Tuesday, October 20, 2009

books, lovers, and the official expose...

A room without books is like a body without a soul (Marcus Cicero).

To the annoyance of many people, I read several books at a time. When it comes to reading I try pretending that I'm linear and formulaic, but it's more like hodge-podge and potluck. A book has to be really good (and I mean really good) for me to lose myself in it. When I fall in love with a book, I marry myself to it. I won't get out of bed, I'll stay up all night with it, and when I'm away from it, all I do is dream about being reunited in our favorite spot: my bed.

Someone asked me to post a list of what I'm reading, but if you know me, books are like love-interests. When I see people posting their booklists, I feel like they just wrote an expose of their love life. Somethings should be private, people!?!

With that being said, I realized that I have serious issues with books and need to get over the personification of inanimate objects. [Yes, I take Nerd to a whole new level.] I'm listing a few books that I've either just finished or I'm currently reading. Some books are for research, others are for leisure, and others are for theological investigation. I'm not advocating any book in this post! I'm just listing what I'm reading. If there is a book you recommend, drop me a line. I'd love to check it out! As Mortimer Adler says, Reading is the basic tool in the living of a good life.

A Year of Biblical Living, AJ Jacobs. Hilarious. Seriously, I read 120 pages in like a nanosecond. Jacobs is an atheist who is causing me to internalize the question: Do I really live as the bible commands?
Tribes, Seth Godin. Rocked. My. World. If you're a leader (or want to be) read this.
Its Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be, Paul Arden. Ignore the title--it's not a spiritual book. It's a marketing book about 60 pages in length, containing 60 years of wisdom.
Leading With A Limp, Dan Allender. I would've never picked this book up had it not been for a friend who bought it for my birthday. I wanted to be grateful, but I was confused. [Uh, thanks? This is totally like the Sadaris book I really wanted. Oh wait, no it's not.] But it's probably one of the best books on leadership I could ever read.
Plan B, Anne LaMott. Some people think she's crazy. Others think she's a spiritual oracle. I just think she's a great writer. Whether I agree with her theology or not, she's got a grip on writing that grips my heart.
On Writing, Stephen King. I was afraid to buy this book because I thought I'd have nightmares or something. Hello, it's Stephen King. But to my surprise, I was moved to tears reading his story, his passion, and his insight on writing. Tedious, but very informational read.

16 comments:

Melinda said...

This is so timely! I have some new job functions at work that involve leadership and this morning I was praying for some good thoughts on leadership. I've been researching what books to get.

So stoked to check these out!

Annie said...

My (short) modgey-podgey list:
Persuasion - Jane Austen
Pride and Predjudice - Jane Austen
Five-Point Play - Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) ... great leadership book, but even better behind the scenes about one of college basketball's greatest coaches.
Last Dance - John Feinstein ... behind the scenes at the 2005 Final Four (are you sensing a theme??)
The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck

Tish said...

my current reads:
Holy Ambition by Chip Ingram, given to me as a gift...he asks good questions like "Do I really care for the people around me everyday? What is the EVIDENCE?"

Renting Lacy by Linda Smith - a MUST READ for anyone interested in knowing more about human trafficking in the US

Everything else I am reading right now involves Elmo...

JACKY FIGUEROA said...

Ok. I am sooo bad @ finishing a book. Confession. Remember you recommended shaunti feldmans book. Well, I got it & I finished it when you started the next class, a year later!! I know, I'm embarassed for myself. Pray for me ;)

Kati Smith said...

Wow, I thought I was the only person I knew who read "On Writing." I loved it and often pick it up to re-read certain parts. Very unexpected from King.

Also, thanks for the leadership book ideas. I've been in search of some good ones.

I've got some great kids/family ministry books I could recommend, but I'm not sure that's your field of study :) haha.

Chan's new book "Forgotten God" is absolulety great, however. So, that's my two-cents!

Daniel said...

HOw do you read 120 Pages in nanoseconds? That's talent there. I usually can get in 7 pages in a day. I wish I had more time to read - usually I end up reading homework and school announcements ;)

Im wrapping up:

Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David - Alan Redpath, this book is just amazing.

Angels - Billy Graham, pretty interesting on the order of Angels and encounters.

Q:The Autobiography of Quincy Jones

About to start on:

Why Grace Changes Everything - Chuck Smith


Does reading the newspaper and sports illustrated count haha.

Thanks for sharking Bianca. I may check some of those out in the future if I ever finish reading my current books.

ks*Rebecca said...

My 5 Faves:

True Love, Thich Nhat Hanh

Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames, Thich Nhat Hanh

The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough

The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
MOVIE COMING OUT IN DEC, DONT WATCH BEFORE U READ!

The Russian Concubine,
Kate Furnivall

melissa said...

I admit I can be a leisurely, lazy reader...the kind where I read it, love it and then forget all about it! I tell friends, I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. but can never say why, so I'm the worst recommender-er.

Annnnd, most of what I read are recommendations, so this list is great!

All that being said, I'm in the middle of...

1. The Love Dare...challenging the way I view marriage, but most importantly, love, which I constantly have to remind myself is a verb!

2. Heart Cry by Arlita Morken Winston...as a child, the author lived in the jungles of Sumantra with her missionary parents whose heart's burden was for the cannibals. So many amazing stories of utter and complete trust in God.

3. Crazy Love by Francis Chan...this book is challenging me to live out my faith...I have been using this easy read to answer tough questions as I use it as a springboard to dive deep in the word. I've got notes to self and scriptures all over the pages of this book!

And the one I read in bed for days at a time...Reedeming Love by Francine Rivers.

Quirky Christa said...

I don't have much time to read anything these days but here's whats on my night stand to finish or start:

What to Expect the First Year -

The Curse of Jezebel by Frank G. Slaughter

the Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

This Year it Will be Better by Maeve Binchy

Bianca said...

OOoooooh! I can't wait to pick up some of these books!!! Especially Francis Chan's newest book (thanks, Kati!).

The last book I fell in love with was "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Book Society." I stayed up until 5:00am to finish it. In one day. Read it!

Bianca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kandi said...

Bianca,

I just wanted to let you know what a blessing your blog is. God has truly gifted you in writing and communicating! Thanks for your transparency and vunerability! bless you!

Lydia said...

From one bibliophile to another! "Readers are leaders."

My list right now:

Bird by Bird -Anne Lamott

Shopping for Time -Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whiteacre, Janelle Bradshaw, & Kristin Chesemore

Life as a Vapor -John Piper

Anonymous said...

i am a lazy person and reading is not my fortee, how can i improved that and get enchanted by them and enjoy them as much as you guys do,, please i need that, even school books, begin reading them but i tend to jump some paragraph.. i know i'm bad!! = (

Beca said...

the road - cormac mccarthy
read this in 4 hours

all but my life - gerda weissmann klein

two that i just read this past weekend! enjoy!

Anonymous said...

What a great intro to your blog for this first time visitor:) My reading list is equally ecclectic but my go to favorites are anything by Elizabeth Goudge, her books are a bit slow to get into but her insight into human nature makes for a warm and rewarding read particularly her Green Dolphin Street.

Farrah

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