Day 175

I've made my choice. I've decided that not only is this blog going to be about my journey through a year of reading, but it is also going to be the blog where I put my voice. My writing. Me. I have 3 other blogs. Yes, about 5 months ago I got blog happy. Mainly because I didn't feel as though my family blog was the appropriate place to bore people with all the other thoughts on life, God, and homeschooling. So I created a Worship focused blog (where I reflect and ponder my awesome God), a Blog to chronicle our homeschool journey, and then this one. Four total. And yet, as I would come up with thoughts that I wanted to share or release, I couldn't pick which blog category they fit into nicely. 

So here goes. I am inviting my voice to find its home here on this blog and from now on you'll be hearing more from me. And about the books too of course.   

Day 161

Our internet isn't working at home and we're in the middle of VBS week, but I had to post about the amazing book I finished last week!

I can't tell you how wonderful of a book this truly is. I was struck by the authors' abilities to pull me into caring about the lives of their characters! Honestly and truly this book was a help to me, the honest story and real faith is compelling to read and edifying too! Double bonus. :)

Now I'm reading the next book in the series - "Remember." When I have more time I'll tell you more about the plots.

Day 146

I must say that I started out so strong just a few months ago and now I'm falling further behind each month! I should have read 10 books by now and I'm up to 7, but I must also confess that I'm currently reading:


So as soon as I finish the first three, I'll at least be back up to my goal.

The 7th book I've read so far was:
 Best book I've read this year! Far above anything else this year, I could not put it down. The story was so genuine and the characters so raw that I found myself tearful the whole way through. In the first few pages the author tells you what's going to happen in the end and so the whole book is an invitation to walk through the experience with the main character. She (the main character) does not make excuses for her faults but neither does she let go of her faith. This story is as inspirational as it is tearful. I couldn't have enjoyed it more!

Day 118

Just finished book #1 for May: "Letters to God" by Patrick Doughtie and John Perry. http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310327653&QueryStringSite=Zondervan#Custom_1
If you go to this link you can "browse" the book and also watch the movie trailer from which this book was based. It is a very fast but good read. I could tell reading it that it was as if someone watched the movie and wrote out what they saw. It's not the most amazing in terms of artistry or grammar, but as a whole the book has such an awesome message that it far overshadows its creative short comings. I definitely would read it again on a Saturday afternoon when I need a good cry. Definitely sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and some chocolate - you're going to love it!

Day 106

So there is good news and bad news. First the bad news, because I know I just like to get it out of the way: I'm 2 books behind for the year. Yikes, I know. I've been focusing so much on non-fiction material that I've not been as quick to finish what I've started.

Here's the good news though: I've started a book review notebook! Let me explain. I have a hard time not going to extremes when it comes to researching. "Researching what?" You may ask, answer: everything. For example, starting cloth diapers I read blogs, reviews, books - you name it, I read it, and for months I did this! All because at the end of the day I just like to "know." SO how does this "book review notebook" save me? Well for instance I have been wanting to start researching all the many ways to homeschool, but I've avoided starting the process of reading up on it because there is so much to read. Enter notebook: now instead of feeling like I have to read the whole book, I get my notebook and write a bibliography for the book and jot down the titles of the chapters, skim the chapters I think would be most interesting/useful and return the book to the library. Now I know that when I have a question about homeschooling in a specific topic I can grab my notebook look up the books I've reviewed and go from there! Fool proof. ;)

More good news: I did finish a book this month too! I can finally say I'm done reading "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It was life changing, a must read for anyone serious about spending time with the LORD everyday. Her writing is rich with everyday wisdom, Biblical references, encouragement, and edification, and practical steps to having a purposeful devotional life. I am a huge fan of her and this book. Check it out. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/

Even more good news (see now you've forgotten what a slacker I am): the BAM Book Club etc... has been created and going strong! We follow close to the Books-a-Million (BAM) Faithpoint Book Club that they host for their customers. This next month we will read "Letters to God" which is a book from the motion picture (http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/ check out the preview, I believe these are the same people who made "Fireproof").

And even more good news: I'm up to date with my Bible reading for the year! This will be the first time I read through the Bible in a year and I'm so excited. Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!!! (Currently in John just finished Judges {the plan I follow jumps back and forth from OT to NT})

Day 83

Wow this year is more tangible when seen in days past: 83 days gone since I started my challenge. (For the math people, I did not start the blog/challenge on January 1st ;) .)

Since beginning the challenge I also started cloth diapering Graham (we already had them from JoeAnna). And I found this resource site AllAboutClothDiapers.com and it's truly great and helpful. The author is doing a giveaway, and I want to win! So I need to blog about it; lucky you. :)

http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/cutiepoops-cloth-diapers-monthly-giveaway-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AllAboutClothDiapers+%28All+About+Cloth+Diapers%29

check it out!

Day 62

Exactly 31 days from my last post... weird.

Okay for the update:
I've read one book so far in March "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan. http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=105954&source=frontpage
Check out the website, there's a video of Chan summarizing the book.

Also, the Book Club is in motion! I've joined with BAM to start a club based on their recommened reads from all genres, and we're starting with "Forgotten God" (if you want more info about times and dates of meetings, just comment or email me).

Graham is still in cloth!

Have a great day, and I look forward to reporting what my second book from this month will be. But in order to report...I...must...go...read!