Books I Read in June 2024

Books I Read in June 2024

Each month I love to share with you what I’m reading. Although I love reading the Bible, I read other books too! I read a combination of fiction and nonfiction. I read poetry, fiction, nonfiction, horror (sometimes), and our family is especially fond of listening to audiobooks in the car! 

As a way to help me keep track of what I read each month I’ll be making this list and linking to those books on Amazon. I am also excited to utilize Goodreads. Find me here to get a more up to date list of what I’m currently reading and have read. 

Click here and request to be my friend! I’ll add you! 

You can read what I reviewed in these previous months:

January, February, March, April, & May

I provide an honest review of those books and if It is less than three stars, I won’t link it! I’ve read plenty of books I wouldn’t recommend so I want to keep track of those books as well. Some of these books I might have started last month and finished this month. 

One of my goals for this path month has been to put down my phone and pick a book more often. Instead of going to bed and scrolling for 15-20 minutes, I’ve picked up my book. I also have added reading a chapter or two to my daily quiet time routine. 

I’ve also been reading more fiction right before bed. I have to be careful not to read a depressing or sad story because it will keep me awake or give me bad dreams. I can’t wait to give an update on this month’s books! 

Books I Read June 2024

The Storied Life by Jared C. Wilson

⭐⭐⭐⭐   

My review:

The only reason I didn’t give this a five-star review here on my own website is because I understand a lot of you are probably not writers. If you are not a writer, or artist, you probably wouldn’t resonate with this book. But I will give this book a five-star review on Amazon.

I’ve read some books on writing, but I absolutely loved this one. It was so thoughtful, well-written, and honest. It also really motivated me during a time of writer’s block. I was feeling discouraged in my work and sort of had a “what’s next” feeling. This book pushed me over the hump and encouraged me. It is written from a completely Christian perspective, which I loved. It puts writing in an appropriate place when it comes to the kingdom of God. This is a must read for all writers – no matter where you are in the writing journey. 

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  

My review:

Ok. So I’ve read this book before. Yes, I know this is a children’s book. Yes, I did cry often throughout this book. It has been years (20?) since I read this book. I wanted to read this book again to remind myself of why good stories matter. Fiction stories matter because they point us back to The Story. Who does this better than C.S. Lewis?

If you have never read this series, do it. Start with the “correct” first book – this is debated, I know. What I am most excited about is that I am meeting with a friend of my husband’s who works with him to discuss the book. She loves this series and wanted to read them again as an adult. But she is not a Christian! She is actually a Muslim. We will be having coffee and discussing the Christian themes in the book – at her request! I’m so excited about this witnessing opportunity! 

Wild Hope by Donna Ashworth*

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ 

My review: 

*Disclaimer, I have not read the entire book. I think I can already give a review of this book by Donna Ashworh. It is a poetry book. I am reading it slowly, but I wanted to go ahead and give it a review because it is fantastic. I read one or two poems each night before bed. They are so amazingly thoughtful and hope-filled.  I cannot recommend this book enough! 

You Could  Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

⭐⭐ 

My review: 

Recently I shared on my IG stories that I didn’t like this book and so I wanted to expound a little on that quick review. I had high hopes for this book, but I was completely let down. I know a lot of people have loved it and rave about it, but I did not like it at all. The only reason it doesn’t get one star is because it was very beautifully written with a unique format.

Each “chapter” is a short essay that could stand alone. The book itself tells the “story” of the author’s divorce. Also, this is not the British actress, Maggie Smith. This is a poet from America named Maggie Smith. Each essay focuses on different aspects of her life with her husband, their drifting apart, and then their divorce.

I didn’t like this book for one specific reason. But it wasn’t because it was about divorce. I am not against divorce. It is not because she seemed to still be bitter, but that is part of it. The reason I didn’t like this book was because she failed to keep her promise. The title is “You Could Make This Place Beautiful.” As a reader, I want to walk away knowing how to do this. I didn’t. I felt like she had learned that lesson (sort of) but she didn’t explain it very well. Also, I didn’t walk away feeling encouraged, hopeful, or inspired. I walked away thinking, “Nice for you….but how does this apply to my life?”

The author did not show me how to make this life beautiful. I don’t completely fault her for this because she is not a Christian and does not have the type of hope we have as Christians. But I am a Christian. I do have a hope that life can be beautiful after loss, but it has less to do with me and more to do with Christ and the Father. For this reason, I’m not linking this book and would suggest you skip it. 

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