Once the warm weather comes and I have some more free time than usual in my schedule, I always seem to end up with a LONG list of books that are on my “I really want to read this” list.  This Summer has been no different!

While I completely endorse the use of the library (in fact, I use it almost 100% of the time!), I am finding that the books that I wanted to read- I also wanted to be able to “mark up” and highlight and write comments in.  So Amazon became my NEW best friend!

I think there are TWO main ways a person can read a bunch of books!  There are those of us that pick up ONE book at a time and read it cover to cover and then put it down.  Then there are those of us (this seems to be me lately!) that start THREE at a time and then bounce back and forth between them.  I think I may have book ADD.

I also tend to read only non-fiction.  I feel like if I am going to take the time to read a book, I want it to change my life or I want to learn and gain something from it!

So starting from the top of the pile…I will share some thoughts on some of these amazing books!

1.  Preparing Him For The Other Woman By Sheri Rose Shepherd:  I downloaded a podcast from Focus on The Family that included Sheri Rose Shepherd a few months ago and just recently had some time to listen to it.  I was instantly hooked.  I went home, looked it up at the library and started reading it.  I stopped after about 5 chapters and realized I had to have my own copy because there was just too much great information in it and I wanted to be able to go back and read it again!  This book surrounds the idea that our young men need to be taught at a young age how to be Godly men and husbands.  Those patterns to stick through the storm and not leave their families need to be established at a young age according to Sheri!  (and I agree with her!) She goes into great detail about things she did right and other things she did wrong in the raising of her young boy. (He’s now in his twenties!)  I am about half way through it and am in awe of how much there is to think about when it comes to this sensitive subject.

2.  Packing Light-Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage By Allison Vesterfelt:  I took this book on my last airplane trip and couldn’t.put.it.down!  This was also from the library and I went home and bought it right away because there were too many things I wanted to highlight!  (Do you see a pattern here?) I landed in Chicago after my trip and texted two people right away that I knew this book would be important for them to read!  It’s the true story of Ally and the adventure she sets out on to travel to all 50 states.  The book includes SO much more than the adventure!  This book is amazing and you won’t be sorry!

3.  The You Plan: A Christian Womans Guide for a Happy, Healthy Life After Divorce:  This one just arrived at my door from Amazon and I get to dive into tonight!  A friend and I have created a small Book study/club and this is our first treasure.  I will report back on this one.  By the title alone, I have a really good feeling that I will give this one a thumbs up 🙂

4.  Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us By Seth Godin:  Ever since I attended a Photography Workshop in February (where this book was recommended to read!) I have had my eye on reading it.  I will keep you updated on this one too!

5.  The Sacred Search: What If It’s Not about Who You Marry, But Why?: RUN…don’t walk to get this book for any single person you may know.  It’s THAT good!  I am going to re-read it this Summer but the first time I read it, it helped me discern that I was in a relationship that was not right for me.  That alone is worth its weight in GOLD!

6.  Grace-Based Parenting: Just got this one too!  Always interested in different ways to parent my children!

So what are you all reading this Summer?  I want to add more to my list…so leave a comment so I can read it too!