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A Few Good Books | August Reading Roundup

I have no idea what’s wrong with me, but I’ve had the most scatter-brained reading month! Books started, books abandoned. Multiple books going at the same time. Honestly, I must have seven books in progress right now. Seven books! I began any number of “ehhh” books. I even completed some “ehhh” books, but am only going to recommend a few good books.

Because honestly! Who has time for “ehhh” books?

Almost all the recommendation-worthy books this month are non-fiction. We have motivational books, how-to books, Christian non-fiction, two amazing cookbooks, and one lone Christian fiction. Just for fun, I’m throwing in an adorable board book recommendation for the littlest literary lovers.

Let’s do this! On to the August Reading Roundup.

A Few Good Books

Nonfiction Good Books

The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

This motivational and productivity book captivated my attention from the first page. The author delivers advice on not just getting more accomplished, but accomplishing the things that matter most. He explains how to ask the right questions to uncover your purpose and priorities. I think this book is useful for everyone, not just business executives. After all, don’t we all want to spend our time and resources wisely? I know I do!

 Back to the Cabin by Dale Mulfinger

One of our fondest (and oft-discussed) dreams is to purchase a piece of land in the mountains and build a getaway. If there is a pond, small lake, stream, or river on the property, so much the better. I spent a most relaxing afternoon poring over the cabins and descriptions in this book. It was like a mini vacation, and I highly recommend it to you. This author has other cabin books available, and I’ll be looking for those, too!

Last year we rented a cabin for an adventure with part of our family, and it was one of the most relaxing and memorable vacations I’ve ever enjoyed. Click here to read about our Smoky Mountains Cabin Adventure.

 Gardening for Birds, Butterflies, & Bees

Select your most beautiful cup, fill it with your favorite beverage, pull up a comfy chair and relax with this gorgeous book produced by the editors of Birds & Blooms magazine. This book is full of stunning photos and simple tips to turn your yard into an oasis for winged friends. I have been working at making our backyard into a welcoming spot, and am enjoying the results. Click here to see my backyard tour!

Christian Non-Fiction Good Books

 Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas

This unique and thought-provoking book is fascinating. From the author who brought us Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting, and a host of other enriching books, we have this treatise on nine distinct spiritual temperaments. I love the “spiritual temperament tests” at the end of each chapter, along with the suggestions to deepen our spiritual walk.

All Saints by Michael Spurlock and Jeanette Windle

 What happens when a tiny, struggling church welcomes a community of impoverished Karen refugees from Burma? This true story fascinated, delighted, encouraged, and convicted me. It has also been made into a movie. I haven’t yet seen it, but I’ve added it to my want-to-see list! All Saints DVD link

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

 Inspirational. Motivational. Encouraging. Convicting. I found a lot to love in this book. Rachel Hollis is vulnerable and transparent about her struggles to overcome lies she has believed about herself and that have hindered her life…the same lies that hinder your life and mine. There were a few things I found contradictory and confusing, and I don’t agree with everything in the book. However, I found it so motivating that as soon as I finished the final chapter, I turned back to the beginning and started again.

Christian Fiction Good Books (Actually, book. Singular.)

 A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Only one (adult) fiction book to recommend this month, although I read several that left me blah. This historical fiction romance is set in a Montana gold rush town in 1895. I’ve long been fascinated by the women who faithfully followed their men into the untamed, uncivilized west. Birthing children unattended, acting as schoolteacher, nurse, gardener, livestock tender, provider of food, education, and clothing…I can only imagine the rigors and fears of such a life.

I enjoyed the historical facts woven into this story and will surely get my hands on the other two books in this Montana series!

Good Cookbooks

Tell me I’m not the only person who sits down and reads cookbooks just like a novel?! I know I’m not the only one!

How to Celebrate Everything by Jenny Rosenstrach

Oh, I believe in family dinners and traditions and celebrating every single little thing! Why wouldn’t we celebrate at every opportunity?! This cookbook is beautifully bursting with ideas to celebrate little things and big things, to build family traditions and a culture of joy. Such a fun and sweet book full of personal stories through generations. I can’t wait to get my hands on her other cookbooks!

 P.S. Grandma Jody’s Marinara is amazing!

100 Days of Real Food on a Budget by Lisa Leake

 Hot off the press from Lisa Leake! So, you’d love to clean up your diet. Increase your consumption of fresh produce, decrease fast food, junk food, processed food.

But you can’t afford to eat healthy?

Lisa Leake shares tips and recipes to help cut out processed food without shattering your budget. This book is cram-jam full of recipes for every occasion, including snacks and lunch box fillers. Each recipe includes a shopping list with a price break down. Included you’ll find supermarket cost comparisons, information on stocking a pantry, budgeting tips, and common ingredient swaps.

I enjoyed this book as well as her previous cookbooks, 100 Days of Real Food and 100 Days of Real Food Fast and Fabulous.

And Now…A Good Board Book

Truck, Truck, Goose! Written by Tammi Sauer, Illustrated by Zoe Waring

 I can’t resist sharing this fabulous book for the tiniest book lovers. The first time I read this story, I literally laughed out loud at the surprise ending. I’ve been waiting for it to come out in the board book edition, because this story has “perfect board book” written all over it.

Your very little ones will adore this book with its colorful and amusing illustrations, and they’ll soon be chiming in to help you “read” the simple story. This is a perfect gift book for the new baby.

Tammi has written numerous picture books. Click here to see more books by Tammi Sauer!

For more picture books illustrated by Zoe Waring, click here.

Your turn! What have you been reading this month? I can’t wait to hear all about it! Please share in the comments. Let’s talk about books!

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