It's book review time! Let's cut to the chase and share what made the must read list and which one fell short. Eeek!

28 Summers took me right into the heart of a summer romance on the island of Nantucket. Think a weathered grey cottage accompanied by a wrap around porch, watching waves crash the shoreline with a glass of wine in hand. Um yep, I'd like to move in please. This book is the perfect beach read about two meant-to-be lovers who just can't seem to be all in for each other. Every summer they promise to give each other Labor Day weekend to be exclusively (and secretly) together. The remainder of the year they live out the cards life has for them while regrettably wishing things could be different. Only time can thwart their plans as they try to continue this rendezvous forever. Spoiler (kind of): the ending left me...flat. Meh. Like did that really just happen? Overall, solid read.

Favorite quote:

- Just be aware that what you achieve doesn’t matter as much as what kind of person you are.

Love Lives Here is as if you were having coffee with a friend and mentor. If you've read any of Bob Goff's books, you'll quickly see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree since Maria, his wife, writes in the same exact way. There were even some phrases that made me smile, because I've heard them before and love them. This book is written from stories of Maria's life. So many poignant messages that hit home in a new way because they are tied into her story. This is a beautiful encouragement to any introvert (or an extrovert who doesn't feel seen) that our best life is lived when we embrace where were at and give away what we have. 

Favorite quotes: 

- If we look to the people around us to validate our values or feelings or faith, we're a soft target for fear. We all have questions and doubts. Don't ignore them; keep it real. Jesus never had a problem with the people who had a lot of questions. He was concerned with the ones who thought they had all the answers.

- We don't all need to do big things, but we can do equally important things.

American Dirt was on my list for September. I had it rented and waiting for me on my kindle, but weeks passed, my loan ended and here we are in October. The reason? I've been reading Breaking Free From Body Shame by Jess Connolly on the side and boy oh boy this book needs to be in the hands of any person who wants to squash what culture says about their image. This book brings to light how much we normalize talking about our bodies in a way that is so backwards from how God created us and sees us. Even if you think you don't struggle with body image this ones for you. It's less about what you think about yourself and more about what God designed and says about you. And that's where we find freedom, amen?

Favorite quotes: 

- This capacity for naming things good is a kingdom-given-gift that is our legacy, and we've got to take it back from the petty thief who thinks he is running the show.

- And I know women, including myself, who would say sometimes exercise and eating and products and general provoking of our bodies is more about trying to hold this thing together as if it's all on us to do so, to make it good, instead of treating it as if it already is.

This time of year is my favorite for book reading! You can find me nestled in a soft blanket near the fireplace with a mug of mulled wine on the side table. Check out what I'm reading for the next 3 months here.