Sunday, August 14, 2016

My Mid-Summer Bookbag


Reading and summertime go together like a hand in a glove.  A well-pedicured foot in a comfy flip flop.  A big ol' lemon wedge in an icy cold drink.  Or a colorful buoy floating in the ocean blue.  Here's some recent page-turners of note ... and most are only a click or two away.

How easy is that?  

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Transitioning to a new location ... or still feeling strangely unsettled in the town you live in?  Grab a copy of journalist Melody Warnick's well-researched personal story, This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live.  You'll want to highlight / margin jot / dog ear / journal her creative yet practical insights on lacing up your sneakers, buying local, saying hi to your neighbors, volunteering, and eating local food.  

This bright red volume is a super motivating, thoughtful read ... a bit long in spots, but honestly?  A book I most certainly needed to absorb.

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3 of my favorite online reads this month {as shared on my LinkedIn page * click here to connect with me there!}
'By the time you get this, I will have begun an eight-day silent retreat.  During this time, I will not have access to cellphone or e-mail and will only be reachable by an emergency number at the retreat house where I will be staying.  This is not a vacation.  It is not a week at a spa.  It is not a study leave or even a sabbatical.  This is a retreat - a time for giving God my complete and undivided attention and giving God full and uninterrupted access to my soul.  There is never an ideal time for this - only times that are better than others - but I am trying to practice what I preach and God knows I need it ...'

Seven Signs You are Too Busy ~ Alli Worthington
'Before I broke busy in my own life, I proudly wore my busy badge of honor.  Busyness made me feel productive and needed, and I overlooked the havoc it was wreaking in my life.  Oh, there were warning signs, but I just kept assuring myself I could handle the stress and chaos ...'

'I dread small talk.  In my mid-twenties, soon after I got married, I entered the grown-up world of cocktail parties, where I inwardly groaned over the inevitable conversational effort that would be required of me.  I always felt that my husband had a magical gift that allowed him to be pulled into exciting conversations about theology or good books, while I always found myself in the corner, trapped in a back and forth over the latest episode of ...'

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Ann Voskamp's next bestseller is arriving on October 25th.  The Broken Way: A Daring Path into the Abundant Life.  The preview says, 'This one's for the lovers and the sufferers.  For those whose hopes and dreams and love grew so large it broke their willing hearts.  This one's for the busted ones who are ready to bust free, the ones ready to break molds, break chains, break measuring sticks, and break all this bad brokenness with an unlikely good brokenness.'

Sign me up.  You, too?

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One of blogging's greatest treasures?  Meeting kindred writers, adventurers, dreamers, and creatives from all over the world.  I'm cheering for two online friends in far off places who are launching books this month!  

If you're feeling like a failure in some area of life, Dr. Ifeoma Samuel has some very good news for you in her 116 page devotional, Overcome Failure: Get Back On Your Feet.  What a great little handbook to add to your quiet time ... complete with Scripture readings, questions to ponder, and action plans to walk you into a renewed, hopeful perspective.

And if you're struggling through 'grief, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, unprocessed childhood memories and recovering perfectionism,' you just might resonate with Anna Louise Smit as she shares her personal story  ... and what she has discovered just might be the healing touch you're longing for.  Love Embraced: A Journey in and through Suffering, is a 228 page memoir bathed in God's loving grace.

What page-turners are hitting home for you 
as the lazy days of summer are singing their final song?




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talking books with 

64 comments:

  1. Hi Linda! I just finished "The Faith of Christopher Hitchens" and reviewed it here: http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?p=13353. I have started "When Trouble Comes" by Phil Ryken.

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    1. Hey readers ... be sure to check out Bill's review. This looks to be a thought-provoking read.

      Thanks for spreading the word, Bill!

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  2. Thank you so much for the Book Mention here...It means a lot to me. So glad you enjoyed it.
    God Bless and have a great week.

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  3. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! ALL these resources look awesome! Have a beautiful week!

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  4. Eager to read "This is where you belong" - very timely and a good synchronicity to see your review. We're making an eagerly-awaited long-distance move to a community that we love and am looking forward to reading about ways to integrate more fully.

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    1. I hear you, Amy. We made 'an eagerly awaited long-distance move to a community we loved,' too! And yet have found that there have been many adjustments, big and not so much.

      I can't wait to hear about your adventure!

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  5. Thanx for the heads-up about these books.

    God bless.

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  6. I love the quotes you have taken from each of these books! I have an ever growing TBR pile and as I hear of so many other great books to read, it can be overwhelming! Generally I'll read at least 2 fiction novels to every 1 non-fiction, as I like to craft fiction writing the most. For non-fiction my current read is "I Thought It Was Just Me' by Brene Brown, and my devotional is "The Forgotten Way" by Ted Dekker (who happens to be a thriller/suspense fiction writer). I'm sad sometimes that I am limited to not be able to get to all the writers I would like to read, however joyful that there are so many and believe readers are led to those books and authors perfect for their world journey.

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    1. Hey Lynn ... it's so good to see you again! I hear you about the fiction ... I'm feeling the same way in this season, maybe because I waded through so many counseling / ministry books when I went back to school mid-life.

      I'm still looking for a fabulous summertime fiction read. Any suggestions?

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  7. Hi Linda! You read a lot of great-sounding books! I am adding This Is Where You Belong to my TBR list because I have been struggling with loving the city I am currently living in every since getting married last fall (especially in the hot summer heat here in Texas!).

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    1. Oh yeah ... Texas in the summer. Yikes!

      I'd love to hear what you think of the book, Elle!

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  8. Love seeing your book list, Linda. Now I'm off to chase down some links here.... :)

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    1. Have fun!

      And I forgot to tell you I love your new pic!

      ;-}

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  9. What a great and varied list, Linda! I know that writers are supposed to be readers, but some of my sweet writing friends keep tempting me to keep adding to my reading list and I just can't resist a lot of their recommendations!! You are one of them! Thanks!! You, Lisa, and Michele always seem to have goodies to share and I LOVE it!!

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    1. Kind of neat that our favorite bloggers' favorites often become our own, huh?

      Guess that's not too surprising, is it ...

      ;-}

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  10. I was slightly hesitant to read this post as the books you recommend always sound great and I have far too many books on my list :)
    Once again these all sound good. I have Anna's book and plan to read it soon, and also hope to read Ifeoma's.
    I have just finished reading "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes and it was great (though very sad). I haven't been into fiction much lately but this really kept me reading.

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    1. Hey Lesley! We did 'Me Before You' back in my NY book club days ... it spawned a meaningful discussion for sure.

      Thanks for letting me know that you've found some good stuff here. I appreciate that thumbs up!

      ;-}

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  11. That's a great piece about small talk, Linda. I think it must have been my years as a journalist that taught me how to enjoy it, because now I actually look forward to striking up little conversations in the produce department or makeup aisle at the grocery store. It's amazing at what a question about fake eyelashes can lead to. :-)

    The best book I've read this summer has got to be "Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better" by Brant Hansen. Molly and I are reading (and enjoying) "Quiet Power" together (thanks for that recommendation, by the way), and I am very much looking forward to Ann Voskamp's latest.

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    1. Beyond a few sentences back and forth, I find that small talk with people I don't know can be quite awkward, so I really learned some lessons from Micha's piece. I'm more of a let's-go-soul-deep conversationalist with those I know well or with clients. Chit chat can be difficult for introverts.

      Meanwhile, I'm glad that you and Molly are making your way through Quiet Power! Isn't it just terrific? Where was that book way back in the day half a century ago?

      Yikes.

      ;-}

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  12. Thanks Linda for the list of good books. I think the one below is one I will add to my list of next ones to read.
    First Things First: Practicing What We Preach ~ Ruth Haley Barton

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    1. Hi Betty! You'll be glad to know that Ruth's First Things First is an online post ... no need to go out and buy a book!

      I hope that it will bless you and other ministry leaders! Lord knows we need to unplug ... big time.

      So glad you're here today.

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  13. Thanks for the recommendations, Linda! Lord, I've got so many books yet to read, including the one you mentioned earlier this summer, The Listening Life. Also have The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee in the offing. Think I'll be busy for a while. Lol!
    Happy reading!

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    1. Oh yes, I've been seeing The Happiness Dare all over the place ... it was fun to take Jennifer's evaluation and see where I was!

      ;-}

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  14. Oh, my! I've been overwhelmed by all the book bag posts this summer! I'm definitely reading more, but my shopping list at Amazon is overloaded :) Bookmarking these great ones for the future. Thanks!

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    1. Yep, there's so many good books out there ... and yet I'm looking for a great big fictional story to settle into during these final weeks of summer before fall kicks off ...

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  15. I just learned about Ann Voskamp's new book a while ago, and really looking forward to it. Right now I'm reading a book by a couple of guys who teach at Moody. Between Pain and Grace. It's the most unique thing I've read about suffering for a long time.

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    1. Pain, grace, suffering. This, the story of our lives, Christ in the midst of all the valleys we dread walking through ...

      Appreciate your recommendation, Michele.

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  16. Welcome back! I am wrapping my brain around the fact that summer is waning and fall will soon be here. I know I will enjoy fall temperatures-we have had a mean streak of temps in the 90s with high humidity that has been relentless.

    I am blessed to have been on two launch teams- one for The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee and the other for Hope Prevails by Dr. Michelle Bengston, which releases today. I highly recommend both. But my reading does not stop there. I read Sophie Hudson's book, Giddy Up Eunice! which si about mentoring and fostering relationships among women. Loved this book. I continue to read fiction alongside my nonfiction and am currently reading, The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck. I am deep into the story right now. My love of reading keeps me going and I can tell it keeps you going too.

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    1. Gosh, girl! You're busy busy! And there's no better way to use our down time is there ...

      I just scooped up a series of 3 Cape Cod historical novels to curl up with. I'm hoping they'll satisfy my yearning for some good fiction.

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  17. Great books on your list, Linda! I'll need to refer back to these soon. Reading "Uninvited" by Lysa TerKeurst ... so good for my heart! Thank you for sharing! : )

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    1. I had my clients use some of Lysa TerKeurst's books when I was doing marriage counseling ... just superb!

      ;-}

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  18. I always love reading others' reading lists. Yours is certainly included, Linda. The first one, way up there at the tippy top of the post caught my eye; a few others did as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Hi Linda,
    Welcome back from your vacation! I hope it was restful and peaceful and you got to read lots of books! (Maybe this post is a result of that!:)) I haven't read any of the books on your list but I definitely I know I want to read Ann Voskamp's latest. I hope a post is coming about your vacation! :)

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    1. Thanks for the great big welcome! It wasn't restful, but it sure was joyful!

      And yes, it's good to be writing again, friend ...

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  20. Woo hoo!! I'm a bookworm through and through and love new book recommendations! And I cannot. stinking. wait. for Ann Voskamp's new book!! Is it October yet?!

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    1. Just 2 months to go, Kylie! And I'm betting it will be worth the wait ...

      ;-}

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  21. Welcome back, friend! <3 Hope your time away was lovely and refreshing. Book reads... still working on The Listening Life. But also enjoying For The Love by Jen Hatmaker. And super excited to read Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.
    Hugs to you.
    xoxo

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    1. Always, always love when you drop by, Beth. The conversation just doesn't seem complete without your gentle presence ...

      I hope you're well.

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    2. I am so grateful for you, Linda. <3

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  22. There is nothing like reading in the summertime....or any time! :)

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  23. Reading is always in season. My most recent, couldn't put it down, read is a book by Edie from lifeingraceblog.com. Her memoir, All The Pretty Things, is very compelling and well written. I signed up to be part of her launch team and am so glad I did. The official launch date is September 20.

    Hope your summer has been a great one!

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    1. Hey Teresa ... it's so very GOOD to see you again!

      ;-}

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  24. I always love to hear about what you are reading, Linda. There are several in that list that sound like ones I need to check out further. And as far as small talk goes, I've always hated it too. In fact, I tend to want to push past the pleasantries and talk about real-life issues way too quickly sometimes! So don't get trapped with me in the corner of a cocktail party, Linda, unless you're willing to "go deep!" ha! Love you and I hope you enjoy your time of vacationing!

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    1. I kinda doubt you and I will be bumping into each other at a cocktail party!! But maybe a conference? Or maybe another visit?

      Would love some more of that deep in-person conversation we shared, dear friend ...

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  25. Hi Linda,

    I always love peeking into people's bookshelves and book bags. Thanks for these ideas. I enjoyed Micha's "Found" book, and Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts." I may look into these newer ones too.

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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    1. I'm an avid bookshelf-peeker, too, Jennifer! Maybe that's why these conversations always hit home for me!

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  26. So many books-- so little time. I jotted down some for future reading. I just read Lisa Wingate's The Story Keeper (fiction) and felt like I was in the intrigue, family issues and developing bonds. It is mysterious, thought-provoking and well written. Loved, loved, loved it.

    Would like to tackle the small talk book you mentioned. Never liked small talk but I have seen interesting things that have come out of that endeavor.

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    1. Well if you loved it, Buds, that's good enough for me! I'm heading over to the library site to reserve a copy.

      The small talk link is to an online post ... easy, yet thought-provoking reading. Would love to hear your take on it.

      See you soon ...

      ;-}

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  27. Micah brings up great observations like: . Time has taught me that sometimes small talk is actually the most generous path to take in conversation. I like what she said about making someone feel valued by listening to what interests them. Going deep, for me, has its drawbacks. I think going deep prematurely can interfere with friendships and relationships. Didn't Dr Dibson tells us that at some point in our growing Christian walk?

    I went to Judy's daughter's baby shower on Sunday and learned so much about the family members Judy loved so much by what they talked about. It was fun and inspirational for me. I say, Hail, hail small talk!

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    1. And then you said this, Carol -->'Hail, hail small talk!'

      And it made me laugh! You know how an ol' introvert like me usually feels about that kind of blather!

      ;-}

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  28. Hello Linda! I am stopping by from The Loft and LOVE your post. I am looking into some of the titles you mentioned even now. Thanks for the recommendations and Happy Late Summer!

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    1. Welcome, DeAnna! I'd love to hear your thoughts after you check them out!

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  29. What a list! Thank you for offering so many thought provoking options at The Loft today!

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    1. I do love these book discussions ... kinda like a book club ...

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  30. Love your list, Linda. I've GOT to get Alli Worthington's book on breaking busy. It's a real struggle for me right now. And thanks for the heads-up on Ifeoma's devotional. Thanks for sharing at The Loft today.

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you've found a few reads that most certainly will inspire you, Jerralea!

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