Intentional Reading - Second Quarter 2026

Bible, Literature, Intentional Growth

Bible

Pure Voice Audio Bible – New International Version: New Testament by Zondervan and narrated by George W. Sarris. [Audiobook 19 hours and 28 minutes] 4.5 stars.

Sarris is a dramatic storyteller who incorporates music, sound effects, and vocal variations to enhance the characters and scenes in the New Testament.

NASB Audio New Testament narrated by Stevens B. Stevens. [Audiobook 16 hours and 52 minutes] 5 stars.

Stevens is committed to reading the Word of God without sound effects or background music, giving a precise rendering of the New Testament in the NASB 1995 edition. The books are not listed, but both the books and chapters are quietly announced at the beginning of each chapter. There are 260 chapters.

Acts of the Apostles (Dramatized) by Your Story Hour. Carole Pezet and Stanley Hill narrate this audiobook. [6 hours 29 minutes] 5 stars.

This is not a pure rendering of the Book of Acts, but a remarkable dramatization that brings the Book of Acts to life. It has multiple voices and sound insertions, making it feel as if you are living through the events as they unfold. It is excellent for young and old alike!

The Passion Translation: The NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs by Brian Simmons. Audiobook narrated by Brian Simmons. [36 hours 23 minutes] 5 stars.

Brian Simmons reads the NT with instrumental music playing in the background. Simmons adds a historical summary before reading each new book of the Bible.

If you haven’t begun listening to the Bible, I highly encourage you to do so, as it is a tremendous resource for “reading” the Bible multiple times a year and for “hearing” God’s Word of Life in a fresh way.

Literature

Allen Levi

Theo of Golden: A Novel, written by Allen Levi. [Kindle 399 pages] 4.5 stars.

Theo of Golden is a story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, of kindness versus brutality, of generosity versus lack, of trust versus mistrust.

Levi did an excellent job developing the characters of Golden. I appreciated the different topics and the exploration of the paths they took us, as readers.

Levi’s style reminded me of Andy Andrews in the aspect of pondering life and examining our perspective to see if it is correct or needs to shift.

I did not appreciate the ending and compared it to E.B. White’s Stuart Little for its abrupt, blunt conclusion. I found the ending a disappointment, thus my not giving this book 5 stars. However, the novel's character development and Levi’s overall writing style make it a remarkable book.

For anything to be good, truly good, there must be love in it…There must be love for the gift itself, love for the subject being depicted or the story being told, and love for the audience. Whether the art is sculpture, farming, teaching, lawmaking, medicine, music, or raising a child, if love is not in it – at the very heart of it – it might be skillful, marketable, or popular, but I doubt it is truly good. Nothing is what it is supposed to be if love is not at the core. ~Allen Levi

There is no virtue in advertising one’s sadness. But there is no wisdom in denying it either. And there is the beautiful possibility that great love can grow out of sadness if it is well-tended. Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose. ~Allen Levi

The best portion of a good person’s life is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. ~Allen Levi

The Last Sweet Mile, written by Allen Levi. [Kindle 203 pages] 4 stars.

When Allen’s brother, Gary, is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, the brothers embark on the best year of their lives. Levi’s memoir of Gary’s life seeks to capture his love of life right up to the end.

I alternated between deep laughs and wiping tears from my eyes.

Andy Andrews

After reading Allen Levi’s books, I needed to revisit Andy Andrews’ series about The Noticer. A delightful book series with depth. I highly recommend all three books! And his audiobooks are a great listening experience.

The Noticer – Sometimes, All a Person Needs is a Little Perspective. Written and narrated by Andy Andrews. [4 hours 9 minutes] 5 stars.

The Noticer is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration that addresses everyone's yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about them.

Experience is not the best teacher. Other people’s experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great. ~Andy Andrews

When we notice things about ourselves and other people that allow us all to regroup, take a breath, and begin our lives again. The best is surely yet to come. That has been the greatest gift we have received. The gift of a new perspective. ~Andy Andrews

The Noticer Returns – Sometimes You Find Perspective, and Sometimes Perspective Finds You (Book 2.) Written and narrated by Andy Andrews. [7 hours 32 minutes] 5 stars.

The Noticer Returns addresses the questions that people have been searching for centuries: How do we begin to change the culture in which we live? Can we ensure a life of success and value for our children?

Andrew’s everyday life intertwines with principles that apply to anyone searching to create a better life.

Most people live under the misconception that it takes a long time to change. This is not true. It can take a long time to prepare to change or to decide to change or even to want to change. Change itself, however, happens in a heartbeat. ~Andy Andrews

Every decision you ever made – the best ones and the worst ones – were, at their base, merely a product of your thinking at that time. ~Andy Andrews

While a culture may be defined by the customs and accepted practices of its people, it is critical to understand that it is the thinking of its people that creates a culture in the first place. ~Andy Andrews

Just Jones – Sometimes a Thing is Impossible…Until it is Actually Done (Book 3). Written and narrated by Andy Andrews. 5 stars.

Book Three of Andy’s Noticer series. In this book, Andy and Jones take us on a significant journey that demonstrates the importance of perspective, the power of connection, and our ability to make choices. These choices impact individual lives while amplifying their effect on the community at large through several monumental events.

If a person has any inclination toward the best that life has to offer, a constant and never-ending search for truth is a must. For while one can know the truth and never achieve the best, it is not possible to achieve the best without knowing the truth. ~Andy Andrews

The Heart Mender – A Story of Second Chances. Written and narrated by Andy Andrew. [Chirp 6 hours 25 minutes] 5 stars.

This book is a stand-alone book about life, loss, and reconciliation.

We begin to forgive by choosing to forgive…by deciding, not by feeling. Our feelings don’t lead us to forgive. Most times, our feelings lead us the other way. That’s why a person has to decide to forgive first. Our feelings always follow along behind our decisions. ~Andy Andrews

To forgive is to set a prisoner free…and discover the prisoner was you. ~Andy Andrews

E.B. White

After reading Allen Levi’s books, I wanted to revisit E.B. White’s writings, as it has been at least a decade since my last perusal of his books. Although these readings were via audiobooks, which allowed me to listen while driving.

Charlotte’s Web, written by E.B. White and narrated by a full cast (23 in all!). [Audible 4 hours 2 minutes] 5 stars.

This rendering of Charlotte’s Web is marvelous! A great revisit of this classic book, and an enjoyable listening experience for young and old alike.

The Trumpet of the Swan, written and narrated by E. B. White. [Audible 4 hours 20 minutes] 5 stars.

It was nice to hear E.B. White read from his own book, as I believe a writer’s voice brings his characters to life authentically.

Stuart Little, written by E.B. White. Narrated by Julie Harris. [Audible 1 hour 54 minutes] 4 stars.

As a child, then again as a parent and teacher, I remember being greatly disappointed by Stuart Little’s abrupt ending. Julie Harris’s narration kept this audiobook’s ending from feeling quite as abrupt as I remember it, and for this, I am thankful.

Here is New York, written by E.B. White. Narrated by Malcolm Hillgartner. [Audible 1 hour 1 minute] 4 stars.

An interesting perspective of New York City, written over a hundred years ago. A short essay written by White in 1925.

Intentional Growth

Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God’s Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage, written and narrated by Abbey Wedgeworth. [Audible 5 hours 29 minutes] 5 stars.

Wedgeworth does an amazing job validating the value of life, the depth of sorrow experienced in a miscarriage, and bringing comfort to those who have experienced the loss of a child in the womb. This sorrow is not always acknowledged, so Wedgeworth’s book brings a much-needed resource for families who experience loss through miscarriage.

The Dementia Handbook: How to Provide Dementia Care at Home. Written by Judy Cornish. Narrated by Erica Cain. [Audible 2 hours 1 minute] 5 stars.

An insightful book on how to navigate interactions with those we love who are dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Cornish addresses the various stages, challenges, and joys of walking with those dealing with declining memory. An amazing and helpful resource whether your loved one is at home, living with someone else, or in a memory care facility.

What in the World?! – A Southern Woman’s Guide to Laughing at Life’s Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings, written and narrated by Leanna Morgan. [Audible 6 hours 7 minutes] 4 stars.

This is the life of comedian Leanna Morgan. I appreciated Morgan’s southern heart, personality, and voice.

This is basically an autobiography of her life at home and her moving through the world of stand-up comedy. Most of it is humorous, though I would have appreciated fewer stories about the human body.

Her trust in God, His timing, character, and ways is inspirational.

Unshakable Hope – Building Our Lives on the Promises of God, written by Max Lucado and narrated by Ben Holland. [Audible 4 hours 59 minutes] 4.5 stars.

An encouraging listening experience on twelve of the promises from the Bible. Lucado shares stories that bring hope to the heart and inspiration to the soul.

Do you have a book that has significantly impacted you? Share in the comments.