Paper Bridges » Reading

Finally! My thoughts on The Missional Mom (part 1)

Monica Brand — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Here I go again, over thinking my response to a book, taking forever to post my thoughts.

Part of my problem is that I want to get it right. All the emotions that I feel over The Missional Mom – and there is a lot to sort through – I’m afraid to write anything. So I’m just going to jump in and hit publish. Forgive me if this is rather steam of conscienceness. I can’t write this any other way. . .

The Missional Mom (Living with Purpose at Home and in the World) by Helen Lee is a book I’ve been looking to read for a long time. I’ve been hungry for the message found in these pages years before Lee wrote her book.

My mothering right now is in a funny place. My children need me; they don’t need me. It’s an odd place to be. My eldest will be 13 years old this summer. My youngest almost six; she’s getting good at making her own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There is still much to do here, but the hard work of caring for little babies and toddlers is over.

For a long time, I’ve looked at our days together, our homeschooling too, and wondered if there was something more I could be doing. And by more I mean doing for others in a meaningful way, things I can involve my children in as well, because I don’t want them growing up thinking being a Christian is mainly about going to church twice a week, AWANA club and saying grace at meals.

In all honesty, a lot of my Christian faith has taken on a ho-hum routine to it these past years and it’s a scary place to be. I never want to think of my faith in the Lord as boring or routine, but that’s what I’ve let it become. I know that’s my problem, not His lacking or unfaithfulness, but me being stuck in a spiritual rut.

Is any of this making any sense? Does anyone relate to what I’m saying? I’ve been a Christian for a long time and I know the correct answers for Sunday School. I can play the game.

Then I come up against a book like The Missional Mom and it makes me want to find my way back to a time when my faith was exciting and I did things. You know, those crazy things you would do because you just had to make your belief known to others around you no matter how crazy it made you look? Or you would go places and do things because you knew it mattered in the Kingdom of God?

I read The Missional Mom and it made me want to go places and do things again for the Lord. Of course, now I need get to do these things as a mom because that’s who I am and how can I leave my kids out when they need to understand Christianity beyond AWANA?

I want to be a mom who does exciting work for the Lord.

Is that bad, wanting the exciting? Life as a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom has a lot of mundane to it, don’t you think? But how would we recognize the wow if we didn’t have the dull? One of the things I appreciated about the book are all the mentions Lee gives to her own homeschooling and of other moms who successfully combined homeschooling and some sort of ministry.

Those are the moms I want to go back and re-read. If she can do it, why can’t I?

Don’t you love it when a book moves you to change?

Part 2 : Yet more thoughts on how this book has impacted my life, especially my approach to how I spend my time online.

**Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Missional Mom from the publisher in exchange for a review.**

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What’s On Your Nightstand? : Jan. 2011

Monica Brand — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:14:55 +0000

Joining in with the monthly listing of what reading material I have next to the bed, on the computer, or scattered through out the house:

Borrowed from a friend:

In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham with Dean Merrill

Bought at library sale:

The Lady and the Panda (The True Adventures of the Fist American Explorer to Bring Back China’s Most Exotic Animal) by Vicki Constantine Croke

Bought not too long ago at local bookstore:

The Backyard Homestead Edited by Carleen Madigan

Bought long ago when I worked at a bookstore:

Love Sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

E-books for the computer:

Radical (Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream) by David Platt

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I’m reading these e-books with the Barnes and Noble Nook app on my laptop. This will be my first attempt to read a novel off of the computer screen and already I suspect I don’t like it. I want to be able to snuggle down in the covers of my bed or sit next to the warm wood stove. Hopefully once I get into the story, I won’t mind sitting at the computer so much to turn “pages.” I’ll let you know how it goes.

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Read the entire Bible in only 90 days : sign up now

Monica Brand — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:06:37 +0000

The next round of Read the Bible in 90 Days is starting soon – January 3, 2011. Are you up to the challenge?

I joined in with the summer group – and let me assure you – this is not a reading challenge for wimps. You will read a lot of Scripture daily. I think the average is ten chapters a day. But it’s totally do-able. You gotta hustle. You gotta work it with finding time to read, but the benefits! So many.

Discipline to read.

Spiritual growth.

Knowledge of the Story.

Why Jesus is so radical.

Believer: if you have never read the Bible in it’s entirety, I implore you to join this challenge.

Many people will be reading with you.

The community at Mom’s Tool Box is strong.

Many are on Twitter to encourage you.

There is accountability in the community.

Will I see you there?

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On this fall day

Monica Brand — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:48:49 +0000

Organizing bookshelves. Out with the old, in with the new.

Reading The Kids are Alright by Welch, Welch, Welch and (care to guess?) Welch. Thanks to the publisher for my free copy.

Searching the vast empire of the Internet for the good, pretty and lovely by which my kids can learn; avoiding the vile, nasty and obnoxious which will teach them . . . nothing.

Nursing a sick boy, currently asleep on the couch while the other three continue on with their day. Boo on fall colds.

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I finished!

Monica Brand — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:31:36 +0000

I did it! I read the entire Bible in only 90 days. I kept up with the daily readings without too much effort, but at the Type-A Mom conference, I fell several days behind and had to catch up quickly if I wanted to finish with the group. That was my goal from the start, to be done in 90 days, so I read a large chunk of the New Testament in only two days.

Now that it’s over, I’m can say I’m glad I stuck with it. To be sure, there are large portions of the Old Testament that are tough to get through. There is a lot of negativity; I’m thinking of the nation of Israel and her lack of obedience, all those terrible kings and a lot of infomation that doesn’t seem important to us today (yup, I’m thinking of you, Book of Numbers).

But I get it now. Reading the Bible from cover to cover gives you a better perspective on the Story – I say it with a capital S because it deserves one. That’s The Story and we – right now where we are – are also part of the Story. God’s Story of mankind. When Jesus arrives on the scene in the book of Matthew and the Jewish leaders don’t know what to do with Him because He is so different and radical – it makes sense why they reacted that way. Those leaders were still in the OT and Jesus came to turn all that Law on it’s head.

Don’t take my word for it. Read the Bible for yourself to see what I’m talking about. Read the OT. I know it’s not at the top of your reading list, but you need it as back story for when you turn the page to start the Gospels. Jesus – our teacher, our savior, our Lord – will show you a new way, a way that we can do and live beyond the law found in the Old Testament.

Amy will be hosting another Bible in 90 Days. I encourage you to join the group. I believe reading together with a group can make all the difference in your success. The Twitter community at #B90days helped immensely.

Did you complete the challenge of reading the Bible in only 90 days? What did you learn?

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Book Tour: Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad

Monica Brand — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:05:23 +0000

Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad (A Style Guide for Every Woman)" class="broken_link">Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad (A Style Guide for Every Woman) by Shari Braendel reads like the Christian woman’s answer to “What Not to Wear,” the popular fashion advice show on TLC.

From the back cover:

Shari Braendel teaches you how to accept and appreciate the body God gave you and how to always look your best. You will discover:

Your specific body type and color group
The exact pieces you need in your closet to build your spring/summer and fall/winter wardrobes
Anti-aging tricks, makeup and skincare techniques
Shari’s trademark Shopping Guide and 5 Bs of style and modesty
How to win the battle to find the right swim suit and jeans

“As a sought-after Christian speaker on fashion and beauty, Shari hosts the What to Wear Christian women’s Conference at women’s retreats and gatherings all over the nation. A fabulous, fun and refreshing fashionista, Shari is a speaker and writer with Proverbs 31 Ministries.”

What I like about the book:

The chapters on finding proper fitting undergarments (I think this is the first “Christian” book I’ve read to openly talk about panties)
The advice on make-up, accessories, hair, eyeglasses and finding your personal style
Lots of color pictures
The Jeans Chapter. A must-read, in my opinion
The Modesty Chapter. Ditto. See above.
The shopping guide with good places to find clothes for your style and budget

What I didn’t like about the book:

I wanted to see more picture of casual outfits. Braendel describes four different body types, explaining how each body type should dress, but only dresser outfits are shown as examples. It would be effective to show casual attire for women that don’t dress to go to an office everyday – like me.

As part of the Book Tour, you could win a $500 Visa gift card, web camera, one-hour fashion consultation, along with an autographed copy of Good Girls Don’t Have to Dress Bad (A Style Guide for Every Woman). Visit the author’s website for more information.

Disclaimer: This post is part of a Blog Book Tour. The author (blogger) of this post received a complimentary copy of the above book from the publisher in exchange of a written review. The review is the honest opinion of the blogger. This post contains affiliate links that financially benefit the blogger. By making a purchase via an affiliate link, the blogger may receive monetary compensation.

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What to read instead of Eat, Pray, Love: travelogues by women

Monica Brand — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:42:02 +0000

If you are interested in reading about women traveling the world and living overseas, but want to skip the spiritual elements presented in Eat, Pray, Love (One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia), try these books. The archived blog posts give more information.

Reading Lolita in Tehran (A Memoir in Books) by Azar Nafisi

The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez (archived blog post)

A Year in the World (Journeys of a Passionate Traveler) by Francis Mayes (archived blog post)

Tales of a Female Nomad (Living at Large in the World) and Female Nomad and Friends (Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World) both by Rita Golden Gelman (archived blog post)

From this list, Tales of a Female Nomad is a favorite. If you want to read more about living in Indonesia, start with that title. A Year in the World did not hold my attention; I don’t think I finished it.

Do you like to read travelogues by women living overseas? What book would you add to this list?

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Mark Driscoll on Twilight and vampire fiction

Monica Brand — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:08:52 +0000

Mark Driscoll shares his thoughts on the Twilight series and all the new vampire-ish books for preteen/teen girls. Some of you aren’t going to like what he has to say. Please watch and we can discuss in the comments.

HT: Katie Howard

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What I’ve been doing

Monica Brand — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:20:00 +0000

Bible in 90 Days daily. I’m current with Day 35. That’s 1/3 of the Bible read since July 2.

Rescued several Juvenile/YA books from my parent’s attic and it’s been a hoot re-reading them. Titles like: The Summer Riders by Patricia Leitch, Nobody’s Brother by Anne Snyder and Louis Pelletier, Hail, Hail Camp Timberwood by Ellen Conford, Summer Begins by Sandy Asher and a book that didn’t do me much good at the time, The Teen Girl’s Guide to Social Success by Marjabelle Young Stewart. I haven’t looked, but I’m sure these are all out of print; I read them so long ago.

I was surprised to find references to some pretty controversial stuff as I re-read. I have no memory of how I felt about those issues as a teen (bullying, teen s*x, first kiss, abortion, divorce and antisemitism) and what I thought of the characters’ decisions in the storyline. How I wish I had kept a reading journal back then! How fun and interesting it would be today to return to those teenage thoughts.

Reading these books must have been a positive experience, since I kept them safely tucked away for so long. I liked them, I probably loved them, and I imagine I wanted to give them to my daughters to read one day. I love books that are good conversation starters.

So that’s been my late July, August so far. Sorry I’ve been quiet here. I’m not sure how chatty I will be in these last few weeks of the summer. Time will tell, eh?

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The Shack by William P. Young: our discussion continues

Monica Brand — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:55:36 +0000

Just so you know, there is a new comment (with a response by me) on my post regarding The Shack. You can find that conversation here, if you want to join the discussion. I’m pleased we have been able to discuss and disagree without judgment or anger. Thanks, guys!

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No time to blog. Gotta read.

Monica Brand — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:11:53 +0000

I’m a day behind in my reading for Bible in 90 Days. No blogging, no Internet, no tweeting (oh, the agony!) until I’m caught up.

Be back soon.

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Kids in the library: exploring, fantasy owls, eating worms

Monica Brand — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:19:56 +0000

What treasures my children found in our local library this week:

Susan (12): Gwinna by Barbara Helen Berger. A fantasy story of a young girl, her parents and owls; the illustrations beautiful. I will be reading this book too; blogging thoughts and comments when finished.

Poppy and Ereth by Avi

Eclipse by Erin Hunter

Peter (10): How to Eat Fried Worms (Unabridged audio) by Thomas Rockwell

Edmund (8): Explorer (A Daring Guide for Young Adventures) published by Candlewick Press. I like this book a lot – full of historical facts about real-life explores in faraway lands. Part history, part adventure, part survival book. A boy’s dream read.

Lucy (5): Lady and the Tramp. A Disney book.

What have you found in the library lately?

Visit 5 Minutes for Books to see what other children are reading

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Isabel in Chains: learning with YA historical fiction

Monica Brand — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:12:44 +0000

Madam looked down without seeing me; she looked at my face, my kerchief, my shift neatly tucked into my skirt, looked at my shoes pinching my feet, looked at my hands that were stronger than hers. She did not look into my eyes, did not see the lion inside. She did not see the me of me, the Isabel.

O, joy! A new literary heroine to love.

I’ve fallen for the spunky slave girl in Laurie Halse Anderson’s YA historical fiction book, Chains. Isabel is a fighter, despite that fact that she is a slave in 1776 America. She has nothing, yet she fights with a fierce determination within her. Like the patriots fighting around her to be free from a British king, Isabel is waging her own private war. Her goal: freedom from slavery.

I was never much for history as a subject in public school – I hated the memorization of dates and dull text books – but now as a homeschooling mom, I’m filling in the gaps of my own learning. I have much to learn about slavery and Revolutionary America. I’m happy to have Isabel teach me.

I picked up Chains for my 12-year-old, my girl who gobbles up books with an eager hunger for more. Susan has yet to let the Story in history capture her imagination. I’m hoping Isabel, a true-to-life, spunky girl will help my daughter discover there is more to history than just past truth that happened to now dead people.

I’m hoping historical fiction, like Chains, will be the gateway for my daughter to love learning history.

In the meantime, I wait for the sequel, due in October. And I’ll be looking for more books by Laurie Halse Anderson.

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Old Ellen and Otis

Monica Brand — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:36:41 +0000

Does anyone else feel nostalgic for the older covers of the Beverly Cleary books, especially now with a modernized telling of Beezus and Ramona due in theaters soon? This copy I have of Ellen Tebbits is literally falling apart, but I’ll not throw it away, even when the book is unreadable due to falling out pages.

Look at these faces! Classic Ellen and Otis!

And a cover page view of Ellen.

I understand the modern covers for a new generation of readers, yet I wonder: Are the new illustrations true to the story? I suspect not.

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What I’m reading

Monica Brand — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:28:34 +0000

Not much time for reading this week, with two VBSs to attend and Bible in 90 Days to keep up with, but I did start several books:

Here Comes Everybody (The Power of Organizing Without Organizations) by Clay Shirky

and

Made from Scratch (Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life) by Jenna Woginrich

From a bookstore run (sans children; ah! to shop by myself!):

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Right now it’s the YA novel, Chains, that has me enchanted, so for the sake of brevity, I’ll wrap this up without links (shocking, I know); maybe later I’ll come back to tuck in links to LibraryThing or Amazon.com.

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How to read the entire Bible in 90 Days

Monica Brand — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:24:47 +0000

Last Monday, I joined with hundreds of other Christians in an attempt to read the entire Bible in only three months - 90 days of reading large sections of the Scriptures each day. I’m happy to report I am keeping up with challenge and on target with my reading.

Genesis and Exodus read like an old friend; I know these stories well. All that family drama makes for easy reading. Then we get to the laws of Leviticus. Oy! And here comes the book of Numbers, another less-than-exciting book (unless you like reading about animal sacrifice and genealogy.)

When Bible reading gets to be difficult, especially when you combine it with the busyness of life, you need a plan.

These are my tips on how to read the Bible, cover to cover, in only 90 days:

1. Start in the summertime. Less good TV to distract you. Reruns help you to turn off the electronic box and you get more reading done.

2. Read by the pool, in the hammock, at the beach or other places of recreation. You are spending more time outside, relaxing with a cold beverage, watching the kids play or enjoying the sun. Put down the trashy paperback and pick up the Bible.

3. Keep your Bible with you at all times. You never know when you can sneak in a chapter or two.

4. Read ahead a few chapters every day. I call this “reading insurance.” You never know what tomorrow will bring and you don’t want to fall behind.

5. Pray for the time, energy and eagerness to dive in into this life changing Book. Prayer works! And He wants us to know His word.

And my favorite tip:

6. Pick a new translation. I’ve already read all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus in the New International Version a number of years ago, so for this Bible reading challenge, I decided to go with a different translation. By reading in a new-to-you translation, you can keep it interesting and maybe gain new insight to the Scripture. I’m using my pocket English Standard Version for this reading and enjoying the more formal tone with the language.

What are your tips to help you find time to read? Please share.

Next week: The benefits of quickly reading. Why would you want to read the entire Bible so fast. See you then.

Welcome, other Bible-in-90-days participants! I want to get to know you. Leave a comment and be sure to connect with me on Twitter or Facebook. If you love to read, or homeschool your children, you may want to subscribe to PaperBridges.net. It’s free!

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Quotes from Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Monica Brand — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:19:51 +0000

Crazy Love (Overwhelmed by a Relentless God) by Francis Chan – written for the American Christian. I’m pulling quotes from the chapter titled “Profile of the Lukewarm”.

On Luke 8 (the parable of the seed scattered on the ground):

I think most American churchgoers are the soil that chokes the seed because of all the thorns. Thorns are anything that distracts us from God. When we want God and a bunch of other stuff, then that means we have thorns in our soil. A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions or commitments are piled on top of it.

On lukewarm people in the Church (as described in Revelation 3:15,16):

Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.

Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without it requiring too much of them.

Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but beside that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

Thoughts? Comments? Tell me if you agree or disagree.

Disclaimer: Yup, affiliate links. Yet this is a book I purchased, learned to love, and now want to spread the word, just one book-loving, Christian to another. I pray it helps you to draw closer to Him.

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For your Guardians of Ga’Hoole fan: Hoot Owl Cookies

Monica Brand — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:01:59 +0000

My daughter is a huge fan of the Guardians of Ga’ Hoole books, so this recipe for cutey owl faces in cookie form was a big hit. The recipe is from Hershey’s Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook (which I’m guessing is out of print).

Hoot Owl Cookies

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips

1/2 cup whole cashew nuts

Cream butter or margarine, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Blend flour mixture into creamed mixture. Remove two-thirds of the dough to a floured surface. In small bowl combine cocoa and baking soda; add to remaining dough. Blend water into chocolate dough.

Roll half of the vanilla dough into a 10 x 4 inch rectangle. Shape half of the chocolate dough into a roll 10 inches long; place in center of rectangle of vanilla dough. Mold sides of vanilla dough around roll of chocolate dough. Repeat shaping steps with remaining dough. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill at least 2 hours or overnight.

Cut dough into 1/8 inch thick slices; lay two slices together side-by-side on a greased cookie sheet. Pinch a corner of each slice to form ears. Place a peanut butter chip in the center of each slice for eyes; press a cashew nut between slices for a beak. Bake a 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet ; cool on rack.

The Homeschool Village is swapping kids in the kitchen recipes. Add your recipe and find new ones for your family here.

Can you believe I just now realized my girl celebrates 12 years today?? I am a bad mother.

Nah. If she were home, I would’ve remembered right away.

We haven’t heard a word from them at camp; no news is good news, right? I’m glad she and her brother are having fun, but I do so miss them. Especially today.

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Book Tour: Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff

Monica Brand — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:45:53 +0000

Stuff Christians Like made me laugh at myself. It’s not funny in a silly, make-fun-of-us kind of way, it’s funny because it’s true. Jonathan Acuff, blog keeper of the popular blog stuffchristianslike.net, has us pegged. If you have spent any length of time in the Evangelical church, you are sure to recognize yourself in Stuff Christians Like.

Having a spiritual excuse not have a spiritual excuse, trying not to complain around missionaries, being slightly offended that the pastor has a nicer car than you, giving ourselves liberal definitions of the phrase “quiet time.” Yup, me, me, me. If you have a copy of Stuff Christians Like, turn to the following pages to see if you are like me, a long-time member of the club. I’ve included a few quotes from the book that had me laughing out loud.

Developing subtle signals to let people know you are a Christian (page 32)

Being completely terrified to pray for patience or humility (page 62)

Making sure everyone knows your fiance isn’t living with you (page 76)

“I cooked dinner for my fiance last night at my place, but I was out of salt, so he drove to his place, in a car, because the distance is significant.”

Fearing your church will do something wacky the one time you invite a friend (page 90)

Finding typos in the worship music (page 97)

It only takes one hit to become an addict. You want to stop. Deep down inside, you know you’re supposed to be worshiping, to be communing with the Holy Spirit in song and praise, but now it’s too late. After that first typo, you start noticing more. And if the words are spelled correctly, you start picking up on spacing problems.

Feeling guilty for not converting enough people (page 137)

Dominating the “Please turn to. . . ” Bible race during church (page 152)

Sure, reading the Bible is about leaning from God’s Word, but it’s also about beating the person you’re sitting with.

The description of the “Metrosexual” worship leader is hysterical. Maybe because I’m in the ultra-liberal, godless Northeast, or perhaps it’s because our worship leaders are the son and daughter-in-law to the pastor, but on the Metrosexual Worship Leader Scorecard (page 80), my church is a negative 3. My church is not on trend. On the other hand, our youth band . . . those guys are hip.

Ha. Too funny.

As much as I like to laugh, the hidden gem in the book comes from the last few pages – not going to quote it, you should read it for yourself. I never knew Acuff could be so serious. This Christian likes that too.

Disclaimer: This post is part of a Blog Book Tour. The author (blogger) of this post received a free copy of the above book from the publisher in exchange of a written review. The review is the honest opinion of the blogger. This post contains affiliate links that financially benefit the blogger. By making a purchase via an affiliate link, the blogger may receive monetary compensation.

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What’s on my nightstand: June 2010

Monica Brand — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:08:10 +0000

Books I’ve read this month or are in process, plus source of acquisition. Cause I always like to over-share.

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s a sad fact I’ve never read Kingsolver’s fiction. This title was a library giveaway. It’s not her award-winning latest, but it’s a start.

How Soccer Explains the World (An Unlikely Theory of Globalization) by Franklin Foer. My brother lent me this one. Now I can look like I’m interested in soccer during the World Cup (an event I’m not at all paying attention to).

Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart. A memoir in which New York City in 1945 is the central character.

The Outside Boy by Jeanne Cummins. Novel. Loved the writing, enjoyed the characters. Reminded me of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. The Outside Boy and Summer at Tiffany were given to those who attended the Book Blogger Conference.

Two for Book Tours: Life, in Spite of Me (Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice) by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer and Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff. Could these books be any more different?

That’s my June so far, in books. What have you been reading?

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