My Reading: February Recap & March TBR

My February 2020 Reads: 

In February, I finished five fiction novels, two poetry collections, and one non-fiction book. 📚 I'm truly thrilled with my reading progress as I've started taking a medication that makes me sleepy and I'm having trouble staying awake past 8:30 p.m. 😴

In February, I finished:

1. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse compiled by A. W. Tozer. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. Secrets of the Pastor's Wife by Christina Ryan Claypool. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐


6. Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.


7. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


8. Showers of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice - ⭐⭐⭐ - I've read other collections of her poems that I really liked, but this one just didn't appeal to me.

Like last month, I can't choose a favorite for February. I delighted in my nightly readings from The Christian Book of Mystical Verse, but I couldn't put down The Runaway Bride which I feel pretty sure will end up on my favorite books of 2020 list.

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Expected March 2020 Reads:

In March, I hope to read:

1. Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese - My first novel by this author!


2. Promised Land by Robert Whitlow - The sequel to Chosen People and my local book club's selection for March.


3. The Basic Bible Atlas: A Fascinating Guide to the Land of the Bible by John A. Beck.


4. The Socialite by J'nell Ciesielski - Another new-to-me author!


5. A Wing and a Prayer by Julie Lessman - It's been so long since I've read a book by Julie Lessman and I'm excited about it!


6. Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel.


7. A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson. - Currently reading and enjoying!


8. His Lady in Hiding by Jen Geigle Johnson.

 What will you read this month?

Book Review: The Christian Book of Mystical Verse

About the Book:

"... some of the best devotional verse the English language affords..."

While the term "mystic" may have connotations that reach beyond traditional Christian thinking, it actually refers to a common spiritual experience that unites anyone who has fellowship with God.

The poems in this book were hand-picked by Tozer and follow a logical pattern, going in line with the very nature of salvation itself and the death of Jesus on the cross, man's contemplation of his own sin, redemption, communion with God, awaiting the return of Christ, and celebrations of eternal fellowship with God in Heaven.

Both intimate and exhilarating, The Christian Book of Mystical Verse is a book for anyone who seeks to worship God the Father, and who finds the rich language of Christians of old a great help in that endeavor.

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My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Christian Book of Mystical Verse compiled by A. W. Tozer. This collection includes hymns and prayers, but the majority of it is lyric poetry. Most selections are not written in easy-to-read, common speech; however, the effort to read slowly and experience the text is worth the effort. Many of the poems contain exuberant praise that serves as an uplifting reminder of the greatness of God.

The Christian Book of Mystical Verse is divided into fifteen topical sections and The Prayer of Quiet was my favorite section. This collection did not include some of the well-known poets I expected, but I enjoyed being introduced to new-to-me authors such as Frederick William Faber whose beautiful poetry featured often. Some of my favorite poems were: The Greatness of God by Frederick William Faber, Prayer for Purity by Nicolaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf, My God! Silent to Thee! By Thomas Moore, and In Immanuel’s Land by Anne R. Cousin.

Perhaps you’re wondering about the word “mystical” in the title. A. W. Tozer explains in his introduction: “The word ‘mystic’ as it occurs in the title of this book refers to that personal spiritual experience common to the saints of Bible times and well known to multitudes of persons in the post-Biblical era. I refer to the evangelical mystic who has been brought by the gospel into intimate fellowship with the Godhead… He [or she] exists in a world of spiritual reality.” (Pg. 16)

I recommend The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading compiled by A. W. Tozer to any Christian believer who enjoys lyric poetry.

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

January Recap & February TBR

My January 2020 Reads: 

January was a bit of a rough month in my real life, but it went well reading-wise.😁 Did you read any books in January? I'd love to hear about it!

In January, I finished:

1. On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Booked by Karen Swallow Prior. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.


4. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - ⭐⭐⭐⭐


5. Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


8. Miracles and Other Reasonable Things by Sarah Bessey - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - ⭐⭐ - I know it's a classic and had amazing prose, but I just couldn't get over the tragedy. 🤦

My favorite book this month was.... either On Wings of Devotion or Booked. I can't choose! 🤣

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Expected February 2020 Reads:

In February, I have a rather ambitious reading list:

1. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke - My local book club's selection for this month.


2. Showers of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice - I like to read a few of her poems daily.


3. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse compiled by A. W. Tozer - I'm loving this one so far!


4. Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette - Connilyn is one of my favorite Biblical Fiction authors and I am so excited for this one!


5. Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher.


6. Secrets of the Pastor's Wife by Christina Ryan Claypool.


7. A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson.


8. The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund - Fingers crossed that I get chosen for the launch team for this one. If not, maybe I'll pick another Jody Hedlund book to read.

 What will you read this month?