I didn’t quite get my whole list of books read in February, but I did read 12 books.
12 Books I Read in February:
My Two Favorites:
Undaunted— I loved this book! Christine’s message on not settling for the status quo and not letting our limitations and fears hold us back from being all the God wants us to be, resonated with me in a deep way. I would highly recommend this book to every Christian woman who wants to live a life sold out to God.
Samson — I’ve always been fascinated with World War II and have read many books and biographies over the years on the subject, so I was surprised at how much information was new in this well-researched novel. It’s a heart-wrenching story of the atrocities committed against innocent humans in the name of “medical experimentation” at Nazi concentration camps. It was unimaginable and heinous, and a book I wouldn’t recommend to someone who is faint at heart. However, personally, I think it’s important for us to know and understand what truly happened in history and, as such, this book was an eye-opening and well-written read.
Jennifer says
Crystal, I’m curious what you thought about Hands Free Mama. I’m hearing a lot of buzz about it but not sure to addit to my list or not.
Mrs. R says
So how do you all find time to read? I read these post with utter amazement. I have 4 kids, homeschool but don’t run my own blog or anything and I can hardly find time to check out this blog:)
When do you find time to read? Are you always reading?
Laurie says
Is there somewhere where you give your feedback on all the books you’ve read or do you only pick 2?
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I read the Busy Homeschool Mom’s guide to Romance. (and Ginger Pye to the kids) – I have a few other books going – Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and the Love Dare, but haven’t finished them yet. I’m just trying for 1 non-fiction book and one read-aloud to the kids each month. (I read some fiction books too, but I don’t usually “count” them in my goals.)
Kelli says
I read a lot more in February than I usually do. Finished The Justice Game by Randy Singer, The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout, Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole, Seeing through the Fog by Ed Dobson, and the Sugar Detox by Charlotte Young. AND my favorite for the month was The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. All of these books were good…no stinkers in the bunch ..but Orphan Train was my fave.
Julie says
I finished reading Restless and am almost done with the Bible study in my Ladies study group. Very inspiring and hard at the same time.
I’m almost done reading City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell. A true story of missionaries to China in the early 1900s. Full of adventure, love and forgiveness. I love it!
I just ordered Undaunted and can’t wait to dig in! I also bought Freefall to Freedom, and The Mission Minded Family.
Love the book posts!
Monica says
I read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine! =)
Highly recommended!
Crystal Paine says
🙂
Renee Wilson says
I highly recommend “The Secret Keeper” by Kate Morton!
Kelli says
I’m reading …and loving this book right now!
Kristin says
Curious what you thought of Hands-Free Mama. I have that on my to-read list, but I only seem to manage one book a month…
Monica says
Same here, I usually get about one chapter a week. It’s a toss up between crocheting a (King size blanket…. on going project!) or reading for an hour.
Susan L. @ Full Happy Muffin and Mama says
I’m interested in how you liked the Intentional Marriage book. That is one of my goals to focus on this year (instead of resolutions), and I’m wondering if that one is worth the read. My favorite book that I read this month was in tandem with the House Party I hosted, Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I like how her books are clean reads (and that she includes recipes). I really liked The Hiding Place (although it’s been years since I’ve read it) and often wished that it would be a companion read to The Diary of Anne Frank in the 8th grade curriculum.
storiesofourboys says
Thanks for the book recommendations! I finally got my house de-cluttered enough to move to chapter 3 of your budget book. Yes, I took that very literally. We have lived debt free for a long time, but adding a 4th kid this year has made us have to be suddenly thrifty. We have never been able to stick to a budget, but I love your suggestion of reading into it. Can’t wait to try! This is the week!
storiesofourboys says
Oops! Tablet typing is the worst! I meant easing into it! We are going to try a grocery budget this week. Geesh.
Amy says
I read “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. It’s about when to say yes and how to say no to take of control your life. Great book for anyone who has problems saying no or standing up for yourself. I read it twice and took notes! Now I’m moving on to Brene Brown. I just got “The Gifts of Imperfection” today.
Kelli says
I think everyone should read Boundaries. I learned SO much from this book.
Annie Kate says
The sad thing about the Nazi experiments is that they were and are not unique. Terrible medical experiments had been done in America before then, and continued afterwards.
I only read a few books last month although it feels like many because some of them were so heavy.
For homeschooling:
And Tomorrow the Stars about Cabot (read aloud, reviewed on blog)
Our Only May Amelia (good for adults, terrible for its target audience of children, reviewed on Goodreads)
The Summer of Permanent Wants (strange, and definitely only for a local audience)
For my history and philosophy of science project:
God and Cosmos (brilliant, review coming up)
Quantum Theory (only good if you know physics, which I do)
General:
True Reason (fascinating and heavy discussion of how the New Atheists do not use reason well; useful for apologetics; reviewed on my blog)
Balanced (great for moms who try to juggle many balls; very inspiring and almost a devotional; to be reviewed on my blog next Saturday)
Michelle says
I read Undaunted in February as well. A very inspiring book!
Jessica@ramblingsofamommy says
I loved Women Living Well! I’ll have to check out some of the other books you’ve mentioned here. 🙂
sona says
I just wanted to celebrate and encourage all of those who have jumped into history/WWII books. I believe our young ones are not being taught in school the history of our country and the deep and lasting sacrifices that have been made on OUR and THEIR behalf . If we choose to look the other way, history will repeat itself. I myself, am reading a couple books on Lincoln, Winston Churchill and George Washington. I would also recommend “Unbroken”. Louie Zamperini is a friend of a relative!
Stevi says
I’m definitely going to have to check out Sampson. I started reading your book at the end of February and I LOVE it! I cant wait to get your first book, I’m saving my chatabout points to get an Amazon gift card so I can get it!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
I picked up “In the Shadow of the Sun King” by Golden Keyes Parsons on sale at my local LifeWay, and it was awesome! I love historical fiction, and this one was really well-researched too and absolutely gripping. Just enough drama, war, faith, love, mystery… it was great! I can’t wait to read the next one in her series. Assuming she wrote one, which I haven’t even looked up yet. 😉
Leanne says
There are three in that series. I loved them too!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
I started Undaunted, but I just couldn’t get into it. I may have to give it another try. Here were my favorite books from February: http://behealthybehappywellness.com/2014/02/february-book-reviews/
Tarra says
I read:
Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist’s Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie is Not the Answer by Jen Lancaster
Blood on the River is an excellent historical fiction novel that is written for 6-8 graders but is an engaging and fact filled book for all ages. I read it with 5th/6th graders and all of them loved it! Highly recommend!
Crystal – If WWII interests you, I highly recommend you read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It is amazing. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8664353-unbroken
kat. says
i finished 11 books this month + 1 my husband and i read together (have been working on that one since january!). my favorite was probably faulkner’s light in august, but i also really enjoyed jane hamilton’s the book of ruth. i didn’t like either of the paulo coelho books i read–i don’t know why people like his books!
Samantha says
Ohh, Samson looks really good! Have you read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand? It’s about Louie Zamperini; juvenile delinquent turned Olympian who survived 47 days at sea with no food or water and 2 years in a Japanese POW camp! When he came back to America, he became a Christian and started a ministry 🙂
Melissa says
I loved Unbroken! It was my favorite book that I read last year. Can’t wait to see the movie.
Melissa says
I’ll have to check out Samson. I read another book about a young girl who was subject to Mengle’s experiments, and it was horrifying. I believe it was the book, Surviving the Angel of Death by Eva Mozes Kor.
A book I read this month and really enjoyed was The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, also about the Holocaust, and a powerful testament of one family’s faith.
http://www.momsplans.com/2014/03/hiding-place-corrie-ten-boom-book-review/
Samantha says
I love both! I actually met Eva Kor…if you haven’t met her, definitely try to. She’s amazing.
If you liked Corrie ten Boom’s story, another one of my favorites is Things We Couldn’t Say by Diet Eman. Diet was a Dutch Christian during the war…
also, there is a sequel to The Hiding Place and its movie (called Return to the Hiding Place) is releasing this year 🙂
Melissa says
Samantha–Thanks for the suggestions! I’m on the wait list on Netflix for the movie. I’ll also check out Things We Couldn’t Say.
Katy @ Purposely Frugal says
That’s a good one!
Katy @ Purposely Frugal says
The Hiding Place that is.