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I decided to challenge myself to read more nonfiction books this year to try to stretch my reading habits. Since I haven’t shared any nonfiction books on my blog in almost two years, now seemed a good time to spotlight some books I have enjoyed so far and a couple of books I plan to read in the next few months. Two of my favorite bloggers have published new books in the past year, so those seemed like a good place to start.
First, I stumbled across Myquilla Smith’s new book Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff when I went back to reading her blog after a lengthy break. Myquilla doesn’t post as frequently as some other bloggers I follow, so I can easily catch up on her blog. I had read her other book (The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect To Be Beautiful) a few years ago.
I enjoyed this book even more than her first book. My husband and I have tried to stay minimal in our possessions since we got married in 2011. We bought our first house, a fixer upper, two years ago. I have struggled with decorating our first permanent space. This book had so many great suggestions I can slowly implement as our budget allows. I highly recommend this book for people who want to make their homes feel more cozy without purchasing a lot of stuff.
Second, I read I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel. Those of you who have read my blog for a while, or even just my previous post, know I like to participate in Anne’s Reading Challenge every year with a group of my friends. I decided to order Anne’s book when it was on sale during Amazon’s book promo period in December. I missed the pre-order bonuses Anne offered when her book came out last year, so I was happy to get this book at a discount right before Christmas.
I saved this book for the car ride home from my in-laws earlier this month. The reflections on reading during the rainy ride home perfectly suited my mood. I enjoyed learning more about Anne’s early reading life (how lucky to live right next to the library for so many years!), headed her caution about book bossy people, and discovered my friend and I are book twins even though she moved to Texas almost three years ago.
Next up, I plan on reading Rosaria Butterfield’s The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radical Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World. A group of ladies at my church plan on starting a book study on this book soon. Here is the Amazon summary: “What did God use to draw a radical, committed unbeliever to himself? Did God take her to an evangelistic rally? Or, since she had her doctorate in literature, did he use something in print? No, God used an invitation to dinner in a modest home, from a humble couple who lived out the gospel daily, simply, and authentically.
“With this story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same “radical, ordinary hospitality” to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors. Such hospitality sees our homes as not our own, but as God’s tools for the furtherance of his kingdom as we welcome those who look, think, believe, and act differently from us into our everyday, sometimes messy lives―helping them see what true Christian faith really looks like.” I look forward to going through this book with ladies of varying ages.
Finally, my friend recommended The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Since I seem to be enjoying books about home and hospitality lately, my friend thought I would enjoy this book. Here is the Amazon summary: “How to make home your family’s favorite place to be . . . all year long.
Does your home sometimes feel like just a place to eat, sleep, and change clothes on the way to the next activity? Do you long for “home” to mean more than a place where you stash your stuff? Wouldn’t you love it to become a haven of warmth, rest, and joy . . . the one place where you and your family can’t wait to be?
“There is good news waiting for you in the pages of The Lifegiving Home. Every day of your family’s life can be as special and important to you as it already is to God. In this unique book designed to help your family enjoy and celebrate every month of the year together, you’ll discover the secrets of a life-giving home from a mother who created one and her daughter who was raised in it: popular authors Sally and Sarah Clarkson. Together they offer a rich treasure of wise advice, spiritual principles, and practical suggestions. You’ll embark on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing home-building and God-centered traditions; and cultivating an environment in which your family will flourish. (Don’t miss the companion piece, The Lifegiving Home Experience.)”
I look forward to trying to branch out and read more nonfiction books this year. If you have any suggestions of nonfiction books you think I would like, please leave a comment with your recommendation. Let me know if any of you have read any of these books or plan to in the future. Happy reading!