April Reading Update

One third of the way through the year....over halfway to achieving my goal of reading 52 books!  Without further ado, here's the entire list, with the ones I read in April in bold.

Non-fiction:

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty

Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker

7 by Jen Hatmaker

Breaking Free by Beth Moore

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

The Envy of Eve by Melissa Kruger

Recapture the Wonder by Ravi Zacharias

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Depression: Looking Up From The Stubborn Darkness (Edward T. Welch)

Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that can't Stop Talking (Susan Cain)

The Fringe Hours (Jessica Turner)

Jesus the King (Timothy Keller)

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet (Sophie Hudson) - this is such a fun memoir.  Sophie has another book that I can't wait to read.

He Chose the Nails (Max Lucado) - I do love the devotional and contemplative style Lucado uses in his books.

Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard (Laura Bates) - I must confess that I skimmed this one.  I checked it out from the Library on my Kindle and couldn't renew it so I had to read it in a day.  I may revisit it soon.

Sabbath (Wayne Muller) - I would have been fine with only reading the first half of this book.  The second half got a little too meditative and new age-y for me.  

Fiction:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)

Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarty)

The Magician’s Nephew (C.S. Lewis)

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)

The Good Girl (Mary Kubica)

The Invention of Wings (Sue Monk Kidd)

The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag (Alan Bradley) - this is the second book in the Flavia de Luce series.  I just love them -- entertaining and an easy read.

Year of Wonders (Geraldine Brooks) - historical fiction is quickly becoming my favorite genre.  This one did not disappoint.  It's about the Black Plague so it's sad - don't say I didn't warn you.

Three Wishes (Liane Moriarty) - I actually listened to this one on Audible.  I didn't like it as much as Big Little Lies.

Orphan Train (Christina Baker Kline) - by far the BEST book I read in April.  It's probably second only to The Invention of Wings.

The Things we do for Love (Kristin Hannah) - enjoyable.  Definitely a beach read that I wasn't reading on the beach.

Angels Walking (Karen Kingsbury) - it was fine. 

On Deck:

Still by Lauren Winner

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling

Total Finished as of April 30, 2015 -- 28

So I really am going to the beach later this month.  What should I be sure to bring with me?

Numbered with the Transgressors

Isaiah 53:10-12 

Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered, 

he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,

and he will bear their iniquities,

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,

because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many 

and made intercession for the transgressors.

"Who can be afraid of the one who is written in the same list with us?  Surely we may come boldly to Him, and confess our guilt.  He who is numbered with us cannot condemn us. Was He not put down in the transgressor's list that we might be written in the red roll of the saints? He was holy, and written among the hold; we were guilty, and numbered among the guilty; He transfers His name from yonder list to this black indictment, and our names are taken from the indictment and written in the roll of acceptance, for there is a complete transfer made between Jesus and His people.  All our estate of misery and sin Jesus has taken; and all that Jesus has comes to us." --C.H. Spurgeon--

Signed with the Cross of Christ

Matthew 16:24-25 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.'"

"If you willingly carry the cross, it will carry you.  It will take you to where suffering comes to an end, a place other than here...When you willingly carry your cross, every pang of tribulation is changed into hope of solace from God.  Besides, with every affliction the spirit is strengthened by grace.  For it is the grace of Christ, and not your own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.  You will not even fear your enemy, the devil, if you arm yourself with faith and are signed with the cross of Christ." (Thomas a Kempis)

52 in 2015: Update

Now that we are about one quarter of the way through the year I thought I'd do a quick update about the books I've been reading.  I've definitely made some progress in the past six weeks, and am still ahead of schedule, but am going a little more slowly now.  I read one book a week.

The entire list is below, with the books read since the last post in bold with some brief comments.

Non-fiction:

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty

Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker

7 by Jen Hatmaker

Breaking Free by Beth Moore

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

The Envy of Eve by Melissa Kruger

Recapture the Wonder by Ravi Zacharias

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Depression: Looking Up From The Stubborn Darkness (Edward T. Welch) – I think I will write a post just on this book.  It gave me a lot to think about, though I didn’t agree with everything.

Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that can't Stop Talking (Susan Cain) – a little dry but fun for an introvert to read.

The Fringe Hours (Jessica Turner) – enjoyable but not life-changing (for me, anyway. I can see how others might be wowed.)

Jesus the King (Timothy Keller) – a study of the book of Mark.  I learned a ton and saw some stories I’ve heard since childhood in a whole new light.

Fiction:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)

Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarty)

The Magician’s Nephew (C.S. Lewis)

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis) – I read the entire Narnia series as a child and plan to work my way through them this year as well.  This time I through I find myself paying less attention to the plot and maybe more attention to the deeper meanings and parallels.  I found The Magician’s Nephew particularly beautiful in this regard.

The Good Girl (Mary Kubica) – this book was on a list of recommended reading for those who enjoyed Gone Girl.  It wasn’t nearly as good (in my opinion) but did hold my interest and I read it quickly.

The Invention of Wings (Sue Monk Kidd) – I finished this one today.  AMAZING.  Really.  Get it now and read it.  This is a historical fiction novel and tells the story of Sarah and Angelina Grimke, two early abolitionists and feminists who grew up as slaveholders in Charleston.  It is fantastic.  I never read Sue’s other book, The Secret Life of Bees, but plan to now.

Currently Reading:

Sabbath (Wayne Muller) – reading through this one slowly, as the chapters are brief and meant for contemplation.

He Chose the Nails (Max Lucado) – I plan to read (and finish) this during Holy Week

Year of Wonders (Geraldine Brooks)

Total Finished as of March 28, 2015 -- 18.

Please leave comments with book recommendations!!!

My New Favorite Thing

Dear Podcasts,

It wasn't until this fall that I discovered you.  What was wrong with me that it took me so long?  I love you.

--Allison

Seriously, I think I was living under a rock until October.  I got taken in by Serial and my list of subscriptions has grown steadily since.

Here are some of my favorites (now that Serial is on hiatus):

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey -- I mentioned this in my last post.  It's definitely my #1 -- I feel like I'm just eavesdropping on two friends.  It's fabulous.

The Therapy Show -- a brother and sister team talking about all things psychology and sociology.  It was made for me. 

That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs -- Annie is just so funny.  I wish she was my friend.

Stuff You Missed in History Class -- I don't listen to every episode, just the ones that look interesting, but they are short and I learn things.

And a few new (to me) ones:

World News Roundup -- a seven minute summary of the news each day.  Keeps me informed but keeps me from becoming a news junkie.

Finish Line -- this is a daily summary of the Boston Marathon Bombing Trial, so it won't be around for long.  Two reporters discuss what happened in the courtroom each day.  It's fascinating.  

I would love to hear what you're listening to.  Send me recommendations!