April Reads

April Showers definitely made it possible to read through a nice stack of books this month.  Here's what I have been reading: 

10 Boys Who Changed the World by Irene Howard: This book was my read aloud book for the children this month.  Eli chose it from a stack of books that his Dad recently purchased for him.  We all enjoyed reading this book aloud together in the evening and learning about ten men who grew up to do great things for the kingdom of God.  This biography had a chapter telling about the life of each man: Billy Graham, Brother Andrew, John Newton, George Muller, Nicky Cruz, William Carey, David Livingstone, Adoniram Judson, Eric Liddell, and Luis Palau.  This was our first book in the LightKeepers series and I can't wait to begin reading another one in May.  They stories really were fantastic and so well written.  Eli would beg for me to read it to him.  

The Shaping of A Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot: I'm fairly certain that at the end of the year this will be one of my favorite books that I read in 2016.  Elisabeth Elliot shares what it was like to grow up in the Howard family as a child.  Not only was this book incredibly interesting, but it was inspiring!  I felt so encouraged in my role as a mother to be intentional in the type of home life that Brandon and I provide for our children.  I hope and pray that one day all of our children could look back and say that their parents did all that they could to nurture their faith.  This is a must read!  (Don't let the dated cover stand in your way.)  Elisabeth Elliot has been one of my favorite authors for probably the past 15 years.  I have been so blessed by her writings and inspired by her life.  I've also tried to introduce as many of my friends as possible to her writings!

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis: I'm always secretly a little excited when a new Beverly Lewis book comes out.  (Our library faithfully purchases them right away each time.)  They are the perfect light read for curling up under a blanket while it rains.  Ever since I heard Lewis speak last year I have been in awe of the fact that she manages to publish two books every year!  I'm not a writer but I just can't imagine having that kind of productivity output.  I enjoyed reading this book just like all the other Lewis books I have read.  :)

All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew: It's May so that means its time to get serious about my garden!  So far I have a nice variety of lettuces growing and a bunch of plants started in float trays.  My sweet sister Bekah and I built a raised bed and I am just itching to finish planting it.  I thought this book was great!  Simple enough that even the most beginning gardener wouldn't have any trouble implementing the methods in this book.  I'm hoping to add a new raised bed each year.  I really appreciated the diagrams, clear instructions, and charts.

Counted With the Stars: Out of Egypt by Connilyn Cossette: I'm fairly new to the genre of biblical fiction but I believe I have fallen in love with a new sub-genre of fiction after reading this gem.  I loved reading the story of Kiya, an Egyptian, who was sold into slavery.  She endures the plagues of Egypt from the viewpoint of a slave girl living with a difficult mistress.  When Pharaoh finally releases the Hebrews Kiya decides to flee with them.  This really brought the plagues of Exodus 7-11 to life.  I couldn't put this book down!  I already made a note to read Cossette's next novel which comes out in October, Shadow of the Storm.  Please note that I did receive a review copy of this book from Bethany House.  All opinions are my own.  

What about you?  What books did you enjoy reading this past month?