What's On My Nightstand | June 2011

I've actually been preparing for June's nightstand post for a few days now because I've been bursting to talk about some of these books I've been reading. And since I love reading other nightstand posts that include pictures of stacks of books, I decided to take my own. Oh, I just love to look at a stack of books!

Here's what I've read:

In the Land of Believers by Gina Welch. (Not pictured because a friend is reading it.) I talked a bit about this book during my last nightstand post, and you can click on the title to read my full review. It was definitely interesting, and equally enjoyable.

Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson. The final book in her Song of Alaska series wrapped up the trilogy nicely, but this series definitely isn't my favorite from Peterson. Long-time fans will surely enjoy it, but if you're looking for a bit more substance than a melodramatic, run-of-the-mill historical romance, I wouldn't bother. Sometimes I just need a book that requires minimal thinking.

God Came Near by Max Lucado. I finally finished this after starting it around Christmas. It's not my favorite  from Lucado, but still thought-provoking as it discusses Jesus' life and teachings.

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen. (On my Kindle.) After polishing off my third Klassen novel, I have to admit that I'm pretty addicted to her writing now. I actually liked this book—only her second—better than her third and fourth. (I haven't read her first yet.) The storyline is fascinating, and the way her character's trust in God grows is heartwarming and realistic. I'm so looking forward to her new book, which comes out later this year.

The Judgment by Beverly Lewis. The second book in the Rose Trilogy, The Judgment was a slow moving book for me, though an important piece of the puzzle. The ending ... well, it just made me angry that I have to wait until September to read the final book in the series.

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers. (Not pictured because I returned it to the library.) You can click on the title to read my full review. I really enjoyed Rivers's writing. The saga of the whole thing was nearly overwhelming, but I still consider it worthwhile reading.

Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers. (Not pictured because I returned it to the library.) This finished Marta's Legacy well, though there were a few things about it that I had issues with. I wrote about them in my review of the book.

The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller. (Not pictured because I returned it to the library.) I was excited to read this book because it is Miller's first first-person story. It was really good, and thankfully the romance side of things was minimal yet tasteful. It's a quick and easy read, but good just the same.

Thriving at College by Alex Chediak. I love this book. Click the title to read my review. If you know anyone who is starting college soon, or has recently started, give this book as a gift!

Out of Mormonism by Judy Robertson. Such an intriguing book. I'll have a review of it posted next Monday. Robertson's story of leaving the Mormon cult and discovering the Jesus of the Bible is truly inspiring. I learned so many things about Mormonism that I never noticed before.

Summer Snow by Nicole Baart. (Not pictured because I took it back to the library.) This is the continuation of her first book, After the Leaves Fall. I just love Baart's writing; such a perfect balance of imagery and dialogue. These books are really the best Christian fiction I've read that actually deal with coming to Christ and trusting God in a realistic way—there will be doubts, there will be tough times, but keep on trusting and following. I love it! It's hard to describe it without giving it away, so I'll just leave it at this: I highly recommend the series!

Gray Matter by David I. Levy, MD. Fascinating true story of a neurosurgeon who started praying with his patients and colleagues before surgeries. It was a little slow at the beginning but gained a lot of momentum about a quarter in.

Well, that's what I've been reading lately. Some books I'll be working on in the next month are:

Forgotten God by Francis Chan.

A Chance to Die by David Nasser.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Story Engineering by Larry Brooks.

I'm also joining Carrie's Narnia Reading Challenge (see sidebar for button), so I'll be reading The Silver Chair and The Horse and His Boy.

I'll have to wait and see what else comes my way next month.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading! I can't wait to see what everyone else is reading. I always get too many ideas for what to read next.