Amy Scott's Thoughts

1. Didn’t See That Coming: Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart by Rachel Hollis – I’ll be honest, I read this book more out of curiosity than self-growth. I wanted to know Rachel’s take on grief and putting your life back together. As someone who has walked through a season of rebuilding, I could relate to many of the topics and encouragements covered in this book. It’s a quick read and one worth looking into when walking through a difficult time.
2. All Things Reconsidered: How Rethinking What We Know Helps Us Know What We Believe by Knox McCoy – (Courty’s Book Club: Non-Fiction)* The depth of topics covered varied, but throughout the book was humor and wisdom. As I grow older, I have reconsidered many things. Sometimes my thoughts/opinions stay true to my original beliefs and sometimes, they change through time/perspective. Reconsideration is a healthy way to give your beliefs system a tune up. Also, I loved all the Hamilton (the musical) references throughout the book. And the conclusion (based on Hamilton) was my favorite chapter!
3. The Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds – (Courty’s Book Club: Fiction)* This novel is about a high school senior who enters a time loop to save his girlfriend from dying. It was interesting to see how his choices changed the outcome of each time loop. It’s no surprise that I enjoy new-to-me novels. It was refreshing to read a story that I didn’t know the ending to and this one keeps you wondering right up to the end.
4. Get Out of Your Own Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen – I purchased this book based on the recommendation of a friend (and because Amazon kept suggesting it to me). As an Enneagram Type One, I live with an inner critic that is always telling me what I’m doing wrong or what I should be doing better. This voice isn’t my friend, so I am thankful for voices like Jennie’s who remind me who I am in Christ. This book is a mindset overhaul and an excellent resource.
5. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow – My appreciation for Hamilton (the musical) has deepened since I first watched it. I thought it would be interesting to read the biography that inspired the musical. Little did I know that the biography was 800 pages of small font! It wasn’t a quick read and some parts went over my head, but it was so good! Hamilton’s childhood in the Caribbean and his rise to success in America were astounding. The political climate of our young nation and the battles printed in the newspapers have such parallels to our current times. I don’t read biographies often, but I’m always moved by them when I do. There is so much to learn from the lives of others.
6. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A friend let me borrow this book. She said it was one of her favorites, but she admitted that it was a bit on the New Age side (which it totally was). This novel is more like a parable which when sifted through did offer some good wisdom and insight. The discussion my friend and I had about the book afterward was an insightful conversation.
7. The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi – The second I started reading this book, I knew I was going to love it’s message. If I have friends who come to me with burnout and struggling to do it all, I will recommend this book. I already practice many of the principles in this book, but it is such a good reminder to invest in what matters most to you and let the other stuff fall away. You can’t do everything so do the things that matter!
8. Turn the Page: How to Read Like a Top Leader (LIFE Leadership Essentials Series) – A friend let me borrow this book. It reminded me of my high school and college years when I took notes in the margins and highlighted in all my books. I’ve gotten out of that habit. It was a good reminder on how to engage with books in a way that you learn and grow. I am guilty of flying through books, but am I letting their wisdom change me and improve my life? It’s a good question to ask.
9. Take Care of Your Type : An Enneagram Guide to Self-Care by Christina S. Wilcox – This book came recommend by someone I follow on Instagram. I love the Enneagram and I wanted to take a deep dive into self-care, but I also wanted to be aware of other types need for self-care so I can be an advocate for them.
10. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – An author I follow shared that this was her favorite L.M. Montgomery novel and I didn’t believe it could be better than Anne. After reading it, I have to agree. It’s my favorite now too! The heroine, Valancy, breaks out of her oppressive family and decides to finally live life to the fullest because she is told she has a year to live. The life that she discovers over that year is beautiful.
11. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile – After reading about Enneagram self-care, I wanted to refresh myself with all the types a little further. I’ve read many books on the Enneagram, but this is my favorite introduction to the topic. It’s filled with humor, insight, and hope. It is an excellent Enneagram resource and one I am sure to consult again and again.
12. Kind Is The New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candance Cameron Bure – A friend commented on enjoying this book, so I picked it up from the library. I enjoyed learning more about Candance’s faith journey and how she’s made kindness her main thing because it brings glory to God. As someone who grew up watching Full House, enjoyed Fuller House on Netflix, and is a Hallmark movie junkie, it was interesting to pull the curtain back on an actress I enjoy.
13. Love Finds You in Annapolis, MD by Roseanna M. White – I forgot to include this one in the picture above. Oops. This historical fiction takes place right after the Revolutionary War. It’s a Christian romance novel, but it also touches on injustices of the time – like slavery and the treatment of Tories after the war. This novel is a good example of not judging a book by it’s cover. Also, the plot went a different direction than I expected at first. I love being surprised by a novel.

* A staff member at our church has started a book club on Instagram. Since I am a book lover and always looking for new books to read, I thought I would give it a try. Each month will feature a fiction and non-fiction read.