Volumes and Verses: What I Read In February

  

February hits different. Just me? 

The satisfying fireside days with books and coffee linger, but less-slanting shadows tell again the tale, "no winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn." I ride the dopamine high of a good de-clutter session while my kids attempt to surf the high brought about by the muddiest of spring puddles. All that to say, I read substantially less this month. Though the satisfaction I experienced on the pages I did consume was top notch--enough to feel it makes up for lack of quantity. So that's a mercy. 

I'd love to hear what you've been reading. How does the season affect your bookish vibes?

84 Charing Cross Road

How in this world have I not read this before???

Why someone didn't persuade me sooner is simply ridiculous. (don't mind me--just over here delighting in the chance to channel my inner Helene Hanff)  This book has been jammed into my shelf for years, yet once again it took my participation in the Brighter Winter Reading Challenge to shift it towards the top of my TBR. I don't mind admitting that 112 pages made it an attractive pick for marking off the challenge square: "Read a Book That Centers around a Bookstore." I've always loved epistolary novels, (I blame an early introduction to Jean Webster's "Daddy Long-Legs") and this one exceeded expectations. Maybe in part because I'm not sure I had any?  For starters, I somehow completely missed the memo that this is non-fiction? Considering the EPIC tone carried throughout this correspondence, I'm all the more appreciative of Hanff's wit. The book is charming, certainly. But it's much more than that. Not the least of which is the treasure of experiencing firsthand how one would go about building a personal library in the mid-1900s.  Though miles removed from our sterile Amazon experience, I had to chuckle at Helene's similar motivations for corresponding with the bookseller: she finds it easier trust His Majesty's Postal Service to MAIL books clear from England, than be bothered to schlep the grimy streets of 1950s New York in search of them herself.

The ending is perfectly bittersweet.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lazy Genius Way

It's fair to say my brain leans instinctively towards ingenuity and organization. So I can be one impatient critter when it comes to books of this nature. More often than not, they promote systems that seem arbitrary to my INTJ-A sensibilities.  Interestingly, Kendra Adachi is mostly concerned with bringing awareness to the thoughts and motivations of our habits---and the mental, emotional, and (ultimately) practical impact of those routines. 

If the very words "organization" or "optimization" send you running for the hills, never fear! This book is for you as well. Kendra's writing gives Cool Aunt Vibes--one who is both hilarious but brutally honest, and isn't stingy with hugs. No preachy you-must-get-up-at-dark-thirty-and-exercise-and-make-the-bed-first-thing-and-drink-a-disgusting-protein-shake to be found:  "Be a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about the things that don't."  Emphasis is placed on making good routines fit for your life. Not the other way round.

The eighth chapter, "Let People In", is particularly stellar-- as evidenced by my plethora of highlights. Any book that stimulates vulnerable and interesting conversations with my friends is a sure indication it was a worthwhile read for me. (Not to mention I'm now v v inspired to institute my own version of Sunday Soup).⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leviticus

By the time you hit Leviticus in a chronological reading plan, you're deep inside Torah territory. So if you're feeling an affinity to Israel and their grumblings to turn back, please don't! God has reasons for bringing you here. Even in the midst of skin diseases(chapter 13 will forever remain my least favorite in all of scripture!)  and sacrifices, I keep seeing God's good heart on display.

Verse one of this book lands heavy. After wading through chapters of specific instructions for Eden 2.0, Moses still finds himself unable to enter the tabernacle. Why is God holding out on them? For those who've read the narrative before, we know the first verse of Numbers resolves this tension. But never forget--the seeming minutiae of Leviticus is what gets us there!

The beginning chapters can seem brutal to a modern western mind--but serve us holy reminder what Hebrews puts so succinctly: "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." The sheer tonnage of blood offering in Leviticus brings me to face the facts: my sin exacts blood payment.

Chapter 5 is especially near to my heart. If you've ever read the story of Jepthah and freaked out, may I suggest a careful study through Leviticus? Our Creator has anticipated our foolish vows and rash proclamations-- and He supplies the remedy. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  Only when we stubbornly cling to what is right "in our own eyes", do we find ourselves in grievous sin without remedy.

I can't recap Leviticus without touching on Chapter 26. The abundance of God's favor stops me in my tracks.

Veses 9-13

Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.  

I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you.

 You shall eat store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new.

 I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul will not abhor you. 

And I will walk among you and will be your God and you shall be my people. 

I AM the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves.  And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect."

What a promise of safety and security when walking with God! And these aren't exactly model citizens he's working with!

But the chapter isn't finished yet. A gut-punch feeling accompanies the remaining verses. Repetitive language of fear, panic, and weakness are woven through words until the futility of it all overwhelms the reader. It's meant to do so. Verses 40-45 remind me that God's judgments are never arbitrary, but merciful actions to bring about repentance. Graces given to soften the granite called my heart.  I'm struck with awe at the infinitely dependable covenant of I AM. Even in the midst of books of the law, I'm seeing His provison on every page. He's so good, you guys!⭐⭐⭐⭐

-------------------------------------------------

I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of these books. And you know I relish the comments and emails. The investment of my readers'  time is not something I take lightly. I'm so very grateful to have you in this space. May your coffee be hot and your TBR inspiring!