I am long overdue for a reading post. I like to share my books because I always get great ideas from all of you. I know Joanne hosts a couple of different linkups where this post would be appropriate. I will link up with her when those open up...my timing may be off. Not sure when those linkups are- ha! Anyway...what I wanted to share was...
I have been a reading machine lately...well for me anyway....being a working mom (2 jobs) and managing my household...my time is limited but especially in the winter, I love getting lost in a book.
My goal is one book a month...kept the same goal from last year because I know this year is going to be just as busy with getting Diana graduated and off to college among other upcoming changes for our family.
With that being said, 2026 has started off with a bang! I got two books read in January and I have already started a third which I will most likely finish in February. Anyway, I wanted to share my reads with you along with my daily reads (daily devotionals). I always love getting recommendations from all of you so hope to share my love of certain books with you as well. Here we go...
Broken Country By Clare Leslie Hall
This was for our February Book Club and I thought it was fabulous!
“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
The Surrogate Mother By Frieda McFadden
Another thriller and another winner by one of my favorite authors!
Abby wants a baby more than anything. But after years of failed infertility treatments and adoptions that have fallen through, it seems like motherhood is not in her future. That is, until her personal assistant Monica makes a generous offer that will make all of Abby's dreams come true. But it turns out Monica isn't who she says she is. The woman now carrying Abby's child has an unspeakable secret. And she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
The Fifth Avenue Apartment By Pamela Kelley
So far so great by one of my favorite authors- love that NYC is the backdrop- seems like it will be a cute little romcom
Thirty-year-old Sophie has longed to live in Manhattan but could never afford to do so—even with roommates. She has just been laid off from a job that she didn't love.
When her 92 year-old great aunt invites her to stay with her for a while—in her Fifth Avenue Apartment, Sophie jumps at the chance to move to the city. She decides to temp for a while to find out what industry she wants to go to next as she is burned out from the stress of working at a law firm.
Meanwhile her aunt is playing match-maker with their very attractive neighbor, Max. Although he has been dating a supermodel for the past year, so he goes firmly into the friend zone.
Much to Sophie's surprise, after temping as a receptionist in a luxury real estate agency, she discovers she has an aptitude for it and is offered a chance to move into sales. She's nervous about all commission and declines the opportunity.
But then life happens, bringing some big changes, and she reconsiders.
She falls in love with the work although it is challenging and things don't always go as expected. She also has to deal with a jealous, cutthroat co-worker and the flattering attention of their charismatic and brilliant boss. Sophie has a lot to learn about real estate, navigating toxic co-workers and what she wants in a relationship.
and my daily devotionals include the following:
Living Faith- see how used this one is? I save this copy for the morning prayers and evening prayers and use it daily
Living Faith- the updated one with daily devotionals for three months
Morning Consecration Prayer
Devotional to St. Anthony and St. Jude
St. Anthony- I do three devotionals daily out of this one
St. Jude- I do two devotionals daily out of this one
Sacred Space is a book of daily bible verses and reflections- they make a new one each year!
and my favorite book of devotions/reflections- Mornings with Jesus- they make a new one each year of this one too!
and the rosary- I say the rosary a few times a week typically
So there ya have it...what is on your book shelf?
