It's been awhile since I've shared my reading recommendations. Today, you're in luck!
Best of the Summer
Blood, Bones, and Butter- Gabrielle Hamilton
Beautifully written, a chef's memoir but so much more than that. Hamilton's bohemian childhood translated to an interesting life. We see the role the kitchen has always played, from accidental cook fending for herself to opening an acclaimed restaurant. The food descriptions are stunning when they occur but I was most mesmerized by Hamilton's winding journey. We live markedly different lives but I enjoyed reading about how she discovered- and continues to discover- herself.
Blue Like Jazz- Donald Miller
I've been meaning to read this book for close to a decade now, ever since Andy Meisenheimer recommended it to me while we worked at The Christian Bookstore. Better late than never. I love his "outside the box" approach to faith. My favorite section was about the Confessional Booth. I can't wait to see how it translates to the Big Screen!
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith- Anne Lamott
I adore Lamott's writing. This is the follow up to Traveling Mercies. While certain essays will rile up those who are, shall we say, of a more conservative nature, I found so much beauty and peace and wisdom in those pages.
A Sound Among the Trees- Susan Meissner
I was delighted to not only meet Meissner at She Speaks but also receive an early copy of A Sound Among the Trees (releasing October 4). Meissner's other books alternate present day and historical characters. This time history is woven into the present and a house takes center stage. The twists and turns kept me guessing but I especially enjoyed seeing the characters grow as they faced old ghosts and struck the balance between past and future. Can a house carry a grudge against the descendants? Do ghosts exist? All this made for a compelling read.
Summer in the South- Cathy Holton
Set outside Nashville, we follow Ava, a Chicagoan transplanted in the South for the summer while she writes her first novel. She stays in the old home of her friend's aging great-aunts and comes face to face with a murder mystery from long ago. As she writes and combs the past, she is forced to confront her own family history. Holton's words sang and I can't wait to check out her other work.
Young Adult Lit
Don't knock it til you've tried it! The best in this particular category:
Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver and the rest of the trilogy- Utterly captivating love story between a girl and her wolf/man. Werewolves become human when the weather is warm but after so many changes and seasons, they lose their ability to change and die as wolves. The trilogy went in some interesting directions. I didn't like how one plotline ended but overall, I liked these books.
Across the Universe- Beth Revis I normally don't like sci-fi dystopian works but that's the genre for the final 3 books here. Set on a spaceship, the people on board hope to populate the new planet they're headed toward, as Earth was destroyed. Also on board? Scientists, government leaders, and other hotshots needed to establish the new planet- who were cryogenically frozen hundreds of years ago. Until someone wakes up a teenage girl early. She must adjust to this new life, while her parents remain frozen, and figure out who wanted to kill her...and why.
Matched- Allie Condie In the future, the Society tells you where to work, who to marry, and when to die. Our heroine doesn't think much of this until she accidentally sees a second Match for herself. Will she go with the Society's original choice or will she venture into more dangerous territory? I cannot wait for the second book to come out!
Delirium- Lauren Oliver In a similar vein, this particular society has found out a way to eliminate love. Lena will get the Cure on her 18th birthday and it can't happen a minute too soon. She knows Love is the reason her Mom killed herself and she doesn't want any part of it. Until she learns about an underground movement and falls in love herself. I was pissed off when it ended...until I learned that there's a sequel. Yay for sequels!
Currently In the Works
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy- Eric Metaxas
Story Engineering- Larry Brooks (Disclosure: very belated BookSneeze review.)
When Helping People Hurts- Fikkert and Corbett
Dandelion Summer- Lisa Wingate
The War of Art- Steven Pressfield (finally!)
(Ummm, how many books do you read at once? Usually I just have 2 or 3 going.)
On Deck
Consumer Detox- Mark Powley My friend Marla absolutely raved about this one.
My friend Jennifer Luitwieler's book just came out! First of all, she's a fantastic writer. Secondly, her Why I Run series inspired me to start Couch to 5K. Believe me when I say, I never thought I would give running a try. I can't wait to read Run With Me: An Accidental Runner and the Power of Poo.
Finally, my friend Alise Wright edited a collection of essays on living with depression. I'm confident Not Alone will help those experiencing depression feel less alone, as well as provide hope. If you've never dealt with depression, it will provide a glimpse into the struggle. I'm honored my post-depression story is included.
What have you been reading?
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