I’ll say it, for someone who claims to like to read, I don’t usually read that much. But thanks to quarantine, I read some really good books this summer!
Below you’ll find a list of the books I read this summer with a rating and review. I hope you find something on this list that you’ll want to read in the future!
Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger
10/10
This is very different from my other reads this summer… it’s a fiction novel written by the author of The Devil Wears Prada. It tells the story of a twenty-something single girl living an exciting and frustrating life in New York City. She ends up being in the public eye a ton as she’s trying to figure out her love life, her work life, and her social life. I read this book so fast and got so excited every time I picked it up.
3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare by Clinton E. Arnold
9/10
This book taught me a ton and was a super easy read. I like books that have this straight-forward question and answer style because they stay on topic and allow me to remember what I learned longer.
In case you’re wondering, here are the three answers the book gives:
- What is spiritual warfare? The result of tension between the present evil age and the age to come (the Kingdom of God).
- Can a Christian be demonically possessed? While evil impulses can be present in a Christian, a demon cannot permanently own, control, or live inside a place where the Holy Spirit dwells, i.e. the Christian spirit.
- Are Christians called to engage territorial spirits? Our biggest weapon is prayer; we can pray against the forces of evil, but we should never attempt to address evil spirits directly.
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
8/10
This book changed how I use my time for the better. When it comes to self-help, I really enjoy applicable advice like the kind this book offers. I actually decided to commit to posting one blog a week because I read this book. It’s definitely a great read if you’re looking to be more productive or more confident in whatever your goals are.
I didn’t give this book a 10 because it gives pretty basic information that you likely already know, but it’s told in an entertaining way. With all that being said, if you’ve read a few self-help books on this topic already, you can probably skip this one.
Angels: Elect & Evil by C. Fred Dickason
8/10
This book covered topics similar to 3 Crucial Questions but was more in-depth and difficult to read. There was more information in this book I’d say… but there was also way more information going over my head because I am so new to reading rich theological writings like this one. It’s definitely a book of merit that talked intelligently about a topic that I’m really interested in, so I’m glad I read it.
A Little Bit of Yoga by Meagan Stevenson
8/10
I got this one from the Target dollar section. It has some really aesthetic cover art, which is honestly what sold me, but it’s full of good information too! I read through this one pretty quickly and learned about the reasons behind yoga poses and the practice of yoga in general. The book isn’t super hippy dippy, it’s actually very practical. It even has yoga flows with instructions in the back, which is great if you get tired of following yoga videos and want to practice doing it on your own.
The Narnia Series by C. S. Lewis
7/10
This is a collection of seven books, and I’ve been needing to get to the last four for a few months. I decided to finish them one week in June and I’m glad I did. I spend a lot of time learning about C. S. Lewis and reading his nonfiction. It’s cool to see his beliefs subtly intertwined into this book for children. If I’m being honest, it’s still a challenging read for me as an adult simply because of the way you have to engage your imagination to get the storyline clearly in your head.
Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere
9/10
This book makes an argument for miracles and other physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power. It’s an easier read, similar to 3 Crucial Questions, and it includes stories from the author’s life and his experiences as a head pastor with testimonies from his congregation.
Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis
5/10
Yeah, I didn’t particularly like this book. I thought it was too similar to Hollis’ first book, Girl Wash Your Face, and also didn’t give the most sound advice. Hollis highly prioritizes her work, which is great, but some of the things she tells her readers to do aren’t the best. For example, she talks about missing out on quality time with her (now ex-) husband and four kids every day so she could get more work done and advises readers to do the same. I’m not sure this is an ideal life routine for anyone. I think this book could stress people out and it definitely made me question Hollis’ outlook.
Faith Forward Future by Chad Veach
8/10
This is a simple and quick read about seeing your future goals through a Christian perspective. Veach challenges the reader with applicable ways to increase their faith in God and develop a clear, God-inspired vision for their future. It’s certainly an encouraging read.
You’ll get through this by Max Lucado
10/10
I love Max Lucado’s writing style and I love the way he structured this book. Lucado teaches about enduring difficulties by responding to the hope that God offers us. My favorite thing about the book is the inclusion of the biblical story of Joseph. Lucado analyzes how Joseph from the Bible overcame trials and conflict as the basis for his advice. This biblical basis makes the book that much more trustworthy and the story element makes it more entertaining.
The Soul of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by Gene Veith
8/10
This simple, short book goes through the Christian meaning behind The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. This part of it was great, but I liked the second half of the book more. Veith compares The Chronicles of Narnia to other popular Children’s fantasy novels like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. I loved learning about how authors write novels specifically to impact Children!
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
10/10
I love this book! It left me feeling so inspired. Batterson encourages readers to pray more frequent, bold, consistent, and focused prayers. The combination of his encouragement, biblical references, and his experiences as a pastor makes this a rich read full of nuggets of wisdom and stories of hope.
Comment your favorite book OR which of these books you want to read next! Thanks for reading.
Rise & Write 