8 Books I Read in January
8 Books I Read in January
By: Brittany Shields
We are one month into the new year and I’m happy to share with you the books I read this month!
We have a couple books that met requirements for my 2021 Fall Reading Challenge that I’m still working on.
Plus, because I can’t stop, I started a new challenge to read a book from every genre category of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards, so there are a couple from that list as well.
I read my first Ruth Ware book.
I got to another book in a really good series.
And I read a couple Christian Living books that I found really encouraging.
Check them out and browse the links below to find your next read!
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
Genre: Theology
“The sovereignty of God in grace gave Paul hope of success as he preached to deaf ears, and held up Christ before blind eyes, and sought to move stony hearts. His confidence was that where Christ sends the gospel there Christ has his people… due for release at the appointed moment…”
Have you ever asked- Why do we evangelize if God is just going to save who he wants to save? or If we have to evangelize then is God really sovereign?
It is a short and easy to understand book about how the sovereignty of God gives us confidence to do as God commands and preach the good news to all people.
Check out my full review to read how Packer explains the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.
2. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
“The four winds have blown us here, people from all across the country, to the very edge of this great land, and now, at last, we make our stand, fight for what we know to be right. We fight for our American dream, that it will be possible again.”
Set during the Dust Bowl and The Great Depression, this is the story of hardship, resilience, motherhood, and bravery.
It’s long but interesting.
Read the full review to see what resonated with me the most.
3. The Push by Ashley Audrain
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery
“A mother’s heart breaks a million ways in her lifetime.”
A sinister, psychological thriller where we see the progression of a mother’s relationship with her daughter and the struggle of a mother who is confronted with a scary realization. A tragedy tears a family apart and her daughter may have played a role. But her husband doesn’t believe her. Can she figure it out before she loses her family or her daughter does something worse?
Read my review for a couple other psychological thriller suggestions that I liked better than this one!
4. A Gentle Answer: Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them by Scott Sauls
Genre: Christian Living/Cultural
“While true faith is filled with holy fire, it is a fire that is meant for refining and healing, as opposed to dividing and destroying.”
Division and destruction is the currency of the day. How do we handle disagreements, attacks, or divisiveness?
Scott Sauls tells us: with A Gentle Answer.
This is the posture of Jesus and it’s what we should exemplify.
Sauls has written an excellent book that is absolutely necessary in today’s world. Giving gentle answers in impassioned communications is very hard. This book has challenged me and convicted me in the best ways.
Read my full review to see why Sauls says gentleness changes us!
5. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
“Don’t come here,” she whispered, “It’s not safe.”
My first Ruth Ware book. A nanny takes a position at an isolated mansion in Scotland and quickly discovers why so many previous nannies were scared away. Can Rowan’s desire to have this job keep her in a place where something or someone does not want her there?
Read my full review to see my biggest issue with the book.
6. Damaged Intentions (Abby Mullen Thrillers #2) by Mike Omer
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
A great sequel to book one (link in the full review) that brings back negotiator Abby Mullen to a school where students are being held hostage by a conspiracy theory group who believes a sex-trafficking ring is operating at the school.
A secondary plotline continues from the first as Abby continues to unravel the mysteries of the cult she survived as a young girl.
My full review also contains a list of title suggestions I brainstormed for Omer’s next books!
7. Gospel-Centered Motherhood by Stefanie Boyles, The Daily Grace Co.
Genre: Christian Living/Devotional
“In God’s economy, when His people empty themselves for His sake, they are filled with His presence which leads to purpose, joy, and satisfaction.”
A great, short, devotional for busy moms who want to be encouraged with gospel truth that will inspire them to be faithful in all the daily tasks purposes of motherhood.
8. The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture and the Church by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Genre: Christian Living/Cultural
“Christians must display faith in God’s design, faith in God’s Word, and faith in the power of the gospel.”
Al Mohler, host of the podcast ‘The Briefing',’ has written a book that extends the topics of his podcast— how to view and understand news and current events through a biblical worldview.
The secularization in America is creating a storm between biblical beliefs and cultural demands. He has written to present them and encourage Christians to defend truth and trust God’s design in all things.
My full review includes links to several other books that discuss aspects of his book in greater detail.
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