I find it hilarious that I am making myself stay on top of these monthly book posts while I am sitting on dozens of drafts of other blog posts that are arguably more important or at least more personal than these ones. But for some reason I cannot stop sharing my very valuable opinions on the books I’ve been reading and bragging about my progress toward my book reading goal for 2024 😉
Ever since I quit influencing and Instagram, I’ve found so many pockets of free time to read again. I read like crazy back in middle school and high school and even college – back before a phone could distract us while we waited for appointments or finished our quiz early or waited on a friend to meet us at a coffee shop. Technology has changed things – there is no doubt about that! But also back then I wasn’t listening to audiobooks on Libby while I drove in the car or snuck in my wireless earbuds to listen while I rocked a baby to sleep or folded the laundry or did the dishes. That Bluetooth technology is a gift! So smart phones are probably the worst but also the best. We have to learn how to live within this world well. We have to choose how we interact with social media. We have to put boundaries on technology in our lives and our families. Because if we don’t make time for what is most important, everything else will cram its way in.
“How are you able to read so much?!” This is a question I get asked all the time lately. And the answer is – I just make time for it. I pick up a book instead of the remote. I listen to audiobooks while I do chores and errands. I read books with my family and my kids and my husband. The moments are there for you too, you just have to see them!
Into the Starlight by Amanda Cabot
5 Stars: This is the third and final book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Trilogy (I read & reviewed the first two in October 2023) and it was just as enjoyable as the first two! We finally get to learn about the third sister Joanna and wrap up a mystery that was brewing since the beginning (but I had no idea!) In many ways this book / series is predictable (we all know who they are going to marry) but there are also always surprises thrown into the story to keep the reader engaged and on their toes. There was only one conflict that was solved to quickly/ easily/ anticlimactically in my opinion, but that also is par for the course in this type of novel. I truly enjoyed the easy and engaging read and I’m sad to say goodbye to this group of characters!
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
5 Stars: This is my first time reading this book and it is simply fantastic. C.S. Lewis is not only an intelligent and well-spoken theologian and apologist, but also a relatable storyteller. I was captivated and engaged and came out the other side with an even deeper understanding of Christianity and the one, true, triune God! Written decades ago, it is still timeless truth and his comments on culture are eye-opening and still speak into our realities now. It is a beautiful defense of the gospel and I recommend it to Christians and non-Christians alike.
The Roads We Follow by Nicole Desse
5 Stars: This is the second – but mostly unrelated – book in the Fog Harbor Romance series. I read (& surprisingly LOVED) the first book last month (June 2024) and I couldn’t wait to read the next one! I was initially surprised it was a mostly new cast of characters as the book began, but that didn’t stop me from loving everyone and devouring the entire story. I don’t know how Desse does it, but she brings me into the world and the story so much so that it simply feels like reality and not a fiction story I am reading before bed at night. Again, like the first, this book is a romance but it is also so much more than that. It is about the love of family and friendship and forgiveness – it is so lovely. Typically I roll my eyes a million time at these modern romance love stories, but I didn’t do that one time while reading this book. I need more stories to read from this world and this author!
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
5 Stars: I’ve never read Lord of he Rings before – consider it a rebellion of my little sister’s deep love for Legolas in the early 2000’s – but after reading the Hobbit and my kids asking for more, more, MORE, I gave in. My husband started reading The Fellowship of the Ring aloud at bedtime to the girls (ages 6 & 4) and I made sure to be there with them every time the book was opened. It is simply magical, fantastical, ordinary, captivating, enchanting, heartwarming, intriguing, insert any of the many more descriptions here. I know the story and can quote many of the lines from the movies and bumper stickers, but reading the book with my family is a whole new experience. My husband makes the best voices and my girls go around talking like Gandalf or making guesses about what will happen next in the story tonight! We’re all big fans and I’m just thankful for J.R.R. Tolkien and his gift to this world! We continue on to the Two Towers.
A Place to Belong: The True Story of a Teen Mom, a Humbling Leadership Journey, and a House Called Hope by Lisa Steven
4 Stars: This book is a little bit memoir as well as a historical account of a ministry in the Denver area called Hope House. My brother got me a signed copy at the book launch and I loved learning more about this remarkable and much needed ministry that has grown in purpose and reach over the last 20 years. It is honestly inspiring and a good reminder of what God can do through those who are willing to say yes to His nudging. I loved hearing the personal stories of the author (I would have eaten up more of these!) and the stories of the moms who have been impacted by Hope House were also very touching and inspiring. No one is out of reach of Lord’s grace and transformation, no situation is truly hopeless with Christ, no one is unqualified for the plans the Lord has for them, and God’s ways are truly much higher than ours – what a gift that He invites us into the story! At times the narrative felt choppy and/or rushed as it was pressing on through the historical timeline of the ministry and a whole cast of characters are mentioned but most not more than that, so it felt just like a list of names at times. However, I was willing to overlook this as the heart of the book shines through despite my qualms, and, as a ministry, I get that it is a kindness to call out all the names of the people who helped along the way! A quick, easy, and encouraging read! I recommend!
Go and Do Likewise by Amy Dimarcangelo
3.5 Stars: This book wasn’t really anything like I expected. I was hoping/ thinking it would be more on practically loving your neighbors (I’ve been trying to intentionally know people who live near me which feels increasingly hard with garages and high fences) but it was a lot more mission minded, specifically oversees. Amy’s passions are clearly for refugees and sex-trafficking victims so much of the book speaks to global issues / not turning a blind eye to injustice. While I think this is very important and necessary to help create a love and life of mercy, I was hoping for a book on ministry in the place the Lord has placed you – ex: your neighborhood, your parks, kids schools, grocery store, etc. But even thought it wasn’t expecting, there were some good words and encouragement in these pages.
I loved her chapter on prayer and it’s value and importance in mercy and mission. This quote is so relatable to me – “The hard reality of prayer is that is confronts our self-sufficient tendencies. We want to fix problems ourselves. Prayer doesn’t feel very involved when we intercede for the souls of the unsaved. Prayer doesn’t feel like the most effective way to be a doer of justice. When we pray, we lack that sense of accomplishment or progress that we might experience with deeds of mercy. It’s not about us though; it is about God being at work. We aren’t the answer to the world’s problems. He is.” (p.89) Also, I loved her ideas of practically working in prayer for your community and the world with your kids by having a prayer calendar! One of my action steps is to do that in our home. I was also inspired and convicted by her boldness for justice and to be a voice for those who have no voice – it is important we know the heart of God and are a voice for His justice and care.
I didn’t however agree with her at all when she said Charles Spurgeon would be called woke or a social justice warrior for being anti-slavery since people in the church didn’t agree with him and wanted to live in their sin (p.100). Slavery (heartbreakingly) was something accepted by many in the church but it also clearly went against the scriptures and the heart of God. It was Christians who lead the way in the abolishment of slavery BECAUSE it went against the heart of God. Woke ideology (LGBT relationships, trans affirming) is rejected by many in the church now because it goes against the scriptures and the heart of God, and isn’t loving or truth-filled. Not because we are wanting to be blind to our oppression and turn away from justice. Social Justice Warriors fight against perceived injustices to make themselves look good & to go along with the popular culture, but they don’t do anything to help the poor. I just feel like it is a odd comparison. Preaching against slavery is more related to preaching against abortion, sex-slavery, pornography, etc which is anti-culture vs woke which follows culture. I get that she wants us to be more Biblically minded than political, but this communicates the importance of looking good over loving by Truth telling and sticking with the gospel.
In later chapters (like the one on hospitality), she brings “love your neighbors” to include the people around you and that God has placed in your path which I did enjoy. Overall, filled with good Truths many that are Biblically grounded and based, just an interesting word choice that implies a lot.
Unshakable Moxie by Lina AbuJamra
This is a bit of an addition to this blog post that doesn’t really count yet – so I haven’t reviewed it on Goodreads yet or counted it toward my book count yet! I reviewed the book before getting together a bible study to go through this 6-session Women’s Bible Study! I haven’t watched all the videos yet, but I will say that this is a docuseries with an accompanying Bible Study that invites you to learn from remarkable women who trust God even thought their lowest valleys, allowing Him to write their story as one of resilient faith and overcoming. And, while hearing the stories of others, encourages us to to the same!
The unshakable Moxie pack comes with the Bible Study, the videos, a hardcover prayer journal, and these scripture & quote cards and you can grab it for yourself here to host your own study! You can also watch some of the videos and see if you think it would be a good fit for the women in your life!
Stay put for the final review once we have gone through it all together! Many thanks to Our Daily Bread Ministries for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced my monetary compensation.
According to my Goodreads tracker, my current count is 53/75! All books that I have rated 4 or 5 stars are added to my Amazon lists here where you can look for even more recommendations than just this monthly list! Follow me on Goodreads to see what I am reading, what I want to read, some of my favorite books, and every review I write! Any other books I should add to my list? Leave a comment and let me know!
