Summer Reading

"The writing life is first and foremost a reading life, a life engaged with the ongoing conversation that is literature." 

-Scott Cairns, poet and director of the Ph.D. program in creative writing, University of Missouri-Columbia 

  

Well, friends, it's that time again - time for me to share my tried-and-true book recommendations with you! Here's what's on my nightstand:

Sailing Between the Stars by Steven James (If you liked Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller, you'll love this book!)

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (I re-read this book at least once a year. Yancey is an incredible storyteller.)

Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $100,000 A Year or More by Robert W. Bly 

I also highly recommend Ellen Vaughn's book Radical Gratitude. Her writing is so dynamic, and I love her illustrations. The premise of the book is important and surprising because gratitude is so rarely discussed in our culture. We've been given so much, yet we often take God, people, and all our gifts for granted. This book will open your eyes to the ways God is moving in your life every day. You'll be compelled to thank the Lord for the beauty that is all around you.     

I also hope to begin reading Mary DeMuth's new book Wishing on Dandelions soon.  

What are you reading? What are your recommendations for summer? Please share them with all of us by posting a comment here. Thank you!