Smart Mama Summer 2024 Reading List

May 12, 2024
7 min read

Updated: May 20, 2024

Can you believe it? Summer is already upon us and it has hustled in so quick that I can hardly believe it! I went away for a women's conference with my church the second to last weekend in April - there was still snow on the ground. When I came back the snow had melted and I could see green grass poking through! Now the sun is shining and there is green everywhere! Time and seasons come and go so quickly, it's a wonder we get anything and everything done. With these changing seasons and quickening of time, however, comes a reminder: It's ok to slow down. No. Seriously. Slow down.

As mom's we get into the hustle and bustle. This kid has practice these days a week while this one has them these days. Then there are games to go to. Not to mention all of the appointments! Trust me, I know. With four kids, I feel like I am constantly on the run! But God has really pressed into me to slow down, take a deep breath, and... to read. Yes, you heard that right. Read. Educate yourself too. It's ok for us, as moms, to enjoy the summer too!

So here's to the beginning of something new. I hope the words on this page connect with you in some way and that you'll join me in the education of our minds so we aren't just known as moms to our children, but that they know just how smart we are. It's not just our children that need to be educated, but we do as well.

This reading list is only a recommendation of several topics that you can read. Your education is just that, yours. However, I do encourage you to explore topics that you aren't comfortable with or aren't too big a fan of. This will stretch you and help you grow. This will help you to be one Smart Mama.

The Summer Reading list will go from May - June 2024 and will cover the main topics that our children also cover in school.

Bible Study

I tend to read one Biblical study book per month so here is what I have coming up for these next few months. (These are also books that I read with my church's book club.)

For April, I had read In His Image by Jen Wilkin, which is about how we are to reflect God's image, and it was superb! So I figured for May I would follow it up with None Like Him, which is all about the attributes of God. Besides, who could ignore how beautiful that cover is!

Following this, for June I will be reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. I adore Max Lucado's writings, ever since I was a little girl. As moms, we carry heavy burdens, intended or not, and this book is all about releasing the ones we were never supposed to bear. I cannot wait to dive in!

And last, but certainly not least, I will be reading Fervent by Priscilla Shirer for the month of July. The War Room spoke volumes to me when I saw it and I cannot wait to read this book. This book is all about battling in prayer, and boy do we need that, mamas! From kids to our nation, we should be on our knees and contending before the Lord.

Side Note: If you have NOT seen The War Room yet, I highly encourage you to get on your favorite streaming place to watch it right now! It will encourage you, stretch you, convict you, and get you fired up for prayer!

Citizenship & Self-Growth

Ok, full stop. What is citizenship?! This is a term I came across while researching the Charlotte Mason Method of homeschool. Simply defined, it means a literary "feast" as well as practical guides to encourage good character. I love it! So let's grow our character, mamas, and show our kids and those around us who God is!

The first book I plan on reading for this category is Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst. A few friends from church have been recommending her books and I could not wait to get my hands on one. (This one is currently available through Kindle Unlimited at the time of this posting.) We all face rejection at some point in our lives and it makes an impact on us. So what do we do? This is the topic of this book and I cannot wait to finish!

Next up on the list is So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport. This one really stood out to me when searching for a good book to read this summer about finding passion where you are. While some homemakers (like me) don't work a "job" as defined by society, we are definitely working by raising our adorable children. I truly believe this book will speak to those working and non-working mamas alike.

Economics, Politics, and Government

I'll be 100% honest with you, this is my least favorite subject. I avoid all things economics, politics, and government. I don't understand why people get all hyped about them and I don't understand the tensions invoked by them. That being said, we are here to stretch ourselves, myself included!

Next up, Common Sense by Thomas Paine. While we are on the topic of governments, why not start at the beginning? Thomas Paine's famous writings are all about the origin of government and were the push that led our forefathers to fight for their independence from Britain. It's good to go back in time to figure out where we started.

Education

As a homeschooling parent, I love to read about other educational standpoints. Classical homeschooling has stood out a lot to me and I dream of being able to incorporate some of the ideals into my teaching. For now, I will read about those from afar and how they are figuring it out. Redeeming the Six Arts by Brent Pinkall is about how Chinese Christians want to use this method, but they don't know how.

Health & Physiology

I actually have two books for this one. One I have already read and one I will read at some point this summer.

My functional doctor actually demanded I read this one. (Ok, not demanded. But heavily recommended.) Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz is a book all about how, as women, there is a right way and a wrong way to fast. This book is seriously so good! I highly recommend it for not only fasting but also just the information on womanly cycles!

Your Teenager is not Crazy by Dr. Jeramy Clark and Jerusha Clark

I have two teenagers at home (pray for me) so this book stood out a lot to me while looking for a good book on the teenage brain. Your Teenager Is Not Crazy by Dr. Jeramy Clark and Jerusha Clark is all about how God made our brains and how to be a good parent to your not-so-crazy teenager while also maintaining a good relationship with them so they don't "hate you" for the rest of their lives.

Historical Non-Fiction & Biographies

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

My youngest and I are going to be studying all things Midwest and early America this summer so I figured I would do some reading myself. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown focuses on the horrific end of the story - the slaughter, betrayals, and battles of the Indians of the Midwest. I can imagine this will be a hard read but their stories are so, so important for us to learn.

Logic & Math

Before you run away and never look back at this blog again, please know that you are here for knowledge and so am I! I abhor math. I really do. Logic - not my strongest suit either. But in order for us to teach our children to think logically and understand this math thing we are teaching them, we should understand it too and we should be able to think logically. So let's dive in like brave mama bears!

This book could also fall under the self-growth category, but How to Speak How to Listen by Mortimer J. Adler encourages us through this book on how to communicate well - both in speech and in listening - to do both you must be logical.

Classical Literature

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

I have always loved The Phantom of the Opera movie but I have never read the book, so this summer for my classical literature I plan on diving headfirst into this twisted love story and tragedy. (Side note: I did not realize how twisted it is until I became an adult.)

Nature & Science

The Natural Navigator by Tristan Gooley sounded intriguing to me as I would like to be more adventurous but I always worry about my natural surroundings. I'll admit, I'm not a woodswoman in the least but I love nature and want to be more comfortable in the outdoors. So I look forward to the first book in this series.

Theology

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is all about how this amazing man of faith found time to meet with God anywhere and everywhere. This book will be an encouragement, and a challenge, to us busy mamas to remember that God is there, everywhere, with us. All we have to do is tune in.

Worldview & Apologetics

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel has been on my want-to-read list for quite some time now. Written by a journalist, this book dives into what valuable evidence is out there that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. This often comes into question and we need to teach our kids not only our faith but the why behind our faith so that they can defend it when the time comes and stand firm.

All educational stuff aside, let's get into some fun books! Here is a list of just some of the "easier reading" books I plan to read this summer:

As summer is here and a new season has begun, download these free gorgeous reading trackers to keep you motivated all summer long in your reading goals!