Books I’ve Finished Recently:
Love, Skip, Jump — I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, but it encouraged me to continue to look for ways to be a giver in my everyday life.
Chaos to Clutter-Free — This ebook was a great refresher on the need for organization in our homes and the difference it makes. If you need some step-by-step organizing help, this would be a great place to start.
Books I Hope to Finish This Week
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) — I’ve had this one started for quite awhile, and it’s good. It’s just deep and it’s taking me awhile to get through!
A Proper Pursuit — I’ve not started this book yet, but am really hoping to finally get this book read this week!
Nurturing the Soul of Your Family — This book was one I found when I was searching for another title and the premise resonated with me so I decided to pick it up. We’ll see what I think of it after reading it!
Addicted to Busy — This was another book that I found when looking for another title and thought it looked like a good read. Have you read it?
You and Me Forever — Multiple readers have said that I MUST read this book, so I’m excited to dive into it!
Me Before You — My friend, Ginger, told me this was one of her very favorite books so I knew I had to read it. 🙂
What I Listened To:
The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown — I’m slowly working my way through these CDs and gleaning so much. I especially have been contemplating her thoughts on shame versus guilt (Guilt says, “I did wrong.” Shame says, “I am wrong.”) Lots to ponder!
Movies We Watched:
Dispatches From the Front — My mom gave us this DVD and we watched it as a family on Sunday. It’s always so fascinating to learn about other cultures and beliefs and to see how God is moving and working in lives around the world.
And, of course, we’ve been watching lots and lots of baseball. How about our Kansas City Royals?? We can’t wait for the World Series. Even if our boys in blue don’t win, we’re so proud that they made it farther than most anyone thought possible this season.
What have you read recently? What are you planning to read this week? Any good book recommendations for me?
Hi Crystal! I’m pouring through your past book reviews looking for the best leadership book you’ve come across. Can you recommend ONE? I have many other books to read this summer, so I need a great read. I recently took on a director role in a local homeschool group and I want to be able to cast a vision and lead well even though it’s so not my gift. As with all things, I’m relying on God to grow me in this experience and give me wisdom, but I know there are things to keep in mind when leading and I could use some encouragement. Thanks you!
Hmm, I would probably say to check out John Maxwell’s books on leadership. I have read a few and found them very insightful. I don’t know that I can recommend just one, but maybe check your local library to see if they have some of his books?
Thanks for narrowing the focus! I’ll scout him out. Have an awesome 4th!
Daring Greatly was life changing. Then I had the opportunity to be involved in a Daring Way 8 week class! The woman in that group shared so vulnerably and it really helped me understand more of the book. It’s hard to explain but you really go through the material and deal with the various issues in your past or current situation. If you get a chance I highly recommend it seeing as how much you enjoy her work. Also she is going to be teaming up with Woman of Faith. Woman of Faith is “ending” but a new chapter is starting and Brene Brown is going to be having some conferences.
I am almost halfway through “Growing Up Duggar” and am really enjoying it. While most reviews I read beforehand said it’s geared toward teens, I am gleaning much from it myself…and I am 43! I truly love these girls’ hearts and they seem so wise and mature for their ages. I highly recommend it whether you are 10 or 90. Great book!
I just finished You and Me Forever. And on the 2nd to last page it says that they wanted to bless the people who wanted to read the book, but couldn’t afford to. On their website youandmeforever.org they have a place to download the full book for free.
I listened to Me Before You. I have mixed feelings about it. Definitely worth the read; the writing is great and the characters are totally believable.
I am dying to know how you are able to read so many books! I have 3 kids and work full time and am doing good to read one a month. Are you just a really fast reader?
I am a really fast reader and I also try to always have a book with me for any extra minutes that pop up. I’d say the most successful thing for me is to make reading at least 10-15 pages of a book every morning part of my early morning routine. That little bit adds up pretty quickly, even if I don’t do much other reading.
Here are some other suggestions: https://moneysavingmom.com/money-saving-mom-search-results?cx=007411191005105397513%3Aunk5vrqj0se&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=how+I+find+time+to+read
Just started reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. It was recommended by respected theologians and writers who I admire. It’s a book about sharing and defending Christian faith. I can recommend other books on apologetics too because I have been reading about this topic to come up with better answers for questions from nonbelievers.
Yay!! I am so happy to hear you are reading You and Me Forever! I hope you enjoy it. I just started reading 50 Women Every Christian Should Know, because I kept hearing it was a good one.
I really, really didn’t like Me Before You. The author has an amazing gift for writing and storytelling, but I had major issues with the theme that was glorified in this book, and was beyond disappointed by the ending. I probably can’t give any more specifics without spoiling the plot,
Oops, didn’t mean to end my post with a comma. 🙂
I’m hearing mixed reactions about it, so I’m curious to see what I think. It’s definitely different than my usual genre of books, but I wanted to try it!
Yes, Crystal, I’m curious to hear what you think. Laura, I fully agree with you – she is an excellent writer and a beautiful story, but I was deeply disturbed by the ending.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! It wasn’t even just the fact that it occurred, but even more the fact that it was glorified and accepted. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I actually feel that this book is dangerous.
I agree.
You said it before I could!
I was worried I was the only one who didn’t like it. The language was very off-putting to me as well. To much use of the Lord’s name in vain and swear words that are offensive. I’ll be very interested to hear Crystal’s opinion of it.
I’m plodding my way through Les Misrebles (I started it before Christmas and am only picking it back up because two people I really admire said it’s their favorite book ever.)
Just finished Lessons From Blackberry Inn, which inspired me in my homeschool journey. I’m getting ready to start Fit to Burst.
I loved both Lessons from Blackberry Inn and Fit to Burst!
I love Brene Brown. Her works have changed my life, literally.
I’ve been reading a free ebooks you posted called “what if I was married to me?” I have been slowly reading it and then just letting myself ponder and put into practice the principles. I’m liking it.
Finished Living Clutter Free with Kids. By Mike Burns (thank you for the free book)
Good, Fast easy read. He focused on the why of decluttering, which I am interested in. Wish he would have gone deeper into the why.
Does anybody have any good reads on that talk about the why of decluttering?
There are a lot of great books I want to read. Goal is to finish Love Has a Face Michele Perry by the end of October.
Any recommendations on staying focused in completing one book? I see all these great books and feel like Im going to miss out if I don’t read them right away. So, that takes my focus away from what I am reading currently.
Quinn, my new eBook focuses some on the why of decluttering.
Here’s an example, “I understand the desire to hang on to keepsakes and family heirlooms. Those items are precious treasures that weave beauty and history into our lives and our homes. The problem with the beautiful heirlooms occurs when we have so many of them that they stop us from moving forward.” Davonne Parks, Chaos to Clutter-Free
I put recommendations on my amazon wishlist! This helps me keep track of what I want to read and I buy them as rewards to myself or when I need a pickmeup on a certain topic.
Hope that helps.
Brene Brown’s books are life changing. I am a recovering people pleaser and her books encouraged me to live wholeheartedly and let go of shame. I highly recommend all her books. Thank you for sharing with us.
I have loved ALL of her books and they’ve been life-changing for me, too!
Her books have been on my reading list forever! What’s a good one to start with?
If you only read one, I’d recommend Daring Greatly. The Gifts of Imperfection is a shorter read, so start with that one if you plan to read more than one. They are meaty, deep, and thought-provoking!
A Light In the Attic
The Rosie Project
and
Fangirl
I love YA so usually have one of them going at a time.
Me before You – GREAT Book. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for reading and mentioning my new book!! I always enjoy seeing your reading lists 🙂
You are welcome!
My brother is one of the missionaries on Dispatches- day of Battle. Thank you for sharing it with others.
I’m really enjoying and being challenged by Linda Dillow’s book, What’s it Like Being Married to Me? (And Other Dangerous Questions).
I just downloaded The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. Haven’t started reading it yet but it got great reviews.
Ooo…that sounds like me!
Read it! So good. If you have children, Read the Highly Sensitive Child too. It will give you great insight into your children. It really has helped me parent.
Ruth, thanks for the suggestion. I didn’t know about that book but I have a son who is exactly like me in temperament, “highly sensitive” so I’m thankful for that. My mother was the very opposite of a highly sensitive person and as a result she had no end of frustration in dealing with me. She actually called me one day when I was in my 20’s, after reading a different book about personality types, to apologize for all the yelling she’d done. (and it wasn’t that bad)
I will definitely check this one out! I have a very sensitive daughter and am often at a loss on how to parent certain issues. So thankful for all these book recommendations, very helpful! 🙂
I am reading Deeper by Debbie Alsdorf and One in a Million by Pricsilla Shrier, both are excellent.
Sorry, honey, the Kansas City Royals will not come through in the end. Enjoy it while you can though 🙂
😉