Read my E-Book, Radiant Modesty, to learn how to embrace God's ideal for the clothing we wear!
Hey Friends,
I’m excited to share my July Reads with all of you, but can you believe August is already here? Summer always goes by too quickly! July was another really good month. Here are some highlights:
We had an amazing 4th of July weekend celebrating with our families.
Our church plant held our first ever Vacation Bible Time with the help of our sending church.
I got to spend a day shopping with one of my closest friends – much needed girl time. 😉
We made some new friends and connections in our Community- it’s feeling more and more like “home”.
We are gearing up for some exciting outreaches in August – it will be another fun and busy month!
Anyways, enough about life… let’s talk about books!
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Wow. What an incredible book to start out my month! My husband and I stayed up late one night to read and this is the book I happened to pull off my shelf. It was a page-turner for sure! Based on a true story, this book tells about the life of David Ring, a young man with cerebral palsy. It tells of the strange and miraculous circumstances during his birth, his unfortunate family life, his struggles in school and life, and most importantly, how God got a hold of his life and transformed him! I was inspired by David Ring’s story, the loyalty of his friends and his overcoming great obstacles to be used by God. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.
Caveat: because it’s part of his story, there is some sexual abuse that takes place in this book. While it wasn’t too descriptive, some of the scenes still made me uncomfortable. Secondly, the details surrounding David’s conversion is a bit lacking… the book made it sound like a very emotional experience and little was said about him actually accepting Jesus Christ as His Savior. However, I don’t doubt his conversion, the book just doesn’t do the best job explaining what actually happened to him the night he got saved.
This book has been on my shelf for a little while now… I’m saving it for a read-aloud with my children someday. Since I never read this one growing up, I decided it would be fun to go ahead and read it now (adults can still enjoy children’s books, right?). I definitely enjoyed the story – Caddie reminded me of a mix between spunky Anne of Green Gables and pioneer Laura Ingalls from the Little House on the Prairie Books. Parts of the story felt a little dry to me (probably because I’m used to adult books) but I will definitely enjoy reading this book to my children someday. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.
This was obviously a month for reading books from my own bookshelves – we’ve had this book for awhile (it was given to my husband) but I had only skimmed the contents and hadn’t read it from cover to cover. Even though I do know what I believe in regards to modesty, sometimes I enjoy reading another perspective and getting a “refresh” on the topic at the same time. This book was well written, although there were a few times I was confused by what the authors were actually trying to get across. This is a difficult topic to write about, so maybe it was just the way things were worded. Since this book was written by a husband and wife, the approach felt balanced and I still enjoyed it very much. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.
This book is an inspiring biography of Ahn E. Sook who defied the tyrannical Japanese government in order to worship and obey the One True God. Her faith and determination in spite of severe persecution is both inspiring and convicting to me. We live such “easy” Christian lives here in America, would we be able to withstand such persecution? If you want to be inspired to take a stand for the Lord, I would highly recommend this book. Her story will convict and encourage you! This book wasn’t quite as gripping as some, but it’s absolutely worth reading. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.
Elizabeth George will forever be one of my favorite authors! Her books were among the first non-fiction books I started reading as a teenager, and they had a profound impact on me during some of the most crucial years of my life. Now, as an adult I love re-visiting her books. It’s especially wonderful when I manage to find one I haven’t read yet – like this one! Because I have read so many of her books already, some of the content felt repetitive (she touches on many of the same topics in each book). However, because I connect so well with her writing and because I often need to hear these things again and again, I don’t mind the repetition. It’s good for me! The theme of this book is Creating a Beautiful Life and making the right choices that will help us do so. The chapters on getting up in the morning, making time for prayer, and developing our minds were excellent! I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads – although I will probably go back and change it to a 5!
Caveat: This book was originally published as A Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices, so please be aware of that if you want to read this one.
Final Thoughts
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t read a thing (except my Bible of course!) in the past couple weeks. Life has been busy and whenever I take a break from reading, it’s hard to jump back in. All the books listed above were read during the first few weeks of July. Hopefully, I will be inspired to pick up a book again soon… as soon as I can tackle my never-ending to-do list! 😉
Have you read any good books this month? Be sure to share in the comments – you know I love to hear from you!
In case you missed them, here are the other posts in this series:
12 thoughts on “July Reads: What I’m Reading Month by Month”
Thank you so much for sharing these books, I am really looking forward to them each month :). Currently I’m reading a book about Jim Elliot written by her wife (Shadow of the Almighty) and it is so interesting and it gives you food for thought for sure.
In one of your previous monthly reading blogs you mentioned that a book (I can’t remember which one) will be required reading for your children one day. Even though I’m not in that stage of life yet, I find this so beautiful. Do you plan on having a stack of books as required readings for your children?
Hi Ruth,
I am glad you enjoy these book posts! As for required reading… we will probably have a list of topics that we want our children to be grounded in before they leave home. We may have certain books that we want them to read pertaining to those topics. It’s likely that we will give them those books as school reading assignments. Or maybe we’ll read through some of them as a family. I honestly don’t know yet – Daniel isn’t anywhere near reading age so it’s something we’ll decide as our children get older (teen years especially). I believe the book I referenced was The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook which would be excellent for young ladies. It would be a great resource for teaching home economics.
I’ve been reading “Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament“ by Dr. Walton. It’s a fascinating study of the worldview of the ancient near east, and contrasts ancient Israel’s approach to God and cosmology. It’s really opened my eyes to how little I understand the culture and worldview of that time period. It’s a pretty lengthy book, and the writing can be dense, but it’s been well worth it so far.
I definitely added the David Ring book to my to-read list! I am wanting to read more biographies and am surprised I haven’t been more intentional about that sooner! I also added that modesty book to my list. That is a topic I am always wanting to read more about! I’m reading a book by Hannah Whitall Smith right now and it is SO good!
It was so good – and an absolute tear-jerker for me. I kept getting up to grab more tissues! Being a mom (especially with a heart baby) has made more a lot more empathetic towards other mothers and/or children with health issues or disabilities. I think you will really enjoy (and be inspired!) his story. You’ll have to let me know what you think if you read it!
I don’t believe I’ve read any of Hannah Whitall Smith’s books – although I have heard good things about her!
How you managed to finish 5 books n the first few weeks of July I don’t know! I enjoy seeing your list though!
This month I got to read Red Rover, Red Rover by Perry Kirkpatrick, do a little bit of alpha-reading for another young writer, and read a few short stories (His Mighty Acts, Toothpaste Trouble, and Forget Not all by Rebekah Morris, and A Sister’s Burdens by Angie Thompson).
Looking back, I am not sure how I read that many books either! That was a busy time, although I was sick for a few days and was able to do some reading then. I have yet to finish a single book this month!
Thanks for sharing the books you read. They sound interesting!
I know this has nothing to do with this reading post, but I have a modesty question.
I have, recently, been striving to dress modestly. I grew up in a “normal” household. I was allowed to dress like all of the other worldly girls that went to my school. I grew up wearing short skirts and tight v-neck shirts. I was never taught the importance of Biblical femininity or modesty because I grew up in a non-traditional church and a public school. In the last few years, my family has converted to Lutheranism. Our new church is very traditional and liturgical, and I have fallen in love with it, to say the least. The Lutheran Pastoral influences in my life have taught me what it means to be a woman of God, and I am forever thankful for their willingness to have somewhat difficult but needed conversations with me. Because I grew up in a public school, I was pressured into believing many feminist ideals and am ashamed to say that I had many failed relationships as a result of this. I believe that blogs like this and the influences of my Pastor and the members of my congregation have saved my faith. I now have read countless books about the importance of femininity and modesty in romantic relationships and what it means to strive to be a Godly woman.
That being said, my parents, because of their backgrounds, do not understand my quest for modesty. No matter how many times I quote Scripture to them or try to explain my reasoning for dressing modestly, they continually poke fun at how I am dressing. It is very difficult for me to dress modestly amidst the stares I get from the people in my hometown and the hard time my parents give me. It is especially hard considering I attend a public school. I just don’t understand why my parents can’t understand my quest for Biblical modesty. As my parents, they should desire for me to be the most Godly woman possible, right? Even my grandmother pokes fun at my long skirts. Both my mother and my grandmother have said to me, “you’re young. You need to enjoy looking pretty and sexy before you get old. You have a pretty body, show it off!” It is incredibly disheartening. It doesn’t help that I recently dated a guy from my church that clearly did not appreciate my modesty and told me that I made him, “feel like he was in church all of the time.” He told me I needed to “chill out” and “live my life a little.”
I just want to glorify God in all that I do and attract a Godly man to be my husband. It is terribly difficult for me to do this when most of the people in my life are discouraging me from doing so. Do you have any words of comfort or encouragement for me? I’ve been praying a lot about this, but I still have been treated unkindly because of the new modesty standards I have set for myself.
Thank you so much for sharing these books, I am really looking forward to them each month :). Currently I’m reading a book about Jim Elliot written by her wife (Shadow of the Almighty) and it is so interesting and it gives you food for thought for sure.
In one of your previous monthly reading blogs you mentioned that a book (I can’t remember which one) will be required reading for your children one day. Even though I’m not in that stage of life yet, I find this so beautiful. Do you plan on having a stack of books as required readings for your children?
Hi Ruth,
I am glad you enjoy these book posts! As for required reading… we will probably have a list of topics that we want our children to be grounded in before they leave home. We may have certain books that we want them to read pertaining to those topics. It’s likely that we will give them those books as school reading assignments. Or maybe we’ll read through some of them as a family. I honestly don’t know yet – Daniel isn’t anywhere near reading age so it’s something we’ll decide as our children get older (teen years especially). I believe the book I referenced was The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook which would be excellent for young ladies. It would be a great resource for teaching home economics.
Thank you so much! I really like this idea and also, any homemaking books that come my way 🙂
I’ve been reading “Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament“ by Dr. Walton. It’s a fascinating study of the worldview of the ancient near east, and contrasts ancient Israel’s approach to God and cosmology. It’s really opened my eyes to how little I understand the culture and worldview of that time period. It’s a pretty lengthy book, and the writing can be dense, but it’s been well worth it so far.
Wow, sounds fascinating. Good for you! I always struggle through deep/lengthy books. Definitely an area that could use some growth in my reading life!
Thank You for the July reads. We all love to read children’s books now and then. Enjoy yoyr reading.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I definitely added the David Ring book to my to-read list! I am wanting to read more biographies and am surprised I haven’t been more intentional about that sooner! I also added that modesty book to my list. That is a topic I am always wanting to read more about! I’m reading a book by Hannah Whitall Smith right now and it is SO good!
It was so good – and an absolute tear-jerker for me. I kept getting up to grab more tissues! Being a mom (especially with a heart baby) has made more a lot more empathetic towards other mothers and/or children with health issues or disabilities. I think you will really enjoy (and be inspired!) his story. You’ll have to let me know what you think if you read it!
I don’t believe I’ve read any of Hannah Whitall Smith’s books – although I have heard good things about her!
How you managed to finish 5 books n the first few weeks of July I don’t know! I enjoy seeing your list though!
This month I got to read Red Rover, Red Rover by Perry Kirkpatrick, do a little bit of alpha-reading for another young writer, and read a few short stories (His Mighty Acts, Toothpaste Trouble, and Forget Not all by Rebekah Morris, and A Sister’s Burdens by Angie Thompson).
Looking back, I am not sure how I read that many books either! That was a busy time, although I was sick for a few days and was able to do some reading then. I have yet to finish a single book this month!
Thanks for sharing the books you read. They sound interesting!
Love your blog❤️
I know this has nothing to do with this reading post, but I have a modesty question.
I have, recently, been striving to dress modestly. I grew up in a “normal” household. I was allowed to dress like all of the other worldly girls that went to my school. I grew up wearing short skirts and tight v-neck shirts. I was never taught the importance of Biblical femininity or modesty because I grew up in a non-traditional church and a public school. In the last few years, my family has converted to Lutheranism. Our new church is very traditional and liturgical, and I have fallen in love with it, to say the least. The Lutheran Pastoral influences in my life have taught me what it means to be a woman of God, and I am forever thankful for their willingness to have somewhat difficult but needed conversations with me. Because I grew up in a public school, I was pressured into believing many feminist ideals and am ashamed to say that I had many failed relationships as a result of this. I believe that blogs like this and the influences of my Pastor and the members of my congregation have saved my faith. I now have read countless books about the importance of femininity and modesty in romantic relationships and what it means to strive to be a Godly woman.
That being said, my parents, because of their backgrounds, do not understand my quest for modesty. No matter how many times I quote Scripture to them or try to explain my reasoning for dressing modestly, they continually poke fun at how I am dressing. It is very difficult for me to dress modestly amidst the stares I get from the people in my hometown and the hard time my parents give me. It is especially hard considering I attend a public school. I just don’t understand why my parents can’t understand my quest for Biblical modesty. As my parents, they should desire for me to be the most Godly woman possible, right? Even my grandmother pokes fun at my long skirts. Both my mother and my grandmother have said to me, “you’re young. You need to enjoy looking pretty and sexy before you get old. You have a pretty body, show it off!” It is incredibly disheartening. It doesn’t help that I recently dated a guy from my church that clearly did not appreciate my modesty and told me that I made him, “feel like he was in church all of the time.” He told me I needed to “chill out” and “live my life a little.”
I just want to glorify God in all that I do and attract a Godly man to be my husband. It is terribly difficult for me to do this when most of the people in my life are discouraging me from doing so. Do you have any words of comfort or encouragement for me? I’ve been praying a lot about this, but I still have been treated unkindly because of the new modesty standards I have set for myself.