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I chose some very interesting books from my bookshelf in June. The kids had several camps and we went on a road trip, which led to a lot of reading time. I read more than 10 books, although some of them were very quick reads.
Here’s what I read:
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
I have wanted to read I Am Malala for years, but for no particular reason, I never got around to it until my daughter picked the book up at the library and wanted to read it. We read it at the same time and then talked about the book. I think it is a good book for teenagers and adults to read so we can understand what life was like under the Taliban. Malala’s message is that education is important.
One Summer was June’s Online Book Club book. It is the story of a father who is given a second chance at life with his three children, but must learn to deal with the grief of losing his wife. Baldacci is normally a crime/thriller writer, but this book is a story of family, love and priorities. It was a really good, sweet story.
Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
Love & Luck is Welch’s second book and I enjoyed this one more than her first – Love & Gelato. Set in Ireland, the story is about a teenage girl and her brother who learn a a lot about each other and themselves as they set out on a secret journey without their parents. I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick read.
Way of the Warrior Kid: Marc’s Mission by Jocko Willink
Jocko Willink continue to inspire children to get after what they want in life with The Way of the Warrior Kid: Marc’s Mission. Uncle Jake is back to help Marc face a bully. There are great lessons for kids in this book!
Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
I am hosting a summer book club for girls grades 3-6 this summer and Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock was our first book choice. We had a great discussion and it was interesting for me to read it after so many years. There are some differences in the language and actions of a book set in the 1930s than today.
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
I had seen Girl, Wash Your Face being read by several people, so I added it to my to-read list. I waited a while, but it was worth the wait. It’s a very encouraging book for the modern wife and mother who is chasing her own dreams. Hollis shares many lessons she’s learned along the way. I highly recommend this book.
How to Be A Perfect Christian by The Babylon Bee
Warning: Only read this book if you get and enjoy satire. How to Be A Perfect Christian is a tongue-in-cheek look at how some religious people strive to be Christ-like by following the culture’s standards instead of Biblical standards. It provided quite a few laughs, but ultimately encourages the reader to look very closely at his or her own spiritual life.
Artemis Fowl 2: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
After reading Artemis Fowl 1, I was left with many questions as to why Artemis was doing what he was doing. The second book, The Arctic Incident, answers those questions and continues the story very nicely. It might be a while before I finish the series, but it is an interesting plot idea.
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven
It seems every leadership and inspirational book I was reading mentioned Make Your Bed as a must-read book. I hadn’t heard about McRaven’s viral commencement speech, but after reading the book, I can understand why his advice was so well received. It has common sense and is to-the-point. I recommend reading it.
Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel
Room on Rue Amelie is a WWII historical fiction book set in Paris. An American, who is married to a Frenchman, finds out her husband is helping pilots find an escape route with the Resistance. When he is captured, she must decide if she will take his place. She also befriends a Jewish girl in her apartment and decides to take her in when her parents are ordered to leave. Will the risk be worth it?
Synod is a book set in the U.S. before the Civil War. A group of people want to live away from society, believing that each person has worth. The plan is to be a stop on the Underground Railroad, but when they finally start helping slaves escape, they face a fight and not everyone is willing to sacrifice for the cause.
Maiden’s Blush and Phantom Poetry by Kayla Lowe
Maiden’s Blush is a sweet romance story that begins with a rescue when a man notices a woman thrown from a car into the snow. He takes her to a hotel where she decides she cannot go home yet to face her father. She is given a chance to take some time to find out what she truly wants in life as she’s lived a very sheltered existence.
Phantom Poetry is a book of poems based on The Phantom of the Opera. Lovers of the story will like the poetry.
It Hurts but It’s Necessary by Pastor Henry McMullen
For those who wonder why they are going through hard times, Pastor McMullen tries to explain in It Hurts but It’s Necessary. Using his Christian faith, McMullen gives reason why hard times can lead to a better life. It’s not just talk – he gives examples from his own life as he dealt with the deaths of his sister, mother and wife.
Share on the blog – I’m always looking for books to add to my to-read bookshelf!
C U R R E N T L Y
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