Hey Friends!

It has been a hot minute since I posted a book stack, I know. Now that we are a little more settled into our new house, I thought it might be fun to bring back my book stacks and show you what I’ve been reading lately. We actually had TWO snowstorms here in Georgia this January, so that means several SLOW days and extra time to read! 🙂 Here’s a break down of my January 2025 Book Stack…

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

I asked for The Frozen River for Christmas because it received such good reviews, and I was not disappointed! I did not realize until the end that it is based on the real life of Martha Ballard, an American midwife who fought for the rights of women in the late 1700’s. Much of the story was true and emerged largely from Martha’s actual journal entries. Learning this made this book that much more enjoyable!

The story takes place along the Kennebac River in Maine during the long, hard winter of 1789. As a mid-wife, Martha was privy to much of the private lives of her town, and was often called on not just to deliver babies, but also to help with other health concerns. After one difficult delivery, Martha is asked to come examine the body of a man found trapped under the ice of the rapidly freezing river. It turns out this man had recently been accused of raping the local pastor’s wife, and from his injuries, Martha determines the man did not drown—he was thrown into the river after being murdered. What follows is a slow moving tale of small town life and all its secrets, interwoven within a larger story of a broken legal system and a quest for justice. While the ending was not completely unexpected, Ariel Lawhon is a master storyteller—her writing in this novel is both beautiful and captivating. It reminded me style-wise of Where the Crawdads Sing.

My favorite thing about the book was actually its portrayal of Martha’s 35-year marriage to her husband, Ephraim. She describes it this way (in what was probably my favorite quote of the whole novel): 

“We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days between.”

If you are looking for a slow, well-developed read this winter, I highly recommend The Frozen River.

Ash Island by Sarah L. Frantz

This short story shares the tale of Christa Lea, a young warrior who, in service to her beloved King, gets shipwrecked on Ash Island. Ash Island is just how it sounds—barren, lonely, and covered in volcanic ash. As time goes on, Christa Lea begins to feel forgotten by her family and forsaken by her king. When she comes to the end of her supplies (and herself), she steps out in faith to the other side of the island and finds that help was already waiting, just as soon as she was ready to seek it. 

Ash Island is a beautiful allegory of the Christian faith. The chapters are very short and each chapter is followed by a few thoughtful discussion questions based on Scripture. It would be perfect for family devotions with elementary/pre-teen children or make a sweet gift for someone navigating a difficult season.

Purpose in Prayer by E. M. Bounds

 “It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God; and that is the purpose of prayer.”

I have experienced a strong prompting to lean into prayer this year; as part of that, I picked up this book by E.M. Bounds which contains 7 of his books on prayer. This month I read the first one: Purpose in Prayer. In it, Bounds walks through what real prayer is (as opposed to the half-hearted prayers that we tend to send up in times of conviction or crisis). It wasn’t new material to me, but it was both convicting and inspiring. I found myself underlining multiple passages in each chapter and “chewing” on them throughout my day. I was reminded that prayer isn’t just communion with God or a means to an end, but the supernatural accessing of His power in accordance with His will to accomplish His purposes. To be granted that privilege and not to fully partake of it is… well, let’s just say I don’t want to waste my life that way.

I think the closing paragraph sums up this book better than I ever could:

“Without prayer, the Christian life, robbed of its sweetness and its beauty, becomes cold and formal and dead; but when rooted in the secret place where God meets and walks and talks with His own, it will grow into such a testimony of divine power that all men will feel its influence and be touched by the warmth of its love. Thus, resembling our Lord and Master, we will be used for the glory of God and the salvation of our fellowmen. And that, surely, is the purpose of all real prayer and the goal of all true service.”

I definitely recommend it, and look forward to reading the rest of the books in this collection!

Love and Other Lost Things by Melissa Wiesner

This novel by Melissa Wiesner tells the story of Jane, a teenage girl who ran away from an abusive father, only to end up having a child with an abusive boyfriend. Ten years later, upon her father’s death, Jane returns home to visit her mother for the first time since she left as a teenager. Her plan is to spend a few days helping her mom, and then disappear once again. What she didn’t expect was how it would feel being home, especially when she is reunited with her first love, Nik. Will Jane continue with her plan or finally stop running?

I’m not sure I would have picked Love and Other Lost Things out at the library, but it popped up as recommended reading on my Kindle Unlimited. I thought it might be a fun, quick read while I was waiting for the books I ordered from Amazon, so that’s how it made this list. I gave it 3 stars; I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it. There are a few twists at the end, but I saw them coming a mile away. It wasn’t a favorite for me, but if you really like romance books, you might enjoy it.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

I have started this book twice over the past couple years and never made it past Chapter Two. I was determined this year would be different; it was! I guess the third time’s the charm. 

The overall concept of Atomic Habits is great. James Clear takes the enormous task of breaking bad habits and creating good habits and narrows it into bite-size pieces that make the whole process more manageable. There are motivational nuggets sprinkled throughout each chapter to keep the readers moving forward. The most helpful chapters for me were the ideas of habit-stacking and focusing on a changed identity rather than a goal (ie, being a person who eats healthy and who likes to be active, rather than just trying to lose weight).

Atomic Habits is a well-written self-help book. If you make the effort to actually do the work, these tactics could be very helpful in shaping a more productive, fruitful life. 

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Okay, I forgot how much I like Kate Morton’s writing! This book has been sitting on my nightstand for the past few months just waiting for me to pick it up. It did not disappoint! The Forgotten Garden is a breathtaking story of three generations of women, each carrying the weight of their own secrets; desperate to figure out who they are and where they belong. Morton takes her time developing the many layers of each character, masterfully intertwining their stories. Part historical fiction, part mystery— The Forgotten Garden kept me up way past my bedtime night after night, promising myself just one more chapter…

The only critique I have is that the shifting of chapters was a little confusing to follow at the beginning. I’m not sure if it was the lack of a name for the little girl we meet in the beginning or something else, but it took me awhile to figure out which character to associate with which name and time period. Eventually it was not a problem as they each came to life; but it was a bit confusing to begin with.

Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons

Have you ever felt restless, wondering if there is more to life than the mundaneness in which you’re currently living? Do you feel stifled by motherhood or trapped by your circumstances, knowing you have more to offer the world—and the Lord—than what you’re currently able to give? Do you long to use your gifts, talents, passions, and experience in more meaningful and impactful ways?

If any of these questions resonate with you, stop whatever you’re doing and get a copy of this book asap! Seriously, the message in this book will breathe life into your soul. In Now and Not Yet, Ruth Chou Simons addresses the restlessness we feel in our in-between seasons of waiting and wrestling. But unlike current culture that tells us to create our own destiny, the author points us firmly back to Scripture and encourages us not to rush forward, but instead to lean in to the frustration and pain. She reminds us that God has always done refining work in what His people considered barren seasons, and our lives are no different. There is beauty and growth to be found in the hidden, in-between places if we are willing to pause and listen, allowing God to write the story in His time and way.

Now and Not Yet would make a perfect gift for a friend, and is one of those books I will come back to again and again throughout my life. I highly recommend it!

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Well, that’s what I thought of the books I read in January! Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And as always, I am open to recommendations!

What’s on your nightstand?