Everything I Read in September

I took a break from social media, and what do you know? I'm reading more, well, more fiction that is. While it is hard for me to read fiction during the week, I've been eating it up on the weekends! 

83) Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May—Written by an English author post-COVID, this is an encouragement to see wonder every day. The book is easy to read, and poetic in some ways. The author encourages noticing, play, stewardship, and other “old,” but important values. She is pretty universalist in her understanding of God, though, seeing “god” everywhere. Although the book was written beautifully, I really can’t say I got enough out of it to recommend it. Also, since I believe in only one God who is the creator and orchestrator of wonder, is is unhelpful to me to read a book that is not promoting truth about Him.

84) A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert—Davis Knight is no knight in shining armor. He is a broken man, working to build back his life as he takes care of the Greenbrier church. Ivy Davis is just as broken as he is, but in a different way. Once a sought after model, now she is back in town to model wedding dresses for her stepmother, a thing she is loathe to do, but must, as per her agent. Rich in redemption and gospel message, this is a must read. Readers will not only love the story, but fall more in love with the God who makes broken things beautiful, breaking even His own Son Jesus to redeem the world!

85) Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano—Andrea Sullivan is bound and determined to win this marketing contract, and hopefully with it, a VP position at her company. James MacDonald could care less about the marketing. It is his brother Ian that called Andrea in. Andrea and James don't really hit it off, but there is more to each other than they realize. Andrea's colors start to shine as she interacts with James' family, especially his sister, Serena, and niece, Emma. James realizes that what Andrea really needs is not the contract, but a change to really be present and see Scotland. This is a bit of an advanced read, with some big words even I did not know. The book is heavy on cooking references, which is kind of fun. Although the story is a bit of a whirlwind (what more could I expect from a book with “five days” in the title), there is a lot to it, and mentions of Christianity and gospel (though not a clear presentation) along the way. This is a different read, and part of a series. I plan to read more to decide if this is an author I want to follow, or just one with whom I will make a brief stay.

86) London Tides by Carla Laureano—Not as good as Five Days in Skye, and definitely heavier, this is the story of James’ brother Ian and his one time fiancée Grace Brennan. Love is lost and won, lost again, and regained in a more redemptive fashion. Trigger warning for PTSD in this book, as we as some other adult content. I’d let this book go, but it’s story is important in that trilogy.

87) Sweetheart Bride by Lenora Worth—This was something to read, but not that great. The story line felt a bit forced. The Libby e-book I read contained some typos (minor, but enough to make me think the book was thrown together and/or not edited well). The author says the story about architect Nick Santiago and sisters Alma, Brenna, and Callie Blanchard is about restoration, and it is. Nick is restoring the old Fleur mansion. Alma is starting on married life. Brenna is an artist and art finder. Callie is a landscaper. Together, they are working on healing a house, and their individual and corporate lives. The idea of the story is good; it just seems like the story line might also be in need of restoration.

88) What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir by Haruki Murakami—Part essay collection, part memoir, this is novelist Haruki Murakami’s reflections on a quarter century of running. There is nothing truly remarkable here, though some sentiments with which regular runners will resonate. I think I read this book because Kara Goucher mentioned it in hers. Overall, the book was just okay, like having a chat that helped me get to know about someone, but not really know them. I would really only recommend this book to people studying how to learn to combine writing and running, because that is what the book best reflects.

89) Under Scottish Stars by Carla Laureano—The conclusion to the MacDonald family trilogy, this book follows Serena Stewart, widowed sister of Jamie and Ian, as she returns to Skye and seeks to rebuild her trust in herself, and in others. She begins dating hotel manager Malcom Blake, but they both have a world of hurt to process. Serena's hurt is not just people hurt, but also hurt that keeps her from hearing God's voice and using her God-given talents. It takes almost losing love to remind her that God does love her and has a good plan for her. This book uses Scottish terminology to make it more authentic. It might be considered a bit edgy for Christian fiction, and I do wish it had a little more redemptive gospel message. Still, it was a good read, and a satisfactory wrap-up for the story of the Scottish MacDonalds.

90) The Ultimate Meal Prep Cookbook: One Grocery List, A Week of Meals, No Waste by America’s Test Kitchen—The title of this book is a bit misleading, in my opinion. When I think meal prep, I think make ahead and reheat. This is more of meal plan, meal prepare, and then spend 30 minutes or less cooking each night. While that form of meal prep doesn’t work for me at this stage of my life, the 25 meal plans, grocery lists, and plentiful recipes could be of great help to people who have time to cook each night. Each week’s menu has a shopping list. Each recipe has an accompanying photo. The recipes are a bit meat forward, but introduce a variety of proteins: beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, etc. The recipes are not super complex, but not super simple either. I like the value of “no waste” and plentiful substitution ideas. America’s Test Kitchen obviously put a lot of work into this book. (I recently read that they spend over $10,000 to develop each recipe!). With only 1/25 plans and one other recipe that appealed to me, however, this will not be a purchase for my meal prep cookbook library.

91) Song of the Broken-hearted by Sheila Walsh and Cindy Martiniano Coloma—Ava had a rough past, but now she has everything: a beautiful home, an accomplished handsome husband Dane, two children (Sienna and Jason), and a successful Broken Hearts ministry. The main reminder of her past is a willow tree in her yard. But the willow tree starts to die, and with it, her life begins to fall apart. As calamity comes, Ava must decide what to love and what to let go. This is quite an emotional book, with plenty of pain, and some unexpected new beginnings as well. As Dane says, “Sometimes losing everything is the best way to start something better.” Get ready for heartache when you read this, but also get ready for healing.

92) Speak Love by Annie F. Downs—Written for teen girls, but apt for everyone, this book explores what it means to speak love: to family, friends, self, and even celebrities. Once again, Downs covers the topic thoroughly, with her signature conversational style, as well as a firm grounding in theology. Each chapter contains a scripture for memory, additional Bible verses for studying, and questions for pondering. The book ends with a bonus 30 day devotional about living in love. This is a good read, as well as a potentially valuable resource for studying what it means to love better from a biblical perspective.

93) Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd—The book follows Alexandria (aka Lexi) Stuart as she moves home after college and tries to find her way in the world. She studied French and wanted to go to France, but never got there. She ends up working at a bakery, but will it be enough for her long term? This book handles some big topics well: including God’s will, church, dating, sexual purity, and a brief reference to recovery after (trigger warning) date rape for one of Lexi’s friend. A little cheesy, and probably geared more towards twenty-somethings, this book concluded with some real substance, which made me glad I read it.

94) Making Things Right at Work: Increase Teamwork, Resolve Conflict, and Build Trust by Gary Chapman, Jennifer Thomas, and Paul White—More a book on how to resolve conflict than build a team, this is an easy-to-read resource that could benefit any manager, and probably any worker. The accessible, short chapters cover topics like communication, apology, empathy, and more. Each chapter concludes with questions for group discussion. Written by psychologists and business consultants, this book has a good blend of anecdote and accessible, applicable strategies for use resolving conflict. Some of the activities suggested in the book do not align with the ethics code of my profession, but I valued the chapters about building trust through competence, consistency, and character. Sometimes there needs to be a right time to read a book, but anytime could be the right time to read the material in this one!