Tag Archives: reading

My Five Favorite Books of 2013

2 Jan

I know that I’ve been MIA most of the past month, but I was so busy with all that comes with preparing for Christmas that blogging just never really made it to the top of the priority list! It’s a new year, though, and I’m ready to get back to it!

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I’m joining Hallie and others at Moxie Wife this week for a Five Favorites post of my top reads for the past year!

{1}

The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic 
by Matthew Kelly

I love Matthew Kelly and this book is so practical and filled with so much truth. I love the prayer process that he outlines. Click here to check out some of my favorite quotes from the book!

{2}

Running For My Life
by Lopez Lomong

This book is definitely one that alters your world-view. US Olympic Athlete Lopez Lomong’s journey from a refugee camp in Sudan to a life in America is so inspiring. God’s hand in his life is evident throughout the book and speaks to the truth that God has a purpose for each of us.

{3}

One Thousand Gifts
by Ann Voskamp

This is such a beautifully written book! Voskamp definitely inspired me to be thankful for every tiny blessing that may typically be taken for granted or go unnoticed. It’s also a great reflection on the gift of grace.

{4}

33 Days to Morning Glory
by Fr. Michael Gaitley

Along with many others who have gone through this retreat, I highly recommend this book to consecrate, or re-consecrate, yourself to Mary! Who better to shape and mold our hearts for Jesus than his mother?! (Thanks, mom, for giving it to me this past Mother’s Day!)

{5}

My Life With the Saints
by Fr. James Martin

I really enjoyed reading how various saints impacted Fr. Martin. It really inspired me to want to grab a few biographies of saints and dig a little deeper! I already have a few on my “to-read” list, some of which he recommended in the book!

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I can’t wait to read so many more books in the coming months! Some of which include finishing Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, Finding God’s Will For You by St. Francis de Sales, and Our Lady of Kibeho by Immaclee Ilibagiza.

What books impacted you this past year? What do you want to read in 2014?

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A Reading Break!

2 Aug

Since time is in extra short supply lately, I haven’t had as much time to write as I’d like, let alone read other blogs! So, I’m taking a little break this Friday to catch up on some posts from bloggers I love, like…

Patty, who just got back from World Youth Day with the Pope in Rio,

and

Stephanie, who just moved from Michigan to Florida on extremely short notice for her husband’s job while 38 weeks pregnant,

and

Olivia, who will be adjusting to her husband working every weekend while he attends classes starting this fall,

and

Stephanie, who is feeling blessed and joyful even though she just moved and a job opportunity fell through while she is six months pregnant!

If you don’t follow these ladies already, please check out their blogs! Also, check out the bottom of my site for more blogs that I love! I’m constantly updating my blogroll, as there are so many great people out there sharing amazing things!  And there are even more that I follow that aren’t listed below. Be sure to check back soon as there will likely be a few more additions!

Have a great weekend! Hopefully our house will be on the market in about a week!

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Top Life-Changing Reads of 2012

18 Jan

Books

Image courtesy of The Photoholic/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are you looking for something insightful and life-changing to read this year?  If you’re like me, you probably already have quite a list but I highly recommend the following five books that I read last year!  (And when I say life-changing, I’m not exaggerating!)

1. Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis

After reading Kisses from Katie, my passion and trust grew to another level.  We all have a special role to play while on earth and what we are capable of doing with God’s grace is amazing!  This book will make you view the world and yourself differently – guaranteed!

2. What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Experiencing Life in Extraordinary Ways by Lysa TerKeurst

Lysa reminds readers that throughout each day there are several opportunities to “say yes to God”.  This book helped me to see that there are so many times that I dismiss promptings from the Holy Spirit or come up with excuses why I shouldn’t do something.  We never know how our interactions with others can bring them closer to God and strengthen our own relationship.

3. The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly

I read this book for the first time a couple years ago, but I listened to the audio version again and there are so many truths and great nuggets in this book!  If you’ve followed my blog at all, you know that I love me some Matthew Kelly!  No matter what stage of life that we are in, nothing is impossible with God!  He wants what is best for us!  This is a great motivational book!

4. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

Do you want a role-model who stands up for others and really lives their faith?  This biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer will energize you and make you examine how far you would go to do God’s will.  Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi activist who was executed just a few weeks before Hitler committed suicide.  Bonhoeffer is truly inspiring and more people are needed like him now in America!  This book is long, but worth the read!

5. Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into your Comfortable Life by Jeff Goins

When I randomly stumbled upon this book three times in one day online, I figured God was trying to tell me to read it, so I did!  Wrecked is another great book that gets readers to let go of personal dreams and follow God’s will.  I don’t think these things are necessarily mutually exclusive, but responding to God’s call will always require courage and sacrifice and it may not line up with our idyllic vision.  His plan is always better than ours, though!

If you have read any of the above books, how did they challenge you?  Any other books that you would recommend?  If you read any of these books in the future, please come back and let me know what you think!

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