No Name is proving to be a very interesting story but it’s really long! I’m sure that if I sat down and read straight through, I could finish it shortly. But it’s my nighttime reading, right before I go to bed. I think I just passed page 300. Maybe another week?

I had no idea what to expect when I borrowed I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt. I pulled it off the shelf because it sounded interesting but it took me several weeks and a renewal to start reading it. Now I’m wishing I had started earlier because I can see the value in rereading it at a slower pace. The book has made me laugh and has made me cry. I’ve already learned one valuable lesson that I want to share later.

A Heart for Freedom has been a bit of a choppy read but I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops. I have not progressed very far because I’ve been concentrating on I Became a Christian… but I will definitely focus on this book once the other is finished.

I have no idea what fiction book to tackle next! I kind of want a more modern novel but I’m not impressed with most of them. Classics take me so long to read, though, and they aren’t always the best bedtime reading. Any suggestions?

I haven’t done a Nightstand post in ages. I’ve been posting most weeks about what I’m currently reading but haven’t done a monthly roundup since… February?

Here are the notable books I’ve read this month:

• The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani – 4 star read and a new favorite. The Goodreads description: Lush and evocative, told in tantalizing detail and enriched with lovable, unforgettable characters, The Shoemaker’s Wife is a portrait of the times, the places and the people who defined the immigrant experience, claiming their portion of the American dream with ambition and resolve, cutting it to fit their needs like the finest Italian silk.

• Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin – 4 stars. A Christian historical novel, I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I borrowed it from the library. I recognized the author’s name but wasn’t sure if I had read the previous books in this particular series. It turns out I haven’t, but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of Blue Skies Tomorrow. It definitely stands on its own.

• The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss – I had no idea I would like this how-to guide on starting a business. I picked it up for my husband and he devoured it. He kept quoting various passages to me so I read it for myself. I don’t know if I’ll ever start my own business, but the possibilities are definitely floating around in the back of my mind.

Upcoming reads:

Everything I’m currently trying to finish.
Ashton Park by Murray Pura
A Heart for Freedom: The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Quest to Free China’s Daughters by Chai Ling
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Happy reading!!

This week is mostly a continuation of a few books I’ve been reading recently.

So far this one is more depressing than anything. I’m hoping it gets past the “reasons why people fail” and moves on to the “things we can learn from this to succeed.”

No Name has been interesting thus far! I wasn’t sure what I would think of it but I’m intrigued by the plot and the characters. It’s a fat book so I think it’ll probably take me awhile to finish.

Eat & Run is rather motivating thus far. It pushed me out the door for a run tonight even though I really, really did not want to go. There are a few recipes in this book that I want to try.

Happy reading!