Tripping Over Typeset

To be completely honest, I wish I could spend more time reading!  I love curling up with good books and taking words in…but in my life those times just don’t happen enough.

Time is limited and I’m trying to manage it better.  My reading goal is a minimum one hour a day even if it’s just moments snuck in here and there…even while waiting in the car.  I’m also attempting the whole slow down earlier at night and read before falling asleep method.

My friend, Lori Harris, who is an amazing writer/blogger, inspired me with this post.  She is a homeschooling mama of 6, church-planter and one grace-filled chick.  Last week, she wrote out her reading list and I was inspired!  This girlfriend sneaks in reading time while doing her hair!

What a time-saving, multi-tasking idea!

I tried it today but since my hair is short and I pretty much let my hair decide its own style, I only took in a paragraph or two before ‘the do’ was done.  {I love the idea yet this might not work for me!}

Now in sharing this I want you to understand… this is my wish-list goal.  It might not get done this summer… but maybe….if through some kind of genie wish system I gain a maid, cook, chauffeur and all-around do-er of all things!

So here’s the list:

Life Inspiring

Surprised by Motherhood  by Lisa-Jo Baker –  I am half-way through this book and I love it.  Be warned there are lovely, teary moments in this read.  It’s a wonderful story of growing, unselfish living and being okay with not having it all-together.

Don’t Waste Your Life  by John Piper – I started this book last year and I’m picking it up again because this is a real desire of mine…to not waste this one life I’ve been given.

You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth – Again…I’m about half-way through this book.  I printed out the free study guide and I’m working through it as I have time.  I enjoy the evaluation part and dreaming with God about this one life.

Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst – I’m walking through this with a group of local ladies here in my church.  For the whole month of July we are learning together how to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions.  I love the way Lysa communicates and writes.  She has a way of filling us all with hope as we walk in grace towards imperfect progress.

Ministry

The Wounded Heart by Dr. Dan B. Allender –  This book was recommended to me by a good friend who is a licensed counselor.  In this ministry life, we journey with many who have been wounded by past sexual abuse.  This book is full of wisdom and encouragement.  Through this book, I hope to gain a better understanding in how to walk with those living with wounds that need God’s healing.

Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge – My heart hurts for women who are living a life of duty and drudgery more than a journey of purpose, grace and love.  “The message of Captivating is this:  Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation.  The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman are telling you of the life God created you to live.  He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman.  A woman who is truly captivating.”

Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home by Waddell & Orr – There are many men and women who defend our freedom and then return home to fight their own inner battles.  Through this book I’m looking for insight in helping others as they battle here at home.

Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley – I’m more than half-way done with this book and loving it!  If you are a writer, speaker, teacher, or any kind of communicator, this is a great resource with many practical lessons in becoming a better communicator.  I highly recommend this book!

Just for fun

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford – I finished this book while putting together this post and I simply loved it.  It’s a sweet story of first love, loyalty and forgiveness.  I so enjoyed Jamie’s writing and story-telling that as soon as I finished this book I immediately went to his website and began reading his second novel, Songs of Willow Frost.  I downloaded and read the first two chapters for free from his website this morning and I’m picking up the book from my local library when they reopen after the holiday weekend.  Yes, it’s that good!

Letter to My Daughter  and Mom & Me & Mom both by Maya Angelou –   I’m sad to say I have just discovered her writing.  These will be my first books of her writings.  I’m very much looking forward to taking them all in.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok – As I was writing up this post, hubby came in and was viewing my pile of books.  He grabbed this book off his shelf and asked, “Have you read this one?  It’s a great book!”  I replied, “Throw it on the pile!”  — a recommendation of Hubby’s!

Again, I might not finish them all this summer but I’m chipping away at them slowly!  I hope you join me in taking in some good reads this summer.

Please share with us…

• What are you reading?
• Have you read any of the above and what did you think?
• Do you have any recommendations for me to throw on the pile?

Please share…I’d love to hear from you!