Tuesday, March 7, 2017

What I Read in February

1. The Cat That Went Bump in the Night- This was a free book on Amazon Kindle, and I wouldn't have considered it except it does have a cat on its cover, and that's one of the categories for the Popsugar Reading Challenge I'm participating in. So...
it was a nice, quick, read. It involved a paranormal cat, a man with a dead end job looking for a way out, and his involvement with a paranormal investigator. It was an "okay" book. I probably wouldn't read it again... but if you like short novels involving paranormal events, this would be up your alley. It is the first book in a trilogy.


2. Before Bethlehem- This is a book that I have had on my Kindle for a couple of years. It was another free read, and I had made a note to download and read it back in December... but y'all know me and how some books get pushed to the back. This was a good storyline. It told the story of Joseph and Mary... how they came to be espoused... and the story of her pregnancy. The author presented a version of the story I was not familiar with... that Joseph already had James and the other children, and was a widower.  The author also focused on Roman rule, and how it influenced the lives of all who lived during that time frame. I enjoyed this novelization of the Christmas story, but encourage those who read it to delve into Scripture and compare the two.


3. Peach Cobbler Murder- This is another Hannah Swenson novel. In this one, Swenson's bakery comes under attack by a new business in town... until the owner is found dead. I love these novels because they are funny, the characters are well-developed, and they are easy to read. I have several more of these left, and I'm glad!


4. The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade- This book is set in central Kentucky, just outside of Frankfort, in fictional Goose Creek. It involves a new vet in town, a couple fighting over whether they really want to renovate a house to make a bed and breakfast, and a stand-off over the painting of the town water tower. Complete with a drugstore with a soda shop, this is small town living at it's finest, and I highly recommend this book! This is the first in a series, and I'm currently reading the second.
 


5. Never Forget- This is a book I reviewed for Celebrate Lit in January, but I just finished it up this month. It's a great read, with fabulous characters and a gripping storyline. I'd highly recommend!! (See link for full review).

6. Still Life- This is a book I got free from Netgalley. It tells the story of  Gillian Marchenko, a pastor's wife who finds herself in the dredges of depression. Beautifully written and candid, Marchenko offers hope for anyone who finds themselves lost. She describes the guilt and shame she felt as a Christian mother and a wife. This book is a true eye-opener to anyone who may struggle with not feeling good enough. Marchenko lays her life bear on the page and allows the reader to see that through faith, God, and good Christian counselors, as well as antidepressants, life lived through the battle is still life.  Another book I'd highly recommend!

7. Grace- This is another book I got from Netgalley. This book is set up like a daily devotional, with over 200 entries focusing on grace. Each entry has a Bible scripture, along with a short story or encouraging word. Alcorn offers a good Biblical basis about grace- what it is, what it isn't, and how we all have been offered grace. In addition, he encourages us to offer grace to each other. Because I reviewed this book on netgalley, I didn't use it as a daily devotional, but I can see the benefits of doing so and would recommend it for someone who would like to start or end their day with a little of God's Word.

8. Surround Me- This is another book I reviewed for Celebrate Lit, back in December, but I just finished it in February. This book is set in pre-Revolutionary War Charlestown, and I loved it!!! See the link for complete review.

9. Angels Unaware- Yet another book I reviewed for Celebrate Lit. This book was a delightful read, and a true reminder that God puts people in our lives for particular purposes.

10. Lists to Love By for Busy Wives- This was another book I got from Netgalley. Written by a husband and wife, the authors provide lists focusing on how to better love your spouse. Each short chapter includes reflective questions to help the reader focus on ways she could do better. I enjoyed it and found the content to be somewhat helpful, even if a lot of it is common sense. There's also a version for Busy Husbands. We can all love a little better!

I'm currently reading about 30 books.  Y'all!!! How did that happen??? Books keep looking good so I start them... and I'm reading some for review... and some for Bible study...
Here's what's on my short list- Hidden Figures, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, The Infinite Sea, The Story Keeper, Three Moons over Sedona, Independent Study, The Broken Way and The Broken Way study guide, The Underground Railroad, Lucky Us, Sweet Olive, Cherry Cheesecake Murder, Zip it, and The Women of Easter...


2017 Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge
A book recommended by a librarian
A book that's been on your TBR list for way too long- Girl on the Train
A book of letters
An audiobook
A book by a person of color
A book with one of the four seasons in the title
A book that is a story within a story
A book with multiple authors
An espionage thriller
A book with a cat on the cover- The Cat That Went Bump in the Night
A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
A bestseller from a genre you don't normally read
A book by or about a person who has a disability- Tough as They Come
A book involving travel
A book with a subtitle
A book that's published in 2017
A book involving a mythical creature
A book you've read before that never fails to make you smile
A book about food
A book with career advice
A book from a nonhuman perspective
A steampunk novel
A book with a red spine
A book seet in the wilderness
A book you loved as a child
A book by an author from a country you've never visited
A book with a title that's a character's name- Dearest Dorothy...
A novel set during wartime
A book with an unreliable narrator
A book with pictures
A book where the main character is a different ethnicity than you
A book about an interesting woman
A book set in two different time periods
A book with a month or day of the week in the title
A book set in a hotel
A book written by someone you admire
A book that's becoming a movie in 2017
A book set around a holiday other than Christmas
The first book in a series you haven't read before- The Illegal Most Famous Parade in Goose Creek
A book you bought on a trip



Advanced
A book recommended by an author you love
A bestseller from 2016- Hillbilly Elegy
A book with a family member term in the title
A book that takes place over a character's life span
A book about an immigrant or refugee
A book from a genre/subgenre you've never heard of
A book with an eccentric character
A book that's more than 800 pages
A book you got from a used book sale
A book that's been mentioned in another book
A book about a difficult topic
A book based on mythology    

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