I agree that connecting over books weaves a special bond between readers. One summer my newest DIL and I sat for quite some time chatting about the books we loved as children. So many overlaps! And nearing the end of that conversation I told her, "If we'd known each other as children, we would have been the best of friends!" I believe our relationship has included friendship since that moment! / Thank you for all these wonderful, enticing book reviews, Michele. Some I've already read and what you've said about those certainly rings true. No doubt the others are worthy-reads as well! They're going on my list!
I've read 7 out of those 10 and heartily concur with your thoughts on them, Michele. Which makes me feel I can with confidence look out for the others.
Thank you for your recommendations Michelle. I have read many of them. Really appreciate your taste in books. I just started Practicing the way by John Mark Comer. So far it’s excellent.
Two recent fiction reads I really appreciated - The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel and The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay. Both so good but as a lover of historical fiction I was enthralled with The Berlin Letters as a wonderful time slip novel pertaining to the Cold War period. I found it fascinating!
I will see if my schedule will allow me to join in your Hannah Coulter discussion. So many folks I respect rave about all things Wendall Berry and I confess to not quite “get it!l. Might help to read and discuss with others.
It’s Jayber Crow we’re reading in the book club, but I mentioned Hannah in the post, so it’s understandable that she was in your thoughts—and I actually love that book too!
Michele, I always appreciate your newsletter - it feels like a warm visit with a friend whose recommendations on books - and life - I value! On our recent road trip, my husband and I listened to Tom Hanks perform (not read) the audiobook of Ann Patchett's The Dutch House. It's the first time I thought listening to a book was better than reading it. And while in coastal SC last week, I did speed-read one beach novel - Nicholas Sparks' Every Breath - only because it features a famous mailbox on Sunset Beach that we visited (and that I plan to write about next week.) Someday we want to visit Maine and I'd love to stop and sit in your garden with you. We have family in Owls Head just about 25 minutes from you!
Thanks for the recommendations. Happy summer. I'm almost done with Nicholas Kristoff's autobiography and slogging through a biography on Isabella Steward Gardner. Neither qualify as beach reading. :)
If you want to talk about Jayber, you've got my phone number, right?
And my little patch of zinnias is doing quite well this year. I watered everything last night to help it through this hot day, and then we wait for rain over the weekend. God is good!
I'm such a slow reader, I don't get too much read outside of my research on my coming devotional.
But I did just finish Joanna Gaines', The Stories We Tell. It's a memoire that leaves you thinking about what you stories we push down but they are affecting our lives.
Just started Maria, which I'm enjoying. And also, Miss Universe, Demi Tebow's Crowns That Last.
Thank you for some great recommendations of books. THE PROBLEM OF PAIN & THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY fit with the issues I'm currently dealing with now. Have a joyful blessed summer.
I'm so glad to hear that two of the books intersect with your life right now. Blessings to you as you apply truth to your circumstances and find Christ walking beside you in whatever is challenging.
I agree that connecting over books weaves a special bond between readers. One summer my newest DIL and I sat for quite some time chatting about the books we loved as children. So many overlaps! And nearing the end of that conversation I told her, "If we'd known each other as children, we would have been the best of friends!" I believe our relationship has included friendship since that moment! / Thank you for all these wonderful, enticing book reviews, Michele. Some I've already read and what you've said about those certainly rings true. No doubt the others are worthy-reads as well! They're going on my list!
What a sweet connection! And I am grateful for all the many connections we’ve made online!
Me too, my friend--me too! If we never meet face-to-face here on earth, I look forward to that privilege in heaven!
I've read 7 out of those 10 and heartily concur with your thoughts on them, Michele. Which makes me feel I can with confidence look out for the others.
Wow! What are the odds of that synchronicity?
Indeed!
Thank you for your recommendations Michelle. I have read many of them. Really appreciate your taste in books. I just started Practicing the way by John Mark Comer. So far it’s excellent.
Two recent fiction reads I really appreciated - The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel and The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay. Both so good but as a lover of historical fiction I was enthralled with The Berlin Letters as a wonderful time slip novel pertaining to the Cold War period. I found it fascinating!
I will see if my schedule will allow me to join in your Hannah Coulter discussion. So many folks I respect rave about all things Wendall Berry and I confess to not quite “get it!l. Might help to read and discuss with others.
It’s Jayber Crow we’re reading in the book club, but I mentioned Hannah in the post, so it’s understandable that she was in your thoughts—and I actually love that book too!
It’s hard to go wrong with Wendell Berry!
Michele, I always appreciate your newsletter - it feels like a warm visit with a friend whose recommendations on books - and life - I value! On our recent road trip, my husband and I listened to Tom Hanks perform (not read) the audiobook of Ann Patchett's The Dutch House. It's the first time I thought listening to a book was better than reading it. And while in coastal SC last week, I did speed-read one beach novel - Nicholas Sparks' Every Breath - only because it features a famous mailbox on Sunset Beach that we visited (and that I plan to write about next week.) Someday we want to visit Maine and I'd love to stop and sit in your garden with you. We have family in Owls Head just about 25 minutes from you!
That would be a fun and far-ranging conversation, for sure.
And I have heard good things about Dutch House. Now I know that I will do the audio version!
Thanks for the recommendations. Happy summer. I'm almost done with Nicholas Kristoff's autobiography and slogging through a biography on Isabella Steward Gardner. Neither qualify as beach reading. :)
Definitely not beach reading, but you must be thrilled to have drafted your book and to have your mind available for other pursuits for the moment.
Oh my mind is still totally focused on the misogyny book but I can't read most of that stuff before bed!
Ohhh, how I want to be a part! I'll read along at home and perhaps next year I'll pull up a lawn under the tree up on the hill.
Meanwhile, dreaming of that day whilst sowing more zinnia!
Oh, wouldn't it be fun to have you here!!!
If you want to talk about Jayber, you've got my phone number, right?
And my little patch of zinnias is doing quite well this year. I watered everything last night to help it through this hot day, and then we wait for rain over the weekend. God is good!
Wow! What a great list of books.
I'm such a slow reader, I don't get too much read outside of my research on my coming devotional.
But I did just finish Joanna Gaines', The Stories We Tell. It's a memoire that leaves you thinking about what you stories we push down but they are affecting our lives.
Just started Maria, which I'm enjoying. And also, Miss Universe, Demi Tebow's Crowns That Last.
I have Maria in my queue as well and really looking forward to it!
All the best to you in your writing!
I am blessed that Good is placing eyes on my devotional. A traditional publisher is looking at it this week.
That’s wonderful! I hope you will keep me updated!
Thank you for the list and interested in the book.
So glad you found something that was interesting to you.
Great to hear from you this morning!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for some great recommendations of books. THE PROBLEM OF PAIN & THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY fit with the issues I'm currently dealing with now. Have a joyful blessed summer.
I'm so glad to hear that two of the books intersect with your life right now. Blessings to you as you apply truth to your circumstances and find Christ walking beside you in whatever is challenging.
Thank you so much for this wonderful list of books for summer reading. There are several that I will order today.
Elizabeth
That's just the best news, Elizabeth! I hope you'll share your reactions to the books once you've read them.