Books

Anytime I have to list my hobbies, like on job applications or "getting to know you" surveys, there is one thing that I write down over and over and over again: reading. I LOVE to read. I read so much, I have to stop myself from going to the library at times or I wouldn't get anything accomplished. I know a lot of you are readers as well, so I thought I would let you know about some books I have recently read in case you are looking for a good book to relax with this coming weekend.

I recently read three books by Leslie Gould: Scrap Everything, Beyond the Blue and Garden of Dreams. I enjoyed all of them, especially the last one.

I also recently read the following books by Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis, Sex God and Jesus Wants to Save Christians. They all gave me a lot to think about. I think it is good to read things that challenge us and make us wrestle with things.

Two books that I read that challenged my thoughts about God were The Shack, by William P. Young and Angry Conversations with God, by Susan E. Isaacs. I know some people are very much against The Shack and, conversely, some people have taken it a little too much to heart. I thought it was a very interesting look at the Trinity and the role each member plays in our lives.

When I went to Oregon in April, I took along the book There is No Me Without You, by Melissa Fay Green. This is a very long book (it took my the whole weekend, including flights!) but it's a true story about a woman in Ethiopia running an orphanage and it is eye opening.

This winter I read all (at least I am pretty sure it was all) of Frank Peretti's books: Monster, The Oath, The Visitation, This Present Darkness, Piercing the Darkness and Tilly. (I just checked his website and there is another book called House, which he wrote with Ted Dekker.) His books deal a lot with spiritual warfare, and are kind of suspenseful, but even Darin read Monster, and that book is huge! Tilly is totally different than all the other books in both subject matter and length.

My favorite most recent read was The Penny, by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford. I just really enjoyed the characters and the whole story line.

Those are the books I can remember off the top of my head. Did I mention I LOVE to read?? I am sure I will have lots more suggestions this summer. Do any of you have a good book or two to add to my summer reading list?