Recent Reads (Lynn)

Today I am sharing a few of my recent reads. I haven’t had time to get full book reviews up for these books, but several of them are so good that I knew I wanted to share them with you. 

It is only the middle of February, but I think a couple of these might end up making my list of favorites for the year. Several of these books are ones that I can’t stop thinking and talking about. 

The Stationery Shop 

The Stationery Shop has gotten a lot of attention since it came out and after reading it I can see why. I often skip books that get a ton of attention. I am not one to read a book just because everyone is reading it. And although I love the cover on this book, I also don’t usually choose a book based on a cover. 

I prefer to make sure the book isn’t just getting pushed by publishers, but that it is truly good enough to stand the test of time. But when I read a review of The Stationery Shop by a book reviewer that I trust, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. I loved this book.

This is a book about lost love, but also about so much more. It was written about a time and place I know very little about. The descriptions and character development were so well done. 

The Day the World Came To Town 

On September 11, when the U.S. closed it’s airspace, thirty eight jetliners were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland. Gander was a small town of around ten thousand people and in less than twenty four hours it almost doubled in size. ‘

The town banded together and gave those stranded passengers a welcome like no other. In the midst of a horrific disaster, Gander, Newfoundland stepped up and showed what ordinary people can do to make a difference. 

The Day The World Came To Town shares in inspiring story in the midst of a terrible tragedy. It reminds me a little bit of the book Once Upon A Town. Small towns, full of everyday people, can make a big impact. 

Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours is another book that I almost didn’t read because it got so much attention. But earlier this year I read Tender Roses by the same author and I loved it. I knew that I wanted to read more books by Lisa Wingate and decided to give Before We Were Yours a try. I now understand why this book as so many four and five star reviews.

This book is one that I can’t stop thinking about. I kept telling my daughter that it was so good that I didn’t want to put it down, but at the same time it was so sad that I wasn’t sure I could keep reading it. 

Before We Were Yours is based on the real life story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. Now that I have read the fiction version, I can’t wait to read the nonfiction version, Before and After. 

No Graves As Yet

I love a good cozy mystery. This book was the perfect read for something a little different than the other books I had read recently. No Graves As Yet is set in England in the days leading up to WWI. It is part mystery and part spy thriller. I can’t wait to read more books by Anne Perry. 

The Winter Soldier

I have mixed thoughts on The Winter Soldier. It is set during WWI which I loved. There are so many books that are set in WWII, but very few set during WWI, so I love finding a good book set during WWI. The writing in this book was great. I found the overall story line a little odd though.

This book was also a reminder that I like books to wrap up nicely. Or at least wrap up in a way that doesn’t leave you hanging. This book did not end all wrapped up nicely and I didn’t really like that. The book was also a little pg-13 for me. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

The Gospel Comes with a House Key 

I have seen the book The Gospel Comes with a House Key on quite a few Christian blogs and Instagram accounts. After hearing a friend talk about it, I finally decided to buy it. As soon as I got it I started reading it and wished that I had read it sooner.

This is a book that will stick with you. You may not agree with everything in the book, but I think we can all agree that Christians should be hospitable. Hospitality can look different for different people, but life is not meant to be lived alone.

This book shows you some practical ways for Christians to live out hospitality. Not everyone can live out hospitality in the way that the author and her family does, but we can all learn from what she shares. If you have read this one I would love to hear what you thought of it.