Y'all, Sophie Hudson is a trip. I listened to the podcast she does with Melanie Shankle and fell in love with these ladies. They are hilarious, insightful, and they love college sports. Plus, they have southern accents. Sold. So of course, I had to read their books... Duh. And I loved this one. She's shared her beautiful story about Home - not the place, but the people.
They were my friends. Plain and simple. And there was something about their unconditional acceptance that met me right in the dead center of my need. I doubt that any of them knew how much they were ministering to me, but they opened up their homes and their arms and their hearts at a time when what I needed more than anything else was to see real life integrated with real faith--in all of its messy wonderfulness.It's the perfect balance of hysterical and real and it's all totally relatable.
5 stars
2. 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the unique perspective George W. Bush was able to share about his father. And I loved learning about George H. W. Bush's family life and political career from his early years through the present. He lost a daughter when she was very young. He was the U.S. Representative to China and the Director of the CIA! He was successful, but lost a few elections early on: he could have quit, but he pressed on. He's a man of honesty and integrity and I loved getting to know him. And I love that George W. Bush read the audiobook. Like him or not, this was a good read - or listen.
4 stars
3. The Racketeer by John Grisham
The Racketeer is a story about a wrongfully imprisoned lawyer. Malcolm Bannister, and a murdered judge. Luckily for Malcolm, he knows who killed Judge Fawcett and uses that to secure his release from prison. I read a John Grisham novel earlier this year and loved it. But while this one started out strong, it drifted for so long I almost gave up on it. It finally did come full circle, in a way I definitely did not expect, but it took a little too long to get there.
3 stars
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I re-read this book in anticipation of Go Set a Watchmen. It had been a few years since I last read it, and it was like sitting down with an old friend. Scout, Jem, and Atticus are beloved characters - compassionate, full of integrity, forward-thinking. I loved familiarizing myself with Maycomb, the Finches, and their neighbors all over again. Everyone should read this book at least once in their life.
5 stars
5. Game Plan by Tim Roehl
Game Plan discusses the importance of a church that gets outside itself and really ministers to its community. My church read this together and we were really excited about the how-to steps this book provided. The writing itself was a little cheesy, but Game Plan was full of insightful information that we'll be putting to use for years to come.
4 stars
6. The Target (Will Robie, #3) by David Baldacci
As I'm reading really thought provoking books that require so much processing, I always like to read an easy, mindless, but interesting story. (Enter this book.) Will Robie is an exciting character, an assassin for the CIA, who partners with Jessica Reel for a mission in North Korea. The ramifications of their success follow them all the way back to the States. I've read some of this series before and enjoyed reading this one again.
4 stars
7. The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery
It's no secret that I love the Anne of Green Gables series. So it's only natural to read other books by the famed Lucy Maud Montgomery. Valancy Stirling is a docile, obedient daughter to her over-bearing mother. In her twenties, she is already considered an old maid. After learning she has a terminal illness, she sheds her compliant ways and becomes the person she's always dreamed of being. The Blue Castle is endearing and funny and was a great read!
5 stars
August books will be posted soon! What are YOU reading? Book recommendations are always welcome!
Happy reading, friends!
