Linda Stoll: The Bookbag * Jumbo Early Fall Edition

'Reading was her long exhale after being on her feet all day. Long after we'd been tucked in and read our bedtime stories, she'd pour herself into bed and reach for one of those dog-eared paperbacks. A slim ribbon would glow reassuringly under her doorway long into the night. It was the only time I saw my mom take time for herself, time no one else needed or claimed.'

- Alia Joy -

*

It's been four months since we last unpacked a traditional Bookbag post around here. Since then, I've made my way through 19 books - 5 fictional reads and the rest a very broad selection of biographies, political tomes, spiritual writings, and counseling related volumes.

Today, I'm happy to share a wide array of reviews, scads of links, some bookish snapshots, coming attractions I can't wait to scoop up, and my favorite 12 year old's smart-alecky but honest book report. I'm thinking you'll find something here tailor-made just for you.

Grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, and enjoy ...

THE REVIEWS

Glorious Weakness: Discovering God in All We Lack

Alia Joy

I don't even know where to begin to tell you how Alia's writing grabbed my heart, wrenching it and expanding it, breaking it in two. She writes of her struggles with bipolar disorder, childhood sexual abuse, the horrors of poverty on the mission field, the nakedness of physical pain, her own experiences of racial injustice.

The flow of her words is beautiful, painful, powerful.

'I never imagined that the call for the last twenty years would be to stay and walk faithfully with God while struggling with mental illness, unable to be involved in any "ministry." I didn't know my ministry would be words often written from hospital beds or in recovery. That I'd shake out my story with trembling hands and I'd testify to a God who meets me here when I haven't a single thing to offer' {page 134}.

Read this book. Please. It will change you.

When I Can't See God's Face in the Dark @ (in)courage
Paperback - $8.58
Kindle - $2.99!

Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
Bill Dunn & Kathy Leonard
The last thing someone who's grieving needs is a book that ties everything up in a neat package. This book is NOT that. It's a year's worth of simple meditations for those who've lost someone they love. Never preachy yet solidly biblical, it will be a gentle companion for someone walking through heartbreak, confusion, emptiness, anger, fear, and numbness.

I read a page or two every night. I highly recommend this solid, reassuring lifeline from GriefShare for your grief journey. In lieu of flowers or yet another casserole, this is a very thoughtful gift.
Paperback - $10.99
Kindle - $2.99!
Free daily email version

Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter & Organize to Make Room for Happiness
Gretchen Rubin
I love this book! Nothing makes my heart sing more than decluttering, organizing, finding a home for everything, getting rid of what's not needed, finding usable discards a new home.

But this book is wonderful for those who aren't big fans, but would like just a bit of guilt-free encouragement to head in that direction. Short, page-long vignettes invite the reader to 'tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits.'

This book will make you smile ... and perhaps, roll up your sleeves.

'For most people, it's deeply calming to see outer order emerge. Perhaps it's the tangible sense of control, or the relief from visual noise, or the release from guilt and frustration. Creating order - even with things as mundane as socks or supplies - gives a disproportionate boost of energy and cheer. There's so much we can't control, but we can control our stuff.'

A wonderful little book to tuck in your bag for those random moments when you need a boost of motivation.
Hardcover - $9.89
Kindle - $9.99

Massachusetts: A Novel
Nancy Zaroulis
A great big huge 709 page tome, a James Michener style saga that follows the fictional Revell family from Plymouth Rock for hundreds of years. The storyline wends its way through wars with Indians, the battle for freedom from British rule, the Industrial Revolution, the abolition of slavery, the Civil War, Irish immigration, the development of unions and right on up to the 1960s.

Fascinating, riveting for the reader who loves getting lost in a great big storyline. I'll call this PG-13 for some violence and sexual content.
Hardcover - $9.09

Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All Of Us Have To Give Up In Order To Move Forward
Dr. Henry Cloud
I'm a huge Henry Cloud fan, and this book is probably one of my favorites. No, it's not all about business relationships, so don't check out yet if that's not your thing. Worth the price alone is this leading Christian psychologist's discussion on the foolish and / or evil people we encounter and how to wisely respond to the challenges they constantly throw at us.

We're talking issues on trust. Character. Boundaries. Emotional intelligence.

I'm not going to reinvent the wheel, I'm going to encourage you to head right over to Pam Ecrement's fabulously insightful post on this fascinating subject. Her post, and Cloud's book, are absolutely must reads because if we ourselves hope to be wise, we are obliged to figure out how to respond in healthy ways to the difficult people we encounter in our personal relationships, professional lives, political culture, and churches.
Hardcover - $22.69
Kindle - $17.49

The Norman Williams Public Library

Woodstock, Vermont

built 1883 - 1884

LINKS FOR BOOKWORMS, CREATIVE TYPES & WRITERS

Cape and Islands Bookstore Trail

Kindle & Nook Readers:
You know you don't own those books, right?
John Warner

Mistakes, Imperfections & Perceptions
Debby Hudson

How to Create an Idea Capture System
Christa @ do a new thing

Why I removed some of my commentary
from a chapter of Praying God's Word
Beth Moore

Why I Don't Save Journals
or Other Sentimental Items
Courtney Carver

How to Be a Better Reader
Sarah DiGiulio

Fall 2019 at Magnolia Market - Wholeness
{video}
Joanna Gaines

So You Want to Write?
How Introverts Cultivate a Writing Practice
Anne Cathrine Bomann

9 things to know before going
to your next (or first) book sale
Anne Bogel

What is the Aim of Christian Writing?
Cody Cunningham

How a Prayer Journal Helps Me Pray
Ed Cyzewski

8 Ways to Find More Time to Read
Even If You're Super Busy
Elizabeth Sile

3 Steps to Rewriting Your Narrative
For a Happier, More Rewarding Life
Angie Johnston

A 12 YEAR OLD'S VERY HONEST BOOK REPORT

I rate this novel 0 star because it was confusing and way too long. The descriptions took forever like when the author explained how rhythmic the people of Camazots were and went on for paragraphs that made the book really hard to follow. I recommend this book to people that want to be bored to death. The book deserves credit for being the most confusing and boring book I have ever read. Do not read this book unless you are forced to.