The Fifth Aveune Story Society and many more Bible books!, books #50-61

 

Trying out a new font on the blog, since I figured out how to add fonts to Blogger!  Be patient with me if they turn out funky, I'm a sucker for fun fonts.  It goes with my life saying, "Why be boring when you can be fun!!" 😊

This past month I got around to reading this book from my Paperwhite.  I didn't have to read my Book Club book since I had previously read it, so I decided to go with this one.  It was a really good book, as Rachel Hauck rarely disappoints.  

When five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.  Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.  Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.  Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.  Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.  Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.  Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Here are some amazing quotes that stuck out to me in the book:

p109: 

    Ed laughed.  "Nothing in the world like the spark between men and women.  What a marvelous and mysterious combination.  Two sides of the same coin, you know.  We both want the same thing, to give and receive love, to be cared for, respected.  We just come at it from a different point of view.  Points of view we both need, you know.'

p268: (note: Storm is Jett's brother who was creamated.  They are having a ceremony to scatter his ashes)

    As eerieness swept through him.  To a stranger, Storm's ashes would be no different from the wood ashes from the firepit.  It was as if he had never been flesh and bone, as if he'd never possessed a beating heart or breath in his lungs.

    ... As he dug into the polished urn, his emotions swelled.  The moment he touched his brother's soft dust, Storm's heartbeat pounded in Jett's chest.

And since I had a good 4-5 weeks off for my half summer break I read several books in my reading plan: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Matthew, Galatians, Obadiah, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and 2 Corinthians.  I can't believe I am actually down to just under 40 days left on this 250 day reading plan.  You know, that I started in 2018ish ..... 

Keep reading!

Melissa 

Atomic Habits, A Novel Proposal, and many Bible books!, books #42-49

 

It has been a while since I have updated this, I have STILL been running crazy the last month!  I almost can't wait to go back to work for things to calm down! 😂

The first last book I read since the last time I updated is Atomic Habits by James Clear.  I didn't realize I had put it on my Amazon Book List but Katie saw it and when she was looking for a birthday present for me she got it.  Apparently everyone has heard of it, I just forgot how it ended up on my list! :)  Nonetheless, it was a good read, but I got behind on my reading time when I decided to eat lunch with my friends at work instead of hiding in my office to read.  And let's face it, even if it is a good non-fiction book, it's still going to take longer to read.  I will say, however, it gave me several good ideas to work on some GOOD habits and get rid of BAD habits!

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.  If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.  Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:

make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);

overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;

design your environment to make success easier;

get back on track when you fall off course;

...and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal. (picture and description at Amazon)

The last book I read was A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter.  Luckily it was a fairly quick read as I had four days before Book Club to read it!  It had 40 short chapters, so my goal was to read 10 chapters every day.  Mission accomplished!

When novelist Sadie Goodwin is forced to stop writing westerns and charged with penning a contemporary romance novel to rescue her lackluster sales, there’s only one tiny problem: She’s never been in love.  Desperate to salvage her career, Sadie begins devouring romance novels. Knowing she must devote herself to this confounding genre, she accepts an invitation to hole up at her friend’s beach duplex for the summer. Where better to witness love in bloom than on the beautiful North Carolina shore?  However, once ensconced in the charming ocean-front home with her sweet maltipoo Rio, she finds many ways to procrastinate. First there’s the beach, right outside her backdoor, with all its interesting visitors (research). Then there’s the free library she decides to build and set up by the back deck (She has to do something with all those romance novels). To say nothing of Sam Ford, the grumpy neighbor on the other side of the duplex . . . who she can’t seem to stop annoying.  A social butterfly by nature, Sadie soon gets to know all the beach regulars—sunbathers, walkers, and surfers alike. The free books draw a crowd right up to the house for nice little book chats, which further irritates her reclusive neighbor, to break up her “writing.” But things take an unexpected turn when Sadie opens a recently-placed novel to find a secret compartment—and tucked inside is a beautiful engagement ring. To whom does the ring belong? Sadie is convinced she needs to find the owner and save the man’s proposal from certain doom.  She draws a reluctant Sam into the project, and slowly their connection begins to develop. Are these weird fluttery feelings the first stirrings of love? Has Sadie managed to stumble upon the very subject about which she must write—and wouldn’t Sam make the perfect alpha hero?  Will Sadie find the ring’s rightful owner? And will she manage to pen a career-saving romance novel by summer’s end? (picture and description at Amazon)

And of course we can't forget all the Bible books I've been reading as well!  I have worked through Songs of Solomon, Proverbs, Deuteronomy, 1 Corinthians, Revelations and Acts (once again!).

Keep reading!

Melissa

The Last Disciple and few more books of the Bible, books# 37-41

 

We had high hopes for this one, but alas the reviews tricked us.

From the Cross, Jesus entrusted John, the youngest disciple, with the welfare of his mother Mary. Over thirty years later, as Jerusalem explodes in rebellion and violence, John receives another calling. A calling he does not want.  Will he listen and follow?  And if he does, will it be too late?  In 62 AD, the Jewish high priest executes James, the brother of Jesus, triggering a bitter fight for power in Jerusalem that shatters the quiet life of John. The Jewish people he loves are making dangerous choices that could change the land of Israel forever.  Should he stay in Jerusalem and help hold off the Roman legions? Or is it time to reach out to those beyond Israel's borders?  If he chooses to leave, what will be his message to these foreign believers? What new words of comfort could he possibly share?  (picture and description from Amazon)

Although my Bible reading has slowed down significantly with all the April and May things, I was able to finish John, Ecclesiastes, 1 Chronicles and Daniel.

In other news, one of the things that kept us busy was this one:

Here's hoping I make it 18 more days until my last day of school!!

O:)

Melissa

Allegiance and, you guessed it, more books of the Bible, books 29-36

 

BIG CITY CRIME. SMALL TOWN HEROES. A dead man.  EMT Freya Olson has lost her faith, but not her drive to save those who need her help. When the past that her family left behind after her mother's death shows up in Benson, Freya lands on the target list as well. But things aren't what they seem, and Freya’s loyalty will be pushed to the limit.  A disgraced cop hiding a dangerous secret.  Police Detective Lucas Westbrook has served his whole career under the shadow of his mother's betrayal. Only his faith keeps him from crossing the line or becoming the cop everyone assumes he is. This time there’s no escaping the connection between his deepest pain and the case on his desk.  Caught in a tangled web between friend and foe, Lucas will protect Freya. For as long as it takes to close the case—and find out what could be between them.  (picture and description from Amazon)

During my Bible reading time (at a lovely 4:30AM!) I have worked through Romans, 1-2-3 John, Jude, Ezekiel, and Acts for the 6th time ~ I encourage everyone to try this reading plan! 

Keep reading!  Have you got some good books picked out for the summer?

Melissa

The Seceret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery + more books of the Bible, books 23-28

 

This book had been on my list since it came out.  I hadn't had a chance to read it, but I gave it to my mother in law for Christmas, then told her I wanted to read it when she got done with it.  Since she is a fast reader, she got it to me in early February, but I just recently finished it.  HIGHLY recommend!

Present Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.   (Picture and description from Amazon)

Slowly but surely plugging through my Bible Reading plan, I completed Philemon, James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Job (finally again!).  

Ready to jump into my next book!

O:)

Melissa

Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, and a lot of books of the Bible, books 11-22

 

Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? Are Christians ever called to walk away from a relationship that’s no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands these hard questions in the midst of relational struggles.  But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and extensive theological research that transformed the way she defined healthy relationships, Lysa is now more committed than ever to loving people well without losing the best of who she is. She wants to help you do the same. In these pages Lysa will help you:

1. Understand the five factors to remember when implementing healthy boundaries.

2. Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you based on how responsible they'll be with that access.

3. Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized scriptures that perpetuate unhealthy dynamics in difficult relationships.

4. Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with realistic scripts and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns.

5. Be equipped to say goodbye without guilt when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive and is no longer sustainable.  

6. Receive therapeutic wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa’s Christian counselor Jim Cress, who weighs in throughout the book. 

You'll be relieved to learn that boundaries aren't just a good idea, they're a God idea.  (picture and description at Amazon)

Took me way too long to finish that, but there was some really good stuff in there.  I've also gotten super dedicated in my Bible Reading Plan [getting up at 4:30 so I have an hour to read!] and finished 1 & 2 Timothy, Psalms, Titus, 2 Kings, Philemon, Proverbs (for the 5th time!), Hebrews, Luke, James and 1 Peter.

Now I'm ready to finally jump into our Book Club book, which is next week! You are always welcome to join us!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

Hope Harbor & Ephesians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, books 6-10

 

This is the book Robi chose for us for Book Club this month, and there's a funny story behind it.  When we were talking about it at the restaurant we were all debating whether we had read it or not already.  I didn't see it on our very lengthy list, but it sounded familiar.  We all chalked it up to the fact that we had read several Irene Hannon books (all amazing!) and maybe we were just stuck on the author part and not the actual book.  I went to look on Amazon for it for my paperwhite and it said I purchased the book in paper copy in 2017!  I was shocked!  Maybe I had read it after all!  So I scoured my bookshelves but was unable to find it.  I figured either I had bought it for the library, or maybe in all the trading of books around it got lost in the shuffle.  Who knows!  So instead of buying it again, I was able to find a copy of it in the library.  

But the funniness continues!  After I finished the book, which I absolutely loved!, I decided to see about the other books in the series.  Now, mind you, I'm trying NOT to add any more books to my L O N G neverending list of books I want to read, but I was curious.  So, it ends up I already read book #2, Sea Rose Lane here.

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own. (photo and description at Amazon)

Since this is a stand alone series of sorts, I may eventually pick it back up.  I'm a fan of Hope Harbor!

Still plugging through my Bible reading plan, I finished Ephesians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Philippians.  

Happy Reading!

Melissa