Prime Day, Round Two is coming soon! Click here for info!!
Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom®

Saving Families Money Since 2007

Home » Crystal Paine » Book Reviews » 10 Books I Read in June (and My Top 3 Favorites!)

10 Books I Read in June (and My Top 3 Favorites!)

Published: by on   |  This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

12 Books I Plan to Read in June

While I didn’t quite get all the books read in June that I hoped to, I DID get in more reading than I had in April and May, so that’s progress!

10 Books I Read in June

I’m also reading through the Bible using the plan in my Blessing Journal and reading one devotional from Jesus Today every day.

Books I Plan to Read in June

3 Books I Read Aloud to My Kids

10 Books I Read in June

My Top 3 Favorites

The Nesting Place — Confession time: I’ve never nailed anything on a wall on any house I’ve ever lived in (friends & family have taken pity on me and done it for me), but this book moved me at a deep level. I want to stop making excuses that “I’m not a decorator” — borne out of my own insecurity and concern over what people will think or that I’ll do it all wrong.

Instead, I just want to be free to experiment, take risks, and try new things — not only when it comes to our home decor, but in all areas of my life. It’s time to say goodbye to performance, perfectionism, and people-pleasing… And to start living with braveness and boldness.

10 Books Read in June

Love Idol — I highly, highly recommend this book if you find yourself (like me) having perfectionistic, people-pleasing tendencies. It’s well-written and engaging, but more than that, the message is powerful, freeing, life-changing!

Rhinestone Jesus — The title of this book alone was enough to challenge me. But the contents were even more convicting. I don’t want to “play it safe”. I want to step outside my comfort zone, even though it’s uncomfortable and hard. I only have one life to live. I want to live it to its fullest. Reading Kristen’s story in the pages of this book stirred me, moved me, and challenged me to not be complacent, comfortable, or content with mediocrity.

Runner Up: Carry On, Warrior — If you didn’t get to yet, be sure to read the post this book inspired: I’m Done With Being a People-Pleaser.

What books did you read in June? What were your favorites? Any books that you’d highly recommend for me?

Reader Interactions

Money Saving Mom® Comment Policy

We love comments from readers, so chime in with your thoughts below! We do our best to keep this blog upbeat and encouraging, so please keep your comments cordial and kind. Read more information on our comment policy.

  1. Amy Tilson says

    I haven’t finished yet, but “Home Behind the Sun” by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy is amazing. It feels like C. S. Lewis meets Willa Cather with some Madeleine L’Engle thrown in. Beautifully written and powerful. Tim Willard will be speaking at Allume in Octiber.

  3. Gina Elder says

    I have The Nester in my Kindle queue! 😀

    So far, this month, I’ve read:

    One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Easier by Tsh Oxenreider
    A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman
    Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
    Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

    Audiobooks:
    Allegiant by Veronica Roth

    Currently reading/listening:
    Made to Crave by Lysa TeKeurst
    A Game of Thrones (book 1) by George R. R. Martin – audiobook

  5. Anne says

    Hi! I’ve been enjoying seeing your reading list. I’ve added many of the titles to my own list and enjoyed the ones I’ve read. I was curious to know your thoughts on how After the Boxes are Unpacked got to your list and what you thought of it. I’ve read the first chapter of it a few years ago. My church does a ladies bible study with that book for it yearly.
    Thanks!

    • Crystal Paine says

      I enjoyed it and think it would be a great read for someone who is making a big move and needs some encouragement and practical ideas for making the transition.

  6. Jenni says

    I’ve been reading a book called “Thrift” by Samuel Smiles. He wrote several books during the mid-late 19th century on self-improvement, etc. but it’s not the kind of touchy-feely self-help books you would think about today. What I like about this book is that it talks a lot about the character and purpose behind being frugal with your money, but also with time, etc. It’s free on Kindle because it’s in the public domain.

  7. JG says

    It would never occur to me to worry that I would decorate “wrong” and that someone might judge me for it. The few times someone has criticized some decorative touch in my home, I’ve told them that I guess it’s lucky that we don’t live together.

  8. Erin says

    I recommend “A Smile as Big as the Moon” by Mike Kersjes. I read it the first time in college in one of my education classes, and just read it again! It’s an amazing book about a special education teacher who takes his kids to space camp. I’m pretty sure they made a made-for-tv movie about it too. I love it!!

  9. Marianne says

    Thanks for the recommendation on The Nesting Place. That sounds exactly like me. I love dreaming about having a beautifully decorated home, but have a hard time getting started.

  10. Roma says

    I read Faith Undone about the emergent church. Very eye opening! After reading this book it made me realize how important it is to be in Gods word daily. So many can be easily swayed when we are not focused on His word. Plus spending more time in His word. Love it!

  11. Jennifer H says

    FYI, Samuel and I loved the Saturdays and also the rest of the books in that series.

    Goodreads says I only read 3 books in June, but I know that can’t be right. Maybe I only entered the ones I liked so:
    Parnassus on Wheels – LOVED
    The Giver (finally) – couldn’t put it down, but was disappointed that the ending didn’t resolve anything for me; just finished the third book though and it’s starting to come together
    Driving Over Lemons; An Optimist in Andalucia – I only gave this 3 stars, but I did really enjoy most of this book

  12. Bobbi says

    I am trying to read more, but my reading time is pretty much limited to when I nurse my daughter or maybe on the occasional long car ride. I am still working on this book, but I am really finding it helpful for me. “Winning the Clutter War” by Sandra Felton. It must have been free on amazon. I read a lot of books about clutter, minimalism, organization, etc. but this one really does address my issues in a different way and offers suggestions that would truly solve problems, not just tell me I’m messy and need to clean more.

  13. Emily says

    Did you mention reading a book on Resilience. I wanted a recommendation of a good book about this, I thought I had seen you mention one at one time, but can’t seem to find the name.

  17. Kelli says

    I was on vacation last week, so I have been reading fiction for fun and relaxation. I finished Mrs. Mike, Five Days in Skye, Still Life (by Louise Penny), and The Invention of Wings (by Sue Monk Kidd).

  18. Davonne Parks says

    I JUST ordered “The Nesting Place” last night and can’t wait to read it! I’m currently reading, “Hands-Free Mama” by Rachel Macy Stafford. It is SO good and you would love it if you haven’t already read it!

  19. Sarah says

    I read “The Nesting Place,” too, and I LOVED it! I’ve never really decorated the 4 homes we’ve lived in in the last 13 years, because I have been afraid that I’d do it wrong. The Nester is SO encouraging and inspiring. I truly believe I can do it! I love that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. That is a theme in more than one area of my life right now!

  20. KC says

    Add Love, Skip, Jump to your reading list! It’s a MUST READ! Love it. By Shelene Bryan. It was $1.99 on Kindle a few days ago. Thanks for your list. I’m going to check them out now!

    • Crystal Paine says

      Great question! I’m constantly analyzing and thinking (my friends would tell you that I tend to over-analyze things — which can be both good and bad!), so I love to be reading a wide variety of books to give me a lot of different things to mull on when I’m running on the treadmill, cleaning, cooking, etc.

      I also don’t feel like I need to apply everything I read… I try to just read something, pull out the parts that move me/challenge me, and be okay with leaving those that just don’t apply or aren’t for my life right now.

  22. Weareborgswife says

    I am one who was afraid of putting things on the walls- then I discovered command adhesive strips- 😉 the velcro strips are my favorite things- I can always move things around, and if I don’t line up straight, just pop them off and reset them… at our old house I hung up 1 thing- here I have many!
    For books- All In by Mark Batterson (anything by him really) impacted our church so much that two of our families are heading into ministry training this year (one to YWAM, another to Bible school in CO)… confirmed so much for them.

  24. Ellen says

    I’ve long dreamed of you and the Nester teaming up for a blog series in which she helps you decorate your home (or even just one room) frugally! She’s such an encouragement with her line about decorating not having to be perfect to be beautiful. It’s so true, and it helps people push through their fears.

  25. April says

    In June I read:

    Killing Jesus
    Bringing up Boys
    Four to score
    High Five
    I finished up the Girls with Swords bible study.
    Listened to The Hobbit audio book with my older boys.
    Read countless board and picture books to my little boys.
    I may have read one or two more in June but I can’t remember. 🙂

  26. Yasmin Jones says

    I read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, No Sunshine When She’s Gone by Kate Angell and Starting Now by Debbi Macomber. The last two were quick reads great for the beach. I’ve missed reading so much and have started making it a priority. I’m currently reading We Are Called to Rise: A Novel by Laura McBride. I’ll add The Nesting Place to my list. Thanks!