Enjoying the warm sunshine and outdoors as we muddle through the third wave of the pandemic. Lockdown feels tight after this year, so going out to explore the Whiteshell Provincial Park has been a wonderful reprieve.
Sitting around a campfire with a blanket and a book is a nice way to end off the evening (after marshmallow goop is cleaned out of hair, and ears, and hands). If you're looking for Christian living or Christian fiction, I have a few ideas for you here, so I hope there's something of interest for you.
And hey, if you pick up one of these, let me know what you think!! (You can also find me on Goodreads)
Christian Living
In this lighthearted book you're going to find an honest look at the struggles we experience with our menstrual cycle. It's not a health book. It's not a medical book. This is about taking a look at the way our body works and how it tells us about God and his work in the world. She points us to gospel truths in our suffering and circumstances to help us depend more on Christ.
I'll admit, I hadn't really considered my cycle in light of the gospel, so I found this to be an interesting and insightful read.
A new series written for kids, to help them answer big questions about faith. Five stars from me! Find the full review here.
I really enjoyed this short book and her discussion on how the gospel relates to secular "truths" on issues of race, gender and women's rights. Important conversations to have and continue engaging in as the church. Five stars!!
The Church
Here is a short introduction to the theology of the church. I found it less practical and more information based, to help give the reader a good grasp of what makes the protestant practice of church and sacraments different from catholic. It was a great theological primer. I gave it 3 stars and recommend it if you're looking for theology. Find my full review here.
Not just surviving through church, but thriving. In this short booklet, the author invites women to a high view of the church and draws her to love the church. This is such a helpful encouragement with practical tips for women to build that sense of welcoming, belonging and serving within the church. 5 stars!! Grab this if you are a woman looking for what it means to thrive. Find my review here.
Christian Fiction
Here’s a new suspense filled story from DiAnn Mills. I’ve read a few of her other titles, and this one succeeded my expectations. Shelby Pearce has spent 15 years in prison after confessing to the murder of her brother-in-law, and now, having survived life in prison, and finished her sentence, she begins a new journey trying to survive on the outside. Denton McClure was the federal agent assigned to her case those years ago, but the mystery, for him, continued to linger, where did Shelby stash the embezzled money? He sets himself up undercover living nearby to befriend her and gain the information. You watch them grow in humility, loyalty and trust. If you love Christian suspense, you’ll find a great read here!
This is the author's debut novel, a very interesting story about a girl who grows up in debtors prison with her father, an acclaimed author who wrote under a pen name, Nathaniel Droll. After his death, she is released into the care of her family and continues to write under his name. People become curious about the true identity of Nathaniel Droll and his link to the manor where she is residing. The authors writing is beautifully descriptive. This was a story I very much enjoyed.
A high society American woman in the early 1900's is sent by her parents to England just before World War I begins. She finds a place with her cousin caring for the wounded soldiers. The manor housing the hospital is growing further in debt and the lord of the house is selling off the pieces. An interesting story about finding your place and purpose in serving others.
This was a book I read for one of my seminary classes. It's secular non-fiction written part as memoir and another part social justice. What intrigued me the most was her perspective on fairy tales, things I've never noticed or paid attention to in light of a disability. It helped me think a lot differently and I appreciate her perspective.
Maybe something caught your interest?
I hope these ideas have been a help as you endeavour to add to your own shelves something that's relevant and interesting for your summer reading :)
What have you enjoyed reading lately?
