It has been a rought start to the reading year. I am nowhere near where I want to be for reading. It's been a struggle for a few years now, but I finally feel like I am getting back into my groove and it's wonderful. However, because it has been such a slow start to the year I am going to do a quick run down of the books I have read so far this year. I will say while I haven't read much, most of the books I read have been four or five stars which for me is pretty amazing. I attribute that to both choosing authors I already love and really doing my research on books and using trusted sources so I am not choosing books with content I don't want to consume. So without further ado here are the books I have read from January through the end of June.
January:
Giver of Wonders - Roseanna M. White
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This book was a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't even realize as I was reading who the book was truly about and how it ties into Christmas. Yet I always enjoy books by this author and this one was no different. It had good faith content. I think the sisters in the story and their faith which causes a boldness in them was inspirational. Wonderful read.
The Roads We Follow - Nicole Deese
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Ya'll this book was so good. I really have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. She quickly has become a new favorite. I fell in love with the characters and was fully invested in everything happening. I think we can all relate to the struggles and miscommunication. The desire to be seen and heard for who we are, and relying on Holy Spirit to help us communicate with love. Even letting fear dictate our actions which never ends well. Great story that I couldn't put down.
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Another amazing read. This one had so many quirky characters and I was here for it. The faith content was strong which is always a huge bonus. I thought the storyline and the romance was intriguing and kept me captivated. Seeing
Clara's loyalty to her family and her defense of them was noble, but I also loved the journey she goes on in realizing she can't be in control. Just such a fun and enjoyable read! Definitely adding this one to my physical shelves.
February:
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Wolf Soldier - James R. Hannibal
Radical - David Platt
Radical Together - David Platt
Northargyle Abbie - Janelle Leonard
Bear Knight - James R. Hannibal
Proclaimer - Megan Schaulis
How to Pray - C.S. Lewis
Traitor in the Tower - Dave & Neta Jackson (Read Aloud)
Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson (Read Aloud)
Summer Island Book Club - Ciara Knight
Salvaged - Shanna M Heath
To Steal a Heart - Jen Turano
To Write a Wrong - Jen Turano
Helper by Design - Elyse Fitzpatrick
To Disguise the Truth - Jen Turano
I know the only book I read in February and it was a Christmas book, this is how my year has been. From what I remember of this book it was good. I enjoyed the book overall. I can't recall much of it, but that's okay, it was still good.
March:
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I am reading this series aloud to my middle son and we are both completely enthralled. My oldest has already finished it. This first book really built the world well and starts us right into some action. I do struggle reading the old language they speak to the Rescuer aloud, but my middle son tolerates my pronunciations well enough. I was proud of myself that I did not cry while reading aloud. I love the allegory and the faith content. So much good stuff. I also appreciate that it's a book where listening to God matters most in everything and that actions have consequences as sometimes that is not the case in books with young protagonists.
April:
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I read this book with a friend and there was so much conviction. The emphasis was ensuring we look at the world through the lens of Scripture and compare everything to how God calls us to live, love and move in this world. As I was reading either he asked questions or Holy Spirit would provide the questions to ask myself as I reflect on what I was reading. There was a lot of looking at Acts and how the first church behaved and are we behaving similarly or have we let the comfortableness of life in America cloud our behavior so we are focused on ourselves and not God. Definitely a book my children will be reading before graduating, as it emphasizes a boldness in our Faith with a focus on glorifying God not ourselves.
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This was the next book my friend and I read. This book looked at discipleship and how to really build the church. This one was good as well. Definitely had me comparing what he was saying to what I see in my church and even how I disciple my children. I think my biggest take away was when he stated that real faith always produces fruit. Looking at my life and saying okay can others see the fruit of my faith. How am I spreading the gospel, and using my gifts to build up the church? A focus on working together, living together, and sharing God's Good News with the world.
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I enjoyed this book, to see my full review go here: Northargyle Abbie
May:
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We are definitely deeper into the world in this second book, and the action is definitely continuing to pick up. The commentary my son and I share as we are reading is bringing so much joy. In this book it is a lot of why are you making those choices, but that is to be expected on the journeys they are on. I love seeing the growth of the characters and the clear depiction of good and evil. Also the reliance on their faith, and the consequences when they choose to not rely on that faith as well. I can't really say much because as we are in book 2 it would all be a spoiler. The tactic of leaving one character on a cliff hanger while we jump to another character is frustrating yet well played by the author. Definitely keeps those pages turning at as quick of a speed as I can reading aloud.
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Loved!!! So good!! Full review here: Proclaimer
My review for the first book in this duology is here: Protector
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This compilation of snippets of C.S. Lewis's works pertaining to prayer was very helpful. It was inspiring and while it required more focus, it was well worth it. They had a good chunk from Screwtape Letters which is a favorite of mine so that was a great revisit. I now want to reread Screwtape. Such an inspirational book for how short it is. Highly recommend.
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This was a read aloud in our homeschool with all three children. It gave a good overview of who John Bunyan was and what life in prison was like for him. I loved it when maybe halfway through my daughter suddenly realized Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress and those are the stories we were hearing him tell. Those connections are what make homeschooling so much fun. Overall we enjoyed this one.
June:
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Wow! I had no idea going into this book how it would end and yep I barely held on while reading. I was doing okay until I looked up and saw tears streaming down my daughter's face. She was moved but said what kind of book is this? It was definitely a wonderful read despite the hard. I think watching a child deal with grief was helpful because it demonstrated we all deal with grief differently, and that's okay, there is no one right way. Yeah just wow, unexpected and glad I was able to experience it with my children and it wasn't one I handed to them on their own.
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This book was okay. I read it fairly quickly, but I don't know for me there was just something missing. It took me a bit to even get into the book, but it was a typical contemporary romance. There may have been a bit of skipping I did for a more detailed kissing scene, but if I remember correctly there was nothing more than that. I am pretty sure I began skimming as I was approaching the end. It wasn't bad, I just didn't connect with it so it was an average read.
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This book was a cute quick read. I would have given it four stars had it not had quite as much focus on physical attraction. While clean, I don't enjoy when characters seem to focus on thinking about the other person's physical appearance. However, despite that this book had some good faith content and growth. It also definitely hit close to home as my mother has cancer, and that is a topic in this book. Overall good read.
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I love me a Jen Turano book because they always make me laugh aloud. The hijinx her characters get up to are just so much fun. This was the first book in the trilogy and we are getting to know all the characters. While we get to know all the ladies who are starting this agency, this book focuses on Gabriella and Nicholas. The mystery is one of trying to clear someone's name. It's always so interesting to me how society works and there were plenty of surprises in this book. I love trying to figure out the mystery, although I'm not always great at it.
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This book is the second of the trilogy and focuses on Daphne and Herman who are both authors. This book out of the three had me in stitches the most. Daphne is by far my favorite character. So quirky and I absolutely am here for it. Such a wonderful read and the setting changed a little bit as we were at Herman's house which was fun. I love watching the ladies get their agency off the ground.
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This book was read with a friend, and really helped me to understand better what my role as a wife is according to Scripture. There was definitely some conviction happening as I read. She was clear in her writing and had Scripture to back up everything she was saying, which I believe is very important in books about how we should live Biblically, and unfortunately not all do. This was a good read and one I will probably have my daughter read when she gets older.
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The last of the trilogy. Man while Daphne is still my favorite this one was good as well. It was great that we finally get to know more about Eunice and her past. Her interactions with Arthur and the way they argue were great. The whole scene at the hospital was a riot, while also being very heartbreaking. I know a weird combo but Jen made it work. I love the reconciliation in this book. So good! This trilogy definitely propelled my reading in the right direction.
I love that I was able to get some nonfiction in as well, I'm hoping to add some audiobooks but those are a challenge for me as I am a visual learner not an auditory one. I am determined to try though even if it's just one a month.
Also, already in July I have finished four books and two of those are 3 in 1s, so I am feeling optimistic about how God is showing me to steward my time so I can partake in the love of reading He has given me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Have you read any of these books and what did you think? Are there any books you would highly recommend I read?
I pray you have a blessed day!
With Love,
Melanie
