My Bookstack, January & February

What the world needs now.

It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway): there’s much turmoil, change, and upheaval in our world these days. And it’s hard. I managed to distract myself with some sister time and a mother-daughter visit over the past week, but whenever I turned on the news, I was hit with harsh reality again.

Maintaining my reading habit has refreshed my spirit and kept me grounded. It’s taken self-discipline to turn off social media and open a book instead, but the ones I chose over the past two months rewarded me. I experienced an escape to magical and timeless worlds, the gift of healing over time, the hope in a God who loves all people, and the inspiration to pass that love on to others.

Here are the ratings and reviews for the five books I finished over these past two months. I hope you’ll consider adding them to your stack!

*BookStack, vol. 7, Jan-Feb, 2025.

There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension (Hanif Abdurraqib) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️(4.5)

Strongly Recommend. This book is bursting with beautiful language as Abdurraqib writes poetry through his prose. His basketball stories and memories of growing up in Ohio when LeBron James rose to stardom, are the means he uses to describe his life, with moments of glory and triumph, mixed with poverty, loss, and racism. Abdurraqib redefines success for a country that has often lost sight of what truly matters. His profound use of language moved me, at times making me painfully aware of my white privilege, while also instilling hope for a better future for all God’s children. (Audiobook)

The Lost Bookshop (Evie Woods) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommend. I don't often read magical realism, so I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this genre. The Lost Bookshop, with its tree branches and magical bookshelves growing into bedrooms, sometimes reminded me of the land of Narnia. The topic of rare book collectors, and all the references to classical books and authors, was also intriguing. Although the plot had some holes that left me confused or disappointed at times, overall, the story drew me in with its parallel time periods, mystery, and magic. The characters featured are strong women (and a few good men), past and present, on a quest to escape a hurtful past and find their purpose and potential. Along the way, they also discover love, and its power to connect one generation to another. (Kindle)

Time of the Child (Niall Williams) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Highly Recommend. After reading and loving "This is Happiness" with its quirky, lovable parishioners in the rainy Irish village of Faha, I knew I had to read "Time of the Child." Niall Williams is a masterful storyteller. With his exquisite, detailed descriptions and believable, imperfect characters (like Dr. Jack Troy), he weaves a narrative of hope, heartache, faith and love. The story of a baby found abandoned just before Christmas and secretly taken in by Dr. Troy and his daughter Ronnie, brought me to tears at times, and laughing out loud at others. Some might complain the story moves too slowly, but this pace is good for my soul. I predict "Time of the Child" will be one of my top reads of 2025. (Note: if you enjoy a good Irish accent, go for the audiobook!) (Audiobook)

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times (Katherine May) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommend. This is a warm, cozy-with-a-cup-of-tea kind of read. Katherine May has a unique, lyrical writing style as she relates her struggles of job loss, illness, and family trials with cultural and natural phenomena like the aurora borealis, polar plunging, and a visit to Stonehenge during the winter solstice. Although it contained many illuminating facts, the book plodded along and failed to hold my attention at times. May often left me hanging with unfinished stories of her personal and family struggles. Still, having gone through a "winter" season after my hip surgery a year ago, I could relate to the necessity of rest and retreat and appreciated the lessons and metaphors she shared. (Hardcover)

Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere (Savannah Guthrie) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Highly Recommend. I'm a regular watcher of the Today Show and Savannah Guthrie has been my favorite anchor for years. I didn't know what to expect when she announced she wrote a book about her Christian faith, but I knew I wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. As a famous news broadcaster and law school graduate, Savannah’s writing was engaging and smart, filled with references to scripture and faith leaders that she's studied or admired. Although she gives an initial disclaimer that she is not a theologian, her theology is sound and in line with my own Christian views. Her focus on God's love for us, his constant presence, and themes of praise, grace, hope, and purpose were expressed through personal stories, experiences, and insight. Hearing Savannah's voice through the audiobook brought her stories to life, but I think I’d also like the actual book on my nightstand for daily inspiration. (Audiobook)

Above: My view of Savannah’s back (with Willie, Al, and Dylan…IYKYK), and of her face when we visited the Today Show on January 2, 2015.

And that’s the Stack!

What’s next? I picked up a pile of books at our local library’s used book store before Christmas, and still haven’t decided which one to read next. Eenie-meenie-miney-mo… 🤷‍♀️

It’s your turn!

I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading. Do you have any recommendations?

Have you read any books from my stack? What did you think?

Oooh..I almost forgot!

I wanted to let you know my book, Lent Through the Little Things: Encountering Jesus in Life's Ordinary Moments, is ON SALE for $9 (Reg. $12.99) on my website. Since shipping is $4, it's like free shipping, without bowing to Amazon! (Or, get free shipping when you buy 4 or more copies.) PLUS, if you order from my website, you can request a personalized/signed copy. (While supplies last.)

This 40-day Lenten devotional will help you encounter Jesus in your everyday moments and surroundings—at the shoe store, the kitchen sink, a coffee shop, or in your car.

He leaves his mark on all creation, if only we look for him. These readings bring us to the cross, where our Savior offers free and abundant grace!

✝️ 🩶 Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is March 5.

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