Amy Scott's Thoughts

• The Mysterious Benedict Society (Book 1) by Trenton Lee Stewart -A friend let me borrow this books at her recommendation. Apparently, there is a Disney+ show based on it. I found this children’s book to be quite suspenseful. It had define secret agent meets child genius vibes. It was a thick book and took a bit of time to finish, but now I’m hooked. I can’t wait to see how the series pans out.
• No Cure For Being Human: (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) by Kate Bowler – Bowler’s memoirs are deeply moving and I highly recommend them. She deconstructions clichés and faces the truth of life with honesty and resilience. As a cancer survivor, she realizes that life has limitations and good vibes only go so far. Her perspective on self-help as been enlightening for me. I’m thankful for her voice in a culture that says try harder, do more, your best life is right around the corner.
• Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness by Houston Kraft – Another book recommendation from a friend. I thought this book would be from a Christian perspective, so I was surprised to find it was written by someone who speaks on kindness to middle/high school students in school assemblies. This book was powerful and even though Jesus wasn’t mentioned, Jesus-concepts filled this book. As a parent, I found it inspiring to know that this deep kindness concept is being shared in schools. As an adult, I realized I need this message just as much as the next generation.
• The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox – Another friend recommendation. You’ll hear that a lot. I very rarely stumble on good books by myself! This holiday book has been popping all over the place in my reading circles. It’s a light, cozy, Hallmark-ish Christmas tale about twin sisters who switch places before the holidays and fall in love. I loved the Christmas vibes.
• Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace by Osheta Moore – I originally picked up a digital copy of this book from the library, but a few chapters in, I hopped online and bought my own paperback copy. This is a book that I will read again… and again… I watched a MOPS video with Osheta a few years ago and I was drawn her to peacemaking ways. I’m having a hard time nailing this book down in words. It was just so good, insightful, honest, empowering, and life-changing. I would recommended this book to everyone!
• Secrets & Whispers (The Glenbrooke Series Books 1 & 2) by Robin Jones Gunn – These were my airplane/vacation books. I’ve read them so many times that I knew my brain wouldn’t need to be super focused to follow the plot – and I don’t mean that offensively. They are comfortable, familiar friends. I love that the books in The Glenbrooke series build on each other slightly, but also pass as stand alone novels. As I wait for library books to be available this next month, I hope to weave the rest of the series (six more books) into my reading.
• Save the Date & His Mistletoe Miracle by Jenny B. Jones – I read these books about the Sinclair twins this summer. I re-read them because I needed books already loaded on my tablet when I finished my paperback on the plane. Again, an already-read book is perfect for the plane since I knew the stories. I’m in the process of getting paperback versions of these books along with the book about their sister, Finley, in There You’ll Find Me. I love a good sibling series!
• The Perfectionist: Growing as an Enneagram 1 (60-Day Enneagram Devotional) by Elisabeth Bennett – An Enneagram Seven friend said she was enjoying this devotional book for her type, so I decided to pick up one for my type one self. This Enneagram devotional went deeper than the usual surface information I’ve hear about type ones over and over again. I’m kind of sad I finished it because it was providing me with such insightful moments to wrestle with the highs and lows of my type.
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys – This was Courty’s Book Club fiction pick for November. The book is set in Marid in 1957 under the dictatorship of Franco. It’s a thick book told from the perspective of many characters. Because the theme of the book revolves around secrets and silence, it take a while for the plot to unfold. Once the pieces started to click into place, it’s was mind-blowing and heartbreaking. While I didn’t love the 18 year gap at the end of the story, I was thankful for the happy(ish) ending that was unfolding on the final pages.
• The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson – If you’ve read my book lists before, you know Carlson is a go-to author me. Especially, her Christmas books. This one was a bit different from the others I’ve read. Four members of a book club ban together after the unexpected death of the friend that held their group together. They grow closer as they see each other in a new light and heal together through the holidays.

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – A few books that I have read recently mentioned/quoted Jane Eyre. While I knew the basic plot, I’d never read the book. This book had some spooky vibes and I’m thankful I knew the plot, so I didn’t get too freaked out. Very tense, but I enjoyed it! I’m glad I decided to read for myself.
• Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel by Kate Bowler – This academic look at the prosperity gospel was fascinating. I appreciated the historical approach to uncovering this movement and what it stands for. It’s eye opening to see this belief system in the fringe of my own church experiences. Bowler also has an academic work on preachers’ wives and evangelical women celebrities that I have my eye on as well. I can’t wait to wade through more history with Bowler.
• Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits–to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin – This book is all about habits and how they are formed and what makes them stick. I loved Rubin’s approach to how different personality types come at habits in different ways. While Rubin and I seem very spot on in our personalities and love of habits, the book helped me process how others develop in a different way than I do.
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner – This book came recommended from a friend and I placed it on hold at the library without too much information on what it was about. This book provided more spooky vibes for the month of October. Think potions, poisons, science, magic, and murder. I enjoyed the jump between historical fiction and modern times. Not my favorite read of the month, but once I started it, I wanted to know how it ended.
• Skyhunter & Steelstriker by Marie Lu – This book came recommended because I enjoyed Lu’s Legend series and I was told it had Hunger Games vibes (which was very true). For the most part I enjoy dystopian novels. It’s always interesting to see how an author envisions the world after our current culture is no more. Apparently October is spooky season (not my usual practice), parts of this book definitely had spooky vibes in a sci-fiction kind of way.
• Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – From the author of the Caraval series, this book picks up where the series left off and takes the reader into new lands with new magic. The hard part for me with this new release was finishing the book and knowing it would be a cliff hanger. Now I have to wait not so patiently to find out what happens next!
• Becoming Us & Becoming Known (The Haven Makers Series) by Robin Jones Gunn – After some intense fiction this month, I wanted to head into some comfort reading. The Heaven Makers series includes two of my favorite Robin Jones Gunn characters, Christy and Sierra, while introducing a new set of friendships. This series isn’t complete and re-reading these books made me wonder when we’ll find out what happens next for this group of five friends.
• Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii by Robin Jones Gunn – Again, comfort reading! Sierra’s Hawaiian love story is one of my favorites. Sierra is one of the Haven Makers mentioned above and revisiting her love story felt like a good choice!
• Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff – I read this book about 8 years ago and I was struck that Bob Goff lives anything but a normal life. His stories are fantastic and sometimes almost seem unbelievable. I often shake my head and laugh as I read his work. I appreciate how he weaves faith through his life adventures and invites his readers to join him on this wild ride. I think after re-reading Love Does, I’ll have to re-read Everybody, Always next month. His books are like a catching up with a good friend, motivational speaker, and crazy uncle all in one!

Fiction

• Finale by Stephanie Garber – This was the conclusion to the Caraval series. I loved the first book and had reservations about the second book, so I was curious if I would like the third book. The answer is yes! I did like it. I enjoyed seeing the story from the perspective of both sisters. As a finale to the series, I was surprised with the ending.
• Mirage by Somaiya Daud – This book was Courty’s fiction pick this month. It’s a story of a girl kidnapped from her family to be a body double for a mean princess. While it sounded appealing, I will admit that this book fell a little flat for me. I didn’t love it or hate it. I just learned that it’s the first book of two which makes sense since the ending left a lot of questions unanswered. I now have book two on hold at the library. Maybe book two will improve my opinion.
• Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery – My monthly dose of LMM. I love visiting Prince Edward Island. These two novels are about Anne’s children. Rilla of Ingleside is a favorite of mine, but the WWI plotline always makes me cry.
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – This novel takes a look at the value of life and getting a chance to see if the grass is greener on the other side. The main character tries out different versions of her life based the many directions her life could have gone. It was interesting and a good reminder that we are here in this life for a reason. Our lives matter in ways we don’t realize or understand.
• Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay – A lovely novel about a girl coming out of the foster system who is given a grant to go to grad school. She must write letters to the founder of the foundation that offered her the grant while she’s in school. I loved that the main character was a book nerd who lived through classic characters and then learns to live and love in the real world again.
• A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter – This book is about a girl who sells moths so she can give herself a better education and future. It’s set in the swamps of Indiana and the sequel to the novel Freckles (which I enjoyed immensely). While I’m not very interested in swamps and moths, the story is wonderful.
• Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong – This new release felt like a classic rom-com when I read the description. The main character uses a list from the 1950’s to find dates while her brother’s roommate films the escapades for a YouTube show. Super cute and very funny!
• Resort to Love Series by Angela Ruth Strong – Love Finds You in Sun Valley, ID, Finding Love in Big Sky, MT, Finding Love in Park City, UT, Finding Love in Eureka, CA, Finding Love in Seaside, OR – I’ve owned the first book in this series for years, but never knew it was a series until this month! The series follows five brothers each taking their turn to find love. It was a fun to reconnect with characters I met years ago and see how the whole family story came together.

Non-Fiction

• Don’t Over Think It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by Anne Bogel – This was Courty’s non-fiction pick this month. I’ve never read Anne Bogel before and as you can see from my next two books listed, I binge read all her works this month. Over thinking is something I struggle with and this book was both practical and encouraging. This was one of the better books I’ve read on the subject.
• Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne Bogel – I love talking personality! I’m a huge fan of the Myers-Briggs assessment and the Enneagram. One of the funny moments from this book is that Bogel thinks my ISTJ personality is similar to Marilla Cuthburt in the Anne books. The older I get, I will admit that I understand and relate to Marilla more. The connection made me chuckle.
• I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel – This small book made my soul smile. A whole book dedicated to the love of books and reading made me feel understood. As an avid reader who often feels like I’m alone (or weird) in my intense love of reading, this book felt like finding a kindred spirit.
• Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez – I’ll be honest, this book was heavy and very political. As someone who avoids politics, I knew it would be a difficult read, but I’d heard enough about the book that I wanted to read it for myself. This book left me with lots to process. It reminded me to seek Jesus above culture. Hard topics can lead to beneficial processing and this book provided that for me.
• People to be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle – This was a staff read by our church this month. The topic gripped my heart, especially as a parent. I know it’s important to process this topic so I will be prepared for conversations with my kids and others in the future. I appreciated Sprinkle breaking down both affirming and non-affirming perspectives. He did a great job of sharing his study of what the Bible says and how to love a community of people who have been deeply hurt by the church. This is a resources I will return to in the future. I am grateful for the personal wrestling I had to do while reading this book. It was a worthwhile and impactful read.
• Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst – A friend lent me this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect based off the title, but I knew I’ve enjoyed TerKeurst’s books in the past. The book spoke to controlling our emotions and the meltdown spiral that can happen – especially when rubbed the wrong way by those closest to us. I gleaned wisdom and good reminders from this book.

• The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – Scarlett, Cress, Winter, Stars Above – I loved The Lunar Chronicles! I bought the books after I finished the series because I knew I would want to read them again. These sci-fi retellings of classic fairy tales remind me of why I love the television show Once Upon a Time. I am fascinated by taking a well-known story and adding a modern/new twist on the beloved tale.
• Heartless by Marissa Meyer – After reading The Lunar Chronicles, this prequel to Alice in Wonderland came recommend. It’s the story of how the Queen of Hearts became heartless. While I found the tale interesting, I will admit that I’ve never been drawn to the world of Wonderland. This book didn’t compare to The Lunar Chronicles, in my opinion.
• My Lady Jane by Cynthia Han, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows – This book was a hilarious and irreverent re-take on English history. The book has vibes like The Princess Bride and it had me laughing out loud. The magic in the book was a surprise to me since I really knew nothing of the plot before starting it. I liked how the authors humorously rewrote history to create their own version of a happily ever after.
• Caraval & Legendary by Stephanie Garber – Caraval was the August book of the month for Courty’s Book Club (which I follow on Instagram). I loved it and couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series. I was impatient for the book copy of Legendary to arrive at my library so I snagged the audiobook version which was available without delay. Caraval was magical, full of suspense, and the main character was very relatable to me (a sensible, cautious, protective older sister). Legendary is told from the perspective of the risk-taking, younger sister. The magic in Legendary is also darker than the first book, which I didn’t love. I’m learning that I don’t prefer audiobooks so that might also be why enjoyed Legendary less than Caraval. I’m waiting for the final book in the series now. The last book is told from the perspective of both sisters, so I wonder if I will like more.
• The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson – When I’m looking for a quick, sweet read, I turn to Melody Carlson. There is also something fun about reading a Christmas book during the summer. The Christmas Shoppe featured in this novel was magical so it fit well into the theme of the month!
• The Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne’s House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside – I was able to get six of the eight Anne books read this month. I always like a little LMM in my month readings. Visiting Anne and Prince Edward Island is like a visiting a beloved friend.

Books by Melody Carlson – One of my favorite fiction authors!

• The Legacy of Sunset Cove – Harbor Secrets, Riptide Rumors, Surf Smugglers, Turning Tide – This series focused on prohibition and WWI times in a small town on the Oregon Coast.
• Christmas in Winter Hill – I was in-between books so I went searching for a light, quick read. I decided on this book because I was feeling Christmas in July vibes.

Books by Jenny B. Jones – A new-to-me author this month!

• There You’ll Find Me – This book was shared with me by a friend and started my binge-reading of Jenny B. Jones. This book also came out as a movie this month called Finding You. I’m curious to watch the movie now.
• Save the Date – The characters in this book tie into There You’ll Find Me so I had to check it out!
• I’ll Be Yours – The only other Jenny B. Jones book my library had – band geek and football star romance. Not my usual read, but I enjoyed it!
• Sugar Creek Series – A Sugar Creek Christmas, His Mistletoe Miracle, The Holiday Husband – Okay, again, Christmas in July vibes and a tie into the first two books I mentioned. These three holiday romances got me to 100 books with holiday cheer!

Books by Marissa Meyer – I started The Lunar Chronicles this month since they came recommended from multiple friends.

• Cinder – I enjoyed this sci-fi fairy-tale retelling of Cinderella. I look forward to completing this series through my local library. The hardest part is waiting my turn to each book!
• Fairest – While waiting for the next book in the series, I jumped at the chance to read the prequel that explains the backstory of the evil queen.

Books by other authors –

• A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery – My monthly dose of LMM! I love this interwoven story of two clans and their obsession with who will inherit a family heirloom.
• A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey – This was Courty’s Book Club fiction pick of the month. I loved all the baking and that the story took place in England.
• Things You Save in Fire by Katherine Center – This was loaned to me by a friend. It was interesting to read about a female firefighter as she re-established her career at a new station and falls in love with the rookie. The book has a strong theme of forgiveness for healing and I loved that message!
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it was so much better than the first one. The WWII content of the book was heavy and the ending left me crying.

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – As a fan of every film version I’ve seen of this book, I decided to give the book another go. I tried reading it probably a decade ago and couldn’t get into it. My reading style has changed over the years and I found Little Woman delightful upon a second attempt.
• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown – (Courty’s Book Club Non-Fiction Pick) I’ve seen Austin Channing Brown’s work highlighted by other authors so I knew this would be a deep read. It was profound and eye-opening. Brown’s personal experiences are both heart-breaking and inspiring. This book is the kind of book that you can’t just read and walk away from. It demands that you see the world differently now that you know and that you respond with this new knowledge.
• Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter – This book was recommend by a friend. I had never heard of it or it’s author before. It’s a story about an orphan who finds himself working in the Limberlost swamp of Indiana protecting timber for a logging company. He earns an appreciation for nature and has a wild adventure while in the end figuring out his past. There is a sequel to this novel that I have on hold at the library. I can’t wait to revisit the Limberlost.
• The Princess Who Believed in Fairy Tales by Marcia Grad – A friend ask to read this book with her. It’s a psychology book that is set-up as a fairy tale allegory. The story unfolds like Pilgram’s Progress where the princess sets out on a great journey to learn the truth and recover her life. Not my typical read, for sure, but very interesting.
• Smart Money, Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey & Rachel Cruze – This was a gift from my father many years ago. I read it when I received it, but Owen was only a baby at the time so the principles felt far off from our reality. Now that I have two elementary-aged kiddos, I wanted to refresh myself on these concepts, especially after going through Financial Peace Junior with the boys this school year. This is such a practical book and I plan to implement some of it’s concepts this fall.
• The Hope We Hold by Jeremy & Jinger Vuolo – I am fan of the Duggar family. I might not believe all the same things they do, but I still find them fascinating with their big family and their media platform to share their faith. This book is written by Duggar daughter, Jinger, and her husband, Jeremy. It was a behind the scenes look at their relationship and their journey together so far. I found it a very interesting read since I watched their “courtship” on their TLC show.
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows – This my third time reading this book. It’s one that I will probably read every year because it’s just so good. This post-WWII story about the German occupation of Guernsey is the best kind of historical fiction. I learned so much through this heart-warming and at times heart-wrenching novel. The Netflix movie of the book is pretty good, too!
• The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr – From Barr’s personal experiences as a pastor’s wife in the Southern Baptist church and her profession as a history professor, this book is powerful. I heard the hype over this book and I wanted to see for myself. I’m so thankful a book of this nature has been written. It clearly sets women free! As a champion of women in ministry this book stirred my heart!
• The Glided Ones by Namina Forna – (Courty’s Book Club Fiction Pick) I will be the first to admit that I would have never found this book without Courty’s book club. Like her fiction pick last month, I’m not drawn to mythology. In this novel, the main character finds out she is different from the other girls in her village and is offered a position as a warrior to defeat beasts that plague their land. It has a strong feminist message. I found the tale interesting , but it was a little too violent for my tastes.
• The Legend Series by Marie Lu (Legend, Prodigy, Champion (not pictured: audiobook), and Rebel) – My sister-in-law recommended the first book in this series to me. I’m all for finding a new series because one book leads to many more! I’m also a fan of post-apocalyptic writing. How does the author envision the world after the fall of the United States? The first book was the best in my opinion, but I enjoyed reading to the resolution of the final book.

• Emily’s Quest & Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery – I enjoyed reading these books for the second time. The first time I read the Emily books I was a bit harsh on her because Emily (while similar) wasn’t as endearing as Anne. However, after reading a LMM biography and learning that Emily is most like Montgomery herself, I read the Emily books in a new light.
• The Story Girl & The Golden Road by L.M. Montgomery – These books were the inspiration of one of my favorite childhood shows – The Road to Avonlea. While the novels don’t actually take place in Avonlea, the setting is just as picturesque and the pages are filled with childhood joy, drama, and mishaps.
• The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid – I picked this book up after finding out my copy of The Story Girl came from Prince Edward Island. This book is part coffee table picture book and part biography. LMM’s love of nature is evident in all her writing, especially her love of PEI. The pictures in this book are beautiful and give you glimpse into the world that LMM grew up in.
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer – This was an April Book Club Pick. I enjoyed learning from Comer’s personal experiences and how he turned his life around. There was a big emphasis on scaling back on technology and living a purposely slower life. I can see how the principles in the book have been a benefit to my own life, especially over the last year when life got a lot slower for our family.
• From Social Media to Social Ministry: A Guide to Digital Discipleship by Nona Jones – I heard Nona Jones share about this book at a conference recently and was sent a copy of the book for attending. This book gave me lots to think on in the ways of using social media (specifically Facebook) for discipleship. The church often uses social media to get information out into the community with the hopes of getting the community into their doors. The pandemic shifted in-person in a big way this last year. What if we used social media for discipleship and life-change, not just sharing information?
• Mommy, Teach Me to Read: A Complete and Easy-to Use Home Reading Program by Barbara Curtis – A friend let me borrow this book as I move toward teaching Graham to read. I found it very practical and useful. I took notes and I hope to apply some of what I learned in this book in the near future.
• The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease – This book is filled with research and testimonials of the power of reading to children. As a book lover myself, I hope to pass a love of reading on to my kids. As we head into more free time this summer, I especially hope to make read-aloud time a part of our everyday experience. This book is a great resource with read-aloud suggestions for all ages at the end of the book.
• Win The Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More by Mark Batterson – I love Batterson’s take on processing the past, making the most of today, so you can set yourself up the future. We can’t change the past, but we can process it in a healthy way so it doesn’t hold us back. We spend so much time worrying about the future that we miss the present. Being human means we live one day at a time. How we live each day sets us up for our tomorrows.
• The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch – I feel like I did a course in technology and proper habits this month. This book is a great resource for parents who want suggestions for reigning in technology. It clearly states the reasons why technology needs a proper place with practical takeaways for how to accomplish that task.
• The Nature of a Lady (The Secrets of the Isles – Book 1) by Roseanna M. White – This was my Mother’s Day book. I enjoyed the mystery and the history in this book. I learned about Isles of Scilly for the first time. I love when fiction introduces me to a new place.
• A Portrait of Loyalty (The Codebreakers – Book 3) by Roseanna M. White – I enjoyed the final book in this series. It’s focus on photography and photo editing in World War I was interesting.
• Lore by Alexandra Bracken – This was a book club pick and outside of my usual reading choice. As someone who isn’t a fan of Greek Mythology, I struggled to enjoy the characters. The book had some Hunger Games vibes (which I liked), but overall was too violent for me.
• Women and Children First by Gill Paul – This book was recommended by a friend. It starts with the sinking of the Titanic and then follows a small cast of survivors as they recover from the incident. I wanted to like it more than I did. The history was fascinating, but I couldn’t enjoy the characters like I had hoped.
• I’m a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson – A friend let me borrow this book and it was laugh out loud funny. Bryson shares his thoughts on living in America after two decades of living in England. His insights are hilarious and was the perfect read for a mood booster.
• The Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah – This book was a recommended by a friend. It was sad, hard book to read about Leningrad, Russia in WWII. It unfolds like a fairy-tale and a mystery. While it has a “happy ending” – it wasn’t the ending I was expecting and left me sad.
• Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level by Laura Tremaine – This was my teacher appreciation gift! Tremaine offers 10 questions to go deeper in your friendships and then answers them herself. It was a unique flow for a book. I could see myself using this book for a book club in the future or going through it with a friend.