Summer Reading Fun

Hey!! It's podcast Tuesday!

I'm not gonna lie...we cracked up at our own selves this week. Hope you get as many giggles as we did!

 Click here to listen.

And now...on to today's topic!

 
Now and then I get requests for book suggestions, and while I hope you find some good options every week on the Saturday Six, it seemed that the onset of summer is a logical time to give you some suggestions for books to devour!

One of the guys in our Sunday School class has an upper-elementary age son who has already completed the required hours of reading for TWO library summer programs, and neither program has actually begun yet. Now that is impressive. Perhaps you're not quite as voracious a reader as he is, but if you'd like a good book or two to take in this summer, here are my suggestions.

One: The Classic Novel

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If you have never read Anne of Green Gables, this is definitely the summer you should do that. Oh how I love Anne! I'm not sure if my friend Julie still does this, but I know for many years of her life, she read this book every summer, so it always seems to fit in my mind that this book is for summer reading. I love Anne, I love Green Gables, and Ryan, if you're still reading this, I'm never giving up my dream to visit Prince Edward Island and see for myself all the beauty described in these pages!

This book was published back in 1908, by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and while it is considered a children's book, it is a delight for any age. It chronicles the story of 11 year old orphan Anne Shirley, who comes to live with a cantankerous spinster and her quiet, soft-hearted brother, who have determined they need a boy to help with the farm chores as their ages advance. The orphanage makes a mistake and sends Anne, who is a spunky, quick-tempered, story-loving dreamer who believes her dreams for a forever family have just come true with the news that she has a home. Matthew and Marilla agree to keep her on a trial basis, and the book tells the story of Anne's days with them. Seriously, just read it if you never have, and if you have, read it again.

Two: The Contemporary Novel

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It seems only appropriate if I'm going to tell you to read about Anne, that my contemporary novel recommendation should match it in some way. So I'll offer up a book I read earlier this year called The Red Door Inn, by Liz Johnson.

This is a first book in a series called Prince Edward Island Dreams, so that pretty much sums it up right there for any Anne fans! The book tells the story of Marie Carrington, a young woman with a promising future and successful budding career, who leaves it all behind and starts fresh with no money or possessions, on Prince Edward Island. She happens to meet an older gentleman in the process of opening a bed and breakfast to honor the wishes of his late wife, but he's struggling. He takes Marie in, providing her with shelter in exchange for her help in getting the Inn running. Of course the book includes a good dose of tension, romance, dreams, beauty, and all the things Prince Edward Island has come to represent for Anne fans. I loved the modern take on the familiar place, and you can read my initial review of the book here, if you want!

Three: The Relationship Book

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I cannot recommend this book enough. Letters to My Daughters by Barbara Rainey is my pick for a relationship book this time around. Barbara Rainey, along with her husband, Dennis, founded Family Life, a fantastic organization that promotes the health and success of marriages and families. She's passionate about Christ-centered homes and has such a heart for women!

This book was born out of a request from one of her daughters-in-law, who asked for marriage advice {in general, not related to a specific issue}. Barbara wrote a series of emails to all her daughters/daughters-in-law, and from that adventure, this book was born. Whether you are married now or hope to be someday, this book offers good, motherly advice, without the awkwardness of getting such advice from your actual mother. She covers all the topics that matter in marriage {yes, even sex!} and does so in a tender, encouraging way. If your marriage is good and you want it to be great, or your marriage is struggling and you need hope, this is the book for you! {My initial review of it is found here.}

Four: The Memoir

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I just mentioned this book a few weeks ago on the Saturday Six, but I have to recommend it again. If you need a good cleanse for your tear ducts at the start of the summer, THIS BOOK will do it. If you need to be challenged to live the fullest life God has for you, THIS BOOK will do it. If you just want to learn about an incredible human being, THIS BOOK will do it. Colors of Goodbye, written by September Vaudrey, is my pick for a memoir.

I sobbed through the first half of the book, and I'd never even heard of these people before I picked it up. September is the wife of a staff pastor from the enormous Willow Creek Church in Chicago. Several years ago, their nineteen year old daughter Katie was driving to her first day of work at a restaurant, when she was in a horrible car accident that left her family with little hope of her recovery. Though they later learned she actually suffered an aneurysm that led to the accident, the outcome was the same: Katie died shortly thereafter. This book is both the story of Katie's vivacious life and love for the Lord, and the intense grief that consumed the entire family. But it is also a guide of sorts, on how to live through all-encompassing grief. A kind companion for a road that no one ever wants to walk. You can read my initial review here, but I just say - READ IT.

Five: The e-book

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I confess I have never been a huge fan of e-books, mostly because I am one of those weirdos who likes to hold an actual book in my actual hands. I like to feel the paper, smell the newness and underline. I do not own an e-reader and this is the first time in the history of Bekah I've ever recommended an e-book! :)

Some of you might be familiar with the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, which is an annual pack of e-books and resources, compiled by a variety of bloggers. I purchased it this year, mostly because I wanted to learn to love e-books {because I also want to learn to write them!} and this one is one of my favorites. Erin Odom blogs at the Humbled Homemaker, and she has compiled a thoughtful e-book called Your Retreat. {It's only $3.99 to purchase, but if you sign up to receive her emails, it's FREE!!!

I am a big fan of retreat days and have gone on a number of personal retreats before. Erin explains the importance of retreat days, whether to focus on yourself, your marriage, your health, your work, or your faith. This book offers suggestions of how to successfully have a day of retreat and also includes a variety of printable pages to aid you in staying focused and having a successful day. Summers are their own brand of busy, and I sure get that, but they're also a time when you might have some wiggle room, and a retreat might be just the thing you need. Check out her guide! 







Happy Summer Reading, Everyone!!