I’ve started a new goal of reading 3 books a month and want to share some of the gems of books I’m discovering along the way in hopes that you may find a great new book to read as well! Some think I may be a little crazy attempting this goal with a little active 6 month old to look after, but here’s my encouragement to myself and to you… I easily read 2 books last month (August), finishing the 3rd I’m going to include here just by reading 10-15 minutes a night. I also browse random, mostly insignificant and unhelpful articles online so I figure if I pick up a book instead of my phone, I’ll be able to get through more books! We’ll see how it goes, I may be including childrens books in my 3 if it doesn’t go so well. I may include children books just for fun because we have a lot of really good ones I’d love to pass on to you! Hope you enjoy my book reviews for the month.
For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn
Okay so in the spirit of honesty, this book has taken me a little over a year to read. Not a good sign for my 3 books a month endeavor. But in my defense, I had yet to give myself the challenge. You may be wondering why I’m reading a “For MEN only” book. Well, our pastor encouraged my husband and I (over a year ago… maybe 2 years ago, I’m bad with time) to each read the book intended for the other spouse and highlight everything that connects the most with us and then discuss what we learn. Kevin and I have been slowly working through these books together, with him highlighting the things that connect most with him in “For Women Only” and me in “For Men Only”. We haven’t finished discussing but that has been an incredibly helpful way to go through these books and to stimulate conversation between the two of us that we otherwise wouldn’t have. We’ve been able to ask questions and understand each other in new and fresh ways. I love how these books address common issues that men and women face in their communication and helps us understand one another more! Even though it’s taken me awhile to read, I would highly recommend these books and even going through them like Kevin and I are doing to be able to identify the things that more fully relate to the other person.
Purchase “For Men Only” at this link.
Twelve Baskets of Crumbs by Elisabeth Elliot
I love Elisabeth Elliot and you will see her quotes and influence in my life all throughout my writings. I also want to read all of her books, though I realize to be well rounded I’m trying to branch out to different authors, this month I just was reading her stuff! This book is a random assortment of ideas and thoughts that she wanted to put down so that none of it would be lost. I think more than any other book of hers you see her rawness a little more, her writing a little less filtered and her vibrant personality. Her writings will challenge your thinking in a variety of ways and have you look at our culture with fresh eyes from one who has faithfully gone before us. I’m a huge fan of this book and though she would say this book includes just the leftovers of her material I think they are some of her best material.
Purchase “Twelve Baskets of Crumbs” at this link.
No Graven Image by Elisabeth Elliot
This I believe is the one and only novel that Elliot wrote. It parallels her own story in many ways, though it is completely fiction. When it first came out there was much backlash because it doesn’t end with a pretty bow or nice silver lining. I like that and think that is more true to our journey as believers. The pretty bow we’re longing for isn’t on this earth but it sure makes us feel better when our stories look like they are redeemed in full here. Elliot will challenge that perspective in this book. I think it is a must read for every person in any kind of missionary work. It will challenge your view of mission work, of what true success is and how we walk in faithfulness to His call in our lives regardless of the results. I really enjoyed this book and while it isn’t the best novel I’ve ever read, the principles and perspective that I gained through reading it were well worth the read.
Purchase “No Graven Image” at this link.
Looking forward to introducing you to 3 new ones at the end of this month! Feel free to send me your suggestions or find me on Goodreads!
- A Time to be Silent and a Time to Speak - October 29, 2020
- Teaching Them to Hope, Birthday After Birthday. - January 15, 2020
- A Taste of Hope Fulfilled – Briella Dawn’s Birth Story - August 3, 2018
