booktalkwithkarla's reviews
1337 reviews

The stories in this book of people putting faith in action are powerful. I loved reading about real people trusting and showing their faith by acting. The insights into Chuck Colson’s life before he became a believer and after were also compelling. There were so many convicting moments for me as I read. The scriptures used were appropriate and meaningful. I enjoyed this book immensely when I was reading it and recommend it to others. Be ready to be changed by these important and influential stories. In acting we demonstrate our love for God. 

“We can’t control all the variables in our lives. It’s about what we do with opportunities revoked or presented to us that determine how a story ends.”

This memoir from David Goggins surprised me. I didn’t expect the writing to be so good, nor did I expect to love the book so much. My running friend recommended it multiple times (probably after hearing my excuses, complaints, pains, etc) so I bought it and then let it languish on the shelf. Finally after another gentle reminder I started it - and couldn’t put it down. 

Goggins’s story boils over with honesty, vulnerability, and insights into the roles of drive and mindset. His points are made with words but more often it’s his example (failures and successes) that speak the loudest. He is careful to remind the reader that no matter what your history or goals, you too can callous your mind and do hard things.

Goggins offers challenges at the end of each chapter that promote thought and action. Can’t Hurt Me is a powerful story by an uncommon man written for common people as an invitation to suffer more, using and seeing more of our potential. He is clear that mindsets only change when we embark in suffering by doing the hard work. 

As I read, I reflected on my own life and areas I am quick to quit. What if I didn’t quit? I won’t soon forget Goggins’s hard-earned wisdom and approach. My focus word this year is “renewal” and much of what this book says fits with the gains that happen when we persevere. I did read this with caution, noticing the absence of faith in Jesus. I personally don’t ever want to make my efforts and striving the most important thing. Also, persevering shows growing trust in Jesus and myself.

Goggins has journeyed hard roads, often alone. I pray he finds peace, even as he encourages people to stop quitting. His story, my story, and yours are not over. We can change the ending when we stop settling for less than our best. Read this (and take the challenges) to grow in compassion, in perseverance, and in your personal goals. 

Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a delicious memoir about the life and loves of Ina Garten. In telling her story Garten shares the challenges, her approach, the outcomes, and lessons she learned as she faced challenges and new opportunities. She shows us through example how to notice and respond to our own challenges. I absolutely love the photos and recipes (connected to the chapter content) included throughout the book. Garten’s story is inspiring and fun to read. I didn’t know anything about her (except I knew she authored cookbooks) and enjoyed hearing her career trajectory and also about her childhood and her relationship with Jeffrey. Whether an Ina Garten fan or not, memoir readers will enjoy this positive and aspirational read. 

Sociopath or not, read this memoir about Patric Gagne’s experiences “learning” emotions with a sociopath diagnosis. Gagne channels her frustrations and deep desire to understand and be understood in her story. She states her goal as giving hope and I say she accomplished that for people who are sociopaths and those who are trauma broken - wanting to learn more about self acceptance, emotional growth, clearer communication, and better relationships. This memoir is not skippable if you are interested in psychology and in people. 

Wow! This is my favorite of the series so far. I listened to the audio mostly and occasionally noted something in my paperback copy. 


The title, the mystery, the character development, the interactions, the art, the references to light - all of it was perfect. Louise Penny writes about a topic - alcoholism - with compassion and care. Penny weaves important relational elements into her mysteries which elevates them greatly. 

I love these people. I was thoroughly entertained by this novel as I moved about my home and town these past few days. Ready for the next one in the series and super happy that there are so many more to discover.

After reading Henry Winkler’s recent memoir I was curious to hear Ron Howard’s story. According to Winkler, the two men have a deep and abiding friendship but I was curious to hear the other side (spoiler: it’s true). I didn’t know about Clint Howard. 

Reading about the Howard family and the brother’s relationship plus their Hollywood careers was interesting. I loved the behind the scenes takes and Ron Howard’s enthusiasm for “the wizardly craft of creating moving-picture illusions”. It was fun to learn more about Ron’s early acting and then trajectory as a director. Clint’s story was also engaging. Their writing collaborator alternated their voices so it felt like an ongoing conversation. If you like behind the scenes, give this one a try. Especially if you are old enough to remember Mayberry. 😉

“Andy directed his writers to model the Andy-Opie relationship more on the Rance-Ronny one. I was flabbergasted to learn about this conversation; Dad had never breathed a word of it to me. But I was also moved - more than moved. This was a key moment in my life, revealed to me years after the fact: in the distant past of my early childhood, when they still barely knew each other, the two men who effectively charted my future, had held this conversation, and they had come to a mutual understanding, derived from mutual respect.”

“Like the tennis player and the oboist, and the guy who fixes hard drives, we need practice to get good at what we do. There is one difference in medicine, though: it is people we practice upon.”

“That our efforts succeeded at all is sometimes still a shock to me. But they do. Not always, but often enough.”

Complications is such a phenomenal book told by one trusted doctor who is paying attention to an entire industry. Atul Gawande shares his experiences, plus what he gleaned from research and interviews to tell a compelling story. The fact that this was written 20 years ago shocks me. Gawande was ahead of his time. Yet still the system is flawed and fails. One of my favorite parts was about the improvements done with anesthesia processes. I also loved how the incredible stories told in each chapter show the truths of Gawande’s claims. And of course I appreciate the authors writing skill and his respectful treatment of people throughout. Brilliant book all the way around. 

“I was wondering… How could I be a woman of such good fortune and have the worst luck of all when it came to the men I loved.”

Yes, me too. I wondered how she could leap so quickly into relationships and then exit quickly too. Allison Pataki must have noticed that theme too, and structures the book around Marjorie Post’s marriages. I found this very interesting and enjoyable. I appreciated the history and found myself searching online as I read to confirm facts. Pataki writes in an honoring and honest way about Post’s successes and failures. I recommend this historical fiction novel and will read more by Pataki. 

I loved The Comfort Crisis and heard author Michael Easter speak about Scarcity in a podcast. The topic of recognizing scarcity loops and converting to abundance loops for meaningful life is intriguing. Easter writes narrative nonfiction is a way that draws you in - layering interviews, research, and stories (his and others) in an impressive way. 

In this book, I much prefer the relational stories to the science and evolution sections. I am fully on board with the premise that our brains are trying to keep us safe, created to function more fully (leading to meaningful life) when resources are scarce. And I was super excited to see the author more open (slightly) to God in his life and writing - because I am a Jesus follower and because it is important to the conversation (dare I say the missing link). 

The organization of the book is good and Easter is good at leaving you wanting more which he delivers in the next chapter. The epilogue helped tie it all together. I likes several chapters and especially the Information chapter which offers many insights including this one - “… our online middleman also alters the rewards we get from discovery. Searching everything we do before we do it kills new experiences.”

I am grateful to Easter who is out there interviewing fascinating people and making discoveries that are helpful. Then to articulate it well in a book we can read. Well, wow! This book grew my awareness and is in alignment with my goals to live more authentically to how humans were created and therefore thrive. 

Myquillyn Smith came to my attention from multiple podcasts. I bought Cozy Minimalist Home and haven’t read it yet. When she promoted this book House Rules I knew it was time. This book is accessible. I implemented some of the rules as I was reading and have referred back to the beginning rules already too. Mostly, reading this book grew my confidence in taking risks. I found this book inspiring, helpful, and practical. Bonus, I am loving my home more because of the changes prompted by my reading experience. 

“Creating an environment on purpose is powerful. And the environment we spend the most time in is our home. It’s a reminder of the truth we already know: our surroundings deeply affect our mood, actions, thoughts, and feelings.“

“Creating an environment of home isn’t about high-end choices and keeping up with trends. It’s not about pursuing one particular style. It’s about creating an atmosphere where we feel seen, loved, and heard.”

As a “beginner” I am grateful for all the rules. Here are some of my favorite rules - things I needed to hear right now.