The Ladys Mine, book #19

After I finished the last book I didn't have the name of our next book club book. so I decided I was ready to jump into this one.  It was actually realized in January of this year, but after watching Redeeming Love the movie, I was ripped to pieces with God's amazing forgiveness and patience and had to take a break from that time period.  But now I was ready to jump back into the old west and see where it took me.  As always from Francine River, I was not disappointed!

1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle’s newspaper—and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada’s most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say—and publish—whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she’s right.  Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh’s same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead—and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada’s problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias’s restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.  Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it’s a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.  (picture and description at Amazon)
 

To listen to an amazing podcast with Sadie Robertson and Francine Rivers about this book & Francine's other books, listen here.

Time to jump into a beach book ... even if I'm not going to the beach :(

(side note for those who know I LOVE the beach ... we are all 6 going to #ChristmasinNYCbaby in December!!!)

Keep reading!

O:)

Melissa

Lizzy & Jane, etc ~ books 14-18

 

This book was different than what I am used to reading and would probably have made more sense if I was a Jane Austen fan, but it was good nonetheless.  

Lizzy and Jane couldn’t be further from Jane Austen’s famous sisters for whom they are named.  Elizabeth left her family’s home in Seattle fifteen years ago to pursue her lifelong dream—chefing her own restaurant in New York City. Jane stayed behind to raise a family. Estranged since their mother’s death many years ago, the circumstances of their lives are about to bring them together once again.  Known for her absolute command of her culinary domain, Elizabeth’s gifts in the kitchen have begun to elude her. And patrons and reviewers are noticing. In need of some rest and an opportunity to recover her passion for cooking, Elizabeth jumps at the excuse to rush to her sister’s bedside when Jane is diagnosed with cancer. After all, Elizabeth did the same for their mother. Perhaps this time, it will make a difference.  As Elizabeth pours her renewed energy into her sister’s care and into her burgeoning interest in Nick, Jane’s handsome coworker, her life begins to evolve from the singular pursuit of her own dream into the beautiful world of family, food, literature, and love that was shattered when she and Jane lost their mother. Will she stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane—and Elizabeth to Nick’s Mr. Darcy—or will she return to the life she has worked so hard to create?  (picture and description at Amazon)

In my journey through the Bible, I also read 2 Samuel and 1-2-3 John.  (see this post)

Book Count: 18/55

We've made it to summer, happy reading!

O:)

Melissa

MAD Librarian, etc ~ books 13-14

 

Taking a detour from my regular types of books I read, this one was a quick, funny book to hold me over before I start my next one.  Rebecca had this on her Christmas list and naturally I was intrigued.  I got it for her and she read it pretty quick, then let me borrow it to read.  

BREAKING BAD FOR LIBRARIES.  A Southern librarian fights back when the city cuts off funding for her library in this funny, angry book from award-winning author Michael Guillebeau. (picture and description from Amazon)

I also read 2 Peter in my journey through the Bible (see this post)

Book Count: 14/55

Happy Reading!

O:)

Melissa

Anne of Green Gables, etc ~ books 10-12

 

This month we decided to work off our Fun List and go see a play!  Springhouse Theatre (one of my favorite places to go!) is performing Anne of Green Gables, so we decided to read that book this month.  We are going to see the play on this coming Sunday.  

As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match.  If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind.  Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables. (picture and description from Amazon)

Also up on the reading list is James and 1 Peter from PHSRBT (see this post).

Book Count: 12/55

Keep reading!

O:)

Melissa

a little Salty to cut the Sweet, etc ~ books 6-9

 

So in my quest to read 55 books this year, I decided I should branch out a little and read at least 5 biographies and at least 5 non fiction books as well.  I was ready to read a biography and went to the library wandering the shelves in the 92 section (where biographies are located, in case you wondered!) and finally decided on this one by Sophie Hudson.  I honestly have never read her blog or listened to her podcast, but I know she has rave reviews and she's a funny Christian.  So I went with it.  All in all, it was good, and now I'm a little curious to read her blog at https://www.boomama.net ...

There’s nothing quite like family—for good or bad. But in a world where we sometimes know more about the Kardashians than we do the people sleeping right down the hall, it’s easy to forget that walking through life with our family offers all sorts of joy wrapped up in the seemingly mundane. There’s even a little bit of sacred sitting smack-dab in the middle of the ordinary. And since time’s-a-wastin’, we need to be careful that we don’t take our people—and their stories—for granted. Whether it’s a marathon bacon-frying session, a road trip gone hysterically wrong, or a mother-in-law who makes every trip to the grocery store an adventure, author Sophie Hudson reminds us how important it is to slow down and treasure the day-to-day encounters with the people we love the most. Written in the same witty style as Sophie’s BooMama blog, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is a cheerful, funny, and tender account of Sophie’s very Southern family. It’s a look into the real lives of real people—and a real, loving God right in the middle of it all.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Also up on the reading list is 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon as I pick up for the 5th time on my Professor Horner system of reading the Bible through ... its completely different and there are things I don't like about it, but I love skipping through the Old Testament and New Testament every day.

Book Count: 9/55

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

Ready or Not, book #5

We read this for book club this month, but sadly I was disappointed in it.  There was so much potential but the writing was just, well, confusing.  I enjoyed the plot, but getting through the deliver of it was challenging at times.

I was not expecting it, since we have read this author before, but I'm willing to give this author another chance.  The other book we read was VERY different from this, so I should find a third book (not more in this series!) to see if I like it any better.  

What do you get when you throw together a brand-new college grad, a house full of kids (including two sets of twins!), and a meddling grandmother/mother-in-law you can't even claim as your own?  One hilariously inspiring Christian story celebrating family, friendships ... and a whole lot of mayhem!  It's Mom's Night Out meets Cheaper by the Dozen when 22-year-old Aggie "inherits" her eight nephews and nieces, creating the instant family she never had (or even knew she wanted). Woefully (and laughably) unprepared, Aggie dives headfirst into a whirlwind of bottle feeding (babies need coffee, too, right?), car-pooling (ha! if only), house-keeping madness.  It's the hardest job she's ever loved, and she's bound and determined to succeed. Ready or not (she'd say not!) here she comes!   Dive into this delightful series for all the laughs, inspiration, and encouragement Christian fiction fans across the world have come to expect from bestselling novelist Chautona Havig and her unwavering, steadfast (and totally endearing) heroine.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Keep reading, even if you don't like the book, because you just find you do in the end!

Book Count: 5/55

O:)

Melissa

 

A Great Catch, book #4

 

Back in June 2021, we read the first book in this series, and after all the "heavier" books I've read lately I decided it was time for some fluff.  It was easy to pick up less than a year later and I remembered all the characters!

It is the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa Resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When 22-year-old Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.  Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer at Lake Manawa, Iowa, before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.  When Emily crashes into Carter at a roller skating rink, neither could guess what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?  (Picture and description from Amazon)

I debated going ahead and reading the third and final book in the series, but I believe I'm going to go ahead and start on our Book Club book for this month ~ it looks fun!

Book Count: 4/55

Keep Reading!

Melissa