Libby App by OverDrive

This app, "Libby" by OverDrive, has been a game-changer for me!  A friend at work told me about it and I have been hooked ever since. Using my library card, I can access thousands upon thousands of books, audiobooks, and Kindle books.  I have listened to "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly, "Radical" by David Platt, "The Girl in His Shadow" by Audrey Blake, "Kind is the New Classy" by Candace Cameron Bure, and "Lilac Girls" by Martha Kelly Hall.  I have also been able to download to my Kindle and read "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah, "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "It Starts With Us" by Colleen Hoover, "Where the Crawdads Sing" By Delia Owens, and many more I cannot think of, all for FREE through this app!  It has been so neat!

"Kind is the New Classy" by Candace Cameron Bure

I have gone through a recent phase where I have been obsessed with listening to audiobooks.  As soon as I finished "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly, I immediately started "Kind is the New Classy" by Candace Cameron Bure.  I have always admired Candace, and enjoyed every book I have read from her - this one being no exception.  I have also always loved the Hallmark movies she has been a part of.  Candace is the epitome of kind and classy in a world that often doesn't appreciate Christian principles and morals.  Candace encourages Christian women to be, above all, kind in an unkind world.  Drawing on real-life examples, this book takes readers on a journey through the importance of treating others in a kind, Christian way.  I especially loved that the book so adamantly encourages the practices of prayer and journaling. If you are looking for the motivation to spread some kindness, this book will inspire you to do so!

"Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly

Does anyone else out there love Biblical history but struggle to read through boring history books?  I admit to being one of those people who find dry history books to be a cure for insomnia. That's probably the main reason I put off reading "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly for so long.  When we used to frequent a little library by our home which no longer exists, I remember seeing "Killing Jesus" on the shelf and making myself a mental note to read it later on.  I placed this book in the same category as Mr. O'Reilly's other historical books I saw on the shelf such as "Killing Lincoln," and "Killing Kennedy" - books I would probably enjoy if I could make myself sit down for a historical read.  More exciting books always pushed "Killing Jesus" to the back burner and I read different books instead.  Fast forward many other books, a college degree, and a job later, I re-found this book and decided it was time to give it a go.  

Let me just say - wow.  I was expecting a fact-heavy, put-you-to-sleep, force-yourself-to-finish-what-you-started book, and I couldn't have been farther from the truth.  This book reads more like a fast-paced murder mystery - one where you are a fly on the wall and you know an ending that some of the characters don't yet know.  Of course, I enjoyed the chapters best that centered around Jesus, as the book goes into depth about other people as well.  Of note, this book goes into great detail about some gruesome details and chronicles the lives of people who led less than upstanding moral lives.  This didn't bother me, working in the medical field, but could be difficult for those with a super sensitive stomach or those not yet mature enough for a read of this kind.  Despite the aforementioned, I found this book extremely hard to put down and finished it very quickly. I learned a lot from this book about the culture in Jesus' time, as well as a lot about the Jewish law and context from the scriptures.  

Books I Want to Re-Read

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Since I so enjoyed re-reading several books from my summer book list, I decided to compile another list of books I want to re-read.   As C.S. Lewis wisely noted: "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once" :).

Christy by Catherine Marshall

 I have talked about this book so. many. times. at this point, I'm sure. What can I say?  It's one of my favorites!  :)  In this book, a young Christy Huddleston leaves behind her extravagant lifestyle to teach at a mission school in the backwoods of the Appalachian mountains.  It is just. so. good.  The TV series was alright, but the book is better. 

The Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke

There is something so comforting about these books.  Reading them is like watching a Hallmark movie.  The families have their fair share of troubles, but the stories always end happily.  It is so fun watching the families grow and mature over the "years" as the books progress. 

A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich

This book is also very similar to the Love Comes Softly series.  It's another grown-up Little House on the Prairie style book.  Do you see a theme here yet?  :)  There is a sequel to this book, A White Bird Flying, that I still need to read too!

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This is a classic book set in World War II times.  There are quotes in it that are applicable to any situation I'm currently in.  It's a book that sticks with you long after you've set it down.   

The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

This book has a lot going on - It's very busy with a lot of storylines.  Best of all, it has a lighthouse setting that caters to my lighthouse obsession. 

Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward

Gladys Aylward is one of my FAVORITE missionaries.  She was a missionary in China where over one-hundred children called her "mom."  It is so beautiful to see how God was working through her and her life. I've read several other books about her life and ministry, but this one has been my favorite so far.  

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

It has been a few years since I last read this book, so I think I'm due!  I've heard there is a really good BBC Pride and Prejudice remake that I'm hoping to watch soon as well.

In His Steps by Charles Sheldon

In this book, a church congregation is challenged to ask themselves "what would Jesus do?" before every thought and action they make.  What they never would have guessed is how this simple question would radically impact their lives and the lives of those around them. 

What books do you turn to again and again?

My Favorite Authors

I am often asked who some of my favorite authors are, so I compiled a list of those I turn to again and again.  I find works by these following authors to be so rich and full of wisdom - I could probably never tire of their works. 

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Elizabeth Prentiss - "Stepping Heavenward" is one book I have read over and over again through the years. She also has beautiful poetry that points you towards Christ.

Elisabeth Elliot.  So many amazing works by this great lady of faith.  Her example is very inspirational!

Corrie Ten Boom.  Wow.  Just wow.  "The Hiding Place" is one of those few books that will rock you to your core.  I am continually amazed and blessed by this woman's astounding faith in the Lord.  "In My Father's House" is another one of my favorites by her.  

Andrew Murray.  If I had to choose only one word to describe this man, I would have to choose "humility."  Actually, he has a book of that same title!  His books are so packed full of wisdom and truths that they take a while to read, and sometimes I reread several times before grasping everything packed into his chapters.

Janette Oke.  As far as fiction goes, Janette Oke is one of my favorites.  Her books have Christian themes throughout and are very refreshing.  The Love Comes Softly series is my personal favorite, but you can't really go wrong with anything by her.

Ben Carson.  Great inspirational author!  I read many of his books in high school and always found them to be very motivating.  I enjoy the medical themes interwoven with life truths. 

What authors do you find yourself returning to again and again?

Books I have Read this Summer

In addition to the books mentioned here that I wanted to read, my list grew and these are other books I have enjoyed this summer:

Saved at Sea by Mrs. O.F. Walton

This is a Lamplighter book.  Though written for young children, Lamplighter books are so precious and encouraging and I can't resist the occasional one for enjoyment.  My love for lighthouses and "The Solid Rock" hymn met their match with this book.

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

This is one of my all-time favorite books!  I'm sure I have already written about it here many times.  I still get something new out of it every time I read it!

Love Takes Wing by Janette Oke

This is the 7th installment in the Love Comes Softly series.  This one had a different feel to it than the other books in the series, but it was good in its own unique way.

Love Finds a Home by Janette Oke

This is the 8th and final Love Comes Softly book and may have been my favorite yet!  So many loose ends were tied up and it all came together beautifully in this book.  Now I'm wanting to reread the entire series again just for the fun of it :).

Evidence not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose

This book was recommended by a friend and I cannot stop thinking of it.  It took me a while to get through it.  Like books such as The Hiding Place, it is not all flowery and leaves you in a more somber mind than it found you.  It was humbling, inspiring, and made me thankful for what I have.

Grandmother Elsie by Martha Finley

This is the 8th Elsie Dinsmore book and one I started a *very* long time ago.  Like all the others, this one was full of sweet, simple truths and an enjoyable quick read. 

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin

When I read about this book on a blog, I immediately wanted to read it.  I love historical fiction, and this one was delightful!  The remaining two books in this series are on my reading list when school lets out again.

What books have you enjoyed this summer?

Emily