I am not reading like I read last year, not even close. But I am reading, and to eliminate having to comb through a long list of books to create a "best" list at the end of the year, I thought I just might publish I list of everything I read at the end of each month. Please let me know if you like this format!
--
Books I read in January 2023:
1. 100 Ways to Love Your Husband by Lisa Jacobson—This is a really excellent book. Simple, yet profound, and with a few anecdotes along the way, this book challenges wives to love their husbands—well—and to keep on growing in that love. With practical, as well as theological implications, this book is a must read for Christian wives, more than once, if possible!
2. The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life We've Only Dreamed Of by John Eldredge —I felt a little afraid to read this book. I worried that it would be some kind of call to hedonism. It was, and it wasn't. In the book, Eldredge chronicles his own struggles with desires, some of which died with the untimely passing of his best friend. Eldredge asserts that desire is not evil, but that it can rule a person if not submitted to Christ. This is a very Ecclesiastical book, encouraging readers to embrace desire, see what it tells them, and recognize that desire is only fully satisfied in eternity. I hoped that this book would help me reconcile my own desires with the kingdom, but really, it focused on the kingdom, which is where, I suppose, is the place the search for desire and dreams should truly lead.
3. Things I Never Told You By Beth K. Vogt—Okay, this was good book, following Payton Thatcher, the twin sister that survived a horrific accident during her teenage years. She has tumultuous relationships with her older sisters Johanna and Jillian. She is in a business relationship that works, but is not her passion. She has regular nightmares that she tries to escape. Eventually, she realizes that she needs to tell the truth, the whole truth about what happened the day of the accidents, so that she can move on. The story intrigues and wraps readers in. There are redemptive elements and loose ends that readers want tied up. The book totally ends on a cliffhanger, which is frustrating, but maybe the point. Payton had things she never told her family. Readers what to be told what happens next!
4. Moments We Forget by Beth K. Vogt—Switching to the viewpoint of sister Jillian, this book chronicles recovery from cancer, chemo brain, and finding out that others in her life are forgetful, purposely so. This book has a few unexpected twists and turns, as well as a deeper dive in to several of the sister's search for God. God's love is made known, but there is no mention of Jesus or the Holy Spirit, things believers need (and don't want to forget!). A sweet and touching story, it drove me to quickly read part three!
5. The Best We’ve Been by Beth K. Vogt—This third installment of the Thatcher sisters series follows the oldest sister Johanna, a career-minded pharmacist who faces more than one major life change. It also shows how sisters Jillian and Payton fight for their faith, and how family secrets can rock the lives of family. It emphasizes forgiveness, resilience, and choosing to be family—whether that be a nuclear family, a single-parent family, a newly married family, or a reuniting family. Though this book does not tie up all the loose ends, it does the best job of all the books, leaving the Thatcher sisters the best they've been since the series started.
6. Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders by Joel Manby—From the CEO of Herschend Entertainment, aka the company that runs Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri (along with other attractions), this is an application of First Corinthians 13 to the workplace. Manby shares his own struggles with love and leadership, as well as stories of people that have inspired him to lead with love. Though not earth-shattering in its concepts, this is an encouragement to focus on what matters and trust God to take care of the rest!
7. Another Chance to Love You by Robin Lee Hatcher—This was a redemptive love story, about Monica, a woman who came to know the Lord recently and is trying to live and act in accordance with the Truth. Daniel Rourke, meanwhile, is a big-shot journalist, burned out, and trying to figure out what really matters in life. The two have a history, more than they realize. This is a beautiful story about second chances, forgiveness, and trusting the Lord. Salvation through Jesus, adoption, and pro-life messages come through clearly. Salvation of a main character and the ending seem a little abrupt, but overall, this was an enjoyable, edifying, read that I would recommend taking a chance to read.
8. Finding the Road Home by Tina Radcliffe—After raising his siblings, Police Chief Mitch Rainbolt has never left his hometown of Rebel, Oklahoma. Daisy Anderson, meanwhile, moves to Rebel from Colorado for the small town life. She buys a fixer upper, even while trying to fix up the town with enough civic engagement enough to keep her job funded. Along the way, she receives needed, but unwanted help from the people of the town. She considers living out her dream of owning a bakery, but denies it for quite some time. The chief and her paths keep crossing, and in the end, both are forced to face their pasts and consider where they want home to be. This is a touching story that includes adoption, love, forgiveness, and making peace with the past. It is about finding the road home, not just being home.
9. Looking Into You by Chris Fabry (1/27/23)—Professor Paige Redwine is stuck, stuck in her career as a professor, stuck as a professor, stuck in a trauma from the past that she cannot seem to shake. Treha Langsam, on the other hand, is trying to outgrow her past, trying to move past her trauma and start life on her own at a new university. When she attends Professor Redwine's class, they find that their lives connect on a very intimate level. Their connection causes both of them to run, and then unify. This is a beautiful work of fiction, from which I wrote down far more true-to-life quotes than anything else I have read recently. Still, the story was somehow hard for me to read. I am not sure if it was the content matter, the writing style, or both. I am torn about reading more from this new-to-me author, but I am intrigued enough by this story that I just might look into it!
10. Happily Ever After: Six Secrets to a Successful Marriage by Gary Chapman (1/29/23)—Gary Chapman once again provides practical advice in this guide on almost everything marriage (from money to sex to in-laws, and even being an in-law). He does repeat some concepts (eg love languages) and stories, but overall, what he writes is helpful. Each chapter includes a “putting the principles into practice section” to help couples apply what they are learning. I might suggest using this book as a reference for help dealing with specific struggles, rather than reading it straight through as I did. Having successfully read it all, though, now I know what is in it and can refer back and apply as needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment