I’m a big fan of reviews.

For starters, I used to write them myself, and I can still remember how much of a challenge it was to offer an opinion on a book (or CD) without saying too much. But now that I’m on the “other side” as it were, I appreciate them for other reasons. It’s nice to know that someone else decided that one of our books was worth thinking and writing about.

A number of reviews have come across my desk in the last little while. Cathy Duffy, author of Top 100 Picks for Homeschooling Curriculum, recently reviewed our logic curriculum, writing:

“Introductory” in the title of this book makes it sound easier than it is. But this is the real thing—a challenging course in logic for students who are serious thinkers.

Moving on, The Council for National Literatures sent us a copy of their review of Miniatures & Morals, where they noted that

Leithart believes “Real men read Jane Austen” because her novels shed light on what true compassion, charity, and moral discernment truly mean. His text itself is “must reading” for anyone who appreciates how precise and fluid style can accommodate and accentuate the meaning.

From across the pond (in both directions!), Ben Beilharz from the The Briefing wrote an extensive review of A Serrated Edge. His review reveals that he is both well-read and familiar with the debate over satire, quoting John Frame and looking quite honestly at Scriptural examples which cannot do anything but make you scratch your head and go, “Huh?”

And last, but certainly not least: poetry. That’s right, poetry. You may not have heard of The Waters Under the Earth, but that only means it’s one of our best kept secrets. The North Dakota Quarterly reviewed this collection of Robert Siegel’s poetry, praising Siegel for his ability to communicate “deep human emotion.” You can read the full review here.

Are you a reviewer? Or is someone you know a reviewer? I’m always looking for new reviewers, so please drop me a line.