Years ago, I adopted the mantra, “Read more, watch less,” and it has genuinely changed my life. And I don’t say that lightly! Shifting my focus to spending more of my leisure time reading has left me feeling more articulate, focused, imaginative, creative, inspired, and energetic. I can now say what I could not have said a handful of years ago: I love books!
And as we head into summer, this is a great time to brush off some dusty pages and fall in love with reading again! Summer offers the slight increase in downtime needed to crack open a book. So, whether you are sitting in the sun at the beach, enjoying the breeze from your balcony, or simply snuggling in your comfiest chair at home, the pace and setting of summer provide the perfect opportunity to dive into reading. And I am here with some quality suggestions, in three different categories.
What Books Should I Read?
Before sharing my recommendations, I want to encourage those who are still in school. I know it can be tempting to take a break from reading during the summer, because it can feel like another task or to-do. But reading can be so much more than that, because in the summer, we get to read for our own pleasure, curiosity, and pastime.
I also want to touch on the importance of what we read. I would argue that not all reading is good, depending on the content of the book. Just as we become like the people we hang out with the most, we are also influenced by how we spend our time and the content we consume. Slowly what we read (or watch) can affect our decisions, moods, opinions, outlooks, and so much more. For example, if I watch violent, gory shows on TV, I will slowly become desensitized. If I consume over-sexualized material, I will begin to have a skewed vision of healthy relationships. Thus, we cannot just say that “anything goes” when it comes to what we read, because if we are reading trash, our thoughts will become trashy. But, on the flip side, if the books we read are uplifting, our thoughts will be elevated.
Saint Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8: “. . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This is a great litmus test when it comes to any content we consume—written or otherwise. “Is this true? Is this pure?” If we can honestly answer yes, then we are good to go! Because we all know how frustrating it is to be three-quarters of the way through a book only to find yourself flinging it across the room because of the content on the page.
Recommended Summer Reading List
With that in mind, here is my perfect summer book list that ensures that what we read nourishes our minds rather than scandalizes them.
Beach Reads
Whether or not your toes are actually in the sand, summer is the perfect time to enjoy a breezy and easy-to-read novel. My top recommendations include:
- The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. This book has a classic “rom-com” feel that is endearing, romantic, spunky, and also totally clean. This author has written several clean novels, if you enjoy this one and want to read more.
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Witty, charming, and totally addictive, this series is written in the form of a young woman’s honest and hilarious journal entries regarding her day-to-day life and adventures.
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Also a series, this is a wholesome, lighthearted, and humorous summer story centered around a family. So nostalgic of childhood.
Classics
If you want to return to some tried and true reads this summer,you can’t go wrong with a classic:
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Though they are written for children, these books are immensely rich in allegorical meaning and beauty. My husband can testify, I bawled my eyes out (in a good way) when I finished this series, and no books have left me hungrier for Heaven!
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. This is a slightly lesser-known but hilarious drama that is a quick read; I sped through it in a day! I also laughed out loud multiple times, as it is very witty and quirky.
- Anything written by Agatha Christie. Growing up, my stellar aunt took all her nieces on a weekend trip to the beach each summer, and she always seemed to have one of these mysteries with her. If you love a mind-bending, timeless mystery, this classic author cannot be beat.
Spiritual Gems
Summer is also a fruitful season to nourish our souls with something meaningful. Some of my recent spiritual favorites would make great summer reading:
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. This book revolutionized how I view and try to orient the pace of my life and has become a pillar of my family’s lifestyle. It is a perfect read if you want to slow down and live more intentionally like Jesus.
- Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. This classic is one I return to again and again, proven by my well-worn and underlined copy. It highlights basic tenets of our faith, centering on our identity as beloved children of God.
- Sincerely, Stoneheart by Emily Wilson. A newer book that offers an uncanny, accurate, and convicting look at the reality of spiritual warfare in the hearts and minds of modern women. It is a must read!
I hope these suggestions help you kick off an epic summer reading journey. Here’s to reading good things in beautiful weather that elevate our hearts and minds toward the Lord!
Mary Grace "Gracie" Muraski is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in theology and catechetics. She now serves as a full-time stay at home wife and mom to three adventurous boys. With a family in ministry, she is blessed to split her time between small town Ohio and big mountains Colorado. She is passionate about reading, writing, long-distance running, and intentional conversation.
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