The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.
Since last time I’ve completed:
Everyday Battles: Knowing God Through Our Daily Conflicts by Bob Schultz, with my youngest son, reviewed here.
In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer about three friends from the same orphanage awarded a scholarship to college just before WWI, the different routes they go, temptations they face, etc., reviewed here (including some general thoughts on romance in Christian fiction). Very good.
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, a classic medieval knight’s tale (audiobook), reviewed here. Very enjoyable.
Loving by Karen Kingsbury, the last of the Bailey Flannigan series, not reviewed. A satisfying end to Bailey’s story, despite sentences like, “He squinted against the glare of his breaking heart” (p. 90) and “His tone was so sincere it was like she had a front row seat in the arena of his heart” (p. 249). Wince.
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin, not reviewed, about a girl excessively caught up in her novels (and more than a touch immature and self-centered) who loses her job as a librarian during the Depression. She takes some donated books to Kentucky, ends up having to stay there much longer than she had planned, learns and grows through the frustrating and sometimes dangerous situations she encounters. Enjoyable, except I did get quite perturbed that the two primary Christians in the book forced (at gunpoint in one instance), coerced, and even tricked her into doing what they wanted, which is not how Christians should usually operate.
Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman, reviewed here. Excellent.
I’m currently reading/listening to:
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (audiobook). Enjoying it very much!
The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis.
Psmith in the City by P. D. Wodehouse for Carrie’s book club in April.
Next up:
I have Galahad at Blandings by Wodehouse on hand from the library for Carrie’s April book club, but will wait to see if I have time after I finish Psmith. There are not many days left in April!
Infinitely More by Alex Krutov, nonfiction about an abandoned orphan in Russia whom God brought to Himself.
It Is Not Death to Die: A New Biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty.
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.
Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys by Hal and Melanie Young.
That should keep me busy for a while. What are you reading?
Stray Thoughts 
Okay, your “Excellent” on Grace for the Good Girl is enough to make me finally decide to pick it up. (I admit I’m resistant to blog-hype from non-bookish blogs, I’m afraid.). I’m very interred in some others on your TBR stack, too.
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on these — right down to the wincing. 🙂
I should read Ivanhoe. It’s one on my list of missed classics!
I’d really like to get to North and South–so many people I know have raved about it.
I’m reading JOURNEY ON THE HARD SIDE OF MIRACLES by Dr. Steven Stiles. It is a fascinating account of ministry in California among the most needy people–drug addicts, street dwellers, and troubled people–back in the days of the Jesus People movement. Basically, it’s the story of the ministry Dr. Stiles had with its interesting travel stories on a bus with a pea green ceiling. He relates how God changed his ministry through the years. The accounts of miracles are real things God did to help them, guide them, and protect and bless his ministry team as they took care of the unfortunate and traveled to minister in churches and in prisons. A good read and a blessing.
Oh, Ivanhoe! I thought that was on my to-read list, but it’s not there! Thanks for the reminder!
I really want to read “Grace for the Good Girl” too! The Bob Schultz book sounds good too. I don’t have a son, but if I ever do, I’ll have to keep that in mind.
I’m so happy, visiting blogs today, to see how many people are reading Wodehouse! I’m a huge fan. In fact, my favorite might be “Leave it to Psmith.” Have you read that one? Psmith in the City was good, but not nearly AS good, in my opinion.
Thanks for participating!
Elizabeth
5 Minutes for Books
Oh you’ll have to do a review of the Charles Martin one for sure! I have “The Dead Don’t Dance” & “Maggie” down as my summer reads.
I’m loving Little Women all over again! Also working through The Story of Beautiful Girl which is very good!
I really enjoy Karen Kingsbury–but those are some cringe-inducing sentences. I’m really curious about It is Not Death to Die–I’ll be waiting for your review!
Well, you keep busy! I read Ivanhoe ages ago and I enjoyed it. I think I also may have read it as a child. My parents had a collection of classics and when I got to be a certain age I started reading them one by one. I never did finish!
One of these days I want to read North and South. I have watched the BBC version and really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed Raising Real Men and probably need to re-read it.
Those definitely should keep you busy for a long time! Proud of you for listening to Ivanhoe–that’s certainly not one I would tackle (although I really know nothing about it except that it’s a classic. ha).
I think I read North and South long ago after the miniseries came out. Don’t remember much except that I enjoyed it.
I really am bummed I forgot this meme AGAIN! (It seriously helps keep me on track – especially during Spring Reading Thing!) But I’m enjoying reading what’s on everyone else’s stand.
I have Wonderland Creek sitting on my desk. It’s been here for awhile. I borrowed it from a friend because I tend to like Austin. I really ought to read and return it! Glad to know you (mostly) liked it.
Really appreciate you sharing my book with your readers – thanks for the honest, thorough review. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about it!