AW Summer Reading Guide

A MILLION LITLE CHOICES

Tamera Alexander

One of my few five-star ratings in the last year, this book takes you into a marriage falling apart AND the lives of slaves in the south in the 1860's. Switching between two time periods, this story intertwines the lives of two very different women from very different backgrounds. But the lessons from the past impact the present in unexpected ways, and both the protagonist and the reader learn to see life in a new light. I absolutely loved this book!

- KP -

WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL

Sujata Massey

Set in India in the 1920’s, this mystery follows Parveen Mistry, one of India’s first female solicitors. I was immediately swept up in a world that I had not even thought to imagine before, as Parveen must delicately navigate a place where many worlds collide- the many religious and ethnic groups in India with their own traditions and conflicts, all of whom are chafing against the grip of British colonialism. If you love this one, you’ll be excited to find that it is the first in a series! Content note- this book is not written by a Christian author and does tackle some difficult themes, such as domestic abuse. The author treats these issues sensitively and you’ll find yourself rooting for Parveen as she faces - and overcomes - a number of injustices.

- SC -

THE GIVER OF STARS

JoJo Moyes

I was entranced by this story of a young English woman who finds herself in rural Kentucky during the Depression and joins a team of women as part of the Pack Horse Library, a real literacy initiative started by Eleanor Rosevelt. The team faces a number of dangers from the unforgiving landscape to the suspicions of the town they are endeavoring to serve. I started this book in the afternoon and could not put it down until I had finished it at 2 in the morning! Be aware- this book is not written from a Christian perspective. While clean in content, there are some pretty heavy themes including racism, animal cruelty, and abuse. The author handles these themes with care and the story arc is ultimately redemptive.

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THE BORROWED HOUSE

Hilda Van Stockum

For so many of us, one of the most haunting questions of World War II is how could ordinary Germans let this happen? This book sheds a little light on that question. First published in 1975, this hidden gem of a book tells a story from the perspective of a young girl who, having been mostly raised in Nazi Germany, is reunited with her traveling performer parents in Holland during the war. At first a firm believer in the propaganda she has been fed, she slowly starts to suspect that all is not as it seems as she meets members of the Dutch Resistance.

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THE IF I RUN SERIES
Terri Blackstock

Okay, hear me out - this trilogy is definitely suspenseful, but also feel-good AND a page turner. I read all three books in three days. They were that good. The general gist is that the main character is on the run, trying to prove her innocence while all the evidence points otherwise. The truth unfolds in a fascinating way, and you won't be able to put these books down until you finish all three! This was such a satisfying read, I couldn't help but include it. Five stars from me!

- KP -

THE BOOKLOVER'S LIBRARY
Madeline Martin

I'm partial to this author, to World War II books, and to books about bookshops in England, so this was a trifecta read for me! It's a sweet story about a single mother and her daughter in a time where women had a very hard time surviving on their own - especially with a war going on. I loved learning about the bookshops in wartime England, and how difficult it was for women in those days. Overall, an inspiring read that will leave you smiling at the end! (Hang onto that - it's touch and go there in the middle!)

- KP -

THE SUMMER OF YES

Courtney Walsh

Another Courtney Walsh book, and I'm not even sorry. I would recommend all her books here if I could! But this one was so much fun - a high powered career woman meets an older, successful career women in the hospital of all places. They end up going on a road trip together and changing both of their lives for the better. There is a love story in this book as well, but the real focus is on the lives of these two women, and how they grow and change, at any age. I loved it completely.

- KP -

THE DIVINE PROVERB OF STREUSEL

Sara Brunsvold

Another repeat author, and again - well worth it! Stressed out, grieving, big city girl escapes to her uncle's farm in the country, and finds a handwritten cookbook that belonged to her late grandmother. As she starts cooking her old family recipes, she begins to heal and find a slower life, true friendships, and family. By the end of this book, I wanted to make every single one of the recipes - and BONUS - they are all included! Highly recommend.

- KP -

SIDNEY CHAMBERS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH
James Muncie

This book falls into my very favorite niche genre - English clergy solving mysteries. It started when someone first pressed The Complete Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton into my hands and is still going strong. What I particularly love about this series is the way the story is told- rather than one mystery, there is a series of vignettes, pulled together in the last story. They all follow Sidney Chambers, vicar of Grantchester who is a decent clergyman, but an even better detective. Sydney always discovers the culprit, which is, I think, the most comforting aspect of any cozy mystery.

- SC -

WHAT YOU WISH FOR

Katherine Center

This is my favorite kind of beach read- light, but not fluffy, with a flawed, but likeable main character and a believable romance, plus it’s set in Galveston, a small beach community near Houston where I live. It tells the story of a school librarian who has overcome much to finally be happy, only to have her world turned upside down when a man from her past becomes the new school principal. The writing is funny and approachable and full of heart- all the right ingredients for a summer read.

- SC -
Though Kayse loves this read, too!

THE MYTHMAKERS
John Hendrix

If the words “graphic novel” conjure up memories of your brother’s batman comic books, never fear. The genre has evolved quite a bit since then and is wielded masterfully in the hands of John Hendrix. Come along with Lion and Wizard as they guide you on a journey following two men, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, and explore the tremendous impact the two had on literature, the world, and each other. If you find that you enjoy this format, be sure to check out Hendrix’s other graphic novel The Faithful Spy, about the life and martyrdom of Dietrich Bonhoffer.

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SURPRISED BY OXFORD
Carolyn Webber

The story of an agnostic who finds faith in the halls of Oxford, this memoir follows in the tradition of C.S. Lewis. Although not prominently featured, the observant reader will see nods to Lewis throughout- for example, she refers to her love interest with a three-letter acronym, similar to the way Lewis used nicknames and acronyms in his correspondence. I confess I sometimes feel I missed my calling and should have been an Oxford scholar, so perhaps I was predisposed to love this book. Even so, I found the author’s journey to be thought-provoking and encouraging.

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YOU'RE ONLY HUMAN
Kelly Kapic

In the tradition of Ragged, an Anchored Women Book Club Favorite, and The Gift of Limitations, Kapic invites readers to recognize our “creaturely finitude"- the quality of being a created being with limits- and realize that it’s not a bad thing, but rather the way we were designed. In a culture that constantly tells us not only that we can do it but that we really should, this book is a refreshing reminder that we really can’t do it all, and a theological exploration of why we really shouldn’t.

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BUILD A BUSINESS YOU LOVE
Dave Ramsey

It might seem weird to put this book here, and it will really only apply to you if you're running a business in some form (or hoping to), but this was honestly one of the most encouraging and equipping business books I've ever read. His common sense approach has been so helpful for me as an accidental business owner, and I recommended it to my dad and brother, too! (They own a business together, and this book proved to be perfect for that situation as well!)

- KP -

A BETTER SHARE
Dr. Morgan Cutlip

I only just started this book, but it's already been so helpful for me! She approaches the topic of the mental load that women often carry by explaining it and carving a path for how husbands and wives can share that mental load in a better way - for a closer relationship, less resentment, and even better sex! She does NOT do this in a way that bashes husbands in any way, which is why I am really enjoying it. She seems to take a very balanced approach, full of grace and understanding for both spouses. So far, it's great!!

- KP -

DINNER FOR VAMPIRES
Bethany Joy Lenz

This book was such a fascinating listen for me! Bethany Joy Lenz played Haley on One Tree Hill, and this is her story of being a part of a real-life cult while on a cult tv show. She details the emotional and verbal manipulation of the cult leaders, and how that even infiltrated her marriage and family. If you're at all into cult documentaries or podcasts, you'll really enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: This is not a Christian read by any means, but her faith does play a role throughout her story. I really appreciated how the book ended in this regard.

- KP -

THE TALES FROM DECKAWOO DRIVE SERIES
Kate DiCamillo

A spin-off of the Mercy Watson series for early readers, this series intended for slightly older readers accomplishes something that has become increasingly rare- it tells a good story. Each book follows a different character who made an appearance in the original series. Each character learns something- about themselves, about others, about the world, and yet DiCamillo manages to make her tales heartwarming without resorting to sentimentality. I think it’s this respect for her readers that made this series stand out.

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PRAIRIE LOTUS
Linda Sue Park

In the author’s note of this book, Park recalls her childhood love of Little House on the Prairie and how she wished to be best friends with young Laura Ingalls. Yet Park, who is Korean-American, was unsure about how she would be received, given the strong anti-Asian sentiment of the time. As a result, she wrote Prairie Lotus, the story of a Chinese-American girl and her life in the American West. I read this aloud with my oldest daughter who was ten at the time and we had so many amazing conversations about what it means to be different, and more importantly, what it means to be brave.

(Recommended for readers 10+ due to the somewhat serious subject matter)

- SC -

THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON

Madeline Martin

This book easily makes it into my top 10 favorite books of all time. It was SO GOOD. World War II came to life for me for the first time in my 38 years of life, and I was completely swept into the storyline of this book. A single woman, new to London, finds herself working in a bookshop as WWII begins. Through it, she finds a love for books, and a purpose of her own. If you like books about books and page-turning fiction, you will love this one! I cried through the end - it was a truly beautiful book!

ANYTHING BY KATHERINE REAY
Katherine Reay

I know I've mentioned Katherine Reay already, but I'm telling you - her books are the ones I pre-order and make sure I don't miss! These modern takes on Austen classics are a delight to read, and will captivate you whether or not you're an Austen fan yourself! (Don't hate me but I've never finished an Austen book, and I absolutely loved these.) If you need a feel-good novel (or 5) that's written with excellence and an incredible understanding of humanity, you'll love anything by Katherine Reay!

THE BAXTERS
Karen Kingsbury

A series about siblings - one of my favorites!! And one that I've re-read multiples times. These books are a modern, faith-based take on family and relationships. Co-authored by Gary Smalley, this series takes on serious issues like infidelity, abuse, doubting faith, and impossible medical diagnoses. If you're looking for a series that hits you in the feels, this one is it. (Bonus: This series leads into a collection of series that continue the story of the Baxters. There are literally dozens of Baxter books - even a series for kids, which my daughter absolutely loves!)

Fiction is my all-time favorite, and summer is the perfect time to escape into a good book! Below you'll find our some of the best stand-alone novels we've read in the last few years - perfect to add to your summer stack! (Love a good series? You'll find a section on those a few sections down!)

These non-fiction reads are both uplifting and practical, helping you learn a little about something new!

These books are FABULOUS to listen to as audiobooks! If you're on-the-go too often to sit down and read a book, listening to one of these books is an easy substitute! (And yes, listening to an audiobook totally counts as reading a book!)

These are some of our favorite books to read-aloud together as a family, no matter the ages of your kids! Summer is a GREAT time to establish a read-aloud habit together!

An abbreviated collection of our Anchored Women Favorites. We hope you love these as much as we have!!