It’s not even mid-January and I’ve been tagged already to do a meme of sorts. Debbie Kaufman, who tagged me, listed some amazing books, as did Emily Hunter McGowin (tagged by Debbie too) and Kevin Bussey (the perpetrator of all this book-love tagging). So check out their books too. I love seeing how each one has a list that, to me, reflects their personality as well as their heart.
So here’s my little list. I tried to include links to Amazon.com where available so you can add all this reading goodness to your own library. š
One book that changed your life: I have two I want to mention. The Allure of Hope: God’s Pursuit of a Woman’s Heart by Jan Meyers, and The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. Both of these radically altered how I saw myself through God’s eyes and helped me really connect to God’s passionate pursuit of me.
One book you have read more than once: Again, two (more, really): Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin and all the Harry Potter books in the series. Both are sooooo much better than the movies (A&E’s miniseries of P&P was the best filmed version, in my opinion) and worth reading again and again and again…
One book you would want on a desert Island: It’s going to sound really corny, but if I only got one book it would be the Bible. I cannot think of any other book that doesn’t get old, never runs out of surprises, and so consistently challenges, comforts, encourages and matures me. Now, if I get another book besides the Bible, I’d probably want one of Shel Silverstein’s books.
Two books that made you laugh: The First Assistant by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare, and I Feel Bad About My Neck: and Other Thoughts on Being A Woman by Nora Ephron. The first had me howling because I’ve lived that life of Hollywood assistant and I know the crazy drama she writes about. And the second had me howling because, well, it’s Nora Ephron. Plus, it’s all about the stuff about women and aging I’m starting to understand in an all too familiar way thankyouverymuch.
One book that made you cry: Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning. Powerful stuff.
One book you wish you’d written: the one I haven’t written yet, but will one day.
One book that you wish had never been written: I have two. The Prayer of Jabez, and Every Woman’s Battle. Both of these really bother me. The first one just seems to be an affront to God’s constant grace upon us. Instead of books on how to pray for more blessings — we are already blessed beyond measure, but most people ignore this reality — what we really need are books on seeing the abundant blessings we already have and asking God to help us see how we can bless others with the blessings He’s given us. As for "Every Woman’s Battle," I felt it was a one-dimensional, oversimplified look at the three-dimensional, complex issues women, especially those in their 20s and 30s, deal with in the 21st century when it comes to sex and sexuality. I fear it did more harm than good.
Two books you are currently reading: Just two? I am currently reading four, in a rotation
kinda thing: Abba’s Child, TrueFaced, The Anatomy of Peace, and No Stones.
One book you’ve been meaning to read: Widow of The South has been sitting on my nightstand for forever, patiently waiting for its turn to be read.
Now tag five or so people: Hmmm, some I’d tag have already been hit so I’ll just do three. Marti (she tagged me a couple of months ago and while I still owe her a post, I also owe her a "tag-your it!" back), Larry, and Joe (if you haven’t already been hit).
Thank you Lu. I saw some books on the lists including yours that I want to read now. Some I have not heard of. I need to laugh sometimes so I tend to gravitate toward that list. BTW you and Emily seem to be able to read currently more than two books. Email me your secret, I’m having trouble with reading just two. š I was proud I was able to juggle that plus SS reading, but now you two have me feeling ashamed that’s all I’m reading. š
I have no secret… Frankly I don’t really know how to NOT read more than one book at a time. If I’m that into a book, then I will usually finish it within a few days to a week, especially if it’s fiction. Nonfiction is a little different.
Part of what happens is that I need time to meditate on what I’ve read, particularly with the books I’ve been reading the last few years. So I give myself time to meditate on what I’m reading. And I naturally pick up another book. When I get a point I need to think a little, or am being really challenged I’ll set it aside for a week and pick up the first book, or another book. And sometimes I just don’t want to read on in one of the books, so having a variety of books to read helps. š I guess I’ve got a little ADD going when it comes to reading.
And being in schoole helps that read-a-bunch-at-once muscle. I’ve had to read for two, three, even four or more subjects at the same time, so I’ve gotten more adept at switching books and topics quickly.
Yeah, there are so many different ways to read a book. And reasons to read a book. I-just-want-to-escape-for-now I-want-to-chew-on-this-and-live-differently, and I-have-to-read-this-for-school-or-work are usually not to be found in the same volumes, are they? Hence the multi-tasking. Multi-texting!
But it may be that Debbie gets more out of what she reads by sticking with one book at a time. It’s not bad, to stay the course and go a bit slower.
I had to re-learn that when I was living overseas and couldn’t run down to the library every week.
“The Prayer of Jabez” is kind of interesting. I think it’s pure hokum, and ugly to boot, but for reasons somewhat different from yours. In a lot of ways we all need more blessings than we’re getting, but it’s not God’s fault. We limit Him in what we ask for.
“Jabez” treats God like the machine that dispenses treats to rats after they push the lever a whole bunch of times. This would offend the hell out of me, as it has done in the past. It attempts to bypass the real living relationship we can have with God, in which he surprises us.
We desperately need surprises. If we knew which way to go we’d not be so deeply in trouble. You can’t get out of that hole with rote repeated prayers, but a dialogue with God will lead to ongoing surprises. “Jabez” is an attempt to reduce God to human comprehensibility. I prefer, and am terrified by, a Living God who surprises me with his own brand of blessings… as I’m willing to accept these wild gifts.
Marti — Too true. The gaps in time between my readings of a book do tend to leave me wondering at times what it was I was reading, where I was in the story or lesson/challenge, etc. If I go too long I have to start the book over, or at least go back a couple of chapters. I have one book that I’ve been reading off-and-on for a year. I know I haven’t gotten as powerful an impact from it as I would have had I read it straight through without the breaks to read/work on other books. There are sections I don’t fully recall, so when the author refers to them, I have to go back and re-read… not so good.
And I remember when I was overseas I was savoring every word on every page of my book, because I realized my puny library was going to have to last me at least a couple of years! I did the same thing when I was in India (in fact, I think that’s where I first learned to really savor my books). I totally read differently when I’m overseas.
Larry — YES, I totally agree. You hit it totally on the head much better than I. I knew my distaste for “Jabez” was deeper and more profound than I was saying, but I was tired and couldn’t put my finger on it at the time. When I read your comment tonight, I realized that is EXACTLY what I was thinking/feeling that I couldn’t name at the time. It really does treat God like a candy machine rather than the Living God who wants a relationship more than the “right prayers.”
–>”I prefer, and am terrified by, a Living God who surprises me with his own brand of blessings… as I’m willing to accept these wild gifts.”<-- Amen. Me too. Thanks Debbie, Marti and Larry, for taking the time to comment. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts. You inspire me to go deeper with God.