I've always loved to read, but this year I've enjoyed reading even more and completed more books than usual. And I'm not sure why.
Since life was extra busy this year, my sister Charity and I decided not to do any Sisters' Reading Challenges as we have for the last four years. I worried that I might read less, but somehow I have read more. And I've read more books that I loved.
I'm not sure what to credit for the extra reading. The last months have been crazy busy, but being busy obviously doesn't curtail reading at my house. Maybe it is because I was given several giftcards to bookstores, and I bought books I was excited about reading. Maybe I'm doing better at picking books that I will enjoy. Maybe I've just been in the right mental state to love reading. Whatever the cause, it has been so much fun.
I asked Charity to share a few of the books she enjoyed reading the last few months, and I chose a couple books from my stack. It is fun to see the variety of styles in these few books. Biography, food memoir, nonfiction, classic novel, and even a graphic novel!
And please remember, this isn't a comparison game. Charity and I prioritize reading and consume more than the average number of books. We love helping others find good books, and we love talking about books. But if you read only a few books compared to our stacks, that is fine! There can be good reasons to read slowly and deeply.
But I do encourage you to consider putting down your phone (after you read this!), and pick up a book. I know that the phone is my biggest deterrent in reading books. I rarely regret reading a book; I often regret the wasted time spent on my phone.
Here are some of our favorite books read the last few months.
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Charity -
Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
I stepped out of my usual genre by reading a graphic novel. It deserves the highest rating on my book list! Hendrix combines his incredible artistic ability with a truly fascinating story. The book is a combination of a typical graphic novel style with parts that are normal prose. Throughout the book Hendrix contrasts the life of Hitler with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the pastor spy. The author captures this difficult time in history in a way that is easy to understand but shows the internal struggle of a man who wanted to rescue his beloved Germany and also follow God. The life of this controversial man will have you wanting to read the next page. I also loved the book by the same author/illustrator, about C.S.Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien, entitled The Mythmakers.
It's rare that I read a cookbook from cover to cover. I love a cookbook as much as most women but one without pictures isn't usually a page turner. But this food memoir is more of a philosophy of cooking, a way of life. I couldn't put it down. Who knew reading about how to properly cook a pot of beans could make my mouth water and seriously consider if I should give up buying canned beans for the rest of my life. I enjoyed her stories of food mixed in with recipes, tips, and a way of cooking that is wholesome and so much more than the mindless filling of mouths. I think I'll read it again the next time preparing food starts to feel like just another chore.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, in this classic novel,Wharton transports her readers back in time to a place and time she knew as a child. The author belonged to the wealthy society of New York City residents which means the world she is writing about is one she knew intimately. Newland Archer's world is turned upside down when his fiance's cousin arrives from Europe. Ellen is fascinating, straightforward, European, and fleeing an abusive husband. A lot of questions about society, marriage, and manners are suddenly called into question in Archer's life. The Literary Life Podcast was invaluable in helping me understand the story's time period, interpret the various references throughout, and know how to correctly read the story. If you don't get a chance to listen to the podcast just remember to read it as a parable of American culture and less of a love triangle.
Gina -
This is the second in a two volume biography on Elisabeth Elliot. Being Elisabeth Elliot covers the years from when she returned to the United States from Equador until her death. The author used
Elisabeth's diaries and letters to write a well-rounded account of her life. I related to her experiences as a widow and was impressed by how much joy and delight she found in life as she raised her daughter. But then after her second husband's death, it was painful to read that her intense loneliness led her to terrible choices in her marriage to her third husband. Elliot's ministry was very influential on my life, especially when I was a youth and I was able to meet her in person several times. It was both inspiring and sad to read of the behind-the-scenes trials in her life. I now understand better why Elisabeth could write with such power about suffering and loneliness. This book is both a reminder to not put people on a pedestal but also that God can use imperfect people and redeem hard situations.
I had seen this book, but didn't think it applied to me since it recounts the author's battle with a severe eating disorder. But this summer I met the authors and realized that their book was about so much more than eating disorders. Sarah (a pen name) shares her story about how God brought freedom from bondage in her life. In every chapter, her mentor, "Hannah," addresses topics relating to freedom and gives tools for things such as overcoming perfectionism and finding our identity in Christ. I have shared this book with women of all ages and each one has told me how meaningful this book was to them personally. I highly recommend it for all women.
I'm not sure how to categorize this book. Is it a art history? Bible study? Devotional book? Ramsey is a pastor, a storyteller, and a lover of art, and he skillfully combines stories of great painters with Scripture and personal application. Whether he is writing about grief, race, loneliness, or the importance of belonging, Ramsey contrasts the brokeness of this world with the hope of redemption. Often I'm disappointed by sequels, but Ramsey's second book,
Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart may have been even better as he delves into the toipc of suffering.
I loved these books, but assume there are only a few people who would pick up a book on art history and risk being attacked by a strong desire to visit an art museum.
I'd love hear what books you loved recently. Maybe I can start a list of books to read this winter.
On another note...my friend Regina Rosenberry just published a book! It has been so much fun to be in this book journey with her. I'll be sharing a full book review later, but for now I wanted to let you know that we are doing a book signing together. If you are in the Lancaster County area, come to Ken's Educational Joys on Friday, November 21 from 11-2! and say "Hi."
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