Sunday, March 14, 2021

2021's Best Books . . . So Far


I'm so very glad you're here!

Yes, it's mid-March {can you believe it?!} and time to unpack this edition of The Bookbag.

If you're from Anne's Quick Lit, I'm happy you chose to come hang out with us!  Be sure to join us in the dialogue that follows because it's always the best part of the post.  And if you like it around here, please subscribe and share with your bookish friends and fans.

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How are you feeling about your reading life so far this year?

I've only read about 10 books and sifted through a couple handfuls more.  I'll chalk it up to working on a whole bunch of puzzles {11 at last count} on those cold winter nights.  And a lack of true, extended focus on the printed page unless it's really captivating. {Check out the enlightening conversation we had about our pandemic brains last week.}

And, oh yes, the coloring books have occupied many long evenings - this ginormous hard cover 120 page gem that I've been indulging in for years.  This delightfully inspiring Psalms softcover.  And these fun glitter gel pens, too.

I've also closed the covers on a few volumes that were either too trashy or too boring or far too wordy for their own good.  Not worth the investment of time or energy.  If I'm not loving a read after 50 pages, I'm done and back to the library it goes. 

Sometimes you quickly KNOW when a book / movie / website / TV show / podcast has no value add to your life, your world view, or your spiritual growth ... and it's time to move on to greener pastures. 

THIS QUARTER'S FAVORITE READS

                                                                                                
- Christie Watson
compassionate  .  forthright  .  vulnerable 
Walk alongside Christie as she takes you through the hospital hallways, the neo-natal unit, cancer ward, pediatric intensive care, emergency room, geriatric ward.  The patients, the secrets, the stories, the day-to-day details.  This one's for every soul who's interacted with kind and skilled health care workers ... or who serves as one of these heroes.

The Dearly Beloved: A Novel
 - Cara Wall
quirky  .  relational  .  thought-provoking
Two men propelled by different motivations meet in seminary and energetically join forces to save a historic church.  Their wives are polar opposites and light years apart from each other.  An engaging story of searching for faith vs. absence of faith, turbulent relationships, skepticism, uncertainty, and forgiveness.  

Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home
- Barbara Brown Taylor
soulful  .  insightful  .  refreshing
'Most of us are so distracted by our gadgets, so busy with our work, so addicted to our pleasures, and so resistant to our depths that a nice long spell in the wilderness is just what we need ... If you've been looking for some excuse to head to your own mountaintop and pray, this is it.  If you've been looking for some way to trade in your old certainties for new movement in your life, look no further ... this is your chance to encounter God's contagious glory, so that a little of that shining rubs off on you' {pg. 190}.

Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep
- Tish Harrison Warren
comforting  .  faith-stretching  .  reflective
'We ask God to "soothe the suffering."  We don't ask Him to placate the suffering with cliches.  We don't ask that the sufferer would quiet down and get over it.  We look to God as a gentle nurturer, a comforter, and healer, not as a gruff coach who tells us to stop whining and play through the pain' {pg. 135}.

READING & BLOGGING
CREATING & WRITING
Blogging ... 13 Years Later
Me!

Why Collaboration Is Better Than Competition 
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

The Best Books to Help You
Grow Your Prayer Life
Rebecca Hastings

Setting New Boundaries and an
important change I'm making to the blog
 
Emily @ cupcakes and cashmere

Six Considerations Before
 You Share on Social Media
 
Randy Alcorn

10 things I learned (from YOU)
in 10 years of blogging

Anne Bogel

The Sheer Beauty of the Craft
Seth & Tish

Your 38 Gifts of Inspiration
Me!

Burning the midnight oil with a page turner?  Writing up a storm?  Do tell ... and feel free to share your latest bookish link with us!
Linda

<<  You ... One Year Ago

Early Springtime Serendipity @ Home  >>

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Anne  .  Jeanne  .  Richella  .  Lisa

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as an Amazon Associate
 I may earn a small financial benefit
if you use the Amazon links on this post

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48 comments:

  1. I loved loved loved The Dearly Beloved!

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    1. And I can't quite put my finger on what did it for me, Caroline ...

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    2. I loved the language, the friendship, the era -- all of it.

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    3. It's one of those books that you discover something fresh each time you re-read. And THAT I love ...

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  2. Always a Guest keeps popping up on my radar as I read friends' blogs, Linda, so maybe I need to invest in that book. Like you, if a book doesn't grab me in the first 50 pages, it's a no-go. Life is too short to waste time on wasteful activities.
    Blessings, and thanks for these recommendations!

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    1. Barbara's series of talks / sermons / reflections give cause for pause and consideration. And that's always a good thing!

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  3. Just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea. A delightful book about unconditional love and seeing beyond the labels we impose on people. Barbara Brown Taylor's book sounds appealing. I loved her book, Learning To Walk In The Dark and read it twice.

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    1. Kathreen ... yes, yes, this would be an optimum time for a re-reading of Learning to Walk in the Dark. For such a time as what we are hopefully emerging from ...

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  4. The Dearly Beloved is high on my TBR - it always sounds so good when people share it.

    I'm here because of Anne's monthly Quick Lit round up post... here's what my family has been reading -

    https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-march-2021

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    1. I love the name of your blog, Everyones Librarian! and I'm glad you're here today, Lis ...

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  5. We almost chose Dearly Beloved as our book club read a few months ago and then chose something else. I'm thinking we need to try to work it in this year!

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    1. Stacie, yes, there's lots of fodder in Dearly Beloved for some deep discussions on marriage, relationships, faith, culture, forgiveness, family dynamics.

      Good stuff.

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  6. So many books with so many words ... They should write books using just emojies.

    God bless.

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    1. An emoji driven book ... now THERE'S a thought!

      You go first.

      ;-}

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  7. Linda, I am always interested in book recommendations. I love reading and try to complete a book every week. Thank you for always inspiring!

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    1. A book a week?! With all your photography, decorating, blogging, and sweet family time ... so impressive, friend.

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  8. Thanks for including me in this amazing list! I always love your book recommendations. Truly honored!

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  9. I got an e-reader last Christmas. I didn't think I would like it, but it's enabled me to borrow e-books from my library. So I've actually been reading more books than anticipated! I'll have to see if I can find e-books from your list!

    Thanks for the visit! My grandmother passed when I was only 5 so I treasure the Jadeite mug (and dishes) from her collection.

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    1. You're right, Margie, if there ever was a year to have embraced e-reading, this would have been it! Although I'm a dye-in-the-wool real live book in my hand reader, I sure can see why so many have headed in this direction.

      And oh, the Jadeite! Mugs AND dishes, too? Your grandmother would be astounded that you're able to share her beautiful bounty with people from all over!

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  10. Linda, you are a busy woman! I agree with you about not wasting time on a book that doesn't suit. I might give it more than 50 pages, but sometimes you know right away - this book is not for me! I have not read Barbara Brown Taylor in a while. I think that one needs to go on my TBR list. Thanks for the good reviews.

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    1. Oh, I'm glad you found something here today, Laurie! Speaking of a busy woman, that'd be YOU, friend!

      ;-}

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  11. In my old age, I have started keeping a card file of the books I have read with a short synopsis and rating. After reading so many books, this has become necessary because I can no longer remember what I have read and not read. I will pick up a book and read sometimes only a page--and THEN remember--OH I read this! SO thank you for these recommendation blogs. I always always looking for recs and usually read at least one of your's.
    Blessings!

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    1. You've got your card file, I've got my old journal with the teddy bear and balloon. I've been tempted to try something online, but old habits die hard, don't they ...

      I'd love to hear more about how that works for you, how many cards you have, etc., etc.!

      :-}

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  12. I have not heard of any of your books. I have a few Scripture-based coloring books but haven't been inspired to get them out much--I think because in the living room where we watch TV, where and when I'd be most prone to use them, the lighting isn't good enough to see them that well. But I have found they keep me from falling asleep during Zoom church. :-)

    I shared what I read during February in my end-of-month post here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2021/02/25/february-reflections-2/. Since then I finished audiobooks of Nicholas Nickleby and Silas Marner as well as Hudson Taylor and Maria.

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    1. Yep, while my husband watches TV, I often sit with him and color. Our interests are pretty different but sometimes I just want to be near him and coloring quiets me at the end of the day.

      And for sure, I hear you about the lighting ... we have a pole lamp that I drag from one side of the sofa to the other depending on if I'm working on a puzzle or coloring.

      Quite inconvenient.

      But keeping you from falling asleep during Zoom church? I hear ya ...

      ;-}

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    2. More in common, Linda: I too will spmetimes color as my husband and I watch TV news in the evening. And like you, I pull out the floor lamp from the wall in order to have more light--a lamp that's supposed to be in the guest room!

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    3. Exactly! We do what we have to do ...

      ;-}

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  13. I'd read of Catholic unicorns
    on pilgrimage of hope,
    rosaries upon their horns
    for audience with the Pope.
    Or Amish lady bouncers,
    all bonnets and steel muscle
    who can with little effort trounce
    ten bikers in a tussle
    while their husbands wait outside
    each with his own carriage,
    making furtive plans to hide
    from wifey in this marriage.
    Books are great for setting sail
    for travel to the grandest tales!

    No dig at Catholics here...I am one!

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    1. Too funny ... especially early in the morning! Amish lady bouncers and their men.

      ;-}

      I can picture every line, Andrew. You do have, what shall we say, a unique brand of humor! And I'm glad you share it here.

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  14. I have absolutely no problem tossing aside a half read book (or less) ' cause of all the reasons you mention too, Linda! That is why I love the library! I rarely buy books, however I did recently buy one that is 3 novels in one. It is an old classic I've wanted to read and now finally getting to it. Will take a few months to finish I reckon. So my number of books to read will be less than last year and the page count higher!

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    1. Hi Lynn! Your last line reminds us why so many of us are turning away from the importance of stats to prize the experience or quality instead.

      I'm with you about rarely buying books, although last night I found one that I bought from Amazon, and I'm wondering why even though it looks interesting. I love the ease of reserving books online ... and the growing number of Christian books available in our public libraries.

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  15. I sometimes stop reading certain books, too, Linda. What others recommend may not always work for me, and I'm learning not to feel guilty about that. I purchase certain nonfiction books, but not many. I mostly reserve fiction online. Our library also has a lot of great Christian books. Your choices are great. Prayer In the Night sounds especially appealing to me. Great articles, too. I was saddened that Emily sometimes received insensitive, harsh comments. And Randy Alcorn's article is so insightful. Love and blessings to you!

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    1. You're absolutely right, Trudy! No guilt at all, just discernment, pure and simple ...

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  16. Having been a pastor's wife myself until my husband retired, I'm intrigued by The Dearly Beloved--it's on my TBR list. Also checked out The Psalms in Color on Amazon. Lovely artwork! I've put that on my TBP (To Be Purchased) list. Thank you for the recommendations, Linda!

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    1. It is very well written, but it is NOT a Christian book. If you can get past this, there will be many situations I think you'll resonate with.

      Maybe you'll write a book someday?!

      I am loving the Psalms book. It's a hefty coloring book and the pictures are creative. And oh the verses!

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  17. "The Language of Kindness" sounds wonderful, Linda, and I'm already on the hold list for "Prayer in the Night." :-) I just finished "On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction" and I enjoyed it much I'm writing a blog post about it! And I LOVE your philosophy of sticking with a book (or not). Life's too short and all that ...

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    1. Looking forward to that post, Lois!

      And all the ones to come ...

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  18. Two of my favorites in that pile.
    Yeah, I could just hang out with Tish and Barb full time!

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  19. That prayer book looks so good. My husband recently became a part-time chaplain and we are becoming more and more aware of the need to slow down when interacting with suffering.

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    1. Oh Amy, you guys are so wise. Even Jesus felt the strength go out of Himself when the woman touched the hem of His garment.

      Thank you for your important words today. May they encourage others to be pro-active in the vital need to care for themselves even as they pour out in ministry to others.

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  20. love book lists. I always find a great idea. Thanks!

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  21. Puzzles, reading, and coloring. You are a creative gal after my heart. What better way to spend some time in the evening, but with being a bit creative. I am getting to be like you, setting down books after a few chapters if they don't keep my interest. Which I used to feel guilty about doing. But no more. All these books sound wonderful. I have been wanting to read something by Barbara Brown Taylor for some time.

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    1. Sounds like we are kindred spirits, Theresa ... it's lovely getting to know you bit by bit!

      I found Always a Guest to be an engaging addition to my devotional times, as each chapter was based on a passage of Scripture.

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  22. Always a Guest is one of my favorites too. I read The Dearly Beloved and felt all kinds of feelings. I think one of my daughters would really love it. She doesn't like novels that are all sunshine and roses but are realistic. This one definitely is. I always love seeing what you're reading, Linda!

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    1. I'd love to hear your take on The Dearly Beloved ... did you write a review?

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