Happy 2018!!! I am loving a fresh new start and new calendar! Blank slates just invite goodness don’t they? I have filled up one page of my crisp new planner with some book goals. Some of them I carried over from last year, but if you read this blog you know that my 2017 exploded. So, maybe this year we can keep each other accountable?
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If you’ve read any of these I’ve love to hear your thoughts.
Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path Erin Loechner has only recently come under my radar and I love, love, love her style and message. I just finished this book and the whole thing is beautiful. The layout, the photos, the ‘feel’ of it, all of it. This would be a great gift book for a busy mom.
We Were the Lucky Ones: A Novel The history and characters of World War II remain a passion of mine. We lived in Germany for 3 years and walking the landscape that saw such trauma changed my outlook of the world. This book keeps appearing my Pinterest feed so I’m thinking I need to read it.
Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life I am such a big fan of this gal, Ms. Melanie. A Texan and fellow Texas A&M Aggie, she is one of the few writers sho can entertain and inspire with the words of an old friend. Refreshing, funny, just plain fun, this is her latest work.
A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness John Piper is a heavy thinker and writer. Diving into his thoughts and dense words requires focus and time. I need to be able to accurately articulate the perfection of the Bible to my neighbors.
Ava’s Man Rick Bragg writes the column at the back of Southern Living. Since almost all of my married life has been lived ‘outside’ of the South, I found a little taste of home in my mailbox every month when my magazine appeared. It also brought me a little taste of Rick Bragg on the last page. He has made me laugh out loud more than any other writer, and he is gifted with pulling you into his settings.
Colors of Goodbye: A Memoir of Holding On, Letting Go, and Reclaiming Joy in the Wake of Loss 2017 was my year of unspeakable grief. This work chronicles a mother’s unspeakable grief in the death of a child. It also tell of God’s provision through it all.
Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: How a Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding
I cannot wait to dig into this. Wouldn’t you like to perceive the parables of Jesus from a Jewish perspective? Tverberg explains the life and culture of the Jews of the day to give greater understanding of the Bible and Jesus’ words.
The Portrait of a Lady (Penguin Classics)
Should I be embarrassed that I have never read Henry James? Widely considered James’ greatest work, a magnificent American heroine travels to Europe and decides that she will determine her future decision to marry (or not) and not society at large. I’m looking forward to rich language that James is known for.
All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel
I have had this book on my iPad for years. YEARS! I think I am the only one in this country who hasn’t read it. We visited St. Malo when we were in France, an unforgettable walled village just down the road from Normandy. When the next snowy day comes around, I’m escaping into these pages.
Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say We all have phrases that mark our relationships. Words like ‘No’, ‘I don’t know’, and ‘I was wrong’ make us human as we navigate life. This is another work that has continually shown up on my various feeds.
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone God is presently teaching me about speaking Truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when I love the people I need to speak it to. I love Brene Brown, a gifted communicator, and am anxious to devour her latest words.
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life C.S. Lewis was an avowed atheist before his conversion to Christianity. I have never read his ‘back’ story, only his famous works including The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity.


So there you have it. Don’t let the year drain away without some cozy, ‘curling up by the fire’, ‘turn off the tv’ reading time.
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