Launch. Catapult. Fling. Set in motion. Promote. Elevate. This Summer season has been full of all these things!
I “LAUNCHED” into my new librarian job!
I promoted two fellow author’s books when I signed up for two “book launch” teams. *Someone, ahem – me, didn’t read for details to realize they ran concurrently!*
I flung my heart into my writing. I shared words with you each week and submitted essays for publication.
And this week, I’m conquering my first Book Fair as the librarian!
What word could you use to describe your Summer Season?
The last two book review posts, I’ve organized simply in the order I finished the book. This time, I’m organizing by genre, because I think it will be easier for you to pick out what you might like.
Spiritual Formation and Christian Living Books:
Breathe Again: How to Live Well When Life Falls Apart, by Niki Hardy
Niki is honest, heart-filling and humorous as she bolsters those in painful places to live their full lives in the midst of pain. Her words don’t make cheap promises for immediate happiness or healing in a few simple steps. Instead, she encourages us to swim within the riptide of our pain and allow it to carry us safely to a new place along life’s shores. Niki’s words bubble out of this book like she’s a good friend sharing her story over coffee (or tea in her case since she’s British!). I found myself both giggling aloud and wiping a stray tear through her storytelling. She enhances her advice to find community by sharing stories of other modern day “thrivers” and weaves in Biblical characters and truth. The action steps and prayers at the end of each chapter give us concrete ways to lean in and walk toward God’s promises of abundance. If we are not in the midst of one of life’s hardships, we have been, will be, and know someone who is. I recommend this book as a tool during our own seasons of grief and as a reminder how to love someone well who is going through hurt and hardship.
Remarkable Faith, by Shauna Letellier
Letellier’s writing brings the stories you’ve read hundreds of times to life! I read this book with several ladies from my life group this summer and each of us commented the stories that parallel the Bible verses made our hearts connect in a deep way to the characters and the learning. The truth of Jesus’ saving grace shines through and you’ll put this book down with a heart ready to live with remarkable faith.
Finding Holy in the Suburbs, by Ashley Hales
Oh my! Jesus-following friends, make time to read this book. It is absolutely full of godly wisdom for intentionally choosing what our lives will look like and who we will reflect and imitate. Hales offers practical counter-liturgies and practices we can incorporate into our lives today to create a rhythm of “constant returning” to our Lord. She speaks to what can consume us – consumerism and busyness. She reminds us of God’s desires for us – belovedness and shalom. Her words are a call to action one moment and read like soothing poetry in the next.
So we fill up our hungers with suburban fast-food fixes. More stuff. More busy. More walls. We are scared of silence. Yet finding the space and time and energy to work through our hungers is hard and holy work.
Ashley Hales, Finding Holy in the Suburbs
Parenting:
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most From You, by Monica Swanson
Monica Swanson has wonderful nuggets of inspiration throughout the book and covers topics from the very basic to the deeper subjects of pornography and financial wisdom. She is a mom to four boys, so the vast majority of her writing comes from personal experience. I especially enjoyed the last chapter – full of encouragement to keep running the marathon of parenthood – and the “Boy Mom Manifesto” at the end of the book. I went into this book with high hopes, but it left me feeling a little like I’d sat through a lecture. She pulls in multiple resource references in each chapter, which is an especially valuable list if you or your son is struggling with a particular issue.
Parenting Your Seventh Grader, by Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner
Seventh Grade?! How is this possible? I felt the same way last year about 6th grade, and truth be told maybe each year prior. About this time last year, the youth ministers at our church recommended this series of books. It is an easy and quick read with places for notes, thoughts and ideas. I especially appreciate their countdown perspective based on weeks left before the child’s 18th birthday. Ivy and Joiner give insight into the needs and changing brains of our kids, plus ideas for conversations, activities to do, and even books to read together. They have also written books for all ages and grades, birth – twelfth grade. I highly recommend this entire series of books!
Fiction:
Jack: The (Fairly) True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, by Liesl Shurtliff
I read these completely out of order from when they were published (2014-2018), but this is my final book to read in Shurtliff’s Fairly True series. I am truly sad to say goodbye to this group of books! I’ve enjoyed them all, but, y’all, this may be my favorite. First, I loved the story. Jack is precocious and a little naughty and completely lovable. If you’ve read the others (Red, Rump and Grump), you’ll enjoy spotting “Easter eggs” throughout that remind readers of the other stories. When you read this one, don’t forget to read the acknowledgments, the personal notes tugged at my heartstrings. Like the others in this series, they are perfect for middle to late elementary school readers; or an easy and heart-warming read for those of us that want our stories to leave us feeling that all is right with the world.
Confessions from the Principal’s Kid, by Robin Mellom
Her mom’s position as principal is ruining Allie’s life. At every turn she’s met with 5th grade rejection, finding solace only in the other school staff and the small group of teacher’s kids who meet every day after school. This is an endearing story of learning the value of friendship and communication. I smiled all the way through this book (except when I cried). I couldn’t help but reflect on all the hours my growing-too-fast-boy spent at the school after hours and wonder how much of this he felt! Teachers and principals, you have to read this book for a sweet reminder of what our kids might feel like seeing us in the halls every day.
Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate
I first loved this book for the charming cover and quirky point of view. But ended deeply loving this book for its tale of friendship and kindness in a lonely and hurtful world. Red, the neighborhood oak tree, is the teller of the tale of two of the children who have moved into the houses around her. Friends, I can’t imagine a timelier book. If you are saddened by the nightly news and wonder if there is still light in the world or need a book to spark conversations about looking for ways to love all people well, this is it. Every reader should read this book – today.
A Boy Called BAT, by Elana K. Arnold
Arnold’s heartwarming story is simply the tale of the son of a veterinarian who desperately wants to keep and care for a baby skunk. BAT became one of the most endearing characters about which I read this summer. The family even “three honks”, so they could truly have been part of my family (see this post to know what I mean). This book is a wonderful read for teachers and upper elementary school readers.
Unicorn Quest, by Kamilla Benko
Sisters Claire and Sophie find a magical land through a chimney in their new house. After a near capture, Sophie and Claire promise never to return. But Sophie disappears one night, and it is up to Claire to save her. Benko tells an imaginative and adventurous story of growing into who you are meant to become. This book was fun, but easy for me to put down and walk away from until the very end. While I liked it and it would be a fun read for a middle grade girl who enjoys fantasy, it probably won’t be a series I continue to read.
Words on Fire, by Jennifer Nielsen
Nielson weaves the story of Audra, a young Lithuanian girl growing up under Russian rule and ever-present Cossack soldiers. Audra runs from her family farm when the soldiers raid her family’s farmhouse and into an incredible adventure. Nielson’s captivating story pulls readers along through her adventures, growing courage and most importantly understanding why her parents made the hard choices they did. If you like The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, this book must be added to your To Be Read list! It’s also an excellent story for upper elementary and middle grade readers.
Guts, by Raina Telgemeier
While graphic novels aren’t my go-to, I loved exploring a little in a new genre. Telgemeier’s most recent release is great for middle school girls, a slightly more mature audience than her first two books. Raina, the main character, deals with anxiety and struggles fitting in as she and her friends mature.
Sweet Friends, This week the calendar led us to believe Fall had arrived. However, the outdoor thermometers tell us a different story. I’m ready for evenings curled up under a blanket with a book. What about you? What season do you tend to read the most? Is there anything in your hand or on your list that I should add to my stack for this season?
I’d truly love to hear.
Hugs and Blessings – Bethany
Thanks for sharing Bethany! I’m always on the hunt for something new to read!!
Thank you, Amber! I hope you find something you enjoy! 🙂