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Recently Read and Up Next

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I love hearing what others have been reading or are looking forward to reading, so I thought I’d share of few of my own with you today.

Since the beginning of this year I’ve already read several books. My genres have varied from Christian fiction to general market fiction to non-fiction. Some I wouldn’t give a blanket recommendation, others I wholeheartedly embrace. Here are three I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in 2019.

Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson

This is a delightful story with many laugh out loud moments. In this novel, published in the 1930s, Barbara Buncle writes a book based on her hometown, a small English village. Chaos ensues upon its publication when the village recognizes itself and begins a quest to discover the identity of the author.

Wait for Me by Susan May Warren

I’ve been so excited for this concluding book to the Montana Rescue series—and it did not disappoint! Often in the middle of racing to turn pages I would stop and force myself to slow down because I didn’t want it to end.

Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done by Laura Vanderkam

There were a few things in this book that totally revolutionized the way I think about my time and my productivity. I like her approach to this subject in that she takes into consideration not just work but also the people in our lives and our need to make time for them as well as for rest and beauty. I marked a few pages I want to re-read and think through in the coming days.

As to what’s in the queue on my kindle and on my bedside book shelf, here’s a few:

A Name Unknown by Roseanna White
The Church in Babylon by Erwin W. Lutzer
Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette
The Lake House by Kate Morton

Of course there is always the chance I’ll get a new book, either kindle or print, which will bump something else down, but for now that’s what’s up next.

So what about you? What really great books you’ve read so far this year? What are ones you have waiting to be read next?

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  1. Wait For Me is one I hope to get to soon as well. Two books on your night stand are ones I’ve read and enjoyed very much: A Name Unknown and Counted With the Stars.

    Surprisingly, I’ve read a number of debuts this year. In The Shadow of Croft Tower by Abigail Wilson and The White City by Grace Hitchcock were both great.

  2. “Fast-paced thrillers” are not my usual genre, but Mike Nappa’s Annabel Lee kept me on the edge of my seat. I discovered Leisha Kelly last year and have been working my ways through her books, set just after the Depression. Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren was a Christmas read that spilled over into January – one of the best Christmas stories I’ve read. I’m listening to The Secret Garden currently, and up next is Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan about C. S. Lewis’s wife.

    • I’ll have to check out the ones I haven’t heard of, so thanks, Barbara! I love new recommendations. And I soooooo love The Secret Garden. One of my favs. I need to get Becoming Mrs. Lewis in my queue soon! Happy reading!

    • Love Jocelyn’s books, so yes, I need to read it! It’s so hard to get to the new releases when I have so many older ones I haven’t yet read!

  4. Highlights of 2019 have been Julie’s The Bride of Ivy Green – so sorry to see this series end; Angels in the Snow by Melody Carlson, which is absolutely amazing – beautifully written story of overcoming grief and learning to hope again. Last night I finished the 2nd in Michelle Griep’s Dickens Christmas series, and certainly recommend this series.

    Looking forward to Tamera’s With This Pledge. Also:

    Treacherous is the Night by Anna Lee Huber. This is the second in her Verity Kent series set in England after WWI. Verity works in a secret government agency and is a very strong female heroine.

    Murder in Chelsea by Victoria Thompson. She has written a very interesting and informative Gaslight mystery series set in 1890’s New York. I’m up to #15.

    And sometime I need to get back to my Irish Country Doctor series by Patrick Taylor. So many books, so little time!

    • I agree!If only I could just read. . .

      Love that I see some familiar authors and books on your list. Last night I finished the first Lady Darby mystery by Huber and enjoyed it, so I’ll have to check out her other series, too! You’ll love With this Pledge. It is amazing. And I need to get to the Bride of Ivy Green. I’ve so enjoyed that series.

      • I have read all of the Lady Darby books and loved them, too. The story of Keira and Gage advances in each book. The Verity Kent series is totally different, but just as great!

          • Fully agree with Betty – both of Anna Lee Huber’s series are exceptional and beautifully written. I have read all the Lady Darby series to date – solid in history and also in plotting. The Verity Kent series is every bit as good though a bit darker – I’m midway through the 2nd one right now. And I read somewhere that Huber is a Christian and some of her writing would indicate as much!

  5. I love Rosanna White’s books and Connilyn Cossette, too! I am reading Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse’s Alaska series. I also have Karen Kingsbury’s new book that she wrote with her son Tyler named The Best Family Ever. It is geared toward children but as a KK fan I am looking forward to reading more about the Baxter children growing up.

    • Very cool! I’ll have to add those books to my wishlist! I love Roseanna’s stories and am looking forward to reading Connilyn since I’ve heard such wonderful things about her books.

  7. I read loads of wonderful books in January. Here’s what I read.

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/440508407299608095/

    Right now I’m reading two books by new-to-me author, Cynthia Ruchti. So far, I like her writing. The books are An Endless Christmas and Restoring Christmas. Recently, I finished The Heirloom by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade.

  8. I usually read CF but last month picked up an older book called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and loved the relationships developed in the book. The story is WWII and after so of course loved the history as well.
    My future reads are on my bed stand. Can’t wait!

  9. I loved Miss Buncle’s book. I’ve also read Miss Buncle Married and enjoyed that one too! This year I’ve enjoyed The Bride of Ivy Green (such a great conclusion to a great series!), The Mystery of Hunting’s End by Mignon G. Eberhart (a vintage, locked-door mystery), and Persuasion. I’m currently reading Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear which I’m enjoying so far. Planning Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden next.

  10. I’ve read a few of the titles others have read and enjoyed them too. There’s a forthcoming “Ivy Hill” Christmas novella that Julie Klassen wrote about in her blog post back in December. So we’ll have another tale to enjoy! 🙂

    I ordered Elizabeth Camden’s new novel “A Desperate Hope” and look forward to reading it soon. It’s the 3rd and final installment in her “Empire State” trilogy.

    I borrowed and enjoyed Roseanna White’s “Shadows over England” trilogy from the library–the 1st book opens on the eve of World War I. I’ll leave it that!

  11. Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey
    Knowing Christ Today by Dallas Willard
    Driving Ambition: Life in the Slow Lane by Craig Briggs
    Dog Days in the Fortunate Islands: a new life in hidden Tenerife by John Searancke

    I vary between the non fiction and travel or gardening memoirs. Not sure what is up next either Not a Chance: Science and the revolt against reason by R C Sprout or Fat Dogs and French Estates, part 4 Beth Haslam..

    quite a mixture 🙂

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