Each week I share books I’m reading for my Read 100 Challenge, as well as podcasts I’m listening to and links I love from around the blogosphere. I love to get recommendations, so please let me know what you are reading!
I really can’t believe that this is the 25th installment of this feature! When I began The Orthodox Mama six months ago, I had no idea where it would take me. You can read more about it in Why I Started a Blog. Thanks for coming along with me!
Books I’m Reading
You’ve Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams by Elizabeth Sims
Sims starts the book with a huge assertion: Writing a book can be stress-free and fun. Sims, a successful published mystery writer, guides aspiring writers through a series of steps, exercises, and examples to back up that claim. My biggest takeaways are:
1. Stormwriting–a variation on brainstorming. Free write and let each idea take it wherever it wants. Ask “What if” and “Yes, and” to keep the ideas going.
2. Writing With the Masters–copy out passages or chapters from great writers. Do this by hand so that you take time to see what they are doing and how they are doing it.
Bread and Wine: a Love Letter to Life Around the Table by Shauna Niequist
I am only beginning this book, which was highly recommended by several bloggers whom I trust. The subtitle sums it up nicely–life around the table. A mixture of essay, recipe, faith, and memoir.
What I’m Listening To
Make Over Your Mornings Course by Crystal Paine
I thought that I had a pretty good handle on my mornings, but I have learned so much from this course already–and I’m only on Day 12 of 14. If you want to start your day with purpose (which doesn’t mean just getting up super early and beginning the to-do list!), I highly recommend it! You can even download the first day for free and see if you want to purchase the entire course.
Links I Love
Faith
Christians Around the World Jo at Let’s Have a Chat has a powerful article about the state of Christians in other parts of the world. A helpful tool as you pray for the persecuted Church.
7 Characteristics of Orthodox Christian Spirituality The Antiochian Orthodox Church has a great list of the important characteristics of Orthodox spirituality.
Family
Fall Slow Cooker Dinners Are you looking for some easy dinners to make now that school is back in session? Take a look at these crock pot meals for fall from 24 Cottonwood Lane.
Guide to Start Teaching Your Baby Sign Language We taught each of our children a bit of sign language and loved it. Raising Seraphim has some tips for getting you started.
Frugal Living
A Budget Lovers Menu Method I was so excited this week to find another Orthodox mom blog–The Enduring Home! Take a look at her great ideas for meal planning on a budget.
One Chicken Three Meals Setting My Intention has a helpful post about using a whole chicken for 3 separate meals.
This Week on The Orthodox Mama
7 Things I Rarely Spend Money On
Earning Gift Cards Through Swagbucks
How to Encourage That Young Mother in Church
What are you reading this week?
(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.)
Hi Sarah!
I am loving your blog – so much fun to find another “Orthodox Mom Blog.” It is so uplifting to read about how you live out the Faith and encourage others.
Thanks for mentioning me this week – so sweet of you! 🙂
~Karina
You’re very welcome!
Few Eggs and No Oranges by Vere Hodgson — This is the diary of a young woman who lived in London during the Blitz. Very interesting.
Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash — just finished it. Way too long!
A Full Life by Jimmy Carter (Audio) — Very interesting.
A Pattern of Lies by Charles Todd — Haven’t started this one yet.
I haven’t read any of these yet. Did you watch the PBS documentary on the Roosevelts last winter? So interesting.
I loved Bread and Wine! I actually probably should read it again because it’s been a couple years now! I just finished a fascinating new book on Luther and Kitty by Jody Hedlund and loved it! It’s hard to decide what I’ll follow that up with…
Sounds like fun! Have you read Dear Mr. Knightley? That’s up soon on my list.