11 Books I Read in March
11 Books I Read in March
By: Brittany Shields
First of all, I’m running a book giveaway on my Facebook page March 27- April 9, 2022 so head over there to enter!
Secondly, here are my latest reads! We’ve got science fiction, thriller, fantasy, romance, humor, theology, historical fiction, and Christian living books. There’s something for everyone!
Check them out and don’t forget to share this reading list to your social media!
Frank Herbert’s Dune: The Graphic Novel
Adapted By: Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
Illustrated By: Raúl Allén & Patricia MartínGenre: Science Fiction/Graphic Novel
[Nominated for ‘Best Graphic Novels/Comics’ category of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Reading Challenge]
This movie just won a buttload of Oscars. This is not a movie, it’s a book, but it has pictures so it’s basically a movie-book. And the real book the movie is based on is pretty long and I’ve chickened out from reading it. This seemed like a good transition.
Read my review for an explanation of graphic novels and a better summary of the book. It’s probably the best review you’ll read of it…. and dune’t you forget it.
2. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
[Nominated for ‘Best Mystery/Thriller’ category of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Reading Challenge]
“We all secretly hope that tragedy will only ever happen to other people. But Marianna knew, sooner or later, it happens to you.”
Girls are being murdered at Cambridge University and Marianna, therapist, is there to support her niece, whose roommate was killed, and find out who the killer is.
I read the book very fast. It was a quick and very suspenseful read and I was engaged throughout the whole story. When I finished I felt like I liked it. I had my suspicions about how he was going to reveal the killer but the motive behind the killings was the main twist and I didn’t have that figured out at all!
I realized it’s one of those books that you enjoy but when you start talking to others or reading other reviews, you realize they make some good points and you feel like the book is a little less praiseworthy because of them.
Read my review for a longer summary, some analysis and questions, and a surprise reveal.
3. When Words Matter Most: Speaking Truth with Grace to Those You Love by Cheryl Marshall & Caroline Newheiser
Genre: Christian Living
“You, and your words, are significant and necessary for the building up of his church… We build up the body of Christ by reminding one another who Christ is and what he’s done for us.”
This is a short, practical book on how to come alongside our loved ones and speak truth in times of struggle.
It’s concise and full of Scripture. The core of speaking truth with grace is being willing to do it, understanding God’s Word, and having an attitude of humility and compassion.
‘When Words Matter Most’ provides a helpful resource to guide our conversations and provides sections we can even read verbatim to our friends to offer biblical encouragement.
She discusses truths for the worried, the weary, the wayward, and the weeping.
Read the full review for some other great quotes!
4. A Constructively Critical Conversation between Nonviolent and Substitutionary Perspectives on Atonement: Theological Motifs and Christological Implications by Hojin Ahn
Genre: Theology
This is a high-level, very academic book about various theories of atonement.
Hojin Ahn, a native Korean, is a Reformed Pastor in Canada and this book is his published doctoral thesis.
The main question at the heart of this book is to address people’s feelings toward the crucifixion. Some view Christ’s death on the cross as violent, even as child abuse by God the Father.
How could God be a good and sovereign God if he allowed or ordained his own Son to be brutally murdered? Either he isn’t good or he couldn’t stop it. Both of these conclusions are wrong and a further study of this doctrine will illuminate true biblical atonement rooted in God’s love and sovereignty.
Read the full review for a brief summary on a few of the perspectives.
5. The Bletchley Women by Patricia Adrian
Genre: Historical Fiction
“The times are changing and we don’t know where it will toss us. All that we know is that it’s time to take matters in our own manicured hands and handle them.”
If you’ve read The Rose Code, you are familiar with the history of Bletchley Park— the famous mansion outpost outside of London involved with decrypting code and cracking Enigma.
Patricia Adrian has written her own historical fiction novel set during this time. Whereas The Rose Code focuses more on sticking to the historical figures and events with its own mysterious spin of espionage, The Bletchley Women is more drama than mystery.
Read my review for character descriptions and a brief comparison to The Rose Code. But if you like decoding, definitely check out my review for The Rose Code linked above for a couple cool videos I found.
6. This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Medical Residents by Adam Kay
Genre: Memoir/Humor
“However a health-care system might be set up or funded, the experience of being a doctor is utterly universal. The same heartbreak, the same hilarity, the same damaging work schedule, and, of course, the same baffling array of objects getting constantly inserted into orifices.”
Adam Kay, England native, shares his experience in the medical field— his career picked at the ripe age of 16 as is common in the UK— and all the ups and downs of working in a hospital with the NHS (National Health System). It concludes with the heartbreaking story that was the last straw and ultimately led to him leaving the profession.
Be warned, the humor in this book is irreverent and crude. Also, lots of swearing.
Read my review for some random thoughts, the funnies, the cringe-ys, and the ethics/politics of the book!
7. Star Mother (Star Mother #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
“I had never known true loneliness until I became a star mother.”
“You have taught me what it is to love… It is truth, it is promise, and it is sacrifice.”
Star-crossed lovers. Literally. Mixed with The One Who Lived Harry-Potter-magic-style.
Charlie Holmberg has created a world in which mortals and celestial beings interact. A world where stars power the Earth Mother. Where stars are the by-product of the Sun god and a mortal woman. A world where the Moon goddess and the Sun god war against each other.
Read my review to find out why you can ignore the first two sentences of the book and to read some of my speculations and observations.
8. When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simons
Genre: Christian Living
“Could it be that we are so worn and desperate for ways to better ourselves because we’ve missed the power, inherent in the grace of God, that eradicates self-improvement altogether?”
This is such an important book.
Just that phrase- ‘when strivings cease’- doesn’t that sound nice?
I don’t know about you, but I definitely feel the exhaustion of striving. Of trying to be better. Of trying to be good enough.
Ruth Chou Simons has written this book from her own battles with striving— rooted partly in the achievement and honor based Asian culture she grew up with and shares with readers— and encourages us to reject the striving and to rest in the grace of God.
Read my full review to see what things we strive for and how grace transforms us. And of course for some more really good quotes!
9. Star Father (Star Mother #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
“Love is the one eternal thing all beings are capable of creating. It has more potential than anything else— literature, stonework, folklore. Mortals, more than any, know it intimately. It lingers in the universe long after their bodies have moved on.”
Love is the driving force of this book.
With Star Mother we felt the love of a mother for her daughter as well as a romantic love.
With Star Father the love is largely romantic with a bit of the depth of friendship thrown in.
Personally I would have been fine with Star Mother being a standalone novel as Holmberg originally intended it. But she wanted Saiyon, the sun god, to have his own happy ending. After the first book, I didn’t really care for that outcome, but here we are.
Read my review for my plot summary and a link to a podcast you might be interested in!
10. Is God Anti-Gay?: And Other Questions about Homosexuality, the Bible, and Same-Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry
Genre: Christian Living/Theology
“When an idol fails you, the real culprit turns out to be the person who has urged you to worship it— not the person who has tried to take it away.”
Is God anti-gay?
That is a popular question of the day.
When someone asks this question, I believe at the heart of their question is this: Is God against LGBTQ people?
In short, the answer to that is No.
Read my full review to find out why, to see what questions Allberry answers, to see what message he has for the church, and for some more quotes and further reading.
11. The Fruit of the Spirit: Walk by the Spirit, Bear His Fruit by Sarah Morrison, The Daily Grace Co.
Genre: Devotional/Theology
“When we abide in the Spirit, we take on a new nature in Christ, we are no longer branches bound for death. We are now grafted into a living, fruitful vine which causes us to bear good fruit.”
This was a good 3-week study on this short passage of Galatians to remind us that this list of characteristics is not a guidepost to see if we’re Christian-enough.
Each of these remind us of who God is. When we practice these characteristics, we are imaging God.
And yet, they are very hard to do day-in and day-out. I love that this study emphasizes our need for the Holy Spirit and the power that is ours through Him. We can only bear this fruit through the Spirit.
Check out my review for some more pictures from inside this book.
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