March is a fun month. I hope you are finding time for some good reading. Are you ready for your Extras?
Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.
Puzzle of the Month
For the month of March, since we are in the season of Lent, I have an Easter-themed Crossword puzzle for you.
You can solve it online, or print it out.
Books of the Month
We have a few things to do here, Our monthly reading challenge, book recommendations and reviews:
Reading Challenge:
Option A: Reviews and Organization
If you’re just joining us, Reading Challenge A is all about supporting authors while saving money. We’re trying to post a review or so every week. They don’t have to be long, to be helpful.
Are you keeping track of how many reviews you have posted? There’s nothing like being able to help authors by writing reviews.
Keep going, with posting reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Christianbook, etc. as this really does help both authors and readers alike.
And spend a bit more time organizing your digital shelves. Genres, TBR, Read, favorites… See last month’s bonus page if you need tips and ideas for this.
Option B: e-Courses.
In January, we gathered a list of all the e-courses we’d pruchased in the past, and never used/studied. In February, we picked one to focus on and scheduled it.
In March, if you have completed a course, feel free to start the next one. Otherwise, just keep working on your first course.
If you started a course last month, how’s it going? Are you excited about the course you chose to focus on? How has it helped you?
Recommended Reading:
FICTION
The Messenger by Beth Wiseman releases on March 1. This novella about an 82 year old man who dies, and then God sends him back to earth to deliver messages for him. Sounds fascinating.
Remember Me by Tracie Peterson releases March 7. Historical fiction set in the Yukon/Seattle, Featuring cameras, and messy history, and God’s hope for old wounds.
Jude: Servant Siblings Book 4 by Jenifer Jennings releases March 10. This retelling pictures Jude studying to be a Rabbi, confronted by his brother’s radical teachings, and trying to match up the two. I got an Advance copy, so keep an eye out for the review!
A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter releases March 21. A historical fiction writer has to switch to romance. But she has no experience in that area. Will her ‘research’ keep her from getting a book written, or bring her the experience she needs? Hmmm… I wonder.
NONFICTION:
The Watchmaker’s Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom by Larry Loftis releases March 7. This Nonfiction work looks really good, by an author who’s told a number of other WWII Heroes true stories in an engaging way.
The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most by Crystal Paine releases March 7. Tips and strategies from a busy mom, for busy moms.
Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken by Dr Henry Cloud Releases March 28. I think the title says it all!
Scheduled Reviews:
Where Treasure Lies by Amanda Tru: Review Scheduled for March 15. A town with no choice but to be hostile to the outsider here to help them. Outsiders who only want to help, and solve a mystery. Broken hearts, second chances, and a few life-changing storms.
Bibles for Kids: Review Scheduled for March 22. I received some really cool brand new ones to share with you, plus some of my favorites we already use.
Bonus Reviews
Please Sorry Thanks
Please Sorry Thanks by Mark Batterson (releases April 4)
This book dives deep into the psychology of please, the science of sorry, and the theology of thanks. I have 84 highlighted passages from my first reading. I can guarantee you that I will be reading it again.
There’s way more to Please than I realized! I’m absolutely fascinated by how much is communicated when you put in the effort to say please and mean it. You’re putting yourself and your desires in someone else’s hands. Not assuming what you want is yours by rights. It gives them the freedom and ability to grant or deny. It’s a big deal.
Sorry is a complex thing, expressing both empathy and vulnerability. Empathy when you take the time to notice and enquire about other people’s problems and pain. Vulnerability when you admit that you were wrong or wronged.
Hurt people hurt people… Forgiven people forgive people. A specific and sincere apology goes a long way. Sorry is asking forgiveness from God and others, and also forgiving yourself. Hadn’t really thought about that last one.
Thanks is perpetual wonder and appreciation for the many gifts and miracles that fill your life. It’s probably the one topic in the book we’re most comfortable with talking about, whether or not we do gratitude well. But there’s still a ton of truth and wisdom to be had in this book.
I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!
I received a copy of the book from netgalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.
Moments of Peace for Moms:
Moments of Peace for Moms is awesome! 365 Daily Devotions form Our Daily Bread. The reading takes a moment or possibly 2, and the scripture is linked, making it only a click away, and only requires a moment.
As a homeschooling housewife with 2 busy little boys, this book meets all the requirements for a daily touchstone. It is not a deep Bible Study that takes an hour (gotta have those sometimes-just not every day with little people), but it does refocus and reframe the day beautifully.
Each day has either an extremely practical tip, or a story that resonates, so you don’t feel like you are the only one who deals with wild stuff.
The tips range from practical motherhood strategies and encourage you to be disciplined because it is do-able, to enhancing your time with God.
I would highly recommend this book to every mother / mother to be. Even grandmothers would enjoy it and be reminded of the early days.
I am totally writing this review while hiding in the bathroom for 5 minutes peace 🙃😜
I received an advanced copy of the book from @netgalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.
The Hunt of the Unicorn
The Hunt of the Unicorn by L Nicodemus Lyons (Published March 13, 2013)
I first read this book in 2016 when I bought it, and just re-read it in 2023.
It is a powerful book full of allegory and symbolism, some that is explained as you go, and others that dawn on you towards the end.
The adventure itself is captivating, and the way it points to Christ amazing!
John Gardener is a fun character, relatable both in his frustrations and his growth. And Simon, at first, you don’t like him very much, but by the end, much like Eustace Clarence Scrubb, you are cheering for him. (Trust me. He gets better!)
It’s not preachy, but it breathes life! Let’s celebrate this one and give the author a ‘book Birthday’ present!