I'm realizing that I haven't read a novel since this Summer and I'm really missing a good story. I'm missing loving a few characters so much that you can't wait to open back up the book and see how they are doing. I've been reading a lot of books to enhance my knowledge on something, and memoirs. Which don't get me wrong, I love a good memoir. Hands down it's my favorite type of book to read. But I'm in need of a good novel. I'd love your suggestions. What should I dive into over Thanksgiving?
In October I read three books:
I read this book as I was preparing to teach a breakout at the Lifeway Kids Ministry Conference. This book was helpful with my own kids in some of their struggles and thinking through parenting them. The book is entirely questions and answers, so there were lots of parts that I skipped and some that I devoured. As with any parenting book out there I always say take what you want and leave what you don't. There were a few things in her that I didn't entirely agree with for my kids, but there was lots that I took away nuggets of helpful information about.
I was given this book from Jessica Honneger and have had it on my shelf forever and I admit I was a bit timid in picking it up. Since we've adopted two times internationally I wasn't ready to face some of the facts that this book presents to the reader about international adoption. But as I dove into this book I realized that the authors were never intending to make me feel guilty about what I might have done in ignorance, or shame anyone into feeling a certain way, but they were writing this book to educate us. To help us navigate the harsh realities of international adoption and orphan care.
There were parts of this book that were hard to read and caused me to look back into our journey and see things in a different light. This book is pro-adoption, and pro-orphan care. They are pro-educating people on the realities, dangers, and wonders that are involved in international adoption.
I highly recommend this book to anyone considering international adoption.
I have seen this book around for a while and the reason I remembered it is because of the beautiful cover. I absolutely adore this cover, and when I met Sara at Allume this year I loved her just as much. This book is a memoir diving into Sara's journey through mothering and adoption. I resonated with a lot that she shared about her motherhood journey. The book is beautifully written, and although it's not my normal style of reading (beautifully poetic words) I really enjoyed this book.
So, there's my October reading. I need to get moving because as of November 20th I have read ZERO books.
I’ve been enjoying books by JoJo Moyes. I finished “The Girl You Left Behind” last week and really loved it! She wrote “Me Before You” and has the sequel out now if you read the first one. I’m waiting for that to come out in paperback though (not paying for hardcover and don’t like reading on the kindle).
Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors. She just came out with a new novel: “The Lake House” – I just started it, but so far it’s so good! She also has: “The House at Riverton”, “The Forgotten Garden” and “The Secret Keeper”. Her books are amazing!
I am almost done with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and have loved it. Along similar lines, one of my very favorites has always been The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
I am about halfway through Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall and it is reeeallllyyy good. I can’t vouch for the ending yet, though. It’s the story of a nine year old Mississippi girl in the summer of 1963 who hitches a ride with black woman and ends up on the road trip of her life.
I have Every Bitter Thing is Sweet on my list. Really looking forward to jumping into it.
Jamie, I just joined your special community and I’m so excited. I’m from the Midwest and I love your Happy Hour podcast. I’ve been encouraged by you and your guests. You’ve been a huge blessing! Thanks and keep up the great work!!!! – Dani from Indiana
Where’d You Go Burnadette? or The Nightingale. or All the Light We Cannot See. All so so good!
I love all these book suggestions! It’s a huge splurge for me to keep a novel going b/c I get totally absorbed and have trouble pulling out of it to care for everything else. But something I’ve done a couple times now (and its been enjoyable) is swipe a novel my 5th grade son is reading (His nose is always in a book). They’re typically fewer pages so I can complete it in a single afternoon when I find myself with time to indulge. Plus I get to connect with him about something he’s reading (Double Bonus!) The two I’ve read lately are Among the Hidden (Shadow children book 1) about an illegal third child in a modern society torn by famine – his story of bravery and concern for helping others and The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice book 1) – another boy-coming-of-age perspective facing difficulty, disappointment, and fear with bravery and integrity.
Hi Jamie!
I just started listening to your podcast and am ADDICTED. Thank you so much for real talk with inspirational people! I am alone all day (well, alone with small children), and listening to you while I do the dishes or fold laundry or change another diaper is as energizing as being with my friends in real life. Thank you!
Anyway…
One of my favorite parts of your podcasts is when you talk about what you are reading, so when I saw this post I just had to share, too! I just finished Where’d you go, Bernadette? and loved it…. before that, I read For The Love (duh), Secrets of a Charmed Life (great!), and Bread and Wine (your podcast with Shauna was one of the first I listened to because I’m a bit obsessed with her, BTW).
I just downloaded Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet and cannot wait to read! I also downloaded Bittersweet by SN and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah which I hear is amazing.