Well y’all, I am a little late in getting this out, but you are used to that by now! Better late than never, right? I spent last week at an amazing writing retreat in Colorado, and part of that time was spent working on developing a writing schedule. So hopefully, I can be a little more consistent now— but no promises!

I feel the need for a disclaimer: 

Just so you know, I joined a couple book groups on Facebook in an effort to broaden my reading recommendations. It definitely gave me more options! One thing I realized, however, is that previously all suggestions were coming from people I know, people who know me—and in particular, people who know the way I live out my faith. These book groups are not Christian, and while I don’t limit my reading to “Christian” books by any means, for the most part, the recommendations I receive from others have not had anything I wouldn’t be okay with my husband or college-age daughters reading. Upon reading several of the recommended books from these FB pages, I have learned that “spice” (ie, written porn) is a common thing in popular books these days, and often is not even mentioned in the descriptions or reviews unless you search for it directly. Yikes!

As a result, I have been finding myself in the middle of a book before realizing it contains this sort of content. I have lots of thoughts on “spice” that I will save for another blog post, but for now, just know that I will mention in my review if a book contains what I consider inappropriate content, and I just skip over those parts when I come to them. 

Okay, now onto the good stuff! Here are the books I read in February:

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarrow

Onyx Storm is the third book in the Fourth Wing series. Since I just finished the other two, I was looking forward to reading this one upon its release. It definitely received a lot of hype! Did it live up to it?

To be honest, I didn’t love it or hate it. Parts of it were slow, parts of it were really good (and as always, I would prefer it without the spice; I just skip over it). Every series has a book that mostly sets up the rest of the story, and that is what Onyx Storm is, in my opinion. At the end of the day, I am still invested in the characters and the storyline, so I am looking forward to reading book four when it comes out.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in a military family or because I forged many relationships through handwritten letters back in the day, but whatever the reason, I really loved this book. 

The Last Letter tells the complicated, compelling love story between Ella, a single mom raising her twins in the mountains of Colorado, and Beckett, her brother’s best friend who is stationed with him overseas. As their friendship progresses, we watch while each of their hearts slowly open to the other, tearing down the walls of their fiercely forged independence, and learning how to trust again. Readers can’t help but root for them to make it as they navigate the hills and valleys of love, death, and parenthood together. 

I loved getting to know the characters through their letters back and forth in the beginning, and then watching their friendship grow into more. There is some “spice” (ie graphic sexual content)—I just skip over that part, but if that’s a trigger for you, you may want to avoid it. Overall, it was a great book. You’ll definitely need tissues for this one!

Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey

Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart is not a book I would normally have chosen, but I read it as part of a book club. Truthfully, I didn’t love it. It was a slow, somewhat text-book like read for me. I found myself procrastinating and then forcing myself to get through a chapter. I am not familiar with art history at all, so it was new material for me. 

Basically, in each chapter, the author introduces us to a new artist, tells us about their work, their artistic style, and a little bit about their life and struggles. Then he draws some mild parallels between those things and lessons to be learned as we experience the Christian life. Some of their stories were redeeming; others not so much. I loved the concept—it just wasn’t executed in a style that I found in engaging. 

That said, I really enjoyed the chapter on Norman Rockwell, and found that the “lessons” were more engaging towards the end of the book. I’m glad I finished it—it felt like a great accomplishment! I did learn many things I didn’t know before, so that’s a plus. I believe Christians who enjoy art, who love to spend an afternoon at a museum of high art, would find this an interesting read. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Yours, Not Hers, by Kari Kampakis

I am a big fan of Kari Kampakis and her resources for teen girls (and their moms). Her latest book, Yours, Not Hers, is a 40 day devotional intended to help teen girls “stop comparisons and love your life.” It covers topics that high school and college-age girls deal with on a regular basis, such as loneliness, purpose, anxiety, waiting, humility, obedience, and discernment. Kari starts each devotional with a focused Scripture, then incorporates personal anecdotes and biblical wisdom to make the topic relatable. Each devotion ends with a few reflection questions and space to journal, followed by a “final thought” section to drive the message home.

High school girls will love this devotional. And while it is not super deep, there is enough depth that I believe college girls will enjoy it as well. It would be an awesome gift for any of the young women in your life!

The Necessity of Prayer: Why Christians Ought to Pray, by EM Bounds

I finished The Necessity of Prayer last week, and while I related a little better to the first book in this anthology, there were plenty of take-aways in this book as well.  The first chapter, Prayer and Faith, was both convicting and inspiring to me as I continue to pray for a friend in the midst of a battle with cancer. This quote in particularly spoke to me about patience in prayer:

“Yet faith is often called upon to wait patiently before God and is prepared for God’s seeming delays in answering prayer. Faith does not grow disheartened because prayer is not immediately honored. It takes God at His Word and lets Him take what time He chooses in fulfilling HIs purposes and in carrying on His work.”

Another great quote on being persistent in prayer is found in Chapter 7:

“When the answer is not immediately given, the praying Christian must gather courage at each delay. He must urgently go forward until the answer comes. The answer is assured, if he has the faith to press his petition with vigorous faith.”

One important aspect Bounds highlights in this book is how our life must reflect God’s character in order for our prayers to be effective. In other words, if we are not reading God’s Word, if we are not following His commands, and if we are not seeking to be obedient to His will, we essentially have no right to “approach His throne of grace with confidence.” That doesn’t mean God won’t hear and answer those prayers; instead it’s more a reflection of our ability (or inability) to align ourselves with the will of God. A pastor friend told me early in my spiritual journey, “God honors our faithfulness.” I believe that is never so true as it is in our prayer life.

That’s two books down in this anthology. Four more to go! Next up: The Possibilities of Prayer.

So, that’s what I read in February! I am already working on my March reviews, so hopefully those will be out in about two weeks. 

What about you, friend? What’s on your nightstand?