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.
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