So this post is super late, as we’re already halfway through August, but better late than never, I guess.  😉  Oh well…life has just gotten in the way lately.

Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. Non-fiction ensures that I’m always learning something new. Devotionals ensure that I’m keying into my faith. And fiction books are just so enjoyable to read! This is What I Read in July 2015.

Books Finished:

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

 I actually read this book at the tail end of June, but forgot to list it in What I Read (June 2015). It was good enough that I didn’t want to leave it off altogether, so I thought I’d include it in this month’s posting. I don’t think this book could be considered a great work of literature. But the book is an incredibly compelling read, with interesting subject matter, and told from a unique perspective. It was a quick and easy read; I had a hard time putting it down. 

I Want God by Lisa Whittle 

My bible study group read this book, and just finished it this month. We read books out loud during our meetings, so no one has another thing that they ‘have to do’ each week. It works great, but consequently means that we read books rather slowly, so we’ve been working on this book for a couple of months. This book was very thought-provoking, and made me consider what kinds of things I prioritize over my own personal relationship with God, as well as how to make changes to my priorities and reverse my priorities. Outstanding for personal reading or in a bible study. 

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

This month I wanted to make sure that I read a high quality nonfiction book, as some that I have read in the last few months left a bit to be desired. I have wanted to read this book since it came out, and it delivered on being high quality, informative, and enlightening. I’m sure everyone has heard of this book by now, so I won’t belabor its main points. But I will say that it is worth a read for women, both in and out of the workforce, and for men too. 

Rilla of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery 

This book continues the Anne of Green Gables series, as well as my previous “kick” of reading about WWI and WWII.  The story follows Rilla, one of Anne’s children just as WWI is getting started and through the war’s end. It was a look at what it must have been like for women at home during the war, trying to support the Allied effort, as well as carry on and try to live as normally as possible. This was probably one of my favorites of the series.

How To Achieve Goals When Failure Isn’t An Option by Hajii Brown 

This book was motivating, but also short and easy to get through. I read it in the car (using Kindle’s speech to text) and was entertained for part of a seven hour road trip, so it was worthwhile to me. 

10 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRusha 

I really loved this book! I had never heard of some of these women, and really enjoyed learning a bit about their lives and spiritual journeys. It was informative, but also had short enough chapters on each of the women so that I could just read a chapter at a time and then move on, which is how I read most nonfiction and devotionals. Wonderful read! 

The Motivation Switch by AJ Winters 

This book had 77 ideas for increasing motivation, some of which were memorable and useful. I can’t say that I have a big problem with motivation, but do procrastinate a bit on projects that I don’t want to do and shouldn’t have probably taken on in the first place. The book was not bad for an in-the-car, Kindle speech to text type of book.

Chronicles of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery 

This book is actually several short stories about characters tangentially related to Avonlea and Anne Shirley. I especially liked the story about the Old Lady. It kept me completely entertained and wanting to know what would happen next. This book is another solid entry in the series by Montgomery. 

Budget Traveling 101 by John Mayo 

This book truly is a 101 or beginner type of book. I can’t say that I really learned any new tips. And quite frankly, the author’s stories, which seem to glorify hitchhiking and sleeping on park benches seems highly unrealistic for the vast majority of travelers, and dangerous for female travelers such as myself.

The Einstein Prophecy by Robert Masello 

This book was my Kindle First book for the month. I was a little bit ambivalent after reading the description for the book, but ended up really enjoying it. The novel is set during WWII, and follows several main characters, including Albert Einstein. It is fast paced, and has a little something for everyone, including action, adventure, and romance. I recommend this book.

Stewarding Life: One Lifetime, Limited Resources, Eternal Priorities by Paul Chappell

This book made some great points about how all of our resources, which ultimately all flow from and belong to God, are finite, and that we can have the greatest impact on spreading the message of Christ by stewarding those resources well. I appreciated that the stewardship that the author discussed were not all financial resources, but also included time, talents, and simply willingness to share the Good News. A good read.

Inamorata by Megan Chance 

This book is set in Venice and is told from the perspective of several main characters. I can’t tell much about the plot without giving away key plot points, so I’ll just say that I found it hard to put down. I put this book in my Kindle Wish List, because it was part of the Kindle First program, but I was unsure of whether I’d like it. It surpassed my expectations. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fictional story that moves quickly.

 

Books Abandoned:

None.