Anyone else literally wondering where August went?
Not to be like every other basic gen z girl on the planet posting recaps of this past month and quoting Taylor Swift’s song, “August”
but it seriously did “slip away into a moment in time.”
READING UPDATE
Book #1
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
“An uneasy mind is difficult to quiet.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel that’s completely gripped and fascinated me- keeping me on my toes and engaging my mind. The Golden Couple did just that. Part thriller, part mystery, this book, which is written by two authors, follows the journey of wealthy Washington suburbanites, Marissa and Matthew Bishop, who hire Avery Chambers, a therapist who has lost her professional license due to her unconventional methods, to help them repair their marriage for the sake of their 8 year old son and the lavish life and reputation they’ve built together. As the book progresses however, the meetings which are intended to stitch their marriage back together, instead begin to unravel a web of lies and deceit from each of the people involved in the Bishop’s lives, which will keep you guessing from beginning to end.
It can be hard to find well written thrillers that aren’t loaded with gore, filthy language or sexual immorality and although this book is definitely meant for adult audiences, the contents weren’t graphic, which I definitely appreciated. To be able to craft a story that is both haunting and captivating, without being explicit, speaks to the creative talent of these writers.
I consumed The Golden Couple in just a couple days (and late nights) and I already can’t wait to get my hands on some more of these incredible authors works!
Book #2
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
“Don’t be afraid.
Take chances.
And when those don’t work out-
take more.”
When Jack meets Kate on a staircase at a party, their story starts out in typical boy meets girl and falls in love fashion. That is until her unexpected death throws him into an even more unexpected time loop, beginning with the moment he meets her, to the moment she passes away, then repeating over and over again- each loop with a different set of consequences and new lessons learned as Jack tries to find ways to stop the inevitable- losing the girl he loves.
Jack’s character is humorous and heartfelt and he’s surrounded by a colorful and supportive cast of friends and family who journey alongside him through each loop. The author writes with fresh and witty dialogue and each character has a distinct voice in the story. However, Kate’s role in the book left me wanting and the length and repetition of the time loop began to bore me near the end of the book.
Just like most YA romances, Opposite of Always is a story of ups and downs, highs and lows, humor and heartbreak. It’s an entertaining read from a debut author, but probably not one I’d pick up again.
Book #3
The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
“Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness, with acknowledgement of it, is the fittest seat and subject for God to perfect his strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to him whom our strength lies.”
This book was gifted to me by my sister in law for my birthday last Spring. Although only 128 pages long, it is small but mighty and I was only able to digest a couple pages of it a day.
The Bruised Reed is based on the verses in Isaiah which describe the compassionate and gentle character of Jesus by saying, “a bruised reed he will not break and a smoking flax he will not quench.” The main theme centers on the truth that our weak and fallen human natures do not bar us from the grace of God, but rather qualify us for it.
Some old books are like some old people- they look down on you, they don’t understand your culture and they can’t relate to your problems. This book was quite the opposite. Much to my surprise, the spiritual struggles the puritans were facing in 1630 are akin to the ones we face today and the timeless truths shared were a comfort and a challenge to me- despite being written almost 400 years ago.
Though small, I would definitely recommend reading through this book a little at a time, as I did. Not only is the old english language hard to digest at times, each page of The Bruised Reed is is loaded with truth that you will want to soak in and saturate- as I will continue to do so for years to come!
WRITING UPDATE:
I wrote a blog post last month titled “Be Kind to Yourself.” In the spirit of that post, instead of beating myself up for my lack of progress I made on my novel in August, I will give myself grace, just as Jesus does.
At the beginning of the month, I wrote a few thousand words but as it progressed, and a few challenges presented themselves in my personal life, I was just simply not in the right headspace to write.
I wish that wasn’t the case, I wish I could have broken through those mental barriers-
but I didn’t this month. And that’s ok.
My value is not dependent on my works. And neither is yours.
I began this recap post by quoting Taylor Swift’s “August” and I’ll end by quoting another part of the song-
“Back when we were still changin’ for the better -wanting was enough
For me, it was enough- to live for the hope of it all…”
As long as we keep wanting, as long as we keep hoping, that is progress in and of itself. Here’s to September- and the promise a new month brings!
[…] I read The Golden Couple by Green Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, which you can read the review of here. I really enjoyed it because it was a thriller full of suspense and mystery without being gory or […]