Sisters' Summer Reading Challenge Report

Charity and I both had a great reading season this summer. Here is our reports on the summer reading challenges.

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1. Choose a topic and read two books about it. 

Charity - Topic: The White House domestic staff

Upstairs at the White House by J.B. West

The Residence by Kate Anderson Brower

All the President’s Pastries by Roland Mesnier

I am intrigued by the behind the scenes of famous places and homes and especially serving staff throughout history. These three books cover the years from Franklin Rosevelt to Barak Obama and give a glimpse not only into how the executive mansion operates but also the personal lives of the first family and their staff. J.B. West recounts his experiences of working closely with the First Ladies during his years as assistant and head usher. He tells his stories with humor and a respect that makes the book worth reading. Kate Anderson Brower interviewed and read the memoirs of countless former staff and even members of the first family, to compile a glimpse into how such an important establishment operates. Mesnier tells about his own journey from rural France to pastry chef at the White House. His elaborate desserts were hard to imagine! 

Gina - Topic: Limitations

The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Mangement for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

This book duet was a happy accident. Both Hagerty and Burkeman were confronted with their human limitations. Hagerty explores the Scripture and what our limitations can teach us about God. Burkeman looks at studies and research to show that our drive for productivity has not added meaning to our lives. Together the two books helped me understand the beauty that accepting our limited time can give to our lives.

2. Choose a location and read two books that are set in that location. 

Charity - Location: Africa

West with the Night by Beryl Markham

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Beryl Markham writes with a beauty that had me savoring the words. Her father took her to Africa as a young girl where she grew up around tribal people, wild animals, and horses. Later she would become one of the fist female pilots in Africa. Her stories left me fascinated by the land, the air, and the people of Africa. The second book is a novel set in Africa. It is the first in a series of detective novels. I loved how the detective is the most unlikely woman to have the job and found the glimpse into life in Africa intriguing but also heart breaking. Recommended for the mature reader.

Gina - Location: England

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

Amberwell by D.E. Stevenson

The Fight for English by David Crystal

My goal was to read books I already owned, and I had a number of books set in England on my unread shelf. Reading these four gave me an enjoyable scope of English history. The Eagle of the Ninth is a book of high adventure set in Roman England in the second century. Marcus sets off into the wilds of northern England to restore the lost eagle from his father's doomed legion. A Morbid Taste for Bones is the first in the Brother Cadfael detective series. Set in the 12th century, a Benedictine order wants to acquire relics for the honor of their abbey, but then there is a suspicious murder. Amberwell is listed as historical fiction, but Stevenson wrote it just after World War 2 so she knew the time well. The book follows the lives of the five Ayrton children as they grow up at Amberwell and how life scatters them. The Fight for English shares the history of teaching English grammar and spelling. To say that I loved the book probably tells you I'm some kind of nerd. Immersing myself into such different well-written books, set in widely different times, was quite rewarding. And now I have several authors to find more of their books.

3. Read a book about animals or a book that animals play a large role.

Neither Charity or I completed this challenge so are using this for our unfinished book challenge in the fall.

4. Read a book of the Bible and for each chapter, write down three words that describe the chapter.

Charity - Philippians

I loved this challenge but also found it to be somewhat difficult. But if I made a habit of studying this way, I would remember so much more about the main points of the chapters and even entire books.

Gina - Jeremiah

I was deep into the prophets this summer and this challenge helped me get more out of these chapters. I too want to practice this more as it helped me pay attention to my reading.

5. Write a note to someone and include a quote or verse. 

Charity - I was writing several little notes for a niece who moved far away. I rummaged through my journal for encouraging and thought provoking quotes. Sharing words from other authors is a way to pass on little treasures I have read along the way. 

Gina- I have the goal of sending one card of encouragement each month. This was the perfect time to record some of the verses I have found meaningful.

Books that we enjoyed this summer that didn't fit any of the challenges. 

Charity -

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

Create Anyway by Ashlee Gadd

You Are My Sunshine by Sean Dietrich 

Gina -

Where Is God When It Hurts by Philip Yancy

You Who? by Rachel Jankovic

Written by Bec Evans and Chris Smith

I'd love to hear what books you loved this summer.