reading challenge

2018 Reading Challenge – December Update

I reached my goal of 100 books in 2018 in September but didn’t stop there. I created an Instagram account to track my reading in real time. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads!

A second reading goal for 2018 was to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. Many months I have been able to read multiple books in this category.

A third goal was to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year. I completed that in August but continued to list the categories I read for the remainder of the year.

This is the final update for the year. Here are the previous lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, 91-100, Sept/October, and November.

I read 4 books in December written by a non-white author (indicated with an *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), 2) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 3) a classic you’ve been meaning to read (CL), 4) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (Dif), and 5) a book you can read in a day (1D).

December

119. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (NF)

Jeannette tells of her life growing up in a transient family with three siblings. She had a rough life with parents who seemed more concerned with their own wants and desires than the care of their children. Her older sister moved to NYC when she graduated high school and Jeannette and her brother both followed after their junior years of high school.

Jeannette had a complicated relationship with her parents. I really struggled with how her parents “raised” their children and glad the older kids seemed to turn out fine. Kids are quite resilient. It was a painful, engaging, and heartwrenching story that I wanted to throw across the room several times.

120. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron (NF)

I would give this book ten stars if I could! It is just what I needed to unlock my creativity. It is a twelve-week workbook with essays, exercises, and weekly reviews to help you notice progress. It’s a lot of work with daily morning pages and weekly artist dates but if you are faithful to do the work I believe it will help you immensely. I appreciated that it asks you to consider beliefs, attitudes, past experiences, and current actives and people in your life that hinder your ability to be creative. It invites you to dream about the future and imagine a life where you are flourishing in your creativity.

I was very skeptical about the book as it felt like “magical thinking” but I learned so much about myself in the process of working through the book including fears and beliefs I have held about writing, distractions I was allowing to keep me stuck, and hidden dreams I was unaware of. It is a wonderful book for everyone who is interested in pursuing their creative dreams – writers, actors, painters, photographers, musicians, film producers, etc. This might possibly be the best resource for breaking out of a rut or artist block. I plan to reread it soon to continue to improve my creative life.

121. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover (NF)

Tara grew up in Idaho, the youngest of seven kids. Her father was paranoid and thought the government was out to get him so he taught his family that surviving on their own was best for their family. They didn’t go to school or the doctor, only to their Mormon church on Sundays. The family was poor, her dad scrapped metal in the junkyard and completed building projects. Her mom started midwifing and eventually began selling homeopathic remedies.

Tara had a rough life with an unpredictable father and a violent older brother. When she was seventeen she was accepted into BYU and started her official formal education that revealed her ignorance but would eventually lead to a PhD. While education meant freedom it also meant separation from her family as she began to see truth separate from her family’s perceived reality.

A very hard story to read but we’ll written. I hurt for her emotional and physical pain she had endured. I hope that the rest of her story will be more positive.

122. That Holiday Feeling by Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, & Robyn Carr (Fav)

This is three short books in one. I picked it up because I wanted a Christmas read and I have previously read books from two of the authors. They were all entertaining stories but my favorite was the second one by Sherry Woods whom I hadn’t previously heard of. I’ll summarize the books below but think of them as Hallmark Christmas movie-esque with more intimacy.

Silver Bells is about a single father who briefly loves into an apartment building while his new house is being built and his 13yo daughter tries to set him up with one of the other tenants.

The Perfect Holiday is about a single mother moving into the lodge her great aunt left her in her will, hoping to get it up and running again. Her aunt had also made a successful single guy promise to spend the holiday there.

Under the Christmas Tree is about a single woman who finds abandoned puppies under the town Christmas tree and convinces a bar owner to help her nurse them back to health. The town vet comes to check on them and turns out to be very handsome and single.

Predictable, but fun reads for the holiday.

123. The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

A bookstore in Franklin, TN holds a lot of memories for many people, two individuals in particular. They spent hours there together sharing their lives and favorite books, somewhere away from prying eyes. Molly Allen was the only child of a successful businessman who had her life mapped out for her and didn’t want anything, including love, disrupting the plan. Ryan Kelly had a serious girlfriend back home where he planned to return after graduation. They encouraged one another to pursue their own dreams. Their friendship and potential romance was cut short due to a misunderstanding. Now the owner of the bookstore is in critical condition after a car accident and there two are determined to help anyway they can. Will the misunderstanding be resolved? Will Charlie the store owner recover?

A quick and predictable read that was turned into a Hallmark movie. There’s a short story at the end that delves more into the lives of Charlie and his wife Donna.

124. Edge of Peril by Christy Barritt (Fav)

Fog Lake, TN has had a string of murders in the past six months. Harper drove from DC to the town because she has an idea who is behind the crimes, her foster- brother Billy, who supposedly died in a car accident a few years ago. The sheriff is skeptical and doesn’t trust reporters at all but after Harper is threatened by The Watcher he thinks there might be more to her theory. Can the murderer be caught before he kills anyone else?

It was very intense and I put it down for a few days because I was very concerned for Harper’s safety. It’s a very suspenseful story that had me guessing who the killer was.

125. Jonah: Navigating an Interrupted Life by Priscilla Shirer* (Fav) (NF) (Dif)

This is a six-week study of the book of Jonah that includes corresponding videos available to purchase. The study talks about God’s call for Jonah to go to Nineveh as a divine invitation rather than an interruption in our schedule. The study invites us to look at our own lives and try to see the invitation God is extending in non-ideal circumstances. It is a great opportunity to change your perspective on inconveniences and invites you to trust God and his plans and purposes for your life. I would recommend doing it with a small group.

126. The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby* (NF) (Dif)

This book walks through the history of slavery and racism in the United States beginning with the colonization of the east coast to the present day. It shows the complicity of the church and Christians in the country’s establishment and perpetuation of racist policies after slavery was abolished. It lists steps that can be taken presently to move toward and possibly bring about racial reconciliation.

It was a very informative and challenging book. I was sickened by the actions and decisions made throughout our country’s history toward people of color, especially African Americans. I learned a lot and appreciate the list of action steps I can take in my sphere of influence to potentially make a positive impact.

127. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston* (CL) (Dif)

Janie tells the story of her life to her good friend Phoeby. She talks about her childhood and the day she realized she wasn’t white, her first two marriages to controlling and ambitious older men and her last marriage to a younger but loving man and what finally brought her back to her old town.

It was a very interesting and engaging story. It took a little bit to get a good feel for the way the language was written. I’m curious to know what happened with Janie after the story ended.

128. The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You by Shannan Martin (NF)

Shanna shares her experience of moving from the country into an urban neighborhood and what it looked like for her family to take root and really invest in their neighbors and neighborhood church. She shares the struggle of experiencing pain and heartache through the relationships formed but the also the high of sharing joy by living connected to those around her.

It is the right book for me right now as I am trying to navigate what it would look like to really love my neighbors and seek real relationships with them. This book has encouraged me that the hard work is worthwhile, meaningful, and will grow my relationship with God.

129. Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews (Fav)

Weezie is getting married to Daniel right before Christmas. He’s in NYC as a guest chef for a month. BeBe is 8 months pregnant with her and Harry’s child and is informed that she is not officially divorced from her last husband, who was a scam artist and last she heard was in jail. Weezie decides to visit Daniel for a few days and BeBe tries to track down Richard. Will there be any wedding hiccups or divorce dilemmas?

I didn’t realize this is the fourth book in the series but it turned out I had read the others several years back so it worked out. A fairly light, easy Christmas-time read.

130. All Cat Wants for Christmas: Cats Talk to Santa by Lizz Brady (1D)

A book of letters to Santa if cats wrote letters. They were on point for cat owners. A quick holiday read.

131. The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Meador Lambert

A 25-day devotional to focus on the story of God and the coming of Jesus during the Advent season. The book has suggested songs, a daily memory verse, and two devotionals with questions and a prayer – one for kids and one for adults. It encourages you to make ornaments for each day. I printed out the photos, colored and laminated them, and added string.

My kids are six and eight and the kid version was perfect for them. It was a great way to focus on Jesus during the Christmas season.

132. Night of the Living Dad by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott (1D)

Baby Blues cartoon strip when Darryl and Wanda just have Zoe but then become pregnant with their second. Very humorous and relatable comics for parents.

133. Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman

Daphne lives in NYC and is currently unemployed and divorced after a very short marriage. Her mother died a year ago and left her a yearbook which she threw in her building’s recycling. A wanna-be documentary filmmaker on her floor found it and wants Daphne’s help figuring out the importance of the yearbook. Daphne discovers some surprising info after attending a school reunion with her neighbor and tries desperately to keep it from seeing the light, enlisting the help of her across the hall neighbor.

It was an interesting and cute story. I was intrigued and kept reading to find out what would happen. Quite entertaining with a relatively happy ending.

134. What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape by Sohaila Abdulali* (NF) (Dif)

The author talks about her own experience with rape – as a personal experience, as the subject for her thesis, and as a counselor at a rape crisis center. She had interviewed many people all over the world and talks about the various country cultures that have harmed rather than helped sexual assault survivors. It reminds us that there is no rational reason for rape and it will continue until rape is addressed and part of a worldwide conversation to bring it out of the shadows, properly educate about consent, and remove the stigma from rape victims. It even talks about the difference between a sex worker and a trafficking victim. Very interesting, informative, and a good reference.

135. The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan by Shanna Hatfield (Fav)

Cadence Greer goes to stay with her aunt in Grass Valley, OR after her fiancé (and coworker) elopes with his secretary a week before the wedding. She gets a job as a cook and housekeeper at the Triple T Ranch, trying not to fall for her handsome new boss, Trey. He, also, tries to stay away from his beautiful new employee but they soon have a common cause in a neglected five-year-old named Cass who quickly catches their hearts.

It’s a fairly predictable story but a fun read for the holidays.

136. Unshakeable by Christine Caine (NF)

A 365 day devotional with a verse, a message, and a short prayer. I was very encouraged by many of the devotions in the book. It was short enough that I could commit to reading one each day. I would recommend it to someone looking for a way to focus on God each day.

I really picked up the book count in December! I guess simplifying the season opened up time to relax and read. My final count for 2018 was 136 books! I’ll probably continue to keep tabs on my reading next year. I’d love to hear your favorite books from the year to put on my 2019 list!

2018 Reading Challenge – November Update

I reached my goal of 100 books in 2018 in September. I will continue to track my reads but only provide monthly updates. I created an Instagram account to track my reading in real time. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads!

A second reading goal for 2018 is to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. Many months I have been able to read multiple books in this category. So far I have achieved this goal.

A third goal was to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year. I completed that in August but will continue to list the categories I read for the remainder of the year.

This is the twelfth update for the year. Here are the previous lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, 91-100, and September/October.

I read one book in November written by a non-white author (indicated with an *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 2) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), 3) a book you can read in a day (1D), 4) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (Dif), and 5) a book in translation (BiT).

November

111. All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson (Fav) (NF)

This book talks about how to grow in discernment to learn what is good in this world. It walks through Philippians 4:8-9 which talks about the types of things that are worthy of our attention, things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, just, and commendable. It reminds us of how God has shown us through Jesus how to grow in our ability to discern these things. At the end of the book, there is a study guide to go deeper into learning the concepts and developing the skills for improved discernment.

I really enjoyed the way the material was presented and the reassurance that in following Jesus, God will help to increase our discernment. She talks a little about why we may be afraid to speak up when we discern things that might not be well-received because it upsets the status quo but how important it is to be that voice in the world and in our churches. An encouraging and challenging read.

112. I am Pusheen the Cat by Claire Belton (1D)

This is an illustrated book about a cat named Pusheen and her sister Stormy. It is very funny because it accurately describes cat behavior. Pusheen shares her ideas of life and her experiences with holiday activities. It is divided into different sections of topics.

My daughter borrowed the book from the library and was reading the “Scary Stories for Cats” section to me and it tickled me so much I asked to read it when she was done. (Example: Once upon a time there was a food bowl. It was empty. The end.) A quick, humorous read for people who know and love cats. It got me through part of my hour-long wait to vote.

113. Wild Dark by Kelly Buddenhagen

Clara Fallow is a babysitter for a family whose husband seems to be looking for a chance to sleep with her. She’s living in her hometown while her dad’s in jail for selling drugs to an undercover cop and she had a boyfriend of two years whom she feels uses her, though she admits she’s using him to avoid things as well. She hates her life but is not motivated to change it until the day she meets a man she thinks she’s known before but can’t figure out where. She is torn between her current life and the more this familiar man might have to offer. His presence leads to many more questions than answers as she begins to have flashbacks to 2.5 years ago when she was found outside of a house that had burned to the ground. She can’t remember what happened, nor is she too keen on finding out, but she thinks both this man, Eric, and her sister were there that night. There’s something greater going on than what she can figure out and as she begins to remember more, she realizes there is a web of connection in her town and it’s dangerous. Can she figure it out before it’s too late?

The theme was initially fuzzy but came into focus as the book progressed. It jumps back and forth in time to help fill out history which I didn’t mind. An interesting read.

114. Forget You Know Me by Jessica Strawser

Liza and Molly were best friends growing up but Liza’s move to Chicago from Cincinnati coupled with Molly becoming a mom has strained their relationship. On a video chat to see if the friendship can be salvaged, Liza sees a masked intruder enter the house when Molly goes to check on the kids. In a desperate attempt to verify Molly is fine, Liza drives all night to shoe up at her door only to have it figuratively slammed in her face by Molly. When Liza arrives back in Chicago she learns that her apartment building burned down and her late night drive saved her life. She ends up moving back to Cincinnati and tries to get her life, and possibly her friendship, back together. Will the intruder ever be identified? Why was he there? There are a lot of secrets discovered and uncovered.

I was intrigued from the very beginning and anxious to see who was threatening Molly and whether her friendship with Liza could be salvaged. A very entertaining read.

115. Woke Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice by Eric Mason* (Dif) (NF)

The book is divided into four themes: Be Aware. Be Willing to Acknowledge. Be Accountable. Be Active. Eric talks about the importance of having a faith that fulfills the proclamation in Micah to Love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with our God. The book talks about the history of racism in America and the white church’s involvement in allowing and/or perpetuating racism. The book talks about how the church should have been involved and how it now can be involved in correcting injustice in our country. It reminds us that God is a god of justice and action, that the purpose of the gospel is to reunite people who shouldn’t otherwise have something in common, and that the church should be a precursor to Jesus’ return when people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship God together. It gives action steps that we can take individually and as a church to be part of racial reconciliation.

It was educational, challenging, and encouraging. I hope that this will help me to find ways to be involved and to encourage others to see this as an important mission for all people.

“One of the most powerful points of action that was recommended: whites need to speak up whenever they see something that looks like racism and injustice.”

116. Uncluttered: Free Your Space, Free Your Schedule, Free Your Soul by Courtney B. Ellis (NF)

I have been feeling the need to simplify my life. It started with wanting to have a more relaxing, less rushed Christmas but has bled into a desire for simplicity at all times. I read the title of this book and thought it was the perfect time to have it in my hands and read through the principles outlined in the book for uncluttering my life and soul. I was correct. Courtney walks through her experiences of uncluttering different areas of her life – her closet and home, technology, her schedule – in order to make room for more important things – Sabbath, hospitality, hearing God, generosity – and offers us the same opportunity to find more peace and joy through less. A challenging yet practical book for getting rid of the unimportant in order to make room for the necessary. A wonderful read for all of us who feel too busy, stretched too thin, or who know there must be more to life than more stuff.

117. The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg (BiT)

Doris, a 96-year-old woman living in Sweden, has no family apart from her great-niece Jenny who lives in San Francisco. When Doris falls and breaks her hip, Jenny goes to visit her as she’s afraid her only living relative has little time left. Doris has been writing down stories of her life and people she’s met to share with her niece so someone knows the truth of her life experiences. We learn about Doris working as a clothing model, moving to the U.S. with her younger sister at the start of WWII, and meeting the love of her life. It’s a very well spun tale that had me hungry to read the conclusion and see how everything turned out.

118. By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The family heads west in search of a new homestead. They stay near Silver Lake where Charles has a job for the season. When winter comes they are invited to stay in the surveyor’s house until the spring when Charles can make his claim on 160 acres. They receive guests for Christmas time, run into wolves while skating on frozen Silver Lake, and host hordes of men coming west to stake their own claims on land.

Some parts of the book were slow for my kids which is why it took so long for us to get through it. It picked up in activity at the end. It’s interesting to read about what life was like for homesteaders heading west.

I finished eight more books in November. Did you read anything you would recommend? One month left in 2018!

2018 Reading Challenge – October Update

I reached my goal of 100 books in 2018 in September. I have decided to continue to track my reads but only provide monthly updates. I created an Instagram account to track my reading in real time. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads!

A third goal was to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year. I completed that in August but will continue to list the categories for the remainder of the year.

This is the eleventh update for the year. Here are the previous lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, and 91-100.

I read 3 books in October written by a non-white author (indicated with an *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a book recommended by someone with great taste (GT), 2) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), 3) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 4) a book in translation (BiT), 5) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (Dif), and 6) a book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection (PPE).

September pt. 2

101. A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

This book follows a semi-dysfunctional family. Denny is the black sheep who swoops in and out of the family whenever he wishes, often moody and never dependable. Stem is the favorite of the family. The girls are busy with their own families. All of them have things that have been kept from them or they’ve kept from the family. When Abby, the mom, has memory lapses they are all together again dealing with one another. The story eventually jumps back in time to Red’s parents and the hidden truths of their relationship before ending with a little more info about Denny.

It was an okay read. No real suspense or emotions elicited. I wouldn’t recommend it.

102. The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall (GT)

Willow was a surprise child to her mother when she was in her late 50s. She found out she was pregnant right after her husband died. Willow has felt self-conscious about having an older mom (and siblings that were already grown and out of the house). She is concerned about her mother dying and does whatever she can to try to prolong her life including hiding her cigarettes. She also wants to learn her mother’s secrets before she’s no longer around to tell them.

I really enjoyed the story, especially Willows lies about her mother. I understood her view of wanting to know more about her mother and not wanting to lose her. I could also see her mother’s perspective of wanting to protect her child and also her patenting as an older parent. There was plenty of humor to cut the seriousness.

103. Scripture, Ethics, & the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships by Karen R. Keen (NF)

The author states the various views in the church on homosexuality and whether it’s a sin or a normal but minority difference of human sexuality. She gives the traditional and progressive arguments for sexuality, the purpose of marriage, and same-sex relationships. She also gives her research into the Bible’s verses about sexuality and marriage along with the different ways the Bible’s intent is interpreted.

I found it very interesting, informative, and thought-provoking as someone who wishes to be more knowledgeable on the topic of faith and sexuality. It does not give a definitive answer but the author states what she thinks as a result of her research. I am glad that these conversations are happening.

104. The Grace Effect: What Happens When Our Brokenness Collides with God’s Grace by Kyle Idleman (NF)

This book helps us to see the practical application of grace in our lives. The author talks about hindrances to grace including the ways we try to avoid the regret that leads to repentance and grace. I appreciated his personal examples to illustrate his points. It’s only three chapters so it’s a quick read. I would be interested in reading the full version of his work Grace is Greater.

October

105. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The world has gone to pot. There’s an energy crisis, mass homelessness, and shortages of food. Most people spend their days on the OASIS a virtual reality that is much more pleasant than real life. The creator of OASIS died five years ago issuing a challenge to find a hidden egg in the OASIS. Whoever succeeds will inherit Halliday’s billions and ownership of OASIS. No one seems to have made any progress on the original riddle until Wade Watts finds the first key in its secret location. He soon learns that he wasn’t the first to find the location. Can he or one of the other gunters find all three keys and pass through all three gates before the Sixes of IOI (a massive organization that uses its employees to search for the egg so they can monetize the currently free OASIS)?

A very engaging story, especially because I am a bit of a geek and loved the 80s and video game references. It was interesting to see a world where most interactions are done in a virtual environment.

106. The Rock That Is Higher: Story as Truth by Madeleine L’Engle (NF) (Fav)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I really enjoyed it and took a lot from it. I loved Madeleine sharing her experience with writing, talking about how she writes and why she writes. I loved the explanation of the importance and purpose of story in writing. She shared how a car accident she experienced in which she was seriously injured, affected her faith and her relationship with God as well as the stories that she learned from it.

The chapters all talk about one aspect of story as she defines it: homecoming, a family affair, affirmation of God’s love, the search for truth, scripture, the Lord’s prayer, community, joy, good news, a creative act, a redemptive act, and resurrection. It was very encouraging to see how her faith intersects and is interwoven with her writing and writing life. I found it very helpful as a writer and as a Christian. It’s not a light read, but it’s a good one.

107. Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves edited by Gloria Edim* (NF) (PPE) (Dif)

This book is a series of essays by African-American women in various art fields – authors, actresses, journalists, playwrights – sharing the book that had the biggest impact on them. Often it was the first book where they saw themselves reflected back. They shared what the book (or play or poems) taught them about themselves, the world, and life.

I love books and have been impacted by many. I enjoyed hearing from other writers and hearing which books affected them. I especially enjoyed the perspective of these women because I have never struggled to find books containing white heroines and hadn’t thought much about how important it is for young readers to feel represented and be able to see themselves in these story worlds.

108. Ten Women by Marcela Serrano (translated by Beth Fowler)* (BiT) (Dif)

Nine women living in Chile are taken to an estate for a day. They do not know each other but they all see the same psychiatrist. They are invited in turn to share their individual stories with the group. The last story is that of the psychiatrist told by her assistant to inform the other women the purpose of this day in the country. Natasha, the psychiatrist, has found her long-lost sister, who is dying, and will go to her in Vietnam to spend her remaining days together.

It was interesting to hear all of the different stories of the women. Everyone has such a unique life and is affected differently by similar things. It reminded me of the importance of sharing your story with others – you may find a connecting point or be able to offer encouragement to another person.

109. The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation by Jodie Patterson* (Dif) (NF)

In this memoir, Jodie talks about the influence of her family growing up and learning what it meant to be black and a woman. She was influenced by cultural norms and had to fight through some of them to become who she wanted to be. She acquired strength and determination through the examples of the women in her life who fought for racial equality in a number of ways.

She also talks a lot about motherhood and her different experiences and growing pains in raising her kids and having a blended family. She shares openly about her struggles and growth with raising a transgendered child. She pulls together some parallels between growing up with a rebellious sister who took most of her parent’s attention and the energy and attention required to help her son navigate an unfriendly world.

I appreciated learning about her life experiences growing up as a black woman as well as being the mother in a nontraditional family.

110. Shadow of Intrigue by Christy Barritt (Fav)

Lisa is the owner of The Crazy Chefette where she puts together unusual food combinations that taste delicious. She volunteers to provide meals for Braden, a friend of Ty’s, and while she’s cooking dinner he puts her in a chokehold and threatens her. He comes by the restaurant to apologize the next day and offers to help serve food after hearing her waitress has canceled. Braden suffers from a brain injury and has blackouts. Strange things are happening on the island and signs point to Braden as the culprit but he doesn’t remember doing them. He thinks someone is trying to kill him but doesn’t know who. Can Lisa trust Braden? Who is behind the threats and criminal behavior?

I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue as well as the subtle romance. I am glad that there are more stories about Lantern Beach. They are encouraging, interesting, suspenseful, and inspiring.

What did you read this month that you would highly recommend?

2018 Reading Challenge – Books 91 Through 100

I did it! I reached my goal of 100 books in 2018 and it’s only September! What now? Keep reading, of course! I created an Instagram account to help me track my reading. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads!

A second reading goal is to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. Thus far I have succeeded, but there are still three months to go!

A third, less pressing goal was to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year. I completed that in August but will continue to list the categories for the remainder of the year.

This is the tenth update for the year. Here are the lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and 81-90.

I have read 4 books in August and 1 thus far in September by non-white authors (indicated with a *). I read the following from Anne’s list (even though I have completed all twelve categories, it’s still fun to see the variety): 1) a memoir, biography, or book of nonfiction (NF), 2) a book recommended by someone with great taste (GT), 3) a book by a favorite author (Fav), and 4) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (DiF).

August pt. 2:

91. Surrendering My Ordination: Standing for Gay & Lesbian Inclusivity in the United Methodist Church by J. Philip Wogaman (NF)

The author shared his story and reasons for giving up his status as an ordained minister in the Methodist church. The impetus was the refusal to allow a person in a same-gendered marriage to be considered for ordination. The author talked about the laws of the church as well as the ethics of such a decision. He talked about how the beliefs of the church affect real people and can be barriers to them receiving the grace and love of God intended for all people.

I was hoping to receive more in-depth information about his beliefs and how he interprets the Bible. Not that he promised this, it was just a hope of mine. I did appreciate him sharing his experience publicly.

92. Blue Babies Pink by Brett Trapp (B.T.) Harman (audiobook) (NF)

Brett shares the story of his life, focusing on his struggle to reconcile his same-sex attraction feelings with his Christian faith.

I appreciated his honesty about his experiences. I learned a lot by hearing him talk about his struggle with his fear and shame and loneliness. I am glad that I listened to him read his story.

93. An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Jess does makeup for clients celebrating special occasions, living month to month in NYC. She hears about a four-hour psychology project that nets $500 and lies her way into it. The professor invites her to continue the research for more money and Jess agrees, but she soon thinks she may be in over her head. What is Dr. Shield’s real purpose behind Jess’s involvement? What is the truth and who can she trust?

I really liked that the perspective shifts between Jess and Dr. Shields, slowly revealing a little more info. I continued to hop back and forth between who was responsible for a previous research subject’s supposed suicide. I was guessing until the end.

94. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (GT)

Leni’s family has been nomadic, especially since her father returned from being a POW. Now, when she’s 13, her father has decided to move the family to Alaska for a fresh start. It’s exciting but also a bit frightening as the long, dark winters probably won’t be good for her dad’s dark, violent moods. Will they survive and thrive in the harsh Alaskan climate or will it be too much for the fragile family?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I experienced the full range of emotions – happiness, fear, trepidation, sadness, joy. Parts of the book I was anxious about continuing to read become I was afraid of what might happen to one of the characters I cared about. I wasn’t sure if a positive ending would be possible. There’s a lot of brokenness in the story. Very emotionally engaging and a good story.

September

95. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis (GT) (NF)

A lot of people liked this book so I thought I would check it out. A few of the chapters had encouragement for me (like the one about writing) but overall it felt more like Rachel sharing her life experiences in snippets. She has been through some difficult things but I thought she would talk more about her faith and God’s role in her life. I wouldn’t really consider it a Christian book, more of a memoir. It felt like she was talking about her perseverance in tough situations and how she got to where she is by her own power and we can be successful too if we try hard and believe in ourselves. I didn’t necessarily agree with a lot of what she did. She kind of put everything out there in the name of honesty without really saying they weren’t the best choices or discouraging others from doing similar self-destructive things. I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you are already a fan of the author.

96. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan* (DiF) (Fav)

Ah Ma has had a heart attack and all of the family is gathering at her house to spend time with her in her seemingly last days. Rachel convinces Nick to go and apologize to his grandmother and end the estrangement. The big question everyone is curious to find out is who will get Tyersall Park in the will. Meanwhile, Astrid and Charlie keep facing disaster as they try to head toward marriage.

It had all of my favorite (and not so favorite) characters. There were plenty of kinks and twists to keep me on my toes. And it ended satisfactorily. I think it’s open enough for a fourth book in the series. I guess we’ll see if the story continues. A wonderful, entertaining trilogy!

97. Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow (NF)

Derek Black grew up the son of white nationalists and for a long time was seen as the next face of the movement. He had a radio show and regularly posted on Stormfront, a white nationalist website. When he began attending New College of Florida, a liberal university, he met and became friends with the people he thought were part of what he claimed was “white genocide” – Jewish, Muslim, Hispanic, and African-American people. Getting to know them personally and being questioned regularly by his good friend-turned-girlfriend caused him to begin evaluating and questioning his beliefs. Eventually, he realized the errors in his thinking and disavowed white nationalism. It caused a rift between him and his family members, especially his parents. With the rise of Trump’s presidential bid and the rhetoric surrounding it, Derek realized he needed to be more vocal about the erroneous beliefs of white nationalism.

It was a very interesting book that explains some of the beliefs of white nationalists along with a greater understanding of Trump’s election and many of his supporters. A relevant read for our current America.

98. Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected by Kayla Aimee (NF)

Kayla Aimee struggled to get and stay pregnant. When she became pregnant with her daughter, everything was going along like normal until her 24th week when the doctors discovered she was contracting and dilated. They put her on bedrest and managed to keep the baby inside until her 25th week when they performed an emergency c-section. Her daughter lived in the NICU for months as the family waited in tense uncertainty to see if she would survive. Kayla shares her experiences and fears and how that affected her faith in the hope of helping, supporting, and/or encouraging other mothers of micro-preemies.

It was a very vulnerable and open story of her experience. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to not know day-to-day whether your child would survive. I had two points of similar experience with Kayla in that with my first child I was unknowingly having contractions (I didn’t feel anything either) and I also ended up having an emergency c-section with my daughter shortly after my 36 week check-up (went from the doctor’s office to the hospital across the street). It was traumatic enough for me and I had a mostly healthy baby who went home with us when we did a few days later. I’m thankful Kayla was willing to share her story.

99. Tides of Deception by Christy Barritt (Fav)

The first spin-off of the Lantern Beach series. Skye has been enjoying her simple life in Lantern Beach until one day she sees someone from her past. Ian, her old boyfriend, and his family are in town and the boy her friend Austin just saved from drowning looks really familiar. Could it be the baby she was coerced into giving up for adoption? Will her potential relationship with Austin be ruined when he finds out about her past? Who is responsible for all of the “accidents” that have been happening to Skye and Austin?

I enjoyed getting to read more about the Lantern Beach crew. I speculated about who might be guilty of the bad things that were happening. I look forward to the next book!

100. It’s Okay Not to Be Okay by Sheila Walsh (Fav)

This book was a breath of fresh air! Sheila reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect because Christ was perfect on our behalf. Our job is to take our whole selves to Jesus and offer everything to him whose power is made perfect in our weakness. She addresses the topics of admitting when we’re stuck and struggling, changing the way we think, moving forward even when we’re afraid, letting go of the need to feel in control (and acknowledging that God is always in control), rising above disappointment, celebrating our scars, and choosing to not let failure keep us from trying again. At the end of each chapter, there are action steps to help move forward in each area.

This book was full of encouraging truth. I highlighted a lot of parts and will be returning to this book again. It’s a great read for people who struggle with feeling like they have to work for God’s approval or for those who feel like their pasts and flaws disqualify them from an abundant, purpose-filled life. It’s also great for anyone who wants reminders of the truth found in God’s word about who he is and who we are. I highly recommend it!

I hope you have enjoyed my updates thus far. Now that I’ve reached my goal of 100, I will only post updates at the end of each month. I’ll combine the second half of September with October so there will only be three more of these reading challenge posts. I hope you’ll stick with me!

2018 Reading Challenge – Books 81 Through 90

I have several different reading goals this year. The overall goal is to read 100 books in 2018. I created an Instagram account to help me track my reading. Feel free to follow along @meganbyrdreads! The second goal is to read at least one book each month by a non-white author to expand my knowledge and perspective. A third, less pressing goal is to check off the 12 different categories of books Anne Bogel (aka ModernMrsDarcy) suggests to help vary the types of books read this year.

This is the eighth update for the year. Here are the lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70. and 71-80.

I have thus far read 4 books in August by non-white authors (indicated with a *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a book by a favorite author (Fav), 2) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (DiF), 3) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), 4) a book recommended by someone with great taste (GT), 5) a classic you’ve been meaning to read (CL), 6) a banned book (BB), and (7) a book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection (PPE).

I have now officially completed Anne Bogel’s 2018 reading challenge by having read at least one book from each of her 12 categories!

July

81. Without Merit by Colleen Hoover (Fav)

Merit is shopping in an antique store when she catches a cute guy watching her. He follows her outside and they share an amazing kiss. She soon learns it’s her identical twin’s boyfriend who obviously mistook her for Honor. He is soon living in their house and Merit is trying not to be jealous of her sister. There’s a lot of tension in the house between the members, the space filled up with unspilled secrets. A series of events causes them all to be revealed, but perhaps Merit was wrong about some of them.

It was an interesting and engaging book that talks about depression and anxiety as well as trying to see things from others’ perspectives.

August

82. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory* (DiF)

Drew and Alexa get stuck in an elevator. He asks her to be his last-minute wedding date and she agrees. After a fun weekend, they agree to see each other the following weekend. Alexa tries not to get attached as their weekends together between cities continue. Drew tries to deny that he’s more interested in more than a casual relationship. Can they find a way to make it work?

I enjoyed this romantic comedy. I enjoyed the back and forth points of view and the misunderstandings common in early relationships. I was invested early on and anxious to see how it would turn out.

83. Love Lives Here: Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want by Maria Goff (NF) (Rec)

Maria Goff shares her life experiences as a woman, wife, mom, and neighbor. She talks about what it looks like in her life to love others. She reminds us not to compare our lives and works with others’ lives and work including our spouse’s.

I really enjoyed this book, partially because I was curious about what Bob Goff’s wife might be like. I was delighted to learn that she’s an introvert who stayed home with her kids like me. I appreciated the reminder that you don’t have to be extroverted to love well. Small, quiet, unnoticed work is just as valuable and necessary.

I read the audiobook and learned that I prefer reading to listening because I can absorb more and get distracted less. I did enjoy hearing Maria tell her story, though.

84. The Color Purple by Alice Walker* (DiF) (CL) (BB)

Celie is a black woman in GA in the early 20th century. The book is a collection of letters she writes to God talking about her life. A number of terrible things happen to her but she continues to persevere and do the best she can to live. She tries to protect her sister from hardship by encouraging her to leave and find work. She doesn’t hear from her for many years so she assumes she’s dead. A woman Celie’s husband loves comes to live with them and they eventually become friends.

I don’t want to give away too much of the book. I enjoyed the letter style and the resilient spirit of Celie. It is disheartening to hear the stories she tells of life in the south and the evil done to her. I was hooked quickly and anxious to find out what would happen with Colin’s story. I can see why it is a prize-winning book.

85. Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done by Katie M. Reid (NF)

Martha had kind of gotten a bad reputation. It seems she’s chastised by Jesus for working rather than stopping and listening. This book notes that Jesus was concerned not for Martha’s behavior, but her heart. She was worried rather than serving in trust and peace. She was striving for the love that had already been freely given to her.

It’s a very enlightening and encouraging book for those of us who are doers and achievers. God made us with this inclination and it’s not bad, in fact, it can be very useful, especially when things need to get done. However, we have to remember that we don’t need to earn God’s love. Our response should be out of the knowledge of our beloved status.

86. All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

A high school girl gets so drunk at a party she passes out. The next day there’s a risque picture circulating of her while asleep with a racist caption. The father of the alleged perpetrator wants everything to go away but the girl’s father wants justice. Will the wealthy family be able to manipulate the system in their son’s favor?

The story is told from three perspectives: the girl, the girl’s father, and the boy’s mother. I was very intrigued to see how the story would turn out and whether the whole truth would eventually come out. I was guessing about the truth until the end.

87. Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living Edited by Manjula Martin* (PPE) (DiF)

A collection of essays from various people in the writing business – agents, journalists, professors, freelancers, columnists, screenwriters, novelists, non-fiction writers. They discuss a variety of topics regarding writing and publishing such as obtaining an agent, their experiences with book contracts, the variance of payment for various writing jobs, having a day job, and the disparity between works published by white authors and all other racial groups.

I enjoyed reading about the various topics, especially all of the different avenues taken to become a professional writer. It is encouraging to see that there is no one path and it’s important to figure out what you want out of a writing career before you proceed.

88. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Rill Foss’s mother, who started labor on their boat, is taken to the hospital to deliver twins. The next day police come and take Rill and her four siblings to a children’s home, being told their mom died with the babies and their father gave them up for adoption. The story of what happens next is broken up by an account of Avery Stafford (modern day) meeting a woman named May at a nursing home and wondering if she is somehow connected with her own grandmother who is steadily declining due to dementia.

I enjoyed the back and forth between modern day and the past. Rill’s story was so heartbreaking that I often hoped I could skip it just because I was afraid of the potential horrors of abuse and injustice I would read about. It sucked me in and kept me wanting to see how it would end.

89. The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois* (NF) (DiF)

This was a very deep and thought-provoking book. DuBois writes about the history of African-Americans and the current state of relations in the South around 1900.

It was heavy subject matter. I appreciated the history lesson along with stories of specific people. DuBois shared his experience of teaching in the south and revisiting the area a decade later to see how his pupils had fared. He talked about the broken promises of the government after the war to provide land to former slaves. He showed me how the actions (or lack of action) after the Civil War has influenced race relations in the south and the economic discrepancy between the races we see today.

90. Eat Cake. Be Brave. by Melissa Radke (NF)

Melissa shares about various life experiences – highs and lows. I was amused, amazed, saddened, and teary reading various parts of his book. She is very honest which is endearing. She offers encouragement and compassion to anyone who has felt unworthy or has believed the labels others have tried to give you. I really enjoyed the book. It wasn’t what I expected but it was wonderful!

Have any new recommendations of good books you’ve read recently?

2018 Reading Challenge – Books 71 Through 80

This is the eighth update for the year. Here are the lists of books 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70.

I read 3 books in July by non-white authors (indicated with a *). I read the following from Anne’s list: 1) a memoir, biography, or book of creative nonfiction (NF), 2) a book by an author of a different race, ethnicity, or religion than your own (DiF), 3) a book in translation (BiT), 4) a book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection (PPE), 5) a book recommended by someone with great taste (GT), and 6) a book by a favorite author (Fav).

July

71. White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America by Margaret A. Hagerman

A sociologist studies a group of white, affluent middle schoolers (and their parents) growing up in the Midwest. She chronicles their experiences and opinions about race and racism in their schools and communities. While these families live near each other, the beliefs and attitudes vary, mainly by neighborhood and/or school attendance. The study seeks to determine whether the attitudes on racism are perpetuated by parents, environment, friends, or a combination of all of these factors.

This book has given me a lot to think about as both a white person and the parent of white children. I have been examining my own prejudices, how to raise my kids to understand our country’s history and the injustices that have been and continue to be perpetrated and find ways we can positively impact the efforts for awareness and change.

72. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (GT)

This book goes mainly between Italy in April 1962 and present day Hollywood. A young Italian hotel owner meets and is mesmerized by a young Hollywood actress who comes to stay at her hotel. He does whatever he can to help her. Now he arrives in Hollywood fifty years later looking for the actress to reunite and find out what has happened to her.

It was a very interesting story that changes perspective to help us better understand the various characters. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded and honking about how other’s stories cause us to think about our own. I picked it up because I was going to Italy and thoroughly enjoyed the journey of the book.

73. Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano (BiT) (DiF) (GT)

Auntie Poldi (a Bavarian) is living in Sicily. A young handyman goes missing and she finds his body on the shoreline. She vows to solve his murder. Entertainment and intrigue ensue. A very entertaining read.

*The review was very short because we only had wifi at our villa in Tuscany and we were headed off on another adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed reading books set in Italy while in Italy! There are at least two more books in this series and I’m sure they’d also be entertaining. Auntie Poldi is an interesting character.

74. Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction by Dawn M. Owens (NF)

The author shares her struggles with approval addiction and the many ways it can be manifested. She uses truth found in God’s word to remind us that our aim is to find our approval in God rather than men and that there’s nothing we have to do because we are already approved by God. She encourages us to remind ourselves of God’s truth about us and look in the Bible for encouragement and help in letting go of needing and seeking the approval of others.

I liked that she kept pointing to scripture to find answers and help for our struggles. I was reminded again and again of Jesus’ own life demonstration of choosing God’s approval over man’s approval. I thought it had some good things I can apply to my own life.

75. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid * (DiF)

Saeed and Nadia are living in a city that is being taken over by rebels. They hear about a door that can take them to other places, potentially safer places. After Saeed’s mother is killed, they decide to take the chance. Saeed’s father chooses to stay behind. They make it to Mykonos where they meet other migrants and work to build a town. They hear about another door and consider whether to attempt to go through it also.

There are special doors all over the world desperate people are trying to get through to leave their perilous situations. Some go to poorer countries and are unguarded and potentially hazardous. Others go to wealthy countries but are heavily guarded. This book talks about migrants and society’s reaction to them and whether some will accommodate them or paint them as a problem to be irradicated.

It was very interesting to see the immigrant situation in the world painted this way. I appreciated thinking about why people leave their countries, what they might be feeling and experiencing, and the different ways they are received and perceived.

76. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay * (DiF) (NF) (PPE)

Roxane Gay’s memoir is a collection of essays. She talks about her body and all of the reactions and responses she receives. She talks about society demanding women take up minimal space and trying to get us to believe that the thinner we are, the happier we will be. She talks about people who do not accept boundaries and the inherent respect other people’s bodies deserve. She talks about her sequel assault as a child and how that had affected her relationship with her body, with her family, and with relationships. She talks about everyone having hunger and trying to fill it with a variety of means.

It was a very thought-provoking book. I have thought a lot about society’s messages to women and their inaccuracies. I found some kindred thoughts with the author about striving to feel like enough and be approved. It encouraged me to find peace with my body and learn to be comfortable in myself and believe that I am acceptable and worthy of taking up space in the world.

77. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp (DiF)

Students are at a morning assembly when a student walks in with a gun and starts shooting. The story is told from multiple perspectives – the sister of the shooter, the ex-girlfriend, the sister’s girlfriend, and the sister’s girlfriend’s twin brother. It’s a story of secrets, beliefs, and perceptions. The story lasts less than an hour but is full of courage, fear, truths, hope, and heartache.

It rings too real in this day and age. It was a gripping story that had me flying through the pages to find out how it ended.

78. Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay * (DiF) (NF) (PPE)

A collection of essays about a variety of topics including feminism, reproductive rights, equal pay for men and women, racial inequality, racism, social media and journalism, and abuse against women.

I appreciated Roxane talking about all of the contradictions and double standards pointed at women. Feminist has often been deemed a derogatory term rather than someone who cared about equality for women. She had a lot of interesting points about the experiences of non-white people, including the depictions found on TV and in movies. She also talked about life, rights, and experiences for non-heterosexual people.

A lot of her essays were educational for me as a white heterosexual woman. I realize I don’t often think about what life might be like for people different from myself. I have a lot to think about from Roxane’s words.

79. Grafted Into Deceit by Sherri Wilson Johnson (Fav)

Marina Acres is driving to her business to get some paperwork when a man darts into the street and smashes through her windshield. Steven Pennington has suspected drug activity at Acres and Fields Nursery and is pursuing a suspect when he stops to check on someone the suspect nearly ran over and then shot at. Both are suspicious of different mysteries at the nursery. Steven is trying to keep Marina safe while they try to catch the people who endangered her life and may be involved in illicit activities. They both have scars from their pasts but can’t deny that there’s a spark between them. Can they solve the mysteries and stay alive long enough to explore their budding feelings?

It was an engaging read. I was curious to find out what was really going on and who was behind it all. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the main characters from the other two books made an appearance in the book.

80. Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Bee’s mother has gone missing. She’s trying to piece together what happened. She believes that she can find her if she can retrace the last few weeks. Bernadette is a mystery to the other families at Galer Street. She’s antisocial which goes against the community vibe of the school which makes her extremely disliked, especially by mom and neighbor Audrey. Bernadette’s husband has a demanding and stressful job at Microsoft so he is out of the loop until a Galer Street parent begins working as his admin and fills him in.

It’s an entertaining and humorous story. I was very intrigued to find out what happened from the various emails, notes, and Internet articles used to tell the story along with Bee’s point of view. I found the ending satisfying and uplifting. A good read.