Book Chatter

Sunday Matters, a latte on a wooden tray against greenery.

We made it. A new year. What it brings will be interesting but let’s stay positive and be the best people we can be and it will all work out.

Evan and Emm’s short trip to see us was really nice. We had a lot of good food, time by the fire pit and we learned that our declining Otter Pup LOVES a good fire so we got more wood and will be out there tonight with her, barring wind.

Right Now:

I have a break from student ministry as the students are on winter break, but I am hosting the online service this morning from home! PJs, coffee, maybe some toast.

I am also writing a message on the topic of forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean to you? Anyone care to share?

This Week:

I am still off from work this week. The campus is back but I took an extra week, which seemed excessive but not so now. I’ve read some good books, cooked some stuff, taken walks, and still haven’t cleaned out the garage. Maybe this week?

Reading:

2025 kicked off with my first book, The Brothers Karamazov. I’ve been gently warned that it’s a heavy book to kick off the year but you know what? I am loving it! It’s surprising me like Of Human Bondage did. The characters are so interesting and the way the story is laid out, even more so. I am into Book 2 and am reading it two ways, on Hoopla via my phone, late at night, under the covers and by day, with my physical book.

I am also reading Bright Young Women for club. REALLY good so far. Immediately grabbed me.

Also listening to The God of the Woods.

One night, at the end of the year I was waiting for the new year to start my first book but was without reading material in bed so picked up Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst. It’s non-fiction, Christian and so, so good. If you’ve ever felt left out of something, or lonely, oh my goodness, this is a book for you. I have highlighted so many passages.

Watching:

Squid Game, season 2. This season is so different than the first season. More playful with a lot of young characters. I am enjoying it but on the last episode now. Season 3 will be its final season and will hit this year.

Grateful for:

That the Otter Pup is still with us. Every day is a blessing. She is not in pain but we are taking it day by day. She loved seeing Evan and Emma. Really enjoyed them being here.
Books in many different formats. I have never in my life utilized so many different formats but I am loving them all, ebooks on my Kindle, my phone, physical copies and audiobooks.
That my hair is now looking more normal after I chopped it! I cut off all the long, dangly transparent pieces and now have a cute bob. But my hair is curly now post brain surgery.
This last week of vacation.

Happy New Year, you all. Let me know what you’re up to.

First Book 2025 - The Brothers Karamazov

Happy New Year, everyone! This has the potential to be one, rough, year. Let’s make the best of it and bury ourselves in books. Shall we?

As readers, we get such a kick out of our first book of the year! SO much goes into it. It has to be memorable, maybe even life changing. It has to be enough to take us well into the year and not stall us dead in our tracks. I often hope that it will set the tone for my year but in all honesty, we read so much that it’s an ever-evolving TBR list, isn’t it?

Well, I decided to read The Brothers Karamazov as my first book of 2025! Murakami is one of my fave authors and every year he lists this book as one of his favorites. I will finally be getting to it!

Thanks to Sheila for hosting First Book.