these are what i have read this summer:
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Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way
i don’t know why i didn’t start this book forever.
i have had it for a long time but i finally opened one afternoon this summer and couldn’t put it down.
and then i got about 3 chapters to the end and closed it because i didn’t want it to be over!
i just finished it this week.
it was really good. i always have A LOT to think about when i read her books.
i LOVED Cold Tangerines
last summer and this was equally good!
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Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
I don’t know how it took me so long to get this book?!!
i LOVED her! I am a pop culture dork and thoroughly enjoyed all her references to show business and hearing how she got her start!
Mindy is way cooler than i already that she was!
and in the book she listed her top ten funniest scenes ever and she mentioned Kaitlin.
NO ONE has EVER mentioned Kaitlin!!!
Kaitlin was one of my most favorites of all the years.
watching those crazy skits i told craig “THIS is what i was like when i was 10! Kaitlin is ME”
when mindy mentioned that she loved Kaitlin, i knew that mindy & i would mostly likely be real life BFFs.
i tried to insert a video but it’s not working… but here is a link to it… KAITLIN.
(it’s totally dumb i know! but picture me at 10 years old & what life was like for adults around me)
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Counting by 7s
i very rarely read fiction.
and honestly i didn’t know this was fiction when i got it.
🙂 so i accidentally picked a fiction book.
My friend Shannan said it was good & i was getting ready to go on my trip so i just ordered it no questions asked.
it was a heartwarming story for sure.
i really really liked it.
it made me want to read more fiction!
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Called for Life: How Loving Our Neighbor Led Us into the Heart of the Ebola Epidemic
oh man.
this book was personal.
i was physically there… next door to Dr. Brantly when he was first sick.
i was in my friend’s living room when they found out their next door neighbor & best friend had contracted ebola.
we all cried and freaked out and worried together.
i have been through the hospital he talks about.
i saw the ebola unit he set up.
i felt like i was reliving that week last summer.
i stayed up late in the night reading this and was totally into it.
i knew the ending but i loved hearing all of what happened from Kent & Amber’s perspective.
This is what i am going to be reading:
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For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards
i can’t wait to hear more from Jen Hatmaker!!
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World
Emily seems to have a way of noticing things that i don’t in the everyday so i am looking forward to hearing her take on this too.
it’s Kaitlin herself. 🙂
why would i read tina fey and mindy kaling’s book but not Amy’s?
duh.
i am definitely reading this one.
i can’t believe i have taken this long… have you watched parks and rec?
we finally are binge watching on amazon.
SO FUNNY – in a totally DRY kind of way.
and this is what i am starting today:
Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes
since the last two were so good i figured it’s time to start on this right away.
maybe it will inspire me to host a dinner party.
or at the very least… cook dinner for my family?
because honestly that has been a hard thing even this summer.
if it wasn’t tacos, burgers or spaghetti… we ate out.
so now…. let’s hear from you!
what are you reading? what is something i HAVE to read?
i promise to consider all of your suggestions.
even if they are fiction.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year
So, so good.
Here is the synopsis so you don’t have to look it up 🙂 The church year is a uniquely Christian way of marking time. When Kimberlee Conway Ireton began to understand this, even the most ordinary incidents of her life began to resonate with the stories of Scripture. In this book, Kimberlee follows the structure of the liturgical year–from Advent to the second cycle of Ordinary Time–describing the origin of each observance and its ongoing relevance for our lives. In a word, The Circle of Seasons offers you structure–a simple and traditional way of building your life around your faith, rather than the other way around.
Lisa - I recommend “My Antonia”. I think it took place in Kansas. I recommend listening to the audio, if you can. It’s worth buying, it will probably be family favorite.
Alicia - Kaitlin!!! That is a fav of mine as well! And the fav of one of my best friend’s who I don’t live near anymore. Posted this to her FB page and enjoyed a wonderful laugh.
Lauren - Bread & Wine is my all time favorite! I buy it for gifts all the time!
Sharilee Ensz - Did I ever tell you my mom cleans for Kim. Both her office and her house!! And I believe my mom and cousin Heidi cleaned the Craft House 😀 Anyway my mom really love a book called Kisses From Katie. It’s very impressive. It’s about a girl named Katie. She was a normal teenager living here in America and she just left her boyfriend and her job and school and family to go to Uganda and idk what it ALLL led to but she ended up adopting nearly 15 children and making a lot of people happy. I KNOW you would LOVVVE it because I’m only thirteen and don’t like books like that and it’s my favorite book!! She also has a blog called kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com. Just on a side note, me and my whole group of friends idolizes you. One of them, Arica Litwiller, shes your biggest ‘fan!!!’ has a blog “ksdreamsarefree.blogspot.com.” You’re the one who inspired that blog!!!! Ok and tell Annie that she is ABSOLUTELY DARLINNGGGGG and tell Talby that shes beautiful but don’t let her get a big head. Haha. But please please read Kisses From Katie!!
Suzanne - This post could not have come at a more perfect time. My birthday is tomorrow (8/8) and my husband asked 2 days ago what I wanted. Bless his heart, this is not his love language, he is so good at so many other things. Anyway, I was having a hard time coming up with things on the spot and then I read this post. I gave him 2 books suggestions from your readings. Thanks so much and I am sure he would say a huge thank you!!!!!
Ranee - I love anything by Shauna Niequist or Jan Hatmaker, so good choices there! I just read two good fiction books, both by Marisa de los Santos…Love Walked In and Belong to Me–actually saw them recommended by Jen Hatmaker, so decided to check them out and was glad I did-just make sure you read Love Walked In first because though Belong to Me isn’t technically a sequel, some characters carry over and Love Walked In is first! 🙂
Mindy - I just re-read To Kill a Mockingbird in preparation for the sequel which apparent was written first. I have also started A Million Little Ways and have Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh on the table beside the couch and it is calling my name. I love, love, love reading outdoors in the summer months.
Mickie - Well as much as I loved all of the book recommendations (and I have read Yes, Please and loved it) the main issue is this. How had I NOT see Kaitlin before? The timing was perfect because there are moments when I am with my son (now, 11) who at times is the male version of Kaitlin and I think “what’s going to happen when he is an adult…?” “Is this going to get better?” etc. And, because you are pretty sure you were Kaitlin, I am going to tell myself what I try to most days and that is Yes! We and he will find his way and fulfill God’s plan for him even if that involves playing our couch as drums while listening to both of his iPads at once (and maybe a little guitar too) which is what was happening this morning.
Sasha - If you want awesome but kind of heartbreaking realistic-fiction, Rainbow Rowell is the best. Eleanor and Park and Fangirl…
Stephanie Wilson - I am just starting Yes Please and I AM SO EXCITED. And now that you mentioned Mindy’s book I am going to have to read that too….
kimberly oyler - meg!! kaitlin is my favorite!! i know almost all the words. i knew i liked you.
beth larson - Ihave read all three of the Shauna Niequist books y’all mentioned and they are 3 of my all time favorites, (also LOVE her new devotion book and if you liked the others you should get SAVOR).
Another book I loved is a compelling memoir called Blackbird, and one more lighthearted summer read, Hit by a Farm(nonfiction).
I enjoyed your suggestions.
Angie - I read Yes Please and loved it!
Sarah Lahrman - I am so glad to hear how much you loved Bittersweet. I haven’t read any of her books, but this has been on my list to read and I will have to move it to the top! Right now I am reading “Brain on Fire” by Susannah Cahalan. This is actually a memoir about a 24 year-old and her life-saving diagnosis of a very rare auto-immune disease of the brain. This is totally NOT fiction! I am about half way through the book and it is incredible.
Tracy - Don’t forget to put Mindy Kaling’s new book on your list! Comes out in September!
susan - May I suggest listening to Yes please instead of reading it. Amy reads it but also has Carol Burnett on the audio book, her real parents read on it, Seth Myers reads parts on it. I loved it and I think it was extra special to listen to.
sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - Oh my gosh? How have I not read Mindy’s book?! And I was going to mention Amy’s to you . . but you got to it too 🙂 I loved her book! Humor And pearls of wisdom dispersed.
April R - I needed some new suggestions. thank you 🙂
And for mine…non fiction I am rereading Elisabeth Elliot. I was so sad to hear she died recently. She lived a long inspiring life. Her writing has meant so much to me. My favorite is Keep a Quiet Heart. There are also the letters to her daughter – both are easy to read because they are a collection of writings. Her book Passion and Purity is equally wonderful.
For fiction I like to tell others about Francine Rivers Lineage of Grace. It’s five short stories based on real people from the Bible that really brings them to life. So maybe it’s not totally fiction.
csl - I have devoured all of Shauna’s books, but my very favorite essay of hers is “Thin Places” in Bittersweet. Lots to ponder! I also LOVED Tina’s and Mindy’s books and was NOT impressed with Amy’s. I reeeeeally wanted to enjoy it but it just didn’t click with me, for some reason. Happy reading!
Brittney - I’ve read all three books (Tina, Amy & Mindy) and Amy’s was by far my favorite! I listened to the audio book and laughed so hard I cried!
Julie W. - I thought I was a huge Amy Poehler but I’ve never seen Kaitlin. How have I never seen Kaitlin??????? I’m crying into my coffee laughing so hard. Thanks for the introduction!
Sandra K - Yes, Please by Amy Poehler was fantastic – one of my favorite books that I’ve read recently – enjoy! 🙂
Rhiannon - Thanks for all the book recommendations. I love hearing what others are reading/have read. You will love Yes, Please! I loved it and I felt as though I could hear Amy saying the words. She’s so funny and such an interesting journey she’s had. I never knew how close she was to Seth Meyers until I read that.
Kerri - Well, just today I read a list of high school football receivers to watch for in the upcoming season – and noticed a Duerksen kid from Hesston is on the list… 🙂
Lori Sammartino - Meg, I never read fiction either till I was at a tough transition point in life a few years back and a friend gifted me this book by Jan Karon.At Home in Mitford. It’s one in a long series, and it definitely made me a convert! I feel like it was food for the soul and have begun to form my own collection of books in the series, to treasure and revisit! You must check them out!
Kristin S - Fantastic list!
Lee Ann - My library actually had “counting by 7” in the electronic version so I’m going to start it tonight!
Lee Ann - I LOVE fiction. I only read non-fiction when I have to (book groups) 🙂 Bread and Wine is her BEST book! I started with that one and was slightly disappointed from there. I did it in a book group setting and every time we met we would bring the food from the book. So good!
For some fiction fun – read “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty.
Cant wait to read all the suggestions you get. I need a good book.
Kari - I love that you remember Kaitlin! My husband and I would tape SNL so we could watch the skits later, she was so funny! I heard Yes, Please is great as an audio book because Amy Poehler reads it.
Jenn - I read Called for Life the moment I saw it on your Instagram feed. Oh wow! Amazing story and so well written. I kept thinking, “you were there!” What happens to me when I read such a great story, fiction or nonfiction…I want more. So, I’m wanting to read two books about Liberia. Another America and The House on Sugar Beach. I had no idea how Liberia was founded so I’m quite fascinated about learning more.
Corinne - If you want to read a fiction book you should read “Annie Freeman Fabulous Travelling Funeral” by Kris Radish. It was the first of hers I read and I have been telling everyone to read it since. All her books are great I powering female type books but this is still my fav
Stephanie - I always recommend to anyone to read Nourishing Traditions. It’s part cookbook, part history book–THE most interesting book! I’m not one for fiction either. I’m getting ready to start Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well, The Marketing of Evil, and Brain Maker.
Jen - I don’t listen to a lot of audio books but Amy Poehler’s is fantastic! I recommend listening to it because not only is it written well, but when she’s reafing from it, it is incredible.
Shelby Brooks - Some of my favorites/ones I read this summer!
A Holy Ambition by John Piper — about the importance of world missions
Radical by David Platt – crazy awesome good about living radically for Christ
Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sarah Hagerty – about her struggle with infertility, seriously such an sweet and inspiring read
Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige – twist on the original Wizard of Oz story and what happens after Dorothy leaves. So good!!! One of those where you just can’t put it down!
Alicia @ Investing Love - Oh my worrrrrrrrd!!!! Kaitlin!! I loved her!!!
When I know I”m annoying Jarrod by asking too many questions, I’ll just be like, “Rick Rick Rick Rick!!” We die. Loved that skit.
Talia - @ Colleen – I loved, “Everything I Never Told You.” A great story. Also loved reading, “The Gravity of Birds.”
Lizzy - I love love loved Mindy’s book & Amy’s was beyond words. I’ve never laughed and cried so much while reading a book – though, may I suggest listening to the audiobook for Yes Please, Amy (as well as some other glorious folks) read it, and there is just something about listening to Amy read her words so sincerely that made it that much more enjoyable. Although, I did listen to the audiobook after reading it as well.
Heather S. - Counting by 7’s is on my daughter’s list for literature this year. Looks like I’ll be reading that one, too. 🙂
Colleen - Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng… Be warned it’s fiction but reads like non-fiction (from another reader ambivalent about spending time learning about anything that didin’t “really” happen!)
Katie Skiff - I almost picked up Called for Life, but I got stand Strong by Nick Vujicic and need to start it. I just don’t sit and read as much in the summer. Too many things to spray paint!! 🙂 All look good, so I’ll save this post for the future!!
Kallie B - You will not regret starting Bread and Wine! I’ve read it 3 times. I can’t stop highlighting – it’s the greatest. Love all your choices to read this summer!
Rachelle - Our book club met last night so I was super excited to read this post this morning. While we read mostly fiction I am looking forward now to ordering the Jen Hatmaker book For the Love. Check out the Nightingale by Kristen Hannah and Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Last night we had a Skype session with Violet Howe who is writing the Tales Behind the Veil series – Diary of a Single Wedding Planner… It is a very sweet story even your girls could read!
All were hits with our small group.
Enjoy and Happy Reading!