Amy Scott's Thoughts

Bookish Thoughts for December

Brace yourselves! The book list is long this month! Most of Christmas break as been spent chilling around the house and that meant lots of free time to read. Also, I might have gone overboard on Christmas rom-coms this month. In fact, a good portion of my books this month as actually novellas. The average novella takes less than two hours to read. As you can imagine, I easily finished one Christmas love story a day… sometimes two… I use to obsessively watch Hallmark movies all Christmas season, but we no longer have the Hallmark Channel. I used Kindle Unlimited to fill the void with books that pretty much are Hallmark movies (but better, because they are books, right?!). Anyway, I’ve loved all the Christmas rom-coms… but they are the book equivalent of cotton candy. Very fluffy. It’s been a fun run, but I’m ready to add some diversity to my reading diet in 2023. However… I still have Kindle Unlimited for a few more months, so I expect some fluff will show up in my future book lists. I can’t help myself. In real life and in books, I’m drawn to the sweet stuff.

My home library grows quite a bit in December and January thanks to Christmas and my birthday being less than a month apart. Book shopping is my absolute favorite form on shopping! I added 7 new books to my bookshelves this month, plus 8 to my Kindle. I have 3 more books arriving in the mail this next week. Yay! My book shopping is on pause now until after my birthday. As an avid reader, I’m trying to assess which books from the this last year I want to give a permanent spot on my bookshelf and which new books I take a chance on. Buying new books means I don’t have to rely on the speed of the library, but… sometimes buying an un-read book means adding a dud to the collection. Lots to think about before the next book order!

I want to give some space in this blog to talk about my Kindle Paperwhite. I used my birthday money last year to purchase it. I was unsure how I would feel about using a Kindle instead of an actual book. Oh my goodness! I can’t say enough good things about Kindley (the name of Kindle). I’ve read so many books on Kindely this year. And thanks to Kindle Unlimited and the library, I’ve never lacked for something to read. My Kindle Paperwhite was definitely one of my best purchases in 2022. Also, the cover is navy blue which happens to be my favorite color, so everything about Kindley gives me happy vibes.

Since it’s December, let’s wrap up with reading goals. I doubled my reading goal in 2022 and then some. 2022 was a record breaking reading year. The grand total came in at 264 books which beat 2021 by 85 books (179 in 2021). My sister-in-law mentioned that this year she kept track of pages read instead of books. This concept intrigued me. I realize there are no-hard-and-fast-rules with book counting, but I always struggle with counting novellas… maybe they should count as .5 instead of a whole book, but that’s too complicated. I might join the page counting club in 2023. I haven’t officially decided so you’ll have to check with me at the end of January 2023!

Top Picks for December

Non-Fiction: Are My Kids on Track: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff (MEd, LPC-MHSP), David Thomas (LMSW), and Melissa Trevathan (MRE). I’ve read multiple book now by David Thomas and I appreciate his wisdom and insight into how boys are wired. This book had similar material to what I’ve read in his previous works, but I liked how it was formatted. Also, this book would be a fabulous resource for a parent with both a daughter and a son. I even found myself highlighting sections written for girls because the information was so applicable. So often I get hung up on academic milestones that I forget the importance of social, emotional, and spiritual milestones. This book is an excellent reminder of what’s truly important in the hearts and minds of children.
Fiction: The Father Christmas Series by Robin Jones Gunn. I grew up reading Robin Jones Gunn and having her characters become formative friends in my reading life. Her Father Christmas series is a favorite to read around the holidays. The story takes place in the fictional town of Carlton Heath outside of London, England. The main character Miranda sets off to find answers about her father based off a picture of Father Christmas her mother kept hidden. The characters are lively and friends become family. The town’s annual production of A Christmas Carol also plays a prominent part in the story. Hallmark made a movie trilogy out of the books, but of course, the books are better, in my opinion.

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:

• Are My Kids on Track: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff (MEd, LPC-MHSP), David Thomas (LMSW), and Melissa Trevathan (MRE). – 4 stars
• Women Rising: Learning to Listen, Reclaiming Our Voice by Meghan Tschanz – 4 stars

Fiction:

• Kiss Me Now by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
• Kiss the Girl by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
• Kiss and Tell by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
• Cotswolds Holiday by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – 3 stars
• The Impossible Princess by Keira Dominquez – 3 stars
• A Sugar Creek Christmas by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
• His Mistletoe Miracle by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
• The Holiday Husband by Jenny B. Jones – 4 stars
• The Most Real McCoy by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
• My Own Best Enemy by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
• Pretending I love Lucy by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
• The Even Odder Couple by Julie Christianson – 3 stars

Fiction: Christmas Novellas

• His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
• Snowed in on Main Street by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
• Melodies and Mistletoe by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
• Snowflake Wishes by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
• The Twelve Dates of Christmas by M.T. Knights – 3 stars
• Re-Gifting Christmas by M.T. Knights – 3 stars
• A Holly Jilly Christmas by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
• A Christmas Spark by Cindy Steel – 4 stars
• Not So Alone for Christmas by Jenny Proctor – 4 stars
• Christmas After All by Cece Louise – 4 stars
• No Room In the Inn by Gracie Ruth Mitchell – 3 stars
• Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn – 4 stars
• Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn – 4 stars
• Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn – 4 stars
• The Twelves Holidates by Emma St. Clair – 4 stars

Bookish Thoughts for November

Here we are on the last day of November! It’s book post day! You’ll notice a theme to my November reading. I’ve been using my Kindle Unlimited subscription almost exclusively. I was going to unsubscribe at the end this month, but I decided to keep KU for one more month. I’ve discovered Christmas Rom-Coms and there is no stopping me now! It’s been a month of reading books that are the equivalent of Hallmark Christmas movies! I love it! November has been very merry and bright for my reading life!

At the end of October, I discovered books by Courtney Walsh. Her Christmas novels sucked me in and I moved on to her other books. I did a binge of some of her works on KU. I haven’t read them all yet. She has a similar plot in her stories – the tragic death of a love one in the past before the story takes place – and it made her books a bit heavy to read one right after the other. Her writing might be best mixed in with some diversity. I also stumbled upon The Christmas Escape series in KU. The final book in the series released today and I can’t wait to start it! Each book features a female main character traveling for the holidays and finding love. The books are written by different authors and I appreciated the exposure to new authors. These books gave me all the Christmas feels. I thoroughly enjoyed them.

You’ll notice a lack of non-fiction this month – only two books in that category. I feel somewhat bad about that, but I’ve had a blast with Christmas novels, so I don’t feel too bad. Also, this month was a busy month for our family so quick and light novels fit my mental capacity. This month I was definitely thankful for Christmas novels and Kindle Unlimited!

Top Picks for November

Non-Fiction: Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love by Sally Clarkson – I can’t say enough good things about Sally Clarkson and her writing! She has become a favorite of mine and a true mentor! She shares her wisdom with honesty, empathy, and encouragement. Her journey in homeschooling, motherhood, and ministry has been an inspiration to me. Own Your Life was a reminder to live an intentional life and stay the course in doing good work. It paired well with M is for Mama from last month. Living a life of integrity, priotirzing character development, leaning in your purpose are messages that bolster your soul as you read this book!
Fiction: A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson – Melody Carlson is one of my go-to authors. If she writes it, I’ll read it! I’m not a quilter so I wasn’t sure how attached I would be this story, but it took me no time to be invested in the cast of characters who make up this sweet Christmas novella. It’s a multi-generational tale that shares the power of community. The main character is a widow who is new to town and without friends or family to celebrate the holidays with. Meeting the family next door in an unexpected way leads to forming a unique quilting group that comes together to create a quilt in time for Christmas.

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:

• Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love by Sally Clarkson – 4 stars
• Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by by Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, and Don Mosenfelder – 3 stars

Fiction:

• Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh (Harbor Pointe Series) – 4 stars
• Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh (Harbor Pointe Series) – 4 stars
• Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh (Harbor Pointe Series) – 3 stars
• Just like Home by Courtney Walsh (Harbor Pointe Series) – 4 stars
• If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh (Nantucket Love Story Series) – 4 stars
• Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh (Nantucket Love Story Series) – 4 stars
• What Matters Most by Courtney Walsh (Nantucket Love Story Series) – 4 stars
• A Match Made at Christmas by Courtney Walsh (Nantucket Love Story Series) – 4 stars
• Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh (Paper Hearts Series) – 4 stars
• Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh (Paper Hearts Series) – 4 stars
• How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss by Jenny Proctor (Sweet Rom-Com) – 3 stars
• Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel (Christmas Escape Series) – 4 stars
• Christmas Baggage by Deborah M. Hathaway (Christmas Escape Series) – 4 stars
• Host for the Holidays by Martha Keyes (Christmas Escape Series) – 4 stars
• A Newport Christmess by Jess Heileman (Christmas Escape Series) – 4 stars
• Later On We’ll Conspire by Kortney Keisel (Christmas Escape Series) – 4 stars
• A Not-So Holiday Paradise by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (Christmas Escape Series) – 3 stars
• The Chosen by Chaim Potok (Jewish American Fiction) – 3 stars
• A Cup of Cheer by Heather Miekstyn (Sweet Holiday Romance) – 4 stars
• A Christmas Dare by Heather Miekstyn (Sweet Holiday Romance) – 4 stars
• A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson (Christmas Novella) – 4 stars
• Scrooge and the Girls Next Door by Melody Jacobson (Holiday Rom-Com) – 4 stars

Bookish Thoughts for October

I did it! I reached my updated goal of reading 200 books in 2022! Woo hoo! October was a busier month which meant I didn’t fly through as many books. Honestly, hitting my goal also dampened my momentum a bit. We’ll see how many books I reach by the end of 2022, but I’m not feeling any pressure to keep up a certain pace. With a vacation, multiple birthdays, and seasonal activities, my time was spent differently this month. With the holidays right around the corner, I realize my calendar will continue to be full. A reading life has seasons just like real life. Some seasons are quieter with space to read and some are busier, but filled with good things and good people. It’s a balance. It’s been a fun experiment to see how much reading I can accomplish in a year. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and I look forward to two more months of adding to the grand total!

I frequently get asked how I read so much. Since it’s been a topic of conversation with my friends lately, I thought I would share here as well. Books are my preferred downtime activity. I watch very little television. Being a quick reader also helps. I can finish most books in a day or two. Non-fiction takes me slightly longer, but I can fly through novels. I’m not reading rocket science, that’s for sure! Our family schedule intentionally has margin for free time. It’s my goal to raise readers and I want to be a role model. I’m trying to create a culture of reading in our home. Books are valuable and time spent reading them is as well! Confession… I don’t like to cook. By making very simple meals, I don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen (thus more free time). I tend to be a tidy, organized person. My daily routine helps keep the house manageable. This in turn helps my reading because I struggle to read in a disordered space. I would say routine and intentional time around the house are the key to my reading life.

Tops Picks for October

Non-Fiction: M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood by Abbie Halberstadt. This book was recommended at book club. Despite the pacifier on the front, it’s really a book for all mothers in the child-raising years (Abbie is a mother of ten with kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers). I loved the Scripture through the book combined with Abbie’s encouragement. She is real and honest about the struggles of motherhood while calling women to rise up in their roles as a mama. As a person who tends to have very high personal standards, I could relate to the call of this book. For the tired, worn-out mama, this will be a gentle (and somewhat humorous) reminder that we are all human and we can turn to God in the midst of our imperfect mothering. God is our source and with him we can do great things. Motherhood is worthy calling. We have good, important work to do. I appreciated Abbie’s sincerity, optimism, and how she champions God’s Word. A very inspiring read, indeed.

Fiction: The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay. After re-reading Dear Mr. Knightley last month, I decided to read all of Katherine Reay’s novels this month. I enjoyed them all greatly. Katherine writes brilliant main characters. The characters have flaws and hardships, but I love how smart and strong they are. Also, her books are filled with literary references. She writes books about people who love books. As a bookworm, my heart is so happy to read about other bookworms! The Printed Letter Bookshop is about three women and the connection they forge in a small town bookshop. While Dear Mr. Knightley is still my favorite novel by Katherine, I gave this novel 5 stars as well!

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.

Non-Fiction:

• Wild + Free Family: Forging Your Own Path to a Life Full of Wonder, Adventure, and Connection by Ainsley Arment – 4 stars
• M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood by Abbie Halberstadt – 4 stars

Fiction:

• How to Walk Away by Katherine Center (Contemporary Fiction) – 3 stars
• The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 3 stars
• Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 3 stars
• Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 3 stars
• The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 3 stars
• A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 4 stars
• The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay (Women’s Literary Fiction) – 5 stars
• The London House by Katherine Reay (WWII Historical Ficton) – 4 stars
• Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult (Contemporary Fiction) – 3 stars
• The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett (Children’s Fiction) – 4 stars
• Merry Ex-Mas by Courtney Walsh (Sweet Christmas Romance) – 4 stars
• A Cross-Country Road Trip by Courtney Walsh (Sweet Christmas Romance) – 4 stars
• Royally (Re)arranged by Emma St. Clair (Sweet Royal Rom-Com) – 3 stars

Bookish Thoughts for September

September was a glorious book month! I had fun money to spend so, of course, new books were added to my home library. Two of my favorite authors had new releases which I pre-ordered for signed copies. I’m apparently that reader now. I picked up The Giver Quartet after reading the series this month and watching the movie on Netflix. I can see myself reading the books again and passing them along to my boys when they are older. I purchased Mr. Malcom’s List – both the book and the movie. I borrowed the book a few years ago from a friend and enjoyed it. I wanted to read it again before watching the movie.

I’m just a few books away from reaching my updated reading goal for 2022. I’m currently at 194 books. Three of those books I’ve read twice this year, so I will have read to 203 in order to get 200 different books read this calendar. I’m curious what my total for 2022 will end up being! I was telling my husband that I don’t plan to read as intensely after 2022. I would like to re-watch a few TV shows in 2023. He started laughing at me saying no one says “watching more television” is their goal for the future. We all know that if I read less next year, I will still read a lot! No worries there!

Top Picks for September

Fiction: Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson. I appreciate Sally Clarkson as a resource for not only homeschool moms, but also as an inspiration for the spaces we create in our homes and the way we raise wholehearted children. She is full of grace and encouragement. Her words are soul-stirring and bring out the hopeful best in me. This book took a while to read because I started it at the busiest time of my month, but it was worth every page I could sneak in here and there. This is one I’m sure to add to my home collection eventually!
Non-Fiction: Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay. I read this book last September and gave it 4 stars. I read it again this month and decided to bump it up to 5 stars. It has so many things I love in it! The main character is smart and well-read. She had a rough childhood and found survival in books. There is so much compassion, intrigue, and literary goodness in this book. It rose to the top this month!
I couldn’t pick just one book this month! I’m adding The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber to my top picks this month. Originally, I gave the book 3 stars after the first reading. I was so surprised by the ending that I read the whole book again in the same week to catch elements I missed the first time through. Upon a second reading, I changed my opinion to 4 stars. The end of this book is such a doozy. I’m still reeling! I can’t stop thinking about what comes next in book three of the series!

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:

• Wild + Free Book Club: 28 Activities to Make Books Come Alive by Ainsley Arment – 4 stars
• Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley – 4 stars
• Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson – 4 stars
• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life by David Thomas – 4 stars
• Adventuring Together: How to Create Connections and Make Lasting Memories with Your Kids by Greta Eskridge – 4 stars

Non-Fiction:

• How to Kiss Your Best Friend by Jenny Proctor (Sweet Rom-Com) – 3 starrs
• Just One Chance by Jenny Proctor (Sweet Rom-Com) – 3 stars
• Her Last First Date by Jenny Proctor (Sweet Rom-Com) – 3 stars
• The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor (Sweet Rom-Com) – 4 stars
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Animal Fiction) – 2 stars
• Maude: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Melanie J. Fishbane (YA Historical Fiction) – 4 stars
• The Giver by Lois Lowry (YA Sci-Fi) – 3 stars
• Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (YA Sci-Fi) – 3 stars
• Messenger by Lois Lowry (YA Sci-Fi) – 3 stars
• Son by Lois Lowry (YA Sci-Fi)- 4 stars
• Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White (Historical Fiction) – 4 stars
• The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber (YA Fantasy) – 4 stars
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (Literary Fiction) – 5 stars
• Mr. Malcom’s List by Suzanne Allain (Historical Fiction) – 4 stars
• Miss Lattimore’s Letters by Suzanne Allain (Historical Fiction) – 3 stars

Bookish Thoughts for August

August has been a fun mix of books. I enjoyed re-reading The Secrets of the Isles series in anticipation of the release of the third book coming out in September (Worthy of Legend). I made this series my top pick for fiction in August, but I will admit it felt like cheating. I chose To Treasure an Heiress as my top pick when it was released in January 2022. There are obviously no rules to this book blog, but using the same book in the same calendar year felt like a concession. No clue why I have made up rules, but I do… Something about my Enneagram Type 1 personality… I explored the Renegades series by Marissa Meyers which had strong X-Men vibes. Not my usual reading, but it’s nice to mix it up. Elizabeth Bard’s memoirs took me on a journey through France and French cooking. That felt out of the norm for me, but it was interesting to explore something new with her. I really enjoyed The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. It seemed like all my friends got a copy before me and my wait at the library felt like an eternity (okay, two months, but you know, forever). One of my favorite authors, Emma St. Clair, did a surprise release with another author, Jenny Proctor. After reading Eloise and the Grump Next Door, I decided to renew my Kindle Unlimited account and binge read Jenny’s books. I enjoy sweet rom-coms. I may have given up watching Hallmark movies in 2022, but I’m pretty much reading the book equivalent these days. It definitely made for fun, light-hearted, summer reading!

Top Picks for August

Non-Fiction: This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness by Sarah Clarkson. This book was amazing! I appreciated Sarah’s honesty about her walk with mental illness and the brokenness she struggles with (both inside her and in this world). She has a way with words that sweeps you up in her story. It’s an incredibly vulnerable book and I admire her for writing it. While being completely honest about her struggles, she shares how God has shown up in her life and brings His goodness and light into the darkest places. I loved it! This is a library book that I will add to my home collection!
Fiction: I already shared in my bookish thoughts that The Series of the Isles series was my top pick. Why? British Historical fiction. Romance. Pirate Treasure Hunts. Yep. All good reasons. Specifically, To Treasure an Heiress makes me smile. I love Theo! He cracks me up! Reading these books again has me on the edge of my seat for the final installment. I can’t wait for Worthy of Legend to arrive in my mailbox soon.

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:

• This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness by Sarah Clarkson – 5 stars
• Chosing Us: Marriage and Mutual Flourishing in a World of Difference by Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum – 3 stars
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear – 3 stars
• Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard – 3 stars
• Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard – 3 stars
• No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson PH.D. – 4 stars

Fiction:

• The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White (The Secret of the Isles Series) – 4 stars
• To Treasure an Heiress by Roseanna M. White (The Secret of the Isles Series) – 4 stars
• Renegades by Marissa Meyers (Renegades Series) – 3 stars
• Archenemies by Marissa Meyers (Renegades Series) – 3 stars
• Super Nova by Marissa Meyers (Renegades Series) – 3 stars
• What You Wish For By Katherine Center (Contemporary Romance) – 3 stars
• The Bodyguard by Katherine Center (Contemporary Romance) – 4 stars
• I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones (YA Rom Com) – 3 stars
• A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (Children’s Historical Fiction) – 4 stars
• Eloise and the Grump Next Door by Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor – 3 stars
• Love Redesigned by Jenny Proctor (Some Kind of Love Series) – 3 stars
• Love Unexpected by Jenny Proctor (Some Kind of Love Series) – 3 stars
• Love Off-Limits by Jenny Proctor (Some Kind of Love Series) – 3 stars
• Love in Bloom by Jenny Proctor (Some Kind of Love Series) – 3 stars

Bookish Thoughts for June

My non-fiction reading outweighed my fiction reading by far this month. That almost never happens! Jeremy brought home three books from work to get my feedback on. The weight of the topics this month overwhelmed my mind at times. Part of the reason I read so much non-fiction was my fiction options were low this month. Throughout the month, I wished I could set aside the non-fiction and get lost in a story instead. My fiction reading this month was solidly in the 3 star camp. There were elements to each book that I really enjoyed, but there were also elements that I didn’t enjoy. This meant that each book got an average rating. Overall, the 4 star non-fiction books listed below were the highlights of my month! I’m really hoping I can up my fiction game in July because that is truly where my bookworm heart is happiest.

Top Picks for June

Non-Fiction:
The Spiritually Vibrant Home: The Power of Messy Prayers, Loud Tables, and Open Doors by Don Everts. This book is based on Barna research (I’m a huge fan of Barna research – insert nerd emoji here). I love books full of stats, charts, and data. I enjoyed how Everts unpacked the research and applied it alongside the families in his church. This book affirmed many elements of faith we are already fostering in our home, but also inspired me to keep being intentional within the walls of our home and also in our communities.
Fiction:
Akin to Anne by L.M. Montgomery. If you’ve followed my blog for while, you know my love for L.M.M. This collection of short stories centers on orphans and the lonely finding connection and family. The tales are classic L.M.M. and I enjoyed slipping back in time to another world. These short stories were published over many years and were not originally published together. Many elements of the stories repeat themselves and can feel a bit redundant when read in a short period of time. I would recommend reading this book slowly and spread out so each story can stand on its own and not be compared with the others.

The Book List for June
 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 Whole Brained Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. – 4 stars
• Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time by Jamie C. Martin – 4 stars
• The Spiritually Vibrant Home: The Power of Messy Prayers, Loud Tables, and Open Doors by Don Everts – 4 stars
• Biblical Worldview: What it is, Why it Matters, and How to Shape the Worldview of the Next Generation by Dr. Josh Mulvihill – 3 stars
• Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words Are Vanishing–and How We Can Revive Them by Jonathan Merritt – 4 stars
• Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie – 4 stars
• On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books by Karen Swallow Prior – 3 stars
• Morning Time: A Liturgy of Love by Cindy Rollins – 3 stars
• The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our “Correct” Beliefs by Peter Enns – 4 stars
• 50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home: Raising Children to Godly Adults by Dr. Josh Mulvihill & Jen Mulvihill – 3 stars
• Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Mark A Yarhouse, PsyD – 3 stars
• Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown PhD, MSW – 3 stars

Fiction:

• Akin to Anne by L.M. Montgomery (collection of short stories) – 3 stars
• Where’d You Go Bernadette (contemporary, family fiction) by Maria Semple – 3 stars
• The Keeper of Lost Things (contemporary, British fiction) by Ruth Hogan- 3 stars
• The Bluff by Emma St. Clair (small town, rom com) – 3 stars
• By the Book (Meant to Be #2 – Modern Beauty & the Beast) by Jasmine Guillory – 3 stars
• If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be #1 – Modern Cinderella) by Julie Murphy – 3 stars