53. In the Lord I Take Refuge

53. In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions Through the Psalms. Dane C. Ortlund. 2021. 416 pages. [Source: Borrowed]

First sentence: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the ways of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The Psalter uses the English Standard Version. Each psalm is followed by a devotion by Dane C. Ortlund. 

Definitely this is a case of what you see is what you get. Love the psalms? Definitely worth it for getting the psalms on such nice paper. Love devotions? Great. The devotions go with the psalms--so no extra steps for reading more Scripture.

I divided the psalms into daily portions according to the arrangement of the Book of Common Prayer. Readers could read one per day, five per day, ten per day, whatever. Definitely this is a a book that you can take at your own pace. There is no need to feel pressured to read it in one month. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

52. The Seaside Homecoming

 52. The Seaside Homecoming (On Devonshire Shores #3) Julie Klassen. 2024. 400 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars]

First sentence: Bleak. The weather, her mood, her life.

Claire Summers, the oldest sister (I believe), stars in the third book in the series. The series has been absolutely fantastic. I have LOVED all three books. They are all similar YET also each is unique. You do get a chance to reconnect (briefly) with previous characters and see how their stories are progressing. 

Claire has been shunned--cast out--by her parents for eloping with a fellow who was less than honest. The marriage did not happen, and she fled to her Scottish aunt or great-aunt. She's been her companion--for better or worse--since the failed elopement. She has no idea if her sisters will ever be a part of her life again or not. (Same with her mother). 

After her great-aunt dies, Claire is left without a place to go and only a small allowance to allow her to make a new start. (Not a genteel start, but a start). Claire sees an opportunity that just so happens to be near where her family has resettled....will her new beginning be a happy one? Can she make amends with her family? 

As I mentioned before, I really do love the series so much. I think I may love the first two a tiny bit more than this third book. HOWEVER, all the books have been SO wonderful and just a joy to read. I do hope the series continues since there are more sisters who haven't had their own books. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon #44

Bible reading

NASB 77

• Psalms 73-150
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon

KJV

• 2 Chronicles 10-36
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Job
• Joshua

NKJV

• Isaiah 40-66
• Hebrews
• Jeremiah 1-39

ESV

• Psalm 18-150

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible