Here are the books that I finished in February:
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson
I have read this book a few years ago but one night I wasn’t sleeping & came into my office. Something I was thinking about led me to this book & I decided that I needed to reread it. I loved it the first time & think that I’ve got more out of it this time, I highlighted different sections. From the blurb on the back of the book “Dream Big. Pray Hard. Think Long. In The Circle Maker, Pastor Mark Batterson shares powerful insights from the true legend of Honi the circle maker, a first-century Jewish sage whose bold prayer ended a drought & saved a generation. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a circle maker, Batterson will teach you how to pray in a new way by drawing circles around your dreams, your family, and, most importantly, God’s promises. …”
Shine: Stepping Into the Role You Were Made For by Allison Allen
Written by an actor about the roles that God is calling us to. As my work contract finishes up & I feel God calling me to new things but I’m not quite sure what, I found this book very helpful. I think I also related to the book well as Allison Allen is about the same age as me. I could also relate to many of her stories, even though I am definitely not an actor. I highlighted bits in most chapters & a few parts deeply touched me.
See Me by Nicholas Sparks
This book opens with a first person account from an obvious stalker but you don’t know who it is. As you met the main female character & hear about her past you have suspicions but aren’t quite sure. All is not revealed until the end of the book. You want to keep reading to find out who is the stalker.
Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life by Melanie Shanker
As Melanie shares part of her story she reminds us that God does extraordinary things through our ordinary, everyday lives. After highlighting a whole lot of the introduction I was keen to read the rest of the book. However I didn’t find this book as good as Shine. It was a different type of book to shine. It was still a good read. Reading other peoples stories helps you reflect on your own story & journey. Just opened up to this bit that I did highlight from p80: “God takes all of it – … the ordinary and the occasional extraordinary – and … he adds a brushstroke there and some color here and so paints it all into one glorious work of art, one that only he can achieve through us where we are right in the moment … So maybe it’s time to embrace all that is uniquely ours and realize that is exactly what makes it special.”
With 8 books read in January & 4 read this month, that is a total of 12 books read so far this year.
What have you been reading lately?