If you’ve read many of my previous posts, you know I’m an avid reader. If adulting wasn’t so time consuming, I would probably read for hours each day! I love to learn! And I love a good story! So I thought I would begin a regular series of what I’m currently reading during each season to encourage you to pick up a book instead of turning on the television.
Before I lose those of you who do not consider yourself to be readers or simply believe you don’t have the time, here’s an interesting statistic for you. Did you know the average person can read 12-14 books a year by committing to just 15 minutes of reading every day? I truly believe that beginning or ending your day with a book is great for your mind and your soul. I read my spiritual growth books each morning as part of my time with Jesus, and my health or fiction books while I eat my lunch most days. And if I have any down time in the evenings or on the weekends, I’ll read whatever my mood dictates! I simply cannot imagine my life without books!
I tend to read many of my books on my Kindle Fire. A few years ago, I signed up for daily notifications from www.bookbub.com where I could select the genre’s I’m interested in and they send me a daily list of books that are $2.99 or below. If it is a fiction book I will only read one time, I check if it is available first through my local library. I will do the same with most of my health-related books before I purchase them, to make sure they have content I want to refer to again. Then I will purchase the health and spiritual books that I want to mark up with a highlighter, refer to again, and have available to share with others.
I’m categorizing these books in the same way I do my CornerStone Life website – Body, Mind and Soul. I am including my pleasure reading books in the Mind section as they relax and refresh my mind, which helps my brain be ready to take on all the demanding tasks I use my brain for each day. Here we go!
Body
Fast, Feast, Repeat by Gin Stephens – this is a fabulous book on the benefits of Intermittent Fasting. I love the science included to help understand the why’s behind how intermittent fasting works. Gin writes in a very down-to-earth, easy reading style, even with the science information. This is definitely the easiest lifestyle eating approach I’ve ever tried!
Mind
Newton and Polly: A Story of Amazing Grace by Jody Hedlund – this book is labeled biographical fiction. It is the true-life story of John Newton and his wife, Polly. John is the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace. When you learn about his life and what led him to writing this hymn, you will never sing or listen to this song the same way again. I cannot recommend this book enough.
I’m a HUGE fan of Karen Kingsbury novels … and especially the "Baxter Family" series. I believe there are over 20 of these I have read over the years from the original series. So I was pleasantly surprised when I learned a few months ago that she had added some stand-alone novels that still included the Baxter Family as a part of them. I sorta binge-read these over the past few months (grin!) Many tears fell during the reading of these novels! Here they are in order—and again, you don’t have to have read all the others to be able to enjoy these.
Someone Like You – this one just came out in May so I have yet to read it—I have it on hold at the library. And the newest novel will be released late October.
Soul
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman – I wrote a post a few months ago (Doing the Next Right Thing) about some of my ah-ha moments in reading this book.. Her weekly podcast by the same name and the contents of this book really resonate with me and I find a lot of practical wisdom in what she shares.
A Gentle Thunder: Hearing God Through the Storm by Max Lucado – this is an older book from Max (1995) but is a wonderful daily read with just enough meat in a few short pages to encourage you through your day. I found it especially timely with the current state of affairs in this world.
2 Chairs: The Secret that Changes Everything by Bob Beaudine – even though the style of this 
book seemed to be aimed more at men than women as most analogies relate to sports or business, I found this book to be a great reminder. A reminder about the importance of talking and LISTENING to Jesus every day, and the benefit of visualizing Him sitting in the chair next to you as you have your conversation. It has definitely renewed my prayer life.
Courageous Faith by Dr. Charles F. Stanley – this autobiographical story from well-known Pastor Stanley is filled with so many gems. He recounts stories from his life as a child and through the ups and downs of his life in ministry. I was inspired by his outlook on life circumstances and his unwavering faith and trust in God.
All Things New: Heaven, Earth and the Restoration of Everything You Love by John Eldredge – get this book today!! John wrote this book on hope for our future a couple years ago when going through a personal time of despair. I can only imagine if he were to re-write it in 2020 of all he would be able to add to encourage us in these unprecedented times. I have not yet finished this book, but I have discovered and highlighted so much that I didn’t want to leave it out until my next book post in a few months. This is the HOPE that we all need right now. There is so much to look forward to in the future with eternity on a new and restored earth. Just click and buy (and read!) – you’ll be so glad you did!
I hope you find these books helpful for each area of your life – Body, Mind & Soul. Please let me know what you read and what you love!
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