April Reading

32 When the Day Comes (Timeless #1) by Gabrielle Meyer 4/1    (print/own) ★★★★

I first heard about this book I think when it came out on the Christian Bookworm Podcast. It was a premise that intrigued me and yet it took me nearly two years to get around to reading it.  Our main character is living in two time lines, since birth (as her mother before her) she has spent one day in one path and the next in another.  Alternating between times until her 21 birthday when she must choose one.  For Libby that is 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and 1914 NYC. I very much enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the next book (currently sitting on my shelf from the library).

Only God is in control of our destiny. He alone is sovereign. When we try to control the people and events around us we are telling Him He doesn't know what's best for us. We're setting ourselves up as our own gods, elevating ourselves above Him. It's a dangerous game, Libby.

We must take whatever joy can be found from each day and not borrow tomorrow’s sorrow.

But I also know that our hopes and dreams are not always God’s. Sometimes He has a plan that looks much different from ours.

33 Sarah of Sychar by Eleanor Hunsinger    4/6    (print/own) ★★★★

My mom recommended this to me quite sometime ago for book club.  I put off choosing it because I try to find books that are easily and widely accessible, for the library etc... This one is seemed was only available through Amazon.  But I finally decided to bite the bullet and just do it.  As I nervously unveiled the next selection, one of my ladies actually gasped with delight.  A delight it turned out to be.  I very much enjoyed the story, a fictional retelling of the Woman at the Well, as well as our book club discussion this month.  I highly recommend.  

If your local to me I'm happy to lend my copy or its also available on Kindle Unlimited.

34 The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray    4/10    (kindle/library) ★★★

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 22. A Plot Similar To Another Book

MMD bookclub selection. It was a bit of a slow read but intriguing. I very much enjoyed the author talk with the bookclub.  Historical fiction based on the real life personal librarian to JP Morgan, Belle Green. Belle was actually a Black woman passing as white.

The deeper we each read, the more we would understand about this world

The quiet of the stacks wraps around me like a soft blanket. I relax into the subdued hush of patrons turning pages and the scent of leather bindings.

35 The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown    4/12    (print/library)

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 5. Magical Realism

I first heard about this on MMD spring book preview.  The main character is given a book which she discovers can turn a door into any door, transporting through distance and even time.  But there are those who would do anything to gain possession of this book.

Happiness is not something you sit and wait for. You have to choose it and pursue it in spite of everything else.

But you have to let things go or it will eat you up. Let things pass.

 

36 Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner    4/13    (kindle/library)★★★★★

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 10. Told In Non-Chronological Order
                            A to Z "O"

I picked up this one on my Kindle from the library after hearing her on WSIRN #423.  I loved every second, although some parts were hard and heartbreaking. Its such a testament to love and what a difference it makes when we have people who have our back.  Family isn't always blood.

This kind of thinking, that one person can say he or she is a better human than another, is not only cruel, it is dangerous.

People will always distrust what they don’t understand. And what they distrust, they cannot love.

“Power like that can’t be stopped,” and my own voice saying back to him, “Of course it can.” It can. It is stopped. All the time. Not with a magic wand or hopeful thoughts or wishful thinking or mere words, but with courage and resolve and the refusal to allow those without voices to remain unheard. This is what makes us sublimely human, isn’t it? Not unsullied genetic perfection, but when we stubbornly love and honor one another. Just the way we are.

A book is always in many places at once. That is its singular wonder. A book takes one voice speaking and makes it many. A book can shine far brighter and longer than I ever could on my own.

37 A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 4/23 (kindle/library) ★★★★

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 24. A Cover Without People On It

Mikayla started reading these books and has been flying through them. So I decided to give them a try. I do not read a lot of fantasy but always seem to enjoy it when I do.  I was surprised to see this book was first published in 2015- how am I nine years late to the game.  I did very much enjoy this one. I do kind of wish I had listened to the audio to get a handle on all the names! It wrapped up fairly well. I could probably be completely satisfied after reading this book but Mikayla tells me book two is better...

38 Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer    4/24    (ebook/library) ★★★

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 12. Starting With The Letter "L"

A fun, cheesy and quirky romcom. Fake dating trope, Charlotte, outdoors hater ends up on a 500 mile tandem bicycle trip with her ex-fiancé's brother.

"What? After all the heckling you just gave me?"
"You know heckling is my love language."

 

39 He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado    4/25    (ebook/hoopla) ★★★

I started reading this during lent. Did not finish it before it automatically returned. I was nearly finished and finally decided to borrow it again so I could knock it off my "currently reading" list - which sometimes is ridiculously long. Especially when I go through a serial starter phase like I did this month (starting a bunch of books depending on my mood :P ).

This is an easy read but great reminder of Jesus sacrifice which we can all to often take for granted.

Can you be more saved than you were the first day of your salvation? No. But can a person grow in salvation? Absolutely. It, like marriage, is a done deal and a daily development.

You and I are commanded—not urged, commanded—to keep no list of wrongs.

As hard as it is to believe, you could be only a Saturday away from a resurrection.  You could be only hours from that precious prayer of a changed heart, "God, did you do this for me?"

40 James by Percival Everett    4/26    (print/library)★★★★

This is a retelling of the classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told from the perspective of Jim. It was very interesting and now I feel I need to read Huck Finn to compare the stories.

“We're slaves. We're not anywhere. Free person, he can be where he wants to be. The only place we can ever be is in slavery.”

I did not look away. I wanted to feel the anger. I was befriending my anger, learning not only how to feel it, but perhaps how to use it.

sidenote: I have a very old copy of Huck Finn, pilfered from my grandparents house when we were cleaning it out- copyright 1918

41 Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci    4/27    (audio/library)★★★

I have been a fan of Stanley Tucci since I saw him play Julia Childs husband in Julie and Julia. One of my favorite movies, loved the book as well. So I was excited to listen to this book read by Stanly Tucci himself. It was a very interesting look at his life, very little was actually said about his acting.  Much more about his childhood and love of food and cooking.

42 Redemption (Baxter #1)by Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley    4/30    (ebook/library)

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 31. Includes A Personal Phobia
                            50 States: Indiana

I was not ready for this book.  Holy moly. 😭😭😭  First off the main story line is infidelity not something I enjoy reading about.  But FOMO and the fact the this book series has been made into a TV series on prime had me giving it ago. Saturday I was vacillating between wanting to binge and find out everything will be ok or just setting it aside and skipping to the next one. But this is a Karen Kingsbury book so everything was not necessarily ok.  It did not end the way I had hoped. Cue tears. I can kind of see why she did and am curious to see how this story line plays out... but I'm still mad about it. I am wanting to read more and find out what happens next with the Baxter Family.

It was the kind of guilt that chafed him and made him wonder if Kari was praying for him.

Whatever your trouble, you're doing the right thing.  God can clean up even the worst problems, you know?  Your marriage could be better than you ever dreamed, better than before this happened."  She squeezed Kari's hand.  "Don't give up, Kari.  Please." 

New steps. That's what it amounted to. The two of them were learning the steps that would bring them together, a dance that would take them into forever. A dance that could be nothing less than God's plan for their lives.

The truth was this: Love is a decision.

Total: 11   2024: 42

Kindle/Ebook: 6      Print: 4     Audio: 1

Library: 9  Owned: 2

Favorite:  Only the Beautiful

50 States: Indiana (34/50) 

52 Bookclub: (20/52)

A-Z Challenge: (12/26)

Some other things and last night's run

Friday morning on my way to work I saw a full rainbow arching over the road. 

Friday night I finally got my hair cut- it feels so much better.  I can't make it look as good as Erin but am still feeling happy about it.

 Our bathroom progress! Its coming along.  He's hoping to do the floor this weekend.

I finished this book on Saturday morning- a 5 ☆ read. I have loved every Susan Meissner book I have read.  Although I think A Fall for Marigolds is my favorite so far.  Which interesting I gave 4☆ back in 2019.  But given I'm still thinking about it 5 years later maybe it deserves a re-read and bump up to 5? 

I picked up this one on my Kindle from the library after hearing her on WSIRN #423.  I loved every second, although some parts were hard and heartbreaking. Its such a testament to love and what a difference it makes when we have people who have our back.  Family isn't always blood.

I was so looking forward to last night's run. Spoiler alert- it did not go as I had hoped.

First off I got to the canal and my earbuds were dead. Then my watch didn't want to link up- it finally did. But I didn't charge it either so it was at 12% and I wasn't sure it was going to hold out.  There were also two geese sauntering along the path which almost made me go the other way- but the other way seemed more crowded and people-y.  So I just gave them as wide a berth as possible.

About half a mile in I felt like I was choking on mucus and my nose started running.  I was coughing so hard and ended up walking for a good while feeling pretty frustrated and discouraged. 

As I was approaching this bridge I decided to sprint as hard as I could, which ended up being about 30 seconds 😅 but it made me feel better. I walked across the bridge- something I never done despite the countless times I have run by it. I took a break and looked at the sky.

I decided to keep on trying the sprint thing on my way back.  And then finished the last 3/4 mile running pretty steady.  It made me feel good. 

Home- I made chicken green bean stir fry which was easy and pretty delicious. I wished it was more saucy but overall pretty good.  We served it with rice, eggrolls and cream cheese wantons from Aldi.  This recipe is from the Passionate Penny Pincher Whole Foods Box or PDF in my case :P I have all her menu plan PDFs and I highly recommend. 

yum

Happy Tuesday! 💖

Good Samaritan Recap

 I was dismayed after 70 degree weather this past week to come to the realization it was going to be cold, rainy and at times very windy on Saturday morning. Per usual I spent some time agonizing over what and how many layers to wear for Saturday mornings run.  I laid out my clothes on the kitchen table to make getting ready easier in the morning.

It was so cold. 37 degrees. Rain, that I think wanted to be snow and when the wind kicked up it was so awful. We laughed through it though.

As I was leaving I got a text the Mikayla and Dylan were on their way! This would be Mikayla's 2nd 5K race.

I easily made it to the event, parked and waited in my car until Mikayla texted asking where I was. I met her at her car and we walked towards packet pick up. There we ran into my brother, sister in law and three of the nephews.  The youngest two were doing the kid sprint.

Soon it was time for the kid run.  We lined up to cheer them on.  Sammy was raring to go, Greyson was less than enthused.

I love this one with Nathan smiling down at Sam

Greyson was flying!

Sam is pretty proud of his Winner Medal ;)

We went back to the car to warm up for a few minutes before the start.  Sadly we waited too long and the 10K was starting as we walked back to the start line so we missed seeing Becca start, I feel pretty bad about that.  Mikayla and I lined up- looking around at the meager crowd.  She exclaimed over a couple girls wearing shorts.

Start line photos- it felt like there were like 7 people ahead of us.

Start line selfie! SO COLD! 

And then we were off!

It starts off with a fairly big hill but then cuts over to the canal path and is realtivly flat. Mikayla did great. I'm so proud of her for showing up and finishing!

We saw one of my running coaches Lauren around the 5K turn around (she was doing the 10K and took 3rd place in women overall!)

After the turn around the wind smacked us in the face. As we neared the water stop I asked Mikayla if she wanted water- but she said she just wanted to keep going. And she laughingly told the volunteers she had enough water 💦 in her shoes! 😂 I enthusiastically thanked the volunteers and waved even though we didn't stop.

There was a medical emergency at the finish line just before we arrived- which was scary and sad.  We quickly moved out of the way for the ambulance and emergency workers that were arriving. I thought of that man often throughout the rest of the day and said many prayers.  I hope I will hear that he is ok.

We found a diner to have some brunch after.

That hot cup of coffee felt like heaven.

I absolutely love the shirts this year!

I know I'll never place in a race, I'll probably never place even in my age group.  Sometimes I feel frustrated and discouraged.  But I keep reminding myself that's not why I run.  It makes me feel strong, healthy and happy as I said last time.  And getting to run with people I love makes it even better.  I would rather run with someone I care about than race for a PR any day of the week. 

I am so excited for our next race in May.  Its another one of my favorite local runs!  Mikayla, Dylan and my sister are signed up! I am giddily excited for this day.

Looking for the good...

I've been feeling a little bit grumbly and frustrated this week.  I'm looking for the good and trying to pull myself out of my grouchiness.

Last night was our run club- I was very frustrated for a myriad of reasons that I will not go into but am trying to go with the mindset- I showed up. I was outside. I moved my body. And count it as a win.

Monday was the Solar Eclipse! Where we live was in the path of totality and I guess it was a pretty big deal.  My office even closed for half a day which I was shocked by but so happy to go home early!

A friend had an extra pair of eclipse glasses which I happily stopped by for on my way home.

Honestly the eclipse was not something I thought I even cared about. But turns out I did.  Even though at eclipse time the sky turned cloudy and overcast.  So we couldn't see to much of it.  But Hannah and I sat out on the steps anyway and took in the event.

The pups also enjoyed some time outside before hand.

It also tickled me that the point of totality was 3:24!! (My birthday!)

This picture was taken at 3:24

Tuesday was my church book club.  We had a new person join which made me so happy! I look forward to meeting her in person on Sunday and getting to know her better.

This month we read Sarah of Sychar. It is a fictional story of the woman at the well.  Tuesday morning my bible plan took me to John 4 which "just happens" to be the story of the woman at the well.  It felt so serendipitous. 

I'm also thankful for my sister. She is definitely my people.  We think so similarly and she constantly encourages and challenges me.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow and an eye appointment on Tuesday. I'm very much looking forward to some new glasses and hopefully contacts again.

I'm looking forward to the Good Samaritan Run on Saturday. I am just going to show up, do my best and remind myself that I'm doing it for me. That running makes me feel happy, healthy and strong. 

The best news of all! My best friend's husband has been having some gall bladder related problems and just before his scheduled surgery to remove it the medical professionals decided he needed further screenings and tests to rule out cancer.  What a scary thing! Well our church family was praying hard and yesterday I learned he does NOT have cancer! My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for my friend and her family. Hallelujah and AMEN! 

God is good. Enjoy today friends. <3 Look for Delight.

March Reading

21 Memory Lane by Becky Wade 3/4 (audio/hoopla)

Challenges Met: A to Z- "M"

I read this because I heard the author on a podcast talking about the follow up book Rocky Road. But since that was the 2nd in the series of course I had to read this one first.  Our protagonist Remy, lives on a rather secluded island off the coast of Maine, one day she spots a man who appears to be  drowning some ways out in the sea.  She rescues him, bringing him back to her home. When he wakes up has no memory of who he is.

The cruelest trick of motherhood was that your children exhausted you when they were small . . . which hindered your ability to appreciate them at that age as much as you should. She deeply appreciated them at that age now.

22 Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff  3/6 (kindle/library)

Challenges Met: A to Z- "T"

A fun rom com. I think I saw it on Instagram and the cover called to me.  Just looking at it makes me happy.  The main character is an aspiring chef in NYC.

“Look,” he says quietly. “Cooking is more than just following a recipe. It’s also about instinct and intuition. It needs to come from here.” He gestures toward my stomach. “In your gut.”

I groan. It’s finally Friday, and there’s nothing I’d enjoy more than ending the week with Food Network and Chinese takeout. But it’s not so much an invitation as a demand. If I know Ali, she’ll lovingly hound me until I give in. It’s the price I pay for keeping the company of extroverts. “Sure,” I reply, hoping my smile covers the flatness of my voice. “I just need to run home and change.”

23 The Tangled Tale of the Woolgathering Castoffs by Sharon J. Mondragón    3/7    (print/own)

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 15. Part Of A Duology

I was anticipating this book so much! I pre ordered it and could not wait to read.  A follow up to my beloved The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady.  It did not disappoint. Some characters from the first book make cameo appearances but we are also introduced to a whole new cast of characters. Again reminding us of the importance of prayer and community. If this author writes another I will be first in line to read.  I don't have any quotes because I lent out the book before I wrote any down :P

24 The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron    3/12    (print/own)★★★

Challenges Met: 52 Bookclub 45. Chapter Headings Have Dates

Our Church book club selection. I enjoyed it and enjoyed our book club chat even more.  I didn't feel that it had much faith content, but it was an engaging, clean story.  I found myself googling a lot to see pictures of the big top and the circus train.

We can’t do anything to make up for our transgressions. There must be grace to cover them—no matter what they are or how deep they run within us. Grace has to be stronger.

 We only see what we want to see—in people, in love, and in life. What we see is a choice, as is what we offer the world in return. And it’s only behind the costumes and the masks that we can be who we truly are.

25 Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason    3/13    (kindle/library)★★★★

Challenges Met:  52 Bookclub 7. At Least Four Different POV

I read this because it was the March Selection for Christian Fiction Devourers Group on Goodreads.  I very much enjoyed it.  It is not set in Ireland as the title would suggest but on a horse farm on Long Island called Irish Meadows, in the early 1900s.

armed with her Bible and a book from her father’s library, Brianna reveled in the sunshine pouring in through the parlor windows at her back,

Sometimes love catches you off guard.

She scowled at him. “How do you always stay so calm?” Amusement softened his eyes to melted chocolate. “The blessing of an easygoing nature . . . and a wagon-load of prayer.”

26 The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy    3/15    (kindle/library)★★★

A twisty, page turner I read for book club. Told from multiple perspectives. A group of "May Mothers" who have become a support group of sorts due to the connection of all having babies born the same month. They decided to have a mom's night out, on that evening one of the newborns goes missing while in the care of a babysitter.

It’s no wonder I eventually started loathing them. Really, who can stand to listen to that level of certainty? To sit through the judgment?

But she’s too afraid. Afraid that if she begins, she’ll start to cry and never stop, that she’ll be swallowed by her sadness, her fear, how overwhelmed she is, how certain she is that everything she has is slipping away.

How fast the time goes. That’s what people were always telling us, at least; the strangers’ hands on our bellies, saying how careful we must be to enjoy the time. How it’ll all be over in a blink of an eye. How before we know it, they’ll be walking, talking, leaving us.

27 A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason    3/20    (kindle/library)★★★★

This is the sequel to Irish Meadows and enjoyed it just as much. 

She pushed aside the brief tug of melancholy and turned her focus to the beauty that surrounded her, strolling down the maze of paths until she came to a bench in a more secluded area. She sat down, content to breathe in the comforting scents of grass and budding roses while the sun warmed her face.

The only thing I was to rescue is your soul. Don't let this misfortune define you, Adam. Trust God to help you pick up the pieces and carry on. He won't forsake you.

You’d be amazed at what a little prayer can do.

28 The People We Keep by Allison Larkin    3/20    (audio/library)★★★★★

Challenges Met:  52 Bookclub 3. More Than 40 Chapters

I listened to this because my sister recommended it and it was read by Julia Whelan one of my favorite narrators.  It was so good! Although it pains me to classify something set in the 1990's as historical fiction! This is a coming of age, found family story. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. I'll be thinking about April and Margo and Carly and Max and Ethan for a long times and wondering what they are up to now.

And it makes me want to go to Ithaca which is actually not far from here- relatively speaking. (Future sister coffee date?)

I say that it’s amazing how much you can miss people you only got to be with for one tiny little perfect bit of time; how a place where you barely got to live can be the closest thing you’ve ever had to home.

I wonder if maybe all you do is meet people and lose them. And their smile fades the further you go, because you have to carry the space they leave.... And maybe the space gets bigger and heavier every year.

 I see a sign for Asheville, North Carolina, and decide to go, because everyone says Asheville is like Ithaca but bigger. Because of all the places I’ve been, Ithaca is my favorite and I can’t go back.

29    Shark Heart by Emily Habeck 3/23    (print/own)

I spent a bit of this book not really enjoying it but for some reason could not bring myself to DNF- all the while writing a scathing review in my head.  But then... the last third got me, the last chapter in particular.

 It's such a weird premise. In their first year of marriage Lewis discovers he is mutating into a Great White Shark. And yes the first half or so is as weird and dis-settling as it seems.  But then I almost think I enjoyed Lewis more as a shark :P

“They say the first year of marriage is the hardest," she said at last as she squeezed his hand.

AM SO LONELY HERE, Lewis screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed and screamed. But no one heard him. No one came.

30 If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer    3/28    (ebook/hoopla)

I heard the author talking about this book on a podcast and it intrigued me enough to immediately check it out on hoopla.  It is a western retelling of Cinderella. It was fun and heartwarming with faith threads woven throughout. 

Galloping geese.  What was he doing? He was needed to be spending less time with this woman, not more. But when her eyes lit with hope, he knew he was done for.

The Johnsons had to be in their forties, maybe even fifties, yet they acted like a newly courting couple.  What must it be like to share that kind of closeness with someone for so many years?

"I shall not die," she whispered, "but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

31 We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange    3/28    (audio/library)★★★★

This was the March selection for the MMD Book club.  I had previously read it in 2022. I remembered liking it ok but not loving it.  I did not plan to reread it but listened to the author talk.  Which in turn made me want to revisit the book- so I listened to the audio this time and very much enjoyed it.

Family didn’t mean hiding the hard stuff from each other, it meant facing it together. And it meant forgiving each other.

“Do you know how long I waited for you to come back?”

“Probably as long as I waited for you to come after me.”

Total:  11     2024:  31 

Kindle/Ebook:  5 Print:  3  Audio: 3

Library: 8  Owned: 3

Favorite:  The People We Keep (I purchased the paperback on our sister coffee date)

50 States: no new states this month :/

52 Bookclub: 14/52

A-Z Challenge: 13/26