Madeleine L’Engle once observed that man needs structure in the day just as the body needs a skeleton. This was in reference to students and children specifically, but I have found this especially true in a writer’s life-or whenever there is a desire to be productive in any manner. I did not feel a particular need to be structured or productive early this summer; I had determined to spend as much time in that amoeba-like state, enjoying my children and the sunshine. Consequently, I have not written a blog post in over a month. However, I read plenty and would like to share 13 books I encountered over the last few delightful months.

I took a brief break from reading at the end of May because I was just too busy and thought I was in a slump. Ultimately I realized I just needed a change of pace. Mary Stewart rocked my reading patterns like a stick-shift going into high gear. Madam, Will You Talk? was a thrilling book and Stewart is now a high-ranking favorite on my list. Madam, Will You Talk? is a glamorous read reminiscent of James Bond in action, yet infused with a reflective spirit. Stewart’s descriptions of southern France had me yearning for lavender fields, Roman ruins on a dusty street, and cocktails in a still courtyard. Charity, the main character, is introduced as meek and mild, recovering from loss. By the end of the suspenseful novel, she is wise, strong, and capable. The car chases and shocking ending are just icing on the cake.

Nine Coaches Waiting followed immediately after Madam, Will You Talk? and while I did not love it as much as its precursor it was still a fun and rollicking book. It had a distinctive Jane Eyre feel to it, with the “governess in a mysterious manor” plot, and all the characters were intriguing. Mary Stewart describes the setting so vividly–the mountainous twists and turns, the lush farmland, the oppressive chateau–that when I looked up pictures of eastern France, it was exactly as I had imagined it. The novel is not terribly deep and is a light, easy read, but the characters and setting will stick with you.

This summer has been full of really good children’s literature. We have spent many hours on the road and we filled 13.5 hours listening to the first three stories in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Magician’s Nephew; and The Horse and His Boy. Our favorite will always be The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but we were completely bowled over by the other two books. The Magician’s Nephew has a stunning account of creation that will make you revisit all the possibilities of Genesis and the story of creation from Scripture. Lewis shows the depth and breadth of the possibilities through God the Creator. I wonder why it is so easy to believe Aslan can create a world fresh and wise and beautiful, but we struggle with Genesis. The Horse and His Boy is a story of Christ beside us and in us, a story of frailty, courage, and surprise. I did not remember much of the story from reading as a child, and was delighted with both the tale itself and the beautiful lessons. One cannot read Lewis without being challenged and enraptured, and it was a joy to see my children so fascinated by the stories. Our road trips were hardly long enough for our taste, and we can’t wait to go on another to visit Prince Caspian. These particular Audible books are very well narrated by Alex Jennings, Kenneth Branagh, Michael York, and others.

Ever Faithful is the only Christian Fiction I read this summer, and it was excellent. I live just a few hours from Yellowstone and we visit it multiple times a year. Karen Barnett’s description of this natural wonder is spot on and if you’ve never been to Yellowstone, reading the book will give you a good sense of it’s vastness and strangeness. The characters are well developed and real. Barnett weaves a well-crafted story and the mysteries are never stale–I’m always surprised at the end, which I love. On top of creative plot and characters, Barnett enriches readers’ lives with Biblical truth and meaningful lessons without being preachy or trite. I have loved all three of her Vintage National Park books and highly recommend each one if you like light mysteries, nature, and characters with growth and depth.

Speaking of mysteries, I was asked to review a cozy mystery by Angela McRae. I do not read too many cozy mysteries, and am completely unfamiliar with “junkin’,” but it was a diverting story. Emeralds and Envy is a hometown mystery about an entrepreneurial journalist turned jeweler who takes it upon herself to unravel the bewildering death of a friend. The plot was twisty and turn-y, and I enjoyed the southern charm. The main character, Emma, was not particularly endearing to me, and there were a few too many characters to keep track of, but overall is was a good, light-hearted, summer read. If you want something to zip through on a lazy summer’s day over a glass of sweet tea, have a go at Emeralds and Envy.

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Another new-to-me author was John Ingalls. Mr. Ingalls sent me three of his books early in the spring, If There’s a Will, There’s a Way, and The Woman in the Emerald Casket. These books were completely out of my normal realm of reading, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. If you like John Grisham novels, try out John Ingalls. All three books contained high tension, real-to-life characters, and stories that really moved along at a good pace. My favorite aspect of the books, however, was how clean and family-centric the stories were. The lessons of love and loyalty were well-taught but not overt. These are books I would pass on to my children as teenagers. Without the indelicate subject matter so many popular suspense novels contain, I would happily let my kids read Ingalls’s books. While I would never go out of my way to read books about drug cartels, funeral conspiracies, and gambling debts, the triumph of good over evil and godly love made these novels highly enjoyable and perfect for the summer.

I reread a favorite early in the summer, North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. While I would love to dedicate an entire post to this classic, suffice it to say if you enjoy Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, you must read North and South. Gaskell is a highly under-rated author who is rarely studied in high school or university courses, yet she can hold her own with her Victorian contemporaries. North and South is one of the greatest books ever written on class struggle, the dangers and demands of the Industrial Revolution, and what it means to be an outsider and adjust to new cultures and people. The romance between John Thornton and Margaret Hale is one of the sweetest in the history of novels, and Gaskell explores the depth of feeling in both men and women with great aptitude. The plot moves along faster than most Dickens novels (and is much easier to read) and the characters are just as quirky and witty as Austen’s. The novel is carefully crafted, sharp and deep and rich. Gaskell is a true artisan of writing who demands to be more widely appreciated.

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I’ll finish my summer recap with two non-fiction books by Sarah Clarkson. Sarah has become a fast favorite of mine, and her books have reached my soul like very few books have in recent years. I have always had a deep appreciate for children’s literature and I can not stress enough how important reading is to the development of kids. Sarah Clarkson managed to perfectly articulate my beliefs in Caught Up in a Story: Fostering a Storyformed Life of Great Books and Imagination with Your Children. This book was the ultimate treat for me: reading lists for children of all ages, copious quotes from Tolkien, Lewis, and L’Engle, and a 126 page soul-to-soul conversation on my favorite topic: reading. If you have ever wondered why we read, especially reading’s importance to the Christian walk, pick up Caught Up in a Story and join the conversation with us. I really can’t wait to check off every book on her lists, some known and others new to me.

Clarkson wrote a book early this year with her mother and sister entitled Girls’ Club about the importance of friendship. I am a tried and true introvert, most often preferring the company of books and tea to actual people. However, I have realized over the years (and with the help of this book and Scripture) that I perhaps have more ambivert in me, meaning I get joy and life from fellowship and quiet alone time, not either/or. I have been experimenting with this balance and have a feeling it will be a consistent issue I revisit my whole life. The Clarkson ladies once again put into words the thoughts floating aimlessly in my mind, and their book has been both affirmation and encouragement. Girls’ Club helped me recognize where I need to work and where I need to show gratitude, and I am more grateful than ever for the women present in my life. If you’re curious about why fellowship is important and how you can foster it in your life (even if you’re an introvert!) I suggest reading Girls’ Club.

Overall it has been a summer of beautiful and encouraging books. I hope you will pick up at least one on the list and tell me what you think! What have you read the last few months?