Books I Read in Review for 2023

 This is a listing of the 25 books I read in 2023. A few additional notes at the end.

 Uncultured (Daniella Mestyanek Young) Similar to Uneducated (I loved it) but darker to me for some reason. Both authors had religious zealot parents following a false teaching that didn’t allow for educating their children. Unfortunately, when both broke free of the parents’ control, they became educated by still didn’t follow Truth. Recommend.

So Help Me God (Mike Pence) I’m a devoted Christian and understand Pence’s focus, but even I thought, “I know. You pray about everything.” I appreciated his, probably, accurate picture of Trump’s positives and negatives as well as Pence’s explanation of his actions on Jan. 6. The book is a great reference of the conservative agenda, but it reads as he talks. (Not for everyone but I liked it overall)

30 Days to Greater Love (Hua Van Dodson) This devotional details 30 lessons my dear BSF friend learned in her study of John especially as it relates to the untimely death of her husband. Everyone can use this reminder of God’s great love for everyone especially His children. (Recommend)

*The Forest of Vanishing Stars (Krisin Harmel) A WWII survival story. A good, solid read but the cynical side of me wonders how it could have happened. If you like this, I highly suggest The Child of the Forest. (Recommend if you like WWII historical fiction)

*The Only Woman in the Room (Marie Benedict) My father reference Hedy Lamarr when I was growing up, so this book interested me. Historical fiction but very revealing of the actress’ life. (Recommend if you like WWII historical fiction)

 3 BOOK SERIES:

*The Water Keeper
*The Letter Keeper
*The Record Keeper
(Charles Martin) Human trafficking is dark and evil but this book tells the story in a tasteful (can you use that term when talking about human trafficking) manner. Because of the dark topic I wanted to hold off on book 3 but realized I couldn’t wait to find out the end of the story. This series makes me want to contribute more to organizations that fight this awful evil in our world. (Recommend)

If I Were You (Lynn Austin) Several friends had recommended this book plus it was available on Libby. My review on Goodreads said 1) I’m not a big fan of the back and forth between time periods but this worked, 2) I enjoyed the storyline of women driving during WWII in England, and 3) Christan themes woven in without being a “preachy” book.

The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival (Ron DeSantis) Chapters 9 and 14 were most interesting to me. Nine details what he has done right in Florida and 14 the purpose of government. Chapter 14 should be required reading for every high school student to be civic minded regardless of party affiliation. It explains a constitutional view of government. (Highly recommend the book if you have a political bent plus Chapter 14 for EVERYONE!)

From the White House to the Amish (Katrina Hoover) Historical fiction very closely based on the life of Tom Kirkman. A very quick and easy read. I don’t remember this being one that lived up to my expectations. (Meh)

Absolute Surrender (Andrew Murray) The reading is easy but the content is very thought provoking so not an easy read. I recommend reading one chapter a week to focus on applying the teaching. (Recommend)

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) This was a re-read from many years ago after seeing the stage version. What can I add to this classic? (Recommend)

 *The Maid (Nita Prose) This was my lowest rated book of the year as I wanted to stop but was too far in to quit. (See note at end of this.) The lead character was just too gullible for me to enjoy.

 *Defending Jacob (William Landay) My favorite fiction book of the year. Unbelievably gut-wrenching. (Highly recommend if you are into fiction and like legal topics)

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (Nabeel Qureshi) Excellent read—should be required for any Christian about sharing faith is willing to be challenged about faith. (Highly recommend)

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It (Chris Voss) I picked this because I’d been reading a lot of fiction. I’ve had it on my To Read List for several years, yes years. Excellent book, and if I was in a different stage of life than fall of 2023 it would have been even more valuable. I read it on the Kindle and glad I have the notes but it would be good to re-read the physical book for underlining. (Recommend for good business learning)

The Making of  a Missionary (Loreen Ittermann) A series of very short stories (not chapters) from the life of Loreen Ittermann, and amazing servant of God who served and serves in the US and Eastern Europe.  I even made the book!!! A good read to see amazing examples of how God answers prayers. (Recommend)

Write for Your Life (Anna Quindlen) Loved this book. These are two of my favorite quotes:

“We are all made of nouns, live by verbs, enlarge and entertain ourselves with adjectives and adverbs.”
▪️I’ve been thinking what are my nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
“Writing is the gift of your presence forever.”
▪️How much history are we losing because people don’t write letters anymore?
(Recommend)

 

*The First Ladies (Marie Benedict) Historical fiction of an unlikely friendship. A fun read. (Recommend)

The 6 Types of Working Genius (Patrick Lencioni) Again I needed to read more professional improvement books so chose this as Lencioni is always a quick read with excellent learning. Plus I needed to add some books quickly to meet my Goodreads Reading Challenge for the Year.

The Gift of the Christmas Cookie (Dandi Daley Mackall) A gift from Jayne Bartrand in 2009 after the GR Press wrote a story about the origins of springerle cookies that I make every year following in my Grandma Klopfenstein’s legacy. I found the book while unpacking after a major move. It was good to reconnect with the story and feel a connection with Jayne. Plus, how can you beat 24 pages to get a book counted towards my 2023 reading goal.

The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change (Jon Gordon) A Gordon fable to teach a lesson. The premise is from a 3-4 paragraph I’ve seen posted on Facebook quite often, but he stretches it (emphasis on stretches) into way too many pages. (Probably pass and read the FB post)

The Bible (ESV) Once again I followed a Bible-reading plan my mother shared with me. This completed year 2 of reading the Bible in a year. This was a rough year, and I’ll admit many times I read words without much feeling. However, the promise is that the Word never returns void so I muddled on to remind me for the need of God’s Word daily in my life.  (Highly recommend)

Notes about this year’s reading in general:

1.       It seems as if a year when I was unemployed for 9 months would make for extra reading, but I found it very difficult to focus on reading. The same was true last year while recovering from surgery.

2.       This year I read much more fiction than is typical and far fewer professional/personal growth books.

3.       Ten of the books were physical and the remainder I checked out on the Libby app and read in my Kindle.

4.       This year I also started 2-3 books but couldn’t get into them to finish. That is very surprising for me as I typically slog through a book until the end. I have just enough OCD that requires me to finish a book so not finishing is actually a good thing for me when it comes to a book.

5.       Eight of the books I read while on vacation.

6.      *My friend Tammy Haussler Cantrell recommended the books with an asterisk. She gets what I like which means I always go to her for vacation reading. FYI, I read 26 books this year; she read 155.

7.       Many of these books have a more robust review on my blog as a unique post.

8.       What for 2024? I’ve started Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Years by C.S. Lewis. I’m embarrassed that I think this is the first of his that I’ve read.

9.    I’ve upped my goal to 26 books to do more than this year but still be within reason for me.

Christmas Letter 2023

Queen Elizabeth II called 1992 her annus horribilis or “horrible year”. This year I easily identify with her to call 2023 my annus horribilis for these reasons:  

• On April 5 my position at a place I loved, plus doing work I loved, was eliminated. 
• At the end of May Renae, my dear friend and housemate, lost her job. 
• By late July we began preparing to move from the Dallas home on the lake we both loved. 
• Dallas had 49 days of 100° in 2023 but seemed like 149! I spent most days outside getting the house ready to sell and keeping the yard looking sharp for potential buyers. 
• The move meant leaving my wonderful group of friends at my Bible Study Fellowship class. I thought I could leave Texas fine, but leaving those dear ladies who had walked with me through so much the previous five years along with other friends was at times gut wrenching. 
• In July I had a long bout of walking pneumonia that I was essentially over when I had a relapse in the middle of October. This slowed my progress getting settled into a new house. If you’ve moved, you know how difficult getting settled is. This move seems to be getting settled on steroids! 
• Now it is early December and after eight months and a major move, I am still looking for a meaningful position. 

 Yes, those all make for a horrible, no good, very bad year, but this is what made for my annus mirabilis, a wonderful year: 

• I got to take several bigger trips this year all planned or taken pre-job loss including going to Charleston for Mark’s older daughter Lauren’s wedding in March. 
• Reconnecting with several cousins, although as is often the case, meeting at the funeral of my dear Aunt Ada, my father’s youngest sibling passed away in September. I am thankful that her relief from a feeble body numbed by dementia means a healed and restored body in the presence of Jesus. 
• Through this journey of unemployment, I have a wonderful support system. Renae, my family, those BSF friends, extended family members, friends in MI and IN, a work friend from my last position, and friends from almost every season of my life regularly check in by text, phone, or Facebook and offer prayer and encouragement. God has always used someone to encourage me during the darkest of days. 
• When we moved to Garland, I told Renae that my next move was going to be to heaven. What can I say? We moved to Alabama!!! (This may be a good time to throw in a big ROLL TIDE!!!) Renae started a job with the MillerKnoll dealer in Birmingham in early August, and we made the move out of the Garland house on Oct. 13. 
• I get to live just over 30 minutes from my sister Mary and her husband Joey as well as three of their daughters and families although everyone is in a different direction of the Birmingham area.
• I’m only about 4½ hours from my parents in SC so visiting them will be much more convenient. 

The highlight of the year was an Atlanta Braves game on July 1 with almost my entire family and several friends, missing two nieces and families plus my parents, for an early—very early—celebration of my milestone birthday. The day was so much fun, and I still smile at the memories. You can see the Braves jersey Renae gifted me to mark the years in the bottom picture. FYI, the milestone itself is NOT a highlight of the year. 

This year Christmas giving for me is going to look far different from all other years, but the greatest gift I get to celebrate is the gift of Jesus Christ coming to earth as a baby. “Lying in the manager, He stares at the stars He created” is still one of my favorite Christmas lines from a church cantata I heard over 30 years ago. During a year that goes back and forth from horribilis to mirabilis, this gift gives me hope and peace. In a world that seems completely upended with turmoil and bad news, may you find hope and peace in this great gift as well. 

 Merry Christmas! 

 P.S. Every holiday letter needs a family update: My parents are doing well while dealing with the challenges of living a long but healthy life and continue in their home in SC. Since Christmas 2022 I have become a great aunt twice over to add to the other six. Andrew’s daughter Addi was only 7 weeks old for the Braves game but the picture below shows her “chopping” with the rest of the crowd! Pictured to the right is James, Haley’s 6-month old son, with Great Aunt Rhoda the morning after the game when I think neither of us was completely awake. My siblings and their families continue to do well. I am excited for two great nieces and a great nephew coming in 2024!

Book Review: The Courage to Be Free

The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival by Ron DeSantis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book to understand more of DeSantis as I anticipated his running for President. It took a bit to get into which was more due to my starting it during a week when I was focused on multiple of things to get done.

Chapters 9 and 14 were most interesting to me. Nine details what he has done right in Florida and 14 the purpose of government. Chapter 14 should be required reading for every high school student to be civic minded regardless of party affiliation. It explains a constitutional view of government.

Now that the news is he will announce his candidacy this week, I'm especially glad I read the book.

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Book Review: From the White House to the Amish

From the White House to the Amish by Katrina Hoover Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good, fast, and easy read. The title captured my attention when I was in the middle of Amish country last week. This is historical fiction but very, very closed based on the life of Tom Kirkman. The fiction seems mainly dialogue to move the story.

The writing is very basic which makes for a quick read. The author does not use any words that I wondered the meaning or needed to understand from context. I'm sure my sister and several other reading friends would finish within a day. I'm a bit slower.

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Book Review: If I Were You

 

If I Were You by Lynn Austin


Several friends made positive reviews of this book and/or like the author. This is my first Lynn Austin read.

1. I'm not a big fan of the back and forth between time periods but this worked.
2. I enjoyed the storyline of women driving during WWII in England.
3. Christian themes woven in without being a "preachy" book.

Recommend for a fiction lover.

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Book Review: 30 Days to Great Love

30 Days to Greater Love: A devotional journal to experience the love of God through the Gospel of John by Hua Vang Dodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hua Vang Dodson, a personal friend I've grown to love through Bible Study Fellowship, used the tragedy of her husband's suicide to record the lessons of God's love through a study of John. Each day highlights one aspect of God's love and applies it to daily life. The entries are short but oh so meaty. If you read in the morning, you can "chew" on it all day long. It is written so that a young believer can learn but a "seasoned" believer will be refreshed and renewed when reminded of God's love.

Hua shares not only from her husband's taking of his life resulting in her widowhood and life as a single parent, but also her early childhood in Laos and as a refugee following the Communist takeover of her home country. Not only has she known those traumatic life events, but she has felt the loss of six close family members in six years. Through this Hua's faith remains unshakeable.

I highly recommend this book.

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Book Review: So Help Me God

So Help Me God by Mike Pence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Overall a good book as I really enjoy reading about what goes on in the Oval Office and other high positions. Mike Pence is a man of principle which came through loud and clear, and he was a honest about what Trump did wrong post-2016 election as he did what Trump did right prior to that. His explanations of various programs he implemented as governor of IN gave me a different viewpoint that challenged my thinking on things such as healthcare and welfare programs.

Pence is a man of faith but even as devout Christian he came on very strong.

My biggest issue is that Pence writes the way he talks. It's a long book. Pence is not a dynamic speaker. I could hear his voice as I read. Enough said.

I recommend reading regardless of your political position.

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Funny story about the book. My parents wanted a Christmas gift for my brother so I bought this for them to give him. He bought the book for a Christmas for them and one for me for Christmas!