In April, I realized that I hadn't read a book for fun in far, far too long. That night, I picked up my iPad, downloaded some new reads to my Kindle app, and got back to doing something I love dearly.
Not long after, I found out about the goodness that is Goodreads. And now? Well, let's just say the inner bookworm in me is still alive and very, very well! My goal is to read 25 books this summer -- so far, I have 10 down! I call it doing more of what summer is for. :) A few people have asked about #kenzssummerofbooks on Instagram, so I thought I'd do a post sharing a few of the ones I've read lately + a few that are anxiously awaiting their turn on my bookshelf!
|
| Thanks to CARE.org for sponsoring today’s post and raising awareness about Child Grooms in Nepal! |
1.) Little Princes // STATUS - up next
Description according to Goodreads: "In search of adventure, twenty-nine-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princes Children's Home, an orphanage in war-torn Nepal. 'Little Princes' is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious, 'Little Princes' is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations."
My two cents/expectations: Based on the description, I can pretty much guarantee that this is going to be an amazing read. Nepal is one of 8 countries in the world where more than 10% of boys are married before the age of 18. Nearly 39,000 girls become child brides each day. If trends continue, 142 million children will be married by the year 2020. As painful as these stories are, there is hope. Former child grooms are now using their voices to end child marriage...and we can help many more do the same through CARE.org and raising awareness about this tragedy.
2.) A Love Worth Giving // STATUS - read
Description according to Goodreads: "Finding it hard to love? Someone in your world is hard to forgive? Is patience an endangered species? Kindness a forgotten virtue? If so, you may have forgotten a step -- an essential first step. Living loved. God loves you. Personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And his love -- if you let it -- can fill you and leave you with a love worth giving."
My two cents/expectations: My favorite genres to read include memoir and Christian self-help. I have struggled a lot with forgiveness this past year and remembered I picked up this book back when I worked at Barnes and Noble and got an awesome discount. ;) I never had time to dig into it, so I knew it was the first one I wanted to check of my reading list this summer. It may sound cliche, but this book changed me and I know I will return to it for future reference. I highlighted the goodness out of it -- so much good stuff on every page!
3.) Jesus Feminist // STATUS - unread
Description according to Goodreads: "Gender roles have been debated for centuries, and now Sarah Bessey offers a clarion freedom call for all who want to realize their giftedness and potential in the kingdom of God. Through a thoughtful review of biblical teaching and church practices, Bessey shares how following Jesus made a feminist out of her."
My two cents/expectations: I'm intrigued by this selection and can't wait to dig into it. I have friends who have read it and recommend it over and over and over again. I've paged through it a bit and read bits and pieces -- I like Bessey's writing style and think this will be an enlightening read to say the least. Update to come!
4.) Constructive Wallowing // STATUS - unread
Description according to Goodreads: “Constructive wallowing” seems like an oxymoron. Constructive is a good thing, but wallowing is bad. Right? It’s tempting to turn away from menacing, uncomfortable feelings like anger, grief, or regret; however, ignoring them just seems to make them stick around. By learning to accept and embrace difficult feelings, readers keep their sense of personal power and gain greater understanding and ultimately esteem for themselves."
My two cents/expectations: I found this one on the bargain shelf at Barnes and Noble the other day and could not pass it up. I think it's going to be a pretty dense and informational read (something I love, but have to take slowly), so I wanted to wait to start this one until I'm finished with Boundaries...another dense read! Though I haven't read it yet, it appears to be a book that absolutely everyone would benefit from reading.
5.) Scared // STATUS - read
Description according to Goodreads: "Stuart is given a one last chance to redeem his career: A make-or-break assignment covering the AIDS crisis in a small African country. It is here that Stuart meets Adanna, a young orphan fighting for survival in a community ravaged by tragedy and disease. But in the face of overwhelming odds, Adanna finds hope in a special dream, where she is visited by an illuminated man and given a precious gift. Now, in a dark place that's a world away from home, Stuart will confront the harsh reality of a suffering people in a forgotten land. And as a chance encounter becomes divine providence, two very different people will find their lives forever changed."
My two cents/expectations: This one is a work of fiction, but the experiences the author describes and the characters he develops are all too real in the tiny country of Swaziland today. The heart wrenching and compelling stories of the characters the author develops brought me right back to that tiny African country where I spent just about 3 weeks last summer. The circumstances Davis describes in this novel are ones that are eerily existent and equally horrifying in Swaziland today. Davis has accomplished much through his writing and his organization, Children's Hopechest, and I am honored to be apart of their sponsorship program.
6.) Boundaries // STATUS - currently reading
Description according to Goodreads: "Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. These boundaries impact all areas of our lives. Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations."
My two cents/expectations: I really don't have words to describe this book adequately. I'm only about halfway through it and just about every word on every single page is underlined, circled, highlighted, or copied down on a post-it note hanging on my bulletin board. I have gained a better understanding of what exactly boundaries are and how the inability to set limits in any relationship is a recipe for destruction. This book has challenged me and changed the way I look at every relationship in my life.
What are you reading this summer? Let's be friends on Goodreads!
2 comments:
Goodreads is, hands down, my favorite book website/app! I love being able to keep track of what I own, have read, want to read, etc. I am really behind on my reading list which bums me out. Maybe I will pick up a book again :D
I highly suggest Little Princes! I read it last summer, and wow, was it a great read. It is such an incredible story! It's the only one I've read out of this list, but A Love Worth Giving looks really good too! I spent some of my Saturday reading today, so I hope to have more days to read too! Good luck with your reading list goals, my friend! :)