Black Beauty

Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell (abridged by Lisa Church)

5 stars

"This book is about a horse named Black Beauty who has many different owners. Some treat him kindly and others treat him poorly. One man who treated him poorly, didn't care when one of Black Beauty's horseshoes was loose when they were going down a rocky path. It flew off but the man didn't care. That led to his hoof being cut. One of the owners who treated him kindly was Jerry, who gave him the right amount of food and didn't overwork him. At the end, Black Beauty goes back to an old home and is treated kindly all over again, staying there for the rest of his life. That was my favorite part."

Carolyn, age 8

Advent for Exiles

Advent for Exiles, by Caroline Cobb

4/60 | Started 12.01.25 • Finished 01.20.26 | 5 stars

This first-time offering from Caroline Cobb for advent really hit the spot for me. So much so that when Christmas came and I was behind, I just kept reading until I was done rather than putting it off to try again next year. Cobb focuses on our unnatural separation from God as a result of the fall, and how that exile is partially redeemed through the coming of the Son at the first advent - ultimately at his second. I appreciate her knowledge of the meta-narrative of scripture, and how it's all pointing forward to the hope of the gospel. She approached the topic of exile with compassion and even with a sense of urgency, both for the gospel to bring hope and for the Lord to come again! Each reading was accompanied by lyrics from one of her songs, some scripture to read, and followed up with some kind of application or exercise. Readings were not over-extended and I found each day's entry to be fresh, though all are connected by the theme of exile.

Everyday Gospel

Everday Gospel, by Paul David Tripp

3/60 | Started 01.01.25 • Finished 01.19.26 | 5 stars

Admittedly, I did not use this the way it was intended to be used - as a companion for reading through the Bible in a year. NONETHELESS, I found it helpful, accessible, and concise. Each day features a short devotional based on the day's passage from the Bible. In classic Paul Tripp fashion, he starts with a tweetable statement and then expands upon it over a few paragraphs. It is worshipful and heart-reorienting. It shows how the story of redemption works across all of scripture, not just the parts we're used to considering as part of the story. I'm sure it would be extra beneficial to read along with reading through the Bible in a year, but it's safe to say that it's still beneficial to use as a daily (or somewhat daily) devotional. 100 percent recommend.