The weather around here has been totally gross the last couple of weeks. It’s been raining like crazy, so much so that school was called out for 3 1/2 days on account of flooding (though it’s highly debatable whether or not that was really necessary), and in between the continuous rain we had snow. I’m a little weary of so much weather. I like sunshine.
When it’s cold and gray I get so lethargic and all I want to do is snuggle under my favorite fuzzy gray blanket and read. Unfortunately that’s not practical on a large scale, since the kids want to eat everyday and that takes time and money. But I have been able to make a little time for reading, so I’ve finished several good books recently and have a list of titles I’m excited about coming up.
I also made a little time for writing, combining that with my love of reading to publish a post called 7 Important Reasons to Read, so if you missed that you can check it out now and we can all agree on how awesome books are and the many benefits of reading.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I might make some extra coffee money at no extra expense to you if you buy something through one of my links. Read more about that here.
Just Finished:
If you are a fan of dystopian YA like I am then you need to pick up this book immediately. Set in a future world where death has been irradiated by technology, Scythes are those appointed to ‘glean’ people to control the population in a post-mortal society. Rowan and Citra are chosen as apprentices to Scythe Faraday and soon find out that the scythedom is full of intrigue and political posturing they never would have expected from a supposedly honorable organization. This is such a unique story and I loved every second of it. It’s very well done and I can’t wait to pick up the second book, Thunderhead, next time I’m at the library.
The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck
What happens when a writer of very spicy romances gets saved? And then falls for a preacher? Naturally mayhem ensues as she deals with the regret of her past choices and struggles to reconcile attraction with her principles as a new Christian. Even worse are the people trying to sabotage the changes she’s striving to make. I can’t praise this book enough. Its witty, real, and so encouraging for new and established Christians alike. I can see why it got so much buzz on Instagram in 2019!
I have mixed feelings about this one. The short version is that learning what Big Data is and how it can be utilized was super interesting, but some of the results that the author examines are quite depressing. I’ll let you read or listen to this book yourself to see what I mean because I don’t really have the space here to summarize. If you’ve already read it, let’s discuss! I’d love to know if others had the same takeaways that I did.
The third installment in the Montana Marshalls series, Ford is full of action and not a little bit of romance. When Navy SEAL Ford travels to Russia to rescue his twin sister Ruby Jane, a CIA analyst on the run after being framed as an assassin, he brings along Scarlett, team-member and object of his affections. Scarlett isn’t sure where her life is headed since her mother died and left her younger brother all alone, but she does know that she can’t seem to say no to Ford and his crazy mission to find his sister. I can’t get enough of the Marshall brothers! The next book is called Wyatt and I’m waiting not so patiently to get it from the library.
When Mercy Wilkins agrees to board a ship of women headed away from the slums of London to the new frontier in British Columbia, she thinks she is going to find work, not to become a bride. Determined never to marry, Mercy is troubled by her new predicament, and especially by the attraction she can no longer deny she shares with ship surgeon Lord Joseph Colville. Joseph defied convention once when he pursued a career in medicine, and now he must convince Mercy that their class differences are not too much to overcome in the name of love.
In Progress:
I, like many other people, am endlessly fascinated with the enneagram. I’ve read several books about typing and relationships between numbers, and now I’m branching out to the spiritual side of things. The subtitle of this book is ‘Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth’, and I’m hoping for some insights into how my number relates to spiritual pursuits.
I know, guys, I KNOW! I am painfully aware that this is the third month in a row that this book has made it on the list, but it’s finally bumped up to the ‘in progress’ section instead of the ‘up next’ section. So I’m finally doing it, and it’s every bit as fun and funny as I expected.
Up Next:
People seem to have mixed feelings about biblical fiction, but I really like it when it’s done well. Mesu Andrews is an author who writes biblical fiction well. I loved Of Fire and Lions last year and I can’t wait to get started on Isaiah’s Legacy, which comes out in three days on February 18th.
This book came to my life by way of the free bin in front of McKay’s. I couldn’t believe someone left a pristine copy in the free bin! So I snatched it up and brought it home and I have no idea if I’ll like it or not but it has pretty good Amazon reviews and did I mention it was free? Not too much to lose here.
Sing: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church
The music leader at my church purchased several copies of this book for congregants to borrow and read. I’ve had the one he loaned me on my shelf for about two months now (sorry Eddie!) so I’m going to make it a point to read it soon and return it to him. It’s pretty small and short, so I think it will be a quick read once it pick it up and get started.
Thanks to Modern Mrs. Darcy for hosting a quick lit link up! Go check her out if you want even more book recommendations.
I’m adding some of these to my list for sure. I love to read and am always looking for new books.
Me too!
I’m reading “Love rules” by Freya North an English writer. Will add Everybody Lies to my list.
Hope you enjoy it!
The reluctant bride is being added to my reading list, looks so interesting.
I really enjoyed it. So far I’ve liked every book I’ve read from that author.
Looks like you’ve got a full nightstand! I’m rereading a few classics right now, including Call of the Wild in anticipation of the new movie. You really can’t go wrong with Jack London.
I love The Call of the Wild! I’ve read it several times, though it’s been a while since the last time.
I am on book 13 for the year! I love to read and it has been really gross here with the weather.
Look at you! That’s about where I am on book count for the year so far, too.
The Secret Life of Sarah Hallenbeck sounds interesting! Going to check if it’s available on Overdrive!