It is that time of the month when I share what I have been reading lately in May 2018. My goal this year, again, is 100 Books in 2018. The one caveat: not necessarily all new books as I am re-reading through the J.D. Robb In Death series, my all-time favorite book series. This month was pretty standard; read an In Death book, read either a non-fiction Christian or another new book, then read another In Death book. I read 9 books this month (and began book 10 but I won't finish until I move into June). It was a good month for reading. I enjoyed everything I read this month. Even though I might have rated a few lower, overall, I still enjoyed each book.
My favorite this month was definitely Jen Wilkin's In His Image; so much so it will more than likely go on my favorite books of 2018 list.
Purity in Death by J.D. Robb. Continuing my 100 Books in 2018 and re-reading the J.D. Robb In Death series with Purity in Death. I've only been reading two or three a month with new books added in the mix so I'll be surprised if I even make it through the series' 46 books this year unless I binge-read through the series. Purity in Death was just as good a read through the fourth time or so as the first time back in 2007-08. It has been so long since I read the series that most of the books are almost like new. Sure, I know the gist of the story but don't remember the details. This book takes great liberties with its futuristic setting to tell an interesting story involving vigilante-type killings involving a computer virus that kills. 36/100 books read in 2018.
The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning. A 131-page nugget of gold. 'God loves me as much as He loves Jesus.' '...the outstretched arms of Jesus excludes no one...'- Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God. 'Employing adjectives such as furious, passionate, vehement, and aching to describe the longing of God are my mumbling and fumbling to express the Inexpressible." 'The living acts of a Christian become the acts of Christ.' [Gulp!] I noted, lined, and underlined until the very end...and then 'simply do the next thing in love.' There were some reviews that this is a book of filled with mysticism and - well - I'm not sure where they got that from! Maybe, because Manning uses big words that I had to go look up in the dictionary or he says things like, 'according to that mysterious substitution of Christ for the Christian, what we do to one another we do to Jesus,' which is biblical by the way [Matthew 25]. "If we as a Christian community took seriously that the sign of our love for Jesus is our love for one another, I am convinced it would change the world." Can you even tell I loved this book? 37/100 books read in 2018.
Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb. Moving right along. Really good read. The story line was super interesting, a killer imitating serial killers and a letter at the scene of each murder addressed to none other than Lieutenant Eve Dallas to make the chase interesting - and some intimate and explosive character development makes this a memorable read. 38/100 books read in 2018.
Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure by Christine Caine. I struggled through the first chapter or so until I found the books groove. I got the impression the subject isn't something Caine deals with much anymore. Instead, she used past unexpected events along with others' life unexpected to weave the story of how to let go and let God have all your unexpected's. Caine covered some great topics, lots of 'lists' of things that I found frustrating after the umpteenth time, but overall the read was worth it. I had really high expectations after reading her book, Unashamed, because that is on my all-time favorite reads; an unexpected favorite. Caine doesn't say anything here I don't already know. But. I always need to hear it again - and again. And, I did dog-ear a bunch of pages. So - worth the read. 39/100 books read in 2018.
Divided in Death by J.D. Robb. What I'm in the mood for drives what I read. If I don't want to 'think' much and I need a laugh (which I know I will get somewhere within), another re-read of Robb's In Death series is a good bet. This is my re-read year of the series and Divided in Death was another intriguing murder investigation with a slight mysterious twist involving all my favorite characters. Some interesting futuristic technology thrown in the mix, navigating ethical dilemma's and marital division makes for a great read - especially because there's making up. 40/100 books read in 2018
All Shall Be Well by Deborah Crombie. Reminiscent of Louise Penny, although not quite as intricately woven yet still cleverly drawn; the character development lends itself most intensely to the players of the murder investigation. Except, Crombie is painting a intriguing picture of main characters Kincaid and James that I am enjoying immensely. The story was one dead end after another in solving a murder-suicide, until... Looking forward to the next in the series and so glad I found another series to dig into, easily. 41/100 books read in 2018.
Visions in Death by J.D. Robb. This seems to be my roll this month: read an In Death book, read something else, read an In Death book, read something else...suits me just fine. Visions in Death is definitely an interesting change of pace as Lieutenant Dallas navigates the role of psychic's in a murder investigation and the 'conclusions' she comes to. The second half of the book is way more exciting and intriguing than the first half. 42/100 books read in 2018
In His Image by Jen Wilkin. Here is another of Wilkin's thin little books that packs a huge punch. What I have found after reading two other books my Jen is that ever word she writes is purposeful, selective, and pointed. She doesn't mince words but speaks clearly and succinctly - yes, that is it! Succinctly. A compact, precise expression without wasting words. Zero fluff. Succinct. And, because In His Image is all about the character of God, Wilkin spells out a character attribute of God in each chapter, efficiently and clearly. She tackles hard-core concepts such as grace, mercy, and justice that have me walking away with, "I get it, now!" There are a few books on my shelves that I will keep for all time. I'm adding this one to that stack. 43/100 books read in 2018
Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb. One of my favorite's of the In Death series. Lieutenant Dallas tackles a home killing invasion that leaves one survivor with seemingly no reason for the atrocity. Dallas creatively pursues every and all leads in pursuit of the killers and we are faced with another side of her humanity that needed a bit of - adjusting - in the process. 44/100 books read in 2018.