. Although the book can be read straight through, I think these essays would be best read in the context of their season and savored slowly. I thoroughly enjoyed "Turning off Days" and gladly recommend it.
kt_s's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Beautiful writing and reflections on nature, life, spiritual life
krnnsh's review
5.0
One of the best books I've read this year. Learned a lot about different aspects of the natural world.
bcbartuska's review
4.0
Turning of Days is a collection of reflections about nature and what it can tell us about the God of creation. Each story reads a bit like a devotional, so this would make a great addition to a daily quiet time routine.
Hannah Anderson walks us through each season and how, if we’re paying attention, there’s always something there to teach us the age old spiritual principles, as Jesus did with his parables.
I don’t consider myself to be someone who thrives on being in nature, and I’m certainly not a gardener, but there was still a lot here that I could relate to. This would make an excellent read for someone who is more connected to the natural world than I am, especially if you like your prose on the poetic side.
It’s also a lovely book with illustrations by the author’s husband. It would make a great gift!
Hannah Anderson walks us through each season and how, if we’re paying attention, there’s always something there to teach us the age old spiritual principles, as Jesus did with his parables.
I don’t consider myself to be someone who thrives on being in nature, and I’m certainly not a gardener, but there was still a lot here that I could relate to. This would make an excellent read for someone who is more connected to the natural world than I am, especially if you like your prose on the poetic side.
It’s also a lovely book with illustrations by the author’s husband. It would make a great gift!
karissw's review
5.0
I personally love this book! If you love nature this is great for you. Nature and the lessons we can learn from it are central to this book and beautifully illustrate what we learn from God’s written word and the book of nature.