I’m back with the reading update that you’ve all been asking about! Just kidding. No one asked what I’m reading but I’m going to share anyway!

This year I set my Goodreads reading goal to 24 books. I felt like that was attainable and hoped that I would exceed it! I’ve currently read 22 books and considering it’s July, I’m ahead of my goal. 🎉 These days many of my books are audio books. I love all the books- paper, hard back, kindle and audio! I don’t discriminate, but at this stage of life audio books come in clutch while I’m cooking, taking a walk or getting ready for bed. I usually have a fiction book that I’m listening to and one or two non-fiction books going as well. My NF books are usually physical books because I have a hard time focusing on non-fiction if I don’t read it with my eyes, plus I like to write in my books!

So, what am I reading? Currently, I’m listening to The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White. This is book number 1 of 3 in a series called The Codebreakers, set in WWI. The last series I read by White was Shadows Over England which was excellent. The Codebreakers series begins with the story of a lesser character from the previous series. The main character’s name is Margot, and I just love her. She’s a mathematical prodigy and finds comfort in things that can be explained and ‘figured out’ but what of emotions and the unknown? Well, I don’t know because I’m only about half way finished but I’m excited to find out! Dot, Margot’s best friend, is also such an amazing character. She struggles with anxiety, so of course I love her. The characters are just so well developed. I was telling Robby about the story last night like I lived among these people and they were real! That’s when you know it’s a good book. I’m glad he humors me! 😆 If you like historical fiction, I definitely recommend checking out Roseanna White’s Shadows Over England series and I truly have no doubt that I’ll also love The Codebreakers. Roseanna White is a Christian author, so her books are clean and there has always been a beautiful element of faith in her stories (without being too cheesy!).

As far as non-fiction, I am reading Weakness is the Way by J.I. Packer. I can’t remember how I came across this book, probably doing a search on how weak I feel as a Christian and how much I need Christ as my strength! Because I am… and I do!! I’m halfway through this short book and it’s been a gift to me so far. I hope to share more when I finish. I recently finished Finding Christ in the Darkness* by Edward T. Welch, which is a 31-day devotional for those struggling with depression. I think it’s a great resource and help for those who struggle in that area. A time or two I found myself with tears in my eyes because I felt seen and understood. Depression is something that I don’t deal with constantly, but it does frequently come around. This is a book that is full of truth from God’s word that I will come back to in the future.

For my daily Bible reading, I’m in the book of Luke. This year I chose two Bible reading plans, both around 6 months long. I read through the Psalms the first half of the year and now I’m reading through the New Testament. I’m about to begin a deep dive into the book of Jonah to prepare for our ladies’ Bible study at church. I plan to read through it a few times a week as I prep over the next month, so that I can really sit with the story and soak it up. It’s such a short book and can be read it about 10 minutes!

So, tell me, what are you reading? I love to chat books and if you’re on Goodreads, find me!

*I don’t always agree with Edward Welch when it comes to medication for depression/anxiety. I’m an open book when it comes to that topic, so feel free to ask me if you’re curious.