Looking for some reading suggestions this February? You’ve come to the right place…

I’m not going to lie, January was rough.

Despite starting the month strong, reading a little each day, keeping up with my daily scripture readings, and even eyeing an extra book at the end of the month, I did not finish my list of January picks.

Mid-month, we found ourselves heading to New York to see family and there’s just no way to crack a book (or download it, as the case may be) while riding down Route 66 with five kids in the car. No one sleeps at the same time, bathroom breaks are strategically planned and implemented, and everyone always seems to be hungry.

Once we hit the motel at the end of each night and I got the kids to sleep, the only thing I wanted to do was brush my teeth and curl up in my bed, too. So, needless to say, there was no reading beyond Google Maps for an entire week.

Once we arrived, it was a whirlwind of activity and, again, no reading. So here we are in February, and I have about three books to finish from last month (they are at various stages of completion because I like to read multiple books concurrently).

What I have learned from this experience

That even the best-laid plans will go awry and that I need to just roll with it. In the past, I might have beaten myself up for not meeting a goal, even a self-imposed one. But I’ve learned over the years about the power of grace. Not just the awesome grace given by God, but the kind we can emulate and offer ourselves and other.

The unexpected is only a surprise to us. God saw it all along. So I’m not going to sweat my lost timetable. Instead, I’m going to work on finishing those books, catching up on my Bible-in-a-year readings (in a leisurely, no-pressure way), and making my list for February. Check back in March or follow me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaAtTheJourneyAtHome/) and Instagram (@thejourneyathome) to see my progress!

Here are my February Reading List Picks:

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• Strictly Speaking by Edwin Newman

As someone who does freelance proofreading and writes, I find books about the English language interesting, especially how it has evolved (and devolved) over time. My father recommended this book to me, and actually sent me the hard copy, so I’m going to have to unearth a bookmark. It’s been a while since I needed a physical one.

 

 

• She Reads Truth by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams

I’ve read excerpts from this book in a week-long devotional on the She Reads Truth app (which I highly recommend) and was so touched and inspired by what I was reading, I had to find the book. Its tagline is “Holding Tight to Permanent in a World That’s Passing Away.” Yes!

 

• Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst

She is always funny and always insightful about how to practically live with our faith and ourselves. This book explores how we deal with our emotions and when they get away from us. I may have had that happen a time or two… or ten… thousand…

 

 

• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women by Kristine Carlson

I really loved reading Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff… and It’s All Small Stuff by the author’s late husband, Dr. Richard Carlson. So I’m looking forward to her take on how to focus on what’s really important, from the perspective of a woman. As a worrier and over-thinker, practical strategies and reminders can make a big difference in my day.

 

• Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

This was a recommendation from @the_nutrition_chick on Instagram and my fiction choice for the month. I have never read Judy Blume’s “adult” novels, just her kids books, but they were always good so I’m excited to read this story about young friends who were once close, and what caused the separation.

 

• And, of course, I’ll be working on my readings and also going through the February chapter in Sallie Clarkson’s The Life Giving Home Experience.

 

Well, those are my picks and I’m looking forward to getting started. Thanks to everyone who offered their thoughts and recommendations. I can’t wait to see what this month brings!

 

Have you read any of these books? Do you have any recommendations for my March list? Let me know in the comments!

 

Happy February reading!

 

Missed last month’s list? Then check it out here!

 

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