What's On Your Nightstand (December)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

Currently reading:

Uncle Tom's Cabin. Harriet Beecher Stowe. 1852. 438 pages. [Source: Bought]

I have made good progress on this one since November. But I still have a ways to go before finishing. It needs to be finished and reviewed before January 1. It is my Classics Spin for the Classics Club challenge.

KJV Reader's Bible. 2016. Holman Bible Publishers. 1840 pages. [Source: Gift]

Started this one on Christmas day. I love getting a new Bible for Christmas.

The Soul's Conflict and Victory Over Itself by Faith. Richard Sibbes. 1577-1635. 362 pages. [Source: Bought]

I am LOVING Richard Sibbes.

An Exposition of Psalm 119. Thomas Manton. 2025 pages. [Source: Bought]
Thomas Manton is another Puritan I love and adore. I've read the first 67 sermons in this one. I'm blogging through the sermons one by one.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (November)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, Holman Bible Publishers (B&H). 2017. 1840 pages. [Source: Gift]

I am tracking my progress here. But I am LOVE, LOVE, LOVING this one.

Uncle Tom's Cabin. Harriet Beecher Stowe. 1852. 438 pages. [Source: Bought]

This was my Classics Spin for the Classics Club. Definitely recommended.

The Librarian of Auschwitz. Antonio Iturbe. Translated by Lilit Thwaites. 2012/2017. 424 pages. [Source: Library]

This is an intense read. But very good so far. Dita is a fourteen year old librarian. There are eight physical books that they are keeping hidden from the Nazis. And there are also "living books" in the collection. People who are books--stories--because they are so familiar with the original. 

Prairie Fires: the American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Caroline Fraser. 2017. 640 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I only have one complaint: the chapters are super-super-super-long. But this one is packed with information and does a great job of putting her life into the context of American history. In fact, I'd say this one is part history textbook. But it's all good. I love history!

The Soul's Conflict and Victory Over Itself by Faith. Richard Sibbes. 1577-1635. 362 pages. [Source: Bought]

I am LOVING Richard Sibbes.

An Exposition of Psalm 119. Thomas Manton. 2025 pages. [Source: Bought]
Thomas Manton is another Puritan I love and adore. I've read the first 67 sermons in this one. I'm blogging through the sermons one by one.



© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (October)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

Holy Bible: Revised English Bible. 1989/1996. Cambridge. 1264 pages. [Source: Bought]

I just have a few books left in the Revised English Bible. Ezekiel and Daniel in the Old Testament. John, Titus, Philemon, James, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation in the New Testament. I'm looking to finish this one this week.

Adam Bede. George Eliot. 1859. 624 pages. [Source: Bought]

I picked this one up again this past week, shortly after finishing Castle Richmond by Anthony Trollope. I hope to finish it in the next week or two if I can stay focused!

Caroline: Little House, Revisited. Sarah Miller. 2017. 368 pages. [Source: Library]

I should finish this one this week.

The Soul's Conflict and Victory Over Itself by Faith. Richard Sibbes. 1577-1635. 362 pages. [Source: Bought]

I am LOVING Richard Sibbes.

An Exposition of Psalm 119. Thomas Manton. 2025 pages. [Source: Bought]
Thomas Manton is another Puritan I love and adore. I believe I've read the first fifty-three sermons which have covered Psalms 119:1-47.

The Woman in White. Wilkie Collins. 1859. 672 pages. [Source: Bought]

This is a reread. I know it isn't the best idea for me to be trying to read Adam Bede and The Woman in White at the same time. I will probably focus on Adam Bede. I need to check a novel by George Eliot off my Victorian Reading Challenge check list. 


© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (September)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.
First. I FINISHED the ESV Reformation Study Bible and Les Miserables!!!!

Now as to what is currently on my nightstand...

Martin Luther: A Spiritual Biography. Herman Selderhuis. 2017. Crossway. 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I thought I was Martin Luther-ed out. But I am finding Selderhuis' narrative style to be compelling. I will probably finish this one today or tomorrow.

Holy Bible: Revised English Bible. 1989/1996. Cambridge. 1264 pages. [Source: Bought]

I started 2017 by reading the New English Bible. I thought it would be appropriate to finish the year by reading the Revised English Bible which is a revision of the New English. Before 2017, I'd never read either translation.

Genuine Fraud. E. Lockhart. 2017. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

I honestly haven't decided if I love this one or HATE it. I'm not giving up on it just yet even though the reverse chronology is driving me a bit crazy. Also I'm not a big fan of unreliable narrators. I can only imagine if it was written in verse and had a love triangle thrown in as well.

Rebecca. Daphne Du Maurier. 1938. 449 pages. [Source: bought]

This would be a reread for me. I wanted to read a couple more books for the RIP challenge. I started off strong reading the first hundred pages in one day, but, I've slowed down since. Still finishing this one would help me out with my charity challenge.

Castle Richmond. Anthony Trollope. 1860. 500 pages. [Source: Bought]

Continuing my way through Trollope chronologically. This one is set in Ireland. I haven't made much progress in this one since August's post. Still I want to finish it before the end of the year.

Adam Bede. George Eliot. 1859. 624 pages. [Source: Bought]

I really want to read a George Eliot novel this year. I am hoping now that Les Miserables is finished I can sit and focus on the two other classics I'd started: Adam Bede and Castle Richmond. I really, really, really should be strict with myself about having more than one classic at a time going. My problem is TEMPTATION. I see a book, I want to read it. I don't want to WAIT to read it, I want to read it NOW. I either need to walk around my room with my eyes closed, or figure out a way to RESIST TEMPTATION.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (August)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

Go Down Together. Jeff Guinn. 2008. 468 pages. [Source: Library]

I meant to read this before going to see the musical live....but that didn't quite happen. I started reading it a couple of hours after the show this past Sunday and it is REALLY fascinating. 

The Wretched. Victor Hugo. Translated by Christine Donougher. 1862/2013. 1456 pages. [Source: Bought]

This is actually Les Miserables. I started it late June, and it looks like I'll still be reading it come September. I am over halfway done--closer to 60% actually. But other books keep saying read me.

Castle Richmond. Anthony Trollope. 1860. 500 pages. [Source: Bought]

Continuing my way through Trollope chronologically. This one is set in Ireland.

Seeking Mansfield. Kate Watson. 2017. 300 pages. [Source: Library]

A contemporary YA retelling of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

Once and For All. Sarah Dessen. 2017. 358 pages. [Source: Library]

Sarah Dessen's newest YA romance.

ESV Reformation Study Bible. 2015. Edited by R.C. Sproul. Reformation Trust. 2560 pages. [Source: Gift/Bought]

I am committing to read all 66 books of the Bible, all 66 book introductions, and any in-text articles that appear in the books of the Bible.

The Bible also contains these creeds and confessions: "The Apostles' Creed," "The Nicene Creed," "The Chalcedonian Definition of the Faith," "The Heidelberg Catechism," "The Belgic Confession," "The Canons of Dort," "The Westminster Confession of Faith," "The Westminster Larger Catechism," "The Westminster Shorter Catechism," "The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith."

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to commit to reading ALL of these. I have an e-book that has a lot of these creeds, catechisms, and confessions. That may be easier on the eyes! I will NOT, I repeat NOT be reading the study notes. Not because I don't believe in study notes, but because Sproul is very wordy and there is no conciseness!

Learning to Love the Psalms. W. Robert Godfrey. 2017. Reformation Trust. 318 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I spent a week listening to W. Robert Godfrey's teaching series on Church History. I was so excited to get the chance to review his newest book. And it's on the PSALMS!



© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (July)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

The Wretched. Victor Hugo. Translated by Christine Donougher. 1862/2013. 1456 pages. [Source: Bought]

This is actually Les Miserables. I've been reading this one all month for Paris in July. I had hoped to finish it this month. But. It's not looking likely. I am 44% done. I do LOVE the book.

The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old. Hendrik Groen. Translated by Hester Velmans. 2014/2017. 384 pages. [Source: Library]

This one had me at hello: "Another year, and I still don't like old people. Their walker shuffle, their unreasonable impatience, their endless complaints, their tea and cookies, their bellyaching. Me? I am eighty-three years old." I'm 39% done.

The Wooden Prince. (Out of Abaton #1) John Claude Bemis. 2016. 312 pages. [Source: Library]

This is a Pinocchio retelling in a fascinating fantasy world.  I am 86% done.

It Can't Happen Here. Sinclair Lewis. 1935/2005. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

Ever wondered what would happen if a racist, sexist, egotistical man was elected to the office of President of the United States? This dystopia was written in 1935. It was set in 1936. And Lewis' novel featured real people and fictional people. I am 56% done.

Great Expectations. Charles Dickens. 1860/2016. Macmillan Collector's Library. 640 pages. [Source: Library]

I am enjoying it so far! 46% done.

Learning to Love the Psalms. W. Robert Godfrey. 2017. Reformation Trust. 318 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I spent a week listening to W. Robert Godfrey's teaching series on Church History. I was so excited to get the chance to review his newest book. And it's on the PSALMS! (I am 13% done.)

An Exposition of Psalm 119. Thomas Manton. 2025 pages. [Source: Bought]
I have been LOVING this one. I don't always do a great job in reading a sermon or two a week, but I am 28% done. My next sermon will be on Psalm 119:39, "Sermon 44."

City of God. Augustine. 1097 pages. [Source: Bought]

I started reading this one in February, took several months off, and then started reading it again this July. I am 57% done. I'm about to start book 15.




© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (June)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

I finished most of what I had on my nightstand last month. I finished the KJV Reformation Study Bible, Basic Christianity, Dawn's Early Light, Blood, Bullets, and Bones, The Portrait of a Lady, and 44 Scotland Street.


I've made a good deal of progress in Thomas Manton's Exposition of Psalm 119. I've started sharing from it at Operation Actually Read Bible. Right now, I'm sharing just on Thursdays, but I might increase that as the summer continues.

I have not made much more progress in Mallthew: All Authority in Heaven and On Earth. Douglas Sean O'Donnell. I think I've read two chapters since last month.

What's NEW.

The Bertrams. Anthony Trollope. 1859. 496 pages. [Source: Bought]

I'm continuing to read Trollope chronologically. I hope to finish this one this week or weekend.

Fearless Living in Troubled Times. Michael Youssef. 2017. [August] Harvest House. 240 pages. [Source: Review copy]

This is a very thought-provoking read. Youssef is teaching from the books 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers. Deborah Heiligman. 2017. 464 pages. [Source: Library]

I've decided that his family would have been perfect guests on the Dr. Phil show. But if Dr. Phil had gotten Vincent the help he needed, would he still be remembered today? Would his masterpieces even exist?

The Heirloom Murders. Kathleen Ernst. 2011. 349 pages. [Source: Library]

I've not read the first Chloe Ellefson murder yet--this is the second in the series--but this series shows some potential. I am most interested in reading the sixth book Death on the Prairie which has the heroine going to visit all the historic sites associated with Laura Ingalls Wilder.






© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What's On Your Nightstand (May)

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

Reformation Heritage Study Bible--KJV. Edited by  Joel R. Beeke, Gerald Bilkes, and Michael Barrett. 2014. Reformation Heritage Books. 2218 pages. [Source: Birthday Gift in 2014]

Ginger is helping me out once again in introducing my newest Bible reading project. This is my fourth Bible to select as project this year. I am LOVING it.

Basic Christianity. John Stott. 1958. 179 pages. [Source: Bought]

This is one of the books I read while drinking tea. I am making good and steady progress, so I'm hoping to finish it this week. 

Dawn's Early Light. Elswyth Thane. 1934/2017. Chicago Review Press. 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I am really excited to start this series. I've only read the last in the series (Williamsburg is the name of the series), and that was in high school--twenty-something years ago. (It was the only one in the series the school library had.)

Blood, Bullets, and Bones: The story of Forensic Science from Sherlock Holmes to DNA. Bridget Heos. 2016. 263 pages. [Source: Library]

 Each chapter tackles a different element or aspect of forensic science. Within each chapter there are dozens of true crime stories--mostly historical, but some contemporary. I am finding it fascinating!

The Portrait of a Lady. Henry James. 1881. 640 pages. [Source: Bought]

 It had me at hello. Literally.

Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

 44 Scotland Street. Alexander McCall Smith. 2005. 325 pages. [Source: Library]

Started this last night. I am really enjoying it so far.

An Exposition of Psalm 119. Thomas Manton. 2025 pages. [Source: Bought]

Still enjoying this one. I have slowed down some, I admit. But I have every intention of finishing this one this year.

Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and On Earth. Douglas Sean O'Donnell. 2013. 1090 pages. [Source: Bought]
 This is a Bible commentary, and I'm to the part where he's explaining Matthew 25. So maybe I'll finish early-to-mid June!





© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews