Enthusiastically, Dawn

Well, it’s Springtime, the second wind of the new year, the recalibrate and get ready to set yourself alight, start something new, or if you are me, make another go at the massive book piles accumulating in your home. I confess, I love books. I love learning. I love reading, and reading all the books, all the time, in a variety of places. My answer to the one thing needed when leaving the house (besides the phone, keys and planner AND pens…too many pens- that’s another whole story!) is to carry a book. Just in case. Just in case what? Well, that’s the point. Who knows? If I get stuck somewhere, I want to be prepared. I want a book. I don’t want to be trapped somewhere without a book, the way some people don’t want to be stuck anywhere without there phone. Give me a book, and I can make a way. I can wait in a waiting room or most anywhere until those stinkin’ cows come home!

I also want to confess, I am a slowish, adhd style reader. I like to read multiple genres at the same time, because I like a variety of styles. Now I don’t read all genres but I have a few specifics I like to have going at once when possible. Usually, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and something random. Sometimes a young adult, or children’s book. I know it’s cliché but variety is the spice of life – at least in my reading life! So let me show you what’s in my reading stack for the foreseeable future knowing it will be a challenge for me to finish these books by June. But stranger things have happened.

OK, first, I’m going off list for a second. because, I literally just ordered this book today as a Mother’s Day gift to myself. I’ve wanted it for a while, and learned the movie is coming out on Netflix next weekend, and well, it seemed a good excuse to add this to my overfull for me book reading list. But I really have wanted to read it for a long time AND besides that, I don’t want to watch the movie before reading the book. That will just not be cool. IMHO. So the first book on my list (not pictured) is Remarkably, Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Have you read this one yet? Anyone up for a book chat after I finish?

Reading List from Bottom to Top

Teach Me to Pray by Kristen Wetherell and All Things Thee to See by Stephen Witmer are books I have reviewed for Crossway and am continuing to reflect on and incorporate into my reading, teaching, reflection times. So these are still in my pile. I’ve linked them if you are interested in learning more about these titles.

Letters to an American Lady by C.S. Lewis- I have an original hard copy of this book, and have been meaning to read it for awhile. I have a little project idea in my mind to do with letters and so I pulled it out of my personal library to have a possible go at it. Sometimes I just have to test the waters if the timing is right for a book. Time will tell if I finish it this season.

Thirty Days: On Retreat with the Exercises of St. Ignatius by Paul Mariani – So short story long…I recently attended a writing conference where Mariani was the keynote speaker and is all I can say is I fell for this wonderfully prolific, faith-filled tender-hearted, boldly honest and humble man. He is primarily a biographer, and poet, also a professor at Boston College, seminary trained, memoirist. The list goes on. I’ve been trying to immerse myself in his writing. No small task let me tell you. The man swims in words. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this memoir as I regularly have visited and retreated at the Campion Renewal Center (now closed to the public) which was a Jesuit monastery (priest retirement provision), and retreat center in Weston, Massachusetts. I first heard of Ignatius his story, and spiritual exercises there. I am working slowly through this read as this man misses not a detail of the day! He may be a bit academic for me, I checked into a number of his other published works, and started The Mystery of It All: The Vocation of Poetry in the Twilight of Modernity but was drowning so set it aside and opted for this one. Hoping to keep my head above water, even if I dog-paddle through to the finish!

The Chance of Home: Poems by Mark S. Burrows- I like to keep a bit of poetry in my reading regularly. I am enjoying the poems in this one. These are not poems that leave you standing on the outside wondering what’s been said. Completely approachable, accessible tender, and moving poetry. Paraclete Press is my second favorite publishing house. They seem to have a lot of writers I enjoy. Just saying.

North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures by Sharon Stiteler – I’m indulging my inner learner with this beautiful top rated beginning birding book. Hoping to be better at identifying beyond, “Oh, look at that bird!” Added benefit could be better descriptive writing? Will see!

Managing God’s Money: A Biblical Guide by Randy Alcorn – Working through this one with a good-sized group at our church and loving Alcorn’s writing and handling of scripture for this subject. Challenging, and empowering, convicting and encouraging. This is a succinct study, and practical approach to addressing how we think about money, and stewardship.

My next two books for review from Crossway (my favorite publisher) are None Like Him and In His Image Gift Edition: Beholding the Character of God (2 Volumes in 1) by Jen Wilkin. I received this beautiful combination this weekend. I am already reading None Like Him, which focuses on the attributes of God. Stay tuned for my review, but it’s hard to put down – which is wonderful, and a good sign.

You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions (Second Edition) By Tim Chester – I told my bestie the title of this new book re-released by Crossway and she immediatly said, “I need that!” Don’t we all. I have not started this book yet, but you can say a prayer I am especially self-disciplined with my reading time and able to share a thorough review soon!

Last but not least, I attended a women’s event this weekend, and was able to purchase Lori Stanley Roeleveld’s newly released book, God’s Abundant Mercy: 40 Days of Living in His Compassion. If you need a seasonal adjustment for your quiet time, or a dose of mercy for your devotional life, this could be a nice addition to refresh your heart. I appreciated Lori’s talk on the topic, and I have begun reading this just because I felt inspired to after the talk. Lori is an excellent writer. You can check her work out HERE.

So, what are you reading? What recommendations do you have for me? I have some good news to share on the writing front too. I’ll save that for a post later this week.

As always, thank you for reading,

Enthusiastically, Dawn