Summer Reading Reviews

I'm feeling inspired by Tiffany today.

She recently shared a post about a few of the books she is juggling in her summer reading and I was intrigued. I also juggle books throughout the year, but especially during the summer.

It is a time when I take the girls regularly to the Library to peruse all of the new and old titles in the cheerful children's section, meander among the classics, and pick from the variety of titles and descriptions that catch my interest.

I love hauling around our oversized bag stuffed to the brim with books and dumping them out in the living room with the girls to sort through and read, not one, but at least three of them right away. Children's book illustrations have always been a particularly captivating art form to me. And there are so many wonderful children's stories. Simple joys.

So I thought I would give a quick review of some of my summer reading titles. Who knows you may find something you would like to read (and maybe a few to avoid, lol)

Fiction

The Shoemaker's Wife, Adriana Trigiani        4 out of 5 stars - A beautiful novel: love, heartbreak, survival & hope
     "The fateful first meeting of Enza and Ciro takes place amid the haunting majesty of the Italian Alps at the turn of the last century. Still teenagers, they are separated when Ciro is banished from his village and sent to hide in New York's Little Italy, apprenticed to a shoemaker, leaving a bereft Enza behind. But when her own family faces disaster, she, too, is forced to emigrate to America. Though destiny will reunite the star-crossed lovers, it will, just as abruptly, separate them once again—"

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde        3 out of 5 stars - A cautionary tale of vanity, sin and choices made
     "A novel about a young man whose desire to maintain his youth and beauty renders his soul irrevocably damaged. When Dorian expresses a desire for his portrait to grow old and wither in his stead, he is shocked to find his wish has been granted. As he gets older, it is his picture that ages physically and not him. But there are always consequences to be faced in the end..."

The Hunger Games (trilogy), Suzanne Collins   5 out of 5 stars - Futuristic sci-fi with an amazing story  - could not put them down. Intense story of humanity, survival, love, the depravity of human beings and hope of redemption 
"The Hunger Games is set in our world, but in a post-apocalyptic time. The Capitol is the cruel Government of the twelve districts of Panem, which was once North America. As punishment for a revolution in the past, the Capitol created the twisted and horrible Hunger Games. One boy and one girl (aged twelve to eighteen) are chosen from each district to fight on live television until only one child remains. The main character, Katniss Everdeen volunteers in the place of her younger sister Primrose for District Twelve....starting a journey that will change the world as they know it."


Christian

Simple Obsession, Jamie West Zumwalt    5 out of 5 stars - an autobiography of sorts, very moving, funny, inspiring
"An honest and engaging story of one young woman's experiences, soul struggles, and transformative relationship with a God who desires for us to know Him, not just know about Him. Jamie is co-founder of Heart of God Ministries - preparing missionaries for the mission field. She is also an incredible woman who isn't afraid to be "real" with people. I have heard her speak and she broke my heart and lead me to the healer all in the matter of a 60 minute disucssion."

Revolution in World Missions, K.P. Yohannan   5 out of 5 stars - a stirring message about the heart of missions
"This book will open your eyes to what the gospel of Acts was talking about and what it means for Christians today especially for national missions efforts throughout the heart of the 10/40 Window. K.P. Yohannan is the founder and director for Gospel for Asia"

Eternity in Their Hearts, Don Richardson    5 out of 5 stars - Amazing! Everyone should read this!
"Startling evidence of belief in the One True God in hundreds of cultures throughout the world. Fascinating, real-life stories and examples from thorughout history that you simply must read for yourself. Don asks and answers this question: "Has the God who prepared the gospel for all people groups also prepared all people groups for the gospel?""

other......


I also read a few other books that were either "ok"  or simply not worth the effort.....


A Passion for the Impossible, The Life of Lilias Trotter - slow read, biographical compilation, but I kept with it because it was about a young woman of privilege who was a very talented artist with promise for a career as an artist in London in the late 1800's but gave it all up to be a missionary to the Muslim people in Algeres. Her life inspired the hynm "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"

Love in the Time of Cholera - terrible, hard to read, just dreadful. And it was suppose to be such a moving love story, ughhh! So disappointing!

The Kite Runner - started off interesting but quickly discovered it was going in a direction that I didn't want to follow so I didn't finish it.



Group Study

Looking for something to do for book club, home group or Bible study....or just on your own.

Crazy Love, Francis Chan - a book of awakening, you will not get through reading it without being shaken and changed by an encounter with the overwhelming truths of God's love and the convictions of authentic faith filled living. Must read again.

Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman - Christians are not called to sit on the sidelines. Jesus doesn't need fans. He desires wholehearted followers. Practical, real, and eye-opening.



ok, good grief. That's enough.

I didn't start this blog post thinking I would be writing an essay but there you have it.

Hey, if you read or have read any of these books message me. I would love to discuss. :)