Just Joy Ministries

I love to read in every season ... but there is something about the summer that just calls me to spend every extra minute with my nose buried in a book. 

I love reading in a lawn chair on a hot summer afternoon ...

I love reading on a rainy day while the thunder and lightening put on a show outside my window ...

I love having a book propped up by the window while I do the evening dishes ...

I love reading on the back deck in the early morning hours before anyone else has yet awakened ...

And I love reading on a warm summer evening while the ceiling fan blows gently overhead.

In honor of my summer addiction, I thought that I would share with you some of my very favorite books!  No matter what season of life you are in .... everyone enjoys a great new read that a girlfriend just couldn’t put down.

10 - The Zion Covenant Series by Brock and Bodie Thoene.  This 8 book series covers the years directly preceding World War II in Europe.  It is heartbreakingly realistic and I fall in love with this series every time I re-read it.  If you love historical fiction, get ready to be transported to Europe while the forces of evil loom just ahead.

9 - Ruth, A Portrait by Patricia Cornwell - This is the biography of Ruth Belle Graham who is truly one of my heroines of the faith.  I love her spunk, her tenacity and her willingness to give up everyone and everything she loves for the sake of the Gospel.  Her story inspires me that an ordinary girl can make a profound difference at any time in history.

8 - Raising the Dead by Dr. Chauncey W. Crandall - The story of how a physician came face to face with God one day during a Code Blue. It’s the story of how a Yale-trained physician and cardiologist learned about God’s heart - the way its beating gives life and sustains us even in the worst of times.  Trust me ... you will not want to put this book down.  I stayed up reading it until 2:30 in the morning!!

7 - Face to Face With God by Bill Johnson - We all want to be a part of something that is greater than ourselves, to know that God loves us and has a plan for our lives.  What better way to find out than to stand daily in His presence and ask?  This book challenged me to love Jesus more.

6 - Lord, Change Me! by Evelyn Christenson - I read this book while in college and it changed me forever.  It changed the way that I pray for people and the way that I approach relationships.  I dare you to read this book!

5 - One Thousand Gifts - By Ann Voskamp - If there is one secret to life, what is it?  I agree with Ann Voskamp ... it is the secret of being a thankful person.  Life is a gift of grace not a grind to be endured.  This book will increase your daily joy ... I guarantee it!

4 - Sun Stand Still - by Steven Furtick - If you’re not daring to believe God for the impossible, you may be sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life.  This book gave me a spiritual backbone again.  I will believe for the impossible and stand for only God’s highest and best in my life!

3 - The Bailey Flannigan Series by Karen Kingsbury - This series is just a wholesome and Godly look at a young woman’s heart as she leaves home, discovers herself and falls in love.  This is a great series to read with your teen-age daughter and then talk about Bailey’s decisions and challenges.  I highly recommend this series for fun, summer-time reading!

2 - Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches -  by Rachel Jankovic - If you are a young mom or ever want to be a mom this is at the top of my list for delightful books on mothering.  I have given it to all 3 of my daughters-in-law and each of them have bought copies to give away to their friends.

1 - Holy Estrogen! - O.K. ... I couldn’t resist!  Don’t forget to buy copies to give to all of the women in your life.  My prayer is that this book will revolutionize the way you handle your emotions.  Your family will thank you for reading this book!  By the way ... the author is Carol McLeod.  That’s me. (Available at www.amazon.com)

I hope that you will share with me your favorite summer reads ... can’t wait to hear from you!  When I hear from at least 10 of you ... I will write another blog on your favorite books!

Now if you will excuse me ... I am going to put my nose in a book!

Happy reading!