April 27, 2015

5 books on my future reading list


Growing Up Social

Last fall we took a family trip to Disneyland and I was astounded at how many parents were on their phones, while their children were trying to get their attention. In Disneyland!

It made me sad.

This book is about the social media habits kids pick up and how parents can teach a more balanced way of using it.

I vote for no phones or electronics on family vacations! : )

Amazon says here of the book:

"In this digital age, children are spending more and more time interacting with a screen rather than a parent. Technology has the potential to add value to our families, but it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child's emotional growth. 

In Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World, you'll learn how to take back your home from an over-dependence on screens. Discover the five A+ skills needed to give your child the relational edge in a screen-driven world: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention."



The Hardest Peace

I first saw a link to this authors blog on Facebook with her final message to her readers.

It was so beautiful.

You can read it HERE

She has now passed away from cancer and left a great legacy of love and peace that we can find in Christ.

I love what Joni Eareckson Tada says in the forward:

"Kara and I both recognize that vulnerability and transparency are so necessary in communicating a powerful story. 

But we also know that our testimonies won't really reach - or even change - the life of the reader. Only the Word of God can do that. Which is why I so appreciate The Hardest Peace

It is filled with snippets of psalms and slices of encouraging scriptures that express the story of God and His purposes in our pain. Kara has a way of reminding us that God's reasons are perfect and that our Savior, intimately acquainted with grief and suffering, is constantly pleading our case before heaven's throne. 

What could be more comforting than that?"



Return To Me

I love Lynn Austins novels.

Though, I've never read any of her Biblical fiction.

This first book. in her 'The Restoration Chronicles' series is based on the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah

Bethany House Publishing says of it here:

"Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home."

I'm very excited to get started on this one! : )

The second book, Keepers of the Covenant, is available now as well.

The third book, On this Foundation, is coming out in October.




 The Cross He Bore

This was a recommendation by a fellow blogger and sounds like a powerful read.

A book of meditations on the sufferings of Christ.

It's a short read of under 100 pages, but it's sure to be filled with great wisdom.

Here is this books description:

"Frederick Leahy spent a lifetime in the ministry of the Word. In these pages, preacher, pastor and theologian come together in a happy unity. 

No words are wasted. 

There is nothing of the frothy and insubstantial. 

Here is satisfying truth, painstakingly quarried and crafted for the needs of God’s people. A judicious selection of gems from the writings of others provides further enrichment and stimulus to thought."



Women of the Word

There is always something new for us to find in God's Word. We are forever learning. : )

This book sounds like it could be a great help, as we study with our hearts and minds.

Amazon say here:

"We all know it’s important to study God’s Word.

But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. 

What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible?

Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart."


41 comments:

  1. These all look like wonderful books to read and hope you enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Julie, I hope to enjoy them all. They all sounds so good. : )

      Glad you stopped by.

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  2. I'm reading Women of the Word now--very good!

    I need that screen time book.

    Looks like lots of good reading on your docket.

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    1. Glad to hear it's good! I just got it on my e-reader so will start soon.

      Thanks for stopping by. : )

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  3. I really want to read Growing up Social, The Hardest Peace, and Women of the Word, too. I'm with you on voting no to phones/electronics on family vacations! Also, I'm always sad when I'm at children's birthday parties and it never fails that almost everyone is sitting around scrolling on their phones(which is why I love my simple, old fashioned flip phone). I DO need encouragement to get away from the internet more often, though! ;)

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    1. My kids are grown now and there weren't smart phones when they were young. Now-a-days I think it's having a computer at your fingertips at all times that seems to be the problem and texting! We made our kids wait till they were in grade 12 before they got a phone and I'm so glad because boy, do they like to text alot!! : )

      I'm guilty of spending more time on the computer than I should too. I need to work on that. : )

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. These all look great! I love to read but have been having a hard time fitting it into my schedule lately. I hate when the phones are more important than people, especially children. I don't have a cellphone for that reason.

    I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2015/04/family-time-beautiful-saturday-weather.html

    Colletta

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    1. Hi Colletta, I will try to come by and read your post!

      Thanks for stopping by here and commenting. : )

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  5. Now I want to read Growing Up Social. Sounds intriguing and much needed for all of us.

    I read The Cross He Bore for Lent a few years back and loved it. Enjoy reading!

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    1. Glad you loved 'The Cross He Bore!' It sound like a moving book.

      I just started 'Growing Up Social' and it has a lot of great advice for parents.

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  6. Women of the Word sounds interesting. It seems to be popping up in several different places so I need to look into, I think.

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    1. Yes, I thought so too! I'm looking forward to staring it soon.

      Thanks for stopping by Sharon. : )

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  7. I've really been wanting to read The Hardest Peace. Now is as good of a time as any. Thanks for this list!

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    1. It sounds really good. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by Michelle. : )

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  8. A very good list! I've read Lynn Austin's series, Of Gods and Kings, and recommend it all the time. Checking out this new series now. Thanks.

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    1. I really want to read that series too! Glad you loved and recommend them.

      Thanks for stopping by Traci. : )

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  9. I have The Hardest Peace sitting right here. I hope to read it soon. Growing Up Social sounds like a good one too! Thanks for sharing about these!

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    1. Enjoy 'The Hardest Peace.' I think it will bless us all. : )

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  10. I am going to head over to Amazon now and pick up Growing Up Social! I'm just now reading Jesus>Religion that you recommended quite some time ago!

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    1. Isn't Jesus>Religion so good? I really loved it. : )

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  11. I'm putting Return to Me on my list. I have enjoyed studying the books of Ezra & Nehemiah.

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    1. I've heard so many great things about Lynn Austin's Biblical fiction so I hope you enjoy them! : )

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  12. Loved Women of the Word. I think you'll like it.

    And oh my! I just put Growing Up Social on my "To Buy Immediately" list. That looks like a much-needed book these days!

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    1. Glad you loved 'Women of the Word!' I'm looking forward to starting it.

      Thanks for stopping by Carrie. : )

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  13. Love...love...love The Cross He Bore. Read it for the second time this past lent season. This time with my teenage daughters, and the first time with my husband. A powerful thought provoking book. It is small in page numbers but dense.
    I hope you are enriched from reading the book as we were.

    I am very curious about Women of the Word. Very curious.

    I followed Kara Tippets on FB, her passing had an affect on me, and I did not personally know her. But her strength and courage and always pointing to Jesus has impacted me. I want to read the Hardest Peace but I'm not ready to do that yet. I hope you find it encouraging.

    Return To Me sounds very intriguing and I am tempted to read it because Nehemiah happens to be one of my favorite men of a biblical times. But I am always a bit leery with Biblical Fiction. Sometimes it can be solid, sound and rock my reading world. But many times its meh, and makes me feel like I should have never gone down that reading path. I hope you like it. And if my library has it then maybe I will at least check out the first chapter.

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    1. Good to know you loved The Cross He Bore! I'm looking forward to reading it.

      Though I haven't read any of Lynn Austin's Biblical fiction I have read many of her other books and she is a very thorough and knows her Bible. I've only heard great things from others who have read her Biblical fiction. I know there are some novels out there that aren't so good. I've read a few that didn't stick to the Biblical account and were disappointing.

      Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Appreciate your thoughts. : )

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  14. Thank you so much for sharing these book reviews with us at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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    1. Thanks for the opportunity to link-up Terri. : )

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  15. I can't recommend Women of the Word highly enough. It has been formative for me. As for the Lynn Austin books, I guess I'd better get busy and find those, because I've been teaching on Nehemiah for the past several months in my church! Thanks for the heads up!

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    1. Glad you recommend it and that it was helpful! I've never studied anything on Nehemiah before. I think I'll read the Biblical account first before started Lynn's book.

      Thanks for stopping by Michele. : )

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  16. Great list. Several are already on my TBR list. I look forward to reading your thoughts about them.

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  17. Purchased Women of the Word. thanks Didn't find a link but went to Amazon. Did I miss link. Sorry. Thanks again for encouraging us. Coming to from Weekend Brew. ~Chris~

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    1. I didn't post any links, but maybe I should! I usually don't if I haven't read the book yet, in case its not recommendable. These all look really good though. : )

      Thanks for stopping by Chris!

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  18. Return to Me is on my tbr shelf for this month's Clean Sweep ARC Challenge - look forward to when time allows me to get into it :)
    and always happy to find another Cian book blogger ! [visiting via weekend brew]

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    1. Love Lynn's other books and looking forward to this series too!

      Thanks for stopping by. : )

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  19. Thank you for sharing this book list at The Weekend Brew. You always give me new ideas to add to my own list. I have the Hardest Peace but have but have not had a chance to read it yet. Hope you have a blessed week.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Mary. Hope you have a great week too. : )

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  20. These look like wonderful books! I'm always looking for good ones to add to my ever-increasing collection. :) I'm especially interested in Kara Tippetts' book. I'm glad you linked up with us at Grace & Truth!

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    1. Kara's book looks really good. I'm looking forward to starting it soon.

      Thanks for stopping over here Jennifer!

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  21. These look like great choices! Thanks for sharing them at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )