Welcome to Down the TBR Hole #181-200! What is Down the TBR Hole? It is where I grab 20 books from my insanely long TBR list on Goodreads and decide if I am keeping or removing the books. Need to catch up? Click here to go to the previous post. As a reminder, here are the rules:
It’s been about two months since I’ve done a post for this series. And while I have done a lot of reading since then, unfortunately, they were not on my TBR. *Runs to grab the number from Goodreads* 😩 Seriously, how does my list keep going up when I don’t actively remember adding books? We are starting with 4,669 books.
1. Morning by Morning by Charles Spurgeon
I have so many morning devotionals that are sitting on my actual bookshelves unread. I’m going to remove this one for now until I learn more about Charles Spurgeon.
2. Lady in Waiting: Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right by Jackie Kendall
Well, I am married, and I’m pretty sure he is the Mr. Right that God has for me, so I don’t think I need this book perse. And I am also not the greatest fan of people using Ruth (or the Proverbs 31 wife) as the guideline for who women should be as I don’t believe that is the biblical truth that was trying to be portrayed in those messages. I am removing this one.
3. True Woman 101: Divine Design: An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood by Mary A. Kassian & Nancy Leigh Demoss
I’m torn about this one. I feel like there is a lot of unfair pressure on women to be women when I feel like the bible more so teaches about being followers of Christ with very little difference between the genders. I understand that there are some scriptures dedicated only to men and some only to women but eight weeks worth? It makes me want to read the study just to find out what I am missing. So I am keeping this one.
4. Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard by Norman Geisler & David Geisler
Although I love to talk, I don’t think that I am that great of a conversationalist. And when it comes to evangelizing, I believe it is essential to listen and speak in a way that you are getting the gospel across. I am keeping this book.
5. I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships and Romance by Joshua Harris
I think I added this book, thinking it would give some insights into biblical marriages and expectations. But it looks like it is geared more towards the actually dating time period. So I am removing this one.
6. Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere
While last year has shaken up my identity a bit, its more to do with what I want to do with my life and not who I am at the core. I believe this book more so addresses who you are at the core. So I am going to remove this one for now.
7. I, Issac, Take Thee, Rebekah: Moving from Romance to Lasting Love by Ravi Zacharias
Now this book seems like it may cross over well from those that are dating to those that are married. I’ll be honest, that lovey-dovey feeling comes and goes in a marriage, and having some tricks on how to hold onto lasting love would be great. I am keeping this one.
8. The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer
I just mentioned a couple of books up about my struggle with identity last year. Glorifying God and trusting God are definitely two things I need to do more daily, so I am keeping this one.
9. Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control by Elisabeth Elliot
Another book more about dating. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this author, but I am removing this one from my list.
10. Spirit-controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye
I feel like this is the Christian version of Personality Plus. And since I enjoyed that book when I read it a million years ago, I wouldn’t mind reading this one. I am keeping it.
11. The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God by John Bevere
I’ve read a popular book by John Bevere and didn’t like it at all. I don’t think I will give him too many chances, so I am removing this one from my list.
12. Thus Saith The Lord: How to Know When God Is Speaking To You Through Another by John Bevere
The same author as the book above, so I will be removing this one as well.
13. The Crucified Life: How To Live Out A Deeper Christian Experience by A. W. Tozer
I feel like Tozer is one of those great Christian writers that everyone recommends. I do want to read at least one of his books, and this sounds like the path I have been on lately. I am keeping this one.
14. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver
I have a physical copy of this book, but funny enough, I never had the time to finish it when I would start it. It is an interesting topic, and I love the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible, so I am keeping this one.
15. Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray by Gina Duke
Seriously? A Christian organizing book on prayer? You know I have to keep this one, right?
16. 52 Weeks Through the Bible: Fall In Love with the Book That Changed Everything by James Merritt
I am about 90% through reading the complete Bible for the first time in my life. And I am already excited that it is something I get to do over and over again every year. I know I will need different ways to do that, so I am keeping this book.
17. Praying God’s Word Day by Day by Beth Moore
As I am reading more of the Word, I am finding some awesome prayers in there. And when I don’t know what to say, why not go to His Word? I am keeping this one.
18. Prayers that Move Mountains: Power Prayers that Bring Answers from Heaven by John Eckhard
I have this aunt that sings this sounds about mountains being moved, so this topic always warms my heart. I am keeping this one.
19. The Year of Cozy: 125 Recipes, Crafts, and Other Homemade Adventures by Adrianna Adarme
The Year of Cozy just sounds right up my alley, and then it has recipes also!!! This is a must to keep on my list.
20. Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus by Karen Ehman
Although I am doing a better job with resting, it is still something I have to work on actively. I know I am not the best when it comes to doing devotionals, but I’m keeping this one on the list.
Final Count: Removing 7; Keeping 13
TBR Down to 4,662
One of my 2020 goals is consistency with posting on the blog, so look forward to seeing the next 20 books in a week!
