Book Reviews

2023 Adventures in Reading

I may not have traveled physically much this year, but I have certainly visited many different times and lands in my reading life! I spent a lot of time in medieval Norway with Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter and one day (by far enough!) with the remarkable Ivan...

Adventures in Reading 2022

For the past few years, I have followed the example of others in listing my top ten reads for the year. This year has been different. I feel like I have been on an adventure, seeking new ways of reading, and new reasons to read. So instead of a list, I am going to...

Can Fiction Draw us to Holiness?

Jessica Hooton Wilson has written a book about books. If you love books like I do, this should immediately catch your interest. More specifically, she has written a book about books that challenge us to examine what it means to be formed in the image of God. If you...

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot

Recently I met over a span of eight weeks with a group of friends to discuss Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn, the recently published authorized biography of Elisabeth Elliot. I wasn't sure what to expect of this book when we started. I knew about the story...

Favorite Reads of 2021

At the end of the year I like to look back at the books I've read and pick out my favorites to share. So here are some that blessed and challenged me in special ways. I hope you can find your next read among them! Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and...

Best Author of 2021

Every year avid readers publish their lists of favorite reads and I too look forward to sharing my list. As I have reviewed the 80+ books I’ve read this year, I decided to write a separate post on Best Author before listing my best books, since about 10 of the books I...

A Year to Listen and Read

For me, 2020 was a year of questions and changes. In the midst of a global pandemic, we made the radical decision to sell our home of 25 years and move back to Oregon after almost 40 years in Southern California. While 2021 has also had its share of questions—What...

Mid-Year Best Books

Typically, best book lists come at the end of the year. But because everyone (including me) is spending more time at home and possibly more time reading, I thought I would share some of the books that have blessed me over the last six months.   Yours Jack:...

Why You Should Listen to Pilgrim’s Progress

In response to our strangely interrupted world, my Bible study group began meeting on Zoom. Since not everyone joined on Zoom, we decided to look for something new to read and return to our regular study when we could meet in person. The book we chose to study was...

2019 Best Books I’ve Read

This year, my reading was affected by two knee replacements and the accompanying medication that made it hard to concentrate. But I still managed to squeeze in over 100 books. I already wrote about the Chronicles of Narnia that I listened to and reread after my first...

A Month’s Adventures for National Book Lover’s Day

Exactly one month ago on July 9, I had a second knee replacement surgery. In the following  days, I haven't been far from my house physically, but I have had some wonderful adventures reading books. Today, August 9, in honor of National Book Lover's Day, here are some...

A Month of Healing in Narnia

On March 1, I had knee replacement surgery and began the process of recovery. For most of the month of March, I slept only a few hours at a time and in between, I would ice my leg, get comfortable on the couch, and listen to the Harper Audio version of the Chronicles...
Becoming Elisabeth Elliot

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot

Recently I met over a span of eight weeks with a group of friends to discuss Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn, the recently published authorized biography of Elisabeth Elliot. I wasn't sure what to expect of this book when we started. I knew about the story...

read more
Favorite Reads of 2021

Favorite Reads of 2021

At the end of the year I like to look back at the books I've read and pick out my favorites to share. So here are some that blessed and challenged me in special ways. I hope you can find your next read among them! Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and...

read more
Best Author of 2021

Best Author of 2021

Every year avid readers publish their lists of favorite reads and I too look forward to sharing my list. As I have reviewed the 80+ books I’ve read this year, I decided to write a separate post on Best Author before listing my best books, since about 10 of the books I...

read more
A Year to Listen and Read

A Year to Listen and Read

For me, 2020 was a year of questions and changes. In the midst of a global pandemic, we made the radical decision to sell our home of 25 years and move back to Oregon after almost 40 years in Southern California. While 2021 has also had its share of questions—What...

read more

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