I once again had trouble reading this month, just struggling to get into books, as well as struggling to pay attention to them when I read. I did get in a few longer bouts of reading in the airport, and on the plane during my travels, and I also passed 100 books for the year, so less books this month or not, I want to be grateful....
97) Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: 5 Steps to Banish Guilt and Beat Burnout When Your Already Have Too Much to Do by Dr. Morgan Cutlip —This book is exactly what it says it is: a simple guide to trying to ground as a mom, or otherwise overextended women. (While the author gives examples in terms of mothering, I think the principles apply to women from all walks of life.) There is a little bit of science, but mostly encouragement to value self and learn to recalibrate when not in a great place. The two mottos that stick out to me were, “Balance is baloney" and "Go mom [take care of] yourself." Women can take up space in the world. They don't have to be doormats or small. In fact, women who take care of themselves can be better wives and moms than those who are martyrs. This idea is not new, but it needs reinforcement, and Dr. Cutlip's book does a good job of that. I listened to the audiobook, but I think reading the physical book could be beneficial, too.
98) After She Falls by Carmen Schober —I am torn about this book. It was very well-written and engaging. It contained great depictions of the importance of spiritual truths like forgiveness, freedom, and sanctification. The main character Adri “La Tormenta” Riviera, though, is a boxer/MMA fighter, and there are violent depictions of her fights, as well as of the domestic violence she endures. The romance kindled in the book happens when Adri is not quite divorced. Gym owner Max Lyons has some less than savory relationships. Overall, I think I am glad I read this book, but I am hesitant to recommend it to others. I have the next book from this author on my shelf and hope it might be more recommendable.
99) Run the Mile You're In: Finding God in Every Step by Ryan Hall —This is not necessarily a linear memoir of marathoner Ryan Hall’s athletic journey, but rather a tale of all the things running taught him about faith. In this book, mile by mile and chapter by chapter, he shares with readers about his start at running in Big Bear, California, his retirement from professional marathoning, and hanging up his shoes altogether (at least for a time) after running the World Marathon challenge of seven marathons in seven continents. Hall shares about how comparison stole his joy and how the ultimate victory is in Jesus and is conquering sin on the cross. This is an easy-to-read and inspiring book--probably more for runners than everyday people, but I think anyone could benefit from learning to seek out the Lord and His presence in every step of life.
100) Pretty Little Pieces by Carmen Schober —This was a good book, but not as good as I had hoped. Design show maven Georgina Havoc, well, has had havoc wreaked on her life, and she needs the Lord. That much is clear, but the speed of her relationship with Cassidy Stokes moves a bit fast, and feels like missionary dating. There is also just a lot of hard stuff in this book like her broken relationship with her father, her sister's mental health struggles, and war. I see a piece of really good writing in this story and a lot of important issues raised. This is just something missing in the resolution. As with After She Falls, this book makes me want to see more from the author in hopes that the missing pieces will fall together.
101) Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone —Another audio book, and I really enjoyed this one! I have long admired Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone from afar, and this book only increases my respect for her. In it, she bravely shares her struggles with anxiety and fear of what others thought of her, her unlikely journey to faith through her now husband (whom she met through Instagram), and how she sees her running as a platform for sharing about her saving faith in Jesus. Her path towards greatness has not been easy, but she’s been committed, and now’s she’s using her greatness to preach her commitment to Jesus as Lord. Bravo, Sydney, and may you keep seeking Jesus and living out bold faith in Him!
102) Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh —This is a really sweet book. It starts out a little bit cheesily, in Loves Park, Colorado, a town know for romance. Longtime resident and bookstore owner Abigail Pressman gets into a fight with her new landlord Dr. Jacob Willoughby and it seems like the story might get slapstick, but then it gets serious. Abigail tries to unravel the mystery of who writes and sends paper hearts to the town. Dr. Willoughby battles demons of guilt, shame, and unforgiveness. The conclusion of the story tugged at my heartstrings and nearly brought me to tears. There’s a lot to say about loving selflessly, about accepting God’s love and forgiveness, and about trusting in God’s plan. This book includes all of these and reading it will encourage hearts in them.
103) Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe —I really do not know what to think of this book. The writing style is good, reminding me of Harper Lee's writing in To Kill a Mockingbird and To Set a Watchman.There is definitely an understanding of southern culture. The book is all about hiding, though, about a farm where mental illness hides, about a town where a man was falsely accused of crime hidden under a magnolia tree. I like the conclusion to the story, about how beauty comes out of the ashes, and how mental illness deserves to be acknowledged and treated, about how mentally ill people have worth and can still bless others. The over and over hard of the story, though, bothered me. Was all of it really necessary to make the point? “Truly, we have survived, and we live to tell the tale” is not just the kind of story I want to read, I guess.
104) With This Ring, I’m Confused by Kristen Billerbeck —Ashley Stockingdale has the most superficial, dare I say, ridiculously silly life. She is a lawyer with time management struggles and a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is very into fashion, bad with money, and not always a great friend. Her wedding planner/sister-in-law to be Emily is a ridiculous and dipsy woman herself. That dynamic controls about 90% of the book. The last few chapters hold meaning and purpose and dare I say, heft? (Well, I guess there are a few moments of meaning sprinkled throughout the rest of the book.) Basically, with this book, I am confused. While most of it drove me nuts, I appreciated the ending sentiments. I am going to try to read at least one more book by this author to see if it is any better.
105) Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor —I have seen this book on my runners' “must-read” lists, and now I have finally read it. A little bit of a different memoir, it focuses on how Deena Drossin Kastor changed her thinking in order to change her performance. Yes, the book is a lot about running, but also a lot about thinking about running, about using gratitude and positive thought to get out of the body and run freely. I am not in agreement with Kastor's somewhat universalist presentation of the environment, but I am into recognizing the gift it is to run, and to appreciating the creation of God through which running carries me. This book especially helped me as a I prepared for a race with adverse conditions. I will definitely carry with me some of Kastor's lessons as I, Lord willing, continue to run.
106) A Better Share: How Couples Can Tackle the Mental Load for More Fun, Less Resentment, and Great Sex by Dr. Morgan Cutlip—This is a really good book about mental load. Different than Fair Play by Eve Rodsky, it encourages partners to take responsibility for how they show up and communicate. It provides a more gracious perspective on the differences between men and women and provides practical suggestions for how to better share the load of the home. This is truly a great book, one I’m considering buying and asking my husband to read with me, because of the great conversation starters it offers.
107) The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck—Ugh. This book annoyed me. Haley Cutler is throwing herself a pity party after her divorce from a mogul Hollywood producer. She wants big time revenge. When she starts going to the Trophy Wives Club Bible study, however, she finds Jesus and wants to do good. But then she falls for the lawyer that set up her pre-nup? It’s just irritating and infuriating. This is not a trophy for my book list.
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And that's all for this month, but maybe some more reading this weekend?
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