2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 2)

This book tells the gripping story of Arthur Stace, more commonly known as Mr. Eternity. Born in Sydney, Australia, the first few decades of this man’s life we full of abandonment, alcohol, and despair. He comes to the very end of himself, and that is where he meets Jesus. Arthur’s life radically changes! His desires are now for eternal things, and he wants everyone to know his God. For years, he went around Sydney and the outlying areas writing the word “eternity” in chalk on sidewalks. It may seem like a small gesture, but God used it in mighty ways. Many souls were saved, lives were influenced for Christ, and at the celebration of New Years 2000, the words “eternity” in Arthur’s famous script lit up the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the world to see. What a legacy!

This is the second book I’ve ready by Dr. Lara Briden (the first being Period Repair Manual), and I appreciate how she makes heavy science topics understandable for your everyday woman.

I hope I have at least another decade or more to go before I enter this season of womanhood, but I thought I’d get a head start on learning about it. This book was packed with helpful information! Dr. Briden leans more towards the natural side of medicine while also mentioning more conventional ways to deal with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. She spends a great deal of time writing about everyday life things that can have a HUGE impact on your health in all seasons of life, but especially during this season of so many hormonal and physical changes. Some of these things include: diet, exercise, circadian rhythm, nervous system regulation, and more.

I think every woman in or near this season of life would benefit from reading this book! For those in their 20s or 30s, I highly recommend Period Repair Manual.

Between Flowers and Bones is the second book in The Restorations series. I have been reading this series aloud to my children, and it has made all of us fall in love with art! That might be my favorite thing about reading these books. The first one centered around the works of Van Gogh, while this one centers around artist Georgia O’Keeffe. My kids have been able to identify works from both artists just from the exposure we’ve gotten from these books (and googling the art the book references).

While I enjoyed the first book a bit more than this one, the captivating storyline continued. Georgia is a dynamic character who battles with her identity, jealousy, and being a team player. Throughout the book, you see her make choices that not only hurt others, but also hurt herself. Spoiler, but by the end, she has worked through many of these things and is a much more pleasant person. Also, bonus points for Georgia being a homeschooler! It’s rare to find exciting, dynamic homeschool characters in books.

*Parents Note: There are a few slang words used, one being “gosh darn.”

“… I am meant to go to God moment by moment. It is meant to be a way of life, a constant rhythm of returning to His presence and His help. All the while, I have to keep in mind that this happens only by my choice. I have to choose deliberately to place everything into His hands, and then I have to decide to actually let it all stay there and go to sleep.”

Motherhood will stretch you in all the best ways. It is a catalyst for spiritual growth as it highlights your utter dependency upon the Lord. Sally Clarkson takes your hand and shows the reader how to walk the path of life as we pursue the Lord in our motherhood. She encourages readers to walk with purpose, assurance, trust, and heart.

Sally Clarkson is a champion for biblical motherhood, and this book is a beautiful demonstration of that legacy. I was so refreshed and encouraged to continue on in my pursuit of Christ, allowing that relationship to spill over and bless the relationship I have with my children.

“As mothers, one of our greatest responsibilities is to walk through the days of our lives seeking to love our King and promote His kingdom. One of the primary ways we do this is by teaching our children and modeling for them what it means to be a devoted servant of the King.”

This was an interesting read full of thoroughly researched information on civilizations throughout history and their yearing to know the one, true God. Many of them had no idea for Who they yearned, but God has created all of our hearts to know that there is a God. The Bible says that conscious and creation attest to this truth- there is a God! I was saddened to see how many fields were ripe and ready for harvest, yet there was no fruit for the kingdom because “how can they hear without a preacher?” There is a despate need for more gospel witnesses in every generation! We cannot change the past, but we can change the future!

I will mention, I don’t agree with all of the author’s conculsions. Sometimes it felt like he muddied the line between desiring to know the “ultimate higher power” and true salvation. Without Christ’s blood, there is no remission of sins the Bible says. That is a sad truth for the peoples who wanted to know, yet never heard the truth of the gospel. Also, it took me quite a while to get through this book. It’s not one where you will read chapters at a time. The information is heavy, and leaves you thinking through what you read as opposed to racing through the book.

Whelp! This book is quirky, strange, and ridiculously hilarious! It might be the weirdest book I’ve ever read, but it had our entire family dying with laughter. I really don’t have words to describe it. You just have to read it for yourself!

This was a beautiful story of loss, friendship, love, and bravery. Nan Sparrow, a little chimney sweet, finds herself all alone… unitl Charlie comes along. Their friendship grows through joy and challenges. Nan knows the Sweep has given her Charlie for a special reason. But what is that reason? And what happens to Charlie once his purpose is fufilled?
This book kept my kids begging for one more chapter! We all delighted in this tale.

Disclaimer: A few notes for parents…
-There is one paragraph that alludes to suicide
-There are a few intense characters that could be scary for sensitive children
-There is a reference to a book of mythical, magical creatures

“May their lives be a frantic search for belovedness as we block the realization that beloved is who they already are, and who they will always be.”

Wow. So so good!! This book is written in the style of The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. It delves into the many lies and distractions Satan uses on women today. There’s so much in this book to ponder on and pray through. It touches on identity crisis, marriage, motherhood, aging, friendships, acceptance, technology, and so much more.

Disclaimer: Since reading the book I have found out that the author is Catholic. I did not pick up on any of that in this book, but do beware.

Lilly, Adam, Cedric and a few other friends find themselves on a daring adventure to find Lilly’s father… who is lost in another realm. Meanwhile, this realm is under attack by the evil shrouds and their leader. Enter into the world of dreams and hang on tight as terror and mystery abound!

*Parent Note: The word “freak” is used repeatedly.

The third installment of the Mysterious Benedict Society brought back the loveable charaters! While it was a fun read, I felt that it took a while for the plot to develop and it wasn’t nearly as engaging as the first two books.

*Parent Note: A few times it mentioned people cursing. No curse words are mentioned, but it did draw attention to the fact that cursing was happening.

I cannot believe I have a preteen in my house! How did the time go so quickly? This book had some good tips for navigating these years bridging between the child and teenage years. I especially enjoyed the chapters on communication and encouragement. I do wish there had been more Scripture throughout. Instead, the authors often referenced another book they wrote (Growing Kid’s God’s Way).

Every Christian home should have this book! This is my second time reading through this with my kids, and we still could not put it down. This book is FULL of wonderful allegory that leads into rich conversations. The line that stood out to me the most this time was near the end as a pilgrim prepares to cross the dark river heading to the Celestial City… “This river makes so many creatures afraid! Indeed, I was frightened myself before I entered it. But my fear is gone. I can feel the firm ground under my feet, and soon I shall be with my Good Prince. It has been pleasant to hear of Him and think of Him, but now I shall see Him with my own eyes. He has helped me and strengthened me all through my pilgrimage, and He is with me now.” If you haven’t read this beatiful book yet, you should asap! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I rarely read YA dystopian novels these days, but in my late teens, it was a different story. I read the original three Hunger Games books back when they first released. I’d heard that this one was good, so I gave it a shot. It did suck me back into the story, into the drama, into the heartwrenching depravity of the Capitol. This book follows Haymitch’s story sharing the details behind his reaping, games, victory, love, and loss. It sheds light onto who he was and why he became what he did- giving broader context to the rest of the story.

*Disclaimer: There was some language. There is one brief reference to a same-sex couple. Drinking. In traditional Hunger Games fashion, it is gory and morbid.

*DO NOT RECOMMEND

While the author’s research was impressive, and I gained an even greater respect for the work of midwifery, I wouldn’t recommend this book. It had quite a bit of language and drinking. I get that we’re dealing with the topic of having babies, but the storyline consisted of a lot of premarital sexual relationships and the rape incident was too graphic. For a book that has been shared by sevarl women I get good book recs from, I was so disappointed. I was also disappointed because this author writes she is a Christian. I feel this type of content should not be in a book written by a follower of Christ.