I’ve really been on a roll reading this year! It helps to have a Kindle Unlimited subscription 😉 (thanks, Dad and Mom!). At least half of the books I read in January were Kindle Unlimited books. I also read a few other books I’ve been wanting to read for a while! So let’s jump right in and see what I read last month.
- I didn’t keep track of which ones I read in December or January, but since Christmas I’ve read at least 15 books by Jenn Faulk through Kindle Unlimited. I’ve talked before about how much I love her books, so I’m not going to take the time to describe them all, but I really enjoyed them! Her books alone are a good reason to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, but I’m excited to see what else I find this year 🙂
- A Memory Between Us and Blue Skies Tomorrow (Books 2 and 3 of the Wings of Glory series by Sarah Sundin) | I’ve said before how much I love Sarah Sundin’s books, and these two were no exception! These were the conclusion of her first WWII historical romance series, about three pilots who were brothers. Blue Skies Tomorrow was my favorite book of hers so far! I really loved the main characters and felt like I was rooting for them the whole time, as they each faced struggles that drew them together, then forced them apart, then drew them back together again as they grew in their faith. The last quarter or so of the book really kept me on the edge of my seat! 😉 I know that sounds kind of vague, but it was a really good story that makes you think and sticks with you for a while.
- A Perfect Ambition (Book 1 of the Worthington Destiny series by Dr. Kevin Leman and Jeff Nesbit) | This was another book I found on Kindle Unlimited. It’s the first in a series about the 3 Worthington children, who are descendants of one of the richest families in America, going back multiple generations. One is an assistant attorney general, one is the head of the family’s stock holdings, and one is a entrepreneur who is passionate about the environment. In this book, a crisis happens that brings all three siblings together and changes the direction of their lives. It was pretty interesting, but it didn’t really have the typical plot structure of conflict, climax and resolution, so I didn’t think it was really a satisfying story. I guess I’ll need to read all three books to really get the point, and I might someday, but I’m not rushing out to buy them. If they were on Kindle Unlimited too, that would be another story 🙂
- Nothing but Trouble, Double Trouble, and Licensed for Trouble (Books 1-3 of the PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren) | Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors, and I love that her different series cover so many different genres! These three books had a little mystery, a little comedy, and a little romance. They aren’t your typical Christian romance novels though; you have to read all three books to really get all of PJ’s story. She was known as the town troublemaker growing up, and these books tell her story of coming back to her hometown after 10 years as a nomad with many different jobs. She really struggled to find her place and her purpose in life, and to learn how to see herself the way God sees her rather than how she thinks everyone else sees her. Her new career as a private investigator makes for fun reading, too! She gets herself into quite the scrapes sometimes 🙂
I’m guessing I probably read about 8 of those 15 Jenn Faulk books in January, so that puts me at 14 books total so far this year. A little more than 10% of my goal of 100 books this year, so I think that’s a good start! I’ve never really kept track of the books I’ve read before, so this year I’m keeping a list in my new bullet journal. It’s really fun to watch the list of completed books grow! I also got new books from two of my favorite authors on January 31st, so look for reviews of those as part of my “What I Read in February” post.
What have you been reading? Found any good books lately? 🙂
Thank you for your insightful book reviews, Jen. It’s helpful to hear about books like the ones you showcase on your blog. The morals portrayed, such as having the right perspective of oneself, and growing in our faith, are beneficial to encounter while pleasure reading. I am also encouraged by your book reviews, as it gives me a broader choice of books to suggest to my teen girls. That is helpful.
Thank you also for inquiring as to which books your audience is reading. In recent years, I’ve started to seek historical journals and missionary stories. In reading about George Meuller, I saw how God sustained his spirit and fed the children, and I was certainly encouraged by his unstoppable faith.
In January, I read about missionary Gladys Aylward. Now there’s a determined lady! I have to admit, at first, I was thinking she should’ve accepted the fact that it seemed God may want her to stay put and not travel into China. Then, as the story unfolds, and this young woman becomes “mom” to the little orphans, one or two, or a few at a time, it makes ME fall head over heels for her mission in life! I seriously did not expect that.
Any missionary stories to recommend? 😀
Thanks for your comment, Kerri! 🙂 I read about George Mueller when I was in school, and I really enjoyed learning from his story. I don’t think I’ve read about Gladys Aylward, but I have read about several other missionaries: D.L. Moody, Ann and Adoniram Judson (Ann of Ava), Isobel Kuhn (By Searching), Jim and Elisabeth Elliot (Through Gates of Splendor), and Hudson Taylor (God’s Adventurer). Some of those I read as part of my 7th and 8th grade literature courses, so they may be geared a bit more toward younger teenagers than adults, but I really enjoyed them, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read them in school!
I’m so delighted at your “missionary” reading list. Thank you! I read some short exerpts about their lives, and then I read some about Mary Slessor, missionary to Africa. I was vaguely familiar with most of the missionaries you mentioned; now I’ve gotten to know them better. 🙂 I am so moved and inspired by the faith and determination of these folks, who, in spite of some big obstacles and challenges, forged ahead and reached so many with the good news! Mary Slessor’s story made me tear up when I read what she wrote about the African chiefs whose hearts had changed as a result of her faith and kind persistence.
Anyway, I probably shouldn’t continue to clog up the fiction section of your blog with missionary discussions. I’m planning to read atleast one of Sarah Sundin’s books that you have listed above.
Thank you again for providing a forum for book discussion. It’s great fun! ?