Summer Reading Round Up

What a wonderful season summer can be! I've found over the years that summer is the season in which I read the most. It's due primarily to having a different schedule which enables me to have more time to read and I'm able to read in more locations. 

One of my favorite places to read is in my hammock tied between trees. I have yet to enjoy this delight of hammock reading this summer due to moving and international travels, but I hope to be able to tie up my hammock soon. 

However, this has not stopped me from reading a number of books this summer. I have a new bedtime routine to thank for the added reading time. I've started going to bed a little earlier and spending an hour or so reading before bed to wind down. This new habit has increased my reading consumption, and it has helped me to actually fall asleep faster. Maybe it's something you'd like to try too? 

Well without further ado, here are some books that I read this summer, and a few quick thoughts about them. I'd encourage you to pick up one of these to read for yourself. 

---

All The Light We Cannot See

Genre: Fiction
​​
Synopsis: The interconnecting story of a young and blind French girl named Marie Laure and a young German boy named Werner. It is set during the period of World War II and tells of the story of the connection between these two people during the war.

​Personal Thoughts: I could not put this book down, and I often found myself reading it late into the night just to find out what would happen to each of the characters. 

​Get the book: All the Light We Cannot See

---

The Power of One-On-One

Genre: Non-Fiction

Synopsis: Jim Stump (missionary to college athletes at Stanford University) shares stories of how God has used one-on-one mentoring to lead many people to Christ over the years of his ministry, and how you can apply the same techniques that he uses. 

Personal Thoughts: This book was insightful and impactful. It made me eager to mentor others, to look at the Bible with them, to share the gospel clearly with others, and to be fervent in prayer. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to minister to others and help them to grow in their walk with Jesus. 

​Get the book: The Power of One-on-One: Discovering the Joy and Satisfaction of Mentoring Others

---

A Million Little Ways

Genre: Non-Fiction and Personal Growth

Synopsis: Emily P. Freeman shares about how we can live out the art we were made to create with our lives. Being made in the image of God, we are each made with the nature of being mini-creators after our Creator. Emily unpacks what this could like to live in light of this fact in your own life. 

Personal Thoughts: I love everything that Emily P. Freeman writes and this book did not disappoint. It was encouraging to be reminded that I am made in the image of God and that my creative pursuits are a reflection of His creativity and his mark on me. 

​Get the book: A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live

---

In His Image

Genre: Non-Fiction and Theology

Synopsis: Jen Wilkin shares ten ways that we are made in the image of God and how that affects our daily lives. 

Personal Thoughts: Are you sensing a theme from my summer reading? Unintentionally I've read a few books about being made in the image of God, and it has formed a lot of my thoughts this summer. I appreciate Jen Wilkin's writing as well, and I learned a lot from her in terms of her observations about the ways we image God's character. You can read a post that I wrote about additional thoughts from this book: God Is Not Amazon. 

Get the book: In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character

---

Summer is drawing to an end, but if you're looking for a new book to read, might I suggest the ones above. It is a pleasure sharing about books with others, and if you're looking for other books to read, visit the recommended articles below. 
​

The Ten Best Books I Read in 2017

The Discipline of Reading

​When Your Phone Changes You

​When Humility Brings Peace
​