Looking for some reading suggestions this June? You’ve come to the right place…

One of the things that I love about reading is that even while I’m reading other people’s words and ideas, I’m coming up with my own.

Whether it’s an alternative ending to a novel, or scheming about how to implement something new I’ve learned in a self-help book, my mind is always whirling.

It’s one of the reasons I am trying to encourage my children to read more. I don’t want them to only consume media. I want them to analyze it and see how it relates to their own lives. No offense to TV, but I’m not seeing a lot of parallels between my life and those of the Real Housewives (unless it’s a lesson on how not to pick your friends).

But reading can be a hard sell after the stimulation of TV and movies, so I am always looking for great books that will catch my children’s interests (check out my top picks for 2^nd graders) and to provide a good example.

The case for “real” books

This means that instead of always reading on my Kindle or Overdrive app on my phone (which, to my kids, just looks like me on a device), I’ve started reading actual paper books in front of them. And, in the process, I’m relearning my love of holding a real book in my hands.

I hope that by sharing my reading list picks with you, I’ve encouraged and inspired you to read more as well. I know what it’s like to be busy and overwhelmed. But I’ve also seen how taking the time to read can reinvigorate my mind and heart.

Did you know that Bill Gates takes a week off twice a year to spend reading and thinking? And has done this since the 80s, even at the height of Microsoft’s success? If he can slip away for a week, I think we can slip away for an hour here and there, don’t you?

Here are my June Reading List Picks — enjoy!

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An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

This is another book from my dusty to-be-read pile. It’s also a true story (I’m a sucker for those). A homeless, 11-year-old boy and a busy Manhattan executive develop a lifelong friendship after a chance meeting on the street. How many of us walk and drive past panhandlers throughout our day (although probably not children)? What made her stop and how did it lead to a long-term connection? I can’t wait to read this!

 

 

Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

This book chronicles the transformation from busy and overwhelmed to grace-filled living. I love the thoughtful and honest way that she writes and am sure I’m going to find some food for thought in this book, as with others. We probably all need to take a step back from the crazy in our lives sometimes and focus on our real purpose.

 

 

The Modern-Day Pioneer by Charlotte Denholtz

Part of living more frugally is doing more for yourself. This book covers things like canning, making soap, and baking bread, and there are recipes and step-by-step instructions. I’m sure I won’t be using everything I read about in this (no bee-keeping, thank you). But there are a lot of great skills detailed in here that were common in the pioneer times and can still be beneficial today.

 

 

Confessions of an Imperfect Mom by Julie Barnhill

I’m quite the imperfect mom myself, as some of you may know. So, I enjoy reading about others of this rare breed (as social media has led me to believe). But mom guilt is real, even if only in our own minds. Learning to find grace and peace in the midst of motherhood is a lesson I am always happy to learn. As many times as it takes.

 

In other June reading…

Once again, I’ll be reading The Lifegiving Home Experience, which focuses on play and enjoyment in the family for the June chapter. And I’m keeping pace with my Bible reading plan, mostly because I make sure to do my Scripture readings first thing in the morning. This also reminds me to pray over my to-do list. Believe me, it helps a lot when things get out of control.

If you have any suggestions for my July reads, leave me a comment below, on Instagram (@thejourneyathome), or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaAtTheJourneyAtHome/). I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books, if you’ve had the chance to read them. If not, please join me!

 

Happy reading!

 

Missed last month’s list? Then check it out here!

 

[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]