29 January 2010

My 2010 reading list...

Two books down in 2010 - so far, so good...

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (Pape... by Immaculee Ilibagiza Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza
What broke my heart the most about this book is that the Rwandan genocide happened in 1994 when I was a junior in high school, and I knew nothing about it at the time.  Across the world, in modern times, innocent people were being slaughtered with machetes, and half of an entire country was murdered.  It sounds like something barbaric that happened in Medieval times, not in our lifetime.  Immaculée's story will break your heart, make you smile, make you cry, and help you believe that there is redemption in even the vilest of circumstances.  This book physically made me ill at times, but I couldn't stop turning the pages.

A Mother's Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for th... by Jean Fleming A Mother's Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother by Jean Fleming
I'm so glad I read this before I actually had any children. It has encouraged me greatly in my soon-to-be role as mother - its importance and beauty and the inevitable struggles that will come.  My favorite chapter was "Roots and Wings" where the author describes lots of creative ideas you can use with your own children to inspire them at home and then encourage them to go out and contribute positively to the world.

Here are more books on my 2010 reading list...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Hardcover) by Mary Ann Shaffer The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road... by Donald Miller Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road  by Donald Miller

The House on Nauset Marsh: A Cape Cod Memoir, Fiftieth Anniversa... by Wyman Richardson The House on Nauset Marsh: A Cape Cod Memoir, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition by Wyman Richardson
I'm about halfway through this from my first attempt last year.  It's so different that any other book I've read - it's a man's account of his days living in a cabin in Cape Cod.  Very slow-moving but that's also what's great about it...

What difference do it make? - Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardc... by Ron Hall What difference do it make? - Stories of Hope and Healing by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Ex... by Rob Bell Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile by Rob Bell

Grace [Eventually]: Thoughts on Faith (Hardcover) by Anne Lamott Grace [Eventually]: Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
You know how much I love Anne Lamott.  This book that she wrote after Traveling Mercies and Plan B has gotten some negative reviews, but I'm going into it with no expectations.  We'll see.

Mudhouse Sabbath (Hardcover) by Lauren F. Winner Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editin... by Donald Miller A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller

Flies on the Butter (Paperback) by Denise Hildreth Flies on the Butter by Denise Hildreth

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Paperback) by Francis Chan Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

Summer at Tiffany (Hardcover) by Marjorie Hart Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (Paperback) by Ina May Gaskin Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table (Hard... by Molly Wizenberg A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg

These Strange Ashes (Paperback) by Elisabeth Elliot These Strange Ashes by Elisabeth Elliot
There's nothing I've read by Elisabeth Elliot that hasn't challenge me to the core.

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Buildi... by Carl Medearis Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships by Carl Medearis

Have you read any of these?  What books would you add?  Would love to hear!

8 comments:

The Morginskys said...

parenting books: The Creative Family by amanda soule, good ideas to store away and fun first birthday stuff.
How children raise parents by Dan Allendar: best parenting book in the world!!!!!
I saw your Ina May book. if you plan on doing natural childbirth i would also add Dr. Sears pregnancy and childbirth book. so very good and encouraging!

Bean said...

Your reading list looks very interesting thus far! D. Miller and R. Bell's books are on my list, too. :) I feel (secretly) special knowing I am interested in reading the same books as you. I will also look into Left to Tell and the parenting book you mentioned.

Thanks for sharing!

Christine Kellett said...

I love, love, love Anne Lamott. She is so inspiring. You need to read her Operating Instructions as you prepare yourself to be a mom. It was so helpful to know that someone was having the same feelings as me. Also, have you read The Help?

Tara said...

You've got some great books on your list. A Million Miles (Donald Miller) is on my kitchen table - hoping to get to that one soon. What Difference Do It Make is also on my list.

Oh, and I think you're going to really like Crazy Love. Looking forward to the reviews!

maryh said...

sounds like a great list! i just ordered Elizabeth Gilbert's new book "Committed". I haven't had a book in a week and am feeling so restless!!

sammyw said...

just finished 'A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table' very inspiring, lovely book, very much recommend. i have many books in my que such as 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' 'Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships'and 'Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God'

my goal is to read a book a month this year, january was mollie wizenbergs book, february is julia childs, my life in france :)

happy reading!

david, kelly & sam said...

looks like an awesome reading list!! i agree with your friend christine kellett...operating instructions by anne lammott would be super to read while pregnant! it's one of the reasons we named our first babe Sam! i read grace eventually and was disheartened...not the same as the other lammott books that we love so much. happy reading! :)

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