20 Books Read in 2019 so far...

In case you haven't figured it out already from all the book reviews I been posting lately, I've been doing a bit of reading these days! This year, I decided to do Tim Challies' 2019 Reading Challenge. I originally set out to read a total of twenty-six books this year. However, I think I am on track to actually complete the first three levels of reading--Light, Avid, and Committed (a total of fifty-two books.) So for something fun and different, here's a list of the first twenty books I've read this year, as well a brief statement about it and a 1-5 star rating  to help you know which ones are actually worth reading! (And yes, I had to add a "5+ Star" rating...just because!)

Rating

5+ Stars - Incredibly encouraging & edifying; absolutely loved it!

5 Stars - Fantastic and edifying read!

4 Stars - A great read! 

3 Stars - An okay book overall.

2 Stars - Left much to be desired. 

1 Stars - Don't waste your time reading it. 

The Bruised Reed, Richard Sibbes - 5+ Stars

A very encouraging and readable little book about how God deals with and treats the believer who struggles with sin and unbelief. I was particularly encouraged by how much Scripture was woven throughout the entire book! 

   
I am a Church Member, Thom Rainer - 5+ Stars

An excellent and easy-to-read book about what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ and how that plays out in the local church setting. Lots of food for thought. Read my review here.

What is a Healthy Church Member?, Tabiti Anyabwile - 5+ Stars

This is another fantastic little book that digs into what it means to be a church member! 

 
On Reading Well, Karen Swallow Prior - 5+ Stars

Terrific book! Read my review here.  

Rhythms of Grace, Mike Cosper - 5+ Stars

An absolutely fantastic book about worship in the context of church! While it is primarily written for the worship-leader (there is a whole section that deals with specifics about planning the order of service for a Sunday morning service), it also very edifying for the layperson, for it addresses with the broader subject of "What is worship for the believer?" This book dramatically refocused my understanding of why we even go to church every week. 

God's Glory Alone, David Vandrunen - 5+ Stars

Theologically deep, but also very practical, this book addresses the question, "What are the implications of all of life being 'for God's glory'?" I absolutely loved this book! Read my review here.

Be Ready, Warren Weirsbe - 5 Stars

I hadn't read much by Weirsbe before this, but I very much enjoyed this devotional-like commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Wiersbe doesn't spend a whole page discussing every little word, but he does take the time to cover each verse, as well as address passages that might be controversial. 

The Last Days of Night, Graham Moore - 5 Stars

This was a fascinating historical fiction read about Nikolai Tesla, Thomas Edison, and the race for the light bulb. 

 A Little Book on the Christian Life, John Calvin - 5 Stars

A wonderful little book primarily discussing what it means to deny myself and take up my cross. 

When Breath becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi - 5 Stars

An intriguing memoir about a 36-year-old neurosurgeon-turned-patient when he is diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and seeks to define the meaning of life. Read my review here. 

Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery - 5 Stars 

Need I say much more than that I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book and that it is definitely going on my list of books to read to Talitha when she's a bit older?

When People are Big and God is Small, Ed Welch - 5 Stars 

An incredibly helpful discussion about the fear of man contrasted with the fear of God. Welch deals with questions such as "Do we really need what we think we need?" and "What does it mean to be an image bearer of God?". I was particularly encouraged by the section that discussed how a proper fear of God should impact how we interact with each other in the local church.  

Before  We were Yours, Lisa Wingate - 4 stars

Based off of true events, I enjoyed reading this well-written novel. However, it was a hauntingly sad story about the Tennessee Children's Home Society during the early-to-mid 1900s when children were actually kidnapped and then adopted out. (Content warning: there are a few brief instances alluding to abuse/molestation.)

 
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot - 4 Stars

The little-known, but true, story behind cell research and how it revolutionized science as we know it today. While this was a fascinating bit of history to read about, there were times when it got deeper into the science-y side of things than I could understand; it also could have been a hundred pages or so shorter.

In Judson's Footsteps, Elsie Northrup Cheney - 4 Stars

An enjoyable autobiography of missionary life and work in Burma (now Myanmar) during the early 1900s. I appreciate the example of serving Christ in everyday life, one step of obedience at a time.

Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis - 4 Stars

Katie Davis (now Katie Majors) writes about pouring her life into showing love to needy children in Uganda, exemplifying what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. Despite this convicting read about Christ's call to care for the fatherless and to share our goods with the poor, I finished the book slightly uneasy about the lack of details about the actual Gospel message that is being preached. 

 
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis - 3 Stars

Written from the perspective of a demon, this is a curious read for a discussion of spiritual warfare. While it does provide a certain level of insight into our weaknesses as humans, it is still primarily speculation and fails to present much Scriptural veracity. I had a hard time staying engaged. 

 
Home, Julie Andrews - 3 Stars

I grew up watching The Sound of Music, which made Julie Andrews to be one of my favorite actresses as a child. While this was an interesting read about her childhood and young adult years as a promising actress before she performed in Mary Poppins, there really is nothing very write-home-worthy about it. 

 
Taking Back the Good Book, Woodrow Kroll - 2 Stars

I was really hoping to find a solid argument for the incredible worth of Scripture. However, I was disappointed to find the argument consisting primarily of Barna and Gallup polls, resulting in a shallow and inconsequential case for truly contending for the Truth of God's Word. 

 
Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis - 1 Star

Read my review here. 

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