Summer reading

We used to join with two other families of teens for a summer reading project. The adults would choose three books, one for each month of the summer. At the end of each month we'd gather at one of our houses, or a park, or maybe even an ice cream establishment, to discuss that month's book together. Great conversations would come from these times, and the teens were challenged in their Christian faith. But in the past few years, as the kids have grown, we've found it more and more difficult to coordinate the summer schedules of three families and the reading project went by the wayside.  Not willing to completely let it die, however, I came up with a plan for our family to continue the project.

Since other parents of teens were often interested in our summer project and used to ask what books we were reading, I thought I would put this information on the blog for you to use. Tailor it to fit your family's needs and interests. I tried to include books on a variety of topics, and at different reading levels (to include the 12 year old as well as the teens and maybe even some of the college students). I also just chose books that I have already read and which were on our bookshelves. They can take turns with the books and share them as necessary. Most of all, have fun together as you talk about and explore Christianity.

This is the information that was given to our children in preparation for this summer. One has ambitiously started already. And if anyone local wants to join us, and any of the dates suit, we'd love to expand our reading/discussion circle!

Summer Reading Project

We are going to do our summer reading project is a little different this year. Below you will find a list of books. Each month, you may read a different book. If you do so, we have a date scheduled to take you out to eat to discuss the book. This is completely voluntary so if you are the only person who reads a book, Mom and Dad will take you out alone. If 4 of you read the book, then we will take all four of you out to dinner. If none of you read a book, Mom and Dad will get a date night. The only other requirement is that you take one page of notes (in a journal or on a piece of notebook paper) while you read and that you bring these notes along with you. (NOTE: A page equals a page or more. A page does not equal just a few sentences. Period.) If you have already read one or more books on the list, please be honest and choose books you have not yet read.

Still confused? Just start reading. If you finish a book (with a page of notes) by June 30, you can go out to dinner. Then start reading a new book from the list and if you finish by July 29, you can go out to dinner. Then start reading a new book from the list and if you finish by Aug. 24, you can go out to dinner. If, for example, you start a book in June but don’t finish until Aug., then you can join us for dinner in Aug. (but not in June or July). Got it?

Deadlines/Dinner dates

June 30

July 29

Aug. 24

Book List

Unoffendable by Brant Hansen

Epic by John Eldredge

Fight by Craig Groeschel

Enjoy the Silence by Robbins and Robbins

Compelled by Love by Heidi Baker

But Don’t All Religions Lead to God? By Michael Green

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

Coals of Fire by Elizabeth Bauman

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Crazy Love by Francis Chan