17. NASB 1977 Inductive Study Bible

The New Inductive Study Bible. NASB (New American Standard, 1977). God. 1992. 2296 pages. [Source: Bought] [5/5 stars] 

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Start date: October 20, 2025

End date: December 28, 2025

I absolutely love, love, love the New American Standard Bible, in particular I love, love, love the 1977 edition of the NASB. 

This will not be a review of the "new inductive" features. There is a massive system of bible study--bible marking--involved in the inductive study method. I did not seek to try to learn it. 

Believe it or not, I did *slow* down my reading for this read through. I read ONE book at a time. I underlined. I wrote in the wide margins. I jotted down questions. I intentionally thought about how verses fit into chapters, and how chapters fit into books. I was more observant when it came to recurring themes. I finished the book quickly because I was enthusiastic about spending time in the Word of God. I read twice a day for varying amounts of time.

This one is SINGLE column, black letter, fairly large print. Though I didn't follow the instructions for the inductive method, I did enjoy some of the charts, illustrations, and books introductions. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Favorite Reads of 2025

While I *may* still finish and review a Bible this year, I think I am finished with reviewing books. Here are some of my favorites from the year.

In January, I read one five-star book. Karen Witemeyer's Cloaked in Beauty. Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors, and I'm not surprised that this retelling of Sleeping-Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood is still one of my favorite reads of the year.

1. Cloaked in Beauty. (Texas Ever After #3) Karen Witemeyer. 2024. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical fiction, christian fiction, romance]

In February, I read four five-star books. ALL of these were Christian nonfiction. Two were rereads. Two were new-to-me. Found: God's Will is a fantastic short booklet that I reread every few years. Knowledge of the Holy is one of my favorite books by A.W. Tozer. Definitely recommend both of these. The new to me books I'm listing below:

14. Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. Melissa Dougherty. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian nonfiction

19. Good News at Rock Bottom. Ray Ortlund. 2025. [March] 160 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars]

In March, I read seven five-star books! Six were Christian-nonfiction--including one Bible story book for children! Many of these were rereads. One of them was newly published. But my favorites from this month were...

27. Praying the Bible. Donald S. Whitney. 2015. Crossway. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]

20. A Promise to Love. Serena B. Miller. 2012. Revell. 332 pages. [Source: Bought]

In April, I read five five-star books! Three were re-reads, I believe! Three were Christian fiction! I DID reread Karen Witemeyer's Short-Straw Bride (and this was on audio!). 

33. The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. Joanna Davidson Politano. 2024. 400 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical fiction, historical romance, Christian fiction]

35. Short-Straw Bride. Karen Witemeyer. 2012. Bethany House. 368 pages. [Source: Library]

In May, I read three five-star books. My favorite from this month was a Christian fiction novel!

45. The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. Ann H. Gabhart. 2025. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Christian fiction, historical romance, 1840s]

In June, I read one five-star book! It was from a very hit-or-miss series. Some in the series I've rated two stars. Some I've rated five stars. I NEVER KNOW what to expect when I start.

52. Every Hour Until Then (Timeless #5) Gabrielle Meyer. 2025. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [speculative fiction, historical fiction, time travel, christian fiction, 5 stars]

In July, I read one five-star book! It is not your traditional Christian romance, it is more of a family drama.

56. This Promised Land. Cathy Gohlke. 2025. 358 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian fiction, general fiction, family]

IN August, I read two five-star books. It is a children's biography of John Calvin! I found it to be a great read.

59. The River of Grace: A Story of John Calvin. Joyce McPherson. 1998. 180 pages. [Source: Bought] [biography, children's book, 5 stars]

In September, I read one five-star book. It is MOST unusual. A time-traveling Amish romance!!!!

68. Yesterday's Gone. Cindy and Erin Woodsmall. 2022. 432 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, time travel, Amish fiction, christian romance]

There were no five-star reads in October. BUT I did read On A Midnight Clear by Karen Witemeyer. Her novella "A Star in the West" is easily five stars. 

73. On a Midnight Clear. Karen Witemeyer. Tracie Peterson. Misty M. Beller. 2025. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, novella, Christmas novellas, christian fiction, christian romance]

In November, I read one five-star book. It was definitely a reread--one I've reread dozens of times. 

77. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Barbara Robinson. 1972. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, realistic fiction, children's classic, children's book] 

In December, I did not have any five-star reads. But many were four stars. Not a bad reading month. My favorite was probably: 

84. A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions. Charles H. Spurgeon. 2024. 144 pages. [Source: GIFT] [4 stars] 

I read sixteen--or seventeen--Bibles this year. Six Bibles were King James Version. These four were probably my favorite Bibles to spend time in and hold. 

5. King James Version. (KJV) Clarion Reference Bible (Cambridge). God. 1970 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

13. The New Scofield Study Bible, King James Version, God. 1967. 1400 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

12. New King James Version Nelson 746. God. 1983. 1393 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, Bible]

7. ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions. Crossway. 2020. 1424 pages. [Source: Review copy]

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review #52

KJV (435E1B Paragraph Bible)

• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• Hebrews
• James 
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude
• Revelation

ESV Women's Study Bible

• Isaiah 40-66
• Jeremiah 1-20

NASB 77

• Luke
• John
• Acts
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

• Genesis 1-25

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

84. A Wondrous Mystery

A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions. Charles H. Spurgeon. 2024. 144 pages. [Source: GIFT] [4 stars] 

First sentence: This [Genesis 3:15] is the first gospel sermon that was ever delivered upon the surface of this earth.

A Wondrous Mystery is a thirty-day devotional celebrating Jesus, specifically celebrating the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. It isn't exclusively on the birth of Christ. It does continue to expand to the fuller gospel, the bigger picture of WHY Jesus Christ came. It does go beyond the nativity to his life and mission. 

I am not the biggest fan of devotionals HOWEVER I make an exception for meaty, substantive ones like this. This is not a SHORT devotional. Well, all things are relative. Some devotionals literally take up three or four inches of one page--maybe. And of that half is filler, a mild story that truly fails to provide nourishment.  The other half is nice enough but hardly filling enough to be worth one's time. THIS is not that kind of 'short' devotional. Each devotional entry is three to four pages long. And these entries are compiled, I believe, from many, many, many Spurgeon sermons. THERE'S substance here. There's meat to nourish. 

If all devotional books were this well done, I'd appreciate them more. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

83. Ryle on the Christian Life

83. Ryle on the Christian Life: Growing in Grace. Andrew Atherstone. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy, 4 stars, christian biography, theology, christian nonfiction]

First sentence: The Bible was the foundational text for Ryle's Christian life and public ministry. 

This one is part of Crossway's THEOLOGIANS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE series.

It blends biography and theology, though heavier on theology. It is a topical approach instead of strictly chronological. 

J.C. Ryle was a Victorian pastor--a writer. He was a writer of tracts. Many if not most of his tracts were later rearranged and reused in [compilation] books. These books are still read. Readers might think of him as writing books more than tracts. But many books had their origins in his tracts. [Holiness is one of J.C. Ryle's greatest books.]

The chapters include:

Scripture's Supremacy

Sin and Salvation

Conversion

Sovereign Grace

Heart Religion

Fruits of Faith

Fighting for Holiness

Means of Grace

Preaching

Sorrow and Affliction

Facing Eternity.

The book, as I mentioned, is arranged topically. Plenty of biographical facts are shared as well--placing him within the context of HIS life, his times, his society, his works. Each chapter is topical. AND each chapter features Ryle in his own words mainly. I think that's wonderful. I'd rather read what Ryle has to say on a subject than to read a summary of what Ryle thought on a subject. I think this one would be a great introduction to J.C. Ryle! 

Quotes:

• Prove all things by the Word of God--all ministers, all teaching, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices--prove all by the Word of God. Measure all by the measure of the Bible. Compare all with the standard of the Bible. Weigh all in the balances of the Bible. Examine all by the light of the Bible. Test all in the crucible of the Bible. That which can abide the fire of the Bible, receive, hold, believe, and obey. That which cannot abide the fire of the Bible, reject, refuse, repudiate, and cast away. ~ J.C. Ryle
• Follow us so far as we follow Christ, but not a hair's breadth farther. Believe whatever we can show you out of the Bible, but do not believe a single word more. ~ J.C. Ryle

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

16. Holy Bible, KJV (435E1B Paragraph Bible)

435E1B Paragraph Bible, Holy Bible, King James Version. Local Church Publisher. 1950 pages. [Source: Gift] [5 stars]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ironed calfskin leather. LOVE. The feel was super amazing. It was just a JOY, an absolute joy, to hold this one. Based on how it *felt* it is easily one of my favorite Bibles to hold in hand. 

I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the layout of this Bible. I love that it is 11 point font. I love that it is single column. I love that it is paragraph instead of verse by verse by verse. I love that it is BLACK LETTER. It does NOT have self-pronouncing text. 

I should also note that this Bible while not being marketed as a READERS Bible is without chapters and verses. This may make you super sad or super confused. But for those looking for a PRINT edition of the KJV without verse numbers, it is a dream. (I do own a hardback KJV Readers Bible but the ghosting is absolutely horrible in it. A true distraction.) 

It was a great balance of size and weight. Font is large enough to read easily. NOT a heavy Bible to carry. The paper was not super thin or super thick. There is some bleed through or ghosting. But not more than you'd find in almost any other Bible published in the last ten to twenty years. And I'd say it was probably less ghosting than some Bibles published recently. It wasn't bothersome enough to impact reading or the duration of reading.

Many of the individual books (though not all certainly) were read in one sitting. There was no eye strain. 

This Bible has two ribbons. I personally like ribbons. I am thankful for any Bible with at least two ribbons. Bibles with just one ribbon are a little sad. While there may be such a thing as having too many ribbons in a bible--two is a reasonable amount for most any reader. I've read the Bible through cover to cover and so far the ribbons are holding up well. 

I really love the King James Version. I do. It is not my only translation. I am not King James Only by any stretch of the imagination. But I find the KJV hard to resist. I do. I have a weakness for it. 

This is the Bible that checks all my own personal boxes. 

From the publisher: 

Size: Hand Size
Number of Pages: 1,950
Translators to the Readers: No
Presentation Page/Family Tree: No
Self-Pronouncing Text: No
Center Column Reference: No
Notes: No
Words of Christ in Red: No
Ribbons: Two
Concordance: No
Maps: No
Font Size: 11 Point Font,  Large Font
Cover: Executive (Ironed Calfskin)
Cover Style: 1 Piece Black
Open: 13″ x 8.75″
Closed: 8.75″″ x 6″ x 1.5″
Margins (in/out/top/bottom): 0.5″ x 0.5″ x 0.375″ x 0.375

As of December 2025, it IS in stock at Local Church Bible Publishers. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

82. Whispers at Painswick Court

82. Whispers at Painswick Court. Julie Klassen. 2025. 368 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Regency historical romance, Christian fiction]

First sentence: Miss Anne Loveday sat in the parlour with the widower Mr. Shufflebottom--that was his name--while he droned on about his eight adult children, and how much they all still missed their mother, who'd died many years ago giving birth to a ninth. 

Anne Loveday, a woman who longs to be a doctor or surgeon apothecary like her father, goes visiting and finds herself hired on as a nurse to Lady Celia at Painswick Court. The elderly woman is sometimes out of sorts, but, also pleasant enough in her own way. There's her 'spinster' daughter and her two adult nephews around--none of whom particularly seem to like Lady Celia. Lady Celia has two physicians attending her. Anne forms relationships with both doctors and the household itself. BUT she also finds herself almost always in situations where she can eavesdrop on others--in the house, in the gardens, on the grounds, about the village. Always, always something suspicious being whispered about. She knows there are secrets, secrets, and more secrets. But are any of these secrets dangerous enough to threaten Lady Celia's life?!?! 

I enjoyed this one. The whispers in the title is completely accurate. This one does not have a strong romance to it perhaps because so much time is given to her overhearing private conversations and trying to piece together all the secrets. It's hard to know WHO to trust when everyone's whispering, whispering all the time. BUT it blends history, mystery, and romance. It's a good read. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible