October Book Reviews: 52 Books in 52 Weeks

October has been a CRAZY, busy month for me.

If you’re following along here or on social media, you’ve likely seen numerous posts about my new book, Embrace (available now, where ever books are sold!) So many of you have already purchased books and I am incredibly grateful for your support. Writing has been a dream since I was a little girl in pigtails and it’s surreal to see a book of mine nestled in the living room shelf. In fact, I’m still pinching myself — I’m an author? Really?

So to celebrate, I may have included my own book in this month’s reads. (It makes this whole book thing feel even MORE official.) 😉

And, EXTRA exciting news, the new 2020 Reading Challenge will be released NEXT month. Check back here mid-November to plan ahead for 52 brand new categories!

But for now, here’s my October reads:

Book Set in Southern USA
(Week 40: October 1 – 7, 2019) Whiskey In A Teacup — Reese Whitherspoon

This book is like drinking a cool glass of sweet tea. It is filled with all things southern: recipes, manners, hosting dinner parties, and decorating. And I can honestly say I learned a lot. Who knew southern people love monogramming stuff so much? Not me.

At the same time, this book occasionally felt a bit dry — like when we talked about how much Southern folks like wallpaper and hot-rolling hair. (On a side note, I’ve now learned from my husband that I pronounce the word “southern” wrong…)

I also don’t think that an eBook is the best format for this book. Filled with gorgeous photos, it felt like a coffee table book and the eBook just didn’t do that justice. If you’re going to give it a read, be sure to pick up a hard copy!

All in all, it was fun getting to know Reese and the South a little bit better. I’d give this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

A Family Member’s Favourite
(Week 41: October 8 – 14, 2019) Hardy Boys, Secret Files #3 — Franklin Dixon

This month has been BUSY! Enough so, that I wasn’t sure I was going to hit my weekly book quota. Thankfully, after reading this Hardy Boy mini-series with my son, he told me it was his new favourite book. Check! Another category complete.

Designed for younger readers, this series is a fun and easy read for mystery-loving kids. The main characters, Frank and Joe Hardy, are seven and eight-year-old detectives who encounter modern-day mysteries around the town of Bayport. This light read is a great introduction to the childhood classics I loved so much.

For young readers, I give this 4.5 stars out of 5.

An Allegorical Book
(Week 42: October 15 – 21, 2019) Animal Farm — George Orwell

There’s not much to be said about this book that hasn’t already been said. While this is often required reading for high school students, this was my first time reading Animal Farm. It’s a quick and intriguing read that, despite the original context with which it was written, still holds great insight for the modern reader.

This is definitely not the type of book I’d naturally gravitate towards, but I can see why it makes for such a great study. 4 stars out of 5.

An Author Who Uses Initials
(Week 43: October 22 – 28, 2019) The Holiness of God — RC Sproul

I’ve been reading this book for months now. The Holiness of God is the kind of book you have to sit and let steep for a while. It’s heavy and rich and thoroughly encouraging for readers who want to know God better. Sproul teaches readers about the Holy, inviting us into a deeper understanding and relationship with God.

Having heard a lot about Sproul, but not having read any of his books, I was expecting this to be a challenging read. Thankfully, while the book is dense, it is easy for the layperson like myself to grapple with.

For those who have ever felt overwhelmed by God’s Holiness, or for those who want to better understand what it means to serve and know a Holy God, I highly recommend this book. 5 stars out of 5.

A Self-Published Book
(Week 44: October 29 – November 5, 2019) Embrace — Liz Mannegren

So, I’m stretching this category a little. While Embrace isn’t technically “self-published” it was published by a company that usually does self-publishing. And, let’s be honest, I need to fit my book into this challenge somehow!

Embrace: Clinging to Christ Through The Pain of Pregnancy Loss is written for the mama grieving a miscarriage, stillbirth, or pregnancy loss. Sharing the stories of numerous other loss mamas, this book explores the intricacies of grief, all the while pointing to the hope we have in Christ.

Embrace was released THIS MONTH. You can grab a copy on Amazon, Chapters, or through me!

And, since I’m naturally biased, I’m not going to give this one a rating. I’ll let you grab a copy and do that for me. 😉