Summer Reading List

Hey girls!
Here's a great start to your summer reading list, if you'd like to read some hip books that will lift you up in your faith and help you apply it to your everyday interactions. I've included many different genres and styles, and all books have been read and recommended by myself and many of my friends. :) Enjoy!

Revolve Devotional Bible

Of course, the Bible should be at the top of your reading list! I love this Bible (and many of my friends have the same one) because it's cute, it has commentary inside, and it has a great index where you can look up relevant topics. If you're in the market for a new Bible, I highly recommend it!

Just Ask by Melody Carlson

Fiction (series, book 1)

Kim, a teenager adopted from Korea, tries amidst tragedy to write an advice column for her school newspaper--while holding her own life and relationships together. Captivating and thought-provoking.
If you enjoyed this book, try John 3:16 by Nancy Moser.

More Beautiful You by Gwendolyn Diaz

Non-fiction (devotional)

Based off the song by Johnny Diaz, More Beautiful You looks through what the Bible says about worth, weight, popularity, appearance, boyfriends, and more. Written in a casual conversational style, with places for journaling and recommendations for further Bible passages to read.
If you enjoyed this book, try God Called a Girl: How Mary Changed Her World--And You Can Too by Shannon Primicerio.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Non-fiction (autobiography)

Corrie ten Boom's well-known story of surviving a World War II German concentration camp is grippingly told in this autobiography. Packed with Corrie's insights into living out a Christian faith in hard situations.
If you enjoyed this book, try Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

For Young Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice

Non-fiction (advice)

The pages of this book are bursting with facts from an eye-opening survey conducted by the authors. The survey, which went in-depth with guys on a number of topics (including modesty, purity, dating, and others), can be summed up in one question: what are guys really thinking?
If you enjoyed this book, try For Young Men Only: A Guy's Guide to the Alien Gender by Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice. (no, really--it's just as eye-opening!)

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
Non-fiction (advice)

Joshua Harris looks at the modern dating game, showing how it causes more broken hearts than happily-ever-afters. But don't worry, you don't have to become a nun--dating, when done right, can be both God-honoring and fun.

If you enjoyed this book, try Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship by Joshua Harris.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Fiction (historical romance)

One of Jane Austen's lesser-known novels, Persuasion is a short but moving book demonstrating the importance of staying true to yourself in the midst of tumultuous relationships and...dare we say it....cute guys.

If you enjoyed this book, try Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

Those are my favorites. What are yours?

Women or Wimps?

Today, I read Susan Brownmiller's essay Femininity in 100 Great Essays (edited by Robert Diyanni).
I'd like to point out a few of the points at which I believe she is incorrect (note that our definitions of femininity are different):

• False belief: Feminine women are not career-minded.
• Correction: Feminine women can be career-minded. I'm very thankful for all the female scientists, doctors, professors, authors, businesswomen, CEOs...it's possible for women to be in positions of leadership in the business and academic world without losing their femininity.
• False belief: Feminine women are men-worshipers and men-catchers
• Correction: Femininity has nothing to do with man-worshiping. It has more to do with worshiping God and the roles and desires He places in our hearts. One can be feminine, pure, and happily single.
• False belief: Feminine women are weak and sentimental.
• Correction: Weakness and sentimentality has nothing to do with feminism. If you're weak and sentimental, that's your problem. We should find our stability in Jesus, regardless of our views on feminism. Weakness and sentimentality is never the answer.

Being feminine is dressing like a lady and acting in a polite manner. Yes, femininity includes letting men initiate discussions, relationships, and not volunteering to lead a group if a man is available to volunteer (this is in casual settings, not so much in business settings). This is practicing Biblical male leadership - NOT TO BE MISTAKEN FOR MALE SUPERIORITY, which is not Biblical! I cannot stress that enough: leaders are equal with followers. In fact, without leaders there would be no followers, and without followers there would be no leaders. Simply because women should not lead in some situations does not mean they are inferior to men. It takes a certain strength to lead, and it takes another kind of strength to follow.

Questions for discussion:

• What is your definition of feminism? How do you feel about the three points presented above? Do you have a different opinion?
  
• What are your views on male/female leadership? In what situations is it appropriate for a woman to lead? In what situations is it appropriate for her to follow? When should a woman sit back and wait for a man to lead, even if he is not initiating?