Summer Reading List

Reading List Summer

Jesus > Religion: Why He is So Much Better than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough by Jefferson Bethke Written by a 23 year old, Jesus > Religion describes the author’s powerful experienceof grace and how organized religion failed him. Ann Voskamp, a New York Times bestselling author, says, “This is a book that will make you think. Jefferson Bethke asks questions that your life really has to answer. Thinkers and seekers and questioners - start here. Wrestle it out. You can’t walk away from these provocative pages unmoved.”

Sensible Shoes Series by Sharon Garlough Brown For those who enjoyed Sensible Shoes and Two Steps Forward, the story continues with Barefoot and An Extra Mile. Follow four women from diverse backgrounds (a workaholic preacher, a widow with a college-age daughter, a Type A grad student, and a wife in an abusive marriage) as they continue their spiritual journeys, develop a deeper sense of who they are, and learn the true meaning of friendship.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz How many of us are impeccable with our words, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do our best? In this small but inspiring book, don Miguel Ruiz shows how these four agreements can help us overcome self-limiting beliefs that rob us of freedom and joy.

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer Have you ever wondered what you are meant to be doing with your life? Parker Palmer, writer, teacher, and activist begins by asking the question, “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” Palmer argues that vocation is about listening to your “True Self ” and the truths and values you embody. This thoughtful and powerful book is a classic and a must read at any age.

Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. This collection of deeply moving true stories addresses such profound issues such as suffering, love, faith, and the meaning of life. Written by a physician who is a therapist and a patient with chronic illness, these stories demonstrate the healing power of our interconnectedness and of our ability to listen to each other’s experiences. This book is a classic and full of wisdom for all of us on this journey called life. For further book selections go to www.umc.org/content/todays-rx-read-a-good-book 16