Tag Archives: jennie allen

My Favorite Books of 2013

Posted on by under Everyday

I love to see what other people are reading and I always look forward to the list that Anne of The Modern Mrs. Darcy puts out each year of her favorites.  I read quite a bit this year and today I want to share with you my favorites.  These books were not necessarily published in 2013, I just finally read them.

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1)  LOVE DOES by Bob Goff

My sister recommended this book to me and I started reading it while waiting for Hailey in the school pick-up line.  I was hooked within the first chapter and I had finished it by lunch the following day.  If I had not had to stop and feed my family, help with homework, or sleep, I would not have put it down.  I found myself laughing hysterically, saying “Yes!” so many times I lost count, and learned new ways to show my love to others. I can’t recommend this book enough!

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2)  BREAD AND WINE:  A LOVE LETTER TO LIFE AROUND THE TABLE WITH RECIPES by Shauna Niequist

I actually listened to the audio-version of this, which was read by Shauna herself, while I was walking on the treadmill.  I’m pretty sure the people around me wondered why I was smiling and laughing.  Shauna is a gifted writer and after reading this I am determined to start a monthly cooking club.  I told my husband that I was pretty sure that Shauna and I would be best friends if we lived in the same town.

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3)  ANYTHING by Jennie Allen

This is one of those books where I swear that the author was writing down my exact thoughts!  Anything is a book about being open to anything that God has for our lives. Truly saying “Yes, Lord!  Now what is the question?”.  It is a powerful prayer and one that my husband and I prayed together shortly before finding this book.

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4)  KISSES FROM KATIE by Katie Davis

I finally got around to reading this book and I can’t believe that I waited so long. This is an amazing story of love, adoption, and complete to surrender to God!  Katie is amazing!

All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus! –Katie Davis

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5)  NOT A FAN by Kyle Idleman

I listened to the audio-version of this book as well.  Kyle encourages Christians to be fully devoted followers of Jesus, not just fans.  I read a couple of reviews that other people wrote saying that they thought it encouraged legalism, but I think it really encourages believers to follow Christ with a greater devotion.

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Make sure you check out the lists that others are sharing over on The Modern Mrs. Darcy blog!

What are your favorite books?  I’d love for you to share them with me!

Make it great, my friends!

JuJu

Currently: On My Bookshelf

Posted on by under Books, Everyday

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The above books are the physical books that I am hoping to devour in the next two months.  I also have books, e-books, and audiobooks on my Kindle.  I’ll share those titles with you another day.  This collection of books includes an autobiography, a couple of fiction novels, and books on Christianity, healthy living, autism, reading/homeschooling, building relationships, and one just laugh out loud book of silliness!

A couple of the books, Nourishing Traditions and Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism, are books I read and re-read.  I consider them healthy eating reference guides.  They are packed full of lots of great information, but sometimes sitting down and trying to digest too much in one sitting gives me a headache!

I am currently reading Anything by Jennie Allen as part of an on-line Bible study that I’m doing through Good Morning Girls.  I had already purchased it and then found out about the study.  It is about fully surrendering your life to God.  Truly being open to ANYTHING He might have for you.  It has stretched me more than I ever thought possible!  So exciting!  Jennie talks about Kisses from Katie in the book so I am reading that simultaneously as we only cover a few chapters a week in our study. My sister also read Kisses from Katie and said it was phenomenal!

Here is a complete list of the books that are on my bookshelf to read this summer.  I broke them down by category.

Autism

Delightfully Different by D.S. Walker

Autobiography

One Call Away by Brenda Warner (wife of former NFL quaterback Kurt Warner) : this probably could have gone in the Christian category as both Steve and Brenda are Christians who are very open to share how Jesus radically changed their lives!

Christianity

Anything by Jennie Allen

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

The Great Evangelical Recession by John Dickerson (this is actually the pastor of our church)

The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

Radical by David Platt

The Shack by William Young

What Women Fear by Angie Smith

Fiction

The Accidental Family by Rowan Coleman

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Swapping Lives by Jane Green

Healthy Living

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism by Maria Emmerich

Humor

F in Exams:  The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers by Richard Benson (seriously!  This is laugh out loud funny!  We keep it out and read it from day to day. I can’t imagine being one of the teachers/professors that received one of these test answers from a student!)

Reading/Fostering a Love of Reading in Children

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

Honey for a Teen’s Heart by Gladys Hunt & Barbara Hampton

The Reading Promise:  My Father and the Books We Share Alice Ozma

So there is my list! Have you read any of these books?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of them!  I’d also love to hear what you are currently reading and if there are any titles that you think are a must-read this summer!  You can leave them in the comments!

Have a great day!

Make it great!

JuJu