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No. I didn't just pull these off my bookshelf and stack them up for a picture. These are the books that waiting patiently to be read. (This doesn't include the books that friends are borrowing that I haven't read yet.) I have started reading "Twilight" and "Look Me in the Eye". "The Joyful Christian" is more of a devotional book made up of short, mostly unrelated chapters, so that one doesn't really count towards books waiting to be finished.
I bought Twilight because I was very curious about all the hub-bub. I'll read anything by Stephen King. I have The Shack for the same reason I have Twilight - hub-bub. When I say I don't really watch television anymore, I don't do so to sound all enlightened. I honestly would rather read a book than watch TV. I spend enough time staring at a screen. AHEM!
So...What do you think I should read next? Have you read any of these? What say you?
30 comments:
I can't lay down a recommendation, because I have only read one of those books.
I can say that The Poisonwood Bible is very good. I don't usually read a book when someone tells me "YOU would enjoy it." But I made an exception for this one, and never regretted it.
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Evidence that demands a verdict is good but probably not one you'd read cover to cover because it is so dense. Probably better to just flip to the sections you're interested in.
I really need to do something with pass it to the right.
I haven't read these books so can't say anything. I do have several books that I've read and would recommend. I'm reading 4 books right now. Godology, A Tale of Two Sons, The Seven Principles of an Evangelistic Life, and Crazy Love (for the 4th time). I'm planning on going through Godology with by Young Adults when when finish Crazy Love so I'm going through slowly and making notes. A tale of Two Sons is about the prodigal son. It is good but it doesn't draw me in like other books so I read a chapter hear and there where I usually read till I'm finished. I'm trying to read the 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life at work when I'm waiting for the computer to do its thing or something like that. I go about half way through this week and should finish next week. We are going through Crazy Love in my Young Adults class. We are half way through and last week was a real challenge for the class. Things should pickup next week.
Each of those books is good in a specific way but if I recommended them I would say Crazy Love for sure (which you've read) and then Godology and 7 Principles if you can work them in. Godology is a theology book that makes use of pop culture, but don't let it fool you it is pretty deep within the mask of humor. The biggest limitation is that the book is post modern, but in a good way. It appeals to me as someone sitting between the modern and post modern mindset. & Principles is more of a study into Evangelism and at the point I'm at I've been challenged. I feel like it has been a good follow up to Crazy love by giving a very practical study into one of the commands of God that I personally need to work on.
When I've finished I'll post a more detailed review of these books.
Three Cups of Tea
Nick -
Who wrote "A Tale of Two Sons"? I recently finished "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller. I really liked his take on the parable. Also, if you haven't read "The Reason for God", I would highly recommend it.
If you like "Godology", you would probably like "The God Who Smokes" by Timothy Stoner. I'm with you on the post-modern versus modern thing. Although I like to think of it as emergent versus hard line evangelical. I don't think you have to be one or another, as long as the bible is your final authority.
Annie - What is "Three Cups of Tea"?
It's hard to judge a book by its cover, but I'd go with one that your "feelin'" at the moment.
When I'm in a silly mood, WAR AND PEACE just won't cut it. (So guess what? I've never read WAR AND PEACE, I'm waiting for the silliness to leave.)
Do you ever read several books at once? I do. I know that sounds weird and maybe why I'm so messed up, but I do that all the time.
Dude. You're making my brain tired! I usually only read one book at a time. I get obsessed with it and devour it until it's done. Then I'll go on to another. I don't read nearly as much as I used to...something about 3 small kids prevents my reading style...but I also would rather read than watch TV.
I have wanted to read The Shack and Twighlight as well just to see if they are as good as others say. I get really bored with non-fiction if it's long and don't tend to finish those. I've got three different church planting books like that right now. :P
Sherri - I always read more than one book at a time! Typically, I'm studying a book in the bible, reading a non-fiction Christian/theology book, one or two devotional books, and at least one novel. Yeah, I'm nuts...
Beth - Have you read "Simple Church"? Love that book!
Dang...the link didn't work....
Try this... Three Cups of Tea
Ooooo! Annie, that looks good! So many books, so little time.
Also, I found another blog that's like reading a book: What I learned Today
I'll probably stop leaving comments there though, because all I can think to say is, "Wow, that was really good!" That must get old after awhile...
I am no help at all. Lately I like to read murder mysteries. By lately, I mean for the last twelve years. About the same amount of time I have been married. Honestly, there is no correlation there. I love Bob.
I just finished Pagan Christianity (Frank Viola and George Barna) and have started Reimagining the Church (Frank Viola)
Pagan Christianity messed with me in ways I can't describe...but in a good way. I think I recommend it. It's a book that can provoke a lot of reactions and emotions and serious debate. But God used it to tear down some wrong concepts I've harbored. That's never a pleasant process, but I welcome the chance for God to show me where I'm wrong and guide me a change He needs me to make.
I love Same Kind of Different as Me. Our homeless ministry was born out of the pain of losing someone we love to cancer so that book really spoke to me. I also read the Twilight series because my teen daughter was interested in reading it and I wanted to make sure it was safe. I actually enjoyed the series :) I can't make up my mind about The Shack. People I know who've read it either hate it or love it. I don't need drama, so for now, I'm avoiding reading it ;)
I want to read Godology, so that might be my next book, we'll see.
We should organize a book swap and save ourselves some cash. Here's what's literally sitting in front of me that I can contribute if anyone is interested in borrowing. I have others, but I'd have to go digging, so if you have a book you want to read, I'll see if I have it. I'm being serious, so let me know:
All the Left Behind series (don't judge me, it was a slow summer so I read all of them)
All Beth Moore books (I heart her)
All Rob Bell books and NOOMA videos
Vintage Jesus--Mark Driscoll
CrazyLove--Francis Chan
Revolution-George Barna
Christian Workers Handbook--Billy Graham (SUPER reference book to finding scripture to help with any problem you are encountering. Billy gave it to each of his workers to use in the phone banks back in his crusade days)
Pagan Christianity--Frank Viola/George Barna
Same Kind of Different as Me--Ron Hall, Denver Moore
Under the Overpass--Mike Yankoski
Oh yeah, and the entire Twilight series. It was behind the door, didn't see them...oh, wait, hang on...I also have a boatload of Mary Higgins Clark stuff too ;)
I can't recommend your next book because I don't know ANY of those books! Apparently the rift in the space-time continuum between you and me doesn't extend to book choice.
I'm with Beth and Helen on this: I do read some nonfiction, but only if it really captures me. I'm a fiction girl here. I went thru a mystery phase and still like some of those. I try some literary novels, but I usually can't get into them. (too darn EARNEST) An exception is The Time Traveler's Wife. I read that one a couple years ago, and I still remember a ton from it. (Trust me, this is unusual for me.)
I guess Christian college soured me on any kind of reading that feels like Bible homework. (Sorry Beth Moore, I'm sure you're lovely. But your books always look like too much work.)
Katdish,
The book is by John MacArthur. I'd let you borrow it but it isn't mine.
A Tale of Two Sons
I'm just not getting into it. I don't really know why but I guess I was expecting something else. I'm a bit more than halfway through and it has been good but it feels like it is nothing particularly new or different from what I've read on the story so far.
Marni - I bet we have a bunch of the same books. I've got a few of the ones you listed. I have a hard time watching Rob Bell. I'm not a Bell hater, but the cadence of his voice reminds me of Chris Farley on "The Chris Farley Show". I dig Mark Driscoll, though.
Helen - Have you read any Kay Scarpetta mysteries by Patricia Cornwell? They're pretty good.
So. New question: What is your all-time favorite fiction book?
I haven't read any of those but the new SK is definitely on my list too. I am a Stephen King freak LOL I seriously have about 30 of his books. I hope you get through your list...I tried to get to this post before and it said 'post does not exist' but now it let me...finally. Hope you have a good night Kat.
Bunnicula by James Howe. I used to read it aloud to my students. There were scenes where I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard that I was crying. That really made the kids want more!
Here is a summary written by a thirteen year old girl, who admits that while the intended audience is much younger, the story is good for young and old alike.
I read other books in the series by my own choice, and not because I meant to read it to my students later. Very funny.
Kathy - Have you read "Duma Key"? I loved that one. I have it if you haven't read it.
Helen - I mean like a novel. I'm sure Bunnicula is good. Come to think of it, I like vampire stories, and Watership Down is one of my favorite books. I probably would like Bunnicula very much.
Katdish, Bunnicula is a novel....Did you think it was a biography?
;-) (I told Kathy that I wasn't going to control myself...)
Bunnicula!
Helen and Beth - Please refer to my latest comment on the Smartypants blog. Thank you.
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The Poisonwood Bible ranks up close to the top of the best books I have ever read! I highly recommend it. Let us know what you choose to read next and if it is my pick, I'd love to hear your opinion of it!
My recommendation is to finish the eight books you're on and THEN think about your next book.
(But, I'm thinking Steven King. That sounds fun and different right now.)
I am in touch with the me-ness that is me and I can reach out to the you-ness that is you....
And Helen does not suck....she just drools a little....
(silence, because bunnies can't talk)
Okay, I will be serious for a moment. I would read the book about Mr. Rogers. I had a crush on him when I was a little girl. I once told that to a nun. She found that shocking, being that he was a Presbyterian minister, and not Catholic and all. True story.
I've read the Mr Rogers book (very good and was a fast read for me) and I'm still trying to finish "The Shack"...it's pretty good.
I've also got a ton of books piled up to read and I read several at a time as well. Another I'm reading now (that I think you would enjoy) is "Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank" by Celia Rivenbark. Good stuff - if you like laughing.
Okay. I think when I finish Twilight and Look Me in the Eye I will read Mr. Rogers, The Poisonwood Bible and Wild Goose Chase.
Beckey - I posted an excerpt from that book a couple of days ago! I LOVE that book!
How did I totally miss that???
I must be working too hard. It's difficult keeping up when you're reading your blogs at 4am after work.
Awesome review, BTW!
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