I like to have a book or two or three that I am reading and can pick up and read a chapter or two or three when I get a chance. Sometimes in the afternoon or early evening or at bedtime. Sometimes when I’m tired and just want to sit down. Sometimes when I have stuff that I could do, but I am not in the mood. Which reminds me of this post that I recently skimmed and then read more closely. I can definitely relate to it.
Here are some of the books that I’ve read this year.
I enjoyed this book and some of the frugal ideas it contained. Reading about finances always motivates me to crunch my numbers and keep at it! That’s part of the reason I like to read. No matter the subject, I am inspired to do better, be better, or try harder.
This is a true story and a must read. I mentioned this book in this post. I was blessed by this book and I can’t quite imagine going through some of the situations the authors have. Glory to God for His work in them! You can read Lynette’s blog here.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
I thought this book had some really interesting insights and points on why some relationships work and some don’t. I liked this from the book: “At the heart of my program is the simple truth that happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company.” I liked it because I can see the truth of it. I know marriages that reflect this and sadly, some that don’t.
I have long heard of this book, but had never read it. Recently one of the ladies at my Bible study talked about this book. She said she had read this book and worked through the workbook for it quite a few years ago. She saved her books and through the years she has gone through them again and again. She inspired me to finally get this book and read it. I definitely recommend it!
I am about halfway through this book and I am enjoying it immensely. I will say it again-I am motivated by what I read! The author talks about getting rid of more than just physical clutter in our lives, but also clutter in our thoughts, mind, and spirits.
Have you heard of Paperback Swap? I learned about it from Money Saving Mom’s blog and I love it.
Here’s how it works:
Go sign up for an account. List ten books that you want to swap (a.k.a. get rid of). You will receive 2 book credits for the first ten books you list. When someone requests a book on your list you pay to mail it to them and you receive a credit. When you find a book you want to request, you use one of your book credits and the owner will mail it to you and pay the postage. Easy-peasy! You also can buy credits, if you don’t have books to swap or don’t want to mess with mailing them.
It works really well to make a wishlist of books you would like to have. Then when one becomes available they send you an e-mail. When I come across a title I want to read or know I would like to own, I go add it to my wishlist. I have found that newer books can have quite a waiting list, while older books sometimes, are readily available.
Paperback Swap’s site is pretty easy to learn to navigate, I think! They have a very good Help section to answer questions and help you out when you are a new member! You can put conditions on the books you request. For example, I have a condition that I want books from non-smoking homes only. If the book being offered doesn’t meet the conditions, the person offering simply turns down my request by clicking that the book does not meet the requester’s conditions.
They also have two sister sites,
Swap-a-DVD

I signed up for both of these as well, but I haven’t used them nearly as much as I have Paperback Swap. I definitely had more books to swap than I did cd’s or dvd’s.
I have requested and received several nice books using Paperback Swap! I really like it and it saves money! The Power of a Praying Wife was one of my requested books, as well as The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work.
If you click through my links to any of these sites and sign up for and become an active member, I will receive one credit for referring you. I wouldn’t mind getting free credits, but I really do just like Paperback Swap!
Tell me about a favorite book, you’ve recently read! Then I can add it to my Paperback Swap wishlist! 🙂
If you are a reader, you would enjoy popping over to The Modern Mrs. Darcy’s blog. She often talks about books she has read and would recommend. Happy second week of July!
I am linking up over at The Modest Mom today!

*some of the links in this post are my affiliates and I will earn a commission if you purchase through them

I’m always on the scout for new reccomendations–thanks!
Carolyn recently posted…Summer Lunch Program >> Macaroni & Cheese
I know! I am too! Money Saving Mom has a board on Pinterest of books she’s read and one of books she wants to read. I like checking them out. She has a lot of the same taste in books that I do.
Oh I am so happy! I haven’t read any of these books YET-ha! except The Power of a Praying Wife. That book is excellent and I highly recommend it, as well. I love Power of a Praying Woman and Power of a Praying Parent. I took her list of areas to pray for my husband and children and made each of them into a bookmark that I could put in my Bible, so it would be easy to keep praying for them in those specific areas after I read the book. I love to read and have some of my personal favorites on my blog if you are interested (and I like to write about them 🙂
Blessings, Kathy
Oooo, I love the idea of making a bookmark! We’ll see if I get it done…
Thanks, Deborah! I haven’t heard of the
“Paperback Swap” so am delighted to learn of it! I have been sorting books so this timing is perfect! I just recently read
He Heard Hannah & really liked it, also! To God be the Glory…great things He has done!!
Paperback Swap has been really great for me! I can want to procrastinate sometimes on getting the books wrapped and mailed, but it really DOES NOT take that much time when I just get at it! I also like knowing that someone else can get some use out of a book I no longer need or want!
“From Clutter to Clarity” looks like something I would like – it’s not available at my library but I’m going to add it to my request list on Paperbackswap. I love that site, although I have gotten rid of many more books than I’ve received – which is fine by me. I haven’t tried the DVD one – we have a bunch I’ve been convicted to toss and some the boys have outgrown.
I do a lot of reviews for publishers and have a stack 2 feet high of books waiting to be read. Right now I’m reading “A Life that Says Welcome” by Karen Ehman. It’s an old one that I’ve read before but am reading again. Also reading “Travelers Rest” by Ann Tatlock (fiction, for review, it’s pretty good but I’m more of a historical fiction reader than current) and “Passages” by Brian Harden (“meh” so far).
Next on my stack is one I’m excited about called “Cleaning House” by Kay Wills Wyma – about ridding your house of youth entitlement :o)
Mrs. K recently posted…Could You Survive on $1.25 a Day?
Does your library do inter-library loan? Ours does and will get books for me from another library when they don’t have them! They can’t always get them, but I have three right now that I requested!
I would like to have One Thousand Gifts just to leave laying on my coffe table:) I am reading ‘The Harbinger’ right now and though technically a novel it is a must read for any Christian. The author takes the fall of Israel and compares it to what the US is going through – rather scary really. But exciting too – seeing God shaping things up for the big finale!
Jill Flory recently posted…Transformation of a Stairway
Sounds like a very interesting book!
And yes, One Thousand Gifts is so pretty! I like pretty books!
Oh, I’m interested in Clutter to Clarity, now that you’ve mentioned it! Thanks for the recommendation.
Recently I blew threw The Likeness, a great mystery by Tana French. (There is TONS of language, but it’s not graphic even though the plot revolves around a murder.) And I loved Molly Wizenburg’s memoir A Homemade Life, which was sweet and fun and touching and made me want to eat a French croissant, stat.
Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy recently posted…The Checklist You Need to Have
I like books that are real enough to make you want the food or want to jump into the story and visit their home!
I’ve read several of Stormie Omartian’s books and pray from them daily!
Beth (A Mom’s Life) recently posted…Highlights From Cape Cod
After I finished The Power of a Praying Wife, I requested The Power of a Praying Parent from Paperback Swap. I haven’t read it yet. I really like the Scriptures and prayers they contain!