39 Comments
User's avatar
Cheryl's avatar

So good to sit this morning and listen to your calming voice speak the words as I read along. You never fail to bless my soul, friend. I pray you have safe travels and enjoy every second, holding that precious baby!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I'm looking forward to featuring your new book before too long, friend! I'm so proud of your accomplishments ... and can't to wrap my hands around your new literary baby.

Expand full comment
Cheryl's avatar

You are so incredibly kind! That means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Expand full comment
Bill Grandi's avatar

My reading has slowed down some in the past few weeks Linda due to tragedy that has struck our church family. I wrote about it on my blog. One really good book I just finished was "Unbroken Faith" by Diane Dokko Kim. She had a severely autistic son and this is her story of God's faithfulness. Short chapters filled with great thoughts and ending in a ton of Scripture. As for culling my library, I am hesitant to clean out my office library because of my ministry. I have found someone who is trying to reach the 1000 book threshold that will give her the classification of being a library. Some of my personal books will head her way.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

That's fascinating about reaching a 1000 book threshold defining a classification of being a library. You kicked me into research mode with this, Bill -

https://tagvault.org/blog/how-many-books-do-you-need-to-be-considered-a-library/

And it's so awesome that you're helping make it happen.

Expand full comment
Cathy's avatar

I am doing Alicia’s summer challenge as well! (My inner nerdy schoolgirl is so happy). Currently reading: Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson (craft), Thunderhead by Daye Phillippo (poetry collection), Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (fiction)

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Yep, us perpetual students love this stuff!

Expand full comment
Pam Richardson's avatar

Linda, I really like the name change! Aw, “Streams in the Desert” is a favorite and one that I given to others. Wishing you a delightful weekend, my friend!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I think I'm loosening up in my old age, Pam! Have a lovely Saturday.

Expand full comment
Michele Morin's avatar

I like the name change! Thanks for sharing all the goodness!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

After 17 years, I guess it's ok to re-invent something, right?!

Expand full comment
Lisa Blair's avatar

Great finds, thanks for sharing your research with us, Linda! Enjoy that new baby and all your family!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Lisa, thanks! I know I'll miss being here, but I felt free-er and lighter as soon as I made the decision. Who needs to be staring at a screen when you could be soaking in the beloved presence of a great-grandchild.

Expand full comment
Lisa notes's avatar

I've just opened so many tabs as I click on your links, Linda. I guess I won't crack open my book just yet... :)

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Yay! I'd be doing the same thing. I sure hate to miss out on a hidden treasure.

Happy weekend to you, friend.

Expand full comment
Brooke Shorey's avatar

Just finished Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, which is a rather heartwarming book, and jumped right in to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I am almost finished with that and don't know what to pick up next! For non-fiction, I'm slow starting on Mark Vroegop's Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy.

Enjoy time with the baby!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Thanks for sharing these titles, Brooke. I was a big Agatha Christie fan back in my high school days and I don't think I've read her since then. I'm jotting her name down and will take a look again.

And yes please to the baby. I . Can . Not . Wait.

Expand full comment
Joanne's avatar

Oh I have far too many to start listing! We arrived home from Maine (where I purchased 3 books) to find that 8 of my library requests had all come in at once. Then in Newport yesterday I bought another book... I might have to stop sleeping in order to get through them all!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

12 books!!!! Welcome home, Joanne!!!!

Expand full comment
nancyaruegg.com's avatar

So many intriguing titles to explore--thank you, LInda! I'm still rereading the Mitford series, and have only just begun the third! (I don't spend as much time reading fiction as I'd like.) As for nonfiction, my current book is an older work, Daughters of Eve by Virginia Stem Owens (NavPress, 1995), about women of the Bible. She writes their stories in a somewhat narrative style with much historic and cultural info woven in, as well as insight into each woman's experience. 'Enjoying very much!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I remember Daughters of Eve, Nancy. Thanks for the nudge to re-read again. I'm jotting it down even as we speak. I always appreciate when we can glean from the cultural and historical perspective of the time in which the Bible was written. A whole lot of things begin to make more sense and our depth of understanding grows.

Expand full comment
nancyaruegg.com's avatar

Amen to that, my friend!

Expand full comment
Martha Jane Orlando's avatar

I'm not reading with the voracity I used to, Linda, and the only challenge I've set for the year is to read the entire Bible. I'm currently reading Only the Strong by Tom Cotton. Lots of great history regarding our nation. After that, I'll be reading a fiction novel of some sort. Blessings!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Martha, thanks for the reminder not to neglect God's Word. When all is said and done, His is the only book we ever needed, the only written Word that will stand the test of time forever. Bless you!

Expand full comment
Cindy's Book Corner's avatar

Happy weekend, Linda! Enjoy that baby time :) I will look into the challenge, but probably won't participate, I am doing SO many already this summer!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Oh cool! Can you share some of them?

Expand full comment
Jamie S. Harper's avatar

Thanks for sharing the reading challenge and kindle deals. It’s so fun to see what you were reading in the time capsule up to 30 years ago.

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I feel like it's past time for a revisit with Eugenia Price and her outstanding St. Simons Island novels!

Expand full comment
Linda Hoye's avatar

Many thanks for mentioning my paper-making journey, Linda! Now, off to browse those book recommendations . . .

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

I hope you find the perfect summer literary adventure, Linda.

Expand full comment
Alicia Hamilton's avatar

Linda, I am HONORED you are featuring the reading challenge! Thank you!

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

And I'm so excited to step up my reading life this summer, Alicia! Many thanks for the gentle challenge.

Expand full comment
Meemanator's avatar

Highly recommend the A.W. Tozer book. 👍

Expand full comment
Linda Stoll's avatar

Yes, Tozer is always a classic to reach for ...

Expand full comment