So, I've been moseying my way through a few books... I haven't updated my reading posts since November 2012 (shocking!) so thought it was about time to fill you in, just in case any of you are after something to get your teeth into!!
Heidi: Johanna Spyri
Of course I had to read this one after our new arrival. I love this story. It is special to me on a number of levels. It was the first "grown up" book I read, and I devoured it at the mere age of 8. Twenty years later, I still love it. It's the story after which we named our baby girl. The little girl growing up in the swiss mountains with the goats, the beauty of a simple life, the turnaround of a grumpy old man, the message that wealth does not equal happiness. It's a beautiful story, and I can't wait to read it to the girls (they are already well acquainted with the abridged version!) And it helps that the copy I have is just so pretty and worn and well-read and old. And it was my Nanny's, and she's gone now. So its basically a special book.
Lillian's Story: Sally Patricia Gardner
Really enjoyable read which takes you on a journey through the 20th century by telling it through the eyes of Lillian, a fictional character born in 1900, who died in 2000. I got into the story very quickly and it was fascinating to see these major historical events unfold through the eyes of someone who was in it. I felt the author got a bit stuck in the war years, but picked up the pace again afterwards. A good book if you want an overview of life for people in the 20th century. Very enjoyable read.
Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond
The true story of a city girl who met and married a ranch cowboy and moved to the country. A fun and funny book, but a little on the kitschy/cheesy side. Depends if you like that kind of thing!
Langdown Manor: Sue Reid
I actually really enjoyed this book... it was a bit of a Downton Abbey style read with an upstairs/downstairs storyline. I warmed to the characters and got stuck in to the storyline really quickly. It follows the story of a rich girl and her ladies maid simultaneously and I really enjoyed it... only shame was, I felt the ending was a little rushed. A good one for a holiday book; easy read, not too long, gripping storyline, characters you can empathise with = one happy reader.
Is it just me? Miranda Hart
I am a HUGE Miranda Hart fan... I know she's not everyones cup of tea, but I find her utterly hilarious. I have to admit to being a little disappointed by the book. It is so much fun to read (you can literally hear her voice inside you head) but I found the too-ing and fro-ing with her former self a little tedious at best. Give me Miranda on TV any day!
Heaven is Here: Stephanie Nielson
Yes, I read this book again. Mainly because I love it. Mainly because I think Stephanie Nielson is very inspiring and her ability to be thankful and see the positives in the face of her accident 5 years ago (she is a burns victim after a horrific plane crash) is pretty immense. It's a great read. I would actually go right on back and read it again.
Living in the gap between promise and reality: Iain Duguid
I have SO enjoyed this book... it has been such a help in my Bible reading. Duguid writes such readable stuff that challenges my heart and encourages my faith. If you're looking for a good read on the book of Genesis, this is it. You won't be disappointed!
So there you have it... that's what's been on my bookshelf. And now, I've just started this book here... I'm one chapter in and I am loving it! And you know what? 18 people have reviewed it on Amazon and it doesn't have one single bad review. From anyone. Plus some of my friends have been raving about it. I'm pretty excited about reading it...
Also on my shelf to read this month...
Any book recommendations?
Gospel, by J.D.Greear, is an excellent book. x
ReplyDeleteThe Enneagram; A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr. A personality type system that, to my mind, is one of the most important things out there for understanding some aspects of the personality God has given us.
ReplyDeleteRohr spells out the 9 types and, because this is written for Christians by a Christian, gives us typical root sins, areas for growth, invitations from God, certain Bible characters that may be certain types, fruits of the Spirit and how we might mature in our Christian lives according which type we might be.
I read this book a couple of months ago and have been heartily recommending it to people since then. Genuinely, this has been the most helpful thing, both in terms of my spiritual life and just getting to know myself better, that I've read in years. It's also helped me to understand David and other friends and family better.
Btw, I found the first section of the book pretty dull and skimmed through it but parts 2 and 3 are great.
you've probably read it, but future grace by John Piper. Will lend it to you if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteI loved 1000 gifts, and her blog at aholyexperience. But, I did find one reviewer who didn't care for it, and that was Tim Challies. He later wrote an apology to her because she read his slamming blog and invited him to the farm for dinner. It was a very interesting exchange. Enjoy
ReplyDelete