Welcome to my weekly Book-ish post where I share what I’ve been reading and watching recently. If you missed it, you can see my Reading Goals for 2018 and 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year.
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The last few weeks have been incredibly full and I have had very little time to read, as a result. And oh how I have missed it!
Things finally slowed down to a much more manageable pace last week and I was able to start fitting in my regular reading again and it felt so good! I’m hoping to still finish out the year hitting my 100 books goal. It feels a little far-fetched right now, but we’ll see! 🙂
Anyway, if you’ve missed my Monday book posts, the reason I haven’t posted them is because I just haven’t had much to report recently in the way of books read. But I’m hopeful that is changing… starting this week!
Here are the three books I finished this past week:
1. I’d Rather Be Reading
It’s only appropriate that I finished this book the very week I’m lamenting about not having as much time to read recently as I wish I would have had! If you are a reader or a lover of books, you’ll enjoy this book.
I especially loved the section where she talks about how we need to stop apologizing for not liking a certain book or not wanting to read a certain book. I’ve always felt like a fraud as a reader because I’ve not read certain classic books and haven’t really had the desire to. This book encouraged me that that is okay… I can embrace who I am as a reader and be okay if I don’t love books that others absolutely adore.
2. Slow Down, Mama
This book was sent as a gift from the author. It has a lot of practical advice and suggestions for living more intentionally. I found that most of it was refresher type of material since I’ve read a lot of similar books.
However, there was one part that stuck out to me and will stay with me a long time and it was on writing a reverse bucket list. I’ve always heard people encourage writing a bucket list… but a reverse bucket list was a new idea to me. The author asks the question, “What is it I hope I never become or do?”I thought it was a profound question to ask! And I’m still pondering what my answer would be.
3. The Newsmakers
I listened to this free audiobook on the Libby app and had high hopes for it. It started out well and intrigued me… but then I felt like it fell completely flat.
I wanted so much more from it and was sad that it ended just as I’d guessed it would. I kept listening because I was sure there was going to be some plot twist and really great surprise ending. Nope. I should have read the reviews on Amazon before listening to it.
Jesse and I went and watched this movie. It was the sequel to Unbroken and very worth seeing, if you loved the book. Have you seen it? I’d love to hear what you thought!
When I Find Time to Read
People are always asking me how I find time to read. Honestly, it’s because I love to read, because I’ve chosen to prioritize it, because I don’t have a lot of other hobbies, and because I can’t not read. Also, when you love something, you usually can find ways to get creative to find time to fit it in — even if it’s in the little nooks and crannies of life.
I wrote a post on 3 ways to find more time to read — even when life is busy. And here are 7 more ways to find time to read.
The podcast was so freeing, but revealed that I have some work to do for forgiving myself after parenting my boys (18 & 22). I am currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, enjoying it so far!
And, now “June” will be added to my prayer list.
I’m so grateful that the podcast encouraged you!
I love your book recommendations! I just finished The Great Alone and loved it. This year I made it a goal to read more and keep a list of what I’ve read. (You have been an inspiration to me!) That little practice of keeping a list has brought so much joy to my stay-at-home mom life. So far I’ve read 24 books and 6 audio books. My favorite reads from this year are Upstairs At The White House, Born A Crime, Educated: A Memoir, Beneath The Scarlet Sky, and None Like Him. I’m sure you’ve read at least some of these as I probably heard about them from you. You are a class act, Crystal. Thank you for the outstanding example in how to handle conflict. For every criticism there has got to be hundreds of people who appreciate your work even though it normally goes unsaid. (This is coming from a reader of several years commenting for the first time.)
Thank you for getting brave and commenting for the first time! It meant a lot! Also, WAY TO GO on reading all those books!! And what great choices!
I’m trying to work my way through Hope Rising, How the Science of Hope Can Change your Life. I listened to the author at a Domestic Abuse conference in the spring. He was so inspirational. I realize that you truly do have power over how you act towards certain situations. Your blog has helped lift up my spirits more than once Crystal! Keep up the amazing job. Love your podcast as well!
P.S. My two boys and I watched Garfield Halloween on Sunday night on YouTube. This was on our old tube tv that was handed down to us:) It still works, so we continue to use it. It brought back so many memories. They also played the old commercials in between. You got to love it:)
That sounds like such a great book — thank you for sharing and thank you for your kind encouragement!
I love to read and unfortunately don’t get to do it as much as I would like. I just wanted to say that I love seeing all the posts. Crystal you do inspire a lot of people, myself included. You always seem happy and so energetic!
Thank you so much, Angela!
I just finished Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee. I think you’d enjoy it. It’s really about mindful seeing. I just discovered Kristi Ann Hunter’s books as well. Her books are a nice break between heavier nonfiction books.
Thanks so much for the book recommendation!
Wow, writing a reverse bucket list is an incredible idea. I feel like it would make the action steps to reach bigger goals much more clear! Thanks for sharing the cliffnotes. 😉
I know! It really made me think!
Is the sequel to Unbroken less violent and graphic than the first? Can you watch the second without seeing the first? I loved the book and the first movie, but it’s not something I would watch with my young teens, even though we talked about the story as a family when I was reading the first.
Yes, it had some flashbacks to some of the scenes from the first movie, but I’d say it was definitely less graphic. However, I would recommend watching it first before you have your teens watch it since every family/teen/child is different.
I read the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks in 3 days! It is non fiction but so so so good! Hard to read at times, and I got angry at times. I do recommend it. It was her legacy week in VA and I happened to find the book at the library friends sale for a dollar. Waiting to get hold of the movie next.
There are some books I want to read that are on the PBS great American read like A tree grows in Brooklyn and Ghost. Anyone reading some on that list? Recommendations?
I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a few years ago and also felt the same sentiments you did!
I just finished These is My Words by Nancy Turner. Excellent historic fiction! It is the first book of a triology.
Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Random fact about that Unbroken movie, my brother-in-law and sister did visual effects (well, and the company they both work for)! He was the lead visual effects artist and she was the visual effects coordinator.
I haven’t watched either of the Unbroken movies yet but I LOVED the booked.
Super cool! Thank you for sharing!
I finally finished “Educating the Whole-Hearted Child” last week. I started it in June and only finished now. It was well worth my time and was definitely a valuable resource for our family life. I also finished the book “The Life-Giving Home” by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. I was so inspired to implement some of their ideas in our home. I am currently reading “The Spirit Contemporary Life” by Leon Fontaine. It’s written by the Pastor of a church a city near us that we occasionally visit when we have the chance. The book has been Life-changing for me so far. My family and I just watched Princess Diaries 2 tonight. It was so fun! Our kids had never seen it and it had been years and years since I had. We’ve recently implemented a family movie night and it’s been fun checking out movies as we generally don’t watch many.
I LOVE Educating the Whole-Hearted Child! One of my favorite books ever on homeschooling/nurturing a love of learning in kids!
That Anne Bogel one looks good! I just finished The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin, and wow, did it make me think…
Fiction-wise, I just started The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers and, no surprise here, I already love it.
I’m all about the Hallmark channel, so that’s what I’m watching for movies! Those movies relax me and put me in good spirits. And I don’t have to worry about offensive content.
I was wondering about that book by Shannon Martin! Thanks for recommending it!
I’m reading “The President Is Missing” by James Patterson and Bill Clinton. It has been awhile since I have read a thriller (I’ve been on more of an educational non-fiction kick for the past few months). It has been difficult to put this book down so I can make it to work on time the past couple of days! I highly recommend it!
I had been wondering about that book and whether it was worth reading!
I just finished it! So good!!! Warning: it does have some language throughout.
What a perfect word to describe you – fraud! You are the biggest liar on the Web and in person. Fake, insincere, in denial, awkward, unlikeable, universally hated by all who meet you, and a total loser.
TL: I know your name is not June or the many other names you have used to write the many unkind and untruthful comments you have written here in recent weeks. I know who you are and it makes me so sad that someone I used to consider a good friend when I was a teenager would spend so much time writing the comments you have written. I usually just delete them, but recently, I felt like it was time I say something.
Based upon the comments, it’s clear to me that visiting this blog is very upsetting to you and isn’t something that brings life or hope or positive help to you. I’d like to gently ask that you take some time away from my blog to consider why it’s so upsetting to you.
I know you’ve said many times in comments that you don’t like my blog and plan to unsubscribe. I’d like to encourage you to go ahead and do that and look for other blogs that would better serve you. Please know that I think of and pray for you often and pray that you’re able to find good friends and encouragement and joy right where you are in life. I’ll always be grateful for the friendship we had as teenagers.
Crystal, I was hoping to e-mail you something about this. I wasn’t sure where to send it since I wasn’t “submitting a deal” or “suggesting a topic,” and I didn’t want it on the website. It was for you personally. I would love to know how to send you that e-mail if you have time.
Hi, April! You can contact Crystal HERE. Hope that helps! -Meg, MSM Team
Gracefully done!
What an incredibly gracious response and one I hope to always remember when faced with challenging situations. How incredibly sad that someone would be filled with so much anger and bitterness that they’d leave a comment like that. Thank you for taking the high road and I hope your former friend finds true peace.
Well done, Crystal. Jesus is pleased. You are gracious and kind. These kinds of criticisms aren’t easy. May God richly bless you.
WOW June, that was a bit harsh!
It saddens me that anyone would leave such a comment on your blog, let alone someone you were friends with. I’m so sorry this happened, but your response, Crystal, was edifying to me. To be so gracious in the face of such meanness.