In 2023, I set a goal to finish one book per week. I’m aiming to listen to 30 minutes of an audiobook per day (while cooking, cleaning, and/or driving) and read 10 minutes of a book. By doing this, I hope to fairly easily be able to finish one book per week.
You can follow along on GoodReads to see what I’m reading, what books I finish, and the star rating I give each of them.
Book #7: The Giver of Stars
Honestly, I’m still not sure what I think of this book. I think the part that I struggled with the most was that the book makes you kind of want to root for infidelity — or at least for a marriage to break up so that the main character can marry another guy. And that just felt sort of morally wrong, even though I heartily agreed with the main character leaving the first husband due the abuse caused by her father-in-law.
But the book drew you in, it was interesting to learn more about the Packhorse Librarian Project, and get a peek into how women’s right have changed so much over the years. That said, if you are looking for a book to read on The Packhorse Librarian Project, I’d recommend The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek over this one.
Verdict: 2 stars
Book #8: Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood
I got to read a pre-release copy of this book because I wrote an endorsement for it! Here’s the endorsement I wrote:
From the moment I opened this book, my heart felt a huge relief and a big dose of encouragement. Alli has such a way with words — she makes you laugh, she’s so relatable, and she shares wise truths in a gentle but firm way.
If you’ve ever felt like you are failing your kids or that you just don’t have what it takes to do this motherhood thing well, Remaining You While Raising Them is just the book you need to read to feel less alone and be infused with practical truth and inspiration to keep on keeping on.
Verdict: 4 stars
Book #9: Stuart Little
Kierstyn and I read this book together and enjoyed it so much. We’d read it last year, but she wasn’t really old enough to fully enjoy it. This year, she really got into it and asked me so many questions about it.
My only critique of the book was that I think it ends sort of abruptly and I wish it had a better conclusion. But it’s a fun read for kids who are newer to chapter books!
Verdict: 4 stars
Definitely agree that The Bookwoman of Triublesome Creek is superior to the Jojo Moyes book. The Giver of Stars brought current attitudes to a time when outlooks were different.
The motherhood book sounds interesting..
I just read Alisa Childers’ 2 books and highly recommend them! Another Gospel and Love Your Truth and Other Lies.
Now I’m reading Raising Healthy Third Culture Kids by Lauren Wells
*Live Your Truth, not Love
I know exactly what you mean with the moral dilemma you felt reading the first book. I’m seeing that more and more with secular books here lately! Looking forward to the Alli Worthington book now though!
I just finished The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese and loved it! My current nonfiction is Raising Families the Jesus Way by the Garcia’s and it has been so good so far!!
I just read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and the sequel the Book Woman’s Daughter. I really enjoyed both of them and learning about the pack horse library program. I was curious about The Giver of the Stars and appreciate your honesty review.
You are so welcome! I’m listening to The Book Woman’s Daughter right now!