In the years since my Chrismation, I have gone through a number of different prayer books and while I prefer traditional English, The Ancient Faith Prayer Book is my favorite.

Wish list items for a 2nd edition:

- addition of the self examination before confession from the Pocket Prayer Book for Orthodox Christians

- Inclusion of a table for reading through the Orthodox Study Bible in a year

- The complete Psalter from the Orthodox Study Bible included and an additional ribbon marker (which I'd greatly prefer over the Ancient Faith Psalter) and all Psalter passages which currently appear brought into conformity to the OSB psalter for consistency.

The inclusion of the entire OSB Psalter would make a good resource for prayer even better.

Dislikes:
As I understand it, this edition is the Psalter from the RSV corrected to agree with the Septuagint. Considering that Ancient Faith already had the Orthodox Study Bible when this was published, I find this a bit odd. It seems that it would have been much more consistent for Ancient Faith to have produced this with the Psalter from the Orthodox Study Bible. In it's current form, it's not my favorite but it is serviceable. I may end up using it for travel and marking off the Kathisma and Stasis in the margin of my OSB and use that instead as it just flows better.

REALLY Dislike: The paper quality is more the quality of a cheap paperback than what one might expect in a "deluxe" edition and, therefore, makes it overpriced for what it is - very disappointing. Two stars off for the substandard paper quality and price. Why not use the same paper as the Ancient Faith Prayer Book?

Likes: It isn't arranged in typical fashion but is instead arranged according to liturgical usage. If using to supplement the Ancient Faith Prayer Book, it is actually quite a handy layout and one that I have grown to appreciate. I read one kathisma in the morning with my Ancient Faith Prayer Book, alternating between the A kathisma and B kathisma from week to week for Morning Prayers and then the evening kathisma with the Early Evening Prayers (Vespers). I like the

All in all, it is a good idea with poor execution. I would LOVE to see the OSB psalter adopted and then bound together with the Ancient Faith Prayer Book. Add in a section outlining a daily Bible reading plan and one would have an excellent, all in one resource. I hope that Ancient Faith will give this some thought and make it happen.

True Wellness

Newly released, A Long Walk With Mary will resonate with so many of us on this faithful journey of life. I converted to Orthodoxy in my late twenties after growing up Catholic and attending a Protestant college. My grandparents and parents had great respect, love and veneration for the Mother of God, so I knew of her, and just as I gleaned from this beautifully-written book, she started to gently welcome me to grow closer to her by learning about the Orthodox Church, seeing her Icons, becoming Orthodox, visiting monasteries and reading more and more about her. This book is about discovering Mary, whether in a random store encounter or while walking at dawn. I love the author’s style, which feels so full of wellness for the soul, like a comforting tea that warms your heart, nourishes you and leaves you at peace with enriched understanding. I was gifted this book after volunteering to read this book as an Ancient Faith Publishing reviewer, and I already know that I will be purchasing it as a gift for others with spiritual thirst for meaning. Books like this one are like water in my hands. I buy a copy only to encounter someone who needs it right at that moment. May everyone meet our Holy Mother, our greatest example of how to live, who intercedes and prays for us as our closest friend would, and then so much more.

I love to read, but I have a tall stack of unfinished books because life simply gets in the way. I look forward to finishing them someday. But “someday” wasn’t up for discussion on Sherry Shenoda’s The Lightkeeper. I was only a couple pages in by the time I realized I’d be upending my weekend’s schedule for this book. At the 3% mark on my Kindle, I was creating a list of friends who needed to read this.

Why? What starts as a fantasy/paranormal read with beautiful, addictive lighthouse details very quickly becomes personal. The seemingly-untouchable Lightkeeper struggles with the same pain we whisper in the dark. In her journey and in her choice, we find the beauty of life with few guarantees.

I loved the unpredictability of this book, its wisdom and its passion. The Lightkeeper is the best fiction I’ve read in a long time, and I expect I’ll return to it often.

I grew up protestant in an Evangelical Church. When I visited an Orthodox Church for the first few times I shared in the journey that so many have taken on their way into the Church. The title of this book sums up a big part of that journey. A Long Walk With Mary was such an intriguing title to me and one that I could and still relate to. I knew I wanted to explore this book from the first time I read the title. Brandi's experiences are beautifully explained and are quite relatable. Though I wasn't quite expecting such descriptive writing and I typically am not drawn to that kind of writing, in the context of explaining a journey with the Mother of God, it works. I've thought to myself that women might be more drawn to Brandi's offering however I would encourage men to set aside some time to read this story as well. There are many nuggets given that can assist us all in our journey into the fullness of Life in Christ. Thank you Brandi for giving us a glimpse into what your walk looked like. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us.

There is Life after this Life as Bible confirms it. The Living Saints of the Orthodox Church (the Ancient Church unchanged since more than 2000 years when Christ lived as God-Man among people) constantly talked about the Eternal Life. These Living Saints had Visions or they talked directly with Saint Mary, Christ and God Himself. The Good News is that Everyone Lives Forever after this life… The Bad News is that it is Not Easy to be one selected to Live with God in Paradise in the other world. It means that people could end up in Hell even if they know themselves as good people. Without knowledge about the Real Passions and Virtues according to God’s Word, about the Departure of the Soul and about Life after this Life, people would not be able to practice the Real Virtues and so would seriously risk not going to Paradise.
Reading this book would give you the Great Opportunity to know what to do to Live Forever in Paradise.
God Bless You!

A perfect read for those who like to indulge in a bit of wonder, admire strong yet warm characters, and enjoy a good love story (especially one that is not cliché or overdone). It would be difficult to find a more unique or satisfying read. The characters are well-developed and interesting, and so are the various settings in which the novel takes place. The author transports us through different lighthouses, and as interesting as the characters are, it is also easy for the reader to fall in love with these lighthouses as well. As a result, I felt that I received even more than I expected out of this multifaceted novel.

This novel could easily be read in several sittings. You don't want to set it down. However, the deep and thoughtful questions that arise from reading it make you want to slow your pace, and let some of that beauty and introspection linger. Furthermore, the lyrical nature of the prose and the thoughtfulness to detail in both the characters and the settings make this novel inviting to read, although it is brilliantly complex. After reading it a first time, I knew I wanted to go back and re-read it again, as I knew there would be even more to discover in future readings. It isn't easy to create a novel that lingers in the mind long after it is closed, and I think that speaks to how good this book truly is. 

Simply beautiful and perfect for Pascha!

Beautiful coloring book, we put it in our son’s Pascha basket and he loves it!

What a beautiful, beautiful book. It’s hard to believe that this is a first novel for this author. It reads like something solid, graceful in beauty and gifted in its telling.
I’m so grateful to have read this book and will reread it again soon. I love the quotes of Herodotus and all the references to authors and histories outside our time. Thank you for a lovely and thought provoking story.

I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I closed it sorrowfully—sad to give up this world and end this journey—but also deeply encouraged and filled with gratitude.

This book is for EVERYONE who loves fantasy and well-crafted writing. It’s full of deep, rich, complex messages that are revealed through brilliant story-telling.

The novel really connects you to your own humanity, your own life. I found myself waking up to gaze at my own husband with adoration, so you can guess this is the kind of love story that makes you appreciate exactly what you have.

This book really encourages self-reflection and meditation in a natural way, as you get to know the characters and get to work the lighthouses (keep the lights) with our main character. I spent a lot of time in silence thinking, not just about what happened in the book, but about me and what I want to do with my one life.

I don’t want to give anything away, but the burial that launches the book is both my favorite and most-agonizing part of the story.

I had the privilege of reading a copy of the manuscript before its publication.

A spiritual experience, this novel engages the heart, mind, and soul, eliciting both laughter and tears throughout. Not wanting to part with the characters, I began reading it again immediately upon finishing it.

As a counselor associate, I appreciate how adeptly Shenouda captures the essence of human nature through her thoughtfully crafted characters. She artistically guides the reader in appreciating the complex constructs of Time, Love, and free will. Within the narrative, each reader will find a reflection of themselves and the motivation (and guidance!) to pursue life and love at its fullest.

It’s difficult to capture this book in a review – on the surface, it’s a poetic historical romance, but with several surprising elements not commonly found in today’s romance novels. The story is one of infinite hope but also overwhelming despair – reading it brought me both laughter and tears. More than anything, the story seems to capture the complexities and nuances of the human experience in a way that’s not only authentic but relatable. I’m so glad to have read this novel and certainly hope there will be a sequel sometime soon, as the world of The Lightkeeper is one I’d like to visit again.

Beautiful piece. Extraordinary value.

I enjoyed the early part of the book but then she became more and more technical, using big words that I didn't understand and left me puzzling. trying to figure out what she was saying, I finally gave up.

The story of the Lightkeeper is stunning.

As I began the novel, my heart immediately connected with the Keeper and all the uncertainty that comes with her life. What I love most about her story is that it is the story of so many of us struggling to understand why things happen the way do, why the people we love the most sometimes are the most elusive to us, and why letting go is the most courageous and human thing we can do as we live out our days on planet earth.

The Lightkeeper is a visceral, raw story of life in its truest form: giving your all in your work at the present moment and living life hour by hour clinging to Hope, Love, and Wisdom.

Dr. Sherry Shenoda's penmanship captures the complexity of humanity with graceful and vivid imagery that immerses the reader into the soul of the Keeper and all the characters she encounters along her journey. I cannot wait to read more from Sherry! Absolutely stunning novel.

Beautiful little box. Was just what I was looking for.

Handy to carry, guy or gal. It almost makes a nice gift for baptisms or graduations.

Beautifully made and a treasure to listen to the hymn all year long! A perfect gift!

Beautiful piece! Perfect for reading great stories.