I finally got back into a reading groove this month, well mostly because we had vacation. I decided I needed some easy reads, and did find some. Yes, they were distractions. No, they were not bad. (This is why I choose Christian fiction when I read for distraction--less through which to filter, though I still need to sometimes.) All in all, it was an enjoyable month of reading!
54) Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel J. Siegel—This was shared with me as “the best” book about raising teenagers. It’s good, helpful, and full of information, but not what I expected. Siegel writes a good bit about his concept of “mindsight.” He gives some basic information about attachment and development. He briefly covers issues like sexuality and substance abuse (albeit NOT from a Christian viewpoint). He provides “Mindsight” tools, but for me, these were not practical enough. I guess when I read a book about teens, I want more “how” and less “why.” Siegel gives the why, and for those who want it, maybe this is “the best” book for them. Meanwhile, I will keep reading as I seek to find resources for the families with whom I work
55) Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits—to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin (6/13/23)—Gretchen Rubin is a master evaluator and categorizer of human behavior. In this book, she examines habits, and what it takes to make and break them. She notes that most people want to change habits that fall within the “Essential Seven” of food and drink, exercise, budgeting, relaxation, time use, organization, and relationships. Rubin then examines different aspects of habits in these categories. She reinforces the benefits of habits (eg decreased decision fatigue), and shares some of their downfalls (eg the speeding up of time, decreased enjoyment, etc.). In the end, after all of her examination, Rubin concludes that, “we can build our habits only on the foundation of our own nature.” I think that is a good way to sum up the book, with a note that this book will probably most benefit people who share Rubin’s Upholder tendency. For that matter, Upholders are probably the main readers of this book! Rebels do not want someone to tell them how to do anything, let alone form a habit. Obligers might read, but only if someone else holds them accountable; and questioners might read, but only if they see the need. Rubin’s values-based questions, and even the “Secrets of Adulthood” sprinkled throughout are helpful for people of all tendencies, though, and I think that anyone who does read—any part of the book—can probably find something that benefits them and makes them “better than before.”'
56) Honey and Oats: Everyday Favorites Baked with Whole Grains and Natural Sweeteners by Jennifer Katzinger—This was a cool cookbook, in that the author tested various whole grain flours (barley, eikhorn, spelt, etc.) and natural sugars (coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.) for use in traditional baking. The recipes were not that unique or exciting, however. (Maybe that was the point?) The cookbook did not have a lot of pictures. All in all, this is more of a resource cookbook, and not the usual, "read for fun"/"read for inspiration kind of cookbooks I like. Kudos to this author for finding great uses for her beloved whole grains and natural sugars. I like them, too. I just prefer to substitute ingredients for myself (though often with some decided flops—which maybe reason to reference a cookbook like this if I need to be successful).
57) Home for Good by Jessica Keller—This was my kind of book! A woman running a therapy horse program, an estranged husband who finally comes back and wants to work at reconciliation, and a little bit of mystery and intrigue. I gobbled up this sweet story about Ali Silver, her son Chance, and Jeremiah Freed in just two days. The lessons about grudges, forgiveness, and redemption are meaningful. The author includes scripture and a gospel message. I recommend it for a light summer, or really anytime read!
58) At Home in His Heart by Glynna Kaye—I liked this book, maybe partly because it was set in the tiny town of Canyon Springs, Arizona, near the actual town of Pinetop-Lakeside. Yes, the story of widower Sandi and back-from-combat, best friend of her husband Bryce is a bit expected, but there are some unexpected parts, too, as well as some lessons about forgiveness, trust in God, family relationships, and more. Sandi's daughter Gina definitely makes the impact and may steal reader's hearts with her childlike trust and enthusiasm. All in all, this was a short, sweet read that I enjoyed over the course of a few (almost) summer evenings.
59) Second Chance Courtship by Glynna Kaye—Another story set in Canyon Springs, Arizona, this one follows Kara Dodson as she returns home to care for her ill mother. There she runs into her teenage crush Trey Kenton, from whom she’s been keeping secrets for twelve years. Trey has secrets of his own, though, and all the secret-keeping causes personal and relational pain, that is until Trey starts working on forgiveness, encouraging Kara to do the same. I am noticing a theme in the stories I have read by this author so far, and that is of women who feel unlovable because of their choices and actions. It is unrealistic to think that the love of a man can heal a guilty, shameful heart, but the love of God most certainly can! The author always points the heroine to Him before resolving any earthly relationship issues. I appreciate that, as well as the themes of second chances and redemption. I can get behind these books, for so many reasons other than just being a loyal Arizonian.
60) A Leap of Faith by Lenora Worth—Accountant Autumn Clancy comes home to Atlanta, Texas not because she wants to, but because she got laid off from her job in New York. Deciding to take her father up on his offer to become part of his firm, she gets an unexpected surprise: a man named Campbell Dupree, already hired to run the place. She decides to stay anyway, and together, they take on the case of a widow woman scammed out of money by a con man. The case is a lot and brings out some unexpected plot twists, along with lessons about forgiveness and love. These both require leaps of faith, and finding true home, something Autumn realizes after she decides to stay home. I enjoyed this story, and am interested in reading more by this author.
61) Look-Alike Lawman by Glynna Kaye—Grayson Wallace is a cop, a good cop put on light duty after an injury sustained in an undercover operation. Light duty means helping out at a local elementary school, where he meets, and falls for a cop-crazed boy named Cory Lopez. Cory may be cop-crazed, but his mother Elise is not. Having lost her husband in the line of duty, she wants to stay miles away, that is, until it seems like Grayson is the only person who can help Cory with his maladaptive school behavior. Grayson, meanwhile, is fighting his own battles: finding long-lost family, and trying to find the father her knows. Both he and Elise have a lot of pride, and a lot of need for trust. The law cannot keep them safe. In fact, it never could. Only God could. Only faith could, and they must decide if it is enough. With a good blend of romance, intrigue, suspense, and some thought-provoking content, I really enjoyed this book.
62) Almost Arizona by Susan Page Davis—I am a sucker for Arizona, and so is Julie Newman. She went each to teach to avoid Adam Scott, a man she loved, but couldn’t live with as a lawman. She comes back only because her mother passes away and her brother Oliver needs her. Her stagecoach is robbed on the journey home, though, and her brother is accused! The plot of this book ramps up quickly, but then resolves a little faster than expected. For a quick read, this isn’t bad, but I’d like a better plot line. The rise is almost there, but the resolution seems much too tidy for a western. romance.
63) Wildfire Threat by Cathy McDavid—Aden Whitley has a less than pretty pedigree, and the town of Happenstance, Arizona has not let him forget it. A relationship with Jesus has transformed and reformed him, though, and now he serve his town as a forest ranger. When fire threatens, he gets caught up in helping the Karstetter family, a family directly hurt by his own, and grandparents of Rayna, a woman who does not want to forgive him. After many efforts to save the Karstetter Ranch and Grandpa Karstetter, who suffers with dementia, the tides start to turn, but so does the fire. This is a good book, but one that was harder for me to get through, maybe because the struggles of the characters? Maybe because I have lived through the threat of wildfire? I am unsure. I made it through, but might not reread this one.
64) Hometown Princess by Lenora Worth—This is definitely a Cinderella story, but with some twists. Cari Duncan comes home to Knotwood Mountain to restore an old home, the only thing left to her by her stepmother after her father’s death. She is also trying to rebuild her life after failed relationships and finances. Her neighbor Rick Adam’s is trying to rebuild, too, only he’s a little ahead of her in the faith and forgiveness departments. This tale has its fair share of romance, suspense, and mystery and ends sweetly. What a fun summer read!
65) A Time to Heal by Linda Goodnight—Kat Thatcher is burned out. She returns home to the lake to rest, regroup, recover. What she doesn’t expect to find is her high school sweetheart, back in town as the lake ranger and doing some recovery of his own from a painful divorce. He tried to clean it up, but his ex-wife had an affair and remarried, leaning heartbreak in the wake. Then there is the matter of the town, experiencing a string of random burglaries and vandalism they can’t shake. I didn’t love the divorce aspects of this book, but I did find its exploration of truth and the healing that comes from speaking it out loud powerful. I wouldn’t recommend this book to everyone, but for those with blended families, like the one the author herself says she as, its messages of forgiveness and healing could be timely.
66) The Heart of Grace by Linda Goodnight—Drew Michaels escaped his terrible childhood, or so he thinks as he explores photography in dangerous areas like Iraq. He is convinced it is time to divorce his wife Larissa, however, because she is getting too close, and he is not, and cannot be the man she wants. Then he gets injured and Larissa takes him home, against his will, to recover. Larissa has newly become a Christian and decides to love him through his pain, despite his protests about still wanting a divorce. This is a truly sweet story about the pains, commitments, and process of love in marriage. It ends sweetly with some family redemption as well. This is a special book, and definitely one I would recommend!
67) Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life by Gretchen Rubin—I had hoped this book would give me ideas about how to improve happiness at home. It didn't, really. Rather it was more memoir style reflection on how Rubin attempted to be happier in her own home. The book did encourage me to think intentionally about home, but that was about it. If you are going to read a Gretchen Rubin book, I recommend The Four Tendencies. It is more helpful in terms of everyday life.
