Tag: book

Journaling, life, Personal, reading

A Month in Review – November 2020 Edition

by Laurel Luehmann5 Comments on A Month in Review – November 2020 Edition
A Month in Review – November 2020 Edition

It’s crazy to think it’s already time for this again!

Highlights of the month

  • voting for the very first time
  • writing (of course)
  • making an audio drama with cousins
  • a sibling sleepover
  • wearing cozy sweaters
  • sight-reading piano duets with a brother
  • building relationships with people in my writing community
  • cleaning my room
  • making mashed potatoes in a ginormous bowl
  • hanging white lights in my bedroom
  • accidentally winning this giveaway (!!!)

Books I’ve been reading this month

Last month I didn’t read very much. This month I read much more. Thankfully. And each book was in a different genre! Bonus points.

Prophet

I’ve not finished this one yet, but I’ve enjoyed it so far! I’m a huge fan of allegories, and Ela’s conversations with the Infinite help me understand and appreciate the Lord more. Oh, I love the power of fiction.:)

Great Expectations

I mentioned this one last month, but it’s worth mentioning again.:) I love reading this aloud to some of my siblings.

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

I’m reading this one with some family members, and so far it’s been very enjoyable… despite the fact that it’s a romance.:) The plot is so complex, and I love how some of the characters are based off of characters in Dickens’ Bleak House.

I’ve also been able to venture into the dystopian genre while reading/editing a friend’s incredibly amazing novel-in-progress!!!

Journal Snippets from this month

“I have been careless of my ways – letting life fly by while I grasp at bits of it for myself. God, I want to live whole-heartedly for You – nothing held back. God, let me seek You passionately and purposefully. I want to use this season to learn how to be a doormat for humanity. (reference to an Oswald Chambers quote)”

“God’s salvation and righteousness are enough to make me greatly rejoice… and He provides them even on my worst days. I have a reason to worship. Thank You, Jesus.”

“Oh, God… let me choose You and Your ways… first and always. Be the deepest desire of my heart and the love of my life. Be the reason I live and breathe.”

“Oh, God, guidance. Let me listen to Your gentle whisper rather than the wild throbs of my heart.”

And that’s a wrap! How was your month? Did you do/read/write anything you care to share?:)

Book Reviews, Personal

What I’ve Been Reading – September 2020 Edition

by Laurel Luehmann7 Comments on What I’ve Been Reading – September 2020 Edition
What I’ve Been Reading – September 2020 Edition

Hey, guys!

I just wanted to pop in today to share with you a taste of what I got to read this September.

Please note: I did NOT read all of these books cover to cover… I’m just saying I got to spend some glorious time in them last month. 🙂

Enjoy!

Books

The Bible

Absolutely… it’s my favorite. Specifically I enjoyed spending time in Proverbs and Habakkuk this September. I’m so grateful for God’s Word. It truly is a light to my path!

Animal Farm

I haven’t gotten very far in this yet, but it’s okay so far. Quite honestly, it didn’t grab me and pull me in right away, but I’ll keep reading to see how it turns out. 🙂

The Door Within

I sped-read this when I was thirteen and loved it. Since I’m writing my own allegorical fantasy right now, I thought it would be a good idea to go back and reread this book. It’s been fun! I love all the parallels it draws to the the life and mission of the Christian.

Beholding and Becoming

This one is so, so good. It’s been such a beautiful reminder to me to stay focused on the Lord in the middle of an exciting life.

Also, the pages are bursting with beautiful word art and paintings… ahhh! So lovely.

Winnie-the-Pooh

This is one of my favorites. I so enjoy the way A.A. Milne captures the beautiful nonsense that is so logical to a child’s mind.

In the Presence of Mine Enemies

I picked this up the other night and stayed up too late, reading in fascination. I didn’t start at the beginning or read completely through every word (welcome to my reading life), but this was incredible. It’s the true story of an American soldier who was a POW for seven years in Vietnam.

This book is heartbreaking and inspiring. I am so grateful for the men and women who gave – and still give – so much so we can live in freedom and safety. We spoiled Americans need to be reminded of how much freedom costs, and this book will do just that.

Radical

I’d been hearing about this book for years… and wanting to read it but never getting around to it. Finally I grabbed a copy at my nearest and dearest bookstore – Goodwill 🙂 – and started reading. Wow. Talk about a wake-up call. I’m hoping to finish it this month.

Blog Posts

The Life of William Wilberforce

A few years ago I got hooked on the story of William Wilberforce via an incredible audio drama… so of course I jumped at this article! I really appreciate how some lessons to be learned from his life are pointed out at the end.

Things Christians Don’t Talk About: Money

This one is a quick read – and a powerful one. Please read it if you can spare a minute or two.

What have you been reading lately?

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission… at no extra cost to you. 🙂

Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash

Book Reviews

10 Books Your Family Will Love

by Laurel Luehmann2 Comments on 10 Books Your Family Will Love
10 Books Your Family Will Love

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission… at no extra cost to you. 🙂

My family has spent countless hours reading aloud together. Here are some of our very favorite read-alouds!

10 P’s in a Pod

Who doesn’t want to read about a large family who sang and prayed their way around the country? The writing style and content will have you roaring with laughter at times, but this book is also very convicting and thought-provoking. I can’t recommend it enough.

The Boxcar Children

I always enjoyed reading about the adventures the Aldens had… I envied admired their creativity and independence! One really nice thing about this book is that the siblings treat each other with love and respect – something that’s sadly missing in our culture and a lot of books now.

Once Upon a Summer

My siblings and I love this book! It stands out from many of the other books written by Janette Oke in that its focus isn’t on the romance. (Do I hear cheers from the guys??? :D) Follow along as Josh – a twelve-year-old farm boy – tries to scare off his aunt’s suitors, gets a puppy, and learns some valuable life lessons.

Winnie-the-Pooh

Don’t laugh… I absolutely love the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories. They’re so sweet and hilarious. Even though they’re written for children, I think adults will enjoy them, as well!

The Hidden Staircase

This Nancy Drew mystery is a fun family read, and even comes recommended by one of my brothers. 🙂

Eight Cousins

This is another family favorite. Written in the 1800s by Louisa May Alcott – the author of Little Women – it’s incredibly enjoyable, and the timeless lessons woven into it are wonderful.

Bedtime for Frances

This sweet and humorous picture book is written for younger children… but I still love it. 🙂

Five Children & It

Five siblings find out what it’s really like to have their dreams come true… we enjoyed this one immensely!

In Grandma’s Attic

Arleta Richardson based this book on stories her grandmother told about her childhood in the 1800s. It’s hilarious and packed with valuable life lessons. This is a favorite with my younger sisters!

The Little House Series

These classics make wonderful read-alouds… they’re so much better than the TV series! I appreciate the incredible detail and historical accuracy of the descriptions.

And there you have it! What are some of your favorite read-alouds?

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash