It’s Back to School time…Here’s 10 Reading Excuses that Don’t Fly or Read On Sistah : )

1. Saying you don’t have time - Empty distractions time will rob (set a goal to read a little every day. Even if it is just a few sentences)

2. It doesn’t matter what I read - Set the bar high - be a reading snob (we become what we consume. So many great options. Follow book review youtubers you trust or The Recap Book Chat Podcast for some great recommendations)

3. I can’t remember what I read. Reading w/o reflection is like taking a shower w/o soap (book journaling and book clubs help loads in the remembering department)

4. I’m in a reading rut, challenge yourself-you are not a dope! (Start small with something simple and fun to get the gears rolling- try audio books)

5. I’m waiting for the perfect mood - Progress not perfection is the right direction (I believe you can learn something from every book, not just the ones you love.)

6. I’m behind…Comparing your reading journey to others spoils the connection (Comparison steals your joy, everyone has their own pace, be sure to honor yours.)

7. I’m too tired/wired - Read anyway something will stick (Studies show it is super healthy for your brain to read before bed. Be sure to use a blue blocking booklight.)

8. I only have one speed quick quick quick, learn to savor slow, (try some classics! They were written in a much slower time and have a way of making the reader slow down as well)

9. No, I can’t explain what I read in a simple way, but AI can so what the hay (try some kid lit, it is written in easier to explain ways but can still pack a punch)

10. I’ll wait for the movie, NOT at all groovy (so many books that have been turned into movies have been altered from what the author originally intended. Why not do both! You will appreciate it in a more indepth way and can see if it lines up with what the author intended.)

There is a reader inside all of us. We often suppress this desire to curl up with a book and a cup of joe or tea because we (insert excuse here) ________. Don’t fall into the trap! We tend to do what is important. Carve out some reading time, your brain will thank you!

Booklight - hooga

Reading Journal - Amazon.com: Reading Journal: For the Love of Books, A Book Journal and Planner for Book Lovers to Track, Log and Review

Greetings! Today, Kate and Sheila dive in recapping the book of Joshua!

This scripture is just as powerful today as it was in Joshua’s, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.” 1:9. Followed by …”choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Spoken like a godly man with a purpose!

This book packs quite a punch! Here’s an acrostic on Joshua to get us going.

Jericho-epic battle!

Over and over he’s told to be strong and courageous

Served the Lord wholeheartedly

His mentor was Moses

Unwavering leadership-Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua

Asked for the sun to stand still

We gleaned so much from reading Joshua and we hope you did too. Thank you for joining us!

Have a blessed day!

PS Notice there is a curse in 6:26 about rebuilding the city of Jericho. It was fulfilled 530 years later when Hiel lost his firstborn and his youngest in 1Kings 16:34.

This novel is set in an interesting way, devoting chapters to Penelope and individual members of her family, but also to more secondary characters such as Antonia and Dannus (the bright spots). Each snapshot gives characters their own unique voice.

The Shell Seekers by Rosamonde Pilcher has a dual timeline, WWII and present day which was 1987. Penelope's three children were a bit hard to take. Olivia seemed the most sensible, although loaded with the “I am woman hear me roar” vibe, at least she was not greedy like her siblings. Nancy and Noel were unlikeable and self-absorbed.

Pilcher's writing is unique in that she uses the senses extremely well. Her ability to make readers hear the ticking clock, smell the food being served, hear bird’s song, and even feel the importance of plants as a symbol of growth highlight the best parts of the book. Penelope did not have an easy life, her husband ran off with his secretary leaving Penelope the kids and his gambling debts to pay off.

Penelope grew up in a loving and welcoming home with a famous artist for a father. Nancy and Noel are eager to sell the beloved painting of Lawrence Stern called The Shell Seekers. Penelope ponders to herself, “perhaps she had not expected enough of them.” “I have given them all I can and they always want more.” Pilcher painted a powerful picture of ingratitude in this novel.

The first sentence of Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina is: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” The Shell Seekers shows the tension families have when wills collide. Won't you join us for the ride?

Welcome friends! Today Kate, Sheila, and the boys dive into a classic from 1943,

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. As a child the narrator drew two pictures that received heavy criticism from adults. So he became a pilot instead of an artist.

When his plane crashed as he was flying over the Sierra Desert the pilot meets the little prince. As Titus pointed out, the telling of this story gives the reader the child’s viewpoint (Little Prince) and the adult’s from the pilot’s point of view simultaneously. The Prince lives on a small asteroid, B-612, where he takes care of his rose and 3 volcanoes and pulls up baobabs before they take a hold and become unmanageable. “It is a question of discipline.”

We uncovered a plethora of powerful quotes! Here’s a few:

“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.”

“Words are the source of misunderstandings.”

“It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Little Prince: What do you mean tame?

Fox: It means to establish ties. If you tame me then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in the world. To you, I shall be unique.

This book had an unexpected ending and a lot of life lessons. Maybe because it was written during WWII or maybe it was written back when people pondered more. This story has many layers.

Won’t you join us and meet The Little Prince? Blessings dear friends!

For more book information check out our website at https://recapbookchat.com/page/2/

Today we dive into episode 193, Five on the Side, where Kate and Sheila discuss impactful books they’ve read on their own. The list was varied and insightful:

1. S=’The Scarlet Thread” by Francine Rivers-

K= “God’s Chosen Fast” by Arthur Wallace

1. S=”The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker-”T

K=”Clear Your Clutter with feng shui” by Karen Kingston

1. S=”A Spring of Daisies” by Cindy Escobar

K=”Sink Reflections” by Marla Cilley

1. S=”The Indigo Girl” by Natsha Boyd

K=”Soul Care” by Rob Reimer

1. S= "Where the Lost Wander" by Amy Harmon

K=”Milly and the Warm Wind” by Jenna Winship

Bonus Picks: S=”Strays Like Us” by Celilia Galante

K=”Truth Journey Family Devotional Book” by Jenna Winship

Thanks for joining us on our reading quest to read the best!

https://recapbookchat.com/2025/07/11/book-lists-2-x-5-12/

“Are you brave enough to wade into the great river of life?” Join us as we dive into a book about family, friends, and love served with a hearty dose of laughter on the side. Kate DiCamillo outdid herself with her 2024 book, Ferris!

It has something for everyone from an outlaw sister to a gifted pianist to Ferris’ plan to reunite her separated aunt and uncle. Emma Phineas Wilkey was born under the Ferris wheel hence the name Ferris. Pinky, her little sister, is a caution. Clarisse, her grandmother, lives with them and her uncle recently started living in the basement while he is attempting to paint the world but seems to be stalled after he painted a foot.

Ferris and her father share coffee each morning as he discusses his musings from the encyclopedia he’s currently reading. “Ferris took a sip of coffee. It was rich and mysterious. It tasted like being an adult.”

Ferris’ father’s favorite quote, “The dogs bark but the caravan passes by” is a powerfully pithy reminder for us all not to let criticism stop forward progress.

Ferris and her friend, Billy, are concerned about Mrs. Mielk, a teacher they had in school because she is grieving the loss of her husband. “Grief takes away your words. For a while it takes away everything.”

As Ferris’ mother says the Wilkys live large and it is beautiful,

Everyone’s invited to the lighting of the chandelier dinner, won’t you join in the fun?

https://recapbookchat.com/

Greetings dear listeners! Today Kate and Sheila recap the fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy.

“…for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.”(7:21) God called Moses from a burning bush and Moses obeyed and led God’s people. They are often referred to as ‘stiff-necked’ people which means Moses’ job was far from easy. Moses’ main goal was to get God’s people to love Him with all their hearts and with all their souls and with all their might (6:5). Notice ALL is used repeatedly, just as a house divided will not stand neither will a heart divided remain faithful.

Deuteronomy might possibly be the most quoted Old Testament book by Jesus. He used texts from it 3 times when He was tempted by the devil in the desert…

Deut. 8:3, “Man does not live by bread alone…”

10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord you God require of you, but to fear the Lord you God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments…”

Deuteronomy is a book of beginnings and endings. Moses has taught and retaught God’s commandments because holiness doesn’t just happen. Moses instructs the people to serve God wholeheartedly and to teach their children what God’s done for them in the past and to be strong and courageous moving forward.

Moses passed the torch to Joshua after seeing the Promise Land and blessing the people. “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” 34:10

Please join us as we dive into the dynamic book of Deuteronomy! Check out our website for past episodes https://recapbookchat.com/2025/06/30/pivotal/

Join us with our special guests as we discuss the delightful classic by Roald Dahl, The BFG.

“Meanings is not important,” said the BFG. “I cannot be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.”

Sophie is the youngest but she is also the linchpin in solving the giant problem. Sometimes kids think bravely when adults don’t try to see a possible solution. This is the growth mindset vs fixed mindset we’ve discussed on previous podcasts.

Sophie tells the BFG they have to do something to solve the giant problem. They have to work together to discover a solution that teaches us a real-life lesson. Let’s be aware of challenges and problems and open to ways to solve them.

The boys thought the audio was a hoot. Whether you read the book or listen to the audio you and your listeners are in for a fun time.

Thank you for helping us to spread the love of reading!