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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!
Ladies, I just came back from my local Bible book store and I’m still shaking! …I won’t tell you how much money I spent! 😉
When I was there, I picked up a book that I always wanted to get, but could never find locally.
A Tale of Two Sons
by John MacArthur
Non-fiction
It is the story of the Prodigal Son. John MacArthur teaches this passage of scripture like I have never heard it taught before. (I first heard it on the “Grace to You” program at oneplace.com. It was very penetrating. It is one of my very favorite teaching messages of all time. You can hear it for free at gty.org. Go to the “Sermon Archive” and then do a search in the “Resource Search” engine.)
[Okay, I rarely read fiction books, but I broke down and got “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. (How could so many ladies steer me wrong? 😉 LOL Since I love the book of Amos, I also picked up another book by Francine Rivers called “The Prophet.”
I also purchased “The Heavenly Man” by Brother Yun.
…and I still have a number that were not available and are on special order!]
Thanks to all who contributed to this book list. I think it is good to expand my mind and read books that I wouldn’t normally read.]
It’s My Turn, Ruth Bell Graham
autobiographical
I found this book in one of my favorite used bookstores, one of those bookstores you have to dig around and sometimes blow off the dust? Anyway, I love this book because she is so very candid about herself, marriage, raising her children. It was full of her poems. It encouraged me in my roles as wife, mother and child of God. Her sense of humor made me laugh out loud. Praise God for a woman who knew how to live, love and laugh!
Renee
North Carolina
The Spy Wore Red by Aline, Countess of Romanones
True story, unbelievable! She was recruited to the newly formed OSS in WWII and served with William Casey, former head of the CIA.
Great, fun, exciting book. I couldn’t read fast enough!
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
Fiction
I love this book because it isn’t touted as a Christian book, but the themes within the book offer much to be learned about loving your neighbor. Atticus Finch taught me a lot!
The Divine Romance
Eugene Edwards
Fiction
Life altering, life changing. Seeing God in a different light and how He views us as HIS BRIDE. Two of my favorite parts…when he sees Israel coming out of the desert and Israel becomes the shape of a woman…His Bride. The other is when Jesus sees a woman sitting from a far and he looks beyond her profession, beyond it all to soul and He sees His seed in her heart…she belongs to HIM. Powerful! Powerful! Brings to life that we have eternity in our hearts.
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By a Relentless God
Christianity/Non-fiction
Francis Chan
This book COMPLETELY changed how I view money, poor people, my “things”, what my responsibilities are as an extremely blessed woman. I also love his weekly podcasts. He’s quite intense. GREAT book!
NOBODY
Fiction
A mystery novel written by Christin writer Creston Mapes. I absolutely loved this book! The
mystery of it is exciting, getting clues and trying to figure it all out. Two thumbs up!
Blind Courage by Bill Irwin
I LOVED this book! I did not want it to end. It is the true story of Bill’s adventures hiking the Appalachian Trail with his seeing-eye dog. It encompasses the obstacles they face and his story of faith and his relationship with God. A wonderful book!
The Shack, Paul Young
Fiction
This could totally be a Christian book. It’s so amazing how they describe God, and Jesus and you just feel like you are there in The Shack with them. Such an amazing book. Everyone should read it. Get it siestas. Love ya’ll, Mary Anne
Growing up on the Edge of the World
Phil Callaway
Fiction
Refreshing fiction-faith filled, intelligent,non-preachy. One of my all time favorites.
The Shack
William P. Young
Fiction
Several ladies posted that they loved this one, and I have to say this book was my favorite read last year. I read “The Shack” when our electricity was out for three days (Hurricane Ike winds) and then “read” it again by listening to the book on CD. Several times, I broke out in sobs considering God’s love for me. Granted, it’s an unconventional portrayal of the Holy Trinity, but that is partly what intrigued me about the book.
I was born on March 2nd (Read Across America Day) and I am not only a “book nerd,” but I have a book “illness”….drop me in a book store or library and I can spend hours (and burn money). I love to collect books on topics, for example, I have a small collection of books written by or about Billy and Ruth Graham. (I’m considering a collection of Lincoln books, but so far I’ve resisted…) I’m running out of room in my house…it is almost out of control!
Cheri
Louisville, KY
P.S. I just finished listening to Beloved Disciple on CD…awesome!
Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter
Fiction
Loss, Adoption, Unconditional Love, Courage, Faithfulness, Integrity, Sacrifice and Redemption~this book has it all~set amidst God’s awesome creation described in word pictures.
For those of you who love Francine Rivers, you need to read both Lights on Tenth Street and The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldhaun… Get your read on girls, they are GOOD.
My favorites are Deadline and Dominion by Randy Alcorn. I love his views from heaven! It’s like a sneak peak.
Love all the Jan Karon books. Full of spiritual truths and so peaceful! Plus funny one minute and poignant the next. Favorite of the series is probably These High Green Hills.
Genie in OKC,OK
The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning
Non-Fiction, Christianity, Spirituality
I loved this book so much because I read it shortly after I began to understand what grace was after growing up in a very legalistic church. It really speaks to living in the abundance of God’s grace.
Les Miserables
Victor Hugo
Fiction
I know this book is absurdly huge, a beast of a book, but it is an amazing story – really stories within the story. The main theme is grace, sweet simple grace.
My Child, My Princess Beth Moore
Juv Fiction
I’m not just saying this because this is your blog. I know this is a children’s book, but I have read it ovuh, and ovuh as we say here in MS. Everytime I read it to my girls I just have an ugly cry and they say “what’s wrong with you Mommy? The King still loves his little girl.” And I say, “yes baby, and he always will……”
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsover
Fiction
I LOVE MISSIONS and this book is a missionary story that is fictional but paints missionaries as real people and we sometimes forget that they are real folks just like you and me. Reading this book for the first time gave me a better understanding of mission life and gave me the idea “hey I can do that!” God willing, seminary starts in the fall and then on to the mission field!
My latest favourite is a fairly new book (2008)-
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows
Fiction based on Historical events
Letters between a young London author and the residents of Guernsey following the German Occupation of that English Channel Island. Funny, poignant with resourceful and original characters.
How friendshp and loyalty and truth win out over hardship and evil.
Love & Respect
Non-Fiction
FINALLY, a man who understands this wife's heart. Where was this book, when I first married. It has shown me the true heart of my husband, along with my own, in ways I never could've imagined being articulated and helped me to grow so much!! A MUST read!
As an aside, I cannot wait to crack open some of the books mentioned here!
Lowlands of Scotland series;
Thorn in my Heart, Fair is the Rose, Whence Came the Prince.
By Liz Curtis Higgs
Fiction
The story of Leah, Rachel and Jacob set in Scotland in 1768. The names have been changed but the story is amazing. I loved LCH’s adaptation of this true love story.
A Tempered Faith
Rediscovering Hope in the Ashes of Loss
Jennifer Sands
I read this book while on vacation one year-it was recommended by a relative. As soon as I got home I ordered it and I’m about to read it a 3rd time. Usually I barely can read a book one time. If you decide to read it have a box of tissues ready. It’s good!
Same Kind of Different as Me
Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Nonfiction, Memoir
Amazing story of a beautiful friendship! Changed my perspective on ministry!
The Memory of Running
Ron McLarty
fiction
Smithy Ide; the main character, is why I LOVE this book, He is so honest and REAL. You will be laughing one minute crying the next. It is a GREAT book
The Shenandoah Album Novels
(I just finished the 5th in the series)
Emilie Richards
It is fiction centered around quilters in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The author represents quilters as they are in real life: extended family.
I Once Was Blind But Now I Squint
Kent Crockett
Majorly challenging for both my husband and I. I literally wanted to hide it under my mattress b/c it was so challenging spiritually. We both found ourselves wanting to scream because it was true yet so against our flesh. The book is on perspective.
A Love Divine; Alexandra Ripley
Fiction
A book about what the life of Joseph of Arimathea may have been like. It is not a Christian book, but it is still a very interesting read, replete with references regarding the love of our Lord. It’s a very long book, so unless you have much time on your hands it will take awhile to read. I love books like that!
I can’t pick just one — what true book nerd can? But here’s one I’m in the middle of now, and it’s fabulous.
Magdalene
Angela Hunt
historical/biblical fiction
It’s fascinating to imagine what life must have been like for this character we don’t know that much about.
Oh, and I know this is breaking the rules a bit, but my second favorite is also by Alexandra Ripley,entitled Scarlett.
Fiction:
This is the authorized sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind” and it is just as good. “Gone With the Wind” is also one of my favorites…I’ve read it many times, as well as this sequel to it.
ANYTHING by Karen Kingsbury
Fiction
Her books are so sweet and tender and the love of our Savior shines through in each and every one.
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Fiction
The animal characters are so funny to me, and I loved reading it aloud to the kids using several British/English accents. I just loved hearing the kids belly-laugh!
Anything by Lori Wick
Christian Fiction
The Good Life- Chuck Colson
Really anything this man writes is stellar!
Non-fiction Biblical worldview
Colson’s writings make you examine your own beliefs and how you view the world and interact with it. They are very challenging and I grow with God each time I read them!
Orthodoxy
GK Chesterton
Classic
It changed my life. No matter the darkness, I see God’s presence.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Fiction
I bought this book years ago and just re-read it again. Loved it the second time . I’m glad it’s in my collection. But I have learned to use the library’s books because my shelves are full. 🙂
The Myth of Happiness, discovering a joy you never thought possible
by Rich Wagner
Nonfiction
Rich Wagner offers much wisdom on joy. He candidly points out how joy and happiness differ. He says, “Happiness is impatient, joy can afford to wait. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy is independent of anything that happens to us.” He closely ties joy to surrender. He points out that joy is the nature of God flowing through my spiritual bloodstream.
Redeeming Love
Fiction
Francine Rivers
No book other than the Bible has touched me as deeply with its message of God’s unconditional love for us and His pursuit of us.
Scarlet Thread
Fiction by Francine Rivers
An amazing picture of how God does order our footsteps across generations.
The “Anne of Green Gables” series by Lucy Maud Montgomery
-Fiction
These are great stories about growing up, finding your “bosom” friend and love. I read them during my childhood and can’t wait to read them with my children.
The Boxcar Children
Fiction
I am a retired teacher and I loved reading that book to my third grade students. It was my favorite as a child and still is.
Redeeming Love
By: Francine Rivers
Fiction
Definitely a favorite!
The Road to Forgiveness by Bill and Cindy Griffiths
Non Fiction
I love this book because it’s taught me to be more forgiving and the reason I’m such a forgiving person. It’s an excellent book!
Let me know if anyone else put this 🙂
Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
Fiction. Picking just one was incredibly difficult. I have 3 book shelves crammed full and boxes of unpacked books; but Beach Music is a book I can just pick up and become immersed in at a moments notice. Conroy is such a gifted story teller.
Redeeming Love
by Francine Rivers
The story shows God’s love for us even when we are are nastiest and most hurtful.
and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
Fiction
I pretty much love everything I have read by her but this was my first Francine Rivers so it holds a special spot! It shows that even the most dedicated Christians can fall and will fall if they take their eyes off of Christ. But Mrs. Rivers then reminds us that even when we fall God is right there ready to forgive us and pick us back up!
A Chance To Die by Elisabeth Elliott
Biography
Amy Carmichael~how I grew to love her through this book. What a magnificent saint. I learned so much about a life sold out to Christ…and fun things, like how she wore all white to funerals of believers to celebrate their resurrection!
Jane Eyre
Fiction
I loved this book, especially when I was single, lonely, and hoped to find Mr. Rochester! I love happy endings!
Someone had recommended a book entitled “Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus” by Anne Spangler and Lois Tverberg. I remember the poster was asking if anyone knew of any other books about Jesus and Jewish history. (Sorry I don’t remember who asked, but I hope you see this post.)
I just picked up the Spangler and Tverberg’s book today and notice that in the back of the book there are pages of books that are referenced for each chapter. In case you didn’t already see this, I thought that this might be a good place to start your search for other related books. Also check out Appendix C “Recommended Resources.” Additionally, on page 225 there is a list of web sites. (I have check out a couple of them and was quite impressed.)
You might want to check out the book:
“THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS THE MESSIAH”
by Alfred Edersheim.
Non fiction
It is more like a commentary, but I find his insights invaluable. (He has a number of other books, as well.) Edersheim helps you understand the beliefs, customs and political situation of Jesus’ day.
Thanks for suggesting “Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus.” My husband found it on the coffee table and wants to read it. …after I read it first, of course!
Trudy
Alberta, Canada
Beyond Our Selves
Catherine Marshall
“The spiritual adventure and personal pilgrimage…”
Given to me by my mother-in-law. Opened it one day in a pit of discouragement to the chapter “Prayer of Reliquishment.” Changed my life and walk with God. I devoured the rest of the book and have been blessed by the rest of her writings over the years. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
Awareness by Anthony DeMello