Share the Hope!

Summer!

It’s just a few days away – literally.

The weather is warming up.

Children are getting bouncier and more hyped-up!

 Are you a woman looking for a great book to read this summer? Here is a fabulous list of inspiration books for women of all ages. You'll also find great reviews and links to other wonderful sites in this post. Why not drop by for a visit today?

15 Books I’d Like to Read This Summer!

Stores are lining their shelves with sand toys, beach towels, suntan lotion, and all sorts of products created just for the warmer weather.

I love summer!

There’s just something about the slower pace, the warmer weather, and the lazy days that I really enjoy.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to read as many good books as I possibly can.

In fact, I’ve started compiling my summer reading list and hunting for great books to read over the next few months.

I asked a few of my reading friends to recommend a favorite book.

And, I asked them to tell me why they like this particular book.

Their suggestions are SO GOOD that I thought you might benefit from them as well. 

So, here are 15 Books I’d Like to Read This Summer: 

1} Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers.

This historical romance novel is inspired by the book of Hosea from the Bible. It is an amazing story about God’s redeeming love towards sinners. The reason I loved it so much and still to this day think about the story is during a very sad time in my life many years ago, it was recommended to me by a woman in my church who told me there were so many lessons and truths in it. She was right. The story changed my thinking in many areas and I learned the truth about just how powerful and loving our God is! – Oh my, what a novel!

(Recommended by Michelle Streeter. You can link to Michelle’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

2} Encounters With Jesus, by Timothy Keller.

I loved it because it’s all about the big life questions- and how Jesus is the answer to all of them. Timothy Keller is a deep thinker and a very intelligent man, but he explains things in a way that is easy to understand.

(Recommended by Dawn Klinge. You can link to Dawn’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

3} They Say We Are Infidels, by Mindy Belz.

I liked this book because it was a completely different kind of read for me. I am not a “hard news” kind of girl — I’ll go for the book reviews and the editorial essays every time, but I see in Mindy’s book that, as a journalist, she was making an effort to understand the heart of a nation, by speaking to its people. To grasp the essence of the conflict in the Middle East one must connect the dots between ancient civilizations, a modern-day dictator, and a political force that operates with fiery religious zeal. People are losing their lives, and the Christian heritage of that region is being systematically destroyed. The book They Say We Are Infidels is a call to fervent, well-informed prayer.

(Recommended by Michele Morin. You can link to Michele’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

4} Come with Me, by Suzanne Eller.

Yes! It just led me on a walk with Jesus that changed me. I’ve been a Christian my whole life but this book just inspired me to want to know him on a deeper level.

(Recommended by Shannon Geurin. You can link to Shannon’s blog HERE.)

(Also recommended by Lori Schumaker. You can read her complete review HERE.) 

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

5} For the Love, by Jen Hatmaker.

It’s unlike any other Christian book I’ve ever read. It’ll make you laugh until you cry, but it has a deep message about receiving God’s grace rather than holding yourself up to impossible standards. It’s also about extending that same grace to others. The chapter on marriage is full of wisdom and wit, worth the price of the book alone.

(Recommended by Betsy DeCruz. You can visit Betsy’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

6} The Hope Quotient: Measure It. Raise It. You’ll Never Be the Same, by Ray Johnston.

I devoured this book. Rev is reading it. We’re giving copies to our children. If you’d like to learn how unleashing hope can improve your marriage, your relationship with your children, your career, your church, and community . . . you need this book.

(Recommended by Deb Wolf. You can link to her entire review HERE.) 

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

7} None Like Him by Jen Wilkin.

Jen Wilkin’s new book None Like Him will inspire you to think or rethink your views of God page after page.  Ten ways God is different from us and why that’s a good thing is the premise of this page-turner. Anytime I pick up a book and learn about God more in depth, I don’t want to put it down.

(Recommended by Jaime Wiebel. Read her complete book review HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

8} Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges.

We leave for the beach next week and I am taking Trusting God by Jerry Bridges. Our women’s ministry is reading it individually and then coming together for a fellowship/book discussion at the end of June. Jerry Bridges is one of my favorite authors. I read this years ago, but soaking in the Sovereignty of God can’t be done too often. (Recommended by Debbie Settle.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

9} Keep a Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Elliot.

I love this book because Elisabeth Elliot fearlessly and beautifully encourages me to know God and rest in Him. Each chapter is very short (usually 2-4 pages long), so it is a wonderful read for moms of little ones who are often interrupted!

(Recommended by Amanda Criss. You can link to Amanda’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

10} Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore.

This book was instrumental in showing me that my most powerful weapon for victory was praying the Word of God. As I began to implement praying God’s Word back to Him, I began to change. Praying His Word back to Him and affirming His promises will not only enrich your life, but it will change your life!

(Recommended by Ruthie Gray. You can link to Ruthie’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

11} Live a Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

This is the best study on prayer I’ve done. The concrete examples and anecdotes bring great clarity to the concepts she teaches. As a writer and teacher, I really admire this gift God has given Jennifer.

(Recommended by Ginger Harrington. You can link to Ginger’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

12} Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph.

It transformed my marriage and homemaking. I love the wisdom that she gives women on being better wives, mothers, homemakers and most importantly a child of God. She stresses that pursuing holiness should be our main purpose and that is why I strive to inspire holiness through my blog. (Ana)

(Recommended by Anastasia Safee. You can link to Ana’s blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

13} One Thousand Gifts – A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann VosKamp.

This is one of my all-time favorite books, probably because it encouraged me to live a more grateful, God-focused life. Ann Voskamp invites readers to chronicle everyday blessings and embrace everyday life. Beautifully written, it is a must-read and a great encouragement to count our blessings, daily.

(Recommended by Marva Smith. You can visit her blog HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

14} 31 Days To Becoming a Happy Mom by Arlene Pellicane.

All mom’s need refreshing. One mom friend recently said to me “Many times I feel overwhelmed”. My heart nodded because I do too…This book provides moms strategies, prayers, and scriptures to navigate through the murkiness of motherhood and enjoy the process every day without going nuts *laughs*.

(Recommended by Ifeoma Samuel. You can link to her site HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

15} The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.

Has a book ever changed your life for the better? The Ministry of Motherhood, by Sally Clarkson, changed my perspective about my role as a mother. I was so busy serving in other places, I neglected to see the biggest and greatest ministry that was right in front of me: my children. In the middle of laundry piles and washing dishes, I had opportunities to instill spiritual nourishment into the hearts of my children and love them as Christ loved me. Just as Jesus trained the disciples, I have the honor of training them. This book helped me learn to appreciate this season in life and value the ministry of being a mother.

(Recommended by Valerie Murray. You can link to her site HERE.)

Find out more about the book or pick up your copy HERE.

Other recommended books that intrigue me:

~ Transforming Prayer Life by Daniel Henderson. (Recommended by Tina Thompson.)

~ Rest Assured by Vicki Courtney. Not So Fast…Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families by Anne Kroeker. Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan.  (Recommended by Regina Green.)

~ Luther and Katharina: A Novel of Love and Rebellion by Jody Hedlund. (Recommended by Karen McNeil.)

~ Angels Walking Series by Karen Kingsbury.  Who I Am in Christ by Neil Anderson. Breaking Free book by Beth Moore. (Recommended by Erin Vander Steeg.)

~ Nephilim the Remnants by David Henderson.  Undaunted by Christine Cain. Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson. (Recommended by Johanna Henderson who blogs at Devoted to Maker.)

~ Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman. Wild and Free by Jess Connolly. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. (All of these books were recommended by Tami Theobald.)

———————-

So, what are you hoping to read this summer?

Got any good books to recommend?

I’d love to hear your ideas!


15 Books I’d Like to Read This Summer!

**And, would you do me a favor — if this article has encouraged you today — would you share it with someone else? 

Maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

~ This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links.  Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. For more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


helloredds@gmail.com

Best-Selling Author | Speaker | Blogger| Podcaster | When the world is falling apart, we can ALWAYS trust in God’s goodness!

38 Comments

Rachel @ Smart Mom Smart Ideas · 06/16/2016 at 3:55 AM

Hi Melanie, It’s hard to choose just one or two books to read from this list. I have not read Sally Clarkson’s book yet, but I had been keeping an eye on it. I think I will move it to the must read books.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 06/16/2016 at 4:34 PM

    I agree, Rachel!
    I’m not even sure where to start with all of these great options.
    That Sally Clarkson book does look really good!
    Appreciate you stopping by for a visit and leaving a kind word today!
    Blessings~
    Melanie

Megan · 05/21/2016 at 7:45 PM

Reading your book and 66 Love a letters from God! Thanks for the suggestions!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/22/2016 at 3:34 PM

    Thanks for letting me know, Megan!
    It always encourages me to hear that someone is reading my book!
    Sure am blessed by you and by this!
    Hope you have a wonderful day~
    Melanie

Dianne Thornton · 05/21/2016 at 7:48 AM

This is a great list, Melanie. I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Kennedy Dean. Live a Praying Life is amazing! You’ll love it!!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/22/2016 at 3:31 PM

    Thank you, Dianne!
    I’m looking forward to reading Jennifer’s book. Thank you for the other suggested book idea as well!
    Appreciate you stopping by to leave a good word today!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

Karen Grosz · 05/21/2016 at 6:20 AM

Redeeming Love and For the Love are both on my to read list. Thanks for some ideas I hadn’t heard yet.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/22/2016 at 3:30 PM

    Hey Karen,
    Thanks for stopping by to leave a good word.
    Sounds like you are a reader as well!
    It’s always fun to find new book suggestions, isn’t it!
    Blessings to you,
    Melanie

chaos2peace · 05/18/2016 at 3:04 PM

I love a good book list and this looks like it’s full of wonderful options! Thanks so much for linking this post to Waiting On…Wednesday!

dawnklinge · 05/18/2016 at 2:30 PM

There are so many books on this list that I love! The other ones, I’m going to have to check out. Right now, I’m reading a book that you might like. It’s called Writing to Change the World.
I felt honored to have one of my recommendations on this list. Thank you. : )

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:17 PM

    It’s a great list, isn’t it, Dawn!
    Thanks for all of your suggestions on the list and for this new book idea!
    Sure do appreciate you being a part of all this effort!
    You bless me~
    Melanie

Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments · 05/18/2016 at 1:57 PM

Wow, Mel! What a great list! If only I could hide away for about two weeks and read them all! đŸ™‚ Thanks for including my favorite, too! I’m for sure making time for Deb’s suggestion about Hope! Just like you, hope makes my heart move and fuels this passion to share Jesus!
Love ya, girl! I’ll share this for sure!
Lori

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:16 PM

    I’m with you, Lori!
    Let’s meet soon for a two-week reading retreat!! I’m sure our families will understand!
    Sure am blessed by you!
    Melanie

Abi Craig · 05/18/2016 at 1:23 PM

Wow! Ambitious list. đŸ™‚ #1 & 8 are great. #13 is good too. #2 is on my list and #6 looks intriguing. I’ve started #15 – ought to get that back out! And we’re on the list at the library for an audio copy of The Boys In The Boat so we call all listen to that one together. So many books, so little time! Reading is such a great past-time, relaxing, inspirational and educational. Thanks for sharing, Melanie.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:15 PM

    You sound like quite a reader, Abi!
    I’ll be sure to include your ideas next time I write a post on books!
    Hope you and your family are doing well!
    Blessings to you,
    Melanie

MaryHill · 05/18/2016 at 12:35 PM

Great list. I loved to read devotionals and see a couple I like. Thanks for sharing.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:14 PM

    Thanks, Mary!
    I appreciate you stopping by to leave an encouraging word today!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

BlessingCounterDeb · 05/18/2016 at 11:43 AM

Saving this list so I can check back for my summer reading. Looks like some really good stuff here! Thanks so much! Sharing this so others can benefit as well!!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:14 PM

    Thanks, Deb!
    I hope you will enjoy some of these books.
    And, I’m looking forward to reading Hope Quotient!

Laura · 05/18/2016 at 10:23 AM

Love love Redeeming Love! I was so happy to see it as #1 on your list!

Ruthie Gray · 05/18/2016 at 8:28 AM

Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller sounds great – may have to pick that one up! I love this post and the list of books recommended! Thank you for including me in the process, I love and have read several of these books, but the one I cited is my very favorite.

You are so good to us, Mel. Praying for you!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/19/2016 at 6:13 PM

    It does, doesn’t it, Ruthie!
    Thanks for your words of encouragement today!
    And, thank you for taking part!
    You are a blessing to my life~
    Melanie

sunSPARKLEshine · 05/18/2016 at 7:31 AM

Oooh, what a great list for summer reading. I’ve only read a couple on this list so I will definitely be adding the others to my Amazon wish list. Thanks for sharing these, Melanie and for including mine as well. You always have such great ideas!!!
Hugs,
Marva | sunSPARKLEshine

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:33 AM

    This is a good list, isn’t it, Marva!
    And, thank you for joining in on the fun.
    I’m always blessed by my sisters and their ideas!
    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

Valerie · 05/18/2016 at 7:26 AM

So many great books! I have been wanting to read Women Living Well for a long time! Another great book is “The Power of a Praying Wife.” This is such a great list!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:33 AM

    There are so many great suggestions, aren’t there!
    I can’t wait to read many of these.
    Thank you for being a part of this post today!
    You bless me~

betsydecruz · 05/18/2016 at 7:23 AM

Great list of books here, Melanie! I’m pinning this for sure! So fun to see that I’ve read some of the other books, and they are GOOD! Makes me think the ones I haven’t read must be great as well.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:31 AM

    Thanks, Betsy!
    Appreciate you joining in on the fun!
    Hope you have a wonderful trip!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

Leah Adams (@LeahCAdams) · 05/18/2016 at 7:10 AM

Wow!! So many great books! “Redeeming Love” is AAAAA-mazing. You might also want to add in anything by Joel Rosenberg. He writes some riveting Christian fiction that is based on biblical prophecy. Love his books.

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:30 AM

    Yes. My parents really love Joel.
    That’s a great idea for another book to read this summer.
    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

Michele Morin · 05/18/2016 at 7:00 AM

LOVE the Elisabeth Elliot recommendation! Right now I’m re-reading Secure in the Everlasting Arms because Elisabeth always feeds my soul and jerks me around a little bit.
Thanks, Melanie, for, once again, bringing us all together in one place. I sure wish you attended my church!

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:27 AM

    Hey Michele,
    Thanks so much for taking part in this post!
    And, don’t you love Elizabeth Elliot? She sort of hugs you and smacks you all at the same time!
    (I wish we got to worship together too!)

Michelle · 05/18/2016 at 6:37 AM

I found a few here for my summer reading list too Melanie. Thanks for including me – always makes me happy to share!

Dr. Michelle Bengtson · 05/18/2016 at 6:15 AM

Melanie, you’re one who loves hope…there’s a book about hope coming out this summer for those looking to overcome depression đŸ˜‰ “Hope Prevails!”

    helloredds@gmail.com · 05/18/2016 at 7:25 AM

    I’m really looking forward to reading your new book, Michelle!
    Can’t wait to write a review and share your words with my friends!
    You are a blessing~

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