The Book List

I really enjoy the BEMA Podcast, a show co-hosted by the author of this book. I think Marty Solomon asks great questions, talks about the Bible in a beautiful way, and has created a lot of great opportunities for me to explore Scripture.

That said, I wanted it to be clearer and more organized, and I found it hard to follow. I know how hard it is to write a nonfiction book, so I have a lot of compassion for Marty and the process of writing your first one. But if you were wondering whether you should listen to the podcast or read the book, my personal suggestion is to listen to the podcast.

This is absurdly delightful. A tiny little book that had me laughing out loud. 

The book centers around Professor von Ingelfeld, a German academic whose greatest contribution to the canon of literature is his enormous work, Portugeuse Irregular Verbs. Poor guy just wants the notoriety he believes he deserves. 

Due to circumstances beyond his control, he finds himself in a couple of awkward positions, one of which is accidentally becoming the President of Columbia during a military coup. Just a normal day for Mr. von Ingelfeld. 

It's so silly and smartly written, and I loved it. 

Ro Crowley returns to Carralon Ridge, a town in New South Wales, to mark the presumed death of her son, Sam, who disappeared on his 21st birthday and was never found. She and her family always return to the scene of his disappearance to remember him. But this year is different. The town is a ghost town. A mine moved in and drove everyone out. The ones who are left have different reasons to stay, and in those desperate, sometimes secretive circumstances, more information about Sam's disappearance comes to light. 

There are long stretches where nothing happens, but so much is happening: grief, worry, desperation to turn random facts into clues about Sam. And Jane captures the town like it's a character, her signature move. 

It is truly excellent. I absolutely loved it. Jane Harper continues to do no wrong.

Frankly, this is not my type of book. Even the book words below are not close to mine. But something about the story - two sisters feuding over an apple cake - was too intriguing to pass up. I got it on Libby, so I figured if I didn't like it, it didn't cost me anything. 

Well, it got me. Right away. It reads like a series of short stories, almost as if you were having coffee with someone who knew the person giving you an update on their life. Not much happens, but life does and it's quite lovely. 

I think I stuck with it because the characters felt so real, the dialogue was funny, and I enjoyed reading about a modern Jewish family. It was genuinely so good. A great surprise.

This is a romp to find gold in the Everglades, complete with viral-hungry content creators, a woman trying to get herself and her baby out of a bad relationship, brothers trying to save their dying bait and beer shop, and a whole slew of others. It's shiny and crazy and absolutely hilarious. It's not for everybody, but it'll be one of my favorites of the year. 

This was such fun.

Lydia does not come from a noble family, but her family has accumulated enough wealth to make her somewhat interesting to suitors. She, however, is fiercely independent and not interested in any of them. Unfortunately, the noble and highly sought after Lord Ashford has proposed marriage, and because she was so stunned, he and her family took her silence as acceptance. 

Now she must attend a house party with Lord Ashford's family and friends, knowing that a grand ball will happen at the end of ten days together where he will announce their engagement. But can she be revolting enough over those ten days to get him to dump her? A man of honor would never, but she has some tricks up her sleeve. 

It's a cute romp. No spice. A great time. 

I vowed not to read this. Influencers, mockery, Anne Hathaway. Just... no thanks. But then Book Twin Katie read it and texted me.

"You would be entertained."

Well, I do love that. So I grabbed the audio on Spotify and gave it a try. I was hooked almost immediately and even used an Audible credit to buy it after I ran out of Spotify listening minutes. I could not let it go, and I still think about it.

I loved the mystery. How did she time travel? How did she become an influencer in the first place? What do the nannies think of her? How much does her rich father-in-law with presidential aspirations impact her life?

This wasn't the greatest book I've ever read or even the best thriller I've read. But any book that can grab me like that, destroy my patience, compel me to use an Audible credit, and still be on my mind weeks later deserves five stars. All day.