Ryanne Molinari

An Active & Imaginative Life

book blog

January 2, 2026

The Freedom of a Lower Reading Goal

Last year, I intentionally set my GoodReads goal lower than the year before. Admittedly, I still ended up reading 76 books, but having a lower goal led to more discerning, attentive, and formative reading—both of dense classics and the occasional “brain candy” book. If you’re looking to read better—not just more—this year, consider keeping your… Continue reading

literary living

Book, book blog, book review, bookish, books, goodreads, reader, Reading, reading goal
July 1, 2025

Last Things First: June-July

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literary living

blogging, book blog, books, Reading, writing
March 25, 2022

To the Former Owner of Andersonville

Dear Jack, I recently obtained what was previously your copy of Andersonville. I just wanted to express how thankful I am that you (or your heir, perhaps) gave this book to The Book Cellar, where I added it to my stack of purchases. I have wanted to read Andersonville since high school when I first… Continue reading

literary living

Andersonville book, Andersonville novel, blogger, Book, book blog, bookish, books, bookstore, Christian writer, current reading, dear reader, favorite book, letter, novel, open letter, Pulitzer, Reading, review, the book cellar, used books, writer

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Five years ago, Billy and I were engaged and wondering where the Lord was calling us. We certainly didn’t expect it to be a small church in Iowa—a church that began in a barn and moved into an old acupuncture clinic, that dared to stand for truth even when it was costly, that welcomed us with open arms and lots of chocolate. I admit that I wasn’t sure what would happen to this little church, but God had big plans.

In my experience, pastors and ministry leaders often stock their libraries primarily with prose. Systematic theologies and concordances line my husband’s office. Our basement library is largely populated by Christian living resources, and our upstairs shelves are loaded with volumes on church health.

Have you read “Spirit-Filled Singing” yet? Which fruit of the Spirit do you most associate with musical worship?

From my latest blog post. 💛 May you know the astonishing love of our Lord, whose mercies are new each morning.

Instilling a love of reading as early as possible. 📚 I did have to pause Les Mis, though, because a 10 lb baby and 1,000+ page book were too much for my back to handle just now. 😬

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you all. ✝️

Spent Martin’s first nap of the day making a playlist of hymns I hope he grows to love. Thank you all for the beautiful recommendations! I hope you enjoy. 🩵

Introducing Martin Molinari 🩵

Anyone else get shy when asked to share their “boring” testimony? I hope this post encourages you that there really is no such thing. After all, coming to Christ is not the end but the beginning of the adventure! Read the full post on my blog or Substack (links in bio), and consider supporting my work by subscribing for free.