Summer is here again, and everyone else is posting their “Summer Reading Lists”, so, for what it is worth, I will, too.
However, I’m afraid my summer reading will be greatly curtailed this year. I’m getting ready to take on a second job (having two teenage drivers with insurance and two vehicles that are not working well, at all, necessitates such measures) of virtual assisting, which will add about 15 hours a week to my full-time position that I hold. I’m excited about the opportunity–a fantastic individual and business that I will be honored to work with. Also, it looks like I’ve got several work-travel trips on the horizon. To really exciting places. Like West Virginia. And Atlanta. And Quantico. And possibly St. Louis. (read the sarcasm in those words, people)
So, time is at a premium. Still, when something is important enough to a person, they will find a way to make time for that thing. Reading is important to me; so I can’t imagine it not happening to some degree, even if I don’t meet my usual summer goals.
So, if anyone is interested, though I have no idea why anyone would be interested in my nerdy pursuits, here is a sample of what I hope to tackle in the next 3 months:
Amazon tells me that I pre-ordered this on February 3rd. I believe that is the day it was first announced that Harper Lee would be releasing a the book she wrote before “To Kill A Mockingbird” (although the events happen in the years after “Mockingbird”). There is no way I would miss reading this. Releases in July.
I am reading this currently; and, since it is summer, it is not cheating to add this to the list. This is excellently nerdy. I know much about Lewis, but little about the other 3 characters, so I am thoroughly enjoying learning about them. What incredible discussions they had! And their process of writing and critiquing each other’s work is fascinating. And their arguing; that’s my favorite part. Reading this is also making me really, really want to go back and read Surprised by Joy. Again. Even though I practically have that book memorized.
Yes, I know this is a book on preaching. No, I don’t intend to preach any time soon. I could, I just shouldn’t. Except to myself, I suppose. But Keller’s session this past spring, at the Together for the Gospel Conference, was the most encouraging session I listened in to. And his talk was based on his work for this book. His workshop can be viewed by clicking HERE. I think much of what he had to say can be applied to our communication across the board, no matter what form it takes, when we are caring for people and approaching God-centered topics, whether God is talked about specifically, or as an undercurrent to a conversation.
This book (Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver) showed up on my 16 year-old son’s Advanced English reading list for this summer; otherwise I probably wouldn’t read it. But since he “has” to, I feel I should, so I have an idea of what he is reading and so I can help him think through plot lines and character development if he needs me to. Her book Poisonwood Bible killed me, I highly doubt this is anything along those lines though. This is Kingsolver’s’ 2nd novel, and she is a good author, so it should be interesting.
I need to read something challenging, so Dante it is. Reading it in prep of reading Rod Dreher’s book “How Reading Dante Can Save Your Life.”
On my radar for a while, what’s not to love about the frigid North Pole, in the midst of summer? And, anything written by Hampton Sides is worth reading.
A commentary on Numbers (not kidding) rounds out my Summer Reading Plans. Looking over this list, there is no way I’ll be able to tackle it all.
Then again, I can eat an entire tub of Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Hot Fudge in one setting, and that would seem impossible to do, so how hard could this list really be? I can be pretty determined, once I set my mind to something.
