December Twitterature

December 16, 2013 ~ Emily ~ 8 Comments

With only 15 days left of 2013, I’m kind of in a reading race to finish all the books I unwittingly started in the past month or so and then never finished. This is quite the departure from my normal, very methodical reading habits. Here’s three I can now check off my list.

Linking up with Anne for this month’s Twitterature.

Amazon Affiliate links included in this post. Any purchase you make supports this blog, with no extra cost to you!

Packing Light: Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage by Allison Vesterfelt

A memoir/travelog about a 50-state road trip taken by the author and her friend after they quit their jobs and sold most of their possessions. An engaging read with poignant observations throughout.

Check out my full review here.

Tell Your Time: How To Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free by Amy Lynn Andrews

Her tech blog is immensely helpful, and so is this quick (and inexpensive) read. Amy shares her time management system but the real help comes from defining your roles and goals – which she walks you through. #ebook

More on my own roles and goals coming soon!

Reinventing Rachel by Alison Strobel

Fast-paced narrative that doesn’t shy away from real-life themes and struggles like addiction, divorce, and mental disorders. The second novel by Alison that I’ve enjoyed this year. #notyourtypicalchristianfiction (Bonus: The paperback is bargain priced right now!)

Reflections on this author coming at the end of the month when I join Sarah for an end of the year book list link-up. You should join in too!

November Twitterature

November 15, 2013 ~ Emily ~ 4 Comments

Linking up with Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy for another round of Twitterature. I only finished a couple new books, and one that I have read before, but they were are all worth reading!

You can check out all the books I’ve read this year here.

(This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.)

A Beautiful Mess: A Perfectionist’s Journey Through Self-Care by Kristin Ritzau

More clinical than @EmilyPFreeman’s lyrical approach in Grace For The Good Gir l, but same themes of hope and freedom for perfectionists. The Second half, in which Ritzau explores the five areas in our lives we need to examine before acceptance is possible was enlightening.

A Million Little Ways: Uncover The Art You Were Made To Live by Emily FreemanAnother winner from @EmilyPFreeman. Powerful and timely encouragement to live your art despite living in a world of comparison and distraction.

Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes by Shauna Niequist

It’s no secret that I love this book. This is my second read through of the year. Read more about why it’s one of my favorites of 2013 here, here, here, and here.

Speaking of Bread and Wine… Here’s the last two installments of my expanded discussion guide for the book:

October Twitterature

October 15, 2013 ~ Emily ~ 15 Comments

It’s been awhile since I linked up with Anne for Twitterature. Much of my reading the past few months has been rereading… I read the Harry Potter series again and Tim and I just started reading The Chronicles of Narnia aloud before bed. I’ve only read two new books in the meantime.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

I can’t stop talking/thinking about this book! Examines all angles of an introvert’s inner workings and how they function in an extroverted world. A must read for introverts; worth the read for extroverts. #INFJ

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Writer and star of The Office riffs on her childhood, love life, and time in NY. A couple chuckles. No gaffaws. A decent read for my 12 hour day of airplane travel, but not as funny as I was hoping (and certainly not worth buying). #funnierontv

Currently Reading

A Beautiful Mess: A Perfectionist’s Journey Through Self-Care, which I only got half-way through earlier this summer.

Bread and Wine a second time for a book club.

Emily Freeman’s A Million Little Ways will be in my mailbox this Wednesday!

Amazon Affiliate links included in this post. If you click through to Amazon, any purchase you make supports Primitive Roads (without any extra cost to you!).

Twitterature Link Up

June 14, 2013 ~ Emily ~ 7 Comments

Linking up (again) with Modern Mrs. Darcy for some short, casual book reviews.

Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas

Developing radical spiritual strength by addressing physical fitness? That’s the plot. I may not fully agree with the conclusion, but the book is motivating and thought provoking. #workingonmyfitness #Hesmywitness

Grace In Thine Eyes by Liz Curtis Higgs

Biblical story of Dinah set in the Scottish Lowlands. Continuation of a fantastic series. Some intentional deviations from the original, so don’t skip the author’s notes! #tissuesnecessary #teammcdonald

Epilogue: Visit Liz’s second author website, My Scottish Heart, for a virtual tour of Scotland, etc.

As For Me And My Crazy House by Brian Berry

The best thing for your marriage is a healthy self. The best thing for your family is a healthy marriage. The best thing for your ministry is a healthy family. All of the above addressed with wisdom and humor. #ministrymustread

Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel

I could identify with some of Amelia’s situation -newlywed, twenty-something living in Los Angeles needing to move to a more rural locale when her pastor husband gets a job. Realistic portrayal of marriage, change, mental illness, and different stages in a faith journey. #emotionalrollercoaster

Epilogue: Reinventing Rachel is cued up on my Nook!

The Novelist by L.L. Barkat

No doubt Barkat is a skilled writer. This is a subtle how-to chronicling the main character’s struggles to craft her first novel. It will suck you in and make your scratch your head. Poetry and literary references abound.

Epilogue: An interview with L.L. Barkat via Kindred Grace and 10 Things Every Novelist Needs, a blog post by the aforementioned Liz Curtis Higgs.

You Are A Writer by Jeff Goins

Do you NEED to write? Me too. I’ve never been more inspired to BE a writer and devote hours to my craft. Part personal experience, part advice, part cheering squad, Goins makes it seem possible to make writing an occupation. #startcreating #noteasybutpossible

Epilogue: I’m A Writer – beautiful post written by Kristen of Five In Tow.

DISCLOSURE: I received The Novelist and You Are A Writer for free via Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review. This post contains my affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Primitive Roads!

Read Along The Road

April 15, 2013 ~ Emily ~ 11 Comments

I’m taking a page from Modern Mrs. Darcy and doing my book reviews Twitter style. Not sure if I can keep these snippets under 140 characters a la MMD’s Twitterature, but I will certainly try!

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

100 Thing Challenge by Dave Bruno

A bit pretentious at times, but I’m a sucker for anything related to simplicity. If you’re wanting a spiritual challenge and immense hilarity along with simplicity, you’re better off with Jen Hatmaker’s 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. #quickread

Adam by Henri Nouwen

Worldview rocked. I won’t ever look at physical, mental, or emotional disabilities the same. Nouwen’s heartfelt tribute to a dear friend is poignant, playing on themes from previous works like Life of The Beloved.

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Read it. Make the recipes. Find people to share a meal at your table. #cookbook #fantasticbook #bestofbothworlds Then, read Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet.

How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill

Didn’t have a ton of sympathy for Mike, but I closed the book loving Starbucks even more. Good for a coffee lover. #mythirdplace

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay

Extreme, but realistic, look at what could happen on a third-world missions trip. Not your typical “everything is perfect” Christian fiction ending. Plus, the teen romance factor wasn’t cloying or simpy. #pageturner #refreshing

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