Recap Book Chat

Recap Book Chat
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If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an elementary teacher for 40+ years. Her passion is reading and it is contagious. My name is Kate Matthews and I am an artist, seeker of wisdom and lifelong student. We decided to start a book club a couple of years ago which has impacted and grown us tremendously. We hope you will join in on the fun and get lost in the magic of reading with us.

  1. 1 day ago

    Psalms 42–72: When Your Soul Thirsts for God (Book 2)

    Today we recap Psalms 42-72, Book 2. The sons of Korah wrote Psalms 42-50, do you remember them? Kate sent us back to Numbers 26:11, Korah died and 250 others, but his sons did NOT die! What a story of REDEMPTION! Psalm 42 begins with an amazing visual of a deer panting for water. This reminds us how we should thirst for God. Our thirst should focus us on God, even in times of trial. Testing our thirst is how we test our hearts. Do we thirst for God’s Word? Do we thirst to talk about spiritual things? Do we thirst to worship God? This connects to MT 9:13 “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” Jesus was quoting Hosea 6:6, where God was explaining He desires faithfulness, love, and mercy from His people. Following the law to the letter and ignoring its spirit put the Pharisees in the same boat as the ancient Israelites.  Psalm 44 is powerful because the people are going through hard times and they have NOT forgotten God. Sometimes, bad things just happen, we must TRUST God whatever life throws at us. Remember Paul and Silas singing in prison?  David prays for God to create in him a clean heart in Psalm 51. This is after his sin with Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah. David humbly beseeches God, he doesn’t play the blame game or make excuses. He seeks God’s mercy. Portrait of a Fool, Psalm 53, mirrors the message in Psalm 14. Remember when God repeats something, He wants us to pay attention. Fools never seek to learn about God and know Him because they say there is no God. Psalms show the ups and downs of living for God. Is it easy? Can you name anything worthwhile that is easy? The wide path is easy but it’s not the one that leads to God. Solomon ends Book 2 with Psalm 72. We go from David to Jesus, King of all nations! His kingdom will not end.”May people be blessed in Him, all nations call Him blessed!” May our thirst for God remind us daily of our need for Him. Let’s connect to reflect! Blessings to you dear listeners!  https://recapbookchat.com/2026/07/07/psalms-42-72-aka-book-2-episode-235/

  2. 7 Jul

    The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher — Chapter 4: Control Yourself

    Do you know the last fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5? It is the theme of today’s podcast from chapter 4 in The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher, Control Yourself. Fisher explains the two phases of every argument, ignition (aka fight or flight) and cooling (aka rest & digest). “Ignition happens when, with enough friction, the productive becomes destructive.” In this phase, the prefrontal cortex functions little to nothing. This explains why so many unkind and  unthinkable comments are growled and often yelled, the decision-making part of the brain is out to lunch. Connects with a couple of idioms,  “I put my foot in my mouth” and “He put his foot in it.” The Next Conversation will help us eliminate those instances! “Friction offers room for improvement. Because what triggers you teaches you.” Here is Fisher’s breakdown of triggers: Physical triggers-most noticeable, impact your sense of well-beingPsychological triggersSocial triggers - worried about how others perceive youPersonal identity threats - A. Competence, B. Autonomy, C. Purpose, & D. ValueLoss  If you learn to understand your body’s reactions and ups and downs, you’ll also be able to recognize the triggers of others. “They aren’t behaviors to get offended over. They’re information to gather.” Remember, what triggers you teaches you, if you’re willing to learn…If you want to put out fires, find their trigger.” It’s a win win, are you ready to dive in? Blessings!

  3. 30 Jun

    Books About Freedom: A July 4th Reading List for America's 250th

    Kate and Sheila share their favorite books about freedom, liberty, and captivity—fiction, nonfiction, and kid lit—ready for America's 250th Independence Day! This firecracker of an episode has a different look. Kate and Sheila discuss a myriad of "freedoms," highlighting book after book. Whether fiction or nonfiction, these treasures are guaranteed to hook. Contrasting both the cost and the blessings liberty brings, we see the cruelty of captivity and the wonder of wings. These texts are so freeing, they’ll make your heart sing! Happy 250th Independence Day, dear listeners! Blessings! Books Featured in This Episode Nonfiction UnbrokenThe Last Green ValleyGlittering Vices (Sloth / Vainglory / Envy / Greed / Wrath / Gluttony / Lust)Here Be DragonsDestiny of the RepublicEverything Sad Is UntrueFiction Les MisérablesThe Book Woman of Troublesome CreekThe Brothers KaramazovEast of EdenKid Lit Way of the Warrior KidThe Wingfeather SagaThe Bronze BowLetters from Rifka

  4. 23 Jun

    Psalms 1–41: Prayers for When Life Falls Apart (Book 1)

    Let’s dive into the poetry and wisdom genre of the Bible! Today we recap Psalms 1-41 a.k.a. Book 1. David wrote all but 2 of this group, most are prayers of distress or statements of confidence in God. David reminds us in Psalm 1 to delight in the law of the Lord. The man who meditates on His law day and night will be like a tree planted by the water. What a robust visual! As we’ve mentioned before our playlist matters. Remember the adage, GIGO (garbage in, garbage out), let’s flip that and put wisdom in and pray that wisdom comes out. David wrote that we should “serve the Lord with fear’ Psalm 2, but we do NOT need to fear evil (Psalm 23) because God is with us. What a powerful contrast! Psalm 19:7-11 expresses the cause and effects of God’s law! Read those verses and notice the outcomes of being true to God and His Word. Psalm 34:5 describes those who look to God as being radiant.  David trusted God through his triumphs and his trials, what a great example of how situations should not be the focus. Our focus should be on seeking to please God! Try sprinkling a Psalm in your daily Bible reading. Share which one you connect with the most at this season in your life. What a blessing you are, dear listener! May we grow together as we connect to reflect!

  5. 16 Jun

    The Next Conversation by: Jefferson Fisher Ch.3

    In episode 232, we discover The Truth About Connection, chapter 3 in Jefferson Fisher’s  outstanding book, The Next Conversation.  This was a powerful point: “You’re living in a world of transmission, not connection. . .Transmission conveys information, but connection breathes life into it.” Transmission is reading sheet music and connection is hearing a symphony perform it. We must remember that connection has 2 parts: understanding and acknowledgement, both must be present to have connection. It is important to note that we can understand and acknowledge without agreeing. As Jefferson’s dad put it, “You don’t have to like it. You just need to understand it.” He allowed Jefferson space to disagree. Connection can be positive and negative. There are 3 ways connection can be cut off: Lack of awarenessLack of understandingLack of self-assuranceAre you ready to dive into living a life well lived? Kate referred to it as grace under pressure and   connected it to the Madame Chic books. Sheila connected it to John Wayne’s quote: “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Blessings!

  6. 9 Jun

    Emma By: Jane Austen

    “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more,” Jane Austen’s well-known line from her classic novel, Emma, written in 1815. Readers will love Mr. Knightley, family friend, who does not hesitate to confront Emma Woodhouse when she is in the wrong.  Mr. Knightley: You are materially changed since we talked on this subject before. Emma: I hope so – for at that time I was a fool. Emma befriends young Harriet and attempts to match her with Mr. Elton, coercing Harriet into turning down a proposal of marriage from Mr. Martin. Emma has a bit of a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude where Harriet is concerned. Mr. Knightley calls her out because Mr. Martin is a good man. Throw into the mix charming Frank Churchill, the visiting stepson of Emma’s governess Mrs. Weston, and things get even more interesting. There is wit and whimsy but as Shakespeare penned, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Kate’s one word summary was humility which leads to growth. Sheila’s word was perspective. How we see or understand people is all about our perspective. Won’t you dive into this classic with us as we connect to reflect? Blessings!

  7. 2 Jun

    Next Conversation Ch. 2 by: Jefferson Fisher

    Greetings fellow communicators! Are you ready to level-up to chapter 2 in  The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher? Have you ever had a moment when you played out a conversation in your head and it went totally awry? Jefferson has a powerful reminder for us: “Have something to LEARN not something to prove.” The next conversation can be much more transformative than the initial one. It levels us up. Reframing, restating, clarifying, and apologizing trumps the prized first impression.  When we identify our values (who we want to be and how we want to show up) they help align us and make the tough decisions for us. Remember in the Bible when Isaac asked Jacob who he was he replied, “I am Esau” which was a false identity. When God asked Jacob that same question much later in his life, he said, “I am Jacob” which was his real identity, but not his true identity. God gives Jacob that when he changed his name to Israel: Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." Words are powerful! We want our actions to speak louder than our words so we must embrace the uncomfortableness of growth.  Jefferson shares a few of his values: Where there is room for kindness, I will use it.Tell them who I am without saying my name.If I can’t be a bridge, I’ll be a lighthouse. Values in conversations serve as our compass, helping us to set realistic goals as we strive to  navigate toward what is meaningful and important. Let’s learn the power of… The Next Conversation as we Connect to Reflect! Blessings! https://recapbookchat.com/2026/05/25/the-next-conversation-chapter-2/

  8. 26 May

    Maniac Magee by: Jerry Spinelli

    Kate and Sheila are joined by Jonah as they recap Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Their one word choices were Kind, Protect, and Brave. The beginning is grim. A tragic accident leaves Jeffery Magee an orphan at the age of three.  He is sent to live with a divided family, his aunt and uncle do not talk to each other. By age 11 Jeffery runs away and ends up in Two Mills, a divided town. East side versus West side, of course, to Jeffery there are no sides. He meets a girl hefting a suitcase to school. Amanda Beale is the real deal. She carries her beloved books to school each day to prevent her siblings from destroying them. Jeffery pleads for a book, Amanda reluctantly gives in: Friendship begins! Later on, Jeffery gets the name, Maniac, and becomes a town legend.  He runs unbelievably fast, hits homeruns against the neighborhood bully, sleeps in the buffalo pen at the zoo and even beats the town’s fastest runner, Mars Bar, in a contest. Did I mention Maniac was running backwards? What can we learn from Maniac? He wants to make the world a better place by being kind to every person he meets. In a town with social inequality and racial tension Maniac bravely searches for a place to belong; to find a family. Does he find one? Is he able to untie the famous Cobble’s knot and get free pizza for a year? Will he be able to teach an elderly man how to read and prevent two misguided kids from running away? There are many ‘knots’ to untie in this Newbury winner from 1991!  Isn’t life like untying knots? Let's see problems as opportunities to grow and help others like Maniac did. He lived each moment to the fullest. Are you ready to meet the Legend? Let’s connect to reflect! Blessings!

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About

If you are looking for a place to dive into great books, unpack big ideas, and connect with a community of readers, you made it! My mom, Sheila Barnes has taught and inspired young minds as an elementary teacher for 40+ years. Her passion is reading and it is contagious. My name is Kate Matthews and I am an artist, seeker of wisdom and lifelong student. We decided to start a book club a couple of years ago which has impacted and grown us tremendously. We hope you will join in on the fun and get lost in the magic of reading with us.

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  • Creator
    Recap Book Chat
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    244
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Recap Book Chat
  • Show Website
    Recap Book Chat

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