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Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Barry

Rating: 10/10

Review: A beautifully written autobiography from a girl who left Islam to become a Christ-follower. She wrote about the struggle she endured because of that decision. Her family thought it would be better for her to be dead than to become a Christian.

Because I have grown up knowing Jesus, there are certain things I take for granted – this book reminded me HOW MUCH I have to be grateful for. The author points out how in her Islam faith, it was mostly rules and traditions. She said multiple prayers, at specific times each day, in a language she doesn’t speak.

The author was shocked to learn that Christians can pray anytime, in words they understand. She loved praying to a God she knew would listen…to a God who answers prayer. She discovered a freedom in Christ she had never experienced before. A joy she had never felt. The deep, experiential love of God, an indescribable peace, and an enduring strength.

I loved this book and highly recommend it, especially if you are curious about the differences between Islam and the Christian faith.

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I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Narrative about the Life of Dred Scott by Shelia Moses

Rating: 9/10

Review: When I heard that Dred Scot lived at Fort Snelling in Minnesota, I wanted to hear more about his life and what brought him here. I listened to this short, but interesting, historical audiobook on my free Hoopla app. The book is fiction, but based on research the author has done on the life of Dred Scot. It shares the challenges of a man who was born a slave, and how hard he (and others) fought for freedom.

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Wishtree by Kathleen Applegate (with Clark)

Rating: 8/10

Review: “Red” is an oak tree that’s over 200 years old. He narrates the story from his point of view. Once a year, Red becomes the “wishtree” when people write their wishes on scraps of cloth and tie their wishes onto his branches. Red has seen many things in his life, and shares some of those stories with the reader. When he thinks he’s about to be cut down, his final ‘legacy’ is helping two unlikely kids meet and become friends. This story is written for children around the ages of 8-14.

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The Boys Start the War Series by Phylis Naylor Reynolds (with Paul)

Rating: 7/10

Paul’s teacher read the first book in this series aloud to the class, then Paul asked if we could get the other books in the series from the library. We’ve been slowly making our way through each book. They are cute stories, and Paul enjoys them. The books are about a family of four boys and another family of three girls, and the silly pranks they pull on each other.

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The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey (with Luke)

Rating: 10/10

Review: After Luke saw The Bad Guys movie with his Nana, he brought home the first book in this series from his school library and asked if we could read it together. It’s the story of some animals who are usually ‘scary’ or considered “the bad guys” (a shark, wolf, tarantula, snake & piranha), who are working hard to become the “good guys.”

The books are really entertaining. I’m enjoying this series as much as Luke is. The chapters are short and an entire book can be read in 30-45 minutes.

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Click here to read my TOP TEN reads from 2021.

What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment!

I don’t always finish five books in one month, but did this month because:

1. The weather’s been cold and wet. Bad for exploring, great for reading.

2. I got to tag-a-long with Ted on a work trip and did a lot of reading by the pool (it was amazing).

3. The first book listed was a short one.

4. I’ve been reading Think Again, and the Ivan book, slowly over the several months, and finally finished them both this month.

5. Two books were so good I couldn’t put them down, and stayed up way too late to finish them.

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Here are my reviews of the five books I finished in April:

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Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets by Andy Stanley

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Rating: 10/10

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Review: SO MUCH wisdom packed into this short book. It’s wonderful, and HARD to read/listen to as Andy asks some really tough questions. I recommend this one to anyone who wants to grow in their character and decision making ability!

Here are 8 points that really impacted me:

1. Private decisions almost always have public outcomes. If you have children, the outcomes of your decisions are outcomes somebody you love will be forced to live with.

2. Your legacy, your mark on the future, are determined by the decisions you make. 

3. What story do you want told about you? The good news is, YOU get to decide – one decision at a time. 

4. The decisions you make in the VALLEYS are the stories you tell on the mountain. 

5. When confronted with anything or anybody that has a strong emotional appeal, press pause, not play.  

6. Paying attention to that unexplainable, seemingly irrational tension, is important for all of us. I will pause even when I can’t pinpoint the cause of my hesitation. I will explore, rather than ignore my conscience.  

7. Ask: what is the wise thing to do. Regret is always preceded by unwise decisions.

‘In light of my past experience, my current circumstances and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do? ‘

Andy Stanley

8. Jesus did not leverage His God-card. He leveraged His example – how He loved. What does love require of me? 

Write a story you are proud to tell.

Andy Stanley

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Think Again by Adam Grant

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Rating 9/10

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Review: This book is filled with interesting stories and humor. Adam presents a case for why it’s helpful to be a lifelong learner and open to change vs. someone who is ‘set in their ways’ or a ‘know-it-all.’

Here are 9 points from the book that stood out to me:

1. Cognitive laziness – hanging onto old views over the difficulty of grappling with the new ones.

2. We listen to views that make us feel good instead of ideas that make us think hard.

3. We often favor feeling right over being right.

4. Scientific thinking favors humility over pride and curiosity over closure.

5. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it think.

6. A successful relationship requires regular rethinking. For example: Learning not to be late. Or, being open to moving and planting roots in a new community. 

7. People find happiness when they prioritize social engagement over independent activities.

8. It’s our actions – not our surroundings – that bring us meaning and belonging.

9. Be a lifelong learner. Learn something new from each person you meet.

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Click here and leave a comment if you’d like to win a copy of Think Again!

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

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Rating 8/10

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Review: After finishing Home of the Brave with Clark, I decided to check out this book by the same author. I read it with my younger two boys who are animal lovers. It’s a sweet story of friendship between an ape and an elephant.

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The Choice by Dr. Edith Eger

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Rating: 10/10

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Review: An outstanding book written by a survivor of Auschwitz. She writes about her escape “physically” from prison, and how she later learned to escape the prison of the mind. She is the female version of Victor Frankl (Man’s Search for Meaning). There are parts of this book that are really hard to read, but it’s also a book filled with hope and redemption.

The sign above the entrance to the author’s prison camp in Aushwitz says: Arbeit Macht Frei, meaning: Work Will Set You Free.

Dr. Eger writes:

Work has set me free. Not the work the Nazis meant, but the inner work. Of learning to survive and thrive, of learning to forgive myself, of helping others do the same. When I do this work, I am no longer a prisoner. I am free.

Dr. Eger

Here are a 10 gold nuggets I pulled from the book:

1. You can live in the prison of the past, or you can let the past be a springboard that helps you reach the life you want now.
2. Get the feelings out. Expression is the opposite of depression. You can’t heal what you don’t feel.
3. You can’t feel love and fear at the same time.
4. It’s easier to hold someone or something else responsible for your pain than to take responsibility for ending your own victimhood.
5. How easily we can cling to – worship- the choice we think we could or should have made.
6. Our painful experiences aren’t a liability, they are a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and strength.
7. Doing what is right is rarely the same as doing what is safe.
8. The biggest prison is your own mind. In your pocket is the key: the willingness to take absolute responsibility for your life, the willingness to risk, the willingness to release yourself from judgment and reclaim your innocence, excepting and loving yourself for who you really are – human, imperfect, and whole.
9. No one can take away from you what you put in your mind.
10. Freedom is accepting what is, forgiving ourselves, and opening our hearts to discover the miracles that exist right now.

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You can’t change what happened, you can’t change what you did or what was done to you. You can choose how you live right now. You can choose to be free.

Dr. Edith Eger

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I guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist

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Rating: 10/10

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Review: I already know this will be in my TOP TEN list for the books I read in 2022. I loved every.single.page. Shauna is such a phenomenal story teller. Each chapter is a story from her life, and what she’s learning in that story. I cried, I laughed, I stopped to think, pray, and express gratitude. Read this book.

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Thanks for reading these reviews. Which of the books listed above do you want to read? Leave me a comment!

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10 Rules for Resilience by Joe De Sena

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Rating: 9/10

Review: A book packed with practical ideas for your family. Here are 13 of my favorite parts:

1. Exercise is hard. Honesty is hard. Eating healthy is hard. Integrity is hard. But also – Obesity is hard. Anxiety is hard. Choose your hard.
2. Our utter devotion to what is safe and comfortable is a crack in our foundation. It keeps us from growing. What is the GIFT on the other side of discomfort? A difficult situation is a growth opportunity. Your brain might tell you ‘it’s impossible,’ but that’s wrong. It’s only difficult. You can’t …until you can. Say: I can’t …YET! When you go through something difficult, imagine your brain actually growing.
3. Hate is a boomerang. If you spew it toward others, it comes back and creates self-loathing. When in doubt, close your mouth.
4. Have your kids name 3 things they are grateful for while you are eating – one person, one place, one thing.
5. You can’t control your kid’s athletic ability or how smart they are, but you can control how hard they work. Hard work forges character.
6. Give kids responsibilities as soon as they can walk. Increasing the amount of responsibility as they age. You’ll be training them to be capable independent adults.
7. Self-agency: The ability to understand that you can make your own choices and that you have some sense of control over what comes next. When kids understand that their choices will create consequences for them, it helps them be more thoughtful and intentional.  
8. Nature has healing powers. Being in the forest has shown to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increase cardiovascular health. The best gym is the natural world. The sound of running water steadies us. The air refreshes us. The sunshine cheers us. The raw elements challenge us. We need to get outside and experience this glorious planet with all of our senses.
9. Power of Play:  You don’t have to do anything fancy to have an outdoor adventure. Go on a hike, play tag in your backyard, climb trees, wrestle on the grass- these all develop their skills. Free play provides tactile feedback that children need to excel in sports later on. Kids need exercise for proper physical development and behavior. Prioritize movement over screen time. Physical activity is essential for healthy brain development. Throw a football, grab a jump rope, or go for a walk in the woods. You’ll see a difference in the behavior and attitude of your children. Especially teenagers! There are amazing benefits to Free Play. Free play not only helps to develop creative resources and enhance imagination, but also aids in the fine-tuning decision-making and problem-solving skills.
10. Outdoors is a canvas for the imagination. Outdoor play will help children invent the future. A recent study showed that children ages 5-12 spend less than 30 min outside each day. Prisoners are guaranteed 2 hours a day outdoors. Criminals are getting more outdoor time than our kids.  Many studies show that getting exercise outside improves kids brain function.
11. On Fear. What’s on the other side of fear is fantastic. Elizabeth Gilbert welcomes fear in the car, but doesn’t let it drive the car. Fear is present, but not in control. Movement cures fear. Fear is just a feeling. Fear and excitement are similar, practically exact feelings. Your feelings are not an accurate measure of what you can handle. Fear is a feeling and does not have control over you. Courage can be learned, bravery can be developed. ‘It’s only my body getting scared. My smart mind knows it will be okay.’ Practice doing something your kids are afraid of. ‘Systematic desensitization’ means repeated exposure conquers fear. Fear will be an ever-present part of life, but it’s not bad. It’s just a signal that we may need to use certain skills to move forward. 
12. There will always be people who support you and people who criticize. Decide now who you will listen to.
13. Growth mindset: praise your kids for EFFORT over intelligence. Say: ‘Wow, you worked hard on that!’ Celebrate the process, not just the product. Highlight how hard they worked and what they learned.

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Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

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Rating: 9/10

Review: I absolutely love this author and this book was brilliantly written. It gives insight into how the devil might be at work behind the scenes and in our thought lives. He is very subtle and sneaky in his attempt to turn us away from God. This book is absolutely worth reading, and it’s a book you’ll probably want to come back to again and again. The ideas shared in this book will stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page.

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Will by Will Smith

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Rating: 6/10

After reading this book, I wasn’t shocked by what happened at the Oscars for two reasons.

1. After finishing the book, I knew that Will is not in a good place.

2. He’s always struggled with how to defend the women in his life – from his mom, to his daughter, and now his wife. A theme throughout the book was his feeling of shame for not being courageous enough to protect them. He’s obviously still figuring that out.

My Review of the Book:

The beginning of Will’s autobiography was fantastic! Will used his superb storytelling ability to share the challenges of his childhood, how he got into hip-hop, and the crazy story of how he became the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. 

However, once he became ‘the biggest movie star of all time” (he reinforced this point many times), the story fell flat.

In spite of success at every level, he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for. He’s searching for peace in all the wrong places (psychedelic drugs, busyness, success, money, women, etc.).

I don’t necessarily recommend the book, however, if you’re a huge Will Smith fan and want to check it out, I recommend the audiobook. Will Smith reads the book and includes sound bites and songs that add an extra dimension. I think you’ll agree that the beginning is interesting, and the end is disappointing. I wish he would have waited to write this book.

Side note: Will’s oldest son, Trey, has found peace in a personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus brings the unconditional love, peace, and fulfillment. For those searching for peace, ask God if He is real and you may find everything that you’ve ever been looking for is right there in Him.

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What have you been reading? Leave a comment!

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I finished 58 books this year. Occasionally I’ve been asked how I find time to read. Here’s what I’ve said:

• First of all, I love to read. You find time for things you love.
• Second, I keep books all over the place. I have several next to my bed, a couple by the couch in the family room, another in the car – a physical book and an audio book.
• I take a few minutes to read when I first wake up and before I go to bed. If it’s a really good book, I stay up too late to read.
• If I have to wait for my kids at practice or an appointment, I read.
• I read WITH my kids. I usually read one chapter per day with each of them.
• The free HOOPLA app allows me to download excellent books for no cost, so I will listen to books while doing household chores or exercising.
• Before I read any book, I look it up on Goodreads to see what my friends have rated it and what their reviews say. I find that well-written books are easier and faster to read. Click here to follow me on Goodreads.

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List and ratings of the books I read in 2021

• The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino 10/10
• John Adams by Janet Benge 9/10
• Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mckenzie 10/10
• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard 6/10
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown 8/10
• Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis 7/10
• The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson 10/10
• Creativity by Ed Catmull 8/10
• She Persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Pinkney 9/10
• The Book of Waking Up by Seth Haines 9/10
• Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen 9/10
• Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper By S.A.R.K. 9/10
• All Flame by Andrew Arndt 9/10
• How Great is our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio 10/10
• Never Caught: The story of Ona Judge by Erica Dunbar 8/10
• Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal 9/10
• The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus 10/10
• Home Front by Kristin Hannah 5/10
• Help Club for Moms: The Wise Woman Believes 10/10
• Remarkable by Brady Boyd 10/10
• Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry 10/10
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah 9/10
• Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin 10/10
• Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore 9/10
• Who was Frederick Douglas? by April Jones Prince 9/10
• Get Your Life Back by John Eldridge 10/10
• Love Centered Parenting by Crystal Paine 9/10
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown 9/10
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie 10/10
• The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley 7/10
• Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot 7/10
• Share your stuff, I’ll go first by Laura Termaine 8/10
• Front Desk by Kelly Yang 10/10
• Thomas Edison by Janet and Geoff Benge 9/10
• Row the Boat by PJ Fleck 8/10
• Unscripted by Ernie Johnson 9/10
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasa 9/10
• Before you Split by Toni Nieuwhof 10/10
• Brother Andrew by Janet Benge 9/10
• Help Club for Moms: The Wise Woman Stays 10/10
• I survived the attacks on September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshish 9/10
• Three Keys by Kelly Yang 5/10
• The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garret Graff 10/10
• Love Does by Bob Goff 10/10
• Clara Barton by Janet Benge 10/10
• Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole 10/10
• Funny How Life Works by Michael Jr. 10/10
• Hiding in the Open: A Holocaust Memoir 10/10
• Exploring the White House by Kate Brower 7/10
• LadyParts: A Memoir by Deborah Kopaken 6/10
• Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey 7/10
• 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Dr. Meg Meeker 7/10
• The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey Into Christian Faith by Rosaria Butterfield 6/10
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl 10/10
• Grandma’s Attic, Book 1 by Arleta Richardson 9/10
• Room To Dream by Kelly Yang 9/10
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery 10/10
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 9/10

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My next post will include my favorite books of this 2021 – subscribe so you don’t miss that post!

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Click here to see my favorite books from 2020

Books are affiliate links

I felt like I didn’t read much this month, but somehow I finished six books! I read with my kids most days, and a little by myself here and there. Two were fairly quick reads, two I’ve been reading for months and finally finished, and one I listened to on the Hoopla app. Here are my reviews:

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Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen

Rating: 9/10

Review: An enjoyable story of a veterinarian who joined the circus and fell in love.

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Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper By S.A.R.K.

Rating: 9/10

Review: When Sara Blakely mentioned how much she was inspired by this writer, I went to my local library and checked out a couple of her books. They are SO uniquely written – full of color and written by hand. I’d recommend this book to any writer who needs a little inspiration and encouragement, as well as some fresh ideas. This book made me open up my journal and start writing!

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All Flame by Andrew Arndt

Rating: 9/10

Review: Andrew and I worked together at New Life Church. His love for God and kindness towards others is contagious. This book shares Andrew’s journey of faith, and encourages the reader in their faith journey as well. My favorite parts of this book were the stories he told of our mutual friend Jack, as well as some other heroes of history. This is a book you’ll want to read slowly so that you have time to absorb and reflect on each chapter.

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Here are some books I read with my boys:

How Great is our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio

Rating: 10/10

Review: My kids and I absolutely loved Louie’s first devotional for kids, and were excited to read this one too! Each day has a Bible verse and a short and interesting story about science and God.

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Never Caught: The story of Ona Judge by Erica Dunbar

Rating: 8/10

Review: This book confused me. First, it’s supposed to be for children, so I was reading it with one of my sons, but some of the content discussed was not for children. Thankfully, my son wasn’t super interested in this book so we started another book together and I finished this on my own. Second, it’s supposed to be nonfiction but filled with tons of opinions and ‘she might have said this or done that.’

Overall, It was an interesting story of an enslaved woman owned by George and Martha Washington. The story tells how her life (may have been) as Martha’s slave, how and why she may have escaped, and a little about her life as a free woman. 

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Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal

Rating: 9/10

Review: A simple but excellent overview of our 16th president.

Click here for the Five Books I Finished in February

What have you been reading? Leave comment by clicking on the small text box by the title!

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