Review: Who I Was

I am so impressed by each volume of poetry that Julia Rose has released so far and am not-so-secretly hoping for more collections from her in the future.

Who I Was is a deeply vulnerable look at what it means to feel grief over our sinful nature while desperately clinging to God's promises. It laments how we love ourselves in all the wrong ways, and it redirects our focus back to what it means that God loves us. Combining each poem with a Bible verse and devotional, this book can be read over time in bite-sized pieces or all at once while painting a beautiful picture of our identity in Christ.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

A collection of poetry and devotionals that reclaim the idea of "self-love" by pointing to the One Who is love. Can we truly love ourselves in a way that glorifies God? And if so, how? Who I Was dives into the concept of self-love and what it means to be made in the image of God through personal and theological reflections. In a world so wrought with selfish and egotistical intent, journey with Julia into the truth and wisdom found in God's Word to navigate the lies of a movement often misinterpreted.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read the second collection of poetry from Julia Rose as her words resonated with me just as much as her previous collection did. Focusing on the themes of identity and self-love, her words pack a punch when she relives the past and writes about the need for a Saviour. It's as if she was able to reach into my mind and pluck the perfect phrases to express the fears and doubts I feel when confronted by sin before the Father.

Brilliantly capturing the swirl of thoughts that can echo in believers during the process of sanctification, Julia makes sense of human depravity, God's saving power, and His redemption as they ebb and flow over the course of our lives. If you find yourself struggling with sin, discouraged by feeling like a disappointment, or disliking yourself after receiving God's grace, this book is both a mirror and a beacon of hope by showing that you're not alone while pointing to the One who completely shapes and molds who we are as a result of who we have been.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Diverse Stories

One of the things I've been challenging myself to do this year has been to read more Christian books written by authors from other countries. I love that the body of Christ spans the four corners of the world and that we get to benefit from hearing so many different perspectives. I've also appreciated getting to know some amazing authors and readers online from other nations and continents as it's enriched my understanding of how Christians experience life. It helps me realize that the views I take for granted may only be limited to where I am situated, geographically and culturally. I haven't read all of the authors below yet, but here are a few Christian fiction authors who write from outside of North America if you're interested in reading more: Africa Ann J. David Ivy Emerson Enewerome Anna Jensen Tope Omotosho Vida Li Sik Asia Joanna Alonzo Joy Crain Australasia Narelle Atkins Liz Chapman Amanda Deed Jenny Glazebrook Iola Goulton Jessica Kate Bessie Le Couteur ...

Review: The French Kitchen

A historical fiction with dual timelines on two continents regarding the Second World War and French cooking? If The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron doesn't make you hungry for fine dining by the end, the cover will surely inspire you to don an apron. What a dreamy cover! 😍🇫🇷 Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis As Paris rebuilds in the aftermath of World War II, Kat Fontaine never expected the skills she learned in a French chateau kitchen to be the key that unlocks the secrets swirling in her new post-war life. Paris, 1952—Still haunted by the years she spent serving in the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII, ex-pat Kat Fontaine, now living in Paris, finds a simple cookery class led by indomitable chef Julia Child unearths the tangle of gut-wrenching memories of war. Determined to find her brother who went missing d...

Review: Uncluttered Faith

Whenever I see a new Joshua Becker book, I read it. Make that a Christian book and I'll read it even sooner. Uncluttered Faith is perhaps the clearest and most unapologetically Christian book I've seen on the topic on minimalism and it's where the author's pastoral heart shines through the most. This book releases in February 2026 and is one that connects an intentional life to Gospel teachings in a way that is inspiring and attainable for believers. Many thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : mentions of contemplative spirituality authors, brief mention of monks and nuns Book Synopsis A transformative guide to experiencing the fullness of God's promises through the power of minimalism—from the bestselling author of The More of Less and The Minimalist Home. Consumerism competes for our attention daily—from social media influenc...