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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!
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Non-Fiction
This book is all about the unimaginable love of God. Chan explains this God-love should invoke a crazy love for Him in us. He’s loved us in a crazy, unfathomable way. We should love Him in a crazy, unfathomable way.
Beth:
After reading this post, I went and purchased Redeeming Love… it was wonderful.. I read it in 2 1/2 days. I would tell everyone to go and get it.. great read…
Thanks for sharing ladies…
Lichelle
The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
fiction
This was the only book that could keep my attention as a child. When I was in my 20’s I picked it up again and loved it just as much. I can’t stand reading fiction books, but I will take a lazy weekend and read the whole book over just to escape on a journey to places unknown.
A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card
Nonfiction
Transformed my view of suffering and lament. Sorrow is the path to the ‘worth-ship’ of God.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Fiction
I love this book because it’s about listening to God and following his will and never giving up on the path He has for you. It’s also about the redeeming love he has for us
Captivating
Staci & John Eldridge
Powerful book on a woman's beauty. Really helped me understand how God loves my inner beauty & how the enemy despises it & why.
“Gone With the Wind”
Margaret Mitchell
I’m not a southern girl, but I love this book. I love the story and, more accurately, I love the book itself. My grandmother gave me her copy of it from 1943. This book is one of my most treasured possessions because it’s from my “grammy”.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Fiction
This is an absolutely amazing story written to the theme of the book of Hosea. It leaves you with a wonder and a fascination of a Love that loves the unlovable. A godly man seeks God’s will for a wife. God shows him the “one” – a harlot, sold into the profession by her mother’s boyfriend as a child. Knowing no other way of life or what love really is – Sarah finds accepting unconditional love difficult to say the least.
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
Fiction
It’s a beautiful story about a young woman in a new marriage who receives life messages from her grandmother. Very spiritual and moving. Definitely a passalong book!
Ramona
The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd
Fiction
A sweet and wonderful novel. I want to live there. I want to be one of this group of women. Wonderful truths and love.
Any Michael Phillips or Judith Pella
especially the Stonewycke series they co-authored – mystery, love, Christian growth, history, everything!
And Phillips – Rift in Time – you’ll love it!
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
fiction
I read it first in the 7th grade and have been re-reading it ever since. I encourage everyone to read it. You will get lost in the beauty of Ms. Mitchell’s words. And yes, my real name is Melanie!
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Fiction.
I read this book when I was in the 3rd grade and fell in love with it. It was the first “big girl” book I read and it tapped into my imaginative side and I started writing little stories just like it. I will always remember it as a wonderful story that I enjoyed as a nine year old with a wild imagination!
The Rogue’s Redemption by Ruth Axtell Morren
Historical Inspirational Fiction
Oh, why this book. I have been REDEEMED and it’s so wonderful to read about someone else who was in a low place spiritually and was raised up! The love in this book is so tender and touching!
“Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers
Fiction
This story portrays my life in spiritual terms, how I have prostituted myself before the LORD. And His amazing mercy, grace, and love to redeem me. Who is like our God?
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
just an aside: “Tree Full of Angels” caught my eye (and made me think of one of your commenters) and upon “amazonning-it” found it to be a kindof perfect storm of your last several posts…beginning with the “name” day through the nerd post! pretty thematic i’d say -even serendipitous (sp?) they all work together like a loved book…thanks!
The Shack, William P Young
Gave me a fresh view of the Father, Son And Holy Spirit.
I read it three times.
Couplehood
Paul Reiser
Comedy
I could have picked so many great Christian authors but here’s a fun secular laugh at marriage and the differences we bring to the relationship….we have read it several times over the years (in bed at night with me reading it aloud to my husband). There are several times that I am laughing so hard that I’m crying and can’t keep reading. Maybe it’s just my strange sense of humor, but it’s great to laugh together. (my husband mostly laughs at me laughing)…..
The Shack, by William Paul Young
Fiction
Having grown up in the church and learned about God and His character… this book opened my mind to understand the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in a way NEVER perceived before. It forces you to break free of conceived mindsets to truly sense the heart of God. Great book for conversation too.
Beth, I love you to pieces but I’ll have you know its totally your fault that I am spending money at Amazon.com and at the used bookstore that I can’t afford now because there are just too many books on here that I cannot RESIST!!!
Lord Jesus… please help me resist the temptation of buying even one more book….
When My Eyes Met HIS
*Autobiographical
*in the process of being written….
*It’s the story of His redemption and I just know He gave me the title…….
I too am a Book Nerd…love to read!
One of my fave’s is:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Christian Fiction
Based on the Book of Hosea, this book is wonderfully written and is a great reminder that no matter how much we try to run from God, He is always there for us, and will love and forgive us unconditionally!
“Anne Frank Remembered” by Miep Gies
The true story of the woman who helped hide the Frank family, it tells of life outside the annex in WWII Holland. A true hero, Miep recently turned 100 and lives in Austria.
The Children of the Lion Series by Peter Danielson (19 book Collection)
Fiction
My father got me started on this collection. These are stories loosely based on the Bible The thought of them is sentimental to me. The stories show the time periods of the Bible from a different perspective. It brought the Bible times to life. This post has prompted me to read the series again now armed with knowledge I did not have as a child.
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
Fiction
It’s funny; I just blogged about my love of books yesterday. I think, for this book, it’s the Alabama (my home state) connection and it reminds me of growing up. Running through the neighborhood, the “weird” neighbor who was actually a great person. All those memories are tied into my own.
The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg
Non-Fiction
Ortberg has a way of writing that I just get. This is the first book of his that I read and I love it. It really opened my eyes to the lifestyle change that has to happen in order for you to fully follow God. How God affects every aspect of your life.
The Justice;
Angela Hunt
fiction
Makes you think about what your life would be without Christ – He needs to be guiding our decisions.
Redeeming Love
Francine Rivers
I could not put it down. Even woke up in the middle of the night to read it. (I’ve never done that with any other book). Cried my eyes out at the end.
Snap. I just thought of one that has become an all time favorite book and an inspiration to me to serve GOD in the mission field. A must read.
GOD'S SMUGGLER by Brother Andrew with John & Elizabeth Sherrill.
It's the true-life story of Brother Andrew and how he began his one-man mission of teaching and taking Bibles to Christians behind the Iron Curtain. You can check out his ministry Open Doors International at http://sb.od.org/
and the American connection to ODI is http://www.opendoorsusa.org/
Would love to meet this man-either here or in heaven someday. :o)
Anna in MO
Only one….ack….
Christy
Catherine Marshall
I’ve read it over and over and over. And set in my favorite place in the world.
Uncharted
by Angela Hunt
Makes you think- and sigh.
“What’s So Amazing About Grace”
Philip Yancey
Completely opened up my eyes to what grace really is and what the Bible says about it!
I also love the diaries of Jim Elliot. INSPIRING!
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Fiction
As a young girl I fell in love with this book and it’s array of characters. As a mom I’ve enjoyed reading it again with 2 of my 3 daughters and can’t wait until the 3rd is old enough as well!!
Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! by Fannie Flagg
Fiction
You’ll rarely be lonely or depressed if you are reading a good book. This story is funny, poignant, and relatable. I hated to see it end because I miss the friends I made within the pages.
Knuffle Bunny-A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
Children’s Fiction
If you are a mommy, especially of pre-schoolers, RUN to obtain a copy and add it to your home library!!! My mental state improves with each reading. Also check out the sequel, Knuffle Bunny Too-A Case of Mistaken Identity.
Oh man alive! I love this post. I keep coming back and getting more and more… and more.. and more… books to read. One in particular really hit me: Sacred Marriage-What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? That one hit me square on the jaw.
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Fiction
When I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. It was such a beautiful picture of how a loving God pursues us and redeems our lives from a pit of destruction.
P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern
Fiction
The best case I have for reading the book instead of watching the movie. They butchered it on film! The beauty is in the book, and you’ll be rooting for her throughout. Love, Rosie by the same author is great, too.
I hope I’m not too late…..
Same kind of different as me by
Ron Hall and Denver Moore
true story
I just read it and cried and cried for the faithfulness, love, and hope in this book!!! Best book ever!!
Same Kind of Different As Me
Autobiographical
I saw it on here as one you were reading. I ordered it from the library and loved it so much that I gave it to all my friends for Christmas. Precious precious book!
Anne of Green Gables
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Fiction
A must-read every year, the whole series.
This was really hard to pick, I LOVE to read!
Tracy Culley
Columbia, MO
I posted once, but wanted to add a couple more authors…
Charles Martin(serious fiction…deep emotional stuff, southern)
Denise Hildreth(laugh out loud southern fiction)
My latest favorite read is “Reckless Faith”. Seriously, you Moore women would love this!!! Non fiction…super great read…you will want to give it to everyone you know 🙂 Like you, Miss Beth, I LOVE BOOKS! That our God for the public library or I would have sent our family to the poor house. Just yesterday my good friend and I who share our love for reading said that we have to read…its like breathing…
The Night the Bear Ate Boombaw
Never Sniff a Gift Fish
They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?
The Grasshopper Trap
The Good Samaritan Stikes Again
All by the fabulous author
Patrick F. McManus
These books are mostly collections of short stories and are absolutely wonderful! They are funny outdoor stories that are great, great fun to read.
Keith may appreciate the tales more than Beth, but I bet your whole family would love them. Especially on a camping trip!!
You will LOVE these books!
It’s Not About the Bike
My Journey Back to Life
By Lance Armstrong
A wonderful, inspiring story published in 2000, before Lance became so famous. This is an amazing story of one man’s victory over cancer. I pray for Lance often, as the only thing missing in this story is Jesus.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore.
Amazing story of love for your fellow man. I actually got to hear Ron and Denver speak in person at a Young Life Dinner and they are such an encouragement to ministry of the poor.
Sophie’s Heart by Lori Wick
Christian fiction.
This was the 1st book I read by her. It just touched my heart.
Oh Beth, I posted my favorite book already, but I wanted to post my husband’s favorite author too. I had not seen this author listed yet, so it is worth mentioning.
Frank G. Slaughter
There are so many books by him that my husband reads and re-reads:
The Galilean’s
Upon This Rock
The Crown and The Cross
The Song of Ruth
David: Warrior and King
There are many, many more with Biblical themes and characters, as well as great physician stories.
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler
Childrens Fiction
The first book I read as a child that made me fall in love with reading.
Divine by Karen Kingsbury
Fiction
This book is a powerful example of God’s turning trash to treasure and Oh! how I relate. It is a tough read simply because of its heart-wrenching content but most definitely one that had me standing in awe of God’s hand at work through the most difficult times in our lives.
Julie
Huddleston, VA
Little Women
Fiction
I’ve read this countless times, and find something new, wise, and comforting every time!
Joanne