Book List For Summer

If you're like me, you absolutely love to read. Since I'm an English Major, reading is second nature to me because I always have to read books for class or for research. However, there's a big difference between reading for class and reading for fun.

This summer, I've made a list of books I want to read (or reread) to give me both new ideas and refresh my mind of books I've already read. I'm always looking for something new to delve into, and always looking for ideas for my books.

My birthday passed recently (I'm 21 y'all, I'm finally considered an adult), and I got some new books from my brother that I am super excited to dig into. The books are about film-making and storytelling, which is something I consider very valuable. One is called Making Movies, and the other Cinematic Storytelling. Both sound fascinating and will provide me with information and knowledge I don't currently have, and it will help tremendously for my future.

While those two books are more research-based for my books and - hopefully - future movies, I also will be reading books that will be digging at my heart and aimed at making me a better Christian and a better person in general. The books Lies Women Believe and If Only You Knew are both targeted for women, obviously, and as I read them, my heart is pricked and I get to challenge myself with truth and who I am. They are already very interesting books I'm enjoying, and I hope to finish them soon.

So I've covered my research, my soul-searching, and now...what else?

Now for some books I read just for fun. I began a book in December called Throne of Glass which I regrettably have not finished. In fact, I am not even close to finishing that book. It is definitely one I aim to finish over summer. The book so far is incredible, and I know the rest will be as well. I'll probably borrow a few books I've talked about with my friend Kelsie that she owns, because we're both big book nerds, and she has incredible taste when it comes to picking books. So yeah, I'm coming to you for help, Kelsie!

As far as certain books or genres go, I try to stray away from those. I have 3 categories I like to go to whenever I am looking for a book to read or buy. It may be different for you, and that's awesome if you have a different system that provides you joy. But for me, those 3 categories go a long way when I try to figure out what I need to read, or what looks interesting.

Here they are in a better explained manner:

1. Research: Not research in what people usually view. This isn't for a paper or anything. These books I look for will benefit my knowledge for my future; anything dealing with storytelling, english, movies, and writing/editing is a go to for me. They help understand things I didn't previously and will better educate me for my decisions in my writing for the future.

2. Soul-searching: Mostly Christian books that prick my soul. Very challenging and in-depth studies of the Bible, God, and of myself. Helps me get rid of the evil in me and focus more on the good God in my life. Makes me a better person and feel more confident in God and in myself. Something that will also help me in the future, but also helps me now.

3. Pleasure: Books I find that seem incredibly interesting to read, that have a wonderful storyline, characters, plot, development, action, and all that fun stuff. Read for fun but can learn and take some of that story to see how it is done, and contrast it to my own stories. Ultimately it helps my writing, but this is pure pleasure for me to read. It isn't research, it's just reading.

I have my book list ready for summer 2018, and I'm super stoked to read them. Do you have your reading list? If so, share with me! I want to know what you're reading, or if you have suggestions for me. Or if you want suggestions on what to read, ask me that as well!