May 2021 Lately List

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Holy moly, it’s time for the lately list! Each month it’s been fun to revisit books read, things learned, foods tried, etc. I hope this list inspires you to prioritize your own personal passions. Enjoy!

You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.

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Dwelling on these Scriptures

Mark. Just slowly walking through Mark and reading it bit by bit with commentaries to support it. So, so good.

Reading

When I’m stuck on a mental loop or working through a situation, I find getting out of my own story and into someone else’s to be freeing.

Personally, I prefer to have both the audio and ebook versions of a book on hand. It’s just nice to alternate between cozying up with the book and then continuing listening while trading out laundry. (Libby, Kindle, and Audible are phenomenal apps for this!)

So, here come the books!

Nonfiction

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff

Need a nudge to put your love into action – where others experience it more fully? This book is such a great challenge to do just that… and Bob Goff is super funny.

The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman

Talk about a timely novel! We’ll be talking about taking positive proactive action soon on the blog – this book partly inspired the idea! Emily Freeman’s approach to simmering in God’s presence and moving forward in the small things is so empowering.

Fiction

Young adult and war novels have been on the forefront lately. Each of these made me laugh, think and consider what it’d be like to be in someone else’s shoes. I liked them all!

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Kasie West’s books just bring me joy. They’re sweet novels about a teenage girl dealing with life – sometimes with some heavy stuff, too.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen – novel

Flipped – movie

A story told from two perspectives simultaneously and how they see each other changes… Flipped makes you think about how you perceive yourself and others. And it’s pretty darn funny 🙂 (Both the novel and the movie are on point!)

The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane

What might it have been like to be a nurse stationed at Pearl Harbor before Japan attacked? How would you navigate being thrust into a war? What about nursing in primitive circumstances during the war? Explore these questions from the perspective of three nurses.

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

Did you know that America had donut girls who traveled with troops to boost their spirits during WWII? Me neither. This was such an enlightening read and made me feel so honored to learn more about those before me.

The Last Bathing Beauty by Amy Sue Nathan

A post WWII novel about the limited choices a teenage girl had to navigate – and the impact that it’d eventually have on her granddaughter decades later. Again, it makes me so thankful for the privileges and freedom I take for granted. (Thank you predecessors for changing our culture!)

The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms

A modern-day novel about the influence of social media on our lives – from both the perspective of a prominent influencer and someone who is decidedly anti-social media.

In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn

A dark novel exploring what happens when people are thrust into a horrific situation and the aftermath.

Making and Tasting

• Chicken broccoli alfredo pizza
• Sushi balls – a work in progress…
• Butternut squash BBQ pizza
• Cocoa energy bites – a big hit for the Little Man and me! So yummy!

Learning how to…

• Compost. We pay the food tax far too frequently, so why not try putting food waste to work in a better, healthier way?
• Grow tomatoes and mint, a.k.a. Tom and Mint To Bea
• Improve my Search Engine Optimization (SEO)… because obviously.
• Embrace my color palette!

Other related Lately List posts

• November 2020 Lately List
• December 2020 Lately List
• January 2021 Lately List
• February 2021 Lately List
• March 2021 Lately List
• April 2021 Lately List

Wrap-Up of the May Lately List

You’ve seen what’s been on my lately list… what’s on yours? Book suggestions? Foodie ideas? Education to dig in? Teach me, sensei!

Let’s talk in the comments!

P.S. Want some crazy simple steps to start living intentionally? Grab the Embrace Your Potential Playbook. It’ll help you zoom in on your God-gifted personality and give you practical tips to be more intentional, passionate, and purposeful as God’s beloved so you can become the best version of yourself.