In my home, my family is officially on summer vacation!
For us, it means a shift in our routine and schedule. We don’t have to wake up as early in the mornings, and we certainly don’t have to worry about homework in the evenings. Summer allows us to slow down, and it also gives us more time to focus on leisurely activities. However, it is important that the summer doesn’t get too lazy! And I don’t just mean for the kids!
As I ponder ways to balance the relaxed pace of summer with some continued learning, I turn my attention to reading. Books can be fun as well as informative, and they keep our minds sharp and imaginations engaged.
Summer is a great season to catch up on the “to-be-read” pile or find some new titles to explore.
Here are five books that could provide wonderful summer reading. Many of these books are faith-based, too, which is an added bonus!
For Kids:
Chime Traveler series by Lisa Hendey. This series is filled with the adventures of twins, Patrick and Katie, as they “chime travel” to meet some special saintly friends. Along the way, they learn important lessons and grow in their faith.
Pictures of Me by Marilee Haynes. Eleven-year-old Annie is the main character in this sweet middle-grade novel. It addresses real-life issues, including friendship and overcoming fears. Discussion questions in the back of the book can be used for a girls’ book club or if a mother-daughter duo want to read together.
For Adults:
The Well by Stephanie Landsem. Set in a small Samaritan village, this book is about a young girl named Mara, who is shunned from the community because of the sinful past of her mother, Nava, who is the woman at the well found in John 4:1-42. It is a beautiful story about faith, love, hope, trust, and surrender. It is adventurous, moving, and inspiring. The Well is a story about unconditional love so strong that it is willing to sacrifice hopes and desires for the good of another person and for the glory of God.
Lizzie and Jane by Katherine Reay. This is a great book to take on vacation! It is a fun plot, and the author develops her characters well. They are not perfect, but they sure are real! They struggle with the past, with family relationships and friendship, with fear and failure. And readers will root for them throughout the entire book.
Blessed Are You by Melanie Rigney. In this book, the saints are ready to walk with you on your faith journey. Their lives beautifully illustrate the qualities of the beatitudes in a down-to-earth way. This summer, women can even read this book in an online book club that WINE: Women in the New Evangelization is hosting. More information can be found here.
Books make great companions during the summer! We have extra time to read them, and they also keep us from becoming too lazy during these hazy, crazy days.
What are you reading this summer?
Copyright 2016, Sarah Damm
Sarah Damm
Sarah Damm is a Catholic wife and mother of six children, living in Minnesota. She spends her days running errands, cooking meals and helping with homework. She and her husband Greg strive to weave the Catholic faith into their daily lives as well as into their family celebrations. Sarah serves as a WINE specialist with WINE: Women in the New Evangelization. She blogs at sarahdamm.com and is also a contributor for CatholicMom.com.
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