If there is on thing I have done consistently on the blog the last several years it is share my monthly reading with you. In fact, it is the only thing I have done consistently over here lately and I think that is why I have to keep it up. I like having one thing over here that gets done and looks nice. This season of motherhood, homemaking, and homeschooling results in a lot of work that goes unnoticed by this blog, the world, and sometimes even my family.
It is a sweet season to be fair, but one that has me back stage – something my sinful self can push back on. I mean, I have 15 years of this blog mostly just talking about myself 😉 The influencer world does weird things to your brain – I am still learning (even 3 years off Instagram) that life can still happen off camera. And things can still be special, wonderful, magical without others telling me they are. Not everything needs a shout out, a brag, or a “look at me” – on the contrary, quiet faithfulness reaps rich fruits.
Now onto books! Sometimes I don’t read as much as I feel like I “should” and for some reason 5 books felt like not enough. Clearly my “doer” mindset can get a bit out of control. A book a week is PLENTY Elizabeth! CALM DOWN.
The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World by Jared Kennedy
5 Stars: I’ve heard of Martin Luther, you have heard of Martin Luther. Even in public school I learned about the 97 Theses and, what I assumed, was his dramatic desire to resist the Catholic church and create Protestantism. We listened to this book on a road trip in the car with my whole family (Dad & Mom in our late 30’s, 6-year-old, 5-year-old, and 3-year-old) and it was honestly enlightening and inspiring to us all! The story is written in such a way that many ages can hear, learn, and enjoy! I did not know most of the story and found it really interesting. All of us couldn’t wait to start the book up again after a stop! I love the importance of the Word of God, reading scripture yourself/ knowing scripture, staying faithful to Truth, and the gift of family! I cannot wait to read the story of his wife!
PS: My 6-year-old is very into monks now and it has been fun to talk about them with her and enjoy more stories like The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane and Telemachus Part 1 & 2 in the Adventures in Odyssey!
Every Day New: A Devotional Celebrating God’s Many Mercies by Jenny Highsmith
5 Stars: It took me quite awhile to finish this devotional but that is not a reflection of this book! I simply fit it in between other Bible Studies and daily reading plans . It is not only a beautiful book filled with Jenny’s art and the occasional artistic tip, but also daily scripture, meditations, and journaling spaces. There is typically one verse a day so it is best paired with daily time in the word. However, it really does allow space for reflection and a reminder to daily set our eyes on Christ! It is a great quiet time companion and a good fit for those in all stages of the faith.
The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel
4 Stars: The audiobook really pairs well with these stories because there is so much Irish slang and pronunciations that it can be a bit hard to read at times! I listened to most of this book and then read the rest at the park with my kids – it worked well because the narrator kept the story going in my head! It is hard to believe a world like this world exists! In many ways the story feels more fantasy than historical fiction which, I believe, makes it even more captivating. We know what needs to happen in the beginning, but seeing it all unfold is a sweet gift. It is a sweet story not only of romance, but also friendship, and faithfulness.
Parable and Paradox: Sonnets on the Sayings of Jesus and Other Poems by Malcolm Guite
4 Stars: The last several Lent seasons I have read Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter (April 2023 & April 2024) It is really enjoyable and I recommend the read, but this Lent I wanted to read something new. So I picked up this book as “Sonnets on the Sayings of Jesus” sounded like a wonderful pairing this time of year as well. This book is entirely Malcolm Guite’s poetry which I enjoyed. Being able to hear more from him and fall into his rhythm of poetry was a treat. I did feel like some of the “and other poems” felt pretty random and I didn’t like them at the front of the book when the book title includes them last. I would have preferred it to be entirely poems reflecting on the sayings of Jesus. That being said, Smoke Rings from my Pipe is one of my favorite poems of his – so that is always nice to read. I found I was encouraged and inspired to have new eyes when looking at very familiar words of Jesus. What a gift.
The Wild and Free Family: Forging Your Own Path to a Life Full of Wonder, Adventure, and Connection by Ainsley Arment
3 Stars: I loved Ainsley’s first book Wilde and Free and thought that this family book would make for a more wholistic (not just homeschooled) approach. It is okay (ish) but not great. It feels very repetitive (I even felt like I was rereading a paragraph a page later because it was nearly word for word!!) It is also all over the place, painting vary broad pictures and feel good statements and yet whole chapters oddly specific to one thing (like her son’s condition). An editor really should have taken a manchette to this to pull out the good stuff and REFINE it! The first book is really incredible and encouraging – this one is just a bunch of fluff and extra things thrown together to meet word counts. I was encouraged by somethings (there are nuggets of Truth and goodness) but they are covered up with so much extra, that I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. What a bummer.
It is a new year and I have a new reading goal! As of today we are 19/80 books read! You can check the status of my Goodreads report here. If you don’t already, follow me on Goodreads to see what I am reading, what I want to read, my favorite books, and every review I write! I also share all the books that I have rated 4 or 5 stars on my Amazon storefront where you can look for even more recommendations than just this monthly list! Always feel free to share recommendations with me – I am a big fan of word of mouth!