Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Books of 2020 (so far)

June 30, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I love compiling a list of what I’ve read so I can remember and share with y’all. So here we go … the 33 books I’ve read so far this year. It’s no surprise I’ve read significantly more fiction than non-fiction, given the loud, loud world and my need to escape into stories that always end up making me think anyway. Specifically, I’ve read 21 fiction, 6 memoirs, and 6 other non-fiction books so far this year. I also linked some other family books I’ve reviewed on the blog so far this year.

The links to my social media reviews are new this year, so I hope you like being able to read more about what I think about each book. If you’re new around here, an updated post like this will be published at the end of 2020.

Fiction

  1. “The Things We Cannot Say” by Kelly Rimmer {Instagram Review}
  2. “Lilac Girls” by Martha Hall Kelly {Instagram Review}
  3. “Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly {Goodreads Review}
  4. “Maybe Someday” by Colleen Hoover {Goodreads Review}
  5. “Maybe Now” by Colleen Hoover {Goodreads Review}
  6. “Everything You Are” by Kerry Anne King {Instagram Review}
  7. “The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland” by Rebekah Crane {Instagram Review}
  8. “Postcards for a Songbird” by Rebekah Crane {Goodreads Review}
  9. “The Infinite Pieces of Us” by Rebekah Crane {Instagram Review}
  10. “The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness” by Maddie Dawson {Instagram Review}
  11. “Ragged Edge of Night” by Olivia Hawker {Goodreads Review}
  12. “The Rest of the Story” by Sarah Dessen {Instagram Review}
  13. “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones {Goodreads Review}
  14. “Letters to the Lost” by Iona Grey {Instagram Review}
  15. “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn {Goodreads Review}
  16. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell {Goodreads Review}
  17. “We Are Okay” by Nina LaCour {Goodreads Review}
  18. “Great Small Things” by Jodi Picoult {Instagram Review}
  19. “The Girl You Left Behind” by Jojo Moyes {Instagram Review}
  20. “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn {Facebook Review}
  21. “The Other Mrs.” by Mary Kubica {Instagram Review}

Memoir

  1. “The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship” by Jeffrey Zaslow {Goodreads Review}
  2. “On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself” by Melanie Shankle {Review}
  3. “The Call of the Farm: An Unexpected Year of Getting Dirty, Home Cooking, and Finding Myself” by Rochelle Bilow {Goodreads Review}
  4. “The Sound of Gravel” by Ruth Wariner {Instagram Review}
  5. “Glitter and Glue” by Kelly Corrigan {Facebook Review}
  6. “A Polygamist’s Daughter” by Anna LeBaron {Goodreads Review}

Non-fiction

  1. “The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective” by Richard Rohr
  2. “Anger: Calming Your Heart (31-Day Devotionals for Life)” by Robert D. Jones
  3. “Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death at a Storm-Ravaged Hospital” by Sheri Fink {Goodreads Review}
  4. “Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude” by Lianna Davis {Review}
  5. “I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life” by Anne Bogel {Related Instagram Post}
  6. “Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything” by Anne Bogel {Related Facebook Post}

Family books

  1. “On-the-Go Devotional” {Review}
  2. “Jesus and the Very Big Surprise: A True Story about Jesus, His Return, and How to Be Ready” by Randall Goodgame {Review}
  3. “Little Words Matter Jumbo Coloring Book” {Review}

*****

Of course, I want to hear about what books from this list you’ve loved, what I need to read in the coming months, and whatever else you want to tell me about books. Pull up a chair on my virtual porch, and let’s talk books.

In the meantime, I also keep a list of all kinds of recommended reads (divided into categories) on Amazon, if you’re looking for even more suggestions. I also keep an updated list and post some reviews at Goodreads, if you want to follow along there.

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

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I know traveling is a privilege, but I will always I know traveling is a privilege, but I will always tell you: Take the trip. It may not be easy or convenient, but it’s always worth it. And always take lots of snacks along for the ride! 

HOW & WHY TO TRAVEL WITH KIDS is #ontheblog today. The post includes some of our travel experiences, tips for including the kids, and a tip to make it more affordable. Plus there are links to posts about some of our recent trips. 

#linkinbio #bloggerlife #momlife #travelwithkids #adventurers #getoutside #travel #travellife #travelers #choosingJOY #favoritethings
I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by P I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by Prince Harry. But I also keep hearing different opinions about it. So here’s mine!

I am intrigued by the royal family and I liked watching “Suits,” just so you know my very loose interest. I had also watched the @netflix documentary Harry and Meghan released. 

Short answer: I really enjoyed listening to this book. 

An heir, then a spare. Deep grief as a child when his mom dies that he doesn’t really confront until he’s older. An institution that governs every decision in his life yet doesn’t protect him when he felt like he needed it. That’s some heartbreaking makings of a good story. And I appreciate Prince Harry telling it — even though I’m sure parts were incredibly difficult. I also appreciate why he and Meghan did what they did and are trying to establish new, different roots. 

Ultimately, this book is about death and life and all the moments in between. I’d recommend listening to it because his voice is a good one. 

One minor, silly complaint: There are 232 chapters, although they’re numbered starting with one in each of the three sections. That makes the audiobook not flow quite as well as it would otherwise because most of them are just a few minutes long. 

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d love to hear what you think because, you know, everybody is reading it! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #readersofinstagram #audiobooks #audible #princeharry
We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @ We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @murraystateuniv Spirit Night at the @memgrizz game. We had some pre-game fun with friends, watched the Grizzlies come back from 19 down to win, and witnessed Ja Morant’s triple double.

#memphisgrizzlies #basketballseason #NBA #TeamTaylor #bettertogether #weekending #favoritethings #RacerNation #MurrayState #WeAreRacers
Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most ever Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most everything in life — is more fun with friends! What an awesome atmosphere at the CFSB Center today with a Murray State win, Ja Morant in the arena, and more memories.

#RacerNation #MurrayState #collegebasketball #basketballseason #bettertogether #WeAreRacers
I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let heaven and nature sing” twice this week. I may not be singing Christmas carols anymore, but I still felt the depths of winter this week. The sweatshirt seemed right. 

The sun didn’t shine much this week, although seeing on Friday as we wrap up the work and school week was welcomed. It’s mostly been cold and gray. It’s felt like winter. 

A lingering tension needs resolution and understanding, but honestly the gap between seems so vast. I crave slow time at home and meals around our table. I miss some friends and was reminded of the heartache that can come with community, but I also felt the deep appreciation of friendship and remembered the beauty of sharing this life with others. I was excited for an invitation and easily accepted it. I started a new habit (hopefully) walking with a friend. 

While driving through my days, I remember how uncertainty is what makes me look up. I remember my Creator when I am slapped in the face with the reality I’m not actually in control. I remember (again) to surrender. 

Goodness happens in the gray of winter. Life may look and feel different, but new life is always preparing to break through the cracks of the ground. The gloom that tempts us to look down doesn’t last long when we believe the sun will break through the icy trees and the fog will lift. 

This is hope. Even in winter. Thank God for it all. Let’s let heaven and nature sing. 

#countryliving #latergram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #weekending
I heard mixed reactions about this book from two d I heard mixed reactions about this book from two different friends, but I enjoyed it! 

I liked the backward timeline, although I was uncertain about how it would work until the end. Some of the twists and connections were so good! 

I also liked the bigger ideas Gillian McAllister tackles: We miss things when we are living our life at our normal pace. What if we could go back? What would be notice that would change our reality? And, of course, perhaps, there would be unintended consequences. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It did get a little slow in the middle, but the end and beginning are quite good! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindleoasis #readersofinstagram
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Honestly, parenting has been hard lately. Nothing major. But so constant and always adjusting. 

Even so, I love watching them on the court and in life. There is so much excitement and goodness among the repetition and exhaustion. 

This is real life. And those are our 10-0 Lady Lions out there. 🦁💛

@ncca.lions #momlife #reallife #basketballseason #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #girlmom #firstborn #thirdchild
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Too often I step out of God’s presence for two minutes while are loading up the van in the morning or I’m rushing kids to bed. Too often I don’t surrender my fleshy desires and feelings to the One who holds this whole wide world in His hands. Too often I think my plans are worth holding onto tightly. Too often I think I can bring peace to my household, minivan, or dinner table. 

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#livingfaithfully #faithlife #churchlife #reallife #countryliving
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The folks at Aligned Health took care of her this afternoon and are treating her for strep or whatever bacteria is making her throat look and feel rough. 

I’m thankful for access to medical care and an unexpected night at home.

#momlife #thirdchild #reallife #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #sickday
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