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Summer’s heating up: Check out our Family Summer Reading List 2021

One of our favorite ways to relax during the hot days of summer is to read. Our family of five likes to read in all different genres. Sometimes we read books out loud together and sometimes we read solo by the pool, in our bedrooms, on the airplane, or any place. The beauty of reading is that even if you can’t go on some exotic vacation or you only have 30 minutes to spare, you can enter into a different world through books!

Zayla’s picks:

  1. Mindy Kim and the Trip to Korea (chapter book) by Lyla Lee and illustrated by Dung Ho.

My girl has been eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the Mindy Kim series. (She ordered it with her own money months ago.) Zayla has loved learning about Korean culture and going on adventures with Mindy Kim.

2. Any Day with You (middle grade) by Mae Respicio

Kaia and her family live near the beach in California, where the fun of moviemaking is all around them. Kaia loves playing with makeup and creating special effects, turning her friends into merfolk and other magical creatures. Zayla and I were both interested in this book because the author is Filipino-American and incorporates so many cultural details in the telling of this story.

Giada’s picks:

3. Halfway to Harmony (middle grade) by Barbara O’Connor.

Walter Tipple is looking for adventure. The book unfolds the details of his summer of taking chances, becoming braver, and making friends. This one caught Giada’s eye because the main character seems to be working through his grief.

4. Path to Stars (middle grade memoir) by Sylvia Acevedo

Giada loves biographies and said she was attracted to this book because it’s about a girl scout who became a rocket scientist. This book is actually a memoir by a Latina author who endures much loss but eventually goes on to work for NASA. Perfect for my girl who loves all things space!

Meilani’s picks:

5. Rule of Wolves (YA fantasy) by Leigh Bardugo

This book Meilani chose this novel, which is part of a larger series that she loves called the Grishaverse. The place to begin is the Shadow & Bone trilogy. Meilani says these books are the perfect combination of mystery, adventure, romance, and fantasy in these books.

6. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (YA fantasy) by Rick Riordan

In book 5 of the series, the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing that the odds of victory are grim. Again, you might want to start with book one in the series. My girl says this one is appealing because it’s packed with adventure and you don’t want to put it down.

Shawn’s picks:

7. Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and Its Culture of Deception (non-fiction) by Matt Hart

This is a behind-the-scenes look at the Nike Oregon Project and coach Alberto Salazar. Shawn was interested in this one because it’s a running scandal. Who wouldn’t be interested?!

8. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (memoir) by Haruki Murakami

This book is about the intersection of writing and running. While training for the New York City Marathon, Murakami decided to keep a journal of his progress. Shawn says this was appealing because it gives a little more of a philosophical view of running. (We quoted Murakami in our Walk Run Soar book published in September 2020.

Dorina’s picks:

9. Growing Slow (non-fiction) by Jennifer Dukes Lee

I’m a few chapters in and this book is helping me enter a simpler way of living by unhurrying my heart, embracing the relaxed rhythms of nature, and discovering the meaningful gift of growing slow. We long to make a break from the fast pace of life, but if we’re honest, we’re afraid of what we’ll miss if we do. I’m taking this book on my vacation and reading it slow so I can marinate on all the words. I especially like the space for writing reflections at the end of each chapter.

10. Becoming All Things (non-fiction) by Michelle Reyes

Many of us want to have diverse friends and are passionate about justice. But if we are serious about cross-cultural relationships, we need to be willing to change. This book gives us stories and practical ways we can become all things to all people as 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 talks about in the Bible. I actually read this book when it came out this Spring, but I’m reading through it again more slowly with a friend so we can discuss it.

What are you reading this summer? Leave us a comment and share about the books on your list or a favorite you’ve already finished!

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June 12, 2021 Categories: Book Reviews, General

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  1. Sarah says

    July 13, 2021 at 6:53 am

    I think the book “ What I talk about when I am Running” sounds interesting and full of wisdom. I am reading “Circling the Sun” by Paula McClain – which is about Beryl Markham, the pilot, who lived in Kenya.

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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Recent Posts

  • Life’s storms reveal our roots April 24, 2023
  • Mind the Gap: How God meets us when we are not enough April 24, 2023
  • An unexpected adoption: You are loved as God’s daughter February 15, 2023
  • Top 10 Books I Read in 2022 January 29, 2023
  • We Can Bear Witness to the Glory of God in Each Other December 21, 2022

Popular Posts

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  • My refuge: Resting under the shadow of His wings
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After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.

We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.

Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven.

My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.

I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.

Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/

#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter

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Jun 7

Open
After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.
We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.
Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven. 
My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.
I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.
Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/
#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter
104 13

☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day!

In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves!

@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee!

🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?!

#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie

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Jun 7

Open
☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day! 
In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves! 
@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee! 
🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?! 
#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie
88 4

Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special!

What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites!

And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers

View

Jun 4

Open
Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special! 
What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites! 
And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers
38 6

Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God`s glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.

Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week`s edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you`re there so you don`t miss a thing.

In this week`s Glorygram, I`m sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don`t miss it!

#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions

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Jun 3

Open
Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God's glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.
Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week's edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you're there so you don't miss a thing.
In this week's Glorygram, I'm sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don't miss it!
#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions
24 7

Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!

-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?

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Jun 2

Open
Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!
-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?
22 2
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