8. The Belle of Chatham

8. The Belle of Chatham. Laura Frantz. 2026. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, historical romance, American Revolution]

First sentence: Her four-poster bed seemed made for winter. 

Premise/plot: The Belle of Chatham is historical fiction set during the American Revolution. Maebel and Coralie Bohannon are sisters with VERY different opinions on the war. Coralie is a loyalist engaged to a British soldier. Maebel is sympathetic to the 'rebel' Patriots. When the Bohannon's house several American soldiers--including General Rhys Harlow, Mae becomes quite smitten. The strife between the sisters continues to grow as the war continues on. 

The novel is set in New Jersey and New York in 1777/1778 I believe. The tension between the sisters is one of the main plot points, and, the damage it does to their relationship, the family itself, and Mae's new relationship with Rhys. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I don't normally read American historical fiction set during this time period. But I enjoyed this one! George Washington does get some time in the book, I believe, as well as some other real life historical figures. While this one is definitely a romance, there's more history than romance. The romance happens quickly--yet I think that is realistic in times of war, particularly at this time in history. Seize the moment while you can when you find someone you love. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

7. Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song

7. Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song. Ariel Vanece. Illustrated by Jade Orlando. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, hymns, friendship]

First sentence: In the summer, Caius spends his mornings on Mr. Johnson's front porch. 

Premise/plot: Caius loves his neighbor, Mr. Johnson. On good days, Mr. Johnson is still singing his song--a hymn--though he fumbles with remembering the words. Lately, Mr. Johnson hasn't felt like singing his song at all. His memory problems are getting him down. Caius goes in search of Mr. Johnson's song so he can potentially cheer his neighbor up when he sings it. 

The song Mr. Johnson loves to sing is "Further Along." 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I am glad I read it. I wasn't expecting the hymn connection when I checked it out from the library. It is a sweet story about a young boy who loves his neighbor and wants to be his friend and cheer him up. 

I definitely recommend sharing the song with young ones if they are unfamiliar with it. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Reading #6

Sunday, February 1, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

2 Samuel 11, 12, 13, 14; 1 Chronological 20:1-3

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Exodus 7-12

RSV Sovereign

2 Chronicles 17-25; John 4-5

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 31, John 16, Jeremiah 31, 1 Corinthians 15

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 15-18; Genesis 1-2; Hebrews 1

Monday, February 2, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

2 Samuel 15-20, Psalms 3, 63, 7

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Exodus 13-19

RSV Sovereign

2 Chronicles 26-36; John 6-7

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 32, John 16, Jeremiah 32, 1 Corinthians 15

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Genesis 2-5, Hebrews 2, Psalms 19-23

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Chronicles 20:4-8, 1 Chronicles 21-29; Psalms 18, 1 Kings 1, 2

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Exodus 20-30

RSV Sovereign

Ezra 1-10; John 8-11

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 33, John 17, Jeremiah 33, 1 Corinthians 16

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Genesis 6-11, Psalms 24-29; Hebrews 3-13

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Psalms 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Exodus 31-40; Leviticus 1-11;

RSV Sovereign

Nehemiah 1-13; John 12-17

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 34, John 18, Jeremiah 34, 2 Corinthians 1-2

Thursday, February 5, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Psalms 17, 19, 20, 21, 22

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Leviticus 12-20

RSV Sovereign

Esther 1-10; John 18-21

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 35, John 18, Jeremiah 35, 2 Corinthians 2-3

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 30-37; Genesis 12-16

Friday, February 6, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Psalms 23-28

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Leviticus 21-27

RSV Sovereign

Job 1-6; Luke 1-4

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 36, John 19, Jeremiah 36, 2 Corinthians 4

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 38-48; Genesis 17-25; 1 Chronicles 1-10

Saturday, February 7, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Psalms 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41

ESV Women's Study Bible 

Numbers 1-8

RSV Sovereign

Job 7-17; Luke 5-9

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign 

Genesis 37, John 19, Jeremiah 37, 2 Corinthians 5

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 44-49; Genesis 26-28; 1 Chronicles 11-20

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Reading #5

Sunday, January 25, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 8-12

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 12-19

RSV Sovereign

2 Kings 1-5, Romans 12-16

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Acts 9, John 12, Psalms 119:33-104; Jeremiah 24, 1 Corinthians 9

Monday, January 26, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 13-17

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 20-23

RSV Sovereign

2 Kings 6-10, Acts 1-5

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 25, John 13, Jeremiah 25, 1 Corinthians 10, Psalms 119:105-176

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 18-26, Psalms 59, 34, 57, 142, 52, 54, 1 Chronicles 12:8-18

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 24-27

RSV Sovereign

2 Kings 11-20; Acts 6-12

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 26, John 14, Psalms 120-131, Jeremiah 26, 1 Corinthians 11

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 27-31; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7, 19-22; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; Psalms 56

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 28-36

RSV Sovereign

2 Kings 21-25; 1 Chronicles 1-12; Acts 13-16

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 27, John 14, Psalms 132-138, Jeremiah 27, 1 Corinthians 12

Thursday, January 29, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

2 Samuel 1-4, 2 Samuel 23:8-39, 1 Chronicles 11:10-47

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 37-41

RSV Sovereign

1 Chronicles 13-29, Acts 17-28

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 28, John 15, Psalms 139-143, Jeremiah 28, 1 Corinthians 13

Friday, January 30, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

2 Samuel 5-7, 1 Chronicles 11:1-9; 1 Chronicles 12:23-40, 1 Chronicles 13-17;

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 42-50

RSV Sovereign

2 Chronicles 1-9, John 1

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 29, John 15, Psalms 144-150, Jeremiah 29, 1 Corinthians 14

Saturday, January 31, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

2 Samuel 8-10, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Psalms 60

ESV Women's Study Bible

Exodus 1-6

RSV Sovereign

2 Chronicles 10-16, John 2-3

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign

Genesis 30, John 16, Jeremiah 30, 1 Corinthians 14

NASB 1977 Giant Print (AMG)

Psalms 1-14

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

6. The Fault Between Us

6. The Fault Between Us. Stephanie Landsem. 2025. 344 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, christian fiction]

First sentence: The day Mother left, Claire got a gold star for her report on Yellowstone National Park. 

Premise/plot: Historical fiction set in 1959. Claire, Bridget, and Frannie are sisters. Claire has married a cowboy, Red Wilder, and is now living in Montana in western Yellowstone. Her dad who did not approve of the marriage even slightly has sent his two daughters--Bridget and Frannie--to "fetch" her home with her new baby with or without her husband. Claire receives word via letter that Bridget it is coming two days before. Not much time to prepare, and since Red has literally just lost his job, there is much tension. The visit does not go well--at the start. Red goes off in search of another job. Bridget goes to her nursing job in Yellowstone. Frannie runs away to join the staff at Canyon Lodge. But when disaster strikes--an earthquake--the family will be tested greatly. Will they survive the shocks and aftershocks? 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It isn't without its...faults...but it is a good read. There are a LOT of narrators--Claire, Bridget, Frannie, and Red. The characters don't always treat each other with kindness, compassion, love. There's hardly any giving each other the benefit of the doubt. But I do think the book deals with family trauma. Not all historical romance does. So this is definitely not your typical Christian historical romance. 

Once the earthquake happens things gets intense QUICKLY. Everything is building up to that point. The pacing is a little uneven, but, it is necessary. You can't just start with the earthquake without building up the characters and giving them back stories. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Reading #4

Sunday, January 18, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible 

Deuteronomy 21-28

ESV Women's Study Bible

1 Kings 5-11

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 18, Matthew 16, Psalms 90-94, Jeremiah 17, 1 Corinthians 1-2

RSV Sovereign Bible 

1 Samuel 24-31, 2 Corinthians 

Monday, January 19, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Deuteronomy 29-34, Psalms 90, 

ESV Women's Study Bible

1 Kings 12-16

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 19, John 9, Psalms 95-101, Jeremiah 18, 1 Corinthians 3

RSV Sovereign Bible 

2 Samuel 1-5, 1 Corinthians 1-4

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Joshua

ESV Women's Study Bible

1 Kings 17-22

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 20, John 10, Psalms 102-104, Jeremiah 19, 1 Corinthians 4

RSV Sovereign Bible 

2 Samuel 6-11, 1 Corinthians 5-10

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Judges 1-12

ESV Women's Study Bible

2 Kings 1-10

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 21, John 10, Psalms 105-106, Jeremiah 20, 1 Corinthians 4-5

RSV Sovereign Bible 

2 Samuel 12-24, 1 Corinthians 11-16

Thursday, January 22, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Judges 13-21

ESV Women's Study Bible

2 Kings 11-25, Genesis 1-2

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 22, John 11, Psalms 107-109, Jeremiah 21, 1 Corinthians 6

RSV Sovereign Bible 

1 Kings 1-11, Romans 1-4

Friday, January 23, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Ruth

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 3-5

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 23, John 11, Psalms 110-115, Jeremiah 22, 1 Corinthians 7

RSV Sovereign Bible 

1 Kings 12-16; Romans 5-8

Saturday, January 24, 2026

KJV Chronological Life Application Study Bible

1 Samuel 1-7

ESV Women's Study Bible

Genesis 6-11

NKJV Wide Margin Sovereign Bible

Genesis 24, John 12, Psalms 116-119:1-32; Jeremiah 23, 1 Corinthians 8

RSV Sovereign Bible 

1 Kings 17-22, Romans 9-11

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

5. 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust

5. 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of The Christian Faith That Will Change Your Life. Paul David Tripp. 2025. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction, christian theology, teen books, teen devotional]

First sentence: God has revealed himself and perfectly declared his will by committing his truth to writing.

Paul David Tripp has adapted his book, DO YOU BELIEVE?, for teens in 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust.

There are twelve truths. Each of the twelve truths is carefully unpacked. This book is ALL about organization of core truths.

Each truth includes the following:

WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHY WE BELIEVE IT

HOW IT MATTERS

"What We Believe" gives a clear, concise, no-nonsense definition or description of the truth being unpacked. 

"Why We Believe It" gives Scriptural proofs--not Scripture references which would involve an extra step or two for the reader--but shares verses and passages from Scripture. This emphasizes that WHY we believe a doctrine is drawn itself FROM Scripture itself. And never just one passage or one verse, but many. 

"How It Matters" includes SEVEN readings. These readings could be read in one sitting OR could be read over seven days. So *if* one was reading this in a group setting--a private school, a Sunday school, family devotions--one could have weekly assignments. ONE could use the opening sections to prepare for more personal study throughout the week. Each of the seven readings concludes with a "read" and "reflect" section. 

The twelve core truths are:

Scripture

God

God's Holiness

God's Sovereignty

God's Power

God's Creation

God's Image

Sin

Justification

Sanctification

Perseverance and Glorification

Eternity

Reading through this list one can clearly see this book has potential to be awesome for teaching the basics. 

I was torn between four stars and five stars. If GoodReads allowed for half star ratings, I may have rated this one 4 and 1/2 stars. I loved, loved, loved the twelve core truths. I thought these were foundational essentials. I loved, loved, loved the two sections, "What We Believe" and "Why We Believe It." The scriptural proofs were AWESOME. I appreciated the "How It Matters" but these seven readings are not as strong perhaps as the other two sections. Sometimes the reading would be excellent. But these were the places where personal stories and anecdotes entered in a bit. I also thought that some of the readings could been condensed into a few readings instead of spread out into seven. That being said, SO much to love and appreciate in this one. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible