Between The Pages | March 2025 Reading Roundup

Alright, bookworms, grab your favorite cozy light blanket and settle in! Welcome back to Between The Pages, where I share the literary adventures that have kept me company. March was a month of unexpected twists and turns in my reading.

I decided to venture beyond my usual comfort zone, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride. I found myself navigating the pages of not one but two Christian-themed books that I wouldn’t typically pick up: an apocalyptic tale and, surprisingly, a thriller. Now, those of you who know me know I avoid thrillers like a cat avoids water, especially anything with violence. But I took a deep breath, dove in, and… I survived! And, dare I say, I even enjoyed it.

I’m excited to share my thoughts on these unexpected reads alongside my usual lighthearted humor and a heartwarming devotional that brightened my days. Let’s turn the page and get started!

Take A Look

Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham (via, Kindle Unlimited)

“Authentically, Izzy” by Pepper Basham is a lighthearted, clean, bookish romantic comedy. The story is primarily told through emails, texts, and letters.

The main character, Isabelle “Izzy” Edgewood, is a librarian and book lover who dreams of opening her own bookstore. Her cousin signs her up for an online dating site, which leads Izzy to connect with Brodie, a man who shares her love of books and lives on a small island across the ocean. The book follows their long-distance relationship as they bond over their shared interests, particularly a love for Lord of the Rings.

The story centers around themes of finding love, self-discovery, and having the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone.

It took me a few chapters to get into. It was confusing at first getting to know who was who due to the characters communicating via text, emails, and letters. And, I have to admit, I skipped ahead at times. All in all, it really was a cute, funny, and clean story.

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments by Rose Chandler Johnson (via, Kindle Unlimited)

“God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea” by Rose Chandler Johnson is a collection of 52 devotionals designed to help readers connect with God in the everyday moments of life. It encourages readers to find God’s presence in the small, ordinary things that often go unnoticed. Each devotional includes:

— Scripture suggestions for further reading

— Journaling questions

— prayer

— A “sweet tea moment” (a thought for the day)

— A prayer focus

The book aims to help readers develop a closer relationship with God and experience His blessings daily.

I Am In Here: A Breathtaking Christian Thriller by Creston Mapes

“I Am In Here” by Creston Mapes is a Christian thriller that tells the story of 18-year-old Hale Frodele. After a tragic church bus accident, Hale is presumed brain dead. Still, he’s actually fully aware of everything happening around him. He can hear and understand everything with crystal clarity, but he can’t communicate.

The story unfolds as Hale witnesses his family falling apart. He learns his father is in deep debt to a dangerous loan shark. His father’s new wife resents Hale. Meanwhile, Hale’s best friend suspects that Hale is more aware than everyone believes and tries to help.

The book explores themes of family struggles, faith, and the challenges of being trapped within one’s own body.

This wasn’t my typical type of read. The cover and title are what caught my attention in the first place. Overall, it was a good read with a Christian theme.

The Valley of the Dry Bones: A Novel (End Times) by Jerry B. Jenkins

“The Valley of the Dry Bones” by Jerry B. Jenkins is a novel that sets the ancient End Times prophecies of Ezekiel in modern-day California. The story depicts a desolate California after a 17-year drought, earthquakes, and wildfires. The U.S. President declares the state uninhabitable, leading to the relocation of millions of citizens.

The book focuses on a small group of people who remain in California to minister about Jesus and face the challenges of living in this devastated land. The holdouts, as they call themselves, deal with a clash of cultures, ethnicities, religions, and politics.

This convergence of diverse perspectives creates both opportunities for unity and significant sources of conflict, testing their faith and resilience as they navigate a world where the future of California and their own survival hangs in the balance.

This isn’t my typical read, either. But I enjoy Jerry B. Jinkins’s writings, so I thought I’d give this a read, and I’m glad I did.

So, that wraps up my March reading adventures! I explored a diverse array of genres, each offering its own unique perspective and experience. I found myself immersed in stories that challenged my thinking and sparked my imagination.

I’m pleased I took the plunge into these new literary territories; it allowed me to step outside my reading comfort zone and cultivate a more eclectic repertoire.”

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