It’s been a while since I last had a chance to share my reading stack and chat about the books I am reading with you. But here we are midsummer and I am ready to share some of what has been keeping me company this Summer. I have ditched a couple of books along the way but thought I would save the details for a post of their own on the blog another day.
Meanwhile, let me tell you what’s been keeping me from being a reading sloth, at least spiritually, this Summer and why I am choosing what I do. I still am in search of a few good books to add for my Summer reading, so stay tuned to see what I am looking to add and give me your best suggestions.
First, I should let you know that I usually like to have a variety of books and multiple genres going at one time. Here is what my current stack consists of and some thoughts about this latest round of books.
First let me start with the Bible I am absolutely loving. I purchased this myself, as Warren Wiersbe is one of my all round favorite expositor’s of God’s Word! I often read his commentaries- especially The Be Series. So this Warren Wiersbe Study Bible has been fantastic. It’s big, beautiful and full of the excellent study notes and commentary I have come to appreciate from Wiersbe. I use a number of Bibles regularly, some intermittently and some occasionally. Bible reading is a daily mainstay, so keeping it fresh and relevant is important to me. I am grateful I am able to have access to such a variety of great study Bibles.
Speaking of Bibles, on my last book update, I had included The Amplified Journaling Bible which I reviewed here: Journal the Word Bible Review. I wanted to share an update as I have also been using this Bible daily for study and journaling prayer. The biggest update is that the cream paper – which I stated I abhor (more or less) is not even a problem! I have been using this Bible since January, and I am loving the space for notes and not finding the paper to be an obstacle to my enjoyment at all.
Two of the books in my Summer stack are also by Warren Wiersbe. One, a compilation post-humously released by his grandson called Becoming New. This book takes you through the Bible in a devotional style that offers plenty of opportunity to dig into scripture with plenty of commentary, insight and scripture references. I am working through this one with a friend as we discuss weekly over coffee the lessons offered up in this excellent Bible study accompaniment. The second is The Be-Series commentary for Numbers titled, “Be Counted”. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to have access to Wiersbe’s comprehensive lifetime notes on scripture. Thank you, Lord for him!
Eye of The Beholder by Luci Shaw– I may finally have found a poet I truly love without any reservation. I have heard of this poet for years, yet not read a collection from her. This work is stunning in it’s beautiful look at so many of nature’s details. Luci has an eye, for the smallest detail. I appreciate her ability to weave words, both subtly and uniquely. I will be reading more. Shout out to Lynn who also suggested I read her awhile back!
I have to say, I was blessed to meet a poet in New Hampshire recently who has astonished me with her excellent word work. Although the book is not pictured here, I read it and have to say, she has written one of my favorite collections of poetry in “The Mother of All Words”. I highly suggest you read it if you find poetry, a bit, MEH…which I hear from people often. It’s a small beautiful , tightly woven group of poems – some micro- that absolutley take my breath away. Kelly Belmonte is the poet, and you can find the book on Amazon.
On a hot day over the past week I was looking for something otherwise not in my current stack. I shopped my many books at home and pulled out one from the pile of unread- of which I have many! Becoming a Writer by Dorethea Brande. This book was published in 1934! It was a bit ahead of its time. I am only in the start of it, but it seems to lean towards encouragement as opposed to the biting, sarcastic writing so popular today. We will have to see if it holds my interest to the end.
I received a devotional book which I can’t put down, and have forsaken all others for at the time of this writing. Come to the Waters by James Montgomery Boice is in my top ten for best devotional writings of my Christian life. It’s the book I didn’t know i needed, but appreciate much. Each of these devotions takes a passage of scripture and in one short page presents conviction and challenge of the kind there is no escape. Every devotion cuts to the core of Christian life, and living without compromise. Each day the Gospel is clearly presented challenging one to see it anew and receive it afresh each day. This is not for the fainthearted, but for those ready for some challenging questions about living out their faith life.
ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal®: Acts– Our church began a new series in Acts in June. Although I already have the full set of New Testament ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals (A Christmas gift a few years back), our church purchased these for the congregation. How cool is that? So I am using this for sermon notes as we go.
Brokeness, Surrender, Holiness (trilogy) by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – I have been reading through and studying the Surrender section of this collection with another friend. Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Wolgemuth) is another excellent Bible Teacher, and one of my favorite of women teachers. This is another book which challenges believers to surrender their lives fully, not half-heartedly to Jesus Christ. Not for the slothful Summer reading crowd for sure.
I AM : Stories from the Gospel of John by Laura Cerbus– so why am I reading this book which is written for kids ages 8-12? I will tell you! We have a kid’s adventure club during the school year. This book was a gift we gave to the kids to take home at our last get together. Our Pastor taught through each of the I Am lessons of Jesus and this book was an excellent reading choice for them to remember the lessons beyond the club time. It’s really a great reading option or gift for kiddos you know between 8-12.
The next books I will add to my Summer Reading List are:
We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade by Elyce Arons– I wanted to get this right away. Instead I tried for the long weekend, but when I called the bookstore it had just walked out the door! I am awaiting a call to grab a copy. As a planner girl, and one who has lost a daughter to suicide, I can’t help but want to read this one. I wrote a poem about Kate Spade’s death in 2018.
A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul By David Mathis – This was my pick for the next book I review for Crossway. It is set to release July 22nd. As one who worked as a Fitness Professional and competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter and became a Christian the same year I had finally made it to national level competition, I look forward to reading and reviewing this book. Many of the lessons I learned as a trainer God used to apply in my early Christian formation. I remember the slow untangling from the world and thinking of the world I experienced as the truth became crystal clear and the the things I aspired to and held in high regard became “strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”. Stay tuned for my review late July or early August, depending when it arrives!
OK, if you made it this far- THANK YOU! Now, a clean, fun, lighthearted (but not daft) summer read for the beach is what I am seeking! Give me your best suggestions…I am open- and, perhaps I should compile a list of some of my favorite beach/summer cabin reads from my past? Meanwhile, give me a really MUST READ this Summer suggestion!
Check out the books I have read so far this year HERE.
My Goodreads profile HERE.
Looking for a Summer Journaling prompt? SJP10 Books, Books, Books!
Happy reading and writing–
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 