Can we all just agree that one of the best things about summer is summer reading?
As a homeschooling mom, summer means days off for me. It means less structure, more free play and fewer kid’s activities. It also means library reading programs and our mandatory 1-hour reading time after lunch when it’s just too hot to be in the Florida sun.
I usually make a summer reading list for my kids but this summer I took some time to come up with my own. You can see that list here. I’ve been reading Hannah Whitehall Smith’s classic A Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life in drips because it’s a lot to absorb in long hours of reading. (You can read it free as a pdf here.) I subbed in Charles Martin’s Where the River Ends because it was at my library (and seriously on sale on Kindle right now). And I already own the Best of Wodehouse (a little British humor relief!) which I keep in my car for waiting on my favorite football player.
Oh for a blue vinyl bean bag chair and long afternoons like the old days! Oh well, I keep ticking down my list as time allows. 🙂
On to the reviews! I finished up 3 books that I want to tell you about.
Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo
I met Melinda at She Speaks last year just as her book was releasing so I was delighted to receive a review copy of her book. Mothering from Scratch is chock-full of anecdotes and practical advice for moms. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it right” or why you aren’t wired like your fellow mom friends, this book will be welcomed relief for you. It delivers a lot of grace as the authors, two very different personalities, share from their own mothering experiences and styles. 
Kelly O’Dell Stanley
As I read this book, also a review copy I received, I kept thinking of so many of my artist friends that would love it and completely identify with the artistic references! Kelly is an artist and she beautifully looks at prayer through the eyes of the artist. She also weaves in her testimony and how God taught her about prayer and faith in difficulty.
I loved learning more about how an artist sees the world through things like proportion, negative space and the grid method. For instance, in explaining how all points converge at the horizon, Kelly says that
When I pull farther away from God, His size, importance, and abilities seem smaller. But when I draw in close, He becomes magnified. He becomes everything to me.
I enjoyed the fresh perspective she brings to prayer and the Christian life in this book, and I think artists and non-artists alike will like it as well!
Jen Wilkin
I bought this book after hearing Jen Wilkin on Family Life Today. As she spoke, I kept nodding and amen-ing everything she said! The book did not disappoint. Jen is the women’s ministry leader at the Village Church in greater Dallas (where Matt Chandler serves as pastor) and has taught Bible studies for years. This is one of the best books I’ve read on how to study the Bible for yourself – which seems daunting to the rest of us but is so accessible as Jen lays it out.
Here’s the key: we do not need a seminary degree to study the Bible. Jen gives 5 practical steps to dig deep into the Word to see what the Holy Spirit has to teach us, before we ever look at our Bible study notes or study guides. I wish every single woman serious about digging into God’s Word for herself could read this book.
So there you have it. Three great books. And I’d love to share my copies with one of you! Unlike my other books, I’ve been obsessively keeping these three books impeccable for you!
Here’s how to win all 3 books: leave a comment — what are you reading this summer? Which book are you most excited about? And for a second entry, like the Facebook page and then leave a comment letting me know that too!
This giveaway will close Friday at midnight and is open to residents within the contiguous 48 United States. Thanks so much friends! I’d love to know what’s on your nightstand for the summer!
UPDATE: The Giveaway is now closed! Thanks to all who entered!
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Thank you for your blog Lisa. I’m currently reading Reflections of a Grieving Spouse by H. Norman Wright.
I too love summer reading, at the moment I am reading OWN YOUR LIFE , living with deep intention, bold faith, and generous love–by Sally Clarkson, I love how Sally brings it down to where I live when it comes to living a life dedicated to Christ. I am also reading an older book I found in a second hand store, called I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING BY Bobbie Houston of Hillsong Church, it has some simple but good points in it. And since, I love to re-read my favorites during the summer, I am re-reading Dee Henderson’s The O’Malley series, always a good read! I would love to win your three books, I too am a widow and I relate to much of what you say on your blog, and during this last difficult year have been fighting breast cancer, so reading has kept my mind busy and looking forward to days of healing ahead soon! Thanks for sharing your life with us!
I am reading “Homeschooling: Why and How” because I am praying about beginning homeschooling. I also “liked” your Facebook page. 🙂
Currently reading Miracle at Carville, about the Leprosarium at Carville, LA. It’s something I read 25-30 years ago, and recently toured Carville, so I had to buy a copy to read again. I have Praying Upside Down on my wish list, and will definitely need to add Women of the Word! Thanks for these suggestions and reviews! Oh, and I would LOVE to win a copy 🙂
I’m currently reading The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller, with the #P31OBS (online Bible study). And I just finished On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life That Lasts by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig. It has lots of common sense wisdom and encouragement.
Thanks for sharing your reading list. I’m a home schooling mom too, so summer means more freedom for me too! 🙂
The Mended Heart as part of the Proverbs 31 online bible study.
Loved this post! Right now I am reading The Mended Heart as a part of a study with Proverbs31 ministries and Mothering from scratch 🙂 Loving it so far. I have been eyeballing Women of the Word. As a matter of fact, I think it’s on my amazon.com wishlist.
I am currently reading The Secret Things of God by Henry Cloud. I heard about it on a Focus show. As for what book I am most excited about of the three, I am torn between the first and the third. The third is really calling to me, however 🙂
Lisa, still enjoying your blogs, so proud if you. I laughed when I read you were reading Wodehouse. That was one of your granddads favorites. He would read it and get so ticked laughing he would lose his breath. So funny!
Hi there, thank you for linking up with me today! I currently am NOT reading anything at the moment, I feel a bit embarrassed by this. The last thing I picked up was a book by CJ Mahanoy titled humility, true greatness. I go back to it as a reference every now and then. And was just reading it last week. Thank you again for connecting with me, I hope we do it again soon.
Hi Lisa. I was so thrilled that you asked what are you reading this summer. WOW! This is the first summer I have ever created a “Summer Reading List”. Thought about it many times and then – to hard. But, I did it this year and I must say it has stirred up my heart and has now become a passion. The book I chose first is “Before Amen” by Max Lucado. This was given to me as a gift. When I made time to scan it and look it over I was captured. I couldn’t wait. The first paragraph of chapter one did it and now I am a recovering “prayer wimp” That’s what Max calls it. And now I, too, am “on the journey to the very heart of biblical prayer….”. Blessings.
PS: I liked you on facebook.
I’m not reading anything right now…. Too much on my plate at this moment. But love that you make a summer reading list for yourself!
❤️
Praying Upside Down looks so good! Thanks for reviewing them! I’ve recently read If You Feel Too Much and If You Find This Letter and they were GREAT.
Reading some new Amish fiction by Wanda Brustetter and The Best Yes!
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
I am not currently reading anything, I am in search of new books to read! These look good.
These books look excellent! Right now, I’m preparing to go through, “Walking With God in the Season of Motherhood” by Melissa B. Kruger. And I’m right in the middle of “Shepherding a Child’s Heart.”
I also just liked your facebook page. Thanks for sharing these wonderful resources with us, Lisa. I’ve been eyeing Jen Wilkin’s book on amazon. 🙂
I’m currently reading “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyers, AGAIN, because I realized I’ve allowed Satan back into my thoughts and I don’t like it!!
I forgot to say that I liked you on Facebook. 🙂
I just picked up a book by Jen Hatmaker and am looking forward to reading it. I’ve heard great things about it.