12 Captivating Books to Savor

Books, Books, Books!! Reading is my comfort activity. Health-wise, this has been a challenging month. The silver lining to my illness is more reading time. Yay!

This month’s books were a mixed bag. I read some riveting books, and I also attempted a few that couldn’t hold my interest. These are the titles that made the cut. Spoiler: make sure you scroll all the way down, or you’ll miss the best novel I’ve read in quite some time.

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Picture/Board Book

Food Trucks! by Jeffrey Burton, illustrated by Jay Cooper

If anyone of your acquaintance is a member of the board book crowd, you must immediately run out to purchase this book! I didn’t even attempt to resist; resistance was obviously futile. This “Lift-the-Flap Meal on Wheels” is charming and adorable and all the adjectives. Each page features different cuisine, from American to Indian to Japanese and many in-between. The illustrations are bright and cheery and captivating. A must-have for the young foodie in your life. My mom and I both oohed and ahhed over this book, and I practically forced it upon each person who walked into my house. No kidding.

Bible Study/Devotional

The Girl’s Still Got It by Liz Curtis Higgs

You all know Liz Curtis Higgs is a favorite of mine, and she delivered with this book. The study of the book of Ruth is well-researched, educational, entertaining, heart-warming, moving, and convicting. I love how we feel we’ve moved right in with Ruth and Naomi and become an integral part of their lives. When that baby was placed in Naomi’s arms I cried. The study and application questions throughout make this lovely story a personal call to action.

Christian Non-Fiction

Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson

I’m going to camp here on this one because I believe its message is critical. This book contains statistics about mental illness as well as personal stories of how mental illness impacts both the afflicted and their family members. It includes a history of treatment of mental illnesses both inside and outside of church. There are well-thought-out examples of how churches and individuals can minister to mentally ill people and their loved ones, beginning with education.

Because I believe this is crucial, I am sharing her suggestions to consider for how you can be part of the solution.

Get help
Tell your own story
Get educated
Walk through mental health care system with someone who needs support
Destigmatize mental illness
Talk about mental illness
Encourage relationships
ASK what you can do to help
Be present
Radiate acceptance
Be patient
Help with practical needs
Confer with counselors
Draw boundaries and stick with them
Encourage small groups
Know when you’re in over your head
Use resources
Start a support group
Start a professional counseling ministry in your church

And I will add one more suggestion: purchase this helpful book.

Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective of Mental Illness by Matthew S. Stanford

Author Matthew S. Stanford, PhD is the CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute. He also teaches in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine and the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston. While I didn’t find this work as compelling as the previously mentioned book, it is still a worthwhile read.

Christian Fiction

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

If you liked Redeeming Love, I think you’ll love this story of two conflicted and multi-faceted characters who are simultaneously looking for and running from love. I particularly enjoy the portrait of the many ways people respond to damaged traumatic childhoods. It’s like peeling an onion layer by layer.

Fiction

The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris

This is an interesting look into the ultra-conservative Orthodox Jewish life. The story focuses on two couples and jumps back-and-forth in time. It’s an examination on love, marital relationships and how they change, and the effect of living in a culture where no one is allowed to question…ever. There is a fascination with the mystery of sex, which seems understandable when a couple is preparing to marry and no one will help them understand what is to happen on the wedding night.

As you can see, I’m still carrying on my Hannah Swensen murder mystery obsession. You just can’t go wrong with this clean, fast-paced, and enjoyable reads by Joanne Fluke. Click image for link to each individual book; for a list of many Joanne Fluke books, click this link. I’ve never read one I didn’t enjoy! Perfect summer beach read.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

Talk about a page turner! This story is twisty-turny, unexpected, and unique. I was sucked in within moments. We aren’t positive of anyone…and I do mean anyone. Who is the villain? Is the main character on the up-and-up? Can we trust anyone? And what really happened two decades ago? And why? This book is a thriller in every sense of the word. Disclaimer: this book contains a lot of language. I was invested in the story before the language really got started. The storyline also features a fortune teller who uses tarot cards, but she doesn’t believe in them and considers herself more of an amateur counselor. I’m telling you: I could not put this one down!

And now…the best fiction book I’ve read in a very long time and my top recommendation for this month….

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

For my fellow lovers of historical fiction, I recommend this slow-paced novel with a philosophical bent. Set it twentieth century Russia and feeling very like classic Russian literature–except understandable–this book is a masterpiece. I love everything about it: the timeline jumps, the footnotes that sometimes contain important plot lines, the twists and turns, the mystery, the understated language, the elegance, the flawed cast of characters.

What would happen if a aristocratic “enemy of the State” was sentenced to lifelong house arrest at a majestic hotel? This story began when the author wondered just that. I highly recommend this book.