What I’m Reading

I’ll blog on some of these books down the road, but I thought I’d share what I’m reading right now and my initial thoughts on these books.

Forgiving What You Can’t Forget Lysa Terkeurst

This New York Times bestseller stuck out to me because of its title. So often we’re told to forgive and forget, when the truth is that there are things we can’t forget. This is especially the case for those who face trauma and deal with PTSD. I appreciate Terkeurst’s story and message, but I’m not far enough into the story to give it an official thumbs up or thumbs down. What I can say is that it is very honest and personal. She speaks from experience, and with compassion.

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud

This is one I am reading with a friend. I’m a few chapters into it and so far, I find myself nodding my head often. Cloud gives sensible advice and points out our tendency to let things continue too long when we would benefit far more by ending some of them. This includes having to fire people, end relationships, or stop spending so much time on activities that are sucking time and energy away from things that matter.

Connecting by Larry Crabb

I’m a quarter of the way into this one and, though I appreciate Crabb’s point that the church could and should do more to help people connect with each other on a deeper level, I have a few problems with his theology. He’s a counselor, not a theologian, but when he starts talking about the trinity mirroring what should be happening in human relationships a warning alarm goes off in my head (“Warning: potential heresy!”). Still, he has some good points, so I’ll continue this one.

The Phoenix and the Carpet by E.Nesbit

I’m about halfway through this one, which is the sequel to Five Children and It, and I am over the moon for this book. This is what children’s fantasy ought to be! The children are having an ordinary, boring day until their father gives them a carpet, which turns out to be magical, which they find out from the magical phoenix that comes with it. I like the personality of the Phoenix better than the Psammead in the first book (he was too grumpy) and I love that the children’s adventures are more varied, and don’t all end in disaster.

The Shadows by George MacDonald

I’ve just started this delightful fairytale, which I haven’t read before. So far, it is intriguing, mysterious, and playful. The shadows are impish, but part of me wonders if they have nefarious purposes. I’ve seen shadows in other works by MacDonald, and they usually represent spirits that have passed on. I look forward to finishing this one and blogging about it.

So, that’s what I’m reading. What about you?

***Images above from Amazon.