September Reads

Short stack this month.

Wow September been a busy month at our house!  I’m sure you can tell by the seemingly small stack of books compared to last month.  I spent lots of time this past month putting away garden produce and canning apples as well as numerous sewing projects.  🙂 

Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself by Joe Thorn.  This was a small book and not at all intimidating (the perfect type of book for someone who doesn’t like to read).  It is absolutely packed with the Gospel.  The format of the book includes nearly 50 short chapters (2-3 pages each) on a variety of different topics.  A Scripture relating to the topic begins each section followed by the words Dear Self….  (The book somewhat reminded me of The Screwtape Letters but was much better.)  This is an excellent book that I cannot recommend enough. Buy this book and be transformed by the power of the Gospel in your life!  This was my first book by Joe Thorn and I cannot wait to read another!  (I hope he writes another one.)

Stuart Little by E.B. White I had the pleasure of reading this book aloud to Eli this month.  To say that we loved it might be an understatement.  I couldn’t believe a kid’s book (besides the Little House series) could be so good.  We found ourselves laughing and enjoying every page of this book.  We have already read Charlotte’s Web together so perhaps we will add Trumpet of the Swan to our reading list next.  Our copy also had a picture on every page or two which we both enjoyed.  🙂  If you are looking for a good read aloud chapter book for young children (my son is almost 3) this would be a great book to start with.  It held Elijah’s interest the whole time.

A Perfect Word for Every Occasion by Liz Duckworth.  I found the entire concept of this book intriguing and I was right.  What a helpful book packed with practical advice on what to say for just about every occasion as the title suggests.  I also really appreciated all of the suggestions on what not to say.  The book includes thoughtful quotes that one might include and Scriptures that would pertain to different circumstances.  It isn’t really a write this exactly kind of book but rather gives lots of suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.  I found the section on Words for the Sick and Suffering to be the most help personally as I always struggle with what to say in those situations.   I will be keeping this book close at hand when I find myself at a loss for what to say.  Please note I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for this review.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions are my own

Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich.  This book tells the story of Ehrenreich (a journalist) who set out on an experiment to see what it would be like to try to get by on minimum wage jobs in four different cities in America.  In each of the locations she finds a job (all different) and a place to live in an effort to support herself for one month.   I found the book to be an enjoyable read and do agree with Ehrenreich that it is very difficult to survive on minimum wage.  Minimum wage is not what I would consider a living wage.  Despite the author’s month of experience in each location I just don’t think that she had a realistic perspective of the trials of trying to live on next to nothing.  A month really isn’t that long.  Still it was an enjoyable book from my library that helped me gain a greater sense of appreciation to many of the service workers in my life.

Embroidery Basics by Betty Barnden.  I picked this book up at the library after embroidering my niece’s slip.  Needlework is something I really enjoy doing but seldom every do.  I just chalk that up to the fact that there is never enough time to do all of the things that one would like to do.  😉  I was already familiar with the majority of the basic embroidery stitches but this book looks like a great place for beginners to start.  I’m not sure if it any better or any worse than any of the other beginning embroidery books that are out there on the market.  If I saw it cheap enough at a used bookstore I might buy it.  🙂

 

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