Goodbye July...... Hello August

Do any of you get the feeling as though the warm, lazy days of summer are nearing to a close!? I mean how is that even possible? I don't know about you but I'm not ready to give up my flip flops for socks and shoes  quite yet. Or the amazing summer days for cold snowy ones. And should I mention ALL the fresh fruit that I've been stuffing my face with.
OK in all honesty, I do love winter and all of the hot coffee and skating parties that come with it. But when you live in a state that has -40° half of the winter it starts to feel a little bit as though summer will never come again.  But we shall not dwell on that right now because the sun is shining and its a beautiful day.
So finally we come to the part where I stop complaining about the end of summer and instead give you some of my favorite summer reads.
Are you ready?? *claps hands together excitedly*
but first a quote that I want to share with you.

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something- a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you'd  thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person that you've never met, maybe even someone long dead. And its as if a hand has come out and taken yours."

- The History Boys

Ok so YES. *sighs in contentment* Right, who hasn't felt like this when they are  reading an awesome book?!?!? if you haven't then I really do not know what to say except, honey you have been missing out on a whole (and i mean Huge) world of wonder and excitement. (Side note I feel like I sounded like the beginning Theme for Adventures In Odyssey when Whit says and I quote "Welcome to Odyssey a place of  wonder and discovery" OK so maybe it didn't sound like that to you but Adventures in Odyssey was like my favorite show on the radio when I was a kid:) OK, back to the subject on hand....

1.  Once Upon a Summer by Janette Oke
Ages 12+

Josh knows his family isn't typical, but when Grandpa and Uncle Charlie begin to look for a husband for Auntie Lou  he knows something has to be done.  How can Josh find his way in the world when his whole world is threatens to come apart?

This is probably my favorite Janette Oke book/series since there are three more books following this one . YAY! Its not nearly as popular as her Love Comes Softy series, or When Calls the Heart *smiles to herself* but it brings you this irresistible story. True it might be a Simple one but you find yourself relating to the characters, feeling their joy and pain, laughing  and crying with them. And most important you see God in the midst of it all and how silly it is of us to try and figure things out on our own when He is right their hoping that we would just ask, so that He could give it to us. So If you are looking for a summer read, this book is just the right one for you!


2. The Christy Miller collection  volume 1 by, Robin Jones Gunn  

Book 1
Summer Promise
Reading level 12+
Christy Miller is thrilled to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle in Newport Beach, California. But Christy doesn't fit in. Her skin is pale and her swimsuit is old and green. Aunt Marti gives her a makeover that includes a new hairstyle and wardrobe. Christy's hair is so short, now, and the clothes might not be her favorite styles, but she does feel older and sophisticated. She decides that she likes her new look.
Christy also likes a cute surfer named Todd, but she isn't sure he likes her back. She's invited to a get-together one night and hopes that Todd will be there. Instead, she discovers a wild party with deadly consequences. Christy struggles to understand what's happened and how to move forward. Can Christy find her true self without breaking her summer promise?

Book 2
A Whisper and a Wish
Christy's life is changing. Her family is moving to California, but before Christy can get too excited, she discovers that her family won't live in Newport Beach like Aunt Marti and Uncle Bob. Christy's dad gets a job in Escondido, an hour and a half away from the beach and Christy's friends. Christy has to start over making new friends. She doesn't have as much freedom with her parents as she had with Aunt Marti and Uncle Bob. There are a lot more rules to follow at home. And a brush with the law on a trip to Palm Springs won't help prove to her parents that she's growing up. Can Christy do what's right and still obey her parents?

Book 3
Yours Forever
Christy can't wait to spend Christmas in Newport Beach. Not only will she see all her beach friends, but Todd has moved to Newport Beach permanently! Christy is confused about her relationship with Todd. He never says anything to help her understand how he feels. Her friend, Heather, talks Christy into flirting with Doug to make Todd jealous, but this only seems to make everyone mad at her. Why are relationships so hard? Even Aunt Marti isn't speaking to Christ

Please please, please buy these books!!!! They are amazing. Plus you can buy this 3-in-1 set for literally 3 dollars at thriftbooks! Awesome right. Listen to me you will be doing yourself a huge favor by buying these books ;) Its beautiful to see how God works in the characters lives, just like he works in our own hearts. 

So since technically this would be book number 5 this is going to be my last suggestion for today. 

3. Wild Thing (Book One) Winnie the Horse Gentler Series by Dandie Mackall
(Ages 8-12) or really for anybody that loves horses :)
 Winnie Willis used to work with horses with her mother before the accident. The accident that killed her mother. Winnie blames herself. Now she, her dad and her younger sister Lizzy spend their time moving—a few months here and a few months there. Winnie is so desperate to be around horses that she mucks the stalls at Spidell’s stable where she learns a beautiful new Arabian horse has arrived. It is love at first sight for Winnie, but nobody seems to be able to handle the wild horse. Winnie buys the Arabian at an auction and using everything her mother taught her, Winnie slowly befriends the horse. Then she gets ready to sell the horse she has become so fond of at a sale because her family could really use the money.
 TO all the Horse crazy girls (Me included) this was/is still one of my favorite horse series. It reminds me a little of the TV show Heartland but from a Christian POV. If you want a book about a horse crazy girl, this story is perfect for you.


So enjoy and get busy reading!
As always I would LOVE to know what you thought of this post (only if its nice) *Just kidding*  but seriously though  let me know what you think:)

Janelle