12 Books for Your Summer Reading List

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Does anyone else love peeking at people’s reading lists? I personally eagerly anticipate the “best books of (enter year here)” that abound on the internet in December & January. I also love the summer book lists that fill my Pinterest feed in May & June. Basically, I just love book lists in general 🙂

And since it’s been awhile since I’ve given you some of my own book recommendations, I want to let you know which books I believe are absolutely worth adding to your own summer reading list.

{This list contains my 12 favorite books I read in 2016. To see all the books I read in 2016, go here.}

Top 5 Non-Fiction Choices

1) Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from this book, but I was absolutely blown away. It is interesting, well written, thought-provoking, Biblically sound, and full of practical application tips. Women of the Word isn’t a difficult read, yet it contains so much wisdom that it leaves the reader with a hungering for God’s Word as well as a better understanding of how to obtain Biblical knowledge. Highly recommend!

2) Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst

I read four books by Lysa TerKeurst in 2016 (The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and Uninvited), and really, any one of them could have made this list. But Uninvited met me where I was, in the moment. A few of my favorite quotes from the book:

“Rejection steals the best of who I am by reinforcing the worst of what’s been said to me.”

“The voices of condemnation, shame, and rejection can come at you, but they don’t have to reside in you.”

“Heartbreaking seasons can certainly grow me but were never meant to define me. I let go of the hurt and embrace the growth the minute I’m able to say, ‘Yet not what I will, but what You will.'”

Uninvited is a game-changer. If you’ve ever felt unwanted, left out, or lonely, or if you’ve ever let past rejections creep into present relationships, then you NEED to read this book!

3) Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

When I was first introduced to the concept of teaching from rest, I literally laughed out loud and exclaimed, “Teaching from rest?! What does that even mean?!” The book sounded too good to be true – like one of those get rich quick schemes or a fad diet that’s guaranteed to give you abs of steel in 14 days or less. But I was intrigued, so I snagged a copy anyways, thinking it couldn’t hurt.

I am so glad I gave this book a try!

From considering whose “well done” we’re working for, to making sure our curriculum serves us (instead of the other way around), to bringing our own skills and interests to the table, I was so challenged by the eye-opening concepts offered in this book that my own homeschool has been transformed in huge ways.

You can purchase the eBook, buy a complete bundle, or watch Sarah’s FREE online book club videos. I gained so much insight from working through the companion journal so I recommend treating yourself to a bundle, which is on sale right now.

4) Undone: A Story of Making Peace with an Unexpected Life by Michele Cushatt

WOW!! I absolutely could not put this book down! So captivating. Some of her doctrinal beliefs are not based in scripture, which is the only thing that holds me back from giving her a five-star review. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ever been thrown a curve-ball in life.

5) Rest Assured: A Recovery Plan for Weary Souls by Vicki Courtney

I hoped for balm for a weary soul when I picked up Rest Assured and this book did not disappoint – I felt great relief in my soul from the first page and began implementing Vicki Courtney’s simple tips from day 1. With the author’s help, I’m learning to stop feeling guilty for allowing my soul time to breathe, and instead view rest as a vital part of my routine. Highly recommend for anyone who’s too busy or running on empty!

Top 7 Fiction Books

6) The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve read fiction that is so good I felt as if I was in another world and was startled to look up and notice everything familiar right in front of me. Narnia, the faun, Aslan… I could feel winter melting to spring, see the stone statues springing back to life, and cry with sorrow and joy when the sins of one were atoned by the innocent. I highly recommend this entire series.

7) The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis

Book 1 of the Chronicles of Narnia. WOW, this book was amazing! My entire family loved it at least as much as The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Incredible allegory and personifications of good verses evil. If you read this series, read the books in this order: 2, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Trust me on this 😉

8 ) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This audio rendition of The Help is absolutely brilliant. I read the book on Kindle years ago, but the depth and beauty and emotion in the readers’ voices really bring the book to life. Highly recommend (not for young ears, as there are some difficult themes and some language throughout, so wear earbuds or listen when young children aren’t present).

9 ) Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery

My children & I listen to this recording every single summer. We never tire of Anne or of Liza’s voice washing over us as we lie on the porch, the fan cooling our faces while we listen. We’re all captivated by Anne and her longings to find her place in a world that’s always changing when sometimes, we just want some things to stay the same.

{Note: I didn’t realize I was listening to the abridged version until last summer, and I was absolutely horrified when I found out! But alas, the unabridged version is only $1.99 on Audible, so all is right with the world again.}

10) Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maude Montgomery

My daughters & I also listen to this audio book every summer. We never tire of Anne, Gilbert, or Marilla. And Matthew holds a tender place in our hearts, not as a fictional character but as our own wonderful grandfathers in storybook form. Highly recommend if you want to read about fiction characters who feel so real that you’re jolted with surprise when someone suggests otherwise.

If you love Anne as much as my family, get the complete box set here.

11) Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

This was the first book I read in 2016 and it was the best fiction novel I’d read in a very long time – I was completely enraptured by the story & read it from cover to cover in 2 (very late) nights. If you enjoyed reading Daddy Long Legs back in the day, then you’ll love Dear Mr. Knightley.

12) For One More Day by Mitch Albom

From the publisher: “For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?” Thought-provoking and riveting, but not too heavy to read outside on a breezy summer day. I give this book five stars!