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Oh, I already love this post! While I was in my garage working out this morning, I was listening to my buddy Susan on the KSBJ morning show (KSBJ is a Christian contemporary music radio station in the Houston area and is so fabulous that it wins all kinds of awards). She let us know that it was “Read Across America” week and, thereby, gave me permission to give full sway to my favorite tangible obsession: B.O.O.K.S.
I love them. I love the look of them. The smell of them. The feel of them when you break a new one open. I love the spine of them. An out-loud read of them. I LOVE BOOKS. My grandfather was such a book nerd that my grandmother told him that, if she were ever widowed, she’d ask every male suitor if he could read and if he said yes, she’d say, “Pass on by, Brother.” He passed that obsession on to my mother who honestly loved a word fitly spoken more than anyone I’ve ever known. And she passed it on to practically every single one of her five children. Keith, bless the Father above for one of our very few similarities, also has the fever. Our idea of a great date is to go out to dinner then hit the Barnes and Noble. We get a cup of Starbucks first and don’t leave the store until we’ve drained it dry and opened every single book we can get our hands on.
I love books. I love to rub the palm of my hand over the covers.
So, here’s today’s topic. Name ONE – I said ONE, Siestas! – book you have absolutely loved (besides the Bible, our all-time, no-contest, unparalleled Book) and who it’s by, THEN give a brief reason why. It doesn’t have to be your favorite book of all time, just one you really love. List your information in this order:
- the book title and author on the first line,
- genre on the second line (fiction? non-fiction? biographical? autobiographical? Etc),
- then the short explanation why you loved it so much underneath. (Long ones unfortunately won’t be able to be posted so don’t write a book on your book!)
(Please be authentic and don’t bow to the temptation to impress your dear, impressionable Siestas by sounding hyper-spiritual. Unless A.W. Tozer really did write your favorite book, please don’t say he did. Grin.)
This comment set-up will make the list easy to read and, I think, really fun to peruse. I CAN HARDLY WAIT! Now, dang it, I have a lot of work to do today so I’m going to really have to fight to stay focused while we’re bringing in these comments BUT I will have the whole list of them to read a little later in my leisure. Let’s hear it, Siestas!
I’m wild about you. Have a blast in Jesus today. BE REAL, Girlfriends. One of my Scriptures out of The Message this weekend in my quiet time was this: “God cannot STOMACH arrogance and pretense.” (Proverbs 16:5) That’s a word, huh?
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU ON OUR SCRIPTURE MEMORY TEAM, IF YOU HAVEN’T SIGNED IN WITH YOUR MARCH 1ST VERSE, RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS POST AND GIVE IT UP!
Is it too late?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Fiction (based on the book of Hosea)
It was THE BEST fiction book I have ever read but the fact that it was based on God’s redeeming love for us made it even better! A must read!
The Mitford series!
Such a wonderful series that celebrates every day living and ordinary people. The books literally make you want to stop and smell the roses! A touching reminder of the value of living a simple life and the importance of relationships. I LOVED THEM ALL!!
Leota’s Garden by Francine Rivers
Fiction
Centers around the relationship between a girl and her grandmother, and I read this right before my grandmother passed away, so it holds a spot in my heart 🙂
For all you book lovers in Dallas, TX or surrounding area, a great event called The Christian Book Expo is being held in a couple weeks, check it out, it is for the public at very reasonable prices.
http://www.christianbookexpo.com
The Best Question Ever – Andy Stanley
Non-Fiction
This book opened my eyes to a question that I try to usein all situations. It is such a no-brainer, yet so powerful!
Love Life, for every married couple
By Dr. Ed Wheat
Nonfiction
I bought this book because of one chapter entitled “How to save your marriage alone”. My husband was wanting to divorce me at the time and I was desperate to do what I could to save our marriage. This entire book gave me the much needed life line I needed on practical, godly advice that really worked in changing me. It was certainly a tool God used to help save our marriage.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Fiction
I read this my freshman year of college and (for the first time in my newly-acquired adult status)began to think outside my own self and my place in this world.
Gone With the Wind
Margaret Mitchell
Fiction
This book drew me in so quickly and deeply that after I finished reading it, I walked around the house for days in mourning! I missed it so!
Title: Streams in the Desert
Author: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (edited by Jim Reimann does not have the depth as her original)
Genre: Spiritual/Devotional
Within two weeks time my husband was diagosed with cancer, my mother passed away, I had major surgery then a woman from our Beth Moore study group introduced me to this book while my husband was recovering from a Blood Stem Cell Transplant. The depth of Mrs Cowan’s personal life reflects in the daily devotions amidst her own ordeal with her husband. You will meet on God on each page. (PTL my husband survived!)
Love to read on the Kindle 2 (Streams in Desert Jim R edited version available on Kindle)and the Kindle w/Kindle cover will fit inside the Belkin 7″ laptop quilted carrying case.
One Minute After You Die
by Erwin Lutzer
The title sounds depressing but the book gives such a positive, clearer look at what we have to look forward to.
beth you never said what your favorite book was….we want to know!
Oh my, I’ve run out of post-its!
Going thru this list, every time I see a must read I think I’ll enjoy I grab a post-it. Borders Books stocks may go up as we all run to the store and purchase these wonderful books.
Thanks so much for this post. I love it! –Grandmamitz
I have put off commenting because it’s hard to choose only one! LOVE this one:
The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy
Children’s picturebook
This simple but beautiful book gives me chills every time I read it. Legend has it that when Danish Jews were forced to wear yellow stars, their beloved King Christian X rode through town sporting a yellow star of his own, which inspired Danish citizens to do the same. History reports that the Danes actively protected and rescued God’s people living in their midst and King Christian stood firmly for truth and justice in the face of Nazi occupation. The legend of King Christian X reminds me of our beloved King of Kings, who took on flesh and made Himself like us (human) in order to save us from certain death and the evil one.
My husband just saw me reading this blog post and he groaned. I asked him what was wrong and he said to his estimation I now have over 1400 books I’m going to want!! Not including the vast array of cookbooks I want! haha
Thanks ladies – these ideas have been a fun read.
Blessings
Kelli in Colorado
The Mitford Series!!!
any and all of them!
by Jan Karon
Fiction
awesome characters and story lines…she is such a great story teller and I grew to love all of the people in Mitford
Ordering Your Private World
by Gordon MacDonald
That is the first book that came to mind. I think it’s the only book I’ve read three times. Very good sound, biblical advice on staying true to spiritual disciplines. He shares some of his own testimony of ordering his private world.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
by Jim Cymballa
My mom gave me this book to read and told me that she really like the book and thought I would enjoy it too. I did not intend to read this book or to get much from the book since I reasoned that my mom and I did not see eye-to-eye on most things. When I finally open the book to read it, I could NOT put it down. Through the grace of God, it changed my life. I could literally feel God’s power while reading this book.
Same Kind of Different As Me
Ron Hall and Denver Wood
Autobiographical
An amazing story of a homeless man and the couple who befriended him. This book inspired me to be bold in making a difference in my community, no matter the cost. I laughed, I cried, cried, cried, and I shook my head in amazement at the miracle of God in their lives.
For Christian reading: One of the best books I’ve ever read is “God Works the Night Shift” by Ron Mehl. If you can get a copy, you will be glad you did.
Another one is “The Richest Lady in Town” – I can’t remember the author now, and it is really old, but I’ve kept it forever – all about what we have in Christ.
For good good fiction, the best book I’ve read in a long time was My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Could not put it down and everyone that reads it says the same thing. I also liked John Grisham’s “The Innocent Man”. I don’t like John Grisham’s writing for the most part, but this was a non fiction book, so I figured how could he go wrong. Love them all.
My current favorite is Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin.
Southern Fiction
This book is a beautiful picture of a father’s love and putting someone else above self. A must read especially for daddys.
Mr. Martin is an excellent wordsmith.
Dawn
Dallas, GA
Same Kind of Different As Me
Ron Hall & Denver Moore
This book is a TRUE story and will CHANGE your life. Don't read it if you aren't ready to act. It is about a homeless man and his encounter with a Christian woman and her millionaire husband.
What is your favorite, Beth?
A Woman After God’s Own Heart; Elizabeth George
I can not say enough about the power of this book. If you are thinking about getting married, engaged, married or ever want to get married and have a family this is a MUST READ! I received this book as a gift from a girl friend during my engagement and have now been married a year and a half and have read the book 3 times and will be reading it again as my husband and I begin our family. Elizabeth George has realistic advice for wives and mothers for all aspects of your family life. It has seriously changed my life (I know that sounds corny, but it really has!)
Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Fiction
I love Jane Austen. The first time I read I was in college and I could not put it down. I really love all her books. I love to go into bookstores.
Anne of Green Gables (the series…I can’t choose just one–I love each book equally!)
Fiction
More than any other book(s) I’ve ever read, the fictional Anne teaches me as much as an adult as she did when I was a child.
Best book I have ever read “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala!!
Non-fiction
Fabulous book on the Holy Spirit. Made me realize just how powerful and wonderful the Holy Spirit can and will be if we just let Him.
Betty
Lexington NC
In the Name of Jesus
by Henry Nouwen
Non-fiction
After having gon to university to do a business degree and studying leadership/management, I honestly wasn’t a fan of the whole topic, and was equally unsure how all the stuff I’d studied fit in the church and the non-profit that I began working for. I picked up this book at the suggestion of someone at church and had my views on leadership rocked. It’s a new way of looking at leadership that just makes so much sense in my job and my church.
The Scarlet Pimpernel: Emmuska Orczy
Fiction
This adventure set in France in the late 1700s, taught me not to judge people by what we see on the outside.
I just recently read a fantastic fiction book.
The Highlander’s Last Song
by George MacDonald
Oh how I love books too! My kids learned early that I could hardly say no to buying a book. I recently read, on my son’s facebook, that he “would rather read than watch TV”. THAT’S MY BOY:)
When Scripture says Every good and perfect gift is from above…..this book reminds me that EVERYTHING from Above is a good and perfect gift……..even if I would rather give the gift back..
Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World
Joanna Weaver
non-fiction
I just finished this today and Beth if you haven’t …..well read it! It is an awesome one that you read and then go back and read again. She totally relates this story to our lives in every way possible!
Hinds Feet on High Places
by Hannah Hurnard
I read it many years ago during one of the loneliest times of my life. It spoke volumes to my heart. It was as if the journey was my own. Loved it!
The Baxter Family Series by Karen Kingsbury
Fiction
This series is amazing and I’m unable to pick just one. I love the Baxters and all their trials and triumphs. Reading these books helps me to focus on God and His presence in our lives.
Susan
This isn’t about books, but I had a rare evening to myself yesterday and was listening to Jesus Saves by Travis Cottrell in my car. I had to wonder what is on your Ipod? I’m always looking for new music and think you have great taste in music from what I’ve heard at LPL events!
Christy
Louisvlle, KY
Beverly Lewis
Fiction
I love her books! They transport me to a different place and time, which is what I think a good book should do. And, I got to sit and scrapbook with her once in my friend’s basement workshop in CO!
The Last Sin Eater, Francine Rivers
Fiction
Amazing read… I stayed up way past my bedtime many a night reading this! It brought me to tears as I felt with the characters…AMAZING!
I share your love of books!
Sherrie
I read “Gone with the Wind” when I was 12. I loved that book!
Liz Hinze
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
Fiction
I love fantasy literature that takes you to another time
Penny, New Mexico
Captivating
John and Stasi Eldredge
Non-Fiction
This really is my favorite because I spent a year DEEPLY drinking from it, and God truly redeemed my life thru it! I shared w/my husband a few months into it about the men’s version “Wild At Heart,” and he not only picked it up, it redeemed HIS life, and he joined me on my journey!! He, I, our marriage, our children, and others are totally impacted by its effect on/in/thru us, and we are now taking the message to others.
Now ask about our favorite movie…oh, what fun that would be, too!
The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker.
Anything by Ted Dekker is amazing.
Sara McNutt
The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
I’m currently reading this and halfway through, but it’s already so good. It’s about being in tune with the different ways God speaks to us. Margaret uses wonderful, practical examples from her own life and they are helping me listen more to God’s echos in my life.
The “Midford” series by Jan Karon
Fiction
the charagcsters come alive on the pages – and turn into your best friends. The only books I have read 2 or 3 times and could read them all again. Father Tim (the main character) lives out the gospel in his everyday life. He will make you laugh out loud and cry big ole tears.
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
Fiction
His writing is the first I recall that just captured the spirit of the story, the people, the place – the words just flowed and I “felt” the story long after I was finished reading the book.
Thank you SO much for doing this Beth, and GOD for leading me to the blog today (I’ve only peeked in a handful of times in the past year).
I needed this! I wrote an anonymus about Captivating and what God did for my husband and me plus our family and others.
I’m kind of in a place of hurt and distraction right now (from my calling, not running from it by any means, just distracted from it), and boy was God talkin’ to me about some books to pick up and read!! And I never pick up a book “just to read,” esp. fiction, though I long to at times (too busy, but no excuses).
It’s usually only when the Holy Spirit grabs me and says, “do this!” :o) The 1st on my list is “Redeeming Love,” and I’m headed to the library now!! :o)
Thanks again God and Beth!
This is fun, sorry I’m couple days late, but here goes….
Alabaster Cross by Richard Exley
Fiction 2006
Christian Adventure [in the Amazon Jungle] Very Good reading.
Brenda
Broken Arrow
sooo many good choices!!!
to anonymous who picked Travelling Mercies by Anne Lamott–when she says she considers it an act of aggression for that woman to wear spandex???? so dang funny…
and I noticed lots of Jane Eyre and NO Wuthering Heights…did anybody read that book and just think, “Well, these are just two MEAN people!” What is with that book?????
“Angel Behind the Rocking Chair”
Pam Vredevelt
Non Fiction
I read this book around the time of the birth of my second son 9 years ago. He has Down syndrome, and of all the books I read to try to put my hands around how our lives had now changed, this book probably helped me the most. I pass on copies of it to this day to families I find out about with a prenatal diagnosis of Ds or who have a baby with Ds.
Okay, I know we are only supposed to list one, but I also have to say anything by Francine Rivers! I especially love “The Scarlet Thread.” It really changed how I felt about my marriage.
Treasures of the Snow
Patricia St. John
Childrens fiction
My 6th grade teacher read this book aloud to the class (years ago). Not having a christian home this was the first time I’d heard about the Lord Jesus and His love for me. A seed was planted because an elderly teacher shared a story with her class. I will forever be grateful to her.
OOO…so many to choose
Lord of the Rings
JRR Tolkien
Fiction
This is just one of my favorite, but I can’t wait to read some on this list!
Heaven, by Randy Alcorn.
Nonfiction
This book opened up all kinds of possibilities about our eternal home. I, too am a BIG book lover and enjoyed seeing this post!
Hinds Feet on High Places,
Hannah Hurnard
Fiction/Allegory
I can Identify with Much Afraid
Michelle, Manassas, VA