What I’m Reading – February

To keep on track with my goal to read 50 books this year, I started a monthly posting series titled “What I’m Reading.” As I share what I’ve been keeping on my nightstand, I would love to hear what you’ve been digging into as well. Scroll down to the bottom and leave a comment. What have you been reading lately?

Here are the books I read in February:

7. The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst

I have worked hard the past few years to say no more than I say yes. This book drives home the point that if you say yes to a lot of good things, you will not be able to say yes to the best things. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I was reading this book as I was offered a very tempting “good thing.” I’m thankful for the process Lysa offers in The Best Yes that helped me make the decision to say no to this tempting offer. I know I will go back and refer to this book again and again.

8. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

I had seen this on the reading list of some very smart friends, so I wanted to see what it was about. What I found was an eye-opening account of the criminal justice system and legal racism that I had no idea existed. Everyone should read this book.

9. Yes Please by Amy Poehler

I was something like 267th in line when I requested this book at the library (which I now realize confirms my old lady status). When I finally went to pick it up, I almost dropped it because the thing weighs approximately fifty pounds. I read Yes Please in less than twenty-four hours. There are some jaw-dropping spurts of language and profanity, but this book is hilarious and beautiful and I absolutely loved it.

10. Lessons in Belonging from a Church-Going Commitment Phobe by Erin S. Lane

I saw this on the “new books” table at the library and picked it up on a whim. This is a memoir written by a young married woman who is trying to find her way to belonging in the right church setting. While my personality is quite different from the author’s I could see myself in some of what she was going through. This book is raw and honest and introspective. I enjoyed it.

11. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & a Saint by Nadia Bolz-Weber

This book is raw and real and beautiful. From the amazon summary: “Heavily tattooed and loud-mouthed, Nadia, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn’t consider herself to be religious leader material-until the day she ended up leading a friend’s funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor.” I absolutely loved and devoured this book. (Warning: Lots of language.)

12. The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith

I grabbed this from the library, thinking I would just flip through the pages and browse a little bit. But once I sat down and started reading, I couldn’t stop. This book spoke to me as a serial mover-and-renter who has waited too long for the “perfect home” before decorating and settling in. I love the heart behind this book as Myquillyn challenges the reader to decide what home means to you, then gently guides you how to get there, whether you own, rent, or move every five minutes (baseball families, you know what I’m talking about).

13. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

I couldn’t put this thriller down. I don’t even remember how it ended up on my library list, and I had no idea what it was about, but I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what happened. My only critique of the book was the few times it used adult language it felt forced and unnecessary. But still very much worth reading if you’re into suspense novels.

Currently reading:

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner

On my nightstand:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman

Previous Posts:

What I’m Reading – January

This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to click through and buy one of the books I mentioned, Amazon will throw me a few pennies. 

What are you reading? What should I add to my list?