2019 Year in Review + Favorites Awards!

I guess I have myself pretty well pegged by now, as I completed exactly the amount of books I set out for myself in 2019, which was 24 books.  That was more than I had read in the previous 4 years, so hooray for me! 😀  Do you reach any reading milestones?

I read some great Christian living non-fiction books this year, tried a lot of new-to-me authors, did some rereading and even stepped out into the cozy mystery genre a few times.  I also decided to quit my third-party book selling on Amazon, and haven’t been attending as many used book sales.  That freed up more space around here for my ever-growing home library.  I now have two half shelves of space (but not for long)!

This is the part of the show where I say “This is the part of the show where I answer silly questions with silly titles from silly (or not so silly) books…”  I play this every year and it’s a real blast!  This year, there’s a few more questions thrown in.  I will try not to repeat:

Describe yourself:  “This Is My Body,” by Ragan Sutterfield

Describe where you currently live:  “Uncle Sam’s Plantation,” by Star Parker

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:  “Ashenden,” by Elizabeth Wilhide

Your favourite form of transportation: “Slow,” by Brooke McAlary

What’s the weather like:  “Rhythms of Rest,” by Shelly Miller

You and your friends are: “Between Us Girls,” by Sally John

You fear:  “The End of Law,” by Therese Down

What is the best advice you have to give: “The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success,” by Wayne Breitbarth

Thought for the day: “Distinctly You,” by Cheryl Martin

My soul’s present condition: “Seated with Christ,” by Heather Holleman

How I would like to die:  “Love’s Awakening,” by Laura Frantz

2019 can be summed up as: “Respect for Acting,” by Uta Hagen

If you looked under my couch you would see: “The Shape of Sand,” by Marjorie Eccles

At a party you’d find me (with/in etc.): “The Country Beyond,” by James Oliver Curwood

At the end of a long day I need: “The Enchanted Hour,” by Meghan Cox Gurdon

My fantasy job is (to be): “Million Dollar Baby,” by Amy Patricia Meade

To fight zombies, I’d arm myself with: “The Woman in White,” by Wilkie Collins

A happy day includes: —-

On my bucket list is/are: “The Fortunes of Captain Blood,” by Rafael Sabatini

If I was competing in the 2020 Japan Olympics/Paralympics, my chosen sport would be: “Rooted,” by Banning Liebscher

Almost filled in all the blanks!  It’s more fun when you have a longer list of titles to work with.  What would your answers be?

Arranged by category, my 2019 Favorites Awards are as follows:

2019 Most Admirable Heroine- The best thing is that this book was based on the true life story of Elizabeth Keckly, who served as fashion seamstress to many of Washington D.C.’s elite, and the official dressmaker of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Her story doesn’t stop at the White House, though. As she faces many trials throughout her life, she exudes loyalty, resourcefulness, independence and strength.

2019 Most Thought-Provoking- I read this early on in the year, but the ramifications were far-reaching because I’m still making a weekly effort to rest, adjusting and readjusting the details to do it well. I also have followed up the book by subscribing to the author’s newsletters.

2019 Best Non-Fiction- It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to an audiobook, and the author was well directed in her reading. I listened like it was a podcast and took scads of notes because her research and facts were so interesting.

2019 Best Romance- A girl, a lawbreaker, and a dog… Will love or justice win?

2019 Most Resonated With- All my life I have spent comparing myself to others and wanting perfection. I needed such an encouraging read.

2019 Best Drama; 2019 Most Admirable Hero; 2019 Best Villain; 2019 Best Story Plot; 2019 Most Fun Read- There’s so much contained in this masterpiece. The characters were memorable; the suspense fantastic! Walter Hartright wins as hero of the year, sacrificing his immediate happiness for the love of his heart. On the flip side, Count Fosco gets my vote for best villain. The psychological thrills are plenty!

2019 Most Beautifully Written; 2019 Best Atmosphere- Mervyn Peake is simply the best. Settings and characters, sometimes seemingly without a reason for their existence but simply for the beauty of the idea of the thing and the words used to describe them.

2019 Best Humor- Sigmund Brouwer got my funny bone when I read his books as a kid and continues to strike me funny. Although a little weak in plot, the characters and witty banter was very entertaining!

What fiction book won my heart this year?…

#2 in the Gormenghast Series was just so much fun to read and though some books may come and go, not many leave such an impression as the world Mervyn Peake created, on the edge of insanity and pure bliss.

Here’s to another wonderful year of reading; may it be informative and full of wonder and imagination!

 

Random Books Post: Wrapping Up from 2019

I’ll be posting soon with my New Year’s Looking Back & Looking Forward posts, but I wanted to get this random book stack catalogued and onto my shelves first.  Not all of these will live with me for a long time, but some of these just came into my hands and I thought I’d rather read them or look at them as not.

Contemplative Christianity… I’m (usually) in.

I have happy memories of reading this series when I was around 8 years old.

Vintage book which also came with The Heart of Midlothian.

Sequel to “Kidnapped.”

Wish my copy was this pretty.

I am definitely making room for reading this book this year!

My series collection is complete!

Such beautiful pictures!

Interesting coffee table book.

An unusual acquistion for me as I usually don’t read contemporary secular memoirs. But I’m curious.

One of my favorite subjects. Life is in the details!

In honor of my own dear Raggedy Ann.

Seeking to eat healthier…

I don’t come from a liturgical church background and just would like to know more.

Because I’m not.

I’m not sure if I’ll like this one or not, but Terry Kay has been catching my attention.

This is Part 1.

A Christian novel about Godiva? Hmm… Author’s family history tied into it has me intrigued.

To healthify my second brain.

Oooh! I can’t wait to read this!

Really?! Okay!

I’m not a huge fan of Yancey’s style, but the subject of this has me interested.

I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but these books are intriguing. They are a sort of mixed media epistolary.

I loved this book years ago!

Not sure if I’ll glean anything from this, but it was free.

Not sure why a man finished writing this.

Reference for later.

You just don’t find these books every day.

Well, when the books were basically .05 a piece, I couldn’t very well leave it behind.

Seeking to understand the British way of life and mentality.

I am now the proud owner of a Cook’s Illustrated tome.

For when I run out of intellectual stimulation.

Why not?

Interested in making my gut happy.

I’m amazed at the wonder of paper craft and hope I can make my own creations some day.

My precious!

Quentin Schultz’ forward hooked me here.

So glad to find this classic!

I’ve parted with my LOR series, but I do keep on a few of Tolkien’s minor works.

Will be a short look-through.

This looks to be a later and better edition that the one I originally read.

Interested in hearing his theological argumentation.

Want to read more about my dear old homestate!

I have never heard of this author but the book looks so interesting.

Disappointed to find a serious crack in this spine. 😦

Right up my alley!

I was so happy to come across a few Raggedy Ann books at the book sale.

 

Random Books Post: To Be or Not to Be

I’m ready to get this newest stack out of the way so I can actually see the floor, so time for another random books post:

2 Corinthians- More Wiersbe!

This cool find has patterns for all different sorts of stuffies.

A rare find and immediately went into my bag.

#2 in the Caleb series.

I’ve always thought it would be fun to create pop-up cards and designs. Detailed paper art has fascinated me since my art teacher introduced us in kindergarten.

I’ve heard so much about this classic. Glad it’s got illustrations, too.

I think my series is not complete.

I’m looking forward to this. It’s hard to eat right when you’re on a budget. How do you pick and choose what’s most important?

Philippians- I’m sure this is the one my Dad had.

Acts 1- 12- No spineless, brainless Christians allowed!

Might get some good narration tips from it.

I’m not sure how much I want to read this book, to be honest. Maybe it’s better if I just don’t know.

Unfortunately, this cute little book is showing serious signs of mold which I didn’t see when I bought at the sale. I will probably deconstruct it just for the illustrations by Tasha Tudor.

Isaiah- Not weary of Wiersbe!

John 13-21- What good is the Christian life if nothing changes?

Luke 1-13- The original WWW boom. 🙂

1 John- What the world needs.

To file beside my “How to Read Novels Like a Professor”.

1 & 2 Thessalonians- Building up my Wiersbe library. He’s the best.

Acts 13-28- Guess who?

Was happy to find this one!

Colossians -A lesson I’ve been trying to soak in lately.

Nice cover; still haven’t read this author yet.

Don’t worry, I haven’t gone off the deep end. This is just another one of those books I’m curious what other people believe.

This book is more for musicians and probably a bit dated, but I am hoping to get some good tips out of it for my audio projects anyhow.

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Summer 2019)

Strong, simple, sassy female writers this summer!

Distinctly You, by Cheryl Martin~ I had never heard of this author among the Christian living books before but the subtitle, “Trading Comparison and Competition for Freedom and Fulfillment” spoke to me.  I am not half finished with it yet but I am finding the simple prose and reflection super helpful.  It has already begun turning over some rocks in my life for God to work more healing.  I appreciate that Cheryl Martin is so honest with her life and never paints a picture of a spiritual person who has it all together.  You can check more of her quiet, precise voice in the following videos: 

Part 1 / Part 2 

The Money Plan for the Young, Fabulous and Broke, by Suze Orman~ I’m one who finds Dave Ramsey a bit too intimidating for me.  This was a freebie book that I picked up as a breakfast read.  What had I to lose?  An older book (pub. 2004), it’s advice is still classic.  The book is written for an audience in their 20’s, but she includes readers who are a little older and late-but-better-than-never to the party (like me).  Suze has a fun, simple style that doesn’t turn condescending and that is refreshing!  I found her explanations of things like Roth IRA’s easier to understand than a Dummy’s Guide to Investing I had tried to read earlier.  One of my pet peeves about financial advisors is boiling their message down to: “Just don’t eat out so much!”– as though all people who are broke are so because they visit McDonald’s every week.  It’s annoying and assumptive.  But Orman doesn’t get that way.  This book is a keeper and I would like to check out more of her stuff.  So if you think you’ve tried financial guidebooks before and gave up, maybe you should give one of her books a try. 

 

Non-Fiction Books I’m Liking (Winter 2018-19)

I was feeling very stressed during the last few months of 2018.  I don’t do well with rush, pressure, deadlines, and then trying to enjoy the holidays on top of it all.  Looking back over my year, I can tell there were areas where I wanted become more organized and less of a workaholic and so I determined my New Year’s resolution would be to learn to breathe.  These two books were the beginning of my foray into learning to live more intentionally… 

Rhythms of Rest, by Shelly Miller~ I do not feel like I do Sunday well.  I’m not sure where I go wrong, but I thought perhaps relearning what the Sabbath is all about and building upon those spiritual roots were the way to go.  There were dozens of books I could have chosen to read on this subject, but this was the one I started with.  I found Shelly’s voice very soothing and gentle, with a lovely poetic turn to it.  She definitely put forth a convincing perspective on spending slow, fun time with God.  I also enjoyed reading about her family’s journey toward their calling to move to England.  I could relate to some of her trials and it gave the book a type of plot instead of being completely a how-to book.  One thing I wish the author would have discussed more in depth, instead of waiting until the very last chapter, was about how Christ is our Sabbath rest every day of the believer’s life, not just on Sundays (although, it is a holy day set apart as special).  But after I finished the book, I went online to subscribe to her email newsletter called Sabbath Society because I could use a little present of encouragement in this direction now and then. 

Slow, by Brooke McAlary~ This book was just sitting out on the New Arrival shelf at our library and it was calling my name.  I took it home with me and have been slowly reading it since the beginning of the year.  It’s a delightful read.  The author has a great sense of humor imparting little bits of wisdom she’s learned over the years that make her life full of what really matters and less filled with stressed.  Since her years of struggling with deep depression, Brooke has developed a more flexible way of living that includes what she calls ‘wobbly balance’ (my favorite chapter!).  She started by writing out her imaginary eulogy!  From there she took baby steps to live more intentionally.  I took lots of notes!  It was also fun to read during breakfast because it is broken up into short, readable pieces with fun pictures, diagrams and lists.  Her metaphoric word pictures help convey her ideas and they have helped me to relax just a little bit easier and to let go of some of the guilt and perfectionism.  We could all benefit by doing the same, so let this book show you how! 

 

Random Books Post: End of Year Hurrah

Hello, and a Merry Christmas to you all!  You will find my latest treasures I’ve lately found at library bag sales and castoffs from our church library renovation.

My favorite movie! I can’t believe I my good fortune in finding it so cheaply.

I’m always agonizing over my purpose in life.

I’ve been interested in this book ever since we borrowed from a friend for homeschooling. Now I have my own (if warped) copy!

A great New Year’s read.

I read this book many years ago and was impressed. In the new year, I think I need to revisit his advice.

This book was recently recommended to me by a friend.

I forgot I got this, so I will now have to put it out to decorate with. 🙂

I know I’ve raved about this book lots of times on this blog and it has inspired my “Characters We Can Learn From” Series. Now that the church has unfortunately purged it, it’s come home to my library.

It was… until the wind “farms” destroyed it.

I have never read anything from Luci Swindoll, but she seems to be an appealing author to me. I’ve been picking up some of her stuff recently.

I think this just about completes my Lindbergh diary canon.

Another book on generosity I’ve been wanting to read.

Love Adams! I’m collecting anything I see by him.

Weird cover, but I would like to read more about wise ways to be generous.

Another of my favorite movies! Beautiful photographs and I loved reading about the costumes and research that went into it. Rene Zellweger made great attempts to portray the spirit of Beatrix Potter. I say she succeeded.

I have wanted a Sherlock Holmes set with the original Strand illustrations FOR YEARS! Although I was disappointed this wasn’t a complete compilation, I was happy it contain most of the short stories and of course, the black and white illustrations.

I love to read about homemaking, but I don’t know if this will provide anything “new.”

Have been interested in Julia Child the person ever since Julie and Julia.

 

 

Random Books: Towering Stack

I love processing through my latest towering stack of new books.  By the time I get around to doing it, I’d forgotten what books I’d bought and it’s like Christmas all over again!

A Christian classic that I want near because you just never know…

A cookbook that features the words: enchanting, dainties, French, Middle Eastern, Indian, Scottish… !!!!!!!

I’m not sure I was aware that L. M. Montgomery wrote an autobiography. Just had to pick it up at the bag sale.

TBR

Stuffed this into a bag sale. Still not sure what this yet, but it looks like a craft book right up my alley! I can’t wait!

Looks interesting…

This was a rare find. I saw this recommended on a book blog I used to follow years ago and have always wanted to get my hands on it.

How can you pass up a cookbook with a title such as this?

I’ve always wanted to read a book on this subject that wasn’t too intellectually over my head. We shall see.

This vintage classic has been on my TBR and I keep seeing it floating around at book sales. I finally broke down and bought it.

I don’t take this title seriously. But I have heard it highly praised on some of the entrepreneur youtube channels I follow.

Growing up, our family didn’t have the latest in entertainment. But we had a tape recorder and a radio and often listened to old radio programs like Suspense, The Whistler, and Burns and Allen. I would love to read about the differences between past and present ways of “listening”.

I loved Freeman’s book, “Simply Tuesday.” I believe this is her first published book.

I’ve enjoyed listening to Glenn Beck on the air in the past. This looks like an interesting plot. I don’t know how I’ll like his fiction, so I’m sampling.

Mmm… What could be better?

Has picture of vintage microphone on front cover. Might come in handy for VO marketing purposes in future…

Obvious reasons.

I’ve been on LinkedIn for a while, but it’s tricky to know how to utilize well. Looking for some help.

I didn’t grow up in a liturgical church, so the religious calendar was not in my realm of knowledge. But I would love to devote a year to delving into Lent, Advent, etc.

#3 in the Ghormenghast series.

There are a lot of different beliefs out there. Do you know what you believe and why? Do you have friends or family getting involved in something “off”? A great reference to have on hand…

This is a keeper. I read it years ago when it first came out. The only drawback is that it can become a horror story for folks like me with OCD for real.

I haven’t opened this book yet, but just the title and cover have me intrigued. I just stuffed it into my bag at the tail end of a book sale.

For someone who wants to get into the entertainment industry + someone who turns everything into a theology… Perfect!

Our family has a story like this in it’s history, too. I would like to know more about the time period in which this sometimes happened.

I don’t know how good at this I’ll be, but it looks fun to try.

An early entry in my TBR notebook.

I just love books that give you delightful thrills when you read the book blurb. One of those.

Listening to an interview with the author on the radio was AMAZING! Finding his book was a gem.

A small, older book, but one I think I can follow along with. There are many out there that are too advanced for me.

I’ve been wanting to read this book for so long!

I love this artist’s makeup ability and style.

A thick tome to add to my Lindbergh diaries.

Another book not to worry about with me. How am I to understand erroneous viewpoints if I don’t know a thing about them?

Don’t worry. This is one of those books I occasionally collect to figure out what acquaintances of mine believe.

I like to prayer-doodle, and am also interested in illumination as an art form. I would love to combine both using this lovely how-to guide on Celtic art. Oh, the things I could create!

Oh! Oh! Yes, I need this book!

There was a time in my past where this true. And I think we all go through periods time and again. I want to have this on hand.

At first I was wary of this title, but then after looking closer I realized it was about the literary masterpiece of the Bible itself. Fascinating!

One of the select crafts I’m interested in is felting. I have the felt, now I just need to know how to use it!

 

 

 

Non-fiction Books I’m Liking (Fall 2018)

I’m seeing a Japanese theme here, aren’t you?  Enjoy these Asian-rooted books with me this autumn!

The Four Holy Gospels, illustrated by Makoto Fujimura ~ The first time I heard of Makoto Fujimura was on a late Moody radio program.  ‘A Christian abstract artist?  That just can’t be!’ I thought.  I’m not sure how, but somewhere along the way I picked up the thinking that modern art was completely anti-God, anti-Christian and anything that didn’t at least try to look realistic had its basis in evil worldviews.  Thank goodness God’s mellowed me out since then, and I guess the process is ongoing!  For those who may be struggling with this idea that abstract can be glorifying to God, I recommend Francis Schaeffer’s short work, “Art and the Bible.” In any case, I became curious enough to look up this deeply spiritual Asian-American online to see what his art looked like.  I was astounded.  I don’t pretend to understand high art.  I need those trained in it to help me understand it.  But I appreciated the beauty and emotion he infused with traditional Japanese painting techniques to create beautiful washes of color with veins of metallic running through them.  I heard that he was commissioned to illustrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, rather like the medieval illumination of old.  I’ve always wanted to see it, and I finally got the chance.  I wish there was more explanation accompanying his paintings and why he chose what he did (as a lot of it goes over my head), but I loved looking at it nonetheless.  My favorite piece was the full-page illustration, Prodigal God.  I would like to own my own copy someday. 

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo ~ Spring cleaning… in the fall?  I know, that doesn’t seem to make much sense, does it?  But I’ve always felt more like the fall was a second New Year’s for me, a time to hit restart and a chance to attempt more order.  And as alluded to in a recent post, I’ve been feel overwhelmed and stressed out for a long time and my systems aren’t working.  So I need a change.  I found this book at a garage sale and knew that it was a popular, best-selling book.  I’d first heard of the KonMari method of organizing on a youtube video where a woman went through her wardrobe cleaning and sorting according to what she had read in the book.  And then I just started of hearing it everywhere.  Last year I redded [yes, that is a word even though spellcheck says it’s not] my book collection to purge what I didn’t have room for anymore.  I was pleased with the results, but I really needed to read through this cover to cover.  So, I am currently about halfway through and am enjoying this little book.  So much of what the author recommends seems backward to what I was thinking, but once she explains herself it begins to make sense and I am willing to try.  I have already gone through my own clothes closet and am now to attack books again (I acquire new all the time) and papers.  I want to begin to put her principles into my daily living, not just a once a year mad purge.  I know she comes to the table with a very Eastern spiritualistic worldview.  Some readers may feel weird about Kondo’s assigning personalities to things and talking to them, thanking them for their service.  But at the same time, I identify with that because of my struggles with OCD.  So even though I personally don’t believe my Mom’s 34-year old blender that she got as a wedding present and that is now out of commission has a spirit, it is easier to place it in the dumpster after I’ve given it a dignified “thank you for your service” speech.   

 

 

Non-fiction Books I’m Liking (Summer 2018)

The human world is marvelous and dangerous at the same time.  Time to learn about ourselves, and take more precautions and self-care than just slapping on the SPF this summer!

Think Before You Like: Social Media’s Effect on the Brain and the Tools You Need to Navigate Your Newsfeed, by Gup P. Harrison ~ We live in a scary world, but the internet is a whole ‘nother ballgame.  I’m not one of those sorts to take risqué pictures– of say, their feet– and post them on the internet.  But I do need to be aware of who is out there prowling for my information, how they do it, and why they do it.  This, so I can be a critical thinker and make conscious decisions about what I post and why.  So, when I saw this book displayed at the library, I checked it out immediately.  One thing I appreciated about it is that the author handles lots of information in a reader-friendly format.  The last book I read on the realities of the modern tech world (The Aisles Have Eyes, by Joseph Turow—which I do recommend) was not so accessible for the average layman like me.  I felt it went as deep as one could wish into the subject matter.  If you are on the internet (which you probably are if you’re reading my blog), you need to be informed about what you’re *really* doing to yourself.  Big Brother isn’t coming—it’s already here.  The author says he isn’t for urging paranoia, however I felt paranoid.  If you are apt to worry yourself sick, I wouldn’t recommend this.  For all other citizens of planet earth, please stop the self-delusion and rid yourself of ignorance by reading this book. 

Embracing the Body: Finding God in Our Flesh and Bone, by Tara M. Owens ~ Sometimes, I am disgusted with humanity, including my own.  Do you ever feel this way?  Not thin enough, put together enough, clean enough, curvy enough, tall enough, smooth enough…  I felt so discouraged that I decided to order this book on inter-library loan, hoping it would help me somehow.  I knew I needed soul-help.  I have not yet finished it, but I know God is working with me through it.  It is not one you just voraciously inhale, but one you reflectively process through.  I’m taking a lot of notes, and I love the devotional exercises at the end of each chapter.  Owens takes her time getting to her point in each chapter, so that you often don’t understand where she’s going with it until the end.  But I’m finding I’m okay with that.  I doubt that I would find myself in the same denominational church as the author, but there are things to learn from Christians across the board.  So far I have not had any major bones to pick with her about doctrinal issues.  If you are a lover of spiritual formation, I’m sure you will enjoy this.

 

 

 

 

 

Words & Lists, Lists & Words

Are you a lover of words?  Do you make lists lists lists?  I think you will enjoy this podcast featuring Marilyn McEntyre on Anita Lustrea’s podcast Faith Conversations (Episode 118).  Ms. McEntyre is a skilled user of words, and I enjoyed listening to what she had to say as well as how she said it.  Her voice of has a reflective, gentling effect.  She is the author of “Word by Word” and “Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies.”  I can’t wait to read them both!

I really liked the idea of praying with specific lists, and turning lists into prayers.  For myself, I know I was a list-maker since very young.  I think the reason why I do it is for several reasons.  1) It helps to get the chaos of my mind categorized on paper; 2) it helps me deal with sadness; 3) it helps me feel like I’m taking action toward my goals and problem-solving.

Why do you make lists or not?