September Reads

Trim Healthy Mama Plan: The Easy-Does-It Approach to Vibrant Health and a Slim Waistline by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison:  I ordered the original, self-published Trim Healthy Mama book a couple of years ago before anyone else had really heard about it.  I've dabbled a little with THM and I do think that it is a great lifestyle eating plan.  I was thrilled for the opportunity to review Trim Healthy Mama Plan.  This updated version of the book is simplified and contains less than half the number of pages of the original book.  (I think the original book contains 600+ pages.)  I was a little disappointed in the fact that most of the information was the same as what was in the original book just simplified and edited.  For some reason I had thought that this book would contain more menu plans and tips to making the THM lifestyle actually work for your family.  My only complaint with THM is my happy hubby's sincere dislike for about half of the recipes.  I think most of them taste good but it's really hit or miss with the hubby.  This book does NOT contain any recipes so you will need to buy the companion cookbook in order to actually use the book.  There are thousands of THM recipes on pinterest but I would save yourself the headache and actually buy a cookbook full of recipes unless you plan on spending hours printing and compiling your own cookbook.  Overall I thought this was a great book and look forward to trying the THM lifestyle more consistently this fall.  Please note that I did receive a review copy of this book from Blogging For Books.  All opinions are my own.

Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel by Katherine Reay: As an Austen fan myself, I really enjoyed reading this book that shares the letters that Samantha Moore writes to her mysterious benefactor Mr. Knightley.  I couldn't believe how well this story drew me in by using only the letters that Samantha writes.  It is a delightful book about one young woman's journey to emerge from her protective shell and blossom into a beautiful woman.  This was my first book by Reay and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell: I picked this book up from our library to read since the middle school literature class that I help with at co-op has been reading through it.  I didn't remember reading the book myself but since I enjoyed listening to the discussions in class so much I thought I would attempt to read it.  I really enjoyed reading this intriguing tale of Karena who ended up living alone on an island for years after her entire tribe left the island.  I can see why this book won the Newberry Award.

Counsel from the Cross (text only) 1st (First) edition by E. M. Fitzpatrick,D. E. Johnson I purchased this book a few years ago and started reading it only to stop after the first chapter.  In September I picked it up again and read a good 70 pages but I just can't get into it.  I"m not sure why.  Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of my favorite authors and has helped me to rest in God's grace in a way few authors can do.  I'm not giving up on this book but rather setting it aside for a few months.  I know that there are great things for me to learn in this book but now just isn't the time.  I'm a finisher so it kills me not to finish a book.  How about that for an honest review?

What about you?  What did you read last month?  Do you ever give up on a book?