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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!
My favorite book changes with the season I am in…And so many of my favorites have been listed over and over!
Right now, today, where I am at my favorite is:
Yada Yada Prayer Group Series
Fiction
Neta Jackson
I am Jodie Baxter (the main character). I asked Neta (the author) how she got my thoughts on paper so well. To see someone so like myself change over the 7 books in the series and how her prayer, worship, trust and belief completely radically change, forced me to re-examine how I look at God and my prayer and worship time! This fiction series literally changed my life!
This Present Darkness
Frank Peretti
Christian fiction
I have for many years loved supernatural fiction. When I committed my life to God I knew that there were things in my books that were not glorifying to him, so I didn’t want to put that stuff in my brain. I went looking for new things to read, and this was the very first book I found. I LOVE IT! In the last four years I have read it about 10-12 times.
Praying God’s Word
Beth Moore
I have carried it around since it came out and every time I start feeling like a major obstacle is in my way I get it and pray those prayers. Through praying prayers for people I have had to forgive I no more meant for God to bless them than the man in the moon. But when I continually prayed God changed my heart and sewed forgiveness in me.
Let Me Grieve But Not Forever
Verdell Davis
(First Published under the title: Riches Stored in Secret Places)
It is the story of her process of coping with her husband’s death. Her husband was pastor of a church in Texas. Some may recall her husband was one of 4 men killed in a plane crash enroute to a Focus on the Family Board retreat several years ago. The book really ministered to me during a time of loss (a different kind of loss). I highly recommend it!
Redeeming Love
Francine Rivers
Fiction
I have read this book every summer since 2002. Every time I read it, I learn something new about my relationship with Christ. This book brings me tears of joy, sadness, anger…it literally takes me through EVERY possible emotion!
The Swan House
by Elizabeth Musser
Setting: 1960s / Atlanta
Plot: Teenager Mary Swann finds faith in Christ as she struggles to find herself and make sense of her mother’s death
Best part: Has a sequel, The Dwelling Place, that takes Mary Swann into adulthood
Melissa – you would love this – many references to old Atlanta
Believing God
I love the 5 finger application and have used it daily for over a year! I tend to lean on the negative side. Your book encouraged and stayed w/ me to change my thinking! Thanks for writing it Beth you are truly an inspiring woman of God!
Janell, Clovis, NM
Hannah’s Gift: Lessons from a Life Fully Lived
Maria Housden
biography/autobiography
Despite sobbing all the way through this book about a wonderful little girl with cancer, this book deeply impacted me and changed how I mother my girls.
Pat
Crawfordsville, IN
Any book by Chuck Swindoll
(my Favorite preacher)
Nonfiction
After reading all the comments,
I definately think that
Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers would win. I’m inspired now to go to Half-Price this week and pick up a copy!
Shirley
Meeting Him in the Wilderness: A True Story of Adventure and Faith.
Author Lois Ellen Olson
My mom read it aloud on our trip to Yellowstone in 1978????
It really made the miles of highway move. Until mom got to a really sad part. She cried through it first, then slowly was able to read it to us.
A funny part was at the beginning of the book. The wife was driving a car, following the husband. On their cross country move. And at some point she started following the wrong set of tail lights.
Years later, my family went back to visit our old home town. Our old church library was having a fund raiser.
I purchased the exact book for my mother that year for a Christmas present.
Best book ever. We still have it.
Jeannette
A Voice in the Wind
Fiction
Francine Rivers
A sucker for Christian historical fiction (especially with a romantic twist).
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Dr. Seuss (first book I ever read by myself)
Little Women. Louisa May Alcott
(I cannot count how many times I have read this book)
The Stand. Steven King.
(Good vs. Evil after the Flu. Psst – Good wins!)
THE. LORD. OF. THE. RINGS. (WITH THE HOBBIT PRECEEDING IT)!!!!!!
Captured my imagination and my heart when I was in 6th & 7th grade. I've read the trilogy at least 8 times and went through 3 paperpack sets until the pages/covers were falling off/apart/to peices.
I think J.R.R. Tolkien was a genius—truly, I do!
The Burning Heart Contract
Becky Tirabassi
Devotional
My small group did this 21 Day Challenge in Mi and it transformed my life. She lit my heart on fire for the Word of God and I’ll never be the same.
The Debt, Angela Hunt
Fiction
I love this book because it portrays the most Christ-like person I have ever encountered. It is set in the 21st century, which makes it very relatable and relevant.
BTW, Beth, my husband and LOVE to go to Barnes & Noble and read, Starbucks in hand!!
Beth,
I saw Amanda and Melissa’s choice. Did I miss your pick? What is one book you love and why?
The Shack
Author – William Young
This book gives you a unique, refreshing way to talk with God. It is truly a beautiful, sad, and uplifting read.
Nancy
Georgia
Since I can’t even begin to choose a non-fiction book that’s helped to change my life (soo many!!), I figured I’d recommend a fiction series that I absolutely ADORE.
All of the Amish series’ of books by Beverly Lewis.
I know, Amish may sound boring, but I’m captivated by them! The characters become like real people to you, and I’m always disappointed to read the last book of a series. I especially love the Abram’s Daughters series.
The Entire Mitford Series
Jan Karon
Fiction
Love, love everything she writes! Talk about peaceful! She also has a wonderful children’s book (Beth, you will love this for your grandchildren!) called “Miss Fannie’s Hats”. I read it to my Kindergarten class every year!
Wow! How fun is this?!
"Follow Me"
Jan David Hettinga
non-fiction
This book takes you back to the roots of what it REALLY means to follow Jesus and lays out why we have so much trouble along the way! A must-read for christians new & old!! Enjoy!
One of my very favorite books is:
“See You at the House” which was written by Bob Benson.
It is full of stories about his life and how God works in so many areas of his life…
Redeeming Love
Francine Rivers
Fiction
I just finished it! An incredible story of God’s love and forgiveness! I couldn’t put it down after I started reading it!
FAITH WORKBOOKS by Manley Beasley
Oh my goodness M. Beasley challenged everything I thought I believed about faith through these writings!
My walk with Jesus is sweeter and deeper since I grabbed hold of these principles or should I say that they grabbed hold of me!
Can’t have enough books!
Queen of Fashion (What Marie Antoinette Wore To The Revolution)
By: Caroline Weber
Genre: Biography
First Line: April 21, 1770, Fifty-seven richly appointed carriages, laden with more than twice as many dignitaries and drawn by more than six times as many horses, had filled the Hofburg’s majestic central courtyard since dawn.
I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. This book made my heart break for Marie Antoinette. I found her to be so much more than history has portrayed her to be. I was amazed at how her fashion was intertwined with her tragic end.
(oh please disregard the picture of Eunice from Mama’s family, it’s a running joke with my aunt and I)
“Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free”
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Nonfiction
The truths in this book really opened my eyes to how subtle lies have crept into my belief systems. This book is direct at Christian women and highlights the most prevalent lies we all buy into.
Redeeming Love
Francine Rivers
Fiction
This book, to me, portrays the love that my Savior has for me. No matter how much I run, how far I go, how dumb I am, He still loves me and, not only does He love me but he PURSUES me. Read it!!!
Redemption Series
Karen Kingsbury
Fiction
In everything that she writes is an application to life. Her incite to the problems that we face from day to day is awesome.
As many that listed Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers tell me that that is the next book that I will read!
The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews
fiction
very inspiring and a wonderfully written story, plus i’m a history buff so love that aspect of the book. great, great gift to graduates (high school or college)
Sisterchicks on the Loose (entire Sisterchicks series) by Robin Jones Gunn
fiction
I love these books which focus on the friendships of women, the grace of God, and travel to many places that I will probably never get to visit (but these books make me feel like I’ve been there.)
How to choose?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
(don’t even know how many times I have read this….not to mention watched the BBC movie)
and
The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers
I know I’m a rule breaker but how could I leave one of those out?!
both are fiction. Both are amazing!
Now I’m going to go read through the list to see what I’ll be reading next!
Walking from to East to West
Ravi Zacharias
Non-Fiction
Autobiography
I know i am committing again.
Ravi writes in such a simple, humble, transparent way. Sometimes I am a slow reader. This book so touched me because of his authenticity, almost like he is talking to you over a cup of coffee, so engaging. I was impressed at his humility in his vivid writings. He found God after trying to commit suicide. I keep reading it because he is so transparent, I long for that more
in me….love alli
It’s a tie…
Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper
When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Spiritual Mom Beth
genre???
both used by God impacting my life profoundly, revealing to me where I was, and where I needed to be…He brought answers to serious life questions…I do not want to waste my life. I do not want to be easy prey…to know I am not alone…NO pride, no hypocrisy, no more sin! NO hope apart from HIM…my Deliverer is the LORD.
katiegfromtennessee
The Hiding Place
by Corrie Ten Boom
Autobiography
This book is so rich – every page is such a treasure. My heart’s desire is to be more like Betsy, who is so like our Lord.
(Favorite quote of the book: “The only safe place is in God’s will.”)
Loyce Alvarado
Houston, TX
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
fiction
Oh, just the whole Elizabeth gets mad at Mr.Darcy for judging her w/o knowing her and then she turns around and does the same. I love the irony and the love story part is not bad either.
Twilight
By Stephenie Meyer
Fiction
I love the dicotomy in the bad boy who wants to be good. And that he loves Bella so much for no reason reminds me of God’s love for me…just because.
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.
Non-fiction
A true story of a woman’s passion for the homeless and her relentless effort, with the help of her resistant husband, to bring a man with a seemingly untouchable heart to faith in Christ.
Safely Home- Randy Alcorn
Fiction
It caused my heart to beat so quickly (the whole time) as I pondered if God would ever ask me to endure persecution and ultimately give my life for his namesake! So convicting and inspiring!
Mom in Oregon
This may never reach you Beth but I will give it my best shot!!! Are you kidding me? I was in bible study tonight(Esther)week 4, and for a moment I thought you were going to ask us to fast for 3 days….I just bought 3 cadberry cream eggs and have them in hiding from my 4 children to eat after I get them in bed!!! Then you hit me with the “blank” then GOD. I’m sobbing. My deepest fear that I hide with cadberry cream eggs is now up for debate! GIRL I don’t know if I should thank you or find your home phone number and make you put my girls to bed while I let God deal with me!! All I know is, tonight is the night…there will not be anything in the “blank” by the morning that matters to me anymore, God has my ending and it will be glorious. Praise YOU Jesus…and thank you for chocolate and also for slim-fast.
Humbly His,
Your sister in Christ
P.S. If I make it through this study it will be a miracle…your killin’ me!
Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies
Steve and Candice Watters
This breezy, hopeful book is a much needed antidote in world that doesn’t always embrace children as gifts. It’s realistic, inspiring, and refreshing, ideal for newly-married couples and more seasoned parents who might need to be reminded that children are not a drain on our resources but our greatest wealth, not contributers to the world’s wounds but bearers of the cure.
There are so many for all the seasons in my life!!
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
I only wish I had read it 25 years ago!! I am the biggest “Book Nerd” there is!! I can’t read just one book at a time, I have books all over my house stacked on top of each other on every table ….good thing I live alone!! I am a flight attendant and I counted the books I dragged around on my trip and it was 7 counting my Bible. I brought 5 with me and bought 2 on the road!! That is ridiculous!! I love books!!
Pride & Prejudice; by Jane Austen
Fiction
Oh my gosh, where do I start? The book is written so vividly that you see each scene, each character, each exchange of secret glances, as if it is happening there before. You can't help but fall in love with this story of romance, or this time period. Every little girl wants to one day have her own "Mr. Darcy". The last chapter of this book is my favorite.
This is a book that I just can't put away for long…and it is a movie that I just can't keep out of my DVD player.
Anything by Jane Austen, but especially Persuasion
Fiction
Love lost and found again, all the will she?, will he?… Oooh, yes please! 🙂
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
Given to me by my brother-in-law for Christmas. We had just went thru the death of his son, my nephew, who took his life. So much of the story was them, like the fly on the wall, watching them…So sad, so greivous, yet the book touched a spot in us both that brought us some peace and hope thru it all.
A must read.
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
fiction
~It's about how God loves us unconditionaly.. despite our past & our present states of mind.
To God be The Glory!
Blessings,
Keisha
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Wolfe.
I read it the first year out of college and it reminded me of my summers on the water as a child. This setting is a cottage at the ocean and I live in the mountains and we were at the lake…but it still hit home. I have re-read it a thousand times. I’d mortagage my home for a first edition.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
I can’t even talk about it.
Peace Like a River, by Lief someboday. Fiction
Oh, read this book. Read, read, read, read this book. Don’t die before you read this book. You must read this book.
The Message by Robert Morgan
you’ll see why after you read it
a must read for all christians
Trixie Belden series
Fiction
I read these books as a girl and loved them. They took me out of my room and gave me adventure. I still have my entire collection
Start Your Family
Steve and Candice Watters
Inspiring, biblical truths for not waiting until you are “ready” to start your family. It put into smart words why being a parent is so terrifically soul satisfying.