I don't know how it happened exactly, but from a very young age I have loved books. The smell, the feel and the story inside. A home library has been a dream of mine since I got hooked on the American Girl Series as a kid. As an adult reading continues to be one of my favorite free-time activities. As we raise Mercy I keep trying to nail down the ingredients that contributed to my love for books so that we can add them to Mercy's life as well. Here are some of my theories: I had a big imagination. We went to the library all the time and could check out as many books as we wanted. My parents constantly read aloud to me. My parents both love to read. As a first-born with three younger siblings it was an escape from their craziness and noise into a different world. As the first-born in a decently conservative family I wasn't allowed to do nearly the amount of social activities as my young siblings and friends. Therefore I was home a lot more. Therefore I read a lot more. Reading played a big part in my discipleship journey (Two very different authors, actually. Ask me about it sometime). We weren't allowed to watch much TV or many movies. We traveled a lot. We always had quiet time in our rooms on Sunday afternoons (AKA mom and dad need a break). Those are my hunches so far. I'm still working on it.
I'm thankful I grew up with a love for books of all kinds. Reading is an absolutely enriching and relatively inexpensive hobby. You can do it from anywhere and the pool of authors and genres to draw from is never-ending. I wrote from Ethiopia about the books I read during our six week stay (The Help, The American Wife, Half the Sky, Love Wins, Let the Great World Spin, and Operating Instructions) and I'm happy to say that I've actually been able to keep the pace of my vacation reading even since returning home. Reading has been a refreshing and sustainable treat since re-entering my full, fast-paced world as a mother. I'm as committed to before-bed reading as I am to early-morning rising.
I'm always up for great book recommendations from others, so I thought I'd share what I've read since I came home (over five months ago!):
Water for Elephants I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it took me to the unique interesting world of old-time circus. I haven't yet seen the movie, have you? Is it worth it?
The Peach Keeper Pretty good! Light and easy to read. A bit of mystery. A touch of romance. Chick lit for sure.
The Paris Wife A fictional book about Ernest Hemingway's first wife (sort of like how The American Wife is a fictional telling of of Laura Bush's story). I loved this book. I remember feeling about 3/4 of the way through that it was a bit long, but overall I ate it up. I really couldn't read it fast enough.
A Thousand Splendid Suns This amazing book was written by the author of The Kite Runner and is probably my favorite book on this list. Again, this is a foray into a completely different world, which is probably why it fascinated me. Set in Afghanistan, this was both completely enthralling and extremely informational. I learned a lot and truly connected with the characters. I highly recommend this book.
Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation I've struggled with non-fiction since returning home (I mostly read non-fiction pre-Ethiopia. Lots of leadership and spiritual formation books). When I read these days I'm looking to be transported to a new world. Fiction does that. Non-fiction, the kind I usually read, helps me think and grow and change and be challenged. This book landed on my list because a mentoring group I'm in with some young women on our church staff was reading another book by the same author and it really spoke to my soul. This author also came and spoke at our denomination's district-wide Renewal Retreat and was very well received. Based on my last post and the title, I think it's easy to see why I choose this book for this season. The author is a wise woman who speaks from real life experience. Though I read this book painstakingly slow and was tempted to rush through it without absorbing the information, I'm glad I paced myself, allowing for reflection and true application.
Love Walked In More Chick-lit. Not my favorite on this list, but a good, wholesome book with a plot that was sweet and an ending that I could live with. Having recently adopted my heart was soft towards this book's plot. For light and easy summer reading, this book did the trick and I would read more from this author (maybe the next time we take a trip).
The Hunger Games This trilogy was the surprise of the summer! I loved this book. I was reading it every chance I got. I could not put it down. And this genre does not usually appeal to me at all. I haven't read or seen Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings (I know. Calm down). I literally had no idea what this book was about when I bought it. I didn't even know it was a series until about 95% of the way through the book when I realized there was no way this thing could be wrapped up in the remaining 5%. I tutor a couple middle school students in math and reading. I casually mentioned this book to them one day and apparently this book is big with 11-14 year-olds, too. They had already read these books and loved them. Initially I felt weird about being so captivated by the same book my 12-year-old friends were captivated by, but then I got over it. Really fast. Read these!
Catching Fire The second book in The Hunger Games series. My youngest brother and I are probably the most into reading out of the four of us and we had the joy of reading these books at the same time, totally unaware. It was fun talking with him about it (and hearing my sister make fun of me, since I've so arrogantly refused Harry Potter, with which she is obsessed).
Mockingjay The third book in The Hunger Games series was my least favorite by a mile. I felt a bit ripped of, like the publisher necessitated this book to end the series, but mostly as a cash cow. It was slower and covered less ground that the first two books. I had to keep reading to know how everything ended, but when it was all said and done, I was relieved to put this book down.
Friday Night Lights; A Town, a Team and a Dream Everyone and their mom loves the show Friday Night Lights. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law don't even really watch TV and they highly recommended this show to us when we were together on vacation. Everyone everywhere is watching it. Everyone. Well I'm the kind of person who wants to read the book first. I read The Help six months before seeing the movie. I just like the detail a book gives. Movies tend to be rushed and skimpy on the meat, but if the book material was good enough to make a movie from then the book must be a worth the read. That has been my theory. It's worked out very well. Until now. Blindly I bought this book (I just bought the first matching title that came up after my search), knowing Josh and I still had the entire fourth season of The Unit to finish before we would be free to start a new series. I'm 60% done with the book. I've watched one episode of Friday Night Lights. I'm pretty sure they aren't the same thing. Possibly, probably, the show drew deeply from the information and details book, but the book is very heavily anthropological and sociological and historical and just a bit a story about high school football in Odessa, Texas. I keep reading because I bought the book and I can't say it's bad enough to quit. But it's not what I thought it would be, even though a lot of it is actually quite interesting. I could see myself using it for a book review in some high school sociology class. Fun enough to read for school, but not at all as emotionally stimulating and poignantly written as the show. I cannot wait to start watching the show.
What are you reading? What are you planning to read next? What has been your favorite book this summer? Have you read any of the books I've recently read?
I'm thankful I grew up with a love for books of all kinds. Reading is an absolutely enriching and relatively inexpensive hobby. You can do it from anywhere and the pool of authors and genres to draw from is never-ending. I wrote from Ethiopia about the books I read during our six week stay (The Help, The American Wife, Half the Sky, Love Wins, Let the Great World Spin, and Operating Instructions) and I'm happy to say that I've actually been able to keep the pace of my vacation reading even since returning home. Reading has been a refreshing and sustainable treat since re-entering my full, fast-paced world as a mother. I'm as committed to before-bed reading as I am to early-morning rising.
I'm always up for great book recommendations from others, so I thought I'd share what I've read since I came home (over five months ago!):
Water for Elephants I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it took me to the unique interesting world of old-time circus. I haven't yet seen the movie, have you? Is it worth it?
The Peach Keeper Pretty good! Light and easy to read. A bit of mystery. A touch of romance. Chick lit for sure.
The Paris Wife A fictional book about Ernest Hemingway's first wife (sort of like how The American Wife is a fictional telling of of Laura Bush's story). I loved this book. I remember feeling about 3/4 of the way through that it was a bit long, but overall I ate it up. I really couldn't read it fast enough.
A Thousand Splendid Suns This amazing book was written by the author of The Kite Runner and is probably my favorite book on this list. Again, this is a foray into a completely different world, which is probably why it fascinated me. Set in Afghanistan, this was both completely enthralling and extremely informational. I learned a lot and truly connected with the characters. I highly recommend this book.
Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation I've struggled with non-fiction since returning home (I mostly read non-fiction pre-Ethiopia. Lots of leadership and spiritual formation books). When I read these days I'm looking to be transported to a new world. Fiction does that. Non-fiction, the kind I usually read, helps me think and grow and change and be challenged. This book landed on my list because a mentoring group I'm in with some young women on our church staff was reading another book by the same author and it really spoke to my soul. This author also came and spoke at our denomination's district-wide Renewal Retreat and was very well received. Based on my last post and the title, I think it's easy to see why I choose this book for this season. The author is a wise woman who speaks from real life experience. Though I read this book painstakingly slow and was tempted to rush through it without absorbing the information, I'm glad I paced myself, allowing for reflection and true application.
Love Walked In More Chick-lit. Not my favorite on this list, but a good, wholesome book with a plot that was sweet and an ending that I could live with. Having recently adopted my heart was soft towards this book's plot. For light and easy summer reading, this book did the trick and I would read more from this author (maybe the next time we take a trip).
The Hunger Games This trilogy was the surprise of the summer! I loved this book. I was reading it every chance I got. I could not put it down. And this genre does not usually appeal to me at all. I haven't read or seen Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings (I know. Calm down). I literally had no idea what this book was about when I bought it. I didn't even know it was a series until about 95% of the way through the book when I realized there was no way this thing could be wrapped up in the remaining 5%. I tutor a couple middle school students in math and reading. I casually mentioned this book to them one day and apparently this book is big with 11-14 year-olds, too. They had already read these books and loved them. Initially I felt weird about being so captivated by the same book my 12-year-old friends were captivated by, but then I got over it. Really fast. Read these!
Catching Fire The second book in The Hunger Games series. My youngest brother and I are probably the most into reading out of the four of us and we had the joy of reading these books at the same time, totally unaware. It was fun talking with him about it (and hearing my sister make fun of me, since I've so arrogantly refused Harry Potter, with which she is obsessed).
Mockingjay The third book in The Hunger Games series was my least favorite by a mile. I felt a bit ripped of, like the publisher necessitated this book to end the series, but mostly as a cash cow. It was slower and covered less ground that the first two books. I had to keep reading to know how everything ended, but when it was all said and done, I was relieved to put this book down.
Friday Night Lights; A Town, a Team and a Dream Everyone and their mom loves the show Friday Night Lights. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law don't even really watch TV and they highly recommended this show to us when we were together on vacation. Everyone everywhere is watching it. Everyone. Well I'm the kind of person who wants to read the book first. I read The Help six months before seeing the movie. I just like the detail a book gives. Movies tend to be rushed and skimpy on the meat, but if the book material was good enough to make a movie from then the book must be a worth the read. That has been my theory. It's worked out very well. Until now. Blindly I bought this book (I just bought the first matching title that came up after my search), knowing Josh and I still had the entire fourth season of The Unit to finish before we would be free to start a new series. I'm 60% done with the book. I've watched one episode of Friday Night Lights. I'm pretty sure they aren't the same thing. Possibly, probably, the show drew deeply from the information and details book, but the book is very heavily anthropological and sociological and historical and just a bit a story about high school football in Odessa, Texas. I keep reading because I bought the book and I can't say it's bad enough to quit. But it's not what I thought it would be, even though a lot of it is actually quite interesting. I could see myself using it for a book review in some high school sociology class. Fun enough to read for school, but not at all as emotionally stimulating and poignantly written as the show. I cannot wait to start watching the show.
What are you reading? What are you planning to read next? What has been your favorite book this summer? Have you read any of the books I've recently read?
6 comments:
I love this post! I just say my favorite books and then the one I read on the plane this weekend! Ok so:
Absolute favorites are The Blind Assasin by Margret Atwood, Gone with the wind (this book is he BEST case for the book being much better than he movie, and of course the Great (seriously great) Gatsby. On the spiritual tip I also love "is it warfare" by Kay aurthur. The one I read this weekend is called Tell-all by chuck something... It's tawdry but I liked the word play and drem like state it's written in. Pretty sure with this comment ice found my next post... Sorry it will be wholly repeated:)
like you I am in love with books and have been ever since I can remember. My mother was always an avid reader too. Out of my four grown up children, only one is a great reader. I'm trying to ensure that my three little ones all develop a love of books. Do you read one at a time or several at once? My husband bought me a nook, but I still like a real book. I love the feel of a book in my hands. I think the nook will be cool for plane trips in the future. I love your post, you speak from the heart and I share your passion, thank you Sally xx
Currently have such a mix of random books waiting to be read thanks to Borders going out of business.
Planning to read one called Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber.
Having a family member and several friends currently fighting cancer, I picked this up to learn more about how it works and try to understand it somewhat. However, I'm apprehensive about starting it.
Heard great things about Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. This is next on my list to read. Thinking it'll be a great end to the summer.
My favorite book this summer has been the Help. Read it early this summer, and fell in love with the story. So powerful.
Off your list I've read Water for Elephants and The Hunger Games series. I really really enjoyed Water. Such a great story. However, I haven't seen the movie yet and got a little nervous when I read that they morphed the husband and the ring leader into one character. They are so clearly 2 completely different characters in the book. Anyhow, I'm curious to watch it soon.
I really enjoyed the hunger games. Thought it was a great story and can't wait for the movies! Thinking I'll probably re-read them once it gets a little closer to release date.
Thanks for your list! I love seeing what other people are reading and love to snatch a few off their list.
I Love Love LOVED The Help Bek! Could not put it down. The era, the deep south society, even though fictional...it was heartbreaking to imagine the tragedy of our fellow mankind having to endure such injustice...and it still being present in today's society. I knew it was all the rage this summer and felt cliche falling into it, but so glad I read it! Saw the movie last week and it so wasn't as meaty as the book, but still good : )
Hi! I'm a new reader to your blog. I heard about it from a friend. Your little girl is adorable, by the way. :)
I am a lifelong Christian and to start off I'll give you a brief history on myself. My husband and I went to a church we grew to love for a year. After the one year mark the Lord graciously showed us ways that our church was in error. We humbly approached the pastor and elders with our concerns but they did not have the same concern over the doctrinal errors. With heavy hearts we chose to leave. All that to say my husband and I have become very sensitive to wayward 'trends' that are growing in momentum in the church body today.
Humbly and in love I feel a responsibility to share with you a movement I have come across in my study called Christian Mysticism. It is not based on Biblical truth and is contrary to what Jesus taught.
I am not an scholar in this by any means, but here are two links that may shed more light on this matter if you would take the time to read them, from those that have more expertise in this area. These are just two of many resources shedding His light on the topic.
http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2009/12/mysticism-counterfeit-holy-spirit.html
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/705-sacred-rhythms-by-ruth-haley-barton
Ephesians 5:6-17 has been an encouragement to me in my journey to distinguish the wheat from the chaff in what teachings I allow into my life.
I'm glad my friend told me about your blog as I look forward your posts. I also love to read and live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. :)
~God Bless~
Hi ME! Thanks for taking the time to comment! Please leave your name next time. I appreciate your gracious and thorough response. I had to read it a couple of times to understand what you were getting it... I'm assuming it was the Ruth Haley Barton book, based on the second link? I may have heard the term Christian Mysticism before, but I'm not at all familiar with it, aligned with it and therefore either for or against it. I don't know much about it and probably don't have the time to look into it. Trends and all that stuff that comes and goes as culture swifts are definitely good to keep up with and understand. It seems like we both agree it's all about Jesus. Blessings to you!
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