I am a reader, the fact is indisputable and I blame it entirely on my parents who always had their noses in books reading about anything and everything that interested them. They passed it down to both my sister and I. (My sister is a librarian.) As you can see that is one of the reasons I write these Simple & Short Christian Book Reviews Plus A GIVEAWAY.
I can remember trying to get my mother’s attention when she was reading, waiting patiently until she turned the page so I could gain her presence! I am exactly the same way except my kids say I am worse, they can’t even get my attention when I am turning a page.
Such is the life of a reader…
Here are some of the books that I read this month and I felt these were worthy to share. If they made it to this list they have achieved a whole-hearted thumbs up!
Simple & Short Christian Book Reviews Plus A GIVEAWAY
SPIRITUAL
This book “messed with” me…and that is why it made it to the top of my list this month. I was challenged in all ways to live a life pleasing to the Lord in the area of hospitality. As it happens, hospitality is a biblical command that goes into every area of your life. It is my simple prayer that this book will “mess with” you too!
Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love: Benedict’s Way of Love
FICTION
It’s been a long time since I have read a historical fiction book series in which I learned so much about the history of a nation in such a gripping and entertaining way. I now have an interest in Russian history that I never knew I had. Can an author get higher praise than that? This is a very lengthy read but would also be a great way to teach European history to students in an understandable and interesting unit study. I can’t wait to learn more about this mysterious country!
BIOGRAPHY
Have you ever heard of John Newton? Grace: The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song will be the perfect introduction to him. If you have never heard his testimony, buckle up you are in for a wild ride! This well-written book reveals Newton’s dramatic story of sin and salvation as a slave trader before his ultimate transformation to speak out against the horror of slavery. I loved this book, yes, absolutely loved it! Superb research and an honest portrait of a man coming to grips with his sin! Click HERE to enter a chance to win a copy of this AMAZING book!
SIMPLE LIVING
I learned so much from this book. This book was recommended to me by Katie otherwise known as The Green Homemaker. I wanted to read this particular book to learn how to save even more money in my household economy. It did the trick and caused me to look at how I manage my resources in a new light. I have implemented several suggestions from The Zero Waste Home with tremendous success.
Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste
INTERIOR DECORATING
A wonderfully inspiring book from a wonderfully inspiring blogger! This book was about so much more than decorating your house. If I could pick just two words to describe this book it would be Creative and Contentment. All the pictures in the book are from Myquillyn Smith’s rental home! Check out more great ideas at The Nester!
The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful
Spiritual Leadership
As a blogger, this book was an inspiration to me! Authentic Influencer is a Christian leadership book that highlights 15 key principles that emerge from Barnabas that are relevant, practical, and customizable to every believer. By studying the life of Barnabas, we see how he influenced the world for Jesus Christ in practical and doable ways. Become encouraged to shape our world for Jesus— beginning with whoever happens to be close by. Enter the GIVEAWAY and get your own copy!
COOKBOOK
As a family with allergies and autoimmune disease, this cookbook is so much more than a cookbook to me…it is an inspiration! A compilation of Danielle Walker’s amazing Paleo Recipes that your whole family will love and you will make over and over again. The most important thing about Against All Grain is that it gave me hope that I can get better and heal my autoimmune diseases naturally, just like Danielle did! As a side note, you don’t have to have allergies to love these recipes.
FINANCE
Do you need some sound financial advice from a Christian perspective? Then look no more! You will find practical and spiritual steps to lead you to the financial peace you have been looking for. This book is really a guidebook to living a contented and “rich” life. Check out Ruth’s blog at Living Well Spending Less for more amazing money-saving ideas!
Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life
GARDENING
A lovely book to read in the middle of winter while you are stuck indoors. The pictures alone are worth the price of the book! I spent way to much time this month looking through this insightful gardening book. What this book did most for me was to challenge me to look at each of my flower beds in terms of color and bloom time. I have some gaps in each bed that I now can remedy. Great list of plants included too!
The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year-Round Beauty from Brandywine Cottage
HEALTH
An excellent resource for anyone suffering from Autoimmune Disease. Very simple steps to follow to get you started on the road to recovery. The most important thing that you will get from this well-written book is HOPE!
The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor’s 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease
HOMESCHOOL
One of my favorite subjects to teach is History! I love reading good Historical Literature but there is a place in my opinion for textbooks that is broad in scope and sequence. A Child’s Story of America is a book for the elementary years. Christian Liberty Press has loads of excellent resources so please take a look at their quality homeschool resources.
Looking for more good books to read? Click HERE!
YOUR TURN…
What are you reading now?
Blessings,
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Wow! I’m impressed and much too embarrassed to admit what I read because compared to your list, mine is mostly junk 😉
I did order Radical Hospitality through ODU and I just started Brother Juniper’s Bread Book: Slow Rise as Method and Metaphor (so far I made the brownie recipe — priorities!).
I know you will LOVE Radical Hospitality! It really touched me and I have on reserve another of Homan’s books. For the record, I would make brownie’s first too…
Thanks for sharing your reading list, Janelle. These ALL look good! My kids have the same trouble getting my attention when I’m absorbed in a book. But they understand, they’re readers too!
I think we are kindred spirits 🙂
Great picks and thank you!
Thank you and you are very welcome, Laura!