Hey friends
It's time for the latest installment of my 2020 reads. If you missed, here is: Part 1 and Part 2.

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Inspired | Rachel Held Evans

Rachel's work has been on my TBR list for some time now, and it wasn't too long ago that I woke up to the notice on Twitter that she'd passed away. It was saddening beyond words. Someone I'd followed, wanted to read from, had suddenly left and now there would be no more books or timely tweets to read. I really enjoyed this book. I know alternative theology might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine. Even if I don't agree with most or any of it, I love hearing new twists on familiar stories. The historical time in which Bible stories take place can completely change how we interpret its words. I think it's unschooled to think we can get the full meaning of Scripture without proper context in both culture and language.

The Robe | Lloyd C. Douglas

My best friend has been trying to get me to read this book FOR FOREVER. I finally did.

First off, I loved the writing! It was classic enough to be engaging but not too classic sounding to be a bore. I have too many complaints about this one except that I felt it was a little too long. Long is a relative term, I know, but I thought Douglas could have spent less time on rabbit trails and more on the essential parts. Not to say that the story dragged, per say, but I would have liked to get to the climax sooner. I couldn't help but relate my feelings to the film Gladiator. Remember when the show his wife and son? It's just enough to make the you feel sadness when they die, but there isn't a long montage of Maximus at home, with them, or showing their life together at all. The Robe could have used a little less montage.

It was an excellent book besides that and I recommend it!

The Girl on the Train | Paula Hawkins

Found this in a pile of hardbacks at the thrift store, and I think it is also a movie with. . .Emily Blunt????

I did not enjoy this one. It took a long time to get into it. The shifting perspectives and timelines weren't seamless to me, and it was a while before I know who was who and what was what. The mystery was interesting however, and the story did pick up after I'd figured out the timeline, but none of it stuck with me.

Sorry world. I am the worst when it comes to loving hyped and popular books.

The Sacred Enneagram | Christopher L. Heuertz

It was late 2019 when I started learning the Enneagram, and after listening to Sleeping At Last's podcast series I went and bought Christopher's book. It's been siting on my shelf ever since.

What I love most about the Enneagram is it's insistence that humans are constantly trying to get back to themselves (True Self is how Christopher puts it). I am forever fascinated by different ways humanity copes with wounds and challenges. The Enneagram is a great way to study that, as it offers nine different explanation and motives for human behavior.

Not only does The Sacred Enneagram explain human behavior but it also has an entire section dedicated to personal growth for each Enneagram type. To be honest, I'm still in the middle of reading it, and I have a feeling there's a lot left for me to unpack.

If you are interested in the Enneagram, I recommend this book as a very thorough explanation of types and details.


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That's all I have! Hope you've enjoyed these little reading rants and reviews.