The discussions, the insights, the exposure to ideas we might never have come across otherwise have become both a challenge and a delight. The sharing of what excites or troubles each of us in our reading has doubled the impact of the chosen words as we see them through the eyes of our friends, through the lenses of different histories and backgrounds. To read in company has broadended us as individuals and bound us together in friendship.
- Sarah Clarkson -
Ah ... so many books to page through and links to pursue! Grab a cup of something warm and settle in with me to explore a selection of winsome mid-winter treats.
*
RECENT READS
Brene Brown
You might have shied away from Brene's latest because you don't consider yourself a leader. But you are! A leader is an influencer, a guide, a mentor, a door opener ... and each one of us serves in that role in some area of life ... home, church, relationships, community. The chapters on living with empathy and leading from our values are simply exceptional.
A whole selection of Dare to Lead workbooks, inventories, checklists are right here.
Michelle Obama
It might seem a tad early to guess that this might end up being one of my top picks for 2019. But Mrs. Obama's biography is that powerful. Exquisitely written, I burned the midnight oil savoring her eloquent writing, her perseverance in her emerging years as she conquered the odds along the way, the weaving of her compelling life story.
And while politics is discussed here and there, this is not a political diatribe. A superb pick for substantial book club conversation.
Sarah Clarkson
If you're a what-to-read-list fan, this one's for you! A true book lover's guide, Sarah writes from a biblical, Oxford educated world view ... intelligent, beautifully spoken, and exceptionally well read. I particularly enjoyed the first three chapters as she wrote deeply of the crafting of to-read lists and creating habits, rhythms, and space for your own bookish life to flourish.
I skimmed the rest of the book, the lists of friends' picks, the classics, children's reads, spiritual guides, novels, poetry, books on the arts, biographies, read-alouds, books about books, etc. Comprehensive, for sure!
LAST YEAR'S CHERISHED 3
This post kinda got lost in the end of the year shuffle ... but I think it's worth a re-share in case you missed it. Click here and scroll down.
BOOKS I CAN'T WAIT TO CURL UP WITH
Susan Orlean
Joshua Becker
Margaret Feinberg
{January}
Susan Meissner
{March}
Alia Joy
{April}
Emily Freeman
MIGHTY FINE BOOKISH LINKS
Ed Cyzewski
Emily Temple
Joshua Becker
CT
Modern Mrs. Darcy
*
Let's talk books!
like what's happening around here?
I'd love if you'd share
&
*
*
sharing titles with
*
photo by
I am always intrigued to see what you are reading! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Often surprisingly myself, too, Lulu ...
Delete;-)
I have the Brene Brown book on my list and need to make sure I follow through. Thanks, as always, for your interesting picks.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear your take on it as a ministry leader, Debby ...
DeleteSo much information here, Linda. Thank you for sharing you insight. :) You certainly are an avid reader. :) I've heard great things about Michelle Obama's book. Alia Joy's Glorious Weakness is on my Amazon wish list. Through one of your bookish links, The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning really drew me in. I checked it out on Amazon and it's presently only $1.99 on Kindle, so I ordered it. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so excited you found it for $1.99! I keep meaning to do that extra step of research to find great buys for my readers, but haven't taken the time to do that ...
DeleteI'm guessing Alia Joy's book is going to hit home for many of us who are or have been broken. She's quite a woman ...
Wow, Linda, that's some list you've shared here! Thank you for encouraging us all to keep reading in the new year. I'd like to knock off 50 books, though not sure that's going to happen. One can hope!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
50! Yes, you can do it, Martha! Go for it ... and keep us posted, ok?!
DeleteI really never thought about planning my reading life. I'm considering doing so now! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear how that works for you, Jerralea. The link to Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2019 Reading Challenge will help you to be specifically intentional if that's what you're aiming for ...
DeleteSo many books to read! I've been reading fiction lately and do look at the Modern Mrs. Darcy book lists from time to time! Thanks for sharing what you have been reading!
ReplyDeleteYep, I've been getting lost in a number of fiction books, too, Lynn. They don't always make it on to The Bookbag post, but yes, they're my favorite ... especially historical fiction.
DeleteThanks for sharing, Linda. I am a book-lover too. I have been wanting to read a Brene Brown book. I'm adding this one to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI always smile when I get to rub shoulders with another kindred spirit bookworm...
DeleteSo glad you're here!
I always love your take on books. I wasn't going to read Michelle's autobiography, but if it's not political, I may just pick it up this year and give it a chance. :) I love how thought provoking Brene Brown is, I just picked up one of her older books "I Thought It Was Just Me" that I'm looking forward to reading this year too!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicki! I'm finding that as time passes, my borders have expanded when it comes to what I'm reading. Reading books that aren't necessarily written from a Christian worldview has only served to sharpen and deepen my own beliefs ...
DeleteWho'd of guessed?
Grateful for my NY Book Club that paved the way.
;-)
Yeah NY book club. You are sooooooo missed
DeleteI think of you all often ...
DeleteWonderful reviews, lists, and links here.
ReplyDeleteI have Becoming and Book Girl on my library holds list so am hoping to get to those soon. I read Dare to Lead quite recently and while it was not my favourite of Brown's, I agree that the values part was excellent. To be asked to zero in on just TWO main values is a really good exercise. This was my favourite chapter, for sure.
2 values was a huge stretch for me, Jeannie ... I've done the values checklist with clients and had them narrow down from 10 to 5 non-negotiables. I thought that was challenging!
DeleteBut 2 final choices is a real eye-opener.
And hopefully a clarity builder ...
I want to read The Minimalist Home... slowly downsizing EVERYTHING this year.. - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
ReplyDeleteOh, how fun to see you again, Gingi!
Deletewow I think you and I have the same tastes in books. I didn't know the resource page for Brene Brown's book so thanks for that and I ordered Book Girl from my local library. Fun and informative post!
ReplyDeleteYour writing often resonates with me, Jean ... so it's no surprise that we're drawn to the same types of books!
DeleteI love when that happens ...
;-)
Linda - you are my “book twin.” Thanks for always sending great reads our way!
ReplyDelete'Book twin' ... that's cute!
Delete;-)
Chapter 16 in I’d Ra5her Be Reading
DeleteDon't you just love it?!
DeleteGlad to hear you liked Michelle Obama's book so much! I have it on hold at my library, but I'm #36 so it will be awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read your review, Lisa!
DeleteI’m looking forward to Emily P. Freeman’s “The Next Right Thing” as well.
ReplyDeleteI've already filled a huge white loose leaf notebook with transcipts of every podcast!
DeleteI'm a fan ...
;-)
Dare to Lead is on my bedside table, and Becoming is on hold from the library (I'm only #387 on the list!). I'm excited to hear they were both a hit!
ReplyDelete#387? Now THAT'S funny, Aimee ...
Delete;-)
BTW just stared The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines. Love the humor in it and what a showcase of God’s timing and leading. Love it so far after just reading the intro.
ReplyDeleteTheir story is sweetly inspiring, isn't it ...
DeleteWow! What a great list you've shared here, Linda. :) I especially appreciated your thoughts on Michelle Obama's book. I began Myquillen Smith's book about the Cozy Minimalist. But I have put it on hold until I have the time to properly work through her steps to make effective change in my home. I have, however, begun going through the myriads of piles that have sprouted throughout our home. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this!
Myriads of piles! Oh yes, I remember those days when there was more than two of us living under one roof.
Delete;-}
Cozy Minimalist might have a few surprises in her pages, but when all is said and done, the plan makes sense. I'd love to hear your take on it after you / as you work through it!
Sometimes we simply need a gentle guide who has a sense of humor, a true gift, and loads of life experience.
Good stuff.
I always love your recommendations. I want to read all the books now that I work at a library. :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear the joys of your days at the library, Mary ...
Delete;-}
Wow, what a list Linda! How fun to see what you've been reading. You've got several of my favorite authors listed. I've been out of the blog world after diving into publishing my first book with Abingdon Press and then overseeing 2 book projects for the ministry I help lead. It was really interesting to visit the back end of book reading from the first time author side and the first time editing/publishing side. All that to say is I have a tremendously greater appreciation for every author and book you have on this great list! Nice to visit you again!
ReplyDelete