Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Have  you found yourself in a time of struggle and uncertainty? Maybe you are facing your own dark night right now. What to do in a Valley: Trusting God to Breathe New Life into Your Dry Bones by Jabin Chavez is a book that may be helpful for you right now. All of us go through difficult times at one time or another. It is different for all of us--yours may be financial, relational, job-related, health-related or something else entirely. In any case, What to do in a Valley is a new release from Thomas Nelson. This book could serve as a guide to help you through your challenge(s). The author has faced his own challenges and writes from experience. He is easy to understand and relate to. From the publisher:  Take life’s valleys as not mere challenges but divine appointments designed to refine and strengthen your faith in this deep exploration of Psalm 23:4-6. You may be at your worst, but that’s when God can do his best work in your life. Take heart and use this opportun...

  Do you enjoy writing, coloring and drawing or other artsy things? Exploring Psalms and Proverbs: A Creative Coloring Journal from Jacqui Grace is a fun new creative journal that gives prompts and pages to do all of those things. I read through this Exploring Psalms and Proverbs creative journal completely but haven't yet had the time to start writing or creating in it. I received my copy while I was on a trip. I wish I had received it before I left. I think this would be fun to take along on a relaxing trip. Actually, I think it is fun to do any time. If you have some pens/pencils along, you could do this book almost anywhere. There are a couple of crafty project guidelines, like painting a rock, that you may need to do at home, but most of it is portable. This creative coloring journal is both relaxing and one that will cause you to think and reflect on God. I like that aspect. I like that it is divided between Psalms and Proverbs. There is so much to learn in both o those boo...

  Do you enjoy a good mystery? The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay is set during 1950 and highlights how the World War left lingering issues and doubts among people. I have read several books by this author and I enjoy the way she weaves history into the story too. The Undercover Bookshop is a mystery featuring amateur sleuth Gemma Brown as the main character. Gemma moved to a small Cotswold village of Great Rollright in England. She is a reader and loves a good mystery. However, she is not a good baker. After making some baking errors, Gemma spends time with Ursula Beurton, who is an award-winning baker in town. However, there is a lot more to her than baking. When  Gemma visits Ursula, things don't always add up. Soon Gemma is embroiled in a mystery for real--not just one she is reading in her detective novels. I enjoyed getting to know Gemma. I also enjoyed her boyfriend, Charlie, as well as the other characters in the novel. Ursula was also likeable for the mo...

  After the Fall by Deborah Clack is the second book in the Shelter and Sky series. This book could be read as a stand-alone, but like most series books, would be even better if you read Even After This  first. Penelope Reid is currently working as Harlan Holcombe's manager. However, Penelope grew up in the foster care system and she has skills she thinks would help the girls at the ranch and she wants to give back so she hopes to become the manager of Twelve Bluebells Ranch, which is a halfway house for women who have aged out of the foster care system.  Luke works security for the ranch and is there to investigate some vandalism before Harlan and Meredith Harper's wedding. Luke had his own tough upbringing and he, too, got attached to the halfway house ladies at the ranch as he hopes to keep everyone safe--even after the wedding. After the Fall had some light moments, but this book also dealt with some heavy topics. I could relate to Penelope's migraine headache stori...

  Faithfully Dissident Daughters by Chelsea Kim Long was an interesting read for me. There was much I could relate to with author. There was also much for me to think about. According to the author, "To be faithfully dissident means accepting each part of your story and trusting that authenticity is the way to abundant life." I like that thought and I think the older I get, the more that is true for me.  Faithfully Dissident Daughters is divided into 4 parts: Awakening, Breaking, Liberating, and Expanding. I also have gone through some changes in my faith over the past few years. I have not studied as deeply as this author so I can't verify all of her words. However, I can say that she backs them all up and speaks clearly in her work. I don't necessarily agree with everything but there is much that I do relate to.  I enjoyed reading this book. I don't read non-fiction quickly but I like to learn. I journal, use page markers to annotate and I reflect. I received ...

  I grew up watching Oprah Winfrey. I admire her for her success and for how she gives back to others. I took a couple of her classes when she featured Brene Brown on her show and they changed my life. This new book for children, Little People, Big Dreams could certainly inspire young people to dream big and become who they wish to be.  This book starts out be talking about Oprah's early days and some of the challenges within her family. It also talks about how important books were to Oprah as she grew up. I didn't realize she was the first black woman to read the evening news on Nashville' local TV station. I also wondered about her name and that was explained early in the book. Little People Big Dreams: Oprah Winfrey is a hardcover book that measures roughly 8 by 9 1/2 inches in size and is 32 pages long. It is aimed at children ages six to eight. I think it would be especially inspirational for young girls who need inspiration and hope to become who they want to become...