It’s been awhile since we’ve talked books here on the blog, so let’s change that, shall we?
Books and chocolate are two of my favorite things, so what better things to chat about for my birthday month. Plus, we’ll be talking about a lot of other favorites this summer!
I mentioned last month how I have a big birthday coming and I’m learning to embrace it instead of dread it (learning is the key word). Reading is one of the things that makes me happy!
It’s important for me to be intentional about my reading because there are so many books, limited time, and I want to choose well. Share on XI set a goal of two books per month. Often I can add one or two more in, but not always. And I’m good with that. I am not reading hundreds of books each year. But I am reading and that makes me happy.
Side note: I keep many of my all time favorites here so you can find them easily. The books below are recent finds that I think you’ll love!
Recent Favorites
My favorite book so far this year is one you’ve probably heard me talk about. Emily Freeman’s, The Next Right Thing is a beautiful book I’m already looking forward to reading again.
It’s perfect to read on your own or in a book club. You could even do a book study with a friend for this one. Plus, you can listen to the podcast and take the Discern and Decide ecourse for even more simple soul help from Emily.
If you read one book this year, make sure it's this one by Emily P. Freeman! Share on XThe Great Alone is a popular fiction book that surprised me by how much I enjoyed it. I felt like the characters were real people in my life, and the realities of living in Alaska were breathtaking and heartbreaking at the same time.
For lighter fiction (perfect for summer) I loved The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck. The characters are real people and the faith element isn’t always tied neatly in a bow the way some Christian fiction is. Plus, it did make me laugh out loud, even at 11:30 at night when the whole house was silent!
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative is a super quick read for creatives. A tiny book in size, but large on inspiration, if you create anything, this book will encourage and motivate you in the best way. I’m looking forward to starting Kleon’s books Show Your Work! and Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. (All of these would make great gifts for any writer or artist in your life!)
Other books I’ve read this year:
The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good On You by Lisa-Jo Baker (This comes out in July 2019, but you can preorder now for the best price!)
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Life After by Katie Ganshert (This was another favorite of mine!)
The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis (read more about my thoughts on this here)
Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me) by Katie Motaung and Shannon Popkin
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Enjoyed this classic with my son!)
Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff by Myquillyn Smith
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L’Engle
I’m going to continue to be intentional about what I read because it works for me. I see books I want to read everyday, but wanting to read them and actually reading them are two different things.
It’s good to have TBR lists and to stack the latest purchase on the nightstand, but I want to be the person who reads the books.
Wanting to read a book and actually reading it are two different things. I want to be the person who reads the books. Share on XCheck out my Instagram Stories this month as I share more of my favorites and upcoming reads!
Tell us about a great book you’re reading!
Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
I love getting book recs almost as much as reading them. I just finished “I Ain’t Doin It” by Heather Land. Talk about laugh out loud! The perfect summer read. I have been telling others stories from it for days. laurensparks.net
I am headed to look this up now! Thanks for sharing!
I just loved The Great Alone! It was such a moving book.
I agree! And I was so surprised that I liked it so much!
I always love to chat about books! I loved The Next Right Thing as well. Recently I’ve been reading Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin which has great insights around some of the common questions/ objections people have about Christianity.
That sounds like a very valuable book! Are you finding it helpful?
I saw Madeleine L’Engle’s book in your list and sighed.
Oh, I need a good dose of Madeleine wisdom this summer….
Summer (especially in New England) is the perfect time to get a dose of Madeleine!
BOOKS & CHOCOLATE! I knew we had a lot in common Rebecca! 🙂 Pinned and tweeted. I see quite a few books here I need to add to this year’s reading list. For sure I need to declutter and I love the idea of the minimalist home and The Next Right Thing… there is for sure not enough time! Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements and all the great reading suggestions!
Love to be in good company! We could talk books while eating some delicious chocolate 🙂
I have a long TBR list too. After reading your list it has just grown again. I have been reading so many good things about “The Next Right Thing”. I think I need to add it to the list.
I definitely would! I just added a novel to my list: “The Printed Letter Bookshop”
So many books, so little time! I’m enjoying the advance copy of Blessing Bentley by Chautona Havig. Bentley decides God wants her to get married, to Glorify God with her husband. After careful study and prayer, she considers the single men from church, and proposes to the one she believes God wants her to marry.
It’s hilarious, but really makes you think, and reevaluate the point of your marriage.
That sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing!
I love book recommendations! The ladies in my church recently read The Gospel Comes With a House Key by Rosario Butterfield and it was convicting and interesting…generated some great conversation about hospitality.
A new favorite for me as far as classics go is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain. I will confess that I have never been a big fan but after listening to Nick Offerman read it on Audible it landed in my top five all time favorites.
Glad I found you via Candidly Christian this morning!
Wow! That’s amazing that you found a book that you loved so much! I’ve never heard of either of these, but I will have to check them out!
Thanks for sharing what you’ve been reading. I love how you set a goal for how many books to read a month. I seem to only be able to read books when I’m on vacation. lol.
Vacation reading holds some of my best vacation memories! I can remember exactly where I was and what I was reading!
I just won a copy of The Next Right Thing. Can’t wait to dig in!
I just finished an ARC of Fragments of Fear, a mystery set in the Albuquerque area. Fantastic suspense!
Yay! The Next Right Thing is so good! Enjoy it!
Thanks for sharing this list! I am going to check into reading a few of your suggestions!
I read The Next Right Thing also and loved it. I have been listening to Emily P, Freeman’s podcast. She is taking a break right now, but there are lots to listen to! Thanks again!
So glad you found some things to read! I love great book suggestions!
Rebecca, hi! I do love this post! And this right here made me smile –>’Wanting to read a book and actually reading it are two different things. I want to be the person who reads the books.’
I see we’ve been reading some of the same volumes. And you’ve clued me in on a number of books that I hadn’t heard of.
I’m so glad …
It’s always good to know I’m in great book company!
I just read The Great Alone and I, too, was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. But I’ve always been intrigued by Alaska. The setting of the book was fascinating to me. And Austin Kleon’s books are so inspiring! I love how quick they are to read. Even my husband, who struggles to find a book he wants to read from beginning to end, loves Austin Kleon’s books on creating. They’re books we’d like to own. Great list, Rebecca! I’ve added some to my “to read” list.
I definitely want to own copies of Kleon’s books. I’m a big library fan, so that’s where I got them initially, but I can see the appeal to read and re-read!
I am always looking for good book suggestions and your list does not disappoint, Rebecca. I have heard so many good things about “The Next Right Thing”. It is at the top of my TBR list. Glad to read that you loved the book too.
You will not regret reading it!
I have for sure got to get “Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me)” I like the sound of that! I need all these decluttering and minimalist books too 🙂 but then, would I have to get rid of some of my books? LOL
Pinned. Twice!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Yay! Thanks for sharing! And the Influence book is really great. It’s one I feel like I should go back through every now and again to remind myself of truth in this crazy online world.
Thanks for the recommendations, some I’m not familiar with look like great reads. I’m currently reading Ravi Zacharias, “The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind.” It’s bringing out so many good things about the foundations of our faith in Jesus Christ.
I haven’t heard of that one! I’ll have to check it out!
I love your book recommendations. I read The Great Alone and really enjoyed it too. I haven’t read The Next Right Thing but keep seeing it pop up everywhere!
It is so worth reading!
Rebecca, I enjoyed “The Cozy Minimalist Home” (even thought I’m not a minimalist) and am looking forward to reading “The Middle Matters.” “The Next Right Thing” also is on my list. I love how intentional you are about books … my reading habits are much more haphazard, so I don’t get nearly as much reading done as I could! 🙂
I think you’ll enjoy them! And I’m haphazard sometimes too!
I just finished listening to Jane Eyre—I hadn’t read it in 20 years, so it was fun reading it again. I loved Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey (Abigail Wilson), and The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep.
I haven’t read these! I will have to check them out!
I love seeing your book lists. I will be sharing it. I, too, like reading. However, I don’t seem to make enough time for it. Recently, I started listening to books on audible. The only catch is I can’t highlight them.
Thanks for sharing, friend! And I know tons of people who love Audible!