Recap Book Chat

Recap Book Chat
  • 4.4 (17)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 1D AGO

    Spring Into Green

    Let’s march into the season of GREEN!  As the time change springs us forward, some of us are kicking and screaming while some are rejoicing, Kate and Sheila recap books with GREEN in the title.  There’s the obvious Green Eggs and Ham and Anne of Green Gables but we wanted to give a shoutout to some undervalued titles.  The GREEN Ember series really can grow us not just as readers but as people!  It represents the battle of good vs evil and nudges us to do good. Loyalty, bravery and love are depicted in impactful ways inspiring readers to live with intention! Here is the link for the full episode of Green Ember. Ruth and the GREEN Book is a picture book that packs a powerful punch. It transports readers back to a turbulent time in our country’s past and shows a solid solution for an unbelievably sad problem that many might not even realize existed. The Last GREEN Valley by Mark Sullivan takes readers back to March of 1944. Here’s a quote that gives us something to think about before we complain about those windy days. “Emil (he’s in a prison camp) had learned to cherish the wind. Even the thought of it blowing against his skin was enough for him to survive the nights.”  After he got out…”He’d survived the worst that life could throw at him, and those trials had changed him, made him stronger and humbler and more aware of the power of dreams and the magic of life all around him. He appreciated every sunrise and every sunset and was grateful to the Almighty for every gift he was given in between.” This book will GROW you!!! Kate ended the podcast on a lighter note with one of her favorites from childhood, The One in the Middle is the GREEN Kangaroo. This small chapter book written by Judy Blume back in 1969 speaks to all those middle kids who might think they are underappreciated. She gives the middles a voice in a delightfully humorous way : ) Let’s GO GREEN and GROW as readers. Let’s remember answers are closed rooms and questions are open windows that invite us in. Three simple questions to ask ourselves as we read: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter? Blessings! https://recapbookchat.com/ Here’s the Link for The Last Green Valley

    26 min

  2. MAR 3

    The Book of Nehemiah

    Rebuilding anything brings challenges. Nehemiah shows us where to start in chapter 1 when he cries out to God, “We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments…” Nehemiah tells the hard truth. God had said if the people were unfaithful they would be scattered and it happened. Was this what God wanted or man’s doings? God put it on Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. He also caused the king to give Nehemiah permission to journey to get the job done.  Opposition occurs multiple times, however it does not upset the apple cart. The  men continue constructing through jeers and danger of death, however God frustrated their foes' plans. The wall was rebuilt in only 52 days, builders had to arm themselves, but the forward progress was not halted! Distractions were defeated! Let this story encourage us to do likewise! May we be as focused on doing God’s will as Nehemiah and company! The Law was read for ¼ the day! “But our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey our commandments…But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.” 9:16-17 Nehemiah’s story is an amazing gift! Won’t you join Kate and Sheila as they read to connect and then reflect! Have a blessed week dear listeners!

    37 min

  3. FEB 24

    Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

    Who among us would not want to be an agent for depth and goodness in a world where everyone is wrapped up in the busyness of their own agenda?  Allen Levi introduces us to just such an individual in his first novel, Theo of Golden.  Here are a smattering of quotes from this transformative text: “There is no virtue in advertising one’s sadness. But there is no wisdom in denying it either. And there is the beautiful possibility that great love can grow out of sadness if it is well-tended. Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose.” “And I learned something from Mr. Theo. God gave us faces so we can see each other better. I used to not look at people's faces so much. But I'm learning” “Theo shook his head. “No, my dear. Sadness might be many things, but it is rarely stupid. The good sadness, I think, is always trying to tell us something very important.” “Nothing is what it’s supposed to be if love is not at the core.” “...what one loves, one learns about.” “Theo could have come to us with great fanfare. He could have flaunted his importance and impressed us with his great wealth and long list of accomplishments. Instead, he came with anonymous handwritten letters and no last name. Instead, he came, as did His Lord, not to be served but to serve.” Are you ready to meander the streets of Golden with Theo  and meet the curmudgeon bookseller, the homeless woman and her noble invention, along with the other recipients of pencil portraits created by  the amazing artist, Asher, purchased and gifted by Theo? Join us, won’t you. You will be blessed indeed!

    46 min

  4. FEB 17

    The Book of Ezra

    Let’s meet Ezra, a priest, a scribe, and the leader of the second group of exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Ezra rebuked the people for intermarrying and worshiping false gods. He wanted them to know the Word of God is always right and that following Him should be our purpose regardless of how hard it might be. The rebuilding of the temple was halted for 15 years by opposition from the people of land who bribed councilors to frustrate the purpose. However, when  building resumed, the King of Persia supplied the materials needed! What a powerful lesson on trusting God’s timing. “And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence…” 7:21 Ezra's words reminded the people God was responsible. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem… I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me…” 7:27-28 Won’t you join us as we reflect and connect with this amazing text!

    38 min

  5. FEB 10

    Love Is...

    Greetings dear listeners! “Love can heal the deepest wounds.”  The Indigo Girl by Natsha Boyd “Real love only exists outside of our comfort zone.” -Heart Talk by Cleo Wade That Light can come into this world only as LOVE and LOVE can enter only by suffering.” -A World Lost Wendell Berry “An enemy can only be loved with Divine love.” Hearts are everywhere as we embark in month two of 2026. We know that God is love. He loved us first giving us a blueprint on how to love. Of course in our finite mind we often miss the mark. Kate always says when we know better we do better. Please join Kate and Sheila as they focus on LOVE and connect with books and quotes  that move us to love better.Paul tells us in  1 Corinthians 13 what love is and what love is NOT. Let’s connect and reflect together!  https://recapbookchat.com/ (for more details)  Check  this podcast for a weekly nudge!  Legacy Love - Love Better - Apple Podcasts Books mentioned today: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Peace Like a River: A Novel: Enger, Leif: 9780802139252: Amazon.com: Books Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger The Truth About Us by Brandt Hanson The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky  The Four Loves & The Great Divorce by CS Lewis Heart Talk by Cleo Wade War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan

    37 min

  6. FEB 3

    The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

    Are you ready for an action-packed recap? In The Two Towers  the fellowship is disbanded, but not the mission secure. Merry and Pippin are hobbitnapped, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli meet up with a refined Gandalf the white who sweeps them into a war while Frodo and Sam are led by Gollum through the swamps.They meet Faramir, Boromir’s brother who has  wisdom that Boromir lacked. “War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only what they defend.” There are a plethora of powerful quotes! Here’s a few of our favorites. “The hasty stroke oft goes astray.” -Aragorn “Often does hatred hurt itself.” - Gandalf “Where there’s life there’s hope, and need of vittles.”  - Sam Gandalf gives Saruman a chance to change, but he refuses. “He will not serve only command.” Kate explained the backstory about how evil men fell into idleness and ease which  led them into fighting amongst themselves. Which connects with:  “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain Won’t you join us as we recap this timeless tale through Middle Earth! https://recapbookchat.com/

    52 min

  7. JAN 27

    1st & 2nd Chronicles

    Greetings dear readers! Welcome to episode 212 as we recap 1 and 2 Chronicles.  We learn about the prophet Samuel and King Saul and David, boy and king in 1 Chronicles. It Retells 1 & 2 Samuel and gives the genealogies all the way back to Adam! 2 Chronicles retells 1 and 2 Kings, giving details of each kings' reign and Jerusalem’s fall along with the destruction of the temple. Elijah and Elisha are the prophets during these turbulent times. We see a lot of turmoil with most kings doing evil in the sight of the Lord, albeit some do stay true to God. God is always faithful and patient through it all, seeking a relationship with His wayward people. Why do people think they know better than God? Doesn’t it come down to humility? The more humble we are the more we will trust Him and seek to follow His Word. Please join us for a flash back to the past as Babylonians destroy the temple and lead many away into captivity. Yes, it is a cliff hanger for sure and gives us much to learn! Remember as we read; connect to reflect with each book you select! Blessings! https://recapbookchat.com/

    44 min
  8. 1st & 2nd Kings

    JAN 7

    1st & 2nd Kings

    Happy New Year dear listeners! Please join us as we dive into 1 & 2 Kings. Kate called this a roller coaster ride and that is spot on! We see the rise and fall of God’s Kingdom through the rise and fall of His kings. These two books were originally one,  written in Israel’s exile to show WHY Israel was there. From his deathbed, David tells Solomon, “... keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, his rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses…” This connects with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We must remember to put God first and keep Him there! Solomon asks God for wisdom to rule His people. The Lord was pleased with his prayer.  Sadly, that undivided focus on God changed, after he married 700 wives. Solomon was led into idol worship. His divided heart reminds us how important it is to guard ours. There are a few righteous kings and many unrighteous, this goes with the narrow and wide gates Jesus talked about. Kate mentioned that we do not drift to the top. We must be intentional in order to live in a way pleasing to God, it doesn’t just happen. A few kings were focused on the Lord but many more were focused on themselves.  The message of repent, renew, restore is how God gives us all hope. We realize He was with them long ago and He is with us today. What an awesome God we serve! We must trust Him and recognize the joy that we receive when we seek to please Him. May 2026 bring you into a deeper relationship with our wondrous Creator!

    44 min
See All (226)

4.4
out of 5
17 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Recap Book Chat
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    226
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Recap Book Chat
  • Show Website
    Recap Book Chat

You Might Also Like