2023 - Fourth Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, the page count, and a grading scale (💖5 thumbs up - highly recommend, 4 thumbs up - enjoyed, 3 thumbs up - good, 2 thumbs up - meh, and 1 thumb down - regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the fourth quarter of 2023 (links to full reviews can be found in the side-bar, or after 2023, found through the search bar at the right):

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking by Dr. Caroline Leaf - I'm sure following these guidelines even half-heartedly would help your brain and mental function. Yet, I must admit to a bit of overwhelm. This sounds like a lot of mental work. And it sometimes smacks of "think yourself happy." 290 pages, 👍👍👍-1/2

💖A Place to Land by Laura K. Denton - This tender, redemptive story will linger like a gentle kiss in your soul. Each page shimmers and taps all of the senses. I loved that it was well-written, clean, and wholesome. 337 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 9 hours), 👍👍👍👍👍

Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale - Cassandra Dankworth has just been dumped and fired. Can a bit of time-travel help her repair the damage so things will turn out better? Loved her quirkiness! 359 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2

The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton - When Mags wills her old bed and breakfast to her granddaughter Sara she stipulates that Sara must restore the house before she can dispose of it as she wishes. The restoration process reveals hidden truths and introduces love. 352 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 8-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

💖The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh - Another unique character with deep longings despite social ineptitude. I adored this book! 353 pages, 👍👍👍👍👍

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - When Hadley misses her flight to London for her father's wedding, she feels unlucky. After six hours on a plane next to a dashing and entertaining British boy, her estimations may change. Full of the magic of love and the mess of conflict. 256 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2 - movie beats book! - [💖👍👍👍👍👍 for the movie Love at First Sight]

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys - Set in Madrid after the Spanish Civil War, this book of historical fiction incorporates official documents (oral history, articles, and books) as it uncovers details of hidden scandal. 528 pages (I listened in audio form, 10 CDs, 12-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend - Boundaries are so important. This is something I struggle with. I needed this guidance in how to find and be a safe person. 208 pages (I listened to an abridged version on Hoopla, 2-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity With the Gospel by Dean Inserra - Saved Christians are Christian by conviction rather than culture. Inserra's point is valid. Christianity with a weak understanding of Christ's role lacks the main essence. But, there is hope. Cultural Christians need to hear a clear articulation of the gospel. 208 pages, (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/3 hours), 👍👍👍👍

The Sacrificial Lamb: A Reverend Margot Quade Cozy Mystery Novella #2 by S. E. Biglow - Barnes and Noble calls it a Christian Cozy Mystery. It is neither cozy nor Christian, really. Boys murdered. Passing generic terms of faith. 102 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 1-3/4 hour), 👎

Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache by Granger Smith - If you have ever experienced trauma or loss in some form, this book will resonate. 195 pages, 👍👍👍

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl - I took copious notes from this informative book on arguing for the faith. 284 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍👍-1/2

12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep - Danger lurks when an odd assortment of individuals all visit a manor in hopes of staying the 12 days of Christmas to win a final prize. Sure to appeal if you want a Christian, inspirational, Victorian holiday mystery. 192 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍 

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear - The 16th book in the (apparently well-known and well-regarded) Maisie Dobbs Series, opens with a murder and ends with a marriage and a massive assault. Interesting, but perhaps not enough to lure me in for the series. 352 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

A Christmas Prayer by Kimberla Lawson Roby - Alexis Fletcher is engaged, but can the joy of the prospect of marriage cancel out her grief, her struggles with her sister, and her challenges with her future mother-in-law? 209 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4 hours), 👍👍👍

A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep - Thinking deception will help his case, a law clerk asks an inn waitress to pose as his wife in order to attempt to secure an inheritance. Delightful references to the works of Charles Dickens and insightful comments about truth and faith. 192 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍

The Old Lace Shop by Michelle Griep - This is book 3 in Griep's lovely Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. Another story of second chances, love lost and found, and God's provision. 192 pages? (I listened on Hoopla but only available in the full series set so guessing it was around 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍