Happy August! It's back to school time around here. We are taking all our summer books back to the library and making lists of all the books we want to read this fall!
My kids have Magic Tree House, Golden Goblet, and Harry Potter books on the horizon. I have a big list of fiction books on hold and some great non-fiction reads in my wish list! I love fall reading!
My fall reading goals are to read MORE kid literature. I will still be reading some great adult lit, but my focus will change a little. I am going to be reading along with the kids so we can discuss and learn together. Reading a great way to bond with your kids, even after they are independent readers!
I am excited to dive into some classic books with my middle schooler. We are going to read some great chapter books for our family read aloud time. My 5th grader wants to finish the entire Harry Potter series, so I think I will too! It should be a fun journey. As always, I will report it all for you here in our monthly book reports.
Each month, I tell you all the books I've read. Why? Because I know it is hard to find GOOD books to read. There are so many choices out there. How do you know what to read? I want to give you practical ideas to add to your reading list!
If you want to check out my past book reports you can find them here: MARCH / APRIL / MAY / JUNE / JULY.
I challenge myself to read a certain number of books each year. I try to mix it up between fiction and nonfiction. Up until a few years ago, I never read fiction books. In 2010, I challenged myself to read 10 fiction books in one year. After that year, I was hooked. I forgot how much I love a good story. Now, fiction is a regular part of my reading rotation.
If you want more book inspiration, check out this Pinterest board for even MORE ideas on what to read next. On to the report!!
The Plumb family is highly dysfunctional and they know it. After years of waiting for a large inheritance, the plumb siblings find themselves dealing with an unexpected hiccup. Their oldest brother Leo got in trouble, endangering "the NEST." Melody, Beatrice, and Jack try to reason with Leo to fix this situation while dealing their own tumultuous lives. This book is full of family drama. It is funny, witty, and a page turner from the beginning.
Aubrey Hamilton's husband was declared dead 5 years after he went missing. It is has been a long 5 years for Aubrey dealing with her husband's strange disappearance. Aubrey has struggled to cope and move on. Her marriage seemed to be great on the outside. Or was it? What really happened to her husband? No One Knows is a thriller that will have you guessing until the end. I could not put this book down. Fans of The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl will love this book.
by Greg McKeown
In a world where MORE is MORE, I appreciate McKeown's message. McKeown writes a practical book about HOW to eliminate the unessential in your work life. He clearly defines WHAT is an "essentialist". A person is who is ruthlessly focused. A person who knows what the goal is on moves toward that goal with precision and clarity.
I was surprised to learn in many areas of my business, I am naturally an essentialist. Not surprising, the areas I do practice essentialism, I have met my goals time and time again. According to McKeown, this is not a coincidence. Practicing essentialism helps us reach our goals. Less really IS MORE.
However, I did find myself operating as a " non-essentialist" in many areas too. As a working mom, I wonder if I"m not alone. In the mad dash to get it "ALL" in, I act without thinking about WHAT I am doing. I just want to GET THINGS DONE no matter what the cost is to myself and my family. I am learning to stop, think, and refocus when things get chaotic.
This is a great read. A book to buy and keep on the shelf and reread from time to time.
FAIL: Finding HOPE and GRACE in the Midst of MINISTRY Failure.
J. R. Bridges boldly answers to questions of every family in ministry; "Where is God when life doesn't turn out like we thought?" Failure amongst people working in full-time ministry is rarely talked about. It is the elephant in the room. The feelings of rejection, shame, and betrayal are real and sometimes life-changing for many full-time ministers and their families.
Bridges talks about this side of ministry with bravery, honesty, and health. This is a book about things we don't talk about in ministry and how we can help each other walk towards wholeness and healing. It had my mind reeling from the first page. I am grateful for Bridges candor and the health he has brought to so many people working in ministry.
Your turn! What are you reading? What are you loving?
Learn about the Cricut Scoring Wheel versus the Cricut Stylus. What is the Cricut Scoring combo wheel? How do you know when to use the Cricut scoring wheel? Can you use the Cricut scoring wheel with a Cricut Explore Air? And so much more!