I have been telling you guys this month about The Battle Plan for Prayer because I’ve enjoyed it so much! This book can be read at one time or broken up by chapter (which the author recommends) and read a little daily with your quiet time. I broke it up and read it a little every day and not only did I enjoy it, I was moved by it. There are so many fantastic ways to improve your prayer life, make your prayer life more focused and really help you make that time more meaningful in your day. My grandpa recommended this book to me and I’m so glad he did because this book is really life changing. If you take the ideas and principles and really apply them to your spiritual life, you will be changed.
Five simple suppers for your busy week! See them all here. I’m serious…it will make your life easier this week :).
See you tomorrow friends!
xo
Sally Hepworth says
Love your book posts! I adore Diane Chamberlain and necessary lies is an absolute favourite xx
Erika Slaughter says
I can't wait to dive into that new Elin Hildebrand book! And I'm so glad you read Necessary Lies. I loved it!
Kelly G. Brown says
Thank you for more great book suggestions! I'm a huge Elin Hilderbrand fan myself. I read Silver Girl about 2 years ago. Loved it!! Have you read Barefoot by her??? If not, then I highly recommend that one. I also recommend The Sweet By And By by Todd Johnson. That is an awesome book. It was so good that I read it twice.
Kelly
Happylife40 says
Even though I haven't read it, your last book review tore me up. I just want to say to anyone out there who is going through a serious illness to please don't give up hope, or prayer. My friend's young teenage daughter is going through this battle right now. It is so heartbreaking. My thoughts are also with your friend, Manda. Please God, watch over her, as well as over everyone going through this.
Unknown says
I read two great book during my spring vacation: See Me by Nicholas Sparks (totally different from his "normal" books because of the suspense… I ended up passing it onto my mom and she finished it in two days, it's that good) and The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll. Definitely worth reading both if you haven't already 🙂
Lisa says
I'm so glad you liked Diane Chamberlain! I highly recommend her other books too, they are all great! I would also recommend "Room" by Emma Donoghue – such an intense read!
Ramona says
I absolutely love book review day! I can't wait to pick up Silver Girl!!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I'm going to have to read Necessary Lies next month! The Help is one of my favorites, so if it's anything similar, I know I'll love it!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Love on the Lake says
Hi Shay – I just read the Island and I think that may be my favorite Elin book so far. That and Beautiful Day. I love weddings though so that probably helped on both accounts. I love your book reviews but can you start including one to two sentences more about what the books are about please? It's hard to follow the review without knowing the subject matter. (Especially when not obvious like the fiction ones here – Silver Girl, Necessary Lies) Thanks!
~ LOTL
LoveOnTheBlog.blogspot.com
Narci says
Well, I am going to add that last book to my Amazon cart right now! What a great list and book review, girl! 🙂
Aubrey says
So tempted to read Necessary Lies, but I have to read 20 (TWENTY!) YA books in the next two months for class. So if you need me I'll be here in Oklahoma with my nose stuck in a book for teenagers. 🙁
Laura P. says
I love your book reviews and have gotten so many good recommendations from you! And I just totally fan-girled out b/c Sally Hepworth commented on your post! Just finished the Things We Keep–so good. Love her books and got Secrets of Midwives b/c of your blog:)
KB says
Just finished Hope Unfolding by Becky Thompson. It is for mommas that are just trying to make it through the day and how God gives us grace to raise our children. So good, highly recommend it!
Katelyn Magerko says
You must add Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley to your list! It's about 2 sisters who have been doing a horrible job of keeping in touch and decide to write each other letters like how it was done before technology was our go to communication. Sooooo good!!
Kathy Olson says
Thank you for those book recommendations. I ordered two for my Kindle and there is one book at the library waiting for me. I appreciate it!
Tara Smith says
You are the fastest reader ever! My goodness you can get through so many books quickly! I sit down to read and I can manage 10 pages before I need a nap 🙂
Nikkikellylehman says
Have you ever read the circle maker? It's been the biggest inspiration in my prayer life!
Tina W says
If you like Elin, I think you'd love Mary Kay Andrews books! My fave author!!
Mix and Match Mama says
That's who I'm reading right now!!!
Tracy says
My 17-year-old daughter LOVES Annie Downs' books – so cool that you're friends with her! She's currently reading this new one. Can't wait to get my hands on it! 🙂
Rob & Michelle Eberly Family says
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Read it now and thank me later. ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Read it last year and loved it!!!
Chasity Munn says
I have one for you! It's called Three Little Cowboys, on Amazon here http://amzn.to/1QwSfrW
Our children's ministry leader at church's daughter wrote it for her three little boys after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It's amazing and really shows true faith. I think you'll like it!
http://www.hautemommyblog.com
Kim Taylor says
I love your book recommendations but I want to remind people that your local library is a great place to get books! I use your recommendations and then search my Overdrive app (to download library books to my Kindle) or search my local library! It doesn't cost anything to use your local library and if you are like me, and Shay, you can really spend a lot of money for a book you read one time. Just something to think about! Have a great day!
Angie says
I just put The Battle Plan for Prayer on hold at my library! I love your book reviews, I get so many good ideas for books to read!
Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost says
I LOVED Silver Girl!!! I couldn't put that book down!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
JoAnne Turnipseed says
Remember to support your local library. These books are available in hard cover and electronically. Books are fun to own, but sometimes tough to purchase on some budgets. Love all the suggestions, and encouraging your followers to read!
Scavenger Hunt Blog says
I look forward to this post every month. I just read Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World. It is amazing!! Like read reread and read again book. I just bought Necessary Lies. Cannot wait to read it and Looking For Lovely is in my Amazon cart ready to be bought!
Have a great week!
Lesley McFarland
http://www.kltfamily.blogspot.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Erika is almost finished with it and then she said I can read it next! I've heard amazing things about it!!
Scavenger Hunt Blog says
you will love every word! I told my friends about it and they asked to borrow it. I told them they needed to get their own…it is one that you will reference back to again and again.
Britney says
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World has to be one on of my top favorite parenting books!!!! So much truth and wisdom in this book!!!
Jenny says
6 books in one month… nice work! 🙂 Kara was an amazing lady! I still go back and check out her blog from time to time, to see how her family is doing. They are always on my heart.
Kristina @ Ms.Modify says
How do you find time to read SO much with everything else you do?! I don't have kids yet, and I find it hard to find time!
xo, Kristina
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! See the response below to Shelby :).
Shelby says
Hi Shay! Ok so I am totally inspired by your love for reading! I feel like you get asked all the time, & I know you typically read in your quiet time or during those many moments we find ourselves "waiting" for this or that during the day, but my question is are you a speed reader!? I still am so amazed how much you read!! If not, I guess I just need to make more time in my day for reading books lol! As always, I love love love reading your blog & especially the book review days! Xo!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, traveling to NYC helped me out a lot this month because I read one on the way there and one on the way back (3.5 hour flights each way). I do think I'm probably a fast reader but not freakishly fast :). I like to read at night after my kids are asleep and before I go to bed. Plus, like today for example, I'll read during K's entire jazz practice which is an hour of reading. The minutes just add up!
Shelby says
Those tips really help & make sense! I think I could spend less time scrolling on my phone & more time reading lol! And I love the idea about reading during dance practices and before bed– both great ways to sneak reading in! ~and "the minutes add up!" ~now that's a good blog post right there! 😉 ~so so true!
Vicki Watt says
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain is excellent- can't put it down type of book! Love your book reviews. You've made me an Elin Hilderbrand junkie too!!
Elizabeth P says
Just ordered a few Erin Hilderbrand books. I don't want to miss out on the good reads! 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation.
Keisha Dawson says
As always, my favorite post! Can't wait to start reading some of these!
Amber says
I love your book reviews! I'm always looking for different types of books to read so your reviews are so helpful. I read Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey last month and it was so good.
danielle says
This is a bit of an odd question: what would you say is the "rating" on most of the book that you recommend (PG, PG-13, R in terms of sexual content) I love a good story with romance involved, but as a single Christian Woman I try and keep them in the PG-13 rating.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, I would say they were mostly all PG…maybe with an occasional PG-13 thrown in. This month's picks were all PG (although the subject matter for Necessary Lies would be PG-13 but not for sexual conduct).
danielle says
Awesome! I kind of figured that was the case – but you never know and its hard to tell from the amazon reviews just racy a book is. I've started my new wishlist on Amazon called "Shay Recommends"!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I was all zzzzzzzzzzzzz until you talked about the last book. I'm going to have to read that one.
Laure says
You need to add 'Cancel the Wedding" by Carol Dingman to your list! It was SOOOO good!! Amazon said it was similar in writing styles to Emily Giffin (who I LOVE) and it did not disappoint!! There was a bit of mystery involved but once I got started I could NOT put this book down!! Totally worth it for a great story!!!
Megan says
Wish I could come raid your bookshelves!!!
JSTYMIEST says
Love your book review posts! I just ordered some books based on your past recommendations. Thank you!
Jeanie says
You must be a speed reader. Reading a whole book on a flight to NYC? Wow! I can't imagine reading six books a month, and I'm not nearly as busy as you are. If I read two, I feel like I've done well.
Aimee says
Love, love, love your book reviews! I always end up reading at least one or two of them each month. I can't wait to read the last book above, as I'm a young(ish) mother, fighting my own battle now. Books help me get out of my head for a while, and I love it. I've just finished After I Do and Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a new-to-me author. I think you would really enjoy her books, too!
Debra says
Have you read 'The Light Between Oceans' by M.L. Stedman? It's riveting!
Kitten says
The Girl in the Ice and The Girl With No Past. Block out some time; both are hard to put down.
Melody says
I just went to my Goodreads to add Necessary Lies to my 'to read' list and it looks like there is also a "prequel" to it called "The First Lie" – description says it gives readers an early glimpse into the life of 13 yr old Ivy Hart in 1958 in rural North Carolina where Ivy lives with her grandmother and sister on a tobacco farm…
Janet says
Thanks for sharing a great list of books. I am aware of your friend that is battling cancer from some of your previous posts. I was wondering if she has a blog, FB page, or Caring Bridge so that we can stay informed of her battle. I pray for her, but, always feel more connected to them and know specific requests if able to read one of these updates.
Thanks!
Sarah McDowell says
You really Really REALLY need to read a Karen Kingsbury book!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have!! Several of them!!
Shal C says
Love book review day and use it to pick my next few books to read. You've inspired me to read 4-5 a month and your advice to "throw a book in your bag" has been the best. The minutes definitely add up and I love finding time to read – which is more than I guessed I would have. Silver Girl up next as you've made me a huge Hildebrand fan and I've read 8 of her books so far thanks to you.
Stephanie says
I made that chicken quinoa enchilada soup a couple of weeks ago. Oh.My.Word. It was so good and definitely a new favorite at our house!
MelissaMantai says
This book is such an amazing story. It is truly eye opening! Highly recommend it. It is A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout.
http://www.amazon.com/House-Sky-Memoir-Amanda-Lindhout/dp/1451645619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461682681&sr=8-1&keywords=a+house+in+the+sky
campdallas says
Silver Girl is my favorite, too!! I had it as an audiobook to listen to on my commute, and I'd find myself not wanting to get out of the car! So, I got the actual book and then would read that in the evenings in addition. Yep, I pretty much couldn't put it down or turn it off! Glad you enjoyed!
Marika Scotton says
I seriously love your book reviews. As an avid reader myself I am so happy to have suggestions for what to read next. I just read a book called Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. She's the same author who wrote The Nightingale. If you ever have time to read it I highly suggest it 🙂
Aaron, Lacey, Audrey and Elle says
Have you ever read In This House We Will Giggle? It's a great summer read!
http://www.amazon.com/This-House-We-Will-Giggle/dp/1601426062
Lisa Dunham says
Love your book reviews, I think I have read every Elin Hildebrand, also love hearing everyone's suggestions, my to-read list is full! Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom is outstanding, sequel to The Kitchen House.
Morgan Eckert says
If you love Elin, you really need to read a book by Lisa Scottoline!!
Katie Baird says
I think you would really like Kristen Hannah's "The Nightingale". Based in France during WWII. Mix of history, war and love all into one, very good book!
Yoli says
Why don't you read "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi? It is a wonderful book. I think you would appreciate it. I don't usually comment just look at your recepies.
teammkh says
The great influenza, by John Barry! One part history, one part medicine. An interesting read. 🙂
Sarah Hartig says
Shay, have you seen the movie War Room? I just watched this weekend and would highly recommend it. Based on your description of The Battle Plan for Prayer, the movie has a very similar message!
Lauren Darrell says
Just read Necessary Lies because of your recommendation and loved it!!! Thanks Shay!