Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Books of 2022

January 2, 2023 by Kristin 2 Comments

I love book lists! And here I am a little late to the year-end party, but 81 books are the most I’ve read since I started keeping track. My list this year is heavy on romance and suspense, but that could totally change in 2023. You can follow #KHTreads on Instagram and Facebook, where I share reviews as I read throughout the year.

I shared on social media the other day some things about my reading habits that helped me accomplish this:

  • I like to read on my Kindle (I just upgraded to a Kindle Oasis and love it!) and also read actual books.
  • I started listening to audiobooks, mostly memoirs, while I drive.
  • I don’t plan ahead what I am going to read. Perhaps that makes me an emotional, circumstantial reader — I read what fits my mood. This means I also like to have options — Kindle Unlimited, Book of the Month, library books, and Amazon wish list of recommendations.
  • I use Goodreads to keep track of what books I’ve read, but I don’t set reading goals.
  • I quit books if I don’t like them or am not into them.
  • I totally judge a book by its cover and description.
  • I mostly read fiction. Yes, it’s kind of an escape, but, also, stories matter and teach me so much about myself and the world around me.

Now, onto the books!

Contemporary Fiction

  1. “The Girl Who Could Breath Under Water” by Erin Bartels {Review}
  2. “Wish You Were Here” by Jodi Picoult {Instagram Review}
  3. “The Unsinkable Greta James” by Jennifer E. Smith {Instagram Review}
  4. “Winter in Paradise” (Paradise #1) by Elin Hilderbrand {Facebook Review}
  5. “What Happens in Paradise” (Paradise #2) by Elin Hilderbrand
  6. “Troubles in Paradise” (Paradise #3) by Elin Hilderbrand
  7. “This Time Tomorrow” by Emma Straub {Facebook Review}
  8. “South of the Buttonwood Tree” by Heather Webber {Instagram Review}
  9. “The Words Between Us” by Erin Bartels {Facebook Review}

Suspense / Thrillers

  1. “Reckless Girls” by Rachel Hawkins {Instagram Review}
  2. “Local Woman Missing” by Mary Kubica {Facebook Review}
  3. “The Golden Couple” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen {Instagram Review}
  4. “Such a Quiet Place” by Megan Miranda {Facebook Review}
  5. “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley {Instagram Review}
  6. “The Sun Down Motel” by Simone St. James {Instagram Review}
  7. “The Book of Cold Cases” by Simone St. James {Facebook Post}
  8. “The Good Sister” by Sally Hepworth {Instagram Review}
  9. “The Mother-in-Law” by Sally Hepworth {Facebook Review}
  10. “The Girl from Widow Hills” by Megan Miranda {Instagram Review}
  11. “Have You Seen Me?” by Kate White {Facebook Review}
  12. “The Family Next Door” by Sally Hepworth {Instagram Review}
  13. “What Happened to the Bennetts” by Lisa Scottoline {Facebook Review}
  14. “The Match” by Harlan Coben {Instagram Review}
  15. “The Family Upstairs” by Lisa Jewell {Instagram Review}
  16. “The Younger Wife” by Sally Hepworth {Facebook Review}
  17. “The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes” by Diane Chamberlain {Instagram Review}
  18. “Two Truths and a Lie” by Meg Mitchell Moore {Facebook Review}
  19. “The Soulmate” by Sally Hepworth {Instagram Review}
  20. “Distant Echoes” (Aloha Reef #1) by Colleen Coble {Instagram Review}
  21. “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden {Facebook Review}
  22. “The Locked Door” by Freida McFadden {Facebook Review}
  23. “The Inmate” by Freida McFadden {Instagram Review}
  24. “All Good People Here” by Ashley Flowers {Facebook Review}

Romance / Romantic Comedies

  1. “Talk Bookish to Me” by Kate Bromley {Instagram Review}
  2. “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover {Instagram Review}
  3. “Love on Paper” by Sarah Madelin {Facebook Review}
  4. “Love on Film” by Sarah Madelin {Facebook Review}
  5. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry {Instagram Review}
  6. “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune {Instagram Review}
  7. “The Friend Zone” by Abby Jimenez {Facebook Review}
  8. “The Happy Ever Playlist” (The Friend Zone #2) by Abby Jimenez {Instagram Review}
  9. “Life’s Too Short” (The Friend Zone #3) by Abby Jimenez {Instagram Review}
  10. “Part of Your World” by Abby Jimenez {Facebook Review}
  11. “The Bodyguard” by Katherine Center {Instagram Review}
  12. “The Layover” by Lacie Waldon {Facebook Review}
  13. “Meet Me in the Margins” by Melissa Ferguson {Instagram Review}
  14. “Love & Other Words” by Christina Lauren {Instagram Review}
  15. “From the Jump” by Lacie Waldon {Facebook Review}
  16. “More Than Words” by Jill Santopolo {Instagram Review}
  17. “Flying Solo” by Linda Holmes {Facebook Review}
  18. “Something Wilder” by Christina Lauren {Instagram Review}
  19. “Before I Do” by Sophie Cousens {Facebook Review}
  20. “The Simple Wild” by K.A. Tucker {Instagram Review}
  21. “Wild at Heart” (The Simple Wild #2) by K.A. Tucker
  22. “Forever Wild” (The Simple Wild #3) by K.A. Tucker
  23. “Running Wild” (The Simple Wild #4) by K.A. Tucker {Instagram Review}
  24. “Here for the Drama” by Kate Bromley {Instagram Review}
  25. “It Starts With Us” (It Ends With Us #2) by Colleen Hoover {Facebook Review}
  26. “June, Reimagined” by Rebekah Crane {Instagram Review}
  27. “Five Winters” by Kitty Johnson {Facebook Review}

Historical Fiction

  1. “Bridge of Scarlet Leaves” by Kristina McMorris {Instagram Review}
  2. “The Edge of Lost” by Kristina McMorris {Facebook Review}
  3. “Truths I Never Told You” by Kelly Rimmer {Hard, hard topics and I have mixed feelings on it.}
  4. “The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post” (audio) by Allison Pataki {Instagram Review}
  5. “We Hope for Better Things” by Erin Bartels {Facebook Review}

Memoirs

  1. “The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm” (audio) by Hilarie Burton Morgan {Instagram Review}
  2. “The Stories I Only Tell My Friends” (audio) by Rob Lowe {Facebook Review}
  3. “Open Book” (audio) by Jessica Simpson {Instagram Review}
  4. “Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread & Fences” (audio) by Walker Hayes & Craig Allen Cooper {Facebook Review}
  5. “Delete That: (And Other Failed Attempts to Look Good Online)” (audio) by John Crist {Instagram Review}
  6. “Start with Hello: And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors” (audio) by Shannan Martin
  7. “The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters” (audio) by Joanna Gaines {Instagram Review}
  8. “Where the Light Fell” (audio) by Philip Yancey {Facebook Review}
  9. “Talking as Fast as I Can: From From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between)” (audio) by Lauren Graham {Instagram Review}

Other Non-fiction

  1. “Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace” by John Mark Comer
  2. “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Philippians” by Tony Merida and Francis Chan
  3. “Before the Throne: Finding Strength through Prayer in Difficult Times” by Crickett Keeth {Review}
  4. “Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking” (audio) by Jon Acuff {Instagram Review}
  5. “The Gospel Comes with a House Key” (audio) by Rosaria Butterfield {Facebook Review}
  6. “Send Out Your Light: The Illuminating Power of Scripture and Song” by Sandra McCracken {Instagram Review}
  7. “Your New Playlist: The Student’s Guide to Tapping Into the Superpower of Mindset” by Jon Acuff with L.E. and McRae Acuff {Facebook Review}

Family books

  1. “Britfield & the Return of the Prince” by C.R. Stewart {Review by Cate}

*****

Need more recommendations? Here are #KHTreads from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

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How to enjoy winter days at home

December 19, 2022 by Kristin Leave a Comment

God has made each season beautiful and appropriate in its own time. - Kristin Hill Taylor, Bringing Home More Than Groceries #morethangroceries

Y’all know I’m a summer girl, but cozy, slow mornings or evenings at home are one of the perks of winter. Yes, days are short and temperatures colder than I’d prefer, but let’s look on the bright side of these colder times of the year. Even though I’m not sure about the single-digit weather coming our way later this week, I’ll have to take advantage of my warm house and some cozy activities!

Pajama mornings

I just told someone today I’m craving a slow morning in my pajamas. We have some plans during Christmas Break, but I purposefully didn’t make any early morning appointments. To wake up without an alarm and be able to stay in comfy clothes for a few hours will be a treat for us all in my house. My son will make hot chocolate, my oldest daughter will sleep in the longest, and my youngest will sneak into my bed to snuggle with me. I love making pancakes (especially this Cracker Barrel copycat recipe) or French toast on our griddle. 

Game nights

Game nights are our favorite winter social activities! Inviting people over in the summer comes more naturally with our pool and porch, but there are fun winter opportunities too. We have friends over to watch our favorite Murray State Racers basketball team or play board games. There are many new board games out there, and I even bought my kids some for Christmas! (Here are some of our other favorites!) 

Prepare meals

I like to cook more in the winter too. Warm casseroles and soups hit the spot and provide good meals. Sometimes it’s just as easy to cook for more people, so we will invite friends over to share Taco Soup with us. I have a couple of meat lovers in my house, so maybe I need to learn new ways to make the best tomahawk steak at Jerkyholic.com or embrace baking a little more! I do love baked goods, but I’d rather cook the main courses. 

Get outside 

Of course, I’m tempted not to leave my house in the winter, but getting outside – even in the cold – is always good for my soul. Thankfully, we live where we have lots of wide-open spaces to roam, so walking through our woods, down the logging road, or even down the street is always a welcome break from the indoors. My kids like when it snows – and then they’re most definitely interested in getting outside! Yes, and then Ben will make more hot chocolate to warm himself right up! 

How do you like to spend your winter days?

*****

Hospitality matters in every season, and I share some ways to connect with others even in winter in the free printable that goes with my book, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People.”

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How to cook new recipes

November 29, 2022 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I’ve become a better cook in the past two decades as a wife and mom. I honestly just used not to know how. I’m still not a famous chef or anything like that, but I’m not afraid to cook anymore. Of course, trying a new recipe can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but I want to share some tips on how to get that new recipe to turn out well. 

Read the recipe

When cooking a new recipe for the first time, it’s essential to read it thoroughly before you begin. I say this from experience. Nobody needs surprises while they’ve got things mixing and heating. This way, you’ll know what ingredients and supplies you need, and you’ll be able to plan ahead so that everything is ready when it’s time to start cooking.

Cookbooks are your friends for both inspiration and instructions.

Prepare all the ingredients

Just yesterday I texted a friend who is coming over later this week: What soup sounds good? She gave me a couple of ideas, and then I was able to buy the ingredients I needed to make Tortellini Corn Chowder. Planning meals is a good way to make a grocery list and ensure you have food your family wants to eat and you want to cook. 

I usually get out all the ingredients before I get started so I can mix and assemble them as I go along. If you really wanted to be prepared, you could measure out all the specific ingredients and then prepare the dish. 

Do you have any foods incorporated into your holiday traditions, such as black-eyed peas for New Year’s Day? I don’t love black-eyed peas specifically, but I do love a good Crock Pot recipe and foods as traditions. 

Follow the recipe

Yes, getting creative in the kitchen is tempting, but I found I have the most success when I follow the recipe – at least the first time! Of course, after I’ve made a recipe once, I may start tweaking it to fit my preferences. I don’t love green peppers, but bring on all onions. Or maybe I will give my husband the mushrooms nobody else in our house wants. 

Taste test

A perk of cooking is definitely eating! Tasting the dish as you go is another way to ensure that your new recipe turns out perfectly. This will help you balance the flavors, adjust seasoning if necessary, and ensure everything comes together as planned.

Don’t be afraid to add more of a certain ingredient or spice if it needs it. Cooking is a science, but it’s an art too! One of our favorite easy summer meals is what my kids call “green pasta” – aka the Pioneer Woman’s Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce. One evening we were eating this on the porch and my son said, “This would be really good with bacon in it.” You better believe we eat it with bacon now! (I also use pesto from a jar, which makes this recipe even easier!)

Now, back to cleaning those dishes from the last meal we cooked! 

*****

Here are some related posts that may encourage you in the kitchen:

  • How to enjoy cooking
  • Help kids have healthy eating habits
  • Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People
  • Favorite cookbooks
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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 sat on my porch beneath a blanket and finished t I sat on my porch beneath a blanket and finished this book today. Yes, I’m fully invested in this Cuba saga involving the Perez family. “The Last Train to Key West” by @chanelcleeton is the third in the series. I have the fourth on hold at the library for pickup on Monday. 

I wasn’t sure I was going to love this one as much as I did Cleeton’s first two, but it was a slow-building story that turned stormy. I loved how the three women were in Key West for their own reasons, developed meaningful relationships as they navigated their lives, and managed to survive the storms of their lives and an actual hurricane. 

The historical fiction story offers hope:

“It’s strange how your life can change so quickly, how one moment you can barely eke by, desperation filling your days, and suddenly, out of the unimaginably horrific, a glimmer of something beautiful can appear like a bud pushing through the hard-formed earth. There’s so much broken around us; maybe all we can do is try to fix each other, do what we can to preserve these precious moments in a world where there is so much sadness and loss. … Maybe some would say my dreams are too small. Perhaps they would dream of railroads that go over the sea, great, wonderful things. Maybe others want riches and jewels, a chance to travel the globe. For me, this is enough: A corner of paradise in this wretched world that I am able to call my own.” — Helen in “The Last Train to Key West” by Chanel Cleeton

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #historicalfiction #weekending #favoritethings #choosingJOY #bookquotes #bookreview
This morning there are three “holes” in Wright This morning there are three “holes” in Wright Road after the creek flooded it overnight. The Calloway County road department responded quickly and is working to pack in various kinds of gravel so it will passable again soon. I’m thankful for their work, but these Band-Aids aren’t an actual solution. 

Wright Road needs a permanent solution for when Wildcat Creek rises. A bridge seems to be the best idea, so the creek can rise and flow beneath the road rather than flowing across it and washing out the gravel on top of the culverts. 

I know it’s an expensive fix and would take local government working with state government, but I wonder how many times the road has to break before it can be truly repaired.

#callowaycounty #kyweather #kentuckyweather #countyroads #countryliving #reallife #murrayky
In a week filled with all the parenting emotions, In a week filled with all the parenting emotions, God has provided conversation with friends who understand, new mercies, a few walks and talks with a friend, and cinnamon rolls on a rainy Friday afternoon. I’ve been reminded when we are vulnerable and share our real lives, friends bring truth and goodness — often in ways we don’t expect but bless us anyway. 

#bettertogether #createdforcommunion #reallife #momlife #weekending #parenthood #choosingJOY #favoritethings #livingfaithfully
People ask when I have time to write. The truth is People ask when I have time to write. The truth is I like to make time to write, but sometimes it happens in the cracks of my days — at Panera, in the Notes app on my phone, at the library before I pickup my kids, or while I’m waiting on kids at activities. This week I edited my manuscript while Rachel practiced soccer. 

#momlife #writerlife #selfpublished #bloggerlife #authorlife #soccermom #thirdchild #createdforcommunion #bettertogether #favoritethings
I needed this weekend. The UK Wildcats didn’t I needed this weekend. 

The UK Wildcats didn’t win this afternoon like I had hoped. But following our house full of people on Friday night, I’ve spent a lot of time on my couch, under a soft blanket, with a book, while I watch #MarchMadness. 

Yesterday I pulled “When We Left Cuba” by @chanelcleeton from my to-be-read stack and then realized it was the second in a series about the Perez family. Thanks to @libby.app, I was able to get “Next Year in Havana” immediately. 

I finished it today during commercials and timeouts. And now I’m going to start “When We Left Cuba” as another basketball game also gets going. 

#KHTreads #basketballseason #weekending #bookstagram #reallife #booklover #librarybooks #KindleOasis #Kindlebooks #favoritethings
What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends What a fun night! Basketball is best with friends and food. So thankful for all these provisions and others in my life. Oh and a Cats win is icing on the cake. 

#MarchMadness #weekending #basketballseason #bettertogether #choosingJOY #BigBlueNation
You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor pos You know it’s #MarchMadness when Greg Taylor posts on Facebook — and a picture at that! — and puts his radio/TV degree to work figuring out how to improve the viewing setup. 

#reallife #basketballseason #wifelife #choosingJOY
I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected I had no idea just how deeply I would be affected while studying Genesis 1-2. Going back to the beginning and seeing how God created, ordered, and filled the earth has been exactly what I didn’t know I needed, especially as a mom. 

For quite a while now, I feel like I’ve been living a day at a time. I used to be able to see my life in larger chunks of time and anticipate and prepare accordingly. Now, I slap things on the calendar and then deal with them as they come. Navigating life with two teenagers and a first-grader is the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Honestly, this moment-to-moment living has been good for me and helped me rely on the God who created the stars and rivers that still exist in our world. Focusing on where I am helps me take slower steps, trust God to provide, and remember I’m not in control. I’ve felt an internal shift with my relationships — with my husband, kids, and friends. I’ve felt behind on laundry and dishes and piles of papers. But I’ve also felt a refreshed nearness to God. 

I’m going to rest here while believing God created life and light when there was only darkness and continues to order my days. 

#livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #faithlife #preceptstudy #genesisstudy #genesis #beginnings #reallife #PorchStories
My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, My friend @ashleelyoung told me about this memoir, but I knew nothing about Sutton Foster or her story beforehand. She’s a TV actress and Broadway singer and dancer who processes her life — complicated family life, love, loss, spotlight, infertility, adoption, motherhood — by creating. She creates in the kitchen, on stages, with yarn, with paint, with her hands, and with her mind. But her story really is all the experiences and emotions that inspire her creative work. I enjoyed this one. 

#KHTreads #memoirs #bookstagram #booklover #audiobooks #audible #bookreview
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