Does that blanket look casually strewn? And that stack of books … perfectly haphazard? Because I really just want to straighten the pile and stack the books biggest to smallest, or maybe according to color. This photo is my attempt at seeming easy breezy. Like I just happen to stack my books perfectly imperfect. But really I was the 6-year-old girl who organized her pile of presents on Christmas morning (in a straight line, each touching the present before). The picture fools you though, huh?

In case you're wondering what I've been doing this winter, this is it. I've been curled up on that edge of my couch reading book after book. It makes for a really pleasant day when it's 0 degrees outside. Actually, I think it might even be -5 or -12 today. I can't keep track. Basically it's very, very cold.

In case you're stuck inside looking for new books to read, I've got you covered. As always, you can follow my reading list on Goodreads.

The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is so complex and heartbreaking that sometimes it seems utterly hopeless, especially to me, someone that has a vested interest from thousands of miles away and isn't sure what to do or how to help. The Lemon Tree brings the region to life and melds the facts with a true, peaceful human-interest story of an Arab and a Jew and one shared house. I thought about this story long after I finished the book. (*****)

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling I laughed out loud more than a couple times while reading Kaling's memories and musings on her own life (The part about her jumping off the high dive as a kid? I died.) But as I went on I kinda felt like the funniest parts were concentrated at the beginning of the book and I lost a little bit of my interest. I recommend picking this up if you're in the mood for a fluffy, easy read. (***)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt An engrossing, suspenseful, sometimes highly disturbing read (in the best possible way!) that surprised me with just about every page turn. I feel like I can't sum the story up in one sentence, so if you're into thrillers and really beautifully written prose then you need to pick up this book. (****)

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris David Sedaris' wittiness amuses me to no end. He makes me laugh. He makes me cry (because I'm laughing so darn hard!). Mostly I just can't believe that one human being can have such a smart sense of humor. Me Talk Pretty One Day is a book of satirical short stories based on Sedaris' life. (****)

The Zimzum of Love: A New Way of Understanding Marriage by Rob and Kristen Bell Rob Bell has such an engaging writing style, and I thoroughly enjoyed his newest venture written with his wife. I haven't read a lot of books on marriage (although I probably should!), but this one was such a positive, gentle reminder of how a good marriage should look … and how you can get there if you aren't there yet. (*****)

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis A must-read for anyone exploring Christianity and those who are already there. Lewis breaks down Christianity and builds it back up in a compelling and intelligent way. I need to read this book about 50 more times to completely absorb the enormity of it all. (****)

Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen I really enjoyed this fiction story about a once-famous photographer trying to find herself again. This is an entertaining and relatable read for all people, not just photographers! (*****)

Stitches by Anne Lamott This is my favorite Lamott piece yet. She expertly combines wittiness with really big and important notions, like what we do and where we turn after life takes a detour. Her authenticity and relationship with God inspires me. I'll be coming back to this one again and again. (*****)

You know that feeling when you finish a really good book and you don't want to start another one just yet because you're still hanging on to the last one? Or maybe you start another book but you just can't get into it because you're still thinking of the one you just read? That's how I felt after each of these books because they were all so good, but SO different! Check it out: The Train of Small Mercies by David Rowell. This is one of the best books I've read in a loooong time. I flew through this thing; it helps that it's an easy read. This is a story about multiple characters and how they react/deal with Robert F. Kennedy's assassination ... and all the tragedy that the country has faced up to this point. The entire book revolves around the train carrying Kennedy's body from New York to Washington, D.C. I'm embarrassed to say I knew almost nothing about Robert Kennedy, so bonus points for learning something, as well as being entertained.

Love Wins by Rob Bell. I've been a Rob Bell fan for awhile now because of his NOOMA series, but I had never read one of his books (it's now checked off my 101 in 1001 list). I needed to read this book. One that, yes, explores heaven and hell, but also pounds home the point: God loves you ... always. I really like Bell's writing style (very casual), and after I finished this book I felt like I needed to pick it up and read it all over again. There's so much packed into 198 pages, and Bell can so poetically put into understandable words and sentences things that I could barely comprehend before starting the book. Go.read.

The Girls by Lori Lansens. I can't say I've ever read a fiction (or non-fiction) story about conjoined twins ... until now. Rose and Ruby have been joined at the head since birth, and now, at 30 years old, Rose (the writer of the two) has decided she's going to write her autobiography. While she tells a lot of stories, I think the most interesting parts are about them: how they get around, how they decide what they're going to do each day, and how they lead a fairly normal life having never been alone in 30 years.