6 Books I Recommend—May 2021
“A recipe for getting more out of what you read:
Start more books. Quit most of them. Read the great ones twice.”
– James Clear
Below are 6 books I recommend from those I finished reading in May.
[See previously recommended books here]
Nonfiction
1. The Great Sex Rescue
The Lies You’ve Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended
by Sheila Wray Gregoire
This book is a fantastic resource on sexuality intimacy in marriages (even though it may cause you to question other popular Christian marriage books we’ve all read). Sheila Gregoire did extensive research and compiled the data here in 13 interesting chapters, plus a valuable appendix about other books, both helpful ones and not helpful.
[My book review here of The Great Sex Rescue]
2. Dwell on These Things
A Thirty-One-Day Challenge to Talk to Yourself Like God Talks to You
by John Stange
I enjoyed this book about taking 31 days to speak God’s truths to yourself. I will re-read it again later with more intention, actually taking the challenge instead of just reading through the book.
[My book review here of Dwell on These Things]
3. Trust
America’s Best Chance
by Pete Buttigieg
Forget politics. This book is about Americans, in general, losing trust in each other and in our institutions. Buttigieg doesn’t necessarily offer solutions, but he sounds an alarm that distrust can be lethal. Rebuilding trust is crucial.
4. Goodbye, Things
The New Japanese Minimalism
by Fumio Sasaki
Although I lean toward minimalism, this book was too extreme for me. However, the general advice seemed valid (even though there are always exceptions). Take it to whatever degree you’d like.
“When you discard something, you gain more than you lose.”
“Let go of someday. Things we don’t need now will probably never be needed.”
“Ask yourself, ‘If I were to somehow lose this, would I want to buy it again at full price?'”
Fiction
5. Home Fire
by Kamila Shamsie
This novel is about three sibling refugees who live in London, and the three very different paths they take as they enter adulthood. It is suspenseful as it takes you down roads you don’t expect to travel.
6. Twenty-one Truths About Love
by Matthew Dicks
I’ve never read a novel written entirely as lists. But it was fun! The plot was easy to follow along as you read the lists written by the main character, Dan, about his job as a failing bookstore owner and his wife who wants to have a baby.
Reading Now
- Storyworthy
Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling
by Matthew Dicks - The Making of Biblical Womanhood
How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth
by Beth Allison Barr - White Awake
An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White
by Daniel Hill - How to Tell Stories to Children
And Everyone Else Too
by Joseph Sarosy - The Influential Mind
What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others
by Tali Sharot
What good book are YOU reading this month? Please share in the comments.
My books on Goodreads
More books I recommend
All the books you’ve mentioned here sound interesting, Lisa, as always. Happy reading!
“Dwell on These Things” sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thanks, Lisa!
These all sound quite interesting, Lisa!
I have often blown through a book only to return to it later for a more leisurely read.
I love the sound of Home Fire!
I’ve read a few books for review that I read straight through though a slower approach was what was intended and I always feel a missed out a little. Check out what I read this month at Girl Who Reads
Added two of these to my tbr. Thank you!
I’m really intrigued by Twenty-One Truths About Love. A book written in lists?? That is definitely unique. Thanks for sharing!
“When you discard something, you gain more than you lose.” I love this! Sasaki and I sound like kindred spirits! 🙂 I have read about the list book too. I think that might be another I add to my list! 😉
Some really interesting books on your list! I’ve already got The Great Sex Rescue on my tbr. Twenty One Truths sounds intriguing – I’m just so curious about how an entire novel could be written as lists.
Visiting from the Monthly Wrap-up, at #8
I am curious about Twenty-One Truths About Love. I adore a good list!
Lauren
I read Goodbye, Things this month too! I also lean toward minimalism and like to pick up a book occasionally to remotivate myself.
Lots of interesting reads on your list.
Have a good June!
It’s funny, but the thought about the cost of replacing things is a reason I keep many of them. Usually it’s something that was a gift or was bought long ago at a much cheaper price, so if I bought it today, I’d have to pay much more. If I think I might remotely us it, I keep it if I have room.
I do tend more toward keeping than discarding. But after a while you do want to lessen clutter and upkeep, and it can feel really good to give unused things to a good home. We have plenty of storage space now, but if we ever needed to downsize, I’d have to make some harder decisions. Plus my husband and I are getting to the age where we don’t want to leave a bunch of things for our children to have to sort through.
Interesting list, thank you for sharing. It’s a shame Buttigieg doesn’t give solutions, though – although I’m more than willing to do the work, someone who’s expert in their field sharing some kind of route to solutions does help things move forward in the right direction.
All of these sound great. I’m looking for a good fiction book right now so Home Fire is about to get a try. Thanks for sharing on #Anything Goes
I also really enjoyed Twenty-One Truths About Love! It was so unique and fun. Happy reading in June!
I haven’t read any of these books – thanks for sharing. I just finished Grown Ups by Marian Keys and absolutely LOVED it! I’m sad it is over haha. #AnythingGoes
I just picked up 21 Truths About Love yesterday!
I really like Pete Buttigieg – I might have to check out his book!
You always have such a great list. I love your honest reviews. I think I will check out Dwell on these things. Thanks Lisa!
I enjoyed Home Fire – it was an easy but interesting read, like a tv show. Good for a holiday….Not heard of the others but you have a broad mix, and that’s always good. #BooknificentThursdays
I also recently read a book that focused on minimalism called Love People, Use Things. It discussed why we over consume and then can’t get rid of things. It inspired me to declutter everyday, both of physical stuff and digital stuff. I also enjoyed the advice about being able to let go of toxic people in my life. I hope your June is going well!
“Twenty-one Truths About Love” sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the recommendation.