alltheradreads's Reviews (1.9k)

I took myself on a solo getaway for the 4th and this title seemed like a great one to grab off my shelf— and it was! I’ve never read anything from this author but really enjoyed this one. It’s like how I used to feel about Jodi Picoult— I assumed their books were both light and shallow, but they turned out to be anything but!

Read this one at the perfect time (aka thick in a season of depression, just starting anti-depressants) and highly recommend it for anyone feeling heavy and in a dark place. It’s encouraging, honest, and gave me a lot of hope. At times, it felt trite, but overall, I was grateful for the real and faith-based look at our feelings, our sin, our shame, our hope, and our healing. @johnmarkcomer is one of my favorites and I can confidently say all of his books are wonderful and worth a read. I’m not ashamed to say I’m currently needing counseling, prayer, community, a whole host of ongoing spiritual disciplines AND medication to battle my depression right now, even though this book does take more of the approach that medication isn’t the answer. For many, that’s true, and for many, that isn’t. Took a lot from this one regardless!

I loooooove Annie Dillard and have ever since reading An American Childhood in high school— this book was the PERFECT summer riverside read. Stunningly beautiful, so reminiscent of Walden, centered on place and poetic and effervescent and just lovely in every way.

I was glad to finally get to this new one from RHE— it wasn’t what I expected to read from her, but was really rich and challenging. I think it wasn’t the best season for me to read this one in, as I’m not currently really wrestling with doubts about Scripture, but I’m so glad it exists for those who are (and for me to return to when I am). The way she tells the big story of the Bible and highlights so many themes and threads throughout Scripture was stunning and encouraging, and reminded me how magical and mysterious and mighty the Word of God is. Always grateful for the way Evans challenges my worldview and prompts me to deepen my faith!

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for sending me this one!

It was one of my goals this month to read a new book of poetry last night, and I’ve had this one on my shelf since she came to a local event (that I didn’t even attend...) — it was a lovely way to spend a mellow evening, although not my most favorite book or style of poetry. Her poems in grief specifically moved me, and I’ll return to them again for the way they so simply and beautifully wrapped words around such a complex feeling.

This book was a teeny, tiny 45 pages and based on a commencement speech Graham gave, and I honestly didn’t love it. It didn’t have any real substance or humor or anything terribly inspiring...

1,014 pages: DONE. Loved this one as much, if not more, than the first in the Kingsbridge series— it’s so incredibly well-written with such compelling and complex characters and storyline, nonstop drama and intrigue and action, rich history and detailed storylines... these massive novels are worth spending hours and hours with. Perfect way to spend this rainy weekend!

I adore Wendell Berry. His poetry is grounded and honest and simple and rich. His faith seeps through his symbolism and his love for the Creator and creation are evident in every word, and I enjoyed this collection of old and new-to-me poems immensely.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. My counselor recommended that I read it, and i had never heard of it or the author before. At first, it felt too woo-woo for me, but I came to appreciate the blending of Scripture and science more as I kept reading. Parts of this one felt dismissive and cliche to me, but other parts got under my skin and made me really think deeply about how my brain works and how the Lord can renew and transform our minds. I found it interesting but I read it skeptically, and I’m overall not a huge fan of her writing style and presentation. I did hear many people say her talks were great, so I’m thinking I’ll give that a shot and see if i resonate more with her verbal presentation. Lots to think about and process with this one, and I did restart my daily meditation and gratitude journaling practices as a result of reading... so maybe it helped me after all!

It’s the coolest thing to see people you know and love do the things they were born to do (and do SO WELL) and it’s such a joy to celebrate and champion both Nicole and this book. It’s honest, it’s relatable, it’s so encouraging, and I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be able to relate and feel motivated by the power and truth of this book’s message. Yes, #thestruggleisreal, but that’s not the end of our story. “When we choose Christ, we choose life. When we choose His life, we choose freedom. And with that freedom comes the new story, a story of depth, of purpose, of redemption.”