In high school, I was a drama queen. (shocker!) I read the gothic literature Wuthering Heights and fell in love with the deep, dark passion that overtook Heathcliff for Catherine Earnshaw. I was sucked into the emotional waves that engulfed Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.
But today I do not have the excess emotional energy to spend on a piece of fiction.
I am constantly giving to my babies, comforting, encouraging, distressed over sickness and living the theatricals I used to read about.
So when I pick up a book, I need it to be lightweight. I need it to distract me from the heaviness of my day and uplift my spirits. I cannot grieve with an antagonist about her dying child or become enraged over the maltreatment of a fictional alcoholic.
Here are my favorite books right now. They make me laugh, make me giggle, make my spirit soar lighter and open my eyes to a lighter, happier life. Please share your favorite books below!
One Thousand Gifts
This book changed my life. Ann Voskamp shares a deeply painful story from her past and then takes you on a very personal journey with her as she discovers God’s glory and eternal love. God showed her how to start writing a list of 1,000 blessings – no matter how big or small – she discovered in her life. When she focused on the blessings her heart was refreshed with God’s joy and peace.
I have started my own “1,000 blessings” list and noticed a dramatic shift in my attitude. I always knew that focusing on God would help, but this list is a way for me to manually force myself to always look Heavenward. Whenever I talk to a brother or sister in Christ that has not read this book, I ask why not? It is amazing, encouraging and shifts my anxiety to gratitude!
WOW! It is everything I love in fiction right now. It has some delightfully humorous parts and the characters really come to life. Lots of it is light hearted. There are some pretty sad and dramatic episodes, but thankfully they are not driving force behind the book. The book is kept upbeat and optimistic. The good win and that is what I love reading!
sidenote: The book and the movie are not too far off! That made me happier too!
I read this book before it came out in theaters. This is a tad more dramatic than The Help but not so dramatic that I was put in a depression. (Perhaps this is because my emotional attachment for animals is not nearly as passionate as others). I was entranced by the world of the train circus – Sara Gruen really painted a vivid picture and I found myself in love with that life as much as I hated it. The best part of the book was the end. I was seriously shedding the happiest tears as I read what became of the main characters!
I bought this book on Kindle after I met the author Diana Orgain at Type A Parent Conference last year. This is the perfect book for light reading. It is the third book in a murder-mystery series. The main character is a mother-turned private detective. I love how Diana intertwines hilarious experiences of new motherhood within the crazy antics of murder suspects and danger. It has enough drama to keep me reading but (so far) there is never any real danger to her baby or family, so it is more fun than dark.
What have you read lately that was enjoyable? I need a new book to read!
LOVED The Help but have yet to see the movie. With having an African American best friend, I was so very grateful for everyone that paved the way to allow freedom. Currently reading Water For Elephants and about 70% through. I also haven’t seen the movie but can’t stop reading the book.
looking up the Orgain ones now. hopefully they will be in our ‘big city’ market if nowhere else (library). I’m reading ones by Tess Gerritsen right now. everyone else seems to be reading the hunger games? i have no idea but I put my name on the waiting list.
So glad you enjoyed FORMULA FOR MURDER!