Summer: Rest, Relax and Read?
July… summertime, summer holidays and maybe, for many of us, summer reading. What’s on your list this summer? What will get packed in your bag for the beach? Here Sammy shares her summer reading plans… some of which might surprise you!
Firstly, I have a confession to make… I’m actually not much of a reader. I remember reading lots growing up… including with a torch under a blanket! And I do have a degree from Oxford and learned why they talk about ‘reading’ for a degree; Oh boy did I have to read! I’ve been a teacher, a lecturer and a trainer. I can read if there’s a purpose, if I’ve got to write something or deliver a talk; but I’m not a reader for pleasure. As an adult, I’ve realised I’m autistic which probably explains my conflict with reading. As an autistic person I find it hard to create a picture of what I read in my mind, so what I read needs to really engage me.
Another confession, I might struggle to read but do really I like the idea of reading. Lots of books will tempt me, (I’ll even buy them!) but amidst all the juggling of a busy life, sitting down to read them doesn’t seem to reach the top of my priority list. So, for me, the summer is the time when I look at my ever-groaning bookshelves and see what I should rescue and actually read!
 A final confession…
Growing up I loved history and Cinderella was my favourite fairy tale. I loved looking at the dresses and would have loved to have lived in the age of the crinoline and ballgown! I’m a very visual person so when I relax, instead of picking up a book, I like to watch something. Period dramas are top of my list, including Bridgerton. There I’ve said it. Maybe some of you are horrified because of the s**. But I love how beautiful it is, the use of colour, the amazing dresses and yes, I’m a sucker for a bit of romance. Of course, being a community evangelist, it does help to know what my friends and neighbours are talking about. Having watched the series on tv I’m very tempted to add a Bridgerton book or two to my summer reading list. I find it much easier to read something if I’ve watched the film and can picture it in my head. (And this is the perfect moment to give a shout out to audio books too!)
So, what else is on my summer reading list this year? What am I rescuing from my bookshelf and what else has caught my attention?
Alongside my work for Hope Together I’m a pioneer community evangelist on a new estate on the south coast of England. I’ve had the book, ‘Beyond the Local Church’ by Sam Metcalfe on my shelf for probably at least 2 years; but I’ve decided now is the time to read it. I’ve also loved and devoured Justin Brierley’s ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’ podcast; but again, the book has been sat on my shelf since last autumn. Not anymore, this summer I’m going to be packing it in my holiday bag!
How about you? What will you be reading this summer? Here at Hope we can help you with your summer reading too!
 If you want something short that encourages you to talk to your non-Christian friends about Jesus then why not read the Talking Jesus Report. Shop : Talking Jesus Report (hopetogether.org.uk)
 If you want to go deeper and help people navigate a need and reason for faith, then why not read our ALIVE book which explores encounters with the risen Jesus.
Shop : ALIVE (hopetogether.org.uk)
 We live in turbulent times where wellbeing has become a watchword. So, if a holistic approach to wellbeing would make for fruitful summer reading, then you might want to dig into our Wellbeing Journey booklet. It’s only very short so why not read it and then pass it onto a non-Christian neighbour or friend. For something that digs a bit deeper you might want to read Dave Smith’s book, ‘God’s Plan For Your Wellbeing’.
 And while you’re thinking about recommending books to others, I have a friend who is exploring faith who can’t get enough of the Bible. He devoured Mark and Luke! The good news is that Hope produces beautiful versions of Mark and Luke with illustrations and lots of white space to make them more accessible and…they come in audio book form too! Find out more here:
Shop (hopetogether.org.uk) (Mark) and
Shop (hopetogether.org.uk) (Luke)
 Finally, and especially for families our Happyland God’s Big Series of books caters for younger children. Each book tells a Bible story, through the lens of the big story of the Bible using Happyland children’s toys. Our newest book in the range, ‘Lost and Found’ is available and explores the stories of the lost coin, lost sheep and lost son. Each book comes with a free animation, action song as well as toddler group and all age church resources. So, lots to keep little people entertained. Hope Together : God's Big Story Resources
Whatever, wherever and however you read; may the summer be a time of rest and restoration for you ready for the autumn term and harvest ahead.
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