With summer’s advent just beyond the next spring rain and another year’s worth of teaching behind me, I’m planning to soak in the words of authors for the next several weeks.
I’m imagining a warm cup of tea on the back patio as early morning is swallowed by sunlight, the crisp pages of a new book grazing my fingers.
While I’m compiling a new list of potential books, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite non-fiction reads. Maybe one or two will grab your attention and you can add them to your summer list.
 

“I want to get back to a place where I dream big and bold. I think you should too, because that’s the sweet spot where our excitement for life meets our pure, whole selves and we come alive.” -Kristin Funston, 

[bbctt tweet="I want to get back to a place where I dream big and bold.#KristinFunston#realmotherhood#faith"]

Kristin Funston’s book, More for Mom-Living Your Whole and Holy Life, is a relatable, humorous read for any woman immersed in mothering. Whether you’re a mother of toddlers or teens or you stay at home or deal with the daily grind at the office, you’ll discover fresh encouragement, tips, and spiritual inspiration in a book written with you in mind.
If you feel as though you’ve set aside your dreams, plans, or spiritual life in the messy, beautiful world of parenting, then you’ll want to get a copy of this book.
 

If you have ever struggled to communicate well with your mother or daughter or if there are unaddressed hurts in your relationship, I highly recommend Mended-Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters. 
The mother-daughter team, Helen McIntosh and Blythe Daniel, share wisdom and word prompts that can lead to new, healthy ways of relating with one another. I particularly loved Chapter 9-A New Generation: Setting Things Differently.

[bbctt tweet="Lean in as close as you can, and let God surprise you...#generationalsin#blythedaniel#healing"]

No matter what patterns we’ve clung to or those present in our family of origin, Blythe and Helen invite readers to “lean in as close as you can, and let God surprise you with how you can come out with a deeper love for your mother or daughter than you ever expected.”

“When we spend so much time engaged with our screens and focused on what the creators want us to care about, our real lives, real people, and real needs around us can be sorely neglected.”-Doug Smith
I’ve just begun reading (Un)Intentional by Doug Smith, but as a parent raising children in the digital age this book has captured my attention.

[bbctt tweet="What if our very ability to think clearly, and therefore, to be ourselves (is) at stake?"#Unintentional#DougSmith#wisdom."]

A software programmer, Doug asks the question, “What if our very ability to think clearly, and therefore, to be ourselves (is) at stake?” He addresses the consequences of the unfettered use of technology and its impact on our lives and those of our children within a spiritual, Christ-focused worldview.
If you want to dig into a thought-provoking, challenging book this summer consider (Un)Intentional.

Having never been discipled in prayer and always feeling as though prayer is an area of personal weakness, I loved Janet McHenry’s The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus-What Jesus Prayed and How It Can Change Your Life Today.
Janet reveals the different ways in which Jesus experienced and lived out his prayer life whether he was praying for daily needs, in moments of crisis, or with a heart of thanksgiving.

[bbctt tweet="Our 'why' prayers are not insignificant. They breathe out humanity in the Father's direction.#whatjesusprayed#janetmchenry#learnfromJesus"]

Each chapter ends with a prayer meant to be recited and personalized along with a Growing in Prayer section complete with questions and scripture references that lead the reader deeper in their walk with Christ.
This book is on my “read again soon” list.
 
I’d love to add some books to my summer reading list. What are a few you recommend?
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link up with the following: LMMLinkup, Porch Stories, Tea and Word Tuesday, Grace and Truth Blogger Voices Network, Anchored Abode, Worth Beyond Rubies Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Soaring With Him, Purposeful Faith, Encouraging Word Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Imparting Grace, Destination Inspiration, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Faith and Friends, Faith on Fire, Dance with Jesus   Anchored Abode