November 2021 Reads & December 2021 TBR

My November 2021 Reads:

As you can see, I did more reading than review writing in November. I hope to catch up on those soon. Time gets away from me, especially during the holidays.

1. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. After She Falls by Carmen Schober. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Heirs of Falcon Point by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A.L. Sowards - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review. 


4. Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us by Jasmine L. Holmes. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Read my review.


5. Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. You and Me by Becky Wade - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

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Expected December 2021 Reads:

This list of December reads is really more of a wish list. With all the Christmas season, I don't expect to get through more than three of these.

1. A Second Chance by Walt Mussell.


2. Elinor by Shannon McNear.


3. Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae. - I've wanted to read this one since I read and loved A Dark Beauty.


4. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. - Recently nominated for a Christy award!


5. The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin. - My local book club's selection for December.


6. The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch.

What will you read this month?

October 2021 Reads & November 2021 TBR

My October 2021 Reads:

1. Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy - ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 - Review coming 11/06/21.


2. One Transforming Love by Erin Elise Kiu - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. The Water Keeper by Charles Martin - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come. 


4. Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. The Heart of a Cowboy by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐


6. Falling for Your Best Friend's Twin by Emma St. Clair - ⭐⭐

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Expected November 2021 Reads:

In November, I plan to read:

1. After She Falls by Carmen Schober. - A promising, debut novel!


2. Heirs of Falcon Point by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A.L. Sowards. - One novel written by four authors! - Currently reading.


3. Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae. - I've wanted to read this one since I read and loved A Dark Beauty.


4. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. - Recently nominated for a Christy award!


5. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - My local book club's November selection. This will be a reread for me. Read my review here.


6. The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch.


7. Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us by Jasmine L. Holmes. - Currently reading!

What will you read this month?

Outstanding Reads in 2020

Top 2020 Reads:

Happy New Year's Eve! At the end of every year, I like to look back at my Goodreads list of "read" books and pick out the ones that impressed me the most. Without further ado, here they are in no particular order.

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Booked by Karen Swallow Prior - Read my review.

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Emberhawk by Jamie Foley - Read my review.

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A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy - Read my review.

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The Socialite by J'nell Ciesielski - Read my review.

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Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson - Read my review.

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Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar - Read my review.

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The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - Read my review.

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Great Poems compiled by Kate Miles

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Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray - Read my review.

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With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander - Read my review.

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

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Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green - Read my review.

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First Line Fridays: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Happy Friday! 

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

"As the sun climbed above the horizon, strokes of lavender, orange, and pink painted the awakening sky."

Have you read The Right Kind of Fool? If not, check out the book blurb below and read my review. I found this book fascinating and gave it five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!

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About the Book:

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son's deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal's life and language. But when he's pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

November Reading Recap & December TBR

My November 2020 Reads:

 In November, I finished:

1. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


5. A World Full of Poems: Inspiring Poetry for Children selected by Sylvia M. Vardell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


6. Resisting Dylan by Sophia Summers - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Cupcakes & Crumbs by Melissa McClone - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


8. When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


9. Panning for Love by Meg Cross Wenig - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.


10. Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions by V. Joy Palmer - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.


11. The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

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Expected December 2020 Reads:

In December, I hope to read:

1. Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep - This will be a reread for me. My local book club chose it as the December selection and I'm looking forward to revising it. Read my original review here.


2. To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette - I'm so excited for a new book by Connilyn Cossette. When I think of Biblical-era fiction, she's at the top of my author list!


3. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.


4. Discipline Your Kids with Positive Parenting by Nicole Libin.


5. Make Life Beautiful by Syd & Shea McGee.


6. The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark.


7. The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren.

What will you read this month?

Book Review: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

About the Book:

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son's deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal's life and language. But when he's pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

Read an excerpt from The Right Kind of Fool on the publishers website.

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My Thoughts:

The Right Kind of Fool is the first book I have read by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I am so glad that I gave this story a chance. I fell in love with Loyal, Creed, and Delphy right at the beginning. Not only were the characters highly interesting, but their unique family situation and town culture drew my attention. Add in a murder and my interest was hooked. Even though it took me nearly a week to read through the book, I never lost interest or forgot where I was in the story. Every evening, it felt like a treat when I picked up this novel to read.

Surprisingly, I empathized and identified deeply with Loyal Raines, a deaf teenage boy on the cusp of becoming a man. Both his and his parents’ struggles and character development felt authentic. As their complicated relationships strained and strengthened, I rooted for things to work out for all involved. To my surprise and pleasure, plots twists that felt natural and right kept things fresh. I appreciated the inspiring themes of loyalty, honesty, and overcoming fear that permeated this novel.

I recommend The Right Kind of Fool to readers who enjoy historical fiction driven by relationships possessing tension, growth, and commitment. I found this book fascinating and I look forward to reading more novels by Sarah Loudin Thomas. 5 Stars!

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.

October Reading Recap & November TBR

My October 2020 Reads: 

 In October, I finished:

1. Pearl in the Sand (10th anniversary edition) by Tessa Afshar - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


4. The Sowing Season by Katie Powner - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. The Gospel in Dickens edited by Gina Dalfonzo. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. Staying Stylish by Candace Cameron Bure - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


7. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


8. Blue Moon by Jenny Knipfer - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.


9. Afraid of the Light by Cynthia Ruchti - ⭐⭐⭐ 

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Expected November 2020 Reads:

In November, I hope to read:

1. When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas - My local book club's selection for November!


2. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas.


3. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - A classic that I haven't read in many years.


4. The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge. - A devotional that goes chapter-by-chapter through Anne of Green Gables. I'm enjoying it so far!


5. Resisting Dylan by Sophia Summers.


6. Cupcakes & Crumbs by Melissa McClone.

What will you read this month?