January 2023 Reading Recap & February 2023 TBR

My January 2023 Reads: 

I read lots of poetry in January and I have no regrets. 

1. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Walking With My Angel by Adam Scott Campbell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Woman of God by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This novel surprised me. It's a general market fiction novel that held some things I don't enjoy (occasional profanity, irreverent attitude toward God), but it also contained a religious depth that I appreciated. More conservative readers might be offended by a woman in a church leadership role or the occasional mention of gay/lesbian inclusivity in the church. Overall, I enjoyed reading the novel and appreciated Brigid's authentic journey to/with God.
   


4. The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Poems by C. S. Lewis -  ⭐⭐⭐½ - This collection reminded me of the poetry I read in college. While I appreciated its literary excellence, I only liked a handful of the poems. 🙁


6. Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

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Expected February 2023 Reads:

1. The Glass Road by Alyssa Schwarz.


2. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. - Yes! I read this book in January, and I'll be reading it again in February as it's my local book club's monthly selection.


3. Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau.


4. The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy.


5. An Explorer's Guide to Julian of Norwich by Veronica Mary Rolf - Currently reading and I absolutely love it!


6. The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin.


7. Return From Tomorrow by George G. Ritchie and Elizabeth Sherrill.


8. Endless Grace by Dan Wilt and Ryan Smith. - Prayers inspired by Psalms 76-150 - Currently reading.

What will you read this month?

Book Review: Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson

About the Book:

Anxiety and fear seek to prey on the damaged and create heavy burdens that scar the soul, being heartless and insensitive to the lost, unkempt, and broken-spirited in a troubled, unwholesome world. However, they do not reign for eternity, as faith, resilience, and empowerment remain planted from within to help overcome pressing obstacles, regardless of how difficult they may be.

Peace in the Midst of the Storm primarily focuses on the beauty of positivity, selflessness, and honorable confidence that symbolizes the importance of light being present within darkness. This book also holds accountability in facing the realization that as life may prove frustrating at times, giving up is never an option! This shows that regardless of our mistakes, life does not promise us that we will remain positioned in negativity. What we were in our pasts will not seep into who we have grown to be as positive individuals. What we have now realized is that we often must prepare to speak victory over our storms and, as we continue to encourage ourselves to do that, we will overcome anything.

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My Thoughts:

In Peace in the Midst of the Storm, Kaleb Thompson invites the reader to join him in being “passionate in denouncing negativity of any kind (page 32).” The poetry in this collection seems so deeply personal that I’m remiss to critique the narrator’s experiences and feelings. Rather, I’ll note that the purpose of this collection is to encourage the reader toward wholeness and wellbeing. The poetry presents a compelling, recurrent message about setting boundaries and leaving toxic relationships. It also emphasizes career empowerment and financial success.

The poems in Peace in the Midst of the Storm Thompson are written in easy-to-read, contemporary English. Sometimes, the narrative tone switches from prayerful lines to prophetic declarations within a stanza. All the poems adhere to a freestyle form to express powerful thoughts and strong feelings, but the lack of ending punctuation stood out to me. Depending on the reader’s tolerance for grammatical deviation, this may or may not be an issue.

Recommended for readers who enjoy inspirational, freestyle poetry.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

December 2022 Reading Recap & January 2023 TBR

My December 2022 Reads: 

Christmas break provided me with extra reading time and I'm thankful for it. 😊 I managed to complete my 2022 Goodreads challenge of reading 75 books this year. In a few days, I'll be posting my lists of favorite reads.

1. All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family, and the Rise of Sarasota by Frank A. Cassell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Giving Your Words by Sally and Clay Clarkson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. A Life Renewed by Olivia Rae - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review available 1/12/23.


5. In Love's Time by Kate Breslin  - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. Entertaining Angels: True Stories and Art Inspired by Divine Encounters by Anne Neilson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph with a gender-swapped, fantasy setting. Interesting, with some really good spiritual truths.


8. Just Enough Luck by Aspen Hadley - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - My favorite of The Drake Duology. Fun to read once.


9. Just Enough Magic by Aspen Hadley - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


10. A Winter at the White Queen by Denise Weimer - ⭐⭐ - Though I received a finished copy, the novella held a weak story and errors in spelling and grammar (particularly in the first few chapters).

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Expected January 2023 Reads:

Looking at this list, it looks like I'll be adding lots of poetry to my reading. 👍

1. Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels.


2. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. - Laura is one of my favorite authors and I'm looking forward to this one!


3. Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson. - Inspirational poetry!


4. Walking with my Angel by Adam Scott Campbell.


5. Poems by C. S. Lewis. - Currently reading.


6. Woman of God by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - Currently reading.


7. Endless Grace by Dan Wilt and Ryan Smith. - Prayers inspired by Psalms 76-150.

What will you read this month?