I currently read books two different ways, on my Kindle and from a physical book that I slowly work through while getting ready in the mornings. Both of the books I finished this month were “getting ready” books. I read them in short bursts while waiting for my shower to warm up, brushing my teeth, doing my hair, and applying makeup. It’s amazing how much reading you can fit in just by using those little in-between moments!

The first book, Dark Eagle: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution, by John Ensor Harr, actually started back in August. It took me quite a while to finish since I only read it in small doses. I found it in the free pile at my local library. It sat on my shelf for a bit before I finally grabbed it one morning as I was heading out the door to cover my friend’s retail store. I wanted something to read during slow periods, and this one turned out to be a gem.

The second book, M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood, by Abbie Halberstadt, came highly recommended by a friend at church who also graciously loaned me her copy.

Keep reading to find out what I thought of these two!

Dark Eagle: A Novel of Benedict Arnold and the American Revolution

I really enjoyed Dark Eagle! At first, I didn’t even realize it was fiction because it opens with actual letters written by real people about Benedict Arnold’s life. Living in an area with so much Revolutionary War history made it even more interesting for me. There’s even a spot near me on Lake Champlain called Arnold Bay where Benedict Arnold brought a fleet of American ships and burned them to keep them from falling into British hands!

The author portrays Arnold as a misunderstood man, definitely less of a villain than history usually paints him. Before reading this book, I thought of Benedict Arnold as nothing more than a traitor. But after learning more of his story, I began to see that he had been overlooked and mistreated by the U.S. military. He gave so much to his country and received very little in return. The book really made me rethink what loyalty means and how, sometimes, even the most dedicated people can feel betrayed.

One thing that stood out to me was how George Washington was portrayed. In this book, he came across as more of a pushover than I expected. The writing style started a bit slow, but once I got past the first quarter, I was hooked. I’d recommend Dark Eagle to anyone who loves historical fiction, Revolutionary War history, or wants to challenge what they think they know about Benedict Arnold.

M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood

My friend at church not only recommended this book but also loaned me her copy, and I’m so glad she did. The chapter that stood out to me the most was about self-care. It challenged the modern, secular idea of self-care and reminded me that while it’s good to rest and set boundaries, we shouldn’t idolize it or treat it like something we “deserve.”

This book really made me stop and think about how easy it is to slip into worldly patterns even as Christian moms. It reminded me that Christian motherhood is harder because we’re going against the cultural norm and standing firm in biblical truth.

When I finished, I felt convicted, but in a good way. Encouraged, too. Sometimes I look at how I parent and wonder why it feels so different from how other moms around me do it. But this book helped me see that my parenting should look different. It’s not about blending in; it’s about being faithful. I may not always get it perfect, but I realized that I’m doing exactly what God called me to do—and I’m doing a pretty good job at it.

Reflection and Takeaway

It might sound funny, but both of these books, though completely different, touched on courage. Dark Eagle showed courage in the face of betrayal and misunderstanding. M is for Mama reminded me of the courage it takes to live out biblical motherhood in a world that doesn’t always understand it.

I gave both of these books five stars on Goodreads (you can follow along with what I’m reading there if you’d like!). I plan to share what I’m reading each month, and depending on how much content I have, these may show up as bonus articles.

A Little Blog Update

I also wanted to let you know about a small change here on the blog. I’m moving my new post day from Sundays to Tuesdays!

After doing some research, I found that Tuesdays are actually a better day for readers to check in and enjoy new posts. Sundays can be such busy days for families, with everyone preparing for the week ahead. Moving my posting day will give me more time to polish my articles instead of rushing on Sunday afternoons, and it’ll hopefully give you a more relaxed time to read.

You can still expect the same kind of content—faith-based encouragement, monthly book reviews, homemaking tips, and food budgeting ideas.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for making this space what it is. Your support and encouragement truly mean the world to me.

Before you go, I’d love to hear from you!
Have you read either of these books—or do you have a recommendation for what I should read next month? Drop your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on Instagram @justbeingkarab. And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog so you never miss a new Tuesday post!