Books I am reading March 15, 2008

***See new entries at the bottom!

If you have known me for any length of time you know that I love to read. This passion has been somewhat interrupted by love for my children but this has only seemed to impede the progress, not the wishful desire or stack of books. I come by this passion quite naturally. It is all my dad’s fault. He and my mom traveled in Europe over Christmas and New Year’s this year and I am quite sure he packed no less that 5 books and 3 magazines for the 3 week trip (fess up, Dad). I have watched him read hundreds (maybe thousands) of books over the years and even attempted to have conversations with him while he was reading. Everyone in my family discovered you could speak and not be heard at all when dad was reading. I have inherited this wonderful trait to completely lose myself in a book and tune out my surroundings (much to my husband’s chagrin). I currently have at least 10 books on my nightstand, 2 in my backpack, 4 on my desk and 3 in the living room. I am in some various stage of reading all of them, as the mood strikes. I have books for when I am sad, happy, lonely, fed up, desperate for advice, in need of wisdom, missing home, and general entertainment. I have MANY other on my books shelves and I even keep lists of books I want to read.

So… I am not saying I have the best taste in books, but here are some of the things I am reading currently and loving. Hope you will find one to your liking from the list.

A Thousand Splendid Suns: I just finished Kite Runner by this same author. I am hoping that this one is just as gripping. I love a good novel that is hard to put down.

Holy Habits: I went to the Women of the Harvest Conference where Mimi Wilson was the keynote speaker. AMAZING! What wonderful nuggets God gave me through her teaching. This book was a gift to each of the attendees and I am already eating it up!

There’s a Sheep in my Bathtub- This is a WONDERFUL book about a man and his family who went to live in Mongolia in the early 1990s. Their desire to spread the love of Jesus and what God did in, among and through them is an amazing testimony to the love and faithfulness of our God. Every one who wants to know more about what God is doing in the world to build His kingdom should read this book.

The New Strong-Willed Child- I now have two of these. Strong willed children that is, not two of the books. I have just started reading this but I am looking forward to the wisdom and insight from Dr. D.

Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies -This book was written in 1973 by J.B. White who was the Chief Usher at the White House. He worked there from 1941-1969 through six administrations. It is a fascinating read of some of the more personal stories behind the leaders of our country and development of the White House as an institution.

NEW 4/17/2008

Half of a Yellow Sun- A novel about the Igbu people of Nigeria in 1967. Really a good book that am having a hard time putting down!

Into the Wild- We recently saw the movie (which I enjoyed but would not necessarily recommend. There was a lot of blatant nudity that was not necessary to tell the story well. I spent at least 10 minutes with my hands over Robert’s eyes!) The book is different from the movie but fascinating.

Be Angry But Don’t Blow It!- This is a great book by Lisa Bevere that I picked up at a confernce a few years ago. Great for helping me deal with my “anger issues” in a Godly way and keeping His perspective.