Read in October
The truth is that I am slowing down in my monthly book reading. I don’t know if it is the demands of life or simply the desire to sit in quiet sometimes, but I am not cranking out the books like I have in the past. Honestly, I feel totally great about it. I mean, I don’t want to feel pressured to read just to check off a box – but I want to truly snuggle in with a good book and enjoy it. So here I am sloooowly checking off my 2025 Reading Challenge and thinking about how next year will most likely look a little different! On that note, here are my October books:
Love in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell
5 Stars: I had been waiting for this book to come out for a year (ever since I read the first book in the series!) and it did not disappoint! This book is just as cozy and mysterious as the first one with some twists that you see coming and others that you don’t! I read a lot of faith-filled fiction but this book combines faith with story in such authentic ways that it just feels real. The people, the locations, the story – it is all real. Also, there is no questionable theological assertions or assumptions (that can often happen in books like this – things like “follow your heart” which is not Biblical at all.) But the characters were real people, who really sought the Lord, and had a Biblical worldview while also being imperfect humans. It is a great read! Start with the first before moving onto this one!
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship by Jonathan Gibson
5 Stars: This book is incredible. For anyone who is longing to add some structure and history into your daily quiet times, this book is for you. I replaced my traditional morning quiet time with this daily liturgy for a month and it transformed the way that I pray and approach the Lord during that time. I love the rhythms and historical prayers that encourage me to keep my eyes on Christ – specifically the daily call to repentance, assurance of pardon, and a prayer of illumination. These have encouraged me and inspired me in ways I did not expect. I also love praying the prayers Christians have been praying for years – walking alongside of the great cloud of witnesses and being encouraged by there faithfulness! There is something about a prayer written hundreds of years ago being so relatable – it makes me feel so small yet part of something bigger. God has been working and moving through the ages! When I got to the end of the 31 days, I started again. I love the structure, format, and how reading the same scriptures, saying the same prayers, and signing the same hymns engraves them onto my heart and helps me commit them to memory!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
5 Stars: The book gets better with every re-read. I read this book last October (I did not realize that until just now!) and I think I love it even more than I did before. There are so many things that jump out upon a second rereading. Mostly Amy’s marriage feels less unexpected and weird and more endearing while Beth’s life and legacy feels more like her intentionally walking in what the Lord had for her and less of her being a doormat. So many good things, so many convicting things, and so many inspiring things.
The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright
4.5 Stars: Nothing like reading a mystery in October – complete with ghosts and all! I love a good mystery that leans into suspense and intrigue but stays away from the nightmare fuel. This book kept me on my toes as there was so much going on between the two timelines that I was deeply invested in. The historical timeline was my favorite (as always) but I still loved the modern storyline and how everything wove together. The banter between Titus & Waverly is so perfectly period drama dreams and the twists through the story are satisfying and not always expected. I was left a bit hanging in the end (which is why I took off .5 of a star) but overall this book was a simply perfect fall read!
All Who Are Weary: Finding True Rest By Letting Go of the Burdens You Were Never Meant to Carry by Sarah Hauser
3 Stars: I wanted to love this book so much more than I did. It is not so much that the book is bad, but more one of those classic “it is not you, it’s me” situations. I was excepting the book to be more focused on the yokes we can heap on ourselves as mothers and women and how we can pivot our eyes to Christ and take on his yoke. Instead it was more of an autobiography with a focus on depression, suicidal thoughts, and insecurity. Not a bad book or a bad topic but not a good fit for me. The title didn’t feel like it prepared the reader for what was on the inside. Sarah’s story is one that needs to be told and shared, it just didn’t connect for me as I found myself sympathizing but not able to relate. I think I would have liked it more if had a more accurate expectation of the content.
The book count continues to grow … but not fast enough! As of today we sit at 54/80 books. Will I reach my goal? Maybe, maybe not. 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 AND here are my Monthly Book Review archives for all the books I’ve read this year and years before!! Always feel free to share recommendations with me – I am a big fan of word of mouth!