Entertainment of the Week: July 21st, 2015

So, I’ve decided to try out a new segment here on The Ink Loft. Every week, on either Monday or Tuesday (I haven’t decided which, yet), I’ll do a quick post highlighting my favorite books, movies, and music of the past seven days. It will be similar in a way to the Reviews in Miniature post that I had last Friday, though not as long. Anyway, it’s going to be a work in progress, so please let me know if you like it or not!

Book of the Week:

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I’m loving Lynn Austin’s Chronicles of the Kings series. This third book, The Strength of His Hand, has continued the trend. In this book, King Hezekiah comes up against the greatest threat he has ever faced, and in the process come important lessons about the idolatry in one’s own heart. This book was definitely thought-provoking, and I loved seeing it bring the story in the Bible books of Chronicles and Kings to life. Highly recommended for lovers of biblical fiction.

Movie of the Week:

I’ve never seen a Studio Ghibli film before, but a friend introduced me to this little gem and I really liked it. This animated movie, Castle in the Sky, tells the story of a girl named Sheeta, whose necklace puts her at the center of a military operation and an attack by pirates, both looking for the mythical, floating city of Laputa. With the help of a boy named Pazu, she is launched on a fantastical journey into the mysteries of the city. The English version utilizes the voices of Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, and Mark Hamill to take the viewer through a whimsical world filled with flying machines and quirky characters. It also has a gorgeous soundtrack. Though definitely different than what I’m used to, Castle in the Sky is adorable and unique.

Music of the Week:

MercyMe -"Flawless"

We’ve all got our problems that we can’t fix on our own, but, in the cross, we’re made flawless.

Chris Tomlin - "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)"

Though not brand new, this song has made quite an impact on me recently, talking about being washed clean at the cross. In some ways, it has the same message as “Flawless,” but the two songs tell it in completely different ways.