Together on the Journey:
A Weekly Blog
Reading is one of my favourite pastimes. But lately, after becoming a mom, it’s been harder and harder to fit in, so I’ve learned to accept reading in small portions. I read for 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there. The Libby app has been a great gift to me because it allows me to carry a book around with me on my phone so I have access to one at all times (all you need is a Toronto Public Library card!). In fact, if you ever see me peering over my phone, I’m much more likely to be reading than looking at anything else. I removed social media from my phone way back in January and this small change has made it easier to spend more time reading.
And even though I am grateful for reading in small portions, one of my favourite parts of vacation is having longer stretches to read. Being able to sit down for a whole hour with a book is a rare occurrence for me. So since I am planning on being on vacation in July, I’ve started to think about what books I want to dive into.
And that got me thinking that others may also be thinking about what they’d like to read over the summer, so I thought it might be fun to recommend a few good ones I’ve read before. I tend to read more non-fiction than fiction, so this list reflect that, but if you’re looking for a good book, I can vouch for these ones:
1. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver. This is a wonderful collection of poems that highlights the intersection of faith and nature. I’ve referenced these poems in this blog, at Church in the Park, and sometimes in my sermons (including my sermon for this Sunday’s outdoor service).
2. Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations by Richard Wagamese. An excellent collection of wisdom, which made my breath catch in my throat more than once.
3. Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community by Rev. Maggie Helwig. An incredibly well-written book by the priest at St. Stephen’s-in-the-Fields, Kensington Market detailing an encampment that sprung up next to the church. A heavy, but also a joyful read. She does an amazing job of holding stories.
4. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. The story of a journalist who leaves the city and moves to rural England during the pandemic. In her new life she comes across an orphaned leveret, and as she cares for the creature, she discovers something beautiful.
5. All The Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert. From the author of Eat, Pray, Love comes a story that is completely different. In this story of death and dying that is both uplifting and incredibly tragic, I somehow ended up feeling hopeful. Not an easy read, but I found I couldn’t put it down.
And if you’re looking for a group to read with, you are still welcome to join our summer book study for the month of August! We will be reading A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans (I promise this book is for everyone!). We still have a few copies available, and you can have a look at our e-news for more information. Happy Summer reading everyone!
– Jess