books worth reading

This year I finished reading 55 books.  Here are a few that I would recommend reading.

• Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson-I read this novel for the second time this spring and was glad that I did.
• The More of Less by Joshua Becker-If you want to live a more intentional life, this is probably for you. 
• Gentle Ben by Walt Morey-A novel that I will likely read again some day.  Next time I make personalized reading lists for my family, it will be on my nephews' lists.
• The Rent Collector by Camron Wright-My book club read this one and enjoyed it...lots to think about regarding povety and literacy.  I first read it three years ago and it was worth a second read.
• Redeeming How We Talk by Ken Wytsma and A. J. Swoboda-Everyone is willing to talk and share opinions.  These authors talk about why what we say is important.  It would make a good book to read with a friend and discuss.
• Love Lives Here by Maria Goff -If you have read Love Does by Bob Goff, you would likely enjoy this one as well.  Maria and Bob sure make me think a lot more about how to love people well.   
• Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin -Martin has woven another story worth reading and probably rereading. He does such a great job at creating characters and developing a story that is full of surprises.

Sing a Song of Seasons

Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon is a book any English teacher or poetry lover is sure to enjoy.  Waters selected 365 poems, one for each day of the year.  Some are well-known, others not so much, but it is a fun way to put a little bit of poetry into your day.  Preston-Gannon's illustrations make the book worth looking at over and over again.  If you need a book for your coffee table or someone who likes poetry, this would be a great book to buy.   

The Tree Lady

The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmerry is a picture book for adults and children.  This biography tells Kate Sessions' story.  She lived in California in the 1800's and moved to San Diego to teach school.  After two years, she quit teaching and made it her goal to change San Diego from a dirty, dusty town to one filled with trees.  Now that I know about Sessions, I want to go back to San Diego and visit Balboa Park again.  It made me realize a person with the right amount of determination can really make a difference in the world around them.  If you are a fan of Barbara Cooney's book Miss Rumphius, you will enjoy this story, too.