Sisters' Favorite Bright Winter Books

In January and February, Charity and I took part in the Brighter Winter Reading Program. We've done this every year since it began, and it is one of the highlights of our winter. Not only do we get stretched a bit out of our comfort zone, we also love connecting with other readers over books and discovering new-to-us books.

We are each sharing three of the favorite books that we read for Brighter Winter this year. 

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Charity-

1. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers 

(Classic by a female author, book from my unread shelf)

A masterpiece of Golden Age detective fiction, this mystery was everything I love about Sayers. She didn't just write a murder mystery but included the humor and depth of human character that all her books contain. Sayers worked in the advertising world in the early 1900s, which makes the setting of an ad agency all the more realistic. This is one of my favorites so far in the Lord Peter Wimsey series.

2. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tezmach Lemmon 

(Book set in Asia, book that features clothing or sewing)

The Taliban has gained control of Kabul and all women are suddenly thrust into a new way of life. The city is ruled by fear--don’t say the wrong things, talk to the wrong person, and, if you’re a women, become invisible. Suddenly countless Muslim women working to support their families find that those jobs are almost all illegal for women to hold. This is the story of Kamila, a young women who becomes a successful business owner, risking much to support her family and provide jobs for other women. This true story had me marveling at how God made humans to be incredibly resourceful and creative even in the most oppressed situations. 

3. Miriam’s Kitchen by Elizabeth Ehrlich (book by an author of Jewish heritage)

This memoir combines Elrich’s family story and her mother-in-law's memories of the Holocaust, intertwined with Jewish food. The author explores her Jewish heritage and her journey back to the kosher lifestyle of her grandmothers and mother-in-law.  It is a book I won’t soon forget, and it may be a favorite of 2025!

Gina -  

1. Under a Silent Sky by Claudia Lehman 

(Two books by the same author, book from my unread shelf)

I've had this book on my shelf for years but somehow never read it. I find books about persecution hard to read, even though I know they can inspire deeper faith. Set in the 1200s in a Waldesian community, this historical fiction asks questions about following God even when He appears silent. Quote: "There's no truer worship than to honor Him for who He is when everything He's doing disappoints you."

2. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman 

(Book mentioned in another book)

I love reading time management books, but this one is unlike most. Burkeman begins with the fact that our time on earth is fleeting (only four thousand week, give or take a few). He shows the futility of thinking that we can control time and the flawed goal of productivity. Though Burkeman doesn't approach life from a Biblical perspective, he had a valuable perspective that I needed.

3. By Searching by Isobel Kuhn 

(Book about someone converting to Christianity)

A teen enters college, where her parent's religion is scorned by her professor, so she rejects God and lives for the next party. When she finds that her fiance is cheating on her, she becomes so depressed she plans her suicide. This may sound like the story of a modern teen, but it happened over one hundred years ago, in the 1920s. In By Searching, Isobel tells of her spiritual journey and how God led her from a depressed college student to missionary to China. God's leading in her life is inspiring.

Sisters' Reading Plans in 2025 - 

For the last four years, Charity and I enjoyed sharing the Sisters' Reading Challenges. It has been fun to have some of you join us, and we enjoyed stretching ourselves to read different books. We always enjoyed discussing the books we read and laughing during a bookish photo shoot. You can find all the past reading challenges and books reviews on the Book Tab on the Home Joys blog. 

But since Charity is busy with two little ones, we do not plan to set any reading challenges for 2025.  But we know that we will still be reading, and we always love talking about books, so we plan to do a post once a month or so and chat about books we are reading and give book recommendations.

So here is a question for you...

What kinds of books would you like us to discuss? 

Are you looking for middle grade fiction, memoir, picture books, gardening books, or ??? Let us know and maybe we can put it on our list of topics. 

And as always, we'd love to hear what books you are enjoying. What was one of your favorite books that you read this winter?

Sisters' Fall Reading Challenge

 

A report on our reading this fall.

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1. Duet Challenge: Read a classic book and a biography of the author.

Charity- The Joy of the Snow and The Rosemary Tree by Elizabeth Goudge

Goudge is an author that always beckons me to linger and savor her books. I’ve always wanted to read her autobiography with the hope that I would understand why her novels have that certain flavor and feel. The Joy of the Snow does not tell about every part of her life, but Goudge shares about the people and places that most influenced her. Through her story I realized why houses often feel like characters in her novels since the homes she lived in were important to her. I relished her stories of her mother’s island home and what life was like in wartime Britain. I didn't agree with her theology and a few other ideas, so take that into consideration, but if you love Elizabeth Goudge’s novels I think you will enjoy this glimpse into the author. The Rosemary Tree is set in post World War 2 England. Once again Goudge creates a place you wish you could visit and fascinating characters with complicated past. It left me longing to grow an English-style garden and to treasure my home and beauty even more. 

Gina - The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford, Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens

For years, I read Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol each December, but I didn't know much about his life. Standiford's short biography gives an overview of his life, but focuses on the time around when Dickens wrote his most famous Christmas story and the affect that had on his life and on English society. It is hard to imagine just how popular and influential Dickens was in his time. I was surprised to find that after the success of A Christmas Carol, Dickens wrote a novella every Christmas for four more years, probably hoping to capitlize on the initial success. I decided to read them all. Maybe I wasn't in the mood, but I found the Victorian tales to be rather sentimental and struggled to engage with the stories. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the last one The Haunted Man, the most. In that story, Redlaw is promised by a spirit that he will forget his sorrowful memories of the past and have the gift of allowing others to also forget the past. The result of this "gift" brings all sorts of misery to those around Redlaw and eventually it becomes obvious that forgetting the past, even the hard things, doesn't bring joy. 

2. Read a conversion story.

Charity - Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis

I have mostly read Lewis’ fiction and found his story of childhood until conversion fascinating. All of our life is woven together and influences what we believe. Lewis shows that as he tells of his loss of faith and his eventual return to Christ. I was touched by the influence friends had on his life for good and for bad often in ways they may have never known. 

Gina - Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

Weber was given the opportunity of a lifetime - to study at Oxford. There she met Christians who talked about God and the Bible in ways she had never heard before. Steeped in literature and in the setting of the ancient Oxford buildings, Weber confronts the truth of Christ that will change her life. This book is just delightful for those who love literature and listening into conversations about faith questions.

3. Finish a book you started, but never finished. 

Charity-  The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawling

It is Florida in the 1930’s, a time and place I know little about. Jody Baxter is the only living child of his parents and often lonely. This is a story of growing up, a father’s love and wisdom, and a beautiful fawn that stands in the way of survival. The story is both beautiful and heartbreaking. 

Gina - Watership Down by Richard Adams

I had trouble getting into Watership Down and had abadoned it and wondered why it was a favorite of so many people. But I picked it up again, and eventually I hit the point where I was staying up far too late, reading about the escapades of a group of rabbits in England. A classic tale of journey, danger, and search for belonging that somehow allows these rabbit characters to burrow into the heart.. 

4. Read a book together with a friend. 

Charity - Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

Such a small book but packed so full of life. Seventy-year-old Hannah tells of her life in the small farming community of Port William, that Berry has skillfully created many stories about. The time period is not long ago, and I find it intriguing to be given a glimpse of a life that my grandparents would have been familiar with. Her story reminds us of the importance of community and how it often holds us together in ways we never realize. But I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness, because Jesus is sadly absent in the story and so hope is also absent. (I couldn’t resist reading Nathan Coulter right after this book, and they deserve to be read close together!)

Gina - Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

I was delighted to find two used copies of Hannah Coulter which made a perfect book for Charity and I to read together. I had already met Hannah in some of Berry's other books, but in this one, Hannah gets center stage as she shares the story of her life as a twice widowed matriarch in the Port William community. Her journey is echoed by many women in rural American who watched a community disapear with changing times. Even though this book is fiction, it shows the long-term impact that our choices. And Berry's beautiful writing makes me want to linger over the pages.

5. Memorize a chapter of the Bible.

Charity- Ephesians 1

Why is it so hard to decide what to memorize? Or am I just revealing some procrastination? Most likely that is the answer. Needless to say I am barley half way through the chapter. But I am so glad to be memorizing again and I won’t be stopping just because the end of fall has arrived! 

Gina - Ephesians 1

Charity and I had not talked about which chapter we were memorizing and were surprised to find that we chose the same one. I too had procrastinated and lacked discipline to work faithfully on this chapter so didn't complete it. I would like to get in a better habit of memorizing because I know that time spent thinking deeply on the Scripture is time well spent.

Did you read anything memorable this fall?

Sisters' Cozy December Reading

Yesterday, I turned the calendar page and pulled out a stack of books to enjoy for the new month. If there is anything as much fun as reading, it is planning what to read.  

Charity and I decided not to set a reading challenge this month. Charity is busy preparing for the arrival her baby in the new year, and we don't want any extra stress. But, of course, we will both still be reading. We are selecting some favorite cozy reads to finish out our reading year. There is something delightful in opening the book of a favorite author such as Dickens or Elliot and finding a friend.

Here are a few recommendations if you want too enjoy cozy December reading. 

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Children's story books

Charity - My little boy is only eighteen months old so most of my Christmas/winter book collection is too advanced for him, but we've already starting reading these.

The Hat by Jan Brett

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

The Mousery by Charlotte Pomerants

Cozy Reads

Charity: I love a good reread during December. Something makes me want to sip tea and curl up under a blanket. Here are a few I'm considering dipping back into this December.

At Home in Mitford and Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon

Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Gina: A few of my favorites that I'd love to reread this winter.

Suncatchers by Jamie Langsdon Turner (Every since reading Turner's newest book, I've wanted to reread Suncatchers and be reaquainted with Eldeen.)

Emma by Jane Austin

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

Poetry

Gina: Winter gives me a longing to linger over beautiful words. I actually have four poetry books by my bed that I'm dabbling in and thoroughly enjoying. 

Waiting on the Word by Malcolm Guite (An advent book with a poem and short explanation for every day in December.) 

Every Moment Holy: Volume 3, The Work of the People (Prayers for all sorts of times and places.

Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw (Poems on the life of Christ)

Hope in the Dark by Geneva Eby (Advent poems and thoughts on the Biblical characters who awaited Christ's coming.)

Planning for Next Year

Charity: I love to dream about flower gardening and these two books are perfect choices for some cozy dreaming. Even if the garden never gets planted in the spring!

The Garden Maker by Christie Purifoy

A Home in Bloom by Christie Purifoy

What are you reading?

Half of One

 Thoughts After Attending a Wedding

Image by prostooleh on Freepix: Image by p

In my five years as a widow

I’ve attended many weddings—

siblings, nephews, nieces, friends.

I’m grateful to be included,

invited to celebrate,

part of a community that values marriage,

honors commitment,

assumes permanence—

“until death do us part.”

But weddings are hard.

My presence feels like a pallor,

rain on a picnic,

a reminder that marriage isn’t forever.

It only lasts until death,

and death comes for all.

(Sometimes to the young.)

I wish death would take us together,

but usually one is left to walk alone.

The wedding service comes to the holy moment.

Hands clasp, vows spoken, promises made—

a mystery.

Two people, two individuals, two humans—

now one flesh

for life.

I said “I do.”

I’m still living,

but Ed is not.

I was one flesh, but now...

What is half of “one flesh”?

No wonder it hurts.

Should there be a ceremony

to signify the end of a marriage?

Something more than a funeral—

all dead have funerals.

Something more than a trip to the bank

to remove his name from our checking account.

Something…

but what?

I watch this love-struck, starry-eyed couple

say their vows.

They won’t feel any different

the moment they become one.

What happens in an instant,

takes years

to grow into oneness.

My marriage was rent

the moment that Ed breathed his last,

but maybe it takes years

to grow into a single person again.be I’ll limp for the rest of my life.tooleh on Freepik

: Image by prostooleh on Freepik

: Image by prostooleh on Freepi

: Image by prostooleh on Freepik

More in Number Than the Sand

I remember the day I realized that the world didn't revolve around me. 

Of course I knew in my head that I wasn't the center of the universe. I knew that only a tiny number of people on earth even knew of my existence. But somehow I viewed my life on center stage, with the spotlight on me, with my dreams, my griefs, my plans in the forefront and everyone else circling around me.

On that day, I was shopping and looked at the many people, and realized that, just like me, their lives were consumed by their dreams, their griefs, their plans. I wondered if others also had a ridulous sense of self-importance. Maybe each person I saw, and all the billions of other people in the world, also viewed their life as in the spotlight on center stage, with all other people as the extras of the set. Maybe we are all self-centered and wake each morning with our dreams, griefs, and plans as the most important thing in the universe. 

I am responsible for my thoughts, motives, words, and actions, so these things are necessarily important to me. But ever since that day, I've often looked at those I pass on the street, the driver of the car beside me, the strangers I elbow in a crowd and feel small. My dreams and plans, which feel so big to me, are unknown and unimportant to them. As one of the billions, my life is tiny.

Earlier this month we spent a week at the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Each morning I woke at my normal hour, peeked at the alarm clock, and considered my options. I was on vacation and could roll over and sleep a few more hours. But how can a person lay asleep at sunrise on the beach? 

I scrambled into clothes, grabbed my Bible, and headed to the top deck of our rental house, where the ocean was just barely visible. But the pounding of the waves continued to pull me. I popped in my earbuds, turned on my audio Bible, slipped on my sandals, and spent the next hour walking along the surf as the sky was painted pink and orange by the rising sun. 

I'm in awe of the power of the rhythmic waves. They are consistent, persistent, unrelenting. It didn't matter if I was watching or lying in bed. All over the world, day and night, year after year, the waves crash on the shore, moving methodically up and down with tide schedules so dependable they can be made years in advance. 

Sandpipers on twig-like legs, dance along the shore, always staying one step ahead of the wave, poking their beaks into the sand for some morsel. Three large birds (pelicans?) skim in silent procession just above the crest of the wave, disapearing in a silent dive then suddenly reappearing to skim the waves again. Crabs watch me warily, then scuttle into their holes. Each creature is consumed with its life, its survival. In each tiny brain, the spotlight is turned on it. Its life the most important existence in its universe. 

All over the world these motions are echoed - waves, birds, crabs - with a stunning sunrise as the backdrop. Usually no one watches; no one applauds. The astonishing colors exist without help from humans. The creatures follow their created instict with no orders, no recognition.

In the extravagance of the sunrise and the power of the waves, I feel tiny, miniscule, inconsequential. Just as when I was shopping and suddenly knew that each of the billions of people on earth had dreams, griefs, and plans just like me, I feel insignificant.

I believe God created this splendour, the amazing world of sunrises and sandpipers, pelicans and crabs. I believe He created the billions of people who walk this planet. The vastness of the universe and God's power overwhelms me. 

But I'm even more astounded when I read that God knows each sparrow and numbers my hair. (Matthew 10:29-31) He knew me before I was born and His thoughts of me are more than the number of the sand. (Psalm 139:14-18)  I'm only one of the billions, but I'm known.

I walk the shore, gazing at the glory of His creation, and want to weep at the glory of being a daughter of this God. 

***

Here are links to two old posts, both shared when I felt overwhelmed by current events in my own life and in the world. It is a little startling to see how much my children have grown in just a few years. It is also comforting to remember that God is still on His throne. In each post I shared a meaningful hymn.

November 2020 - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

March 2022 - O Who Is Like Jehovah God

Sisters' Summer Reading Challenge Report

Charity and I both had a great reading season this summer. Here is our reports on the summer reading challenges.

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1. Choose a topic and read two books about it. 

Charity - Topic: The White House domestic staff

Upstairs at the White House by J.B. West

The Residence by Kate Anderson Brower

All the President’s Pastries by Roland Mesnier

I am intrigued by the behind the scenes of famous places and homes and especially serving staff throughout history. These three books cover the years from Franklin Rosevelt to Barak Obama and give a glimpse not only into how the executive mansion operates but also the personal lives of the first family and their staff. J.B. West recounts his experiences of working closely with the First Ladies during his years as assistant and head usher. He tells his stories with humor and a respect that makes the book worth reading. Kate Anderson Brower interviewed and read the memoirs of countless former staff and even members of the first family, to compile a glimpse into how such an important establishment operates. Mesnier tells about his own journey from rural France to pastry chef at the White House. His elaborate desserts were hard to imagine! 

Gina - Topic: Limitations

The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Mangement for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

This book duet was a happy accident. Both Hagerty and Burkeman were confronted with their human limitations. Hagerty explores the Scripture and what our limitations can teach us about God. Burkeman looks at studies and research to show that our drive for productivity has not added meaning to our lives. Together the two books helped me understand the beauty that accepting our limited time can give to our lives.

2. Choose a location and read two books that are set in that location. 

Charity - Location: Africa

West with the Night by Beryl Markham

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Beryl Markham writes with a beauty that had me savoring the words. Her father took her to Africa as a young girl where she grew up around tribal people, wild animals, and horses. Later she would become one of the fist female pilots in Africa. Her stories left me fascinated by the land, the air, and the people of Africa. The second book is a novel set in Africa. It is the first in a series of detective novels. I loved how the detective is the most unlikely woman to have the job and found the glimpse into life in Africa intriguing but also heart breaking. Recommended for the mature reader.

Gina - Location: England

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

Amberwell by D.E. Stevenson

The Fight for English by David Crystal

My goal was to read books I already owned, and I had a number of books set in England on my unread shelf. Reading these four gave me an enjoyable scope of English history. The Eagle of the Ninth is a book of high adventure set in Roman England in the second century. Marcus sets off into the wilds of northern England to restore the lost eagle from his father's doomed legion. A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first in the Brother Cadfael detective series. Set in the 12th century, a Benedictine order wants to acquire relics for the honor of their abbey, but then there is a suspicious murder. Amberwell is listed as historical fiction, but Stevenson wrote it just after World War 2 so she knew the time well. The book follows the lives of the five Ayrton children as they grow up at Amberwell and how life scatters them. The Fight for English shares the history of teaching English grammar and spelling. To say that I loved the book probably tells you I'm some kind of nerd. Immersing myself into such different well-written books, set in widely different times, was quite rewarding. And now I have several authors to find more of their books.

3. Read a book about animals or a book that animals play a large role.

Neither Charity or I completed this challenge so are using this for our unfinished book challenge in the fall.

4. Read a book of the Bible and for each chapter, write down three words that describe the chapter.

Charity - Philippians

I loved this challenge but also found it to be somewhat difficult. But if I made a habit of studying this way, I would remember so much more about the main points of the chapters and even entire books.

Gina - Jeremiah

I was deep into the prophets this summer and this challenge helped me get more out of these chapters. I too want to practice this more as it helped me pay attention to my reading.

5. Write a note to someone and include a quote or verse. 

Charity - I was writing several little notes for a niece who moved far away. I rummaged through my journal for encouraging and thought provoking quotes. Sharing words from other authors is a way to pass on little treasures I have read along the way. 

Gina- I have the goal of sending one card of encouragement each month. This was the perfect time to record some of the verses I have found meaningful.

Books that we enjoyed this summer that didn't fit any of the challenges. 

Charity -

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

Create Anyway by Ashlee Gadd

You Are My Sunshine by Sean Dietrich 

Gina -

Where Is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancy

You Who? by Rachel Jankovic

Written by Bec Evans and Chris Smith

I'd love to hear what books you loved this summer.

Sisters' Fall Reading Challenge

Fall is approaching and I'm seeing the school buses again. I love to choose some new-to-me books for fall, maybe something a bit stretching. So here are the challenges that Charity and I chose for the next three months. 

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1. Duet Challenge: Read a classic book and a biography of the author.

Fall is a great time to tackle a longer book, like a classic. Some classics seem more difficult to understand because they are written in an unfamiliar language from a time period different than our own. Often reading a biography of the author can help me understand the setting and time in which the author wrote his books. Kipling's books couldn't have been written if he hadn't went to India. Alcott's books may have been different if her family hadn't faced financial struggles.

For this challenge, choose a classic, then find a biography about the author. Your library should have several options, or you could ask them to get in a biography of a favorite author. Dickens, Tolstoy, Twain, Tokien, Austen, Alcott - there are so many options.

If this challenge intimidates you, choose a children's classic. There are some great children's author biographies.

Here are a few examples of biographies that I've either read or heard recommended.

Invincible Louise by Cornelia Meigs (Lousia May Alcott)

Jane and Dorothy by Marian Veevers (Compares and contrasts the lives of Jane Austen and Dorothy Wordsworth)

Some Writer! by Melissa Sweet (a lovely child's book on E.B.White)

The Trouble Begins at 8 by Sid Fleischman (a wonderful children's biography of Mark Twain) 

P. G. Wodehouse by Frances Donalson

Beatrix Potter by Linda Lear

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley

2. Read a conversion story.

I love to read how a man or woman met God and how He changed their life. Here are a few of our favorite conversion stories. I don't agree with all the choices these individuals made, but their stories show me the work of God.

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry

Miracle of Miracles by Mina Nevisa 

The Great Good Thing by Andrew Klavan

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

I Dared to Call Him Father by Bliquis Sheikh

Born Again by Chuck Colson

By Searching by Isobel Kuhn

3. Finish a book you started, but never finished. 

Charity and I didn't finish the animal book challenge this summer. Here is your chance to pick up a book you abandoned or complete a challenge that you missed.

4. Read a book together with a friend.

I find so much joy in discussing a book with a friend. This summer a friend lent me Leif Enger's new book I Cheerfully Refuse, and I read it in two days because I couldn't wait to discuss it with her. 

Also this summer I was reading The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty and thought of a friend who might enjoy it.  I bought her a copy and look forward to getting together this fall to talk about it. 

For the last couple years, a few ladies from church have been choosing a book each winter to read and discuss together. I get so much more from a book when I hear others' perspectives of a book.

Hopefully you have a reading friend that you can read a book with. The book can be fiction, nonfiction, a classic, inspirational, or whatever. 

A few months ago, I found two used copies of Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. Charity and I have both had this book on our wish list, so this challenge will give us a good opportunity to read it together. 

5. Memorize a chapter of the Bible.

I haven't been doing much memorization so this challenge will hopefully encourage more attention to God's Word.

I'd love to hear what you plan to read this fall. 

Next week Charity and I will share our summer reading. It was a great reading season for me!