I love a good book. In 2011 I read 31 of them. They ranged from best-selling novels to business books to memoirs and biographies. Some were more impactful than others. Those books shown above with a red star were my favorites. For those of you who also love a good read, I thought I'd share a little review of a few of them with you.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This true story is jaw-dropping, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The author was one of four children of eccentric parents who lived a largely nomadic life throughout the US -- sometimes without enough money to eat. It's just a tad slow through the middle but the end is a huge pay off. I am so thankful that the author was brave enough to tell her story. It truly is one of a kind and a great read. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief at parts of it, yet with a warm heart.
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
I tend to be skeptical of these types of books. God gives us information about what heaven is like in the Bible and I'm not sure He allows people to visit and then come back to tell about it. But this book made a believer out of me -- at least a believer that little Colton's experience was real.
Ha -- I chuckle looking back on the review I posted on goodreads.com after reading this book. But it's true. Reading this book made me pretty excited: "GOD IS AMAZING!!!! Absolutely floored. Loved it. Can't wait to get there. Please, everyone come with." Definitely a must read if you love Jesus.
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
This book was utterly fascinating to me. It is an autobiography written by a man with Asbergers - a high-functioning form of autism. He is also a savant. It was so interesting to get a glimpse of such detail into the life and mind of someone on the autistic spectrum. I found myself reading it and being reminded of some of the characteristics of my two nephews who have autism. I wish they could explain their experience of life to me, and in small snippets, this author has done that for me. I found, as I was reading it, that I too, share some of the characteristics common to those with autism. Specifically:
-Don't enjoy loud noises or crowds
-Find it difficult to filter out external noise & have trouble concentrating around it
-Feel most comfortable and secure at home where order and routine abound
I know these characteristics aren't exclusive to those with autism, but since autism exists as a spectrum, it's possible that many of us have a very mild version of it. Anyhow, I'm so thankful to the writer for sharing his experiences and opening up another world to his readers.
Wrestling with an Angel by Greg Lucas
This is a short book that packs a powerful punch. Written by a father of a special needs child, it is a humbling and refreshing account of how he and his family were brought near to God through hardship and struggle. While reading this, I couldn't help but think of some of my friends who are going through a really hard time right now. This is the type of book I wouldn't hesitate to give them. And in fact, I have given it to two of them. This book is void of all Christian-ease and cheese and is just very encouraging, refreshing and humbling. I applaud the author for his courage to share with us, in so genuine a manner, a window into his life and heart.
I was convicted, while reading this book, that my hardships aren't nearly half as trying as those Greg faced, and I don't approach them with nearly as much faith and hope in God as he did.
A few of my favorite tidbits:
"I hear religious-minded people say all the time with good intentions, 'God will never place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot carry it.' Really? My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone....All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him. 'My power is made perfect in your weakness,' He says, as we strain under our burden."
"True desperation is always the most fertile ground for God's grace to produce an abundant harvest of hope. And each time God has shown us His greatest glory, He has always first revealed our greatest despair."
If you're interested in seeing how I rated some of the other books I read or reading my reviews of them, look me up on Goodreads! And if you have any good recommendations of your own, feel free to share them in the comments! Just no books with any dogs dying, please :).
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This true story is jaw-dropping, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The author was one of four children of eccentric parents who lived a largely nomadic life throughout the US -- sometimes without enough money to eat. It's just a tad slow through the middle but the end is a huge pay off. I am so thankful that the author was brave enough to tell her story. It truly is one of a kind and a great read. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief at parts of it, yet with a warm heart.
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
I tend to be skeptical of these types of books. God gives us information about what heaven is like in the Bible and I'm not sure He allows people to visit and then come back to tell about it. But this book made a believer out of me -- at least a believer that little Colton's experience was real.
Ha -- I chuckle looking back on the review I posted on goodreads.com after reading this book. But it's true. Reading this book made me pretty excited: "GOD IS AMAZING!!!! Absolutely floored. Loved it. Can't wait to get there. Please, everyone come with." Definitely a must read if you love Jesus.
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
This book was utterly fascinating to me. It is an autobiography written by a man with Asbergers - a high-functioning form of autism. He is also a savant. It was so interesting to get a glimpse of such detail into the life and mind of someone on the autistic spectrum. I found myself reading it and being reminded of some of the characteristics of my two nephews who have autism. I wish they could explain their experience of life to me, and in small snippets, this author has done that for me. I found, as I was reading it, that I too, share some of the characteristics common to those with autism. Specifically:
-Don't enjoy loud noises or crowds
-Find it difficult to filter out external noise & have trouble concentrating around it
-Feel most comfortable and secure at home where order and routine abound
I know these characteristics aren't exclusive to those with autism, but since autism exists as a spectrum, it's possible that many of us have a very mild version of it. Anyhow, I'm so thankful to the writer for sharing his experiences and opening up another world to his readers.
Wrestling with an Angel by Greg Lucas
This is a short book that packs a powerful punch. Written by a father of a special needs child, it is a humbling and refreshing account of how he and his family were brought near to God through hardship and struggle. While reading this, I couldn't help but think of some of my friends who are going through a really hard time right now. This is the type of book I wouldn't hesitate to give them. And in fact, I have given it to two of them. This book is void of all Christian-ease and cheese and is just very encouraging, refreshing and humbling. I applaud the author for his courage to share with us, in so genuine a manner, a window into his life and heart.
I was convicted, while reading this book, that my hardships aren't nearly half as trying as those Greg faced, and I don't approach them with nearly as much faith and hope in God as he did.
A few of my favorite tidbits:
"I hear religious-minded people say all the time with good intentions, 'God will never place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot carry it.' Really? My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone....All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him. 'My power is made perfect in your weakness,' He says, as we strain under our burden."
"True desperation is always the most fertile ground for God's grace to produce an abundant harvest of hope. And each time God has shown us His greatest glory, He has always first revealed our greatest despair."
If you're interested in seeing how I rated some of the other books I read or reading my reviews of them, look me up on Goodreads! And if you have any good recommendations of your own, feel free to share them in the comments! Just no books with any dogs dying, please :).
Comments
