Mother Culture is about the cultivation of a mother’s mind and spirit through the habit of reading. Every summer I try to have at least 4 or 5 books that I’m working through. I love summer reading in the early morning daylight and also outside on the porch swing with an iced drink while the kids play. It is such a satisfying time of year because I feel like there’s a bit more time to deep dive into my reading and nourish my heart and mind. It’s my absolute favorite season. Here’s my Mother Culture Summer Reading List for 2024.
Devotional
In addition to my daily Bible reading, I’ve been trying to read a daily prayer from The Valley of Vision. It is a collection of Puritan prayers and they are just beautiful. They are not terribly long, so sometimes I’ll even read two.
Mystery novel
This summer I am continuing with the tradition I’ve had for the last few years of reading a Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane mystery novel by Dorothy Sayers. This time it’s Clouds of Witness. Maybe it’s a little misleading to say that I’m reading it because, in reality, this is one I’m listening to on audio. And I have to confess, I’ve never sat down with a hard copy, I’ve only ever listened to this series! But there is a very good reason for this and his name is Ian Carmichael. His reading is superb. His voicing for characters brings each one to life. I don’t think I would love Lord Peter and Harriet Vane as much as I do were it not for Ian Carmichael.
Homemaking
I am wrapping up the latest from Mystie Winckler, Simplified Organization, and am loving it, of course! Mystie has such a gift for getting to the heart of the matter. This is far more than just a how-to organizational book. It is full of both practical wisdom and encouragement for us homemakers who struggle with perfectionism. As Mystie says, it’s more a matter of us being able to organize our attitude about the work in front of us more than anything else.
Parenting
I am also nearly finished with Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle. I usually try to fit in at least one parenting book throughout the year and this one has been a total gem. I’ve ready plenty of books on raising boys (I have 6 of ’em, after all) and this is one is by far one of the best I’ve read. It was written over 100 years ago (I think it was originally published in 1886?) but Ryle touches on so many important points that modern parents of boys would benefit from. His advice has stood the test of time. I’ll be revisiting this one regularly over the coming decade as my boys grow.
Motherhood
I decided to get myself a little summer reading treat and bought the latest from Cindy Rollins, Beyond Mere Motherhood. And it has fit the bill for being the inspirational read that I long for during our summer school break. I usually try to read some kind of homeschool book over the summer for encouragement in the upcoming school year. It’s not even necessarily written just for homeschool moms. It’s encouragement for all mothers who want to grow in their spiritual, intellectual, and reading life, and beyond. I am reading this one slowly so that I can soak up all the goodness in each chapter.
Biography
I have been making progress in a four volume biography of Robert E. Lee by Douglas Southall Freeman and recently started volume three. I was gifted this set years ago as an addition for my antique book collection. I don’t think it’s a first edition, but it’s older (and it’s beautiful) and was published in 1942. Freeman was a gifted writer and thorough historian. This has been a page-turner for me!
What books have you read that have refreshed your heart this summer? Anything I should add to my list for next summer?
Want to know how to make more progress through your own reading list?
If you’d like to know how to get through that stack of books you’ve been wanting to read, I can help! I’ve written about how to read more as a busy mom and I hope it will be an encouragement to you as you work your way through your own Mother Culture reading list!
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