My 5 Favorite 2023 Summer Reads for Falling Deeper in Love
(and a bonus magazine--cause I just couldn't resist)
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Can you believe it? We’re already in the final month of summer. So much reading, I always hope to do. But with the other great things; family in town, and enjoying the heavenly Michigan shoreline, I never seem to get it all in.
But it’s all good. We still have a few more weeks until Labor Day.
Here are my favorites:
3000 Miles to Jesus: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life for Spiritual Seekers by Lisa Deam. You never know who God is going to bring into your life on any given day. Standing at the registration table on the first day of the Scriptoria Writer’s Workshop in June, this sweet gal introduced herself. As we got to know each other during the week, she softly mentioned she was the author of a published book. Not too surprising at a writer’s workshop but still impressive. Typing her name into Amazon later, up popped this book about pilgrimage! The spiritual practice that has captivated me for the past five to seven years. As quickly as I could click “order” it was on its way to my door. The book is fantastic! Lisa shares the stories of the 3000-mile pilgrimage to Jerusalem of three medieval followers of Jesus, traveling by foot, horseback, and boat, at a time when it cost many pilgrims their lives. Whether a person ever goes on a literal pilgrimage or not, this book reminds every Christian of our lives as a sacred pilgrimage, holding nothing back to know Christ better and love him more. I devoured it once already and am on my second reading, letting God speak to me, as I savor a couple of pages each day.
The Woman Who Was Chesterton by Nancy Carpentier Brown. I came across this book in my study of spiritual giant, GK Chesterton, a few months ago. The biography of his wife, Frances, a writer herself, and the one who brought GK Chesterton, the world-changing author and theologian to faith in Christ and many say, made him who he was. Yet we never hear anything about her because she made him promise never to mention her in his writing. What a delight to get to know this gifted, humble woman of God.
Let God: Spiritual Conversations with François Fénelon by Winn Collier. Winn is also the author of the fantastic Eugene Petersen Biography, Burning in My Bones, that my husband and I listened to on our trip to Oregon last summer. François Fénelon is another spiritual giant I’d never heard of until I came across this book. I'm blown away how this theologian from the 14th century in a completely different culture, has spoken into my life today! Translated letters to those in King Louis XIV’s royal court whom Francois was discipling, this little book is like having this hero of the faith right beside me offering wisdom about life, God, and relationships and helping me faithfully walk my path.
Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting by Marva J. Dawn. How have I not heard about this book before? It can be so easy to get lost in legalism in keeping the Sabbath, especially in the bible belt. I have many friends who have stepped away from any special observance of the Sabbath. When you're raised with rule upon rule in your life with God it doesn't make you want to run to it but as far away from it as you can get. And rightly so! This book brings the great things God always intended to give us through the Sabbath back to the surface. I’m reading it slowly (like a Sabbath book should be read, right??!!) one chapter each Sunday, soaking it in and letting it speak into my life. In a way, the whole ministry here at the Sanctuary, and our passion for the love of God and the life He has for us, is wrapped up in the things swirling around this sacred gift.
The Language of the Birds and Other Poems by Amy Nemecek. A book of poetry by our very own Michigan poet! I must admit, even with my love of books, I have read very little poetry. I know there is a vast treasure in poetry and have had a desire to grow in my appreciation. When I saw this book with a connection to nature, I knew this was the door God was opening. Even now as I sit on the deck, listening to the birds, with the wind rustling through the trees, her poems are perfect! (omg, I think I was waxing poetic just writing that sentence??!! Lol)
Now, for this article’s Bonus feature …
The magazine that I’m loving this summer—and all through the year.
Guideposts: Inspiration for Life the August/September issue. This is my FAVORITE magazine. I know, many of you see your grandparents in their rocking chairs when you think of Guideposts but it’s the best-kept secret ever! What could be better than reading ordinary people’s stories of God’s faithfulness in their work, relationships, and neighborhoods; so much like our own?
Then, when I pulled this issue out of the mailbox, I knew the gal on the front cover! Some of you may remember, Marci Seither, who came last fall to the Sanctuary and taught at our Called to Create: Writer’s Workshop. This issue includes a recent story about marriage in the empty nest years.
Just what I needed.
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So those are mine ... What have been your favorite reads this summer?
Can’t wait to hear.
~ Lori