Everything I Read in March

Remember my February reading struggles? Well, I am not sure I fully overcame them. I did go on a trip during which I read four books, so I guess I am "on track." Here are reviews of my March reads:

20) Grace, Under Pressure: A Girl with Asperger’s and Her Marathon Mom by Sophie Walker—I expected this book to be more about running a marathon. It was, just not as much about physical running, but about the marathon to get her daughter diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Sophie Walker knew her daughter was different, but it took years to get her diagnosed, and then a Statement of Educational Needs (required for support services in the UK). Along the way, Walker started running, eventually running the London Marathon to raise money for autism research. Despite being more about autism than running, I enjoyed this book and its true story of resilience and purpose, in spite of, and even in cooperation with special needs.

21) The I Quit Sugar Cookbook: 306 Recipes for a Clean, Healthy Life by Sarah Wilson—Sarah Wilson wrote a book about quitting sugar. This book rides on that one's coattails, but it is really not about sugar. It is about sustainability—eating healthfully and wholefully and using the scraps. This is really a beautiful cookbook, inside and out. While I do not subscribe to quitting sugar, eating organ meats, or the practice of Ayurveda, this cookbook has a lot of great, simple recipes for whole food cooking, making meals from mishmash, and even an entire section on home fermentation. I might not cook this book, but it has enough recipe possibilities that I would put it on my healthy life cookbook list.

22) Undercover Marriage by Terri Reed—Josh McCall and Serena Summers are enemies, and partners as US Marshalls. Or maybe they aren’t enemies. They used to be friends, that is until Serena’s brother Daniel, Josh’s partner, died, and Serena blamed Josh. Now they have to pretend to be closer than ever—married—in order to go undercover and bust a child kidnapping ring. This book was an easy and quick read, with just enough suspense, some romance, and a good chunk of faith. I read it in a little over a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The discussion questions at the end reminded me of the consistency of God at all times, even undercover.

23) Staying True by Jenny Sanford—This is Jenny Sanford’s story, from shortly before she met Mark Sanford, to shortly after she divorced him due to his, she would later learn, repeated infidelities. I wanted this to be a story of redemption. I hadn’t heard this story in the news and wanted the Sanfords to stay true to their vows. Sadly, Mark did not. The book, therefore, is about Jenny staying true to her Catholic faith, her sons, and herself. There are some redeeming qualities of this book, but overall, it is a sad read.

24) How to Talk So Your Husband Will Listen: And Listen So Your Husband Will Talk by Rick Johnson—I expected this book to share communication strategies. It really didn’t. Written by a man, it was more about the differences between men and women, and how women can use their influence on their husbands for good. Johnson stresses a husband’s need for support, and emphasizes how a woman’s criticism can keep a husband from godly leadership. Nothing too earth-shattering here, but maybe that’s the point? Women need to simplify their talk so their husbands will listen?

25) The Marriage Wish by Dee Henderson—Henderson’s first published book, this is a story about bachelor Scott Williams and widowed author Jennifer St. James. Scott meets Jennifer on the beach, but it takes him months for her to allow him to meet and join in her grief. Scott wishes for marriage and a family, but is Jennifer ready? This is a touching, poignant, and at times, heart-wrenching novel, but also one with a lot of redemptive beauty amidst its twists and turns. It even introduces adoption and foster care, which based on Henderson’s later books, seem to be passions of hers. This is a good book, but if you’re wishing for a read that’s easy on the heart, this isn’t it.

26) DBT Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Kids and Caregivers by Carol Lozier (3/7/23)—This is a good book in that it breaks down DBT skills for kids. I would disagree that skills are for ages 6-12. Some of these concepts seem very advanced, even for 12 year-olds. Still, I think there are some useful things here. I will be using the workbook to provide DBT-informed therapy, as I am not officially DBT trained.

27) Happy Habits for Every Couple by Roger and Kathi Lipp—This book contains 21 days worth of challenges to improve readers’ marriages. With scripture, prayer, personal anecdotes and commentary, this is a well-balanced read. The challenges are not all about husbands or wives, either. Some are specific to one partner. Others encourage a group effort. Doing the book’s activities 21 days in a row might be a challenge, but readers can certainly find some new happy habits in the book, whether or not they do the challenges as written.

28) God’s Gift by Dee Henderson—Another romance by Dee Henderson, this follows the story of missionary James Graham as he returns home to a life he did not want. He plans to return to Africa, but God has other plans, plans to give him a gift in the form of a relationship with Rachel Ashcroft, but not in the form James expects. This book starts and ends a little abruptly. It does cause readers to ponder gifts from God, though, especially when they come in unwelcome packages. It also highlights the sacrificial nature of love. Different from Henderson's suspense novels, this is a poignant read, especially for readers who may be seeking love later in life.

29) The Vow by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter—Kim and Krickitt Carpenter got into a deadly accident weeks after their marriage. Both survived, but not without severe damage, brain damage for Krickitt. Her husband Kim decided to keep his marriage vows, and helped nurse Krickitt back to health, first via the programs at Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, and then at home. It wasn't easy. Krickitt did not remember their wedding. She had mood swings. She was not a wife for a time. Eventually, after resigning his job and committing to his own psychotherapy, Kim learned about dating his wife to make new memories. They also got married again and grew to notoriety. Spoiler alert: This is a great story, until researching where the Carpenters are now. Let's just say, after all they have been through, are now divorced. I found this out halfway through the book and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I would not recommend this book simply for this fact. It seems disingenuous to emphasize the importance of a vow that has now not been kept.

30) The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference by Shaunti Feldhahn—This was not a life-shattering read, but it was a practical one. In it, Feldhahn shares twelve “secret” habits of the highly happy married couples she studied. The habits are not rocket science. They are simple, practical, and based in appreciation, gratitude, and faith. The emphasis on appreciation hit me most, not that I do not appreciate my husband, but that I need to do it more, out loud, both in front of him and not. Feldhahn does not suggest trying to start all the habits she chronicles. She suggests trying one or two and seeing how it goes. I think appreciation will be mine.

31) The Ultimate Muffin Book by Bruce Weinstein and Harry Scarbrough—A good muffin recipe books here, with both sweet and savory muffins. The authors write a helpful introduction and tips for making muffins, then share base recipes with dozens of variations. They have low-fat and even gluten free versions. If you’re into muffins, this might be the book for you!

32) All My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore (3/25/23)—I have not read all of Moore's books by any means, but I would say this is a “must read.” Written in her signature dialect along with painfully beautiful prose, Moore shares her upbringing in country Arkansas, journey to faith, failures in the faith, ministry, marriage, and so much more. She asserts, ever, that God is in control, on the throne, and in charge of her life. Knotted up or unknotted, He is the anchor that holds.

33) Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst (3/27/23)—This is the story of TerKeurst’s decision to end her marriage (which she details very tactfully, really without detail), as well as an exploration of boundaries from a Christian perspective. TerKeurst includes tips from her therapist, Jim Cress, as well as other therapeutic professionals. She offers a, “Now, Let’s Live This…” application section for each chapter. The end of the book explores commonly misused scriptures about boundaries. I am honestly still note sure if I agree with everything in the book, but I appreciated her decision of boundaries as protecting the good, so as not to become bitter and resentful and unable to serve as God intends. I am pondering that, even as I process the rest of the content.

34) The Meaning of Marriage: Facing that Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller (3/30/23)—This is a solid book, challenging Christians to live out gospel-centered marriages. With a mix of personal story, professional experience, and sound research, the Kellers share about the power of marriage in the process of sanctification, the grace needed for and in marriage, and more. They include a chapter about dating, making this book useful even for the single person who might be desiring marriage. “Marriage was designed to be a reflection of the saving love of God for us in Christ Jesus Christ,” the Kellers write in the introduction. Read this book to find more about the gospel meaning of marriage and how to reflect God and His glory through it.