Cristina Fowler Blog | CFB Book Club: Summer 2018

I love setting reading goals for myself every year. I love even more when I’m able to meet those goals. For this year, I decided to try and read no less than 25 books. And from the looks of things, I’m going to make it! I know, I know. I just totally jinxed it, didn’t I?

For now, I’m on track. Here are the books that have been keeping me busy over the past few months.

(15) Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

Something I love about being in a book club at work is that it helps me discover books and authors that I would normally never pick out on my own. This is definitely one of those.

The novel follows Sophie from her childhood into adulthood, and from a rural village in Haiti to New York City and back. Sophie starts as a happy enough tween, living with her aunt. It turns dark fairly quickly, as secrets are exposed and certain “traditions” are revealed.

Overall, I wouldn’t say that I disliked this book. The writing is vivid and engaging. But honestly, it did remind me why I usually don’t choose this kind of novel. I’d much rather read something light or something nonfiction.

(16) One More Try by Gary Chapman

Gosh. Just writing out the book title seems so ominous. It might as well be called “This is Your Last Chance.” I promise it’s not that bad!

I won’t lie to you; the past couple of years have been challenging for my husband and I. There have absolutely been a couple of times where throwing in the towel was a real possibility.

But we’re no quitters! We’re in counseling, both as a couple and individually, and I’m reading anything I can get my hands on to keep the inspiration alive.

Despite what it might sound like, I actually really enjoyed this book. When many in the world are quick to give up when it comes to marriage, I’ve always wanted to be sure that we did our best to work it out. This book is a push in the right direction.

(17) because crack is illegal by Raema Mauriello

I mean, right?

It’s always refreshing when a writer (and especially a fellow mom) can be honest about the struggles of life.

And with short (about two pages) entries and Bible references for each of the thirty days, Mauriello makes it easy to get your daily quiet time in. Winning all around.

“There is no expiration date on God’s ability to make your dreams come to pass.” There are a lot of great bits of wisdom in this book, but this was one of my favorites.

If you’ve already read this, do you have any similar options to recommend?

(18) Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

A few times a year, I finish a book and don’t have anything else lined up. In those moments, I hit the local library.

I had heard of this book before. There’s even a TV series based on it airing on Starz.

The best way I can think to describe this book is… off?

As someone who has worked in a restaurant, much of the story is very relatable – the way your schedule changes, the incestuous nature of a restaurant staff, and so on. Other parts though (namely the crazy drug use) I could not relate to *at all.*

I can see how it might make for an interesting series, but to me the book left too much unresolved. I like closing loops and happy endings!

(19) 31 Creative Ways to Love & Encourage Him by Alyssa Bethke

Womp, womp. I guess they can’t all be winners.

I know I’m not very good at expressing my appreciation verbally. So, I’m always looking for fun ways to show my husband some love.

With ideas like date night and eye contact, creative ideas these were not.

The idea to read and execute one of the ideas every day for a month. But I definitely read through this book in one sitting… and not for good reasons. I just wanted to get it done and move on!

I’m sure there’s an audience for it, but unfortunately, I wasn’t it.