Amy Scott's Thoughts

Sharing the thoughts that bounce around in my brain!

What I’ve Been Reading – February 2026 February 28, 2026

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 10:00 am

Bookish Thoughts for February

February might be a short month, but it’s been an excellent bookish month! I’ve enjoyed acquiring a few more books for my home library. I ordered two parenting books after recommendations from a parenting conference at our church. I really enjoyed Parenting by Paul David Tripp and I look forward to diving into Growing With soon. My book club had a field trip this month – we went book shopping at Goodwill! I Heard the Owl Call My Name was my exciting find that day! I got By the Shores of Silver Lake at Powell’s. I love that store! The boys not only got their monthly books, but also a book from Powell’s. I love treating them to something special when we’re there. To keep the thrifting theme going, I’m expecting a small order from Thrift Books. It won’t arrive until next week, so I’ll have to highlight that in my March post. Yay for new books!

I’ve been doing a bit of a deep dive on the Vanderbilt family after visiting Biltmore last month. I picked up a copy of Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty. While the book was fascinating, George Vanderbilt and Biltmore weren’t mentioned. Apparently, other family members were more notorious. Building the biggest house and living a bookish life didn’t grant George or Biltmore any space in the book. It was an interesting look into the Vanderbilts as a clan, though. These Tangle Threads was a historical fiction that took place in the decade after George Vanderbilt died. It gave insight into how the estate operated without him and the flood of 1916. I ended up researching many tangents online as I read it. I’m currently reading The Last Castle and it’s all about George’s life, legacy, and the Biltmore estate. It was exactly the deep dive I was looking for when I started this binge!

Other highlights of the month, I was excited to read Melissa Ferguson’s long-awaited new release, Without a Clue. I don’t read a lot of cozy murder mysteries, so it added some nice diversity to my month. I read quite a few fairy tale retellings at the beginning of the month. I’ve been filling in the gaps with The Gentlemen’s Gamble series – a historical fiction series revolving around a marriage bet place amongst seven friends. There has been quite a bit of variety in my reading this month. It’s been delightful to hop between so many different genres.

My Vanderbilt and Biltmore Binge
My February Haul
Top Picks for February
The Scott Bros February Picks

The Book List for February
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

  • Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper – 3 stars
  • Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp – 4 stars
  • Gifts and Gratitudes: A Year of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – 5 stars

Fiction:

  • Once Upon a Winter Beast by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Once Upon a Rose by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Lily of the Tower by Maire Soleil – 3 stars
  • An Accidental Marriage by Deborah M. Hathaway – 3 stars
  • A Foolish Proposal by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
  • A Fortunate Miscalculation by Karen Thornell – 3 stars
  • A Novel Engagement by Anneka Walker – 3 stars
  • The Cowboy’s Game by Cindy Steel – 3 stars
  • The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin – 2 stars
  • Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson – 4 stars
  • These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas – 4 stars
 

The Ordinary Adventures of February February 23, 2026

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Children's Ministry,Family Time,Homeschool Adventures,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 1:22 pm

February has a unique vibe. It seems to be a mellow month for our family. After the hype of the holidays and then celebrating my birthday in January, February can feel quiet in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, I love quiet. It has it’s place in everyday life. Even in these ordinary days, we are still enjoying smaller-scale adventures as a family and with friends. Let’s take a look!

The boys took turns sharing sniffles this month. Thankfully, they were minor! I was able to have dinner with my forever friend, Christa. She’s on the cusp of a big move, so my time with her feels extra precious right now. We had a parents’ night at church. The boys hung out with Nana and Papa while Jeremy and I attended the event. The next day (Valentine’s Day), we went to the beach to help Grandpa and Grandma with some house projects. The beach house is being renovated, but it was neat to see the progress in-person. Jeremy hosted the Bethel Kids Winter Olympics. This competition was a big hit! Owen came away with a silver medal in curling (or something resembling curling) and Graham got a silver medal in the penguin waddle race (totally an Olympic sport, right?)

We enjoyed a down day on President’s Day and went out to Chinese food on Lunar New Year. We caught up with friends at their house. The moms chatted about life while the kids played laser tag and board games. The boys are loving piano lessons right now and look forward to their new video session each week. It’s fun to see them tackle a new way of playing the piano. I got my haircut. My book club did a field trip to Goodwill to browse for books! We had a family shopping day in Portland to look at books for me, a video game for Owen, and Pokémon cards for Graham. Jeremy was hoping to find a new puzzle, but nothing sparked his fancy. We’ll keep looking!

As you can see, nothing much to report. Just all the ordinary adventures! The boys have found a renewed loved for scootering and their marble run set. It’s sweet to see them making adventures out of the small moments. Life doesn’t have to be big, flashy, or impressive to be good. I’m a fan of ordinary days. I’ll remember these ordinary days just as fondly as the extraordinary ones.

Valentine’s Day Tulips!
My contribution to the parenting event – book recommendations! This is my scaled-back assortment!
Checking out birds on the beach…
The sweetest bread bowl there ever was! Such a fun treat for Valentine’s Day!
The Bethel Kids Olympics! My IG story from Sunday the 15th.
One of our absolute favorite places!
Family shopping adventures call for a moment of rest in Fred Meyer…
Fresh haircut! It had been 11 months, so it was long overdue.
 

What I’ve Been Reading – January 2026 January 31, 2026

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 10:00 am

Bookish Thoughts for January

This time of year is always my favorite when it comes to books! Between Christmas and my birthday, I usually have a few new additions to my home library. This year, I was also gifted some very sweet and thoughtful bookish gifts (along with actual books). I’m a very happy bookworm! I feel so loved! You’ll see my bookish gifts and new additions to my home library in the collage below. My favorite thing just might be my home library embosser! I can’t wait to label ALL my books with my personalized seal!

Highlights for January… Fairy tale retellings! I’ve read so many between December and January. They are hitting a happy spot in my heart. From contemporary rom-coms to Texas westerns, I loved seeing how authors reimagined these classic stories. I particularly enjoyed Jenessa Fayeth’s Date with Danger due to the many Psych references (the show Jeremy and I are currently watching together). Gabrielle Meyer’s retelling of My Fair Lady in To Love a Lady was well done. George Vanderbilt was a side character and I felt a special connection to him this month (more on that in my upcoming post). I had a big travel adventure in January. Valancy (The Blue Castle) and Wanda (The Host) kept me company on the journey. So many good books!

Top Picks for January… I had hoped to read The Familiar Stranger in December, but I got distracted by Christmas novels and fairy tale retellings. I’m glad I waited in hindsight. It was a great book to kick off the new year with. Our church used this book as the springboard for a special series. I was curious about the material and I love keeping tabs on what our church staff is reading and recommending. The Familiar Stranger was a wonderful resource to introduce the Holy Spirit and highlight how the Spirit is alive and active in our lives. I am living more mindful of His presence thanks to this book. For fiction, I got a copy of Denise Hunter’s newest release from the library, The Second Story Bookshop. Her bookish books hit a right note for me. Also, the small cameo of characters from her Riverbend Gap series was appreciated!

Bookish Gifts! A jewelry box that looks like a book – I’m using it to hold my bookmarks, instead. Jeremy got me an embosser and seals so I can label my home library! A bookish hoodie – cozy and perfect for snuggling in to read. The additions to my home library in December and January! So much book love!
My travel books! I read them on my Kindle so I didn’t have to pack extra weight. I love reading familiar favorites on trips! Comfort reading!

Top Picks for January

The Scott Bros January Picks

The Book List for January
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

  • The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality by Tyler Staton – 4 stars

Fiction:

  • To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer – 3 stars
  • Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer – 3 stars
  • If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer – 3 stars
  • Clocked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer – 4 stars
  • The Lucky One by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Date with Danger by Jenessa Fayeth – 4 stars
  • Taken with Trouble by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Engaged in Espionage by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Married to Mischief by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Not How I Saw that Going by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Not on Your Life by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • To Love a Lady by Gabrielle Meyer – 4 stars
  • The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – 5 stars
  • The Host by Stephanie Meyer – 5 stars
  • Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – 4 star
 

January Rearranging… January 10, 2026

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Children's Ministry,Family Time,Homeschool Adventures — Amy Scott @ 2:35 pm

Last year after Christmas, we purchased another bookcase for the playroom and rearranged it to make space for our growing home library. It seems to be a new tradition, because we did the same thing this year as well. Instead of a new bookcase for the playroom, we got two new bookcases. One of each of the boys’ bedrooms. They received new LEGO sets and books for Christmas and they were out of room to display their treasures. Over the last year, the playroom bookcases had filled up and would no longer work as an overflow for the bedrooms. Jeremy told me his goal for this coming year is to NOT buy another bookcase… Where’s the fun in that?

We grabbed two more Billy bookcases from IKEA on New Year’s Eve. We spent New Year’s Day assembling them and rearranging all the treasures the boys love to display in their rooms. It felt so strange rearranging these rooms. They’ve stayed mostly the same since we moved into this home 8 years ago. As we adjusted their rooms, it’s clear we’re accommodating older kids, not the littles we moved into the house with. My mama heart has been processing all the growing and changing of my boys as as I process and rearrange these spaces. It’s been a bit mentally taxing. It was like Tetris finding the right home and spaces for their things, while leaving room for new treasures to be collected in years to come. Definitely a mental puzzle!

We moved a chair from Graham’s room into the playroom, which was the springboard for rearranging the playroom. Our old set-up didn’t leave enough walking space between the bookcases, two chairs, and the piano. Last week’s project was the bedrooms and this weekend’s project was the playroom. It feels so good to have them both tackled now. We took down some maps from the walls that the boys have outgrown. We now have some new wall space to decorate around the piano. We’re thinking music themed décor, but I have no actual idea what that is at the moment. I’ll have to keep my eyes open!

Other highlights since I last posted… We spent New Year’s Eve playing games with family in Vancouver. We enjoyed a meal with Nana and Papa. We showed them the Christmas musical and shared a few of our new Christmas games with them. We celebrated my sister’s birthday with sushi! Owen was brave and tried it for the first time. He didn’t like it, but I’m proud he gave it a shot. The Scott family wasn’t into the sushi scene, so we all found Chinese food options while my parents and sister enjoyed their special birthday treat.

We finally took down the Christmas decorations. It was fun to restyle the mantel yet again! This week, I added paper hearts to the wall to go along with our paper snowflakes. The multi-color hearts go well with the birthday banner I’ve left up from my sister’s celebration. April and I have birthdays two weeks apart, so it felt like the banner could just stay up for “birthday month.” We spent our evenings at church last week for a special spiritual emphasis to start the new year. I got dinner with a forever forever on Wednesday. We started a new weekly art class on Thursdays mornings. We wrapped our first week back to school with a outdoor adventure to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Sunny January days are perfect for getting outside, going for a walk, and birding!

Happy New Year!

Graham’s New Bookcase
Owen’s New Bookcase
Upgraded Owen’s fabric totes! I decided to get Graham the same style but in blue. They’ll arrive this week and upgrade the look in Graham’s room, too!
The Restyled Mantel: I love the flowers and the kids love that the wooden duck is back in the main space.
Valentine Vibes
Trying sushi for the first time! Brave Kid!
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
The Playroom: Before
The Playroom: After
 

What I’ve Been Reading – December 2025 December 31, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 10:00 am

Bookish Thoughts for December

It’s the end of the year and the bookish stats are in! The last three years I’ve read over 200 books a year and this year… I fell short by three! Good thing 200 wasn’t actually my goal. 197 is respectable, but as someone who doesn’t like odd numbers, I wish I got one more book read so I could end on a even note. Ha! I’ve set 100 books as my reading goal the last few years on Goodreads. It’s a low bar, but I’m not in competition with myself. The numbers don’t really matter. I’ve been pondering why I didn’t make it to 200 this year and I think the answer is two-fold. I feel like I read less novellas this year. Counting novellas in my book total always feels like padding the stats a bit. I would also say that I was a bit busier than previous years. Obviously, I still had plenty of time to read. I was a happy bookworm in 2025, but I do feel like I had less time to read. It’s all good. Life is full of ebbs and flows. I like to think I find a good balance of being active and restful in my daily life.

Let’s talk about December! Illness derailed a good chunk of my month, so there was extra time to read. More time to read meant extra Christmas novels and novellas. Once I breezed through my usual authors, I went searching for new books in Kindle Unlimited. Christmas is the best time to have KU! The highlight of the month actually came from the library, though – My Beloved by Jan Karon. I read the Mitford series a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There was a gap between when the series ended and this newly released addition came out. I’m not sure it would have been a 5 star read if I had read it back-to-back with the whole series, but the distance from the series made coming back to Mitford feel extra special. Reconnecting with the characters and the town set during the Christmas season – it was the perfect Christmas read for me. It gave me all the cozy, happy Christmas feels!

I also enjoyed Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson. I realize my introverted personality lends to a quiet life, but I’ve found such value in slower, smaller, quieter days. I love that quiet isn’t inactive. When you are still and quiet, you are aware of details and moments that can be easily rushed past in ordinary days. I appreciated Sarah’s reminder to strive for quiet (even in the midst of a loud house or a busy life) and the purpose quiet gives to our souls and our relationship with our Creator! I also wrapped up my one year devotional by Sarah’s mom, Sally. I loved gleaning wisdom and encouragement from Sally Clarkson in 2025. I look forward to starting a new one year devotional by Bob Goff tomorrow!

Okay, time to finish this up! This post has gotten long, but I’ll give myself some grace. This was a monthly and yearly recap all in one. It’s a bit extra! Usually, I would share my new Christmas books with you in this post, but my book acquisitions were smaller than usual this year. I’m saving for a special trip in January, so I didn’t go wild with a book haul this Christmas. I’ll combine my Christmas books and birthday books to share with you in January! Stay tuned! I hope you all had a lovely bookish 2025 and I wish you many great reads in 2026!

Top Picks for December

The Scott Bros December Picks

The Book List for December
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

  • Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson – 4 stars
  • Mom Heart Moments: Daily Devotions for Lifegiving Motherhood by Sally Clarkson – 4 stars

Fiction:

  • How to Kiss on Christmas Morning by Jenny Proctor – 4 stars
  • Betting on the Best Friend by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
  • Hate You, Maybe by Julie Christianson – 4 stars
  • Never the Bride by Kortney Keisel – 3 stars
  • Chess, Not Checkers by Annah Conwell – 3 stars
  • Ocean of Ink by A.R. Conwell – 4 stars
  • Partnershipped in a Pear Tree by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
  • Date Yourself a Grinch by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
  • My Beloved by Jan Karon – 5 stars
  • Once Upon a Sugar Plum by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Meet Me at Midnight by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Back to December by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Sugar Cookie Christmas by Monique Brasher – 3 stars
  • Silent Heist by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Just a Date by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Just a Bet by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • Just a Trip by Jenessa Fayeth – 3 stars
  • The Christmas Promise by Gabrielle Meyers – 3 stars

 

The Carol of the Toys December 9, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Children's Ministry,Family Time,Tasty Treats — Amy Scott @ 2:43 pm

This last weekend was a big one for our family! Let’s jump right in!

Friday, I hosted my book club. It had been months since our schedules allowed for us to meet. I was excited for us to gather again, especially for our Christmas party. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year! I’ve been experimenting a little with gluten-free baking. I adapted an easy pumpkin cake recipe using a GF yellow cake mix. It was tasty, but you could tell it was GF by the texture. I filled a crockpot with apple cider and spiced it was cinnamon sticks and cloves. So good! We nibbled on treats, talked about what books we’ve been reading, and then did a wrapped book gift exchange. In years past, we’ve done a white elephant style game were we draw numbers and steal. With a smaller group, I thought a dice game might prolong the fun. It worked quite nicely. While I hosted book club, the boys went to see Zootopia 2 which they greatly enjoyed – both the movie and the treats!

Saturday, Graham was under the weather so I stayed home with him while Jeremy and Owen went to church for the big Christmas musical dress rehearsal. It was finally the weekend to perform The Carol of the Toys! I was bummed that illness decided to hit our house the same weekend as the musical. Isn’t that how life goes? We didn’t miss a single practice until the dress rehearsal. Resting on Saturday was the right choice. Graham was well enough to participate on Sunday which was a huge relief to us all.

The Carol of the Toys is a bit like Toy Story. The toy room toys come to life and are excited to celebrate Christmas with their Christmas toy friends. Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus don’t arrive with the Christmas toys, so a search party is formed to go find them. Owen played Toy Solider, who leads the search party. The musical was silly and sweet while keeping the true meaning of Christmas at the center of it all. It’s not Christmas without Jesus! Owen did an awesome job with his lead role this year and Graham stepped up to the mic for the first time to be part of a quintet. I’m proud of them for stretching themselves and all the hard work they put into making the musical great! Now we rest! I’m thankful for a few quiet recovery days after the big weekend.

Book Club Treats: Gluten-free pumpkin spice cake and a crockpot full of spiced apple cider. Yum!
Book Club Gifts: Scott Family Christmas cards with heart shaped bookmarks.
Book Club Games: A wrapped book gift exchange!
While I hosted book club, the boys went to see Zootopia 2 with their favorite movie treats!
The Carol of the Toys
The Carol of the Toys: Owen as Toy Solider
The Carol of the Toys: Graham’s quintet
The Carol of the Toys
The Carol of the Toys
The Carol of the Toys
Advent Week Two: Peace
 

What I’ve Been Reading – November 2025 November 30, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 12:23 pm

Bookish Thoughts for November

I could have named this post New Release November! It’s been such a treat to read so many long awaited new releases from my favorite authors. Only one book on my list is a re-read this month and that was The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. I was waiting for a library hold and the book takes place around Thanksgiving. It felt like a good seasonal read. You’ll notice a seasonal theme to my reading as well. I got a library copy of Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber at the very beginning of the month, so the Halloween timeline felt right. I’ve enjoy Garber’s other books and her main character in Alchemy is reminiscent of her previous heroines. While fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, I’m okay with a little magic now and again. Truthfully, I almost didn’t finish this one because I wasn’t sure about the direction it was going, but about halfway through it changed course. I enjoyed the latter half of the book much more. I didn’t love it, but I’m intrigued enough that I will continue reading when the next installment is released.

The new release I was looking forward to most this month was Through Each Tomorrow by Gabrielle Meyer. Her Timeless series has become one of my absolute favorites. I’m very impressed with the complex timeline Meyer has created. Six books into the series, there is a lot of overlapping of characters and times. It takes some thought to keep them all straight, but each addition adds insight into the whole series while still standing on its own. I love the many different historical eras she’s been able to cover in this series as well. It’s next level historical fiction, in my opinion. I devoured Through Each Tomorrow while we were at the coast at the beginning of the month. It was the perfect vacation read!

On to Kindle Unlimited!!! I have dozens of books on my Kindle Unlimited TBR. I’ve been stockpiling new releases through October and November. When I subscribed to KU, I barely knew where to begin! So many choices! I’ve been prioritizing the new Christmas novels, because seasonal reading makes me happy. Courtney Walsh, Kate Watson, Emma St. Clair, and Brittany Larson all released new books in series I’ve read before. Also, Kasey Stockton’s new release included characters from another one of her Christmas novels. I love reconnecting with friends and places in books. I’m only partially through my KU TBR, so prepare to hear more about my obsession with new releases next month as well!

Top Picks for November

I couldn’t pick a favorite this month! I loved a month full of new releases! So much fun!!!
Books of the Month: Owen is working on collecting all of the National Park Mystery Series and Graham has discovered a love for the InvestiGators series.

The Book List for November
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

  • You Bet Your Stretch Marks: Finding Beauty and Worth in the Ways Motherhood Marks Our Bodies and Souls by Abbie Halberstadt – 4 stars

Fiction:

  • Through Each Tomorrow by Gabrielle Meyer – 4 stars
  • The Bodyguard by Katherine Center – 4 stars (Thanksgiving)
  • My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh – 4 stars (Christmas)
  • Acting Merry by Martha Keyes – 4 stars (Christmas)
  • Highland Holiday by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars (Christmas)
  • Planes, Reins, and Automobiles by Kate Watson – 4 stars (Christmas)
  • Fa-La-La-La Land by Brittany Larsen – 4 stars (Christmas)
  • The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair – 4 stars
  • The Dandelion Princess by Keira Dominguez – 4 stars
  • Tell Me True by Carina Taylor – 4 stars
  • The Friendship Variable by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
  • Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham – 3 stars
  • Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber – 3 stars (Halloween)

Side Note: I’ve been extra free with the 4 star ratings this month. I guess it’s my seasonal, new release happiness giving me rose-colored reading glasses this month.

 

What I’ve Been Reading – October 2025 October 31, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 1:00 pm

Bookish Thoughts for October

The last weekend of October was a stormy one in the PNW! If it wasn’t for the wet and windy weather, my book total would be much lower this month. Some minor sniffles mixed with wild weather gave our family the perfect reason to hunker down at home and chill for a few days. I took full advantage of this down time to catch up on reading! You’ll notice it was a very fictional month for me. I just didn’t have the bandwidth for non-fiction. It was also a very 3 star month for me, but honestly, that was perfect. Nothing too deep, nothing too serious. My schedule didn’t allow for a literary deep dive. I enjoyed my month of fluffy reading. Sometimes a light month is needed and October delivered!

My big accomplishment of the month was reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It took me a while to get through it. The length of the book and the science made it a slightly slower read for me. It was fascinating, though. I found the flashbacks made for a gripping tale as the reader slowly pieces together what is happening. I greatly enjoyed Ryland’s character and the supporting characters. The end-of-the-world dynamic was serious, but it also had many light and comical moments. The ending caught me off-guard! This is a favorite book of a dear friend. She requested I read the book so I could go see the movie with her when it’s released in March 2026. I have now completed my assignment and I am ready for a book/movie comparison!

I re-read the Sweater Weather series this month. It was the perfect light reading with all the seasonal vibes. I read the series when it was first released in 2023. I bought the series when it went on sale in 2024. To validate my purchase, I decided to read them again this year! I enjoyed revisiting Harvest Hollow and the characters that my favorite authors created. The Sweater Weather series transitions into the Appies series. Two of the Appies books are apart of the Sweater Weather series and I own the next two books in the Appies Series. There are 3 more Appies books in Kindle Unlimited that I don’t own. I might read them when I subscribe to KU in November. I do love completing a series… But… KU is about to release a dozen or so new novels by my favorite authors and most of those are Christmas books. The pull to holiday reading might be stronger than the pull to finish a series. We’ll have to wait and see. Maybe I’ll have time for both!

Top Picks for October

Owen: Day of the Dead Mystery
Graham: The Lighthouse Mystery

The Book List for October
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

  • Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – 4 stars
  • Because of You by Becky Wade – 3 stars
  • Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn – 3 stars
  • Can’t Help Falling by Courtney Walsh – 3 stars
  • The Fall Back Plan by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
  • Faking the Fall by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
  • Easy as Pie by Carina Taylor – 3 stars
  • A Not So Fictional Fall by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
  • Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
  • Absolutely Not in Love by Jenny Proctor – 3 stars
  • A Groom of One’s Own by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
  • Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor – 3 stars
  • Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson – 3 stars
 

What I’ve Been Reading – September 2025 September 30, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:00 pm

Bookish Thoughts for September

It’s hard to believe September is almost over! Between back to school, hunting season, launching multiple programs at church, women’s conference, staff retreat, sports, and weekly field trips, it’s been a full month! But… Hunting season means my menfolk are out in the woods for two weeks looking for elk and that gave me a few extra evenings at home to read. Also, I try to balance our weekends so there is one quieter day for rest (and of course, reading). Overall, September turned out to be quite the profitable reading month, despite my full calendar.

Non-fiction highlights this month focus on Sally Clarkson. She’s the best homeschool-mom encourager out there! Reading her books is like having a wise mentor come alongside you and cheer you on in the good work you are doing. She’s always uplifting and inspiring. The Mission of Motherhood is an older book and it was fun to compare it with Well Lived ,which is a newer book and focused on her legacy. Well Lived had lovely pictures of her time in Oxford, England. It was sweet to see photos of Sally’s friends and family alongside reflections of her lifetime of faith. I have a few more books by Sally and her husband, Clay, that I hope to read this coming month. Their books always give my spirit a boost!

My binge reading of Denise Hunter continued. I finally got two long await books from the library. They were quite enjoyable! After watching the Anne movies in August, I felt compelled to read Anne of Green Gables. Anne is always good for the soul! The boys and I finished Little House in the Big Woods as our school real-aloud. These fictional little girls are so sweet to visit (just like old friends)! The English Masterpiece was another much anticipated library hold! Katherine Reay’s newest novel thoroughly held my attention. Set in the glamorous 1970s art world in London, it was a bit of a mystery and a different vibe than her last few historical fiction books. I found the variety refreshing.

Now I’m currently making my way through Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. One of my good friends LOVES this book and she requested I read it. She would like me to see the movie version in the theaters with her in March. I shared that I was reading this book on my Instagram stories last week and I received couple a responses from other readers who also enjoyed it. I hope it can live up to the hype! I’ll let you know what I think about it next month.

Top Picks for September

Fiction
Non-Fiction
Owen: Quest in Yosemite National Park
Graham: The Mystery at Snowflake Inn

The Book List for September
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction

  • The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson – 4 stars
  • Well Lived: Shaping a Legacy of Gratitude and Grace by Sally Clarkson – 4 stars
  • Culture Wins: The Road Map to an Irresistible Workplace by William Vanderbloemen – 3 stars

Fiction

  • Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – 5 stars
  • Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder – 5 stars
  • The Summer of Me and You by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • Wildflower Falls by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay – 4 stars
  • One More Made Up Love Song by Jenny Proctor – 4 stars
  • All’s Fair in Love and Blackmail by Gracie Ruth Mitchell – 4 stars
  • All’s Well that Friends Well by Gracie Ruth Mitchel – 3 stars
  • The Aviator’s Lady by Gabrielle Meyer – 3 stars
  • True to You by Becky Wade – 3 stars
  • Falling for You by Becky Wade – 3 stars
  • Sweet on You by Becky Wade – 3 stars
  • Then Came You by Becky Wade – 3 stars
 

What I’ve Been Reading – August 2025 August 31, 2025

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 11:30 am

Bookish Thoughts for August

My total books read in August was quite an increase from previous months! I have summer camp to thank for that. Not only did a have extra free time while my menfolk were away, but they came home with the summer camp sniffles. It was a slow trickle that started with Owen and then spread to Graham and then to Jeremy. Needless to say, we had extra down days at home in recovery mode. Thus, more books read this month. It’s been a enjoyable way to wrap up my summer and fill the days at home. The pace in September will pick up and I’m positive my list will be much smaller next month. There is an ebb and flow even in a reading life. After exhausting my library TBR, I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and started working on a stockpile of new releases there! I’m so grateful for access to an abundance of reading material. It seems like there is always a new book waiting for me around the corner!

Highlights of the month include At Your Best and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. These have become annual August reads for me. They are perfect reminders before the school year starts that I can chose what pace I live at. Living intentionally slower and giving my best energy to what matters most is important. These books give me the encouragement I need to start our school year off well and keep a sustainable pace year round. Such a good resources! Good reads!

My summer of Denise Hunter continues. I’ve now read enough of her works to know I prefer her books about books. Her others are good, but I love books about authors or bookshop owners. They make my heart extra happy! I re-read some of my favorites by Jenny B. Jones. They feel like visiting old friends. I re-read I Heard the Owl Call My Name. It was a high school summer reading book from obviously a long time again. I remembered liking it and I wanted to see Adult Me liked it as much as Teen Me. I am happy to report I liked even more as an adult. It’s a short book that takes place in the Canadian wilderness. I read it on a dark, wet day that fit the mood of the book perfectly. I finished the book with tears in my eyes and I’ve thought back on it often this month.

With Kindle Unlimited, I was able to read new releases from some of my favorite indie authors. My favorites were the ones by Emma St. Clair, Annah Conwell, Kate Watson, and Kasey Stockton. I enjoy a good series and all of these reconnected me characters I’ve read before. Again, like visiting friends! Don’t worry, I do have “in real life” friends, not just book friends. I was just keeping our germs away from them this month! I have a few more KU books on my TBR and I feel the strong pull to revisit the Anne of Green Gables books after watching the mini-series this month. The world is full of some many wonderful books to read! Happy Reading!

Top Picks for August

Non-Fiction
Fiction
Owen’s Pick: (National Park Mystery Series) Discovery in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Graham’s Pick: (Hardy Boys Adventures) A Treacherous Tide

The Book List for August
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

  • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer – 5 stars
  • At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor by Carey Nieuwhof – 5 stars
  • The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkle – 3 stars

Fiction:

  • Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • The Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter – 3 stars
  • Sweetwater Gap by Denise Hunter – 3 stars
  • Lake Season by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • Carolina Breeze by Denise Hunter – 3 stars
  • Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter – 4 stars
  • Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
  • There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones – 5 stars
  • His Mistletoe Miracle by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
  • I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
  • An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon – 4 stars
  • If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair – 4 stars
  • I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven – 4 stars
  • The Lady of the Red River Valley by Gabrielle Meyer – 3 stars
  • The Confidentiality Clause by Annah Conwell – 4 stars
  • A Secret Correspondence by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
  • Terms of Un-Endearment by Brittany Larsen – 3 stars
  • Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend by Kate Watson – 4 stars
  • Rookie Season by Leah Brunner & Katie Bailey – 3 stars