When I Have A Little Money, I Buy Books

I've been on a reading kick over the fall and winter, eager to read some of the volumes that have been accumulating on my shelves and tablet (why can I always find time to buy books, but struggle to find time to read them?).My recent book choices reflect my need for both comfort and distraction over the past months. I don't often do "book reviews," but I'm in the mood to chat about my latest reads, so here goes.

Completed

• Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More by Karen Prior
  A biography of a remarkable women, used mightily by God despite social inferiority and ill health. William Wilberforce is a personal hero of mine, and I was curious to read more about his friends in the "Clapham Sect." Hannah was such a talented writer that she moved in prestigious social circles and became wealthy -- but she gave generously to the poor in both money and time. Well worth a read. 
  
  
• The Brainy Bunch by Kip and Mona Lisa Harding
  This was a fun and easy read, written by a homeschool family whose children start college classes as pre-teens and have excelled in their career fields. The Harding family is humble, and their story encouraging -- their children are not overworked or career driven, they just work "smart." I started college at 15, so I was already familiar with the concept of attending college early and curious to read their story for any takeaways. 
  
  
• Chewing the Cud by Dick King-Smith
  Dick King-Smith has been one of my favorite authors since my childhood in England (I read Harry's Mad over and over when I was a child, and now Little Man does, too!). His British humor is just a delight, and this memoir is no exception. I was interested to see that he was quite satisfied with the film adaptation of  Babe; I always assume authors will be upset by changes, but he took it all in stride and mentioned that Farmer Hoggett was exactly what he had in mind!
  
  
• Therefore I Have Hope by Cameron Cole
  This book was such an encouragement to me as I grieved my miscarriages. The Coles lost their three-year-old son quite suddenly, and this book shares the hard-fought hope they found as they grappled with grief. Anyone who has dealt with grief knows that hope is a precious commodity -- the encouragement I found in the pages of this book was invaluable.
  
  
• Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
  Another excellent book on grief which explores the purpose and importance of lament in the Christian life. The Vroegops experienced multiple miscarriages and a late-term stillbirth; their similarities to my own story made it easier for me to relate and feel understood. I'll definitely be revisiting this book.
  
  
• Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
  I read about this novel in Sarah Clarkson's Book Girl, and found it quite fascinating. I've always wanted to have a better understanding of secular philosophy throughout history, and this format helped tremendously. Granted, it was a bit clunky at times due to the sheer volume of information shared. But still, the story itself was interesting (though very, very strange at the end -- one of the last chapters is meant to be bizarre, and had some inappropriate moments). It's also not from a Christian perspective, FYI.
  
  
• A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge
  I mentioned this book in my January post, and it's such a lovely read. Elizabeth Goudge's prose is almost poetic. I really can't do it justice, so please just read one of her books for yourself. As an Anglophile, this book definitely made me long for England!
  
  
• With Calvin in the Theater of God
  This book includes chapters from various theologians, and I highly recommend it. You can see some of my tabbies in the pages! I greatly appreciate how the authors honored Calvin's legacy without ignoring his human frailties and sins. Being a hero of faith and being used mightily by God does not mean one is free from sin. I also had more respect for Calvin after learning more about the challenges he faced in his life and the suffering he endured. Oddly enough, I was reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson at the same time, which mentions Calvin's comparison of our lives as actors in God's theater -- I had never encountered this thought from Calvin before, and it showed up in two very diverse books at the same time.
   
• Living Life Backwards by David Gibson
  I've been fascinated by the book of Ecclesiastes since I was a teen, after reading Joy at the End of the Tether by Doug Wilson. But I wanted to try another book, and was very pleased with this one. It's not a commentary, as it doesn't address every verse, but I appreciated the "big picture" perspective on a challenging book of the Bible. It's very accessible, but still packed with truth.

Not pictured:

• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 
  I'm not really going to review this masterpiece -- I could never do it justice! It's been so many years since I'd read LotR. I've changed as a person and many of the details had grown hazy, so it was almost like reading it for the first time. 
  
  
• Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Suzanne Clark
  I ended up reading this book because my husband randomly bought the board game based on it -- it's a monster of a read! It took me ages, but the author's wit is just my style and the story is remarkably creative. Granted, this is far off my usual fare, and crossed the line of "magic" fantasy that I'd usually read. No spells included, but the central idea of the story is that two men revive England's "practical magic." It's set in an alternate Regency era England, familiar and yet other.
  
  
• Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
  I've seen Marilynne Robinson's books recommend so often that I finally had to try one. I wasn't disappointed, though it was not an "easy" book to read. The story was gripping, not because it was sensational or exciting, but because I became so attached to the characters that I felt anxious for their wellbeing. I had the same sort of feeling reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, even though the stories are quite dissimilar. I didn't expect so much Christianity in the book, though I don't necessarily agree with all of what was said. 
  
  
• Several No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
  I'd already read the first book or two in this series, and had picked up a few more from the charity shop. Also not my usual fare, and I enjoyed the textures of life in southern Africa. 
  
  
• Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund
  It's hard to know what to say about this book, not because there is nothing to say, but because there is so much! Dane Ortlund present such a beautiful, Scriptural portrait of the Trinity in a way that I've never encountered before. Without losing sight of God's other attributes (including His just wrath against sin), he highlights God's remarkable mercy toward us. I feel like I know God better after reading this book. I found it interesting that the author frequently quoted the Puritans -- often seen as cold and dismal, but truly overflowing with gratitude for God's grace and deeply aware of how loving and kind He is. They literally wrote whole books about it...
  
  
• Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss by Lianna Davis
  This is one of the best books I've read on miscarriage and infant loss. The author is honest about the tragedy of loss, yet hopeful about God's purposes and plan. I found her theology very Biblical (no talk of "angel babies," or offering of comforting "assumptions," etc.). 

Currently reading 

• The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis
  I found this at a charity shop, and had been meaning to read it for ages. Like all of Lewis's writings, I can feel it stretching me as I read! It goes along nicely with Sophie's World in its exploration of philosophy -- though the philosophies are disguised by allegory, and are not explored as thoroughly. Not the easiest read (or for young readers), but it's excellent so far. Nearly done!
  
  
• A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching out to God in the Lost Language of Lament by Michael Card
  Michael Card was part of the soundtrack of my childhood (anyone else grow up on "Starkindler?"), but I've only recently discovered him as an author. I have his book, Hesed, on my Kindle and actually read a few pages a while back. I still need to get back to that, but in the meantime I'm reading this excellent book on lament.
  
  
• Beneath the Seams by Peyton Roberts
  I'm reading an advance copy, as Peyton is a dear friend of mine -- it's so lovely to be reading a novel written by someone I know! Doesn't hurt that it's a great story, exploring the issues with fast fashion from the perspective of a seamstress/designer. It's available for pre-order now!

I think that's all for now, though I can't help but think that I've missed a tome or two. I literally just placed another book order from 10ofThose while I was working on this post, so I suppose it's a good thing I'd made such a dent in my "to read" list...

I'd love to know what you've been reading lately!