Welcome to my weekly book update post where I share what books I read this past week + my honest thoughts and star ratings of them.
A Word on My Star Ratings
The star ratings I give the books I read are based on a 5-star rating system. I rarely will ever give a book a 1-star rating (maybe never?), because my philosophy is that if a book is only worthy of one star, I’m more than likely going to quit reading it. 🙂 In the same vein, you’ll also notice that I’ll rarely give a 5-star rating as I reserve those for only my very, very favorite books.
Want to see all of the books I’ve read so far this year? Check out my Good Reads page.
Last week, I finished one book and here is my review…
You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success Are Closer Than You Think
I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of this book when I was sent a pre-release copy. The title felt like it could be one of those self-help books that might just encourage women with platitudes like, “Be your best self” or “If you hustle hard enough, you can be anything you want to be.”
I was hopeful that wasn’t the case — and I was thrilled to discover that this book wasn’t anything about worn-out cliche phrases or vague platitudes. Instead, it was packed with encouragement to seek the Lord, live into our callings, and glorify Him with our lives.
In fact, I love how Jamie Ivey addresses the motivational sayings at the beginning of the book and says,
“That’s the danger in these sayings. They can’t hold up under the pressures of the world. Because, no, you’re not enough, girl. You ain’t got this. You can’t hustle enough, can’t get enough things done. You can’t do everything you set your mind on, no matter how badly you want to do it. You don’t control your own destiny, because the One who made you has the days of your life already numbered, planned, and written for you. And sometimes, life can be so hard that there aren’t enough bootstraps in all the world to pull yourself up with.”
The book is filled with Jamie’s personal stories, practical advice, and spiritual insights to help us, as women, use our gifts and talents to make a difference in this world.
Here was one of my favorite quotes from the book:
If you struggle with knowing what God has called you to do, you’re wanting to make a difference but you just don’t know how to do that, or you wrestle with how to use your gifts and talents for the glory of God, this book will be an encouragement to you. I’m excited to get to have Jamie on my podcast soon and we’ll dive deeper into how to walk this out.
Verdict: 4 stars
Picture Book: Ten Little Night Stars
This is a sweet and colorful book that the author sent to the babies. It’s a fun counting book that is great for reading before bedtime!
What I’m Currently Reading
I may have bitten off more than I can chew when it comes to books this week. I just can’t help myself!! I have shelves of books I want to read and now that I have more time to read since the babies are a little older and the kids are back in school, I just want to read all the books!
Here’s what I’m currently reading: Atomic Habits, Fully Alive, You Who, A Very Bavarian Christmas (pre-release copy), The White Rose Resists
What have you read recently? I’d love to hear! Tell us in the comments!
Susan says
I just finished Atomic Habits and It’s Not Supposed to be This Way. I really enjoyed both of them! Both are going in my permanent, read again library!
Thank you for the new suggestions!
Jordan says
Yay! We’re so glad you loved them! -Jordan, MSM Team
Kathleen says
I just read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, a fiction book that I could not put down. I also read Brene Brown “Dare to Lead” and the audio kept my very engaged, enough I want to own it to go back to.
Jordan says
Thanks for sharing your recent reads! -Jordan, MSM Team
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for sharing! I want to read both of those!
Jeanette says
The two books I enjoyed recently were Yellow Envelope by Kim Dinan and Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Mindset definitely has the potential to be a game changer for all who apply the wealth of wisdom this book contains. That’s always the hard part, right? Reading is easy. Application is hard.
Jordan says
So true! Thanks for sharing! -Jordan, MSM Team
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for sharing!
Katie Reid says
So grateful for the mention and your willingness to read A Very Bavarian Christmas, Crystal—thank you!
Crystal Paine says
You are so welcome! If someone wants to order it, where can they order it? I couldn’t find it on Amazon.
Katie Reid says
Hi Crystal: The ebook link will be live on Amazon in a few weeks and the print book (paperback and hardback) will be live on October 20th. Thanks!
Barbara Mason Caudle says
Thank you for this “extra” service of book reviews, including the featured title. I thought the same thing as you when I saw the title, so it was very encouraging to see that it is based on Jesus, and not ourselves.
I also find it difficult to find good fiction books that aren’t worldly. Libraries and book stores tend to feature those types.
So, thank you so much for this service!
Crystal Paine says
You are so welcome!