Some of my favorite things reflect the season we’re in. Right now, I feel a little obsessed with tomatoes and sunflowers and basil. But some favorites seem to stay pretty constant, like coffee and chocolate coconut muffins and always, books. Here’s what I’ve been reading lately.
Forgiving our Fathers and Mothers
When I saw this title in a used bookstore weeks ago, I had a sense in my spirit that this book was for me. I didn’t want it, but I certainly needed this book. For adult children, struggling to reconcile what it means to honor their parents in light of the wounds inflicted by their parents, this book offers hope. I deeply appreciated the honesty and openness of the stories shared here. There are no easy answers, as each relationship can be deeply complex and messy. I was Some of the pain done to us by those who should love us best can be utterly heartbreaking. I’m grateful for the practical ways offered in these pages to delve deeper into the journey of forgiveness, specific to the wounds done to us in childhood. This book is an excellent tool towards healing in this area. A for me.
On the surface, this book appears to be a story for a middle-schooler, but it is a story for all of us. Smuggins is a messenger for the king, and the adventures he encounters offer beautiful parallels for what it means to live for the Lord. Smuggins’ tales are simply and beautifully told. I read this in an afternoon and came away with deep gratitude for the ways that Smuggins’ story reminded me of truth my soul needed to hear. A for me.
The title on this one drew me in, but I was disappointed by how it mislead me. As someone who struggles to find a place where I fit inside the institution (although I believe it is important!), I was excited for a book that invited a conversation about God’s people acting like the church outside of a building’s walls. I was picturing a book that unpacked the reality of church outside of the institution. HOWEVER, this book was not that book.Instead, this was a book to engage or re-engage church members into active church participation, assuming that the reason they aren’t happy or thriving at church is because they are only watching from the sidelines. This book calls such people to action. While I think this could be a helpful book for some, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up if I hadn’t been distracted by the title and had known what it was actually about. B- for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
This was such a lovely fiction book, and as a bonus, it arrived the day before my birthday so the timing of it made it feel like a special present . I hadn’t read anything by Catherine West before, and was pleasantly surprised to see her delve into grief, adultery, suicide and brokenness with none of the triteness sometimes seen in Christian fiction. This may have been fiction, but the themes and characters facing them were all too real. I deeply appreciated flawed characters on all sides, and the messy nature of doing hard work of the soul. I had a hard time putting her book down, and was grateful for this story that was so sensitive, needed and redemptive. A for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
What do I say about a book that is changing my life? I was a chapter in and already I was ready to reread it. This is the book we all need. I’ve never read Scripture or viewed my life so intentionally through the lens of what it means to listen. This book felt like a much needed invitation to follow the Lord in deeper ways. In our distracted lives, this is the better kind of living that our souls deeply crave. I told my husband that this book feels like “a more accessible Dallas Willard book” for those of you who want to grow in wisdom but a philosopher like Dallas makes you nervous. I recommend it 100%. A+ for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
I wish I had read the first book in this series before diving into book 2. But I have NO regrets about reading this book! I was able to enter into this world quickly, despite missing some context of the previous book. Shawn Smucker is a spectacular storyteller and this was an exceptionally engaging young adult novel. With beautiful symbolism and truth woven into this story, I was reminded of Andrew Peterson’s young adult novels (the Wingfeather Saga, which I highly recommend) in the best of ways. I’m already looking forward to going back to the first book, as well as the ones that I hope will follow! A for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
This book was not quite what I expected. It had elements of journal entries, essays and lists, reflecting the spiritual journey of the author. While I didn’t resonate as much with some earlier parts of her life, I deeply appreciated the way she honestly and openly shares about her life through different seasons. This book felt like listening in on her inner world as she grew with the Lord throughout the years. I am came away with a renewed desire to be intentional with my time. B+ for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
I love Susie Larson’s encouragement over on Instagram and was excited to jump into one of her books. Not unlike her good words, cheering one onto courage and grace, her book was an invitation to living out of a place of abundance. Susie offers wisdom, Scripture, stories and insights about how to live a restful, free life. Some of what she shares isn’t new or different, but it is still true. If you need a cheerleader to offer you some practical help in getting into a better place of physical, emotional or spiritual health, this book is for you. Susie feels like a kind friend, a few steps ahead on the journey. B+ for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
I’m really enjoying learning more about myself through the Enneagram these days. I’ve loved Alice Fryling’s insights on this tool. Her words on the true self and the false self provided a deeper layer to understanding the Enneagram and the motivations for why I do the things I do. Alice is a spiritual director, and I felt her quiet way of giving space for reflection and processing to be tremendously helpful. I loved her discussion questions at the end of each chapter, as well as exercises for further reflection. If you want help to see your blind spots through the lens of the Enneagram, this book is an excellent tool for going deeper. A for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
Some mornings all I have time for is a few minutes to meditate on Scripture with a short devotional. But I’ve been wanting to go deeper in studying the Bible when time allows. I loved how this short book offered some deeper context and intention for spending time in one of my favorite old Testament books. It also offers the truth that studying the Bible happens best when actually reading the text itself. This isn’t meant to be a substitute for reading Isaiah, but a tool to use along with it. I am grateful for this tool and how it brought more Scripture to life for me. It isn’t too long and makes Isaiah more accessible. A for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
One of my favorite historical periods to read about is the Civil War. I was grateful for Keziah’s story as it brought a new element to this period that I had yet to encounter: a medical diagnosis of epilepsy. The thinking of the day around this illness brought about a new light on some of the difficult parts of these turbulent times. I appreciated the wrestling with hard issues, as well as the truth of what it looks like to give up security and safety to do what is right before the Lord. I truly enjoyed Keziah and Micah’s story. B+ for me.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. My opinions are my own.
A few other novels I enjoyed recently:
- Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate, A for me
Trigger warning: Although it was tastefully handled, the theme of child abuse is throughout this story. If you can handle it, this book was a FAVORITE.
- How to Walk Away, Katherine Center, B for me
- The Prayer Box, Lisa Wingate, A- for me
- Almost Heaven, Chris Fabry, A for me
- Dogwood, Chris Fabry, A for me
- Faithful, Alice Hoffman, B- for me
- The Great Alone, Kristin Hannah, B+ for me
Trigger warning: This story revolves around physical abuse and the impact of it on a family.
I joined up with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share what I’m reading this July.
*affiilite links used in this post
Alison L Bradley 