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Recap Book Chat
Recap Book Chat
218 episodes
4 days ago
If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an elementary teacher for 40+ years. Her passion is reading and it is contagious. My name is Kate Matthews and I am an artist, seeker of wisdom and lifelong student. We decided to start a book club a couple of years ago which has impacted and grown us tremendously. We hope you will join in on the fun and get lost in the magic of reading with us.
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If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an elementary teacher for 40+ years. Her passion is reading and it is contagious. My name is Kate Matthews and I am an artist, seeker of wisdom and lifelong student. We decided to start a book club a couple of years ago which has impacted and grown us tremendously. We hope you will join in on the fun and get lost in the magic of reading with us.
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Episodes (20/218)
Recap Book Chat
Literary Awards 2025

Welcome to our yearly Recap Book Chat Awards for the year 2025.

Most whimsical: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Its dreamy, childlike philosophical tale of a young prince traveling planets, full of wonder, imagination, and gentle absurdity, captures pure whimsy more than any other on the list. BFG and Much Ado About Nothing also fit this category.

Grittiest: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – Depicting extreme poverty, injustice, prison brutality, prostitution, child suffering, and revolutionary violence in raw detail, it unflinchingly explores human misery and societal cruelty. 

Most unique format: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. 1 or 2) – Written entirely as witty, personal diary entries from a quirky Victorian-era heroine, this journal style stands out distinctly among traditional narratives, plays, and prose.

Best opening line: The Green Ember by S.D. Smith “Heather had invented the game, but Picket made it magic.” 

Most unpredictable: The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner – Filled with shocking twists involving deception, bigamy, and survival amid the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, its plot revelations keep readers guessing.

Most intense: Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon-Family killed in front of her, captured by Indians, yet in love with an Indian man. 

Most impactful in society: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – A monumental critique of social injustice that influenced reforms, human rights discourse, and popular culture worldwide through adaptations highlighting redemption and inequality.

Most creative: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – Inventing an entire mythology, languages, maps, and world (Middle-earth) showcases unparalleled imaginative world-building.

Best leading lady: Emmalyne Knox from The Quarryman’s Bride by Tracie Peterson – Intelligent, resilient, compassionate, dealing with trauma from loss of sisters, home and betrothed. 

Best leading man: Aragorn from The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien. Brave warrior, wise strategist, skilled healer, humble leader, stoic strength and empathy. Aragorn demonstrates a balanced masculinity free of pettiness, unjust anger or despair. He epitomizes patience and loyalty beyond today’s imagination! 

Best ending: Ferris by Kate Dicamillo, what a beautiful story of reconciliation and  community, Here Be Dragons by Melanie Shankle ends with her teaching her daughter to navigate the dragons (aka mean girls) in life.

Changed our lives: Seeing the Unseen by Joe Beam, preparing yourself for Spiritual Warfare along with the bishop in Les Miserables whose kindness changed Jean Valjean’s life! 

Stands the test of time: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – Decades later, it remains a cultural cornerstone, influencing fantasy and enduring as a beloved classic.

Best overall book: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – Masterful storytelling, rich themes of friendship, heroism, and good vs. evil, combined with enduring influence and depth, make it a standout masterpiece. Happy New Year dear readers!!!


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4 days ago
29 minutes 18 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien

Let’s journey to Middle Earth together! Readers meet Frodo, the unsuspecting beneficiary of Bilbo’s ‘Ring’. This gift turns the innocent hobbit’s world upside down. Frodo and his friends, Sam, Merry and Pippin set out on a quest to meet up with Gandalf the Grey which is no small task as Black Riders are trailing the travelers. 

Along the way they meet a Ranger, tall, lean, dark, who goes by the name of Strider. He tells Frodo his carelessness with the Ring has announced to the evil people that the hobbits are in town. 

Frodo receives a note of warning from Gandalf NOT to use the ring again. He also tells him his friend, Strider, (aka Aragorn) will help him get to Rivendell where he hopes to meet with him.

Sacrifice and camaraderie are themes throughout the book. When plans fail there is no blame game. When mistakes are made, they are owned, when tensions arise options are given.

When Gimli, the Dwarf, refuses to abide the elves' rule for him to be blindfolded, Aragorn suggests that their whole party be blindfolded.

Won’t you join us for the journey? We wish each one of you a Merry Christmas!!!


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1 week ago
40 minutes 2 seconds

Recap Book Chat
10+ Books That Gifted Us

It’s the season of curling up with a good book before a cozy fire and reading a favorite book. 

It’s also gift giving time. Maybe our lists can help you match your loved ones to the perfect book!

We each share our 5 favorite adult and children's books to light up your holiday season! 

Kate and Sheila’s Picks:                

Adults’                                       Kids’ 

  • Living Fearless Wingfeather Saga

  • Hiding Place Little Pilgrim’s Progress

  • Lineage of Grace The Hobbit

  • Unoffendable The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Narnia Chronicles 😀)

  • Mere Christianity Way of the Warrior Kid

  • Undefeated The Education of Little Tree

  • Theo of Golden Everything Sad Is Untrue

  • Seeing the Unseen The Green Ember series

  • Hannah Coulter Call of the Wild

  • Red Badge of Haven 

    Courage

Thank you for listening! Happy Reading! The authors are listed on our website.https://recapbookchat.com/2025/12/16/episode-208-top-ten-books-blessings/

Blessings to you and your family!

 


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2 weeks ago
42 minutes 40 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

For episode 208, Kate and Sheila recap The Quarryman’s Bride, by Tracie Peterson.  The story is set in 1880’s in St. Cloud, MN. The contrast in characters is amazing! Emmalyne’s kindness and loyalty contrasts wildly with the bitterness and hardness of her father.  Emmalyne and Tavin were two weeks away from marriage when the tragedy of losing her sisters changed her father’s mind. He announced she could not marry Tavin, but must care for him and her mother instead because it was a Scottish custom. Tavin wanted to elope Emmalyne could not. She surrendered to do her duty instead of following her heart. Tavin’s so devastated he leaves town immediately, the Knox family leave as well. 

Eleven years pass and the Knox family returns. Mr. MacLachlan hired Mr. Knox as his accountant at the quarry. There is much tension at the quarry because the pressure to join the union is applying. Tavin’s mother sent him a letter saying how much he was needed at home.

Emmalyne cares for her sick mother with the help of a young handsome doctor. Emmalyne prays for God to bless her family. She struggles to love her father and tells him of her struggle. Her mother’s health is revived when her son comes down with the measles.

“You can begin by doing and saying loving things…Love is not an emotion but an act.”

Forgiveness, redemption, and transformation are woven throughout The Quarryman’s Bride. Won’t you join us for the ride! 

https://recapbookchat.com/2025/11/13/the-quarrymans-bride-a-tale-of-love-and-sacrifice/


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1 month ago
39 minutes 6 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Books of 1st and 2nd Samuel

The period of Judges and Ruth was dark. God raised up Samuel as a prophet, priest, and judge when He answered childless Hannah’s fervent prayer. Samuel was committed to doing what was right in God’s sight, sadly Eli, the current priest, and sons were not. Eli’s dealings with his erring sons teaches us we have to do more than just talk. From Samuel, the last judge, to Saul, the first king, is a tumultuous time. Fear becomes Saul’s focus trumping growth in his relationship with God. Amazingly, Saul’s son, Jonathan, shines because he does put God first. Fearless faith enables Jonathan to humbly embrace David as the next king instead of himself.

David was anointed king before his famous fight with Goliath in chapter 17. We notice the timeline between David’s anointing as king and him actually becoming king was quite a gap. David’s brothers were about as encouraging as Joseph’s. Was it jealousy? Brothers can be a blessing or a burden, this is true in all relationships, let’s choose to be a Johnathan not an Eliab! The end of the first book of Samuel gets ugly for  King Saul, he’s blinded by jealousy and cannot stop chasing David, he’s not listening to Samuel, and he’s not obeying God. After Samuel dies, Saul decides to have a medium bring him up. Sad picture of lost opportunities, we can learn much for Saul. Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!

2 Samuel depicts the ups and downs of King David’s life. We learn that sin separates and that no one sins in a vacuum, we can get forgiveness most assuredly sin has consequences. David’s children suffered. Kudos to Nathan, who had the hard talk with David using the vehicle of story!

Through it all, David is a man after God’s own heart. Are we following his example as we meet the ups and downs of our earthly walk? Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap these two insightful books in God’s Holy Word! Blessings to you dear listeners, may we all GROW closer to God each day!


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1 month ago
44 minutes 4 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Vol 2. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

Emma M. Lion returns with gusto in volume 2 by Beth Brower. Do you like underdog stories? Emma may be in a precarious predicament but she’s not one to throw in the towel! 

Advice from Emma’s father, “You must be fighting fit, Emma, whatever else. Most of life is the ability to be ready for what comes your way.”

Young Hawkes (the unlikely vicar) informs Emma that her cousin has been confessing his sins and a much longer list of her sins while showing the scar from the teapot Emma tossed at him long ago following much provocation. 

The Tenant aka Niall Pierce attempts to solve the mouse problem with a cat. He and Emma communicate by sending messages through a hole in the wall that divides the garret, like the following:

I REPORT THAT TYBALT HAS TAKEN A MOUSE.

Your news proves to be the chief triumph of my day.

WITH NO WISH TO CAST ASPERSIONS, I WONDER HOW THAT COULD BE THE TRIUMPH OF AN ENTIRE DAY?

Tea with my Aunt, the Lady Eugenia Spencer, in which I was instructed how to behave in public: namely, like an unobtrusive but on the window.

I RETRACT MY PREVIOUS QUESTION.

Cousin Arabella bravely declares that, “Emma can’t live with Maxwell’s ghost forever…As painful as it is, however desperately we miss him, Maxwell has been dead for three years…Allow him to go.”

  Mary, Emma’s friend and fellow survivor  from Fortitude enlists Emma’s help in solving a problem involving retrieving a confiscated  copy of Jane Eyre and Jack (Mary’s rented cousin).

In the midst of Emma’s comings and goings she intersects with the Duke of Islington’s diary which she was unable to resist reading from cover to cover before returning it!

We love Emma and her ability to move forward in spite of the trials her cousin places upon her. Won’t you join the journey? Blessings!


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1 month ago
31 minutes 18 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Book of Ruth

Naomi has lost her husband and two sons in Moab so she decides to return to her homeland. However, she does not lose her daughter-in-law even after Naomi repeatedly encouraged Ruth to return to her mother’s house. 

Ruth's reply was and still is so powerful. “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Ruth exhibits the traits described in the Proverbs 31 woman. She gave Naomi space to grieve while she gleaned fields from early morning till evening. Her focus was on serving Naomi not herself. What a wonderful lesson for us all!

Her character and work ethic received the attention of Boaz, the owner of the field and a relative of Naomi. Layer by layer, Naomi works through her grief and becomes a matchmaker. What a beautiful love story evolves out of heart-brokeness!

Boaz’s mom was Rahab, who had also, like Ruth, left pagan life to follow YHWH. He is drawn to this young woman who is an outsider, like himself, when he sees who she  gladly gleans for her mother-in-law.

R uth refused to return to her parent’s abode,

U nbelievable work ethic, she carried the load-

T rusted God wholeheartedly, she never feared,

H umbly followed Namomi’s instructions no matter how weird!

Won’t you journey with us back to the turbulent time of Judges as we recap the amazing book of Ruth! Let’s strive to absorb the lessons that can be gleaned from this selfless servant-minded young widow!


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2 months ago
34 minutes 18 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Book of Judges

Join Kate and Sheila as they journey through Judges, a book of disobedience, oppression, crying out to God, judge (aka leader) appointed, deliverance, and peace cycling over and over. God was clear- take over the land, but instead His people intermarried and started to worship idols. Downward spirals are never pretty, but they can teach a great deal.

  •  In chapter 2, the text says they failed to teach the next generation.

  • Ch. 4-Deborah the prophetess helps her insecure commander, Barak (Be Brave-God’s in control)

  • Ch. 5-the resourceful Jael bravely uses what she has on hand (a tent peg) to kill the man Barak was afraid of (Serve God with what we have on hand)

  • Ch. 6-Gideon’s story shows the patience of God and how He meets people where they are

  • Ch. 8 Gideon goes from “the Lord will rule over you” to building an ephod that became a snare to the people

  • Ch 11- Jepthah’s unwise vow that cost his daughter’s life (Watch our words closely)

  • Abimelech killed his 70 half-brothers on a stone (the youngest escaped) (he received 70 silver coins-is money ever the answer?)

  • Abeimelech was killed by a millstone a woman dropped out of a tower (Another resourceful woman)

  • Samson – never trust someone (Delilah) who seeks to weaken you (Pick your friends carefully)

  • “In those days there was no king in Israel. People did whatever they felt like doing.” Judges 17:6 and 21:25 (Ask what does God want me to do instead)

Talk about a rollercoaster ride! Please join us & discover how this book can guide, real change always starts from the inside! 


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2 months ago
26 minutes 22 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower.

In today’s visit we dive into The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by the very talented Beth Brower.

“It takes a courageous man to marry a woman with a mind.” 

Emma M. Lion is definitely a woman with a mind! She lives in London in the house she inherited but is quarantined to just the garret thanks to Cousin Archibald.

In 106 pages you are swept back to 1883 England. One journal entry shows a wordsmith in the making.

“The scurry.

The scrape.

The scratch.

Followed by an all to earthly squeak.

The garret has mice.

I weep.”

Emma lost her parents at 13 and is now trying to survive and thrive in dire circumstances until she turns 18 in a few months.

She had to sell her father’s extensive library to pay for schooling, which turned out less than optimal. Her cousin delivers a trunk that contains her mother’s Bible and her father’s illustrated works of Shakespeare. (Her father annotated texts long before it was cool. Margins are made to record the thoughts of the reader. Emma treasures this book. “I will read them through slowly, stretching the delight as far as I can.”

Are you ready to meet the colorful Emma M. Lion? Please join us as we discuss the wonders of this witty wordsmith!


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2 months ago
30 minutes 38 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

When gentle Hero meets the shy Claudio in this comedy by William Shakespeare, there is alas quite a bit of spice in the gumbo with Beatrice, aka Lady Tongue, and the blunt Benedick as they banter to beat the bands. Don Pedro and company arrive at Messina and go to the home of the governor, Hero’s father and Beatrice’s uncle, Leonata. The unsavory half-brother of Don Pedro, Don John, is, as Kate said, a contaminant and sets out to destroy happiness wherever it crops up.

Notable Quotes:

Beatrice: I’d rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

Claudio: Bait the hook well: this fish will bite.

Benedict: That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; all women shall pardon me…I will live a bachelor.

Friar: That what we have we prize not to the worth whiles we enjoy it; but being Jack’d and lost, why, then we rack the value…

Much can be gleaned from this short play! Trust plays a part in all relationships. One’s inner circle must be made up of trusted people. Don Pedro’s had an unsavory character. Impulsiveness is an issue for Claudio, who believes without giving Hero a chance to defend herself. Don John knows that people tend to believe the worst, especially with a set-up visual. He stacks up the dominoes and waits for the drama to fall.

Join in on the fun recapping this climactic, chaotic comedy from the Wiley Wordsmith! 

May blessings come to you, listeners so dear, 

We hope you enjoy another classic from Shakespeare!

https://recapbookchat.com/


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3 months ago
36 minutes 2 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Maisie Dobb's, An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

 Maisie Dobbs accepts a case from an old friend concerning his potential land purchase. She goes to a small rural community to investigate mysterious fires that erupt regularly, in addition to a series of petty crimes. Her assistant, Billy, and his family are there to pick hops. (Every August or September, thousands of Londoners left the crowded city to live in huts for weeks to pick hops. Not long after this time period, workers were replaced by machines. What was interesting was the attitude of the pickers, they formed a community and sang and danced in the evenings, and treated their time in Kent more like a vacation than drudgery.) 1931 brought many challenges to folks in the different classes, from Londoners to gypsies to townspeople.. Prejudices are never pretty.

 England was still healing from the aftermath of  WWI, Billy and his sweet family are still healing from their loss, and Maisie has her own loss to work through, too. Revenge is added to loss in the village where Maisie learns about a secret no one wants to discuss. Another mystery is the Zeppelin raid that killed the baker and his family. Can Masie find answers and solve the case?

“Fear is the driving force behind revenge, but love is the antidote.” Sounds like the Bible verse from 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” This book was filled with revenge quotes that packed a punch. Kate pointed out that maybe an incomplete revenge is one that has not been forgiven, what a powerful point! 

Please join us as we recap Maise Dobbs’s 5th book, An Incomplete Truth by Jacqueline Winspear,  “The past may haunt us, but only by facing it can we find true peace.”

Blessings, dear listeners!


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3 months ago
40 minutes 35 seconds

Recap Book Chat
A Tribute to Charlie Kirk

 A young brave truth-teller’s earthly life ended this past week, however his light has not dimmed. Let us remember Charlie Kirk as a life long learner and advocate for truth and living life God’s way. Read a challenging book he recommended like Mere Christianity,1984, A Brave New World… Even with his busy schedule he read 100 books a year! Reading does something nothing else can do, it stretches and exercises our minds. We can interact with authors from different centuries and backgrounds and cultures. 

Charlie challenged young and old to live daringly and be difference makers. Please join us as we share my grandson's free verse poem for Charlie. 

We are grateful for each of you! May we grow together! Blessings and as Charlie always said, “Buckle-up, here we go!”


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3 months ago
36 minutes 50 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

It’s 1963, four housewives living in the same suburb start a book club. Margaret dreams of becoming a writer, Charlotte an artist, Bitsy a vet, and Viv would like to return to nursing. They all have kids except the youngest member, Betsy, who desperately wants to be a mother. 

Charlotte says she will join the book club only if they read The Feminine Mystique. This sent up a red flag for me because of preconceived notions about the women’s movement, which brought both good and bad.  Anything that demeans God’s role of motherhood makes me wonder if the author was blessed with children. After going down that rabbit hole, I discovered she had three children. In the book,  How to Read a Book, the authors caution about forming an opinion before finishing a text, that is powerful advice. I learned a lot.

What surprised me was that a married woman wasn’t able to open a checking account without her husband’s signature. I also got an up close and personal glimpse of overbearing husbands and it wasn’t pretty. I had the opposite growing up, my dad never talked down to my mom, she lamblasted him.

The story is mostly about Margaret and how the past haunts her. Margaret’s marriage hits some bumps when she starts writing a column for A Woman’s Place, which Walt, her husband, refers to as her jobette. When honesty clears the lies he’s been believing, he makes an about face!

Don’t grab a cigarette or a stinger, just sip some tea and enjoy the recap on The Book Club for Troublesome Women : )


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3 months ago
28 minutes 31 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon

Where the Lost Wander is a gem of a book by Amy Harmon! Join the Mays and John Lowry as they forge westward on the Overland Trail in 1853! Sparks fly when mule man John Lowry meets the young widow, Naomi May. Romance shows us the trail is not the only thing that is bumpy. Grittiness and resilience abound!

Memorable Quotes are aplenty in this timely treasure:

“The hardest thing about life is knowing what matters and what doesn’t,’ Winifred muses. “If nothing matters, then there’s no point. If everything matters, there’s no purpose.”

“I cannot give her shelter. Not out here.” John talking to Naomi’s mother who wisely responds…

“That’s what marriage is. It’s shelter. It’s sustenance. It’s warmth. It’s finding rest in each other.”

“Thinking takes time…feeling not so much. Feeling is instant. It’s a reaction. But thinking? Thinking is hard work. Feeling doesn’t take any work at all. I’m not saying it’s wrong. Not saying it’s right either. It just is. How I feel, I cannot trust that, not right away, because how I feel today may not be how I feel tomorrow.”--John Lowry

“It is the suffering of love. Every parent feels it. It is the suffering of being unable to shield or save. It is not love if it doesn’t hurt…The pain. It’s worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it’s worth it. It’s the only thing that is.”---Jenny (John’s stepmother)

“It’s all in the mare. The best mules come from superior mothers. The jack’s important, but the mare is everything.”---John’s father

“Winifred May is a darn good woman, and William knows it, which is to his credit. The best thing about him is her…” —John

“Ma said transcendence is when we rise above the things we can’t change.”--Naomi

“We women want to make the world brighter even if we have to fight our men folk to do it.”---Mrs. Vasquez

Wagons ho… Thank you, dear readers, for joining our adventure! Blessings!


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4 months ago
38 minutes 3 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Greetings Readers! Kate and Sheila recap the impactful middle grade novel, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.. We meet 13 year old Sal who is traveling with her grandparents to Idaho to see her mother who left the family months ago. During the trip, Sal tells them the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom who thinks her mom was kidnapped.

The Winterbottom family has been receiving inspirational quotes on their doorstep, such as:

Everyone has their own agenda.

In the course of a lifetime, what does it matter?

You can’t keep the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair,

Do you like duel story lines and mystery? This 1994 Newbery winner might be just the book for you! Blessings!


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4 months ago
26 minutes 19 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Busting Book Excuses

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


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4 months ago
38 minutes 17 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Book of Joshua

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.


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5 months ago
48 minutes 48 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Shell Seekers by Rosamonde Pilcher

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?


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5 months ago
35 minutes 39 seconds

Recap Book Chat
The Little Prince by  Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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/


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5 months ago
26 minutes 42 seconds

Recap Book Chat
Five on the Side

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/


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5 months ago
42 minutes 39 seconds

Recap Book Chat
If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an elementary teacher for 40+ years. Her passion is reading and it is contagious. My name is Kate Matthews and I am an artist, seeker of wisdom and lifelong student. We decided to start a book club a couple of years ago which has impacted and grown us tremendously. We hope you will join in on the fun and get lost in the magic of reading with us.