Tuesday, January 22, 2013

January's Nightstand

What's On Your Nightstand

Bible Reading
  • Matthew
  • Mark

Christian Fiction
  • Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings - 3 stars. An alright book that I couldn't engage myself in; not sure why.
  • Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell - 4 stars. A depressing read but it is incredibly well written. I will happily read anything by Siri Mitchell.
  • The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck - 3 stars. Most people raved about it but I thought it was mediocre simply because there were too many characters.

Christian Nonfiction
  • Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions by Rachel Held Evans - 3 stars. This book definitely asks some tough questions! It's about learning to ask, that it's ok to question and keep searching. The book didn't continue into the discovery of any of the answers, though, which left me wanting more.

Classics
Memoir
  • Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber - 4 stars. Surprised by Oxford was my surprise gem this month. What a fantastic memoir about finding faith! I highly recommend it, especially if you love literature.

Secular Fiction
  • The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott - 2 stars. Flat characters couldn't save the interesting premise.
  • Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo - 2 stars. This book has been on my to-read list for a long time because the libraries in Phoenix didn't carry it. My current library does so I was finally able to read it. I'm so glad I didn't purchase it to avoid the wait…

Currently Reading
  • South Riding by Winifred Holtby - a random library selection.
Last night I started reading The Golden Road by L.M. Montgomery but discovered it was a sequel. Oops! I'll have to track down the first book as I hate reading a series out of order.

Happy reading!!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVED Surprised By Oxford! I haven't seen anyone elses comments on it! Glad you enjoyed it too! I am putting down Louisa May Alcott's Christmas Treasury for the next LMA Challenge that comes along! I have not been disappointed by any of Nicholas Sparks novels! The movies are always great too! I just watched The Notebook with my daughters the other night. Some racey scenes that could have been left out.
Great month of reading for you!

Annette Whipple said...

I was unimpressed with A Walk to Remember, too...the movie and soundtrack...are good though. I hadn't heard of Surprised by Oxford. Will keep that one in mind. What LMA challenge do you do? I selected her as an author for the Reading to Know Book Club for March. The treasury sounds like a gem!

Carrie said...

I'm still kicking myself because I had an opportunity to review Surprised by Oxford and didn't take it. Everyone who I know of that has read it, LOVED it. So I'm going to have to pick it up. :) (Oh woe is me, right?)

I feel as if you've given me permission to skip reading A Walk to Remember and watch the movie. And I confessed that earlier with A Walk in the Clouds. (That's the one I watched when it first came out!)

Lisa notes... said...

I read "Evolving in Monkey Town" too and enjoyed it. Yes, more questions than answers though. :-)

So I should move "Surprised by Oxford" up higher on my list! Sounds like a great one.

Thanks for sharing your list. Always a good one.

Unknown said...

I have Surprised by Oxford on my Kindle, bought after hearing several great recommendations. But I haven't read it (or made plans to!).

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

I msut read Surprised by Oxford, obviously. Whew. So many books, so little time. :-)

The Studio said...

Got to agree with you about A walk to remember....movie was soooo much better.

Beth said...

I'll have to check out Surprised by Oxford. Your literature comment just convinced me!

I read one of Siri Mitchell's books that I really liked, but I tried to read another one and I gave it up since it was way too depressing. I've been hesitant ever since to read another one.

make.share.give said...

Anne is one of my favorite books too, and like you I have to start at the beginning of a series.

Here's something we've never discussed: my love of Downton Abbey. What do you think of it?

Cheryl in Friendsville said...

Wow! You have ambitious goals! You are the only person I have heard of that is trying to learn Japanese, besides my sister. She's been studying for a few years.