This was a really enjoyable read! Well crafted. I agree with others that it's even written better than the Aaron Falk books.

I got the most amazing gift today from someone who knows I love MO!

Look what the library had for me - after I requested it in October, I think!

I'm going through a tough time. Sitting down with my tea for a few minutes before I have to get up and keep going, not to mention pretend....

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was a really excellent read! I though I was fairly clued up, but I learned a lot! Highly recommended.

I'm really enjoying this book, which was recommended by a new friend. Humour doesn't always work for me (in fiction and non-fiction) but this guy has had me laughing out loud a few times.

This book was just gorgeous. I loved, loved, loved everything about it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Look what is at my favourite pizza restaurant! This is the first time I've seen a little library in Pretoria or anywhere in South Africa!

I'm cheating on my NF reads... So far this book is beautifully written, and isn't catawampus just the most delicious word? 😊

RIP dear Rachel. You helped me become a progressive Christian and I will always be grateful!

I wasn't sure if I'd like this one, but I ended up loving it. Every word wasn't perfect, and sometimes the writing is a bit too flowery, but there were just all these little moments of beauty that I just loved. The characters just absolutely crept into my heart.

Today is a public holiday, autumn is in the air and I have a cold 😭. Breakfast is in the oven and I've been sitting on the couch in my pyjamas reading while my children have been angelic except for a bar of soap that was a bit destroyed - what luxury! I was reading this so sparsely but now I'm really into it.

Loving his take on evolution, fuzzily remembering what I've read about emergent evolution in the past... His writing is so clear and easy to understand and I love his idea of Spirit, self-transcendence and creativity driving the universe 🌌

Fellow RHE fans, did you see this? Crazy. She's a bit younger than me, I think, her little boy is still pretty young... Really keeping her in my prayers! There is no more recent update.

Loving this... Sunday afternoon reading while the kids play.

I wanted to read this years ago but would have had to borrow a friend's copy for ages. Got it on Kindle for $3.44 if anyone is interested!

1. The Immortalists - Chloe Benjamin
2. We are not doing much, today was very quiet and tomorrow we may braai (BBQ) if it doesn't rain. Nice to see a bit more of my husband over the long weekend but it doesn't mean that he does no work.
3. Yes to hardboiled eggs 🥚
4. Freya, maybe...
5. Done!

#friyayintro
@howjessreads

Man, this book ended up taking me months to finish! At first, I found his writing so refreshing and different from all the Reformed authors I used to read. Then his style started to downright annoy me and I was literally gleaning what I could from the book while not always enjoying the writing. I did feel it got better towards the end and feel that I gained a lot from this book and it would probably be great as a Bible study book.

My sister has been coming by a bit more often lately on days she isn't at work (the life of an academic). The girls are obsessed with their little cousin and my eldest just always wants to read to him (she has mad reading skills for someone who turned 6 in January). Miffy in the Snow in Afrikaans is one of the most precious books from my childhood.

Thanks for the tag, @GlitterGirl !

1. Also a lot of memories looking at the charts. I'm going to go with 3 songs that actually make me think of my matric year: Britney Spears Baby one more time, Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight and Cher Believe.

2. Leo

3. Barbara Kingsolver ❤️

@enidkeaner

I concur with other Litsy readers - a really well done short book! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for skill in crafting this book, working out the intracacies without getting bogged down in details.

Oh for Pete's sake, this is what I've been reading 😂😭 instead of The Plastic Seed. I don't recommend it. Has this happened to anyone else?

Guys, I've been plugging away at this book, really not finding it anything like the reviews or even what I remembered about the description. Finally figured out that whatever the heck I've been reading is not this book. That's so incredibly weird! And I have no idea how to fix it.

New read. And my book matches my outfit 😊

I was a bit nervous after a few lukewarm reviews on Litsy, but never fear, for me Kingsolver did not disappoint! I absolutely loved this book, which reminded me a bit of The Lacuna in its return to historical fiction, yet of course it's different because of the alternating present-day time-line. So many themes are close to my heart: reading the Bible responsibly and not as a scientific text, the environment, consumerism, waste... Gorgeous.

Eeeek!

Being able to sit and read while the kids mostly play happily is a rarity! Will simply have to worry about the house later...

I really like Jane Harper's writing. Another enjoyable and well-written Australian crime novel. I hope we see more of Aaron Falk!

Littens, this is not book-related but please forgive me. This is not trending news at all but maybe some of you at least have heard about the devastation wreaked in Mozambique by Cyclone Idai. No Facebook frame, no real international outcry about those who escaped the flood only to be unable to hold on in the trees and drowning anyway. There are a number of reputable organizations to donate to if you feel at all moved to help.

www.evangafrica.com

Today was a public holiday here - not that it makes such a big difference when you're a SAHM, but still I took it pretty slowly. Got a bit of reading done on Unsheltered and this afternoon the kids and I went to a local nature reserve. On our way out I saw my first rhinos in many years and the first time I had ever seen them in this reserve. Got home late and tired but had a lovely day.

Really excited to be finally reading this, but man, did not see the stuff that happens early on coming! We are having the most ridiculous situation in South Africa right now, so it's before 7 and there's no power, hopefully in about 30 minutes..

This was such a fun read! Light and entertaining but at the same time cool because of the science-y details. The only thing I disliked was the very stereotypical German character. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh my goodness, Erica, these are all so gorgeous! It feels like Christmas! Thank you so, so much for your generosity! And thank goodness the South African postal service didn't lose it!

@enidkeaner

@enidkeaner look what I just picked up! You're so awesome!

I've been pushing myself so much to finish my print Christian spirituality books, and really, what for? To prove how spiritual I am? I'm working a lot, not sleeping enough, stressed out... Bring on reading I actually enjoy! I had completely forgotten that I bought this on a Kindle deal!

Can't believe it took me this long to finish this book! I have to admit that I didn't find it unputdownable, one of many reasons it took so long, but I'll definitely read the other books in the series!

I have been on Litsy so little recently, guys. I blame lots of work and a determination to finish some physical non-fiction books first, which has ironically meant that I often just pick up my phone instead of a book... Also, too much Netflix. Trying to get out of my bad habits!

Very true!

I'm already reading so many books but just started this on Kindle and man, is it good. 8% in and he is already disproving all the marriage myths I have ever heard, including the advice we got in pre-marriage counseling. His stuff on Facebook is great if you don't already follow The Gottman Institute.

1. I love the review, blurb and quotation options for posting.
2. Being able to edit comments (Android)! Android hasn't gotten an update in years and I don't understand the sole focus on Apple.
3. #friyayintro
4. Being much more intentional in my reading and reading less fluff!
5. @Marina_h

@BiblioLitten

My husband and I don't go crazy over Valentines Day but it was nice to get back from an errand to find a little surprise 🧡💙💜❤️

I was slightly sceptical that I would like this but it was really good. She gives a great overview of the biggest problematic issues related to the Bible without being overly verbose. I actually started reading my Bible again regularly while reading this book 😂 I can recommend it to sceptic and saint alike.

Came for a walk in the botanical gardens with my girls and now having tea. I can't figure out if the ladies at the next table are having a book club or a very small book fair among friends but I see a few familiar titles 😊

As someone with a sometimes-complicated relationship with the Bible, I'm really enjoying RHE's take. But this happens continually throughout the book - whenever she quotes an author, she uses the past tense, not the present. In academic/non-fiction writing, you use the present tense, no? When referring to something written in a book by that author, I mean. Driving me crazy!

1. Most people seem to love White Oleander, I just couldn't deal with the sexualisation of a 13-year-old
2. Both, as long as they're healthy snacks!
3. Mom - Minnie (Jacomina) and Rudolph. Dad - Selma (Salomina) and I honestly don't know.
4. Probably Beauty and the Beast
5. Hmmm, maybe Cape Town?

@howjessreads
#friyayintro

It took me quite a while to finish this short book, but it was a lovely albeit sometimes depressing read. I really need to read more Madeleine L'Engle! She explores views of God, purpose and love in this book in her characteristic special way of writing.

20 things about me:

1. I'm 37 years old
2. I have a twin sister
3. I have two young girls, one is 6 tomorrow and the other 2.5
4. I broke my left ringer in 10th grade and my parents didn't take me to the doctor...
5. I have had braces, a gum transplant and so many gum issues over the years
6. I'm pretty "crunchy" - into natural health, essential oils, body stress release/osteopathy/kinesiology etc
7. My anxiety makes me yell at my kids

This is another beautiful Amy Tan but very sad. Probably not ideal for anyone easily triggered by domestic abuse and rape, although there are no graphic descriptions. It was often hard to read but once again Tan masterfully paints a picture of the everyday lives of Chinese people, this time during and around WWII. The ending makes up to a large extent for all the sadness.

Been up since 4:20 and my littlest finally went into theatre for dental surgery. Tired and hungry and emotionally exhausted already! Plus this book is very emotional but a good read.

Usually when people on Litsy talk about books making them cry, I can't completely relate. But earlier the kids wanted me to read The Happy Prince to them in our beautiful translation. And this book makes me cry EVERY TIME.. So there I was, sobbing, trying to finish the story 😊 Such a beautiful book but so sad, good for conversations about suffering and injustice I suppose - not exactly a fun bedtime read!

For this early in the year, I'm pretty stressed out and have been spending way too much time on my phone instead of reading because The Small Rain wasn't gripping me. I want to finish it but right now Bill Bryson is giving me some much-needed laughs!