Summer: friends, fireflies, and fiction books

Because of my recent stomach problems that have rendered me a slave to my heating pad and my bed, I have been able to catch up on a little reading I've been wanting to do. I have always had a love for reading. I guess it's genetic because everyone in my family reads. In fact, I consider the perfect day (aside from getting an all-expense paid trip to Disney World) to be one where I'm sitting outside with my favorite book, uninterrupted for hours. I'm that person that stayed up for almost two days straight reading the final Harry Potter book when it hit stores. I'm that person that would lie awake in bed reading a book until 2 am, knowing I had a test/class the next morning. I'm that person that, for Christmas, I asked my husband for a pre-order copy of my favorite author's newest publication--a gift I wouldn't get until March! In short, I'm a book nerd....I mean, worm. I love reading. Picking up a book, I'm able to forget about everything around me and become that character. I'm so involved in the story line, my house could be burning around me and I'd never notice. And personally, I don't have a problem with that. :) Since I've been able to read more than usual, I thought I'd recommend a few of my summer favorites:

"Notes from the Underbelly" and "Tales from the Crib" by Risa Green. Now, I have never been through pregnancy, experienced the hormones, or had to deal with sleepless nights and numerous dirty diapers, but I found these books to be absolutely hilarious. I would recommend these two books to anyone--mommy-fied or not. The books are written in such a way that you don't have to be a mom to understand what she's talking about, she just makes it entertaining. I found myself actually laughing out loud several times. So, if you're a mom-to-be, been a mommy for years, or just a future mommy, I suggest you pick these up for a laugh. And if you're a guy, I guess you can read them, laugh and then feel sorry for all the things that mommies go through. :)

Normally, I would have passed right over Risa Green's books. When I walk into Barnes and Noble, I walk head straight for the Christian Fiction books. I love books that are set in the historical time periods, especially ones that focus on God and make me feel good. And I look no further than my favorite author, Francine Rivers. Her books make me laugh, cry, read in awe and humble myself in hopes that my faith can be as strong as hers. If you haven't read any of Francine's books, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY (can I say that enough?) recommend "Redeeming Love". It's a love story based on the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer--the prophet instructed by God to marry a prostitute. This hasn't been one of my recent summer reads, I'll admit, but I recommend this book to everyone I meet. It's my favorite book by far...I have 2 copies and have read it multiple (like 8 or 9?) times. It's wonderful. The faith that Michael Hosea, a farmer in California, displays for his wife Angel, a former prostitute, is heartwarming and almost makes me jealous. His faith in God is even more astonishing. If you're a fan of Christian fiction, this is a must-have book to add to your repertoire. Really, any of Francine's books, but this one especially.

Finally, continuing my Christian, feel-better-about-yourself-after-turning-each-page books, I'm currently reading "A Gentle Thunder" by Max Lucado. Ohh...my heart just clenches even thinking about this book. Max Lucado, for those of you that have never read his work, has a way of making you feel important. If you're having a day where you feel like God's not listening or is too important to care about your day-to-day worries, pick up a Max Lucado book. Here's a few quotes from "A Gentle Thunder" to give you an idea of how good you'll feel when reading:

"Welcome [birthdays] as mile-markers that remind you that you aren't home yet, but you're closer than you've ever been."

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart. And the Christmas gift he sent you in Bethlehem? Face it, friend. He's crazy about you."

"It's certainly not easy for us to turn our lives over to the gardener. Even now, some of you are hearing the snip-snip-snip of his shears. It hurts. But take heart. You'll be better as a result. Besides, aren't you glad he thinks you are worth the effort?"

Smiling yet? Good. Go pick up a Max Lucado book.

Summer is the best time for me to get caught up on my reading...laying by the pool, trying to finish a few chapters before bed at night or just sitting in my car on my work break enjoying the sunshine. Since I've read through my stash (at least once) I'm open to recommendations :)