Today we’re doing a round up of our relaxing summertime reads (although, of course, the case could be made that these books are excellent in whatever season you choose to enjoy them). Around here, summertime means a relaxing, slower pace in the academic world, but more full tilt into nature (ahem, hot sweaty days). By sundown this mama is exhausted, and I’m finding my reading abilities a little lower than usual.
Before we begin the list, I’d like to mention one thing. The majority of these books are considered classics, and several of them are specifically children’s classics. I’ve enjoyed re-reading the classics (even if I previously enjoyed them during childhood), because the books touch places that weren’t yet formed in my heart as a young child. I’m reading these books as a wife and mama, and the stories just land… differently. Without further ado, here’s our list of summertime reads!
PS. If you’re not currently at the library, be sure to Pin this for later!
Stepping Heavenward
Author: Elizabeth Prentiss
Year Published: 1869
Standalone Novel
Written in the mid-1800s, this wonderful story follows a young girl’s journey with the Lord through several decades of her life. When we first meet her, she’s young, firey, consumed with the things of the world and unsure of her thoughts about spiritual matters. The book follows her through her conversion, marriage, motherhood, and more, and it follows her spiritual sanctification that the Holy Spirit works in (of course) the most unlikely of circumstances. This is one of my favorites, and I’m adding it to my TBR list now that I’m a mother myself.
Note: This book would be an excellent gift to your daughter around her 16th birthday.
The Little house series
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Year Published: 1935
Books in Series: 9
This classic series is a must re-read as a Mama. All the tragedies and triumphs that Ma and Pa experience along the way really put life in perspective for me. If you enjoyed this series, I’ve been enjoying The Rose Years (following the childhood of Rose Wilder, Laura’s daughter), and I’ve had recommended the Caroline Years (following the childhood of Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s mother), the Charlotte Years (following Laura’s grandmother), and the Martha Years (following Laura’s great-grandmother) are wonderful as well.
Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Year Published: 1868
Books in Series: 4
This is such a good book, and I’m also mentally adding it to my TBR list as a type. It also feels extremely Christmas-y to me, for some reason, and I’m questioning adding it to this summer list, ha! Regardless, the book is definitely better than the 1994 movie I grew up with, and I’m eager to read it again to follow Marmee’s perspective now that I’m a mama!
The Anne of Green Gables Series
Author: L. M. Montgomery
Published: 1908
Books in Series: 8
Much like Little Women, I loved the movies when I was a child but never really got into the series. I read the entire series last year (and started over immediately), because they touched me in such a sweet but profound way. Following Anne as she marries and becomes a mother herself was such a treasure, and Rilla of Ingleside was by far a favorite!
All creatures great and small
Author: James Herriot
Year Published: 1972
Books in Series: 4
I listened to the audio version of these as I was up in the night with my baby a few years ago, and they were such a treasure! My husband and I have been watching the PBS Masterpiece show based on these books, and the actor from the show was the reader for the audiobook! If you’re a fan of audiobooks, check out this one on the Hoopla app!
Note: If you’ve not heard of Hoopla or Libby, they are app-based library systems that you can easily check out audiobooks and e-books for FREE using your library card! Talk to your local librarian about it if you’re not already using these amazing resources!
Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Year Published: 1813
Standalone Novel
I just read this book for the first time this summer, and it was wonderful! It took me quite a while to transition to the writing style and vocabulary (the annotated copy I borrowed from the library helped a great deal), but it was well worth the effort. So much better than the movie (I think there’s a theme here, folks!)
At Home in Mitford Series
Author: Jan Karon
Published: 1994
Books in Series: 15
This is one of my mama’s favorite series, and they’re just wholesome and relaxing. The perfect light-hearted summer read.
The Princess and the Goblin
Author: George MacDonald
Published: 1872
Books in Series: 2
I read this gorgeous fairy tale when I was younger, and was blown away by the allegory. It is splendid, and would be great to share with your kiddos if you’re interested in doing summer book club with them.
Marilla of Green Gables
Author: Sarah McCoy
Published: 2018
Standalone Novel
If you enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables series, this is an amazing prequel written by a different author. She did an amazing job writing the backstory to Marilla’s life – I was thoroughly impressed and could not put it down.
Caution/Spoiler – This book contains elements that could be triggers if you’ve experience the death of a baby/child or the loss of a parent.
The Green Ember Series
Author: S.D. Smith
Published: 2014
Books in Series: 4+
We’re getting into some more modern books, but this series is simply wonderful. I was the first to read the series in our house (could not put it down, in fact), and will be sharing them with my kiddos as soon as their old enough!
The Wingfeather Saga
Author: Andrew Peterson
Published: 2008
Books in Series: 4
This book series is much like the above – the author is a believer and singer/songwriter, and I’ve loved his music for decades now (wow, I feel old!) Though it’s not a classic, its a worthwhile addition for the whole family to read. My husband is reading the last book in the series now and cannot put it down!
Note: The first book took me a while to get into. Admittedly, the author said that he was still growing as a writer as he wrote the first. However, the second through fourth books were page-turners that sucked both my husband and I in completely. So if you have a hard time getting into the first, I’d hang in there – it’s worth it!
That’s a wrap! We’d encourage you to pin this to your Pinterest board for future reference, and comment below if there’s any we missed!