Hey friends! Book Love time here on the blog. Between reading and audiobooks, I got 13 in during March. I feel the slow down coming though. As the days warm and get longer, I am drawn to some other interests. Having said that I still have goals for reading this year so I plan to continue but maybe at a slower pace. We shall see.
Emotional Intelligence by Allan Goldman ~ I know this book is good for me but I just couldn’t get into it. I truly believe I would enjoy this book if I had read it instead of listening to it. The narrator sounded too unemotional and scientific to grab my interest, which is a bummer because I adore this topic. I might have to grab a copy and read it. From the Amazon description: Being able to identify and control emotions, and understanding the emotions of others, are all signs of an emotionally-intelligent person. I think this topic is good for all of us to know and understand. I’m going to give it another try. Not recommending the audiobook though.
What Falls from the Sky by Esther Emery ~ This woman is way braver than I could be. Why? She seriously gave up the internet for a year. Yep, she did do that and this book chronicles the adventure. The book was thought-provoking and I loved her journey. If you follow her on Instagram, she now lives with her husband and kiddos off the grid.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder ~ Yes, the series from my childhood continues. I was amazed how the family just packed up their world and placed everything in the back of a covered wagon and headed west. Settling on the prairie virtually by themselves is something to chew on differently as an adult reader. I just can’t believe it. I’m toying with reading the rest of the series, which is a 2018 goal. Then I started Farmer Boy and I just couldn’t even. We’ll see what happens.
If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey ~ I love honesty and adore people who don’t hide their junk. I adore Jamie Ivey because she is real. She laid her cards on the table in raw honesty. I cannot say enough about this book because of her realness. She is living proof of God’s amazing grace and how He redeems our mistakes for his glory and our good. If you need to be encouraged that mistakes can be redeemed, then I recommend it.
The Alchemist ~ This book is more of an ongoing tale. I thought of it as a never-ending story of choices and consequences. I’m not sure how to describe it but I only knew I just didn’t like it. I think it has to do with the concept of a tale versus a chapter book. I like the finality of a chapter or the even pause before the next stage in the book. This tale just kept going and going like the Energizer Bunny. Maybe I need to read it again or maybe you could read it and tell me what you think.
Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Saran Hagerty ~ This is my second book by Sarah. I love her writing style. This book just brought me back to the place where I could see the hard things in a different light. The light that good comes out of pain. Sometimes I forget that and I let bitternet take root in my heart. This book reminded me to push that out of my heart and see circumstances differently. Good read!
7 Women by Eric Metaxas ~ This book highlighted the greatness of seven women throughout history. I loved learning more about Joan of Arc, Mother Theresa and one of my all-time favorites, Corrie ten Boom. My favorite chapter was on Rosa Parks. I learned more about her and hope to find a bio on her to read in the future. It’s a quick read if you decide to pick it up.
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline ~ This book is one that is near and dear to my heart. You see, I have a great-uncle who came to live in Decorah, Iowa via the Orphan Train. Yes, he was an orphan and found a home with a family in Decorah. When he grew up, he married my grandmother’s sister. This story {novel} made my heart ache for these little orphan children and made me wonder a bunch about Uncle Bill. It’s a good read and I highly recommend it. Yes, it’s a novel but there really was an orphan train and it’s worth learning about.
The Best Advice I Ever Got on Marriage by Jim Daly ~ This is such a practical read which is packed full of stuff that we all need to be reminded of to keep our marriages fresh. I was reminded to do sweet little things for my husband. I used to do those and then I got lazy. I also locked up my creativity and now I’m determined to find the key. Read it! {You’ll be glad you did}!
Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach ~ Game changer! I simply love it when people embrace real grace and have to think through how the gospel really applies to complicated issues of life. Caleb’s parents both came out as gay and he spent lots of time in the LGBT community growing up. He firmly believes that gay people should be loved and welcomed into the church. His book is challenging and thought-provoking. I have been hooked on messy grace and how Christians should embrace it and love people in spite of sin. This book will make you think. Read it!
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley ~ This is the sequel to The War That Saved My Life. I read that one last month and I was thrilled to find out there was a sequel. It was just as good as the first. I love historical fiction and young people’s literature. If you like those type of books, you’ll like this one too.
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson ~ This book was recommended by Laura from The Horton Family. It was on her daughter’s reading list. Yep, so glad it was available at the public library because I so wanted to read it after finding it on Laura’s blog. Great account of the Holocaust and insight into Schindler. No, I’ve never seen Schindler’s List but now I have to see it.
Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo ~ I found this title via Modern Mrs. Darcy. I like that it was by a foreign author and exposed me to a different way of life in Nigeria. It wasn’t a complicated read and it was enjoyable on some levels. I did like that it switched back and forth between difference characters telling their stories. I found I disliked several of the characters and there was deep sadness in the story. I wish it would have ended sooner but over all it was enjoyable. Glad I read it.
Well, that’s it for my book love for the month of March. What have you been reading lately? Anything good you would like to share with me? Please do in the comments.
Have a great day, friends!
Be blessed! ~ Carrie
Where I’m linking up.
