For many, Memorial Day is the (un)official kick-off of summer, and we are ready to say HELLO SUMMER.  We say hello to longer days, warmer nights, ice cream and water balloon fights.  We say goodbye to heavy sweaters, early sunsets, that hectic school schedule, and oh so cold weather.

Maybe you are a student that is taking the summer off or you’re a parent who welcomes the slower routines and lazy day schedule that summer offers.  What better way to celebrate this slower pace of life than by reading a few good books?

This is our Ultimate Summer Reading List.  It is comprised of books we’ve read in the past that we consider life-changers and books we are excited and hope to read the summer.   As busy moms we set a goal of 2-3 books for the summer.  We like to be realistic and enjoy our time of reading, pressure free.

We pray to remain teachable in all areas of our life and we strive to continue learning and growing in our personal walk with God.  We read together to remain accountable to each other and it makes reading fun when we can chat about the topics together.

Will you consider joining us in this challenge by reading a couple of books this summer?

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Colossians 2:2-3

Here is our list, in no particular order.  We’ve provided a summary of the book, (written by the author), and a link to view prices / purchase.

Enjoy and Happy Reading!

Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World by Lisa Bevere

The lioness rises from her slumber, a magnificent image of strength, passion, and beauty. Her mere presence commands the landscape, protects her young, and empowers the lion. In groups, lionesses become a creative and strategic force to be reckoned with, acting as one to change the world around them.

You too are a lioness.

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lisa Terkeurst

God gave us emotions to experience life, not destroy it! Lysa TerKeurst admits that she, like most women, has had experiences where others bump into her happy and she comes emotionally unglued. We stuff, we explode, or we react somewhere in between. What do we do with these raw emotions? Is it really possible to make emotions work for us instead of against us? Yes, and in her usual inspiring and practical way, Lysa will show you how.

Brave Enough: Getting Over Our Fears, Flaws, and Failures to Live Bold and Free by Nicole Unice

Is fear holding you back from becoming your best self? Does it add stress to your day and keep you up at night? What could be different if you let go and started living brave today?

Bravery doesn’t have to mean cliff diving out of your comfort zone. Life is about being brave enough―for yourself, for God, for your tasks, and for your calling―right where He’s placed you. A brave-enough life is one lived fully and confidently, with your shoulders relaxed and free from the weight of responsibility and the burden of trying too hard.

Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion and Comparison by Lisa Bevere

There is a reason we look at others as rivals and limit ourselves to comparison and competition. We have an enemy assaulting our mind, will, and emotions in the hope that we’ll turn on ourselves and each other. It’s a cycle that isolates us from intimate connections, creates confusion about our identity, and limits our purpose.  In Without Rival, bestselling author Lisa Bevere shares how a revelation of God’s love breaks these limits.

Through the Eyes of a Lion: Facing Impossible Pain, Finding Incredible Power by Levi Lusko

 

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life by Luci Swindoll

“Everyone falls in love with Luci. Everyone reads one of her books and wants to know this woman personally. Everyone feels that sweet sense of connection, where it seems that she is sharing from her plainest, deepest self, and seeing into yours . . . She’s the world’s soul mate.”

Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She is Both Too Much and Never Enough by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan

Wild and Free is a liberty hymn for the modern Christian woman, who is held captive by the belief that she is too much, that she is not enough, and sometimes both.

The Cure: What if God Isn’t Who You Think He is and  Neither Are You by John Lynch

The Cure diagnoses this century’s obsession with trying to become more godly by sinning less. This obsession sends millions away feeling wounded and without hope, instead of loved and pursued by Jesus.

The Cure offers Jesus’ original Good News of grace and identity, which alone can heal, free and create sustainable, genuine, relational communities.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

The Best Yes:  Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lisa Terkeurst

Are you living with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule and aching with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul?  Lysa TerKeurst is learning that there is a big difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God.

Always,

Misty & Tisha