There are so many things to look forward to in the summer. But our favorite? Summer reading! We can’t get enough of a good summer book - whether it be an easy beach read, a self-help book, or a faith-filled story that gives hope to the entire family.
We wanted to share some of our recommendations to add to your summer book list, inspired by some of the movies you can stream right here on Great American Pure Flix. Read the book, then watch the corresponding movie with the whole family!
Themes of sisterhood and family love make this classic novel easy to read, which is why it made our summer reading list! Follow the tale of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March as they go from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, all four main characters quickly became beloved by readers.
Get excited because this classic tale will be retold in a contemporary setting this Christmas! “A Little Women’s Christmas” follows the lives and loves of the March sisters in a small Tennessee town at Christmas. Jo March is played by Jillian Murray, Trevor Donovan is Friedrich “Fritz” Baehr, Meg March is played by Jen Lilley, Laura Osnes plays Beth March, Julia Reilly is Amy March, and John is played by Jesse Hutch. The one-and-only Gladys Knight performs “Joy.”
Former English professor Ainsley McGregor has gambled everything on her new business: Bless Your Art, an artisan market where local artists sell their wares and teach classes.
The bright, white space is filled to the brim with colorful art, yarn, jewelry, pet treats, antiques and even a few medieval weapons. Ainsley is surprised by how well things are going–right up until the moment her Great Dane finds a dead body. With her friend accused of the murder, it’s up to Ainsley to find the real killer.
“Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker” starts streaming exclusively on Great American Pure Flix July 25. And be sure to check out the entire Ainsley McGregor book series!
Dads, you are far more powerful than you think you are. My goal in writing this book is to show you how to use your power to improve your life with your daughter, and by doing so to make you like remarkably richer, more rewarding and more beneficial to those you love. The concepts presented are profoundly simple. But we all know how difficult it is to implement simple truths. We know we should love better. Or be more patient. Or be more courageous, or diligent, or faithful. But can we? – “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets” (introduction page xiv)
Great American Pure Flix’s Original movie, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters,” is based on the wisdom in this book of the same title. This hit parenting book was written by pediatrician, mother and best-selling author Dr. Meg Meeker.
READ ALSO: FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CAST AND CREW OF 'STRONG FATHERS, STRONG DAUGHTERS'
From the author and former atheist turned Christian apologist, Lee Strobel was inspired to explore the evidence for an afterlife and how to address mankind’s biggest fear: death. After his own personal close-call with death, Strobel used an evidence-based and systematic approach to write “The Case for Heaven” book that inspired this new film.
You can stream “The Case for Heaven,” a documentary that investigates Near-Death Experiences and presents evidence for Heaven and Hell by Sandoval Studios and New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel, now available on Great American Pure Flix.
If you were a journalist, how would you investigate the top story in human history? Join the award-winning former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune as he cross-examines scholars to uncover incontestable evidence supporting Jesus' claims. Includes updated archaeological material, an interview with Strobel, and more. A powerful defense of the Christian faith!
The Great American Pure Flix Original movie, "The Case for Christ," stars Mike Vogel and Erika Christensen and delivers some essential lessons about faith, love, devotion and personal transformation. This faith drama is a retelling of the real-life story of atheist journalist-turned Christian apologist Lee Strobel is now available to stream on Great American Pure Flix.
The evidence behind the hit movie! God’s Not Dead is apologetics for the twenty-first century, presented in clear and easy-to-follow terms. Learn to defend your faith in a world that’s determined to tear it down.
As shown during the first installment, now available to stream on Great American Pure Flix, this is the original book on which the main character bases much of his debate points with his atheistic professor. It contains persuasive arguments crafted with tools borrowed from logic, science, philosophy, and scripture that will solidify your faith and provide starting points for discussions with skeptics. While not directly based on a single book, it deals with themes from this book.
In a remarkable true story of faith and blessings, mother Christy Wilson Beam tells of her sickly young daughter, Annabel, how she survived a dangerous accident, her visit to Heaven and the inexplicable disappearance of the symptoms of her chronic disease.
This stunning real-life story is retold in the movie, “Miracles From Heaven,” starring Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam. When 6-year-old Annabel Beam suddenly fell ill with an incurable disease in 2008, her parents were beside themselves, desperately begging God for a miracle. That request was unexpectedly granted when Annabel had an accident and fell inside of a hollowed out tree, experiencing a shocking healing in the process that no one could have imagined.
This riveting true story of courage, strength, and football at the height of racial tension in Birmingham, Alabama tells the story of Coach Tandy Gerelds, his running back Tony Nathan, and a high school football game that healed a city. Fun fact, the author, Todd Gerelds is the son of Coach Tandy.
You can stream the movie, “Woodlawn,” right here on Great American Pure Flix. Generations of racial hostility, frustration and mistrust melt away after a miracle revival when a sports minister, played by Sean Astin, shares the gospel with the team. In an instant, teammates go from enemies to brothers. Over the course of two seasons, the Woodlawn team shares their passion and devotion to Christ by living what they believe and inviting their long-time rival, the Banks Jets, to join them for their annual summer camp.
The parents of Rachel Joy Scott, who died in the 1999 Columbine school shooting tragedy, discuss Rachel's life and how they've found meaning in their daughter's martyrdom as she unapologetically stood for Christ, especially in her last moments.
The Pure Flix original movie “I Am Not Ashamed” was written and inspired by Rachel Joy Scott’s faith and testimony from this book and from her journals. It was when her mother, Beth Nimmo, discovered Rachel Scott's journal that people began to realize just how special Rachel's story was. Want to go deeper while you watch “I Am Not Ashamed”? Download our movie discussion guide now!
READ ALSO: BE INSPIRED: COLUMBINE VICTIM RACHEL SCOTT JOURNAL WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO REFLECT ON YOUR OWN FAITH
Overcome with emotion after watching his son play in his first collegiate basketball game, Jeff was inspired to tell the story of how his son overcame a massive brain tumor, double vision, and zero balance to receive a basketball scholarship and earn a starting position on his college team. Through telling his son's story, it is Jeff's desire to give hope to those who are lost, inspiration to those who despair, and vision to those who cannot see past the obstacles that life has placed in their path.
Stream “Hoovey,” aptly named after Eric Elliott’s nickname, right here on Great American Pure Flix.
That's a wrap on our summer reading list! Stream the book equivalents to these novels right here on Great American Pure Flix. Not a member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial.