Porch #154 🍊 October Bookbag

A trio of life-impacting 2024 reads starring Kendra Adachi, Henry Cloud, & Kristin Hannah (+ our monthly 30 year literary time capsule)

The windows are open as I read to you … you’ll probably hear traffic, dogs, birds, crickets & maybe even the neighbors! Listen in …

Hey, all you long-time readers and brand new booklovin’ friends -

For 16 1/2 years now, I’ve been hitting the PUBLISH button on these BOOKBAG posts. And so many of you have connected with me along the way and told me you not only add the titles to your own personal TBR pile, but share the love with your book club and small group, your followers and next-generation family members.

I couldn’t be happier.

Here you go!

• A spiritual memoir written for a specific purpose.

• A guidebook for a woman’s unique planning and pivoting needs.

• A blockbuster of a novel that I hesitated to pick up.

1. Why I Believe: A Psychologist’s Thoughts on Suffering, Miracles, Science, & Faith
   Dr. Henry Cloud
   profound . vulnerable . reflective

The author writes, ‘I would never want to put pressure on anyone, make them feel uneasy, or weird, or judged for their own beliefs. So, for those reasons, I often have this problem: Even though they do not want to feel weird, and I do not want to make them feel that way, I still want my friends to know that God is real, and I want them to meet Him … So, I decided to solve my problem. I am writing down some of my thoughts about God for my friends. The stuff we never talked about.’

Wrestle with Henry’s chapter The Greatest Obstacle of All: How Can a Good God Allow Suffering and Evil. Simply outstanding. Worth the cost of the book alone.

Straight common sense talk on faith from an esteemed psychologist and author, written for his real life friends.

🍊

2. The Plan: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius
   Kendra Adachi
   intuitive . thoughtful . practical

Kendra’s Monday podcast is such good company that I end up staying in the kitchen those evenings a whole lot longer than usual. That’s a very good thing around here. And I’m all about her emphasis on being kind and compassionate to ourselves and others, especially family members. And I can’t help but applaud the whole concept of pivoting graciously as life happens instead of frantically living or dying by compulsive schedules and to-do lists that are useless in the particular season you or your people may find yourselves in.

Kendra says, ‘The first section is called "Principles" and lays out The PLAN Pyramid, the main framework of the book. That's your broad strokes, and they're different strokes than you've ever read. The second section is called "Strategies" and has lots of practical approaches to daily, weekly, and monthly planning, along with chapters on to-do lists, goal setting, and planning projects. This is a zero-shame time management book. You will feel light and alive at the end of it.’

🍊

3. The Women: A Novel
   Kristin Hannah
   intense . captivating . heartrending

This will be one of my top novels this year. Hands down. I was reluctant to wade into the storyline, but once I did, there was no going back.

‘The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.’

🍊

MY 30 YEAR LITERARY TIME CAPSULE
- what we were reading back in the day -
1 year ago
Wonder in the Waiting: An Advent Devotional
Angela Burtis (my conversation with her is here!)

5 years ago
Miracles & Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning & Relearning God
Sarah Bessey ($2.99!)

10 years ago
The Passion of Mary-Margaret: A Novel
Lisa Samson

15 years ago
Who Stole My Church?: What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century
Gordon MacDonald

20 years ago
Boundaries in Marriage: Understanding the Choices That Make or Break Loving Relationships
Henry Cloud & John Townsend

25 years ago
Women Mentoring Women: Ways to Start, Maintain, & Expand a Biblical Women's Ministry
Vickie Kraft

30 years ago
Country Christmas (Country Living Magazine)
Bo Niles

I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading this week … or hope to get to next … or enjoyed back in the day. Let’s talk! (And yes, you quiet ones go ahead and hit that blue button to get a peek on the action.)
Linda

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PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits

🛒 I appreciate all of you who are supporting my work when you click on any Amazon link here & then shop 'til you drop.  That's it!  A few cents go into my pocket at no extra cost to you ever. You’re happy, I’m happy, it’s a win-win.

🔗 Anne . Paula . Joanne . Andrew . Joanne . Lynn