November Reads

Only a few, more coming in December

I’m not sure what I was doing in November, but apparently I wasn’t reading much. I spent more of my morning time journaling than I have in any other month this year, which felt really good. However, there were a few books I’d still like to recommend. And I’m currently reading a few great ones, so I should have more to share in December.

Listened — 4 stars

Recommended by Ashlee Gadd

I expected this to be a delightfully light read, and it held up the delightful bargain. But the characters and story lines had much more depth to be considered a truly light read. They deal with PTSD, close-knit families who still have secrets, estranged families trying to find their way to each other, and a woman whose ability to see the best in everyone gets her into trouble. I didn’t love a couple of the narrators for the audiobook, so I’d recommend reading it.

Read — 5 stars

Recommended by — I had credit to spend at my favorite local bookstore :)

This small book holds so much beauty. Instead of poems, each page is really just a short thought or a few lines of poetry. I wish there were more books like this -- ones you can pick up and read in a single sitting or sit with one thought for a few days. Andrea Gibson had a way of looking at the world and specifically at people, with so much grace. That grace comes through in their words and they invite you to look at the world and humanity with fresh eyes. I think that’s what all writing aims to do.

Read — 5 stars

Recommended by Emily P. Freeman

It feels odd to rate sermons, so I am thinking of these more as essays, and I would still give the collection 5 stars. Barbara Brown Taylor is a great writer because she knows how to tell a story. The arc of each essay/sermon is engaging. She doesn’t preach down at you, but invites the listener, or in this case, the reader, to wonder and be challenged alongside her. This collection spans the liturgical year, so it could be a nice book to pick up in different seasons (Lent, Advent, Pentecost, etc.), but the sermons are approachable and applicable any time of year.

As always, let me know what you’re reading!