Sunday, September 25, 2011

Book Binge

I just numbered the books for the Fall into Reading Challenge to hopefully make my list a little easier to read. If I would have known I was one book short of 20, I probably would have found another to add. It's likely good that I didn't.

However, I went on a bit of a book buying binge at a conference (Formation in Christlikeness) I attended this past weekend. Fortunately, two of the books I purchased are already on my list (The Good & Beautiful Life, The Good & Beautiful Community, both by James Bryan Smith). And the others I'm really excited about. Can I really wait until winter?!?

What else did I get? Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton, Soul Searching by Mindy Caliguire and The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight. The latter two authors were both speakers at the conference...ditto for James Bryan Smith. So much to read. Too bad the bathrooms need cleaned. :)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fall Into Reading '11

Wow...can you believe it's already fall? Although after the very hot (most 100+ degree days EVER) summer we had, fall is more than welcome here.

I'm excited to participate in the Fall into Reading Challenge hosted by Callapidder Days for the third year in a row! Yay.

My list is perhaps a bit of a work in progress still. I'll show you what I've got, but you might check back for possible changes (basically, I think the following is a bit too ambitious given the busy fall we have at our house).

Here it goes:
1. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny - Her mysteries are perfect for fall.
2. Something by Timothy Keller - There are several to choose from and I'm wanting to leave my options open. I ended up choosing Counterfeit Gods.
3. The Good & Beautiful Life - I've been working on this one for awhile, hope to finish it soon
4. One Thousand Gifts - Ditto on this one. Great book!!
5. Game of Thrones Book 1 - I'm curious what all the hype is about, even though this does not exactly sound like my thing
6. Tunnels - Jr. Fiction that I've been meaning to get to forever...and if I do, I'll probably need to add the next three in the series to my list.
7. The Forgotten God by Francis Chan - This book goes right along with some of the things I'm learning, looking forward to reading it.
8. Joy for Beginners - A book from my Amazon wish list, a little lighter than some of my other selections...perhaps.
9. Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand - Waiting for me at the library as I type.
10. One Dog Night by Dave Rosenfelt - Another quick, easy read to balance out some of the non-fiction. Love this fun mystery series.
11. In the Garden of Beasts - This one may not happen this fall, but I want it on my list anyway, so I don't forget to read it later.
12. A Hole in our Gospel - This has been on my list for every challenge. I got part of the way through this spring and put it down. Time to pick it back up.
13. The Catcher in the Rye - Another repeat...I want to read a classic each fall. This year, this is it.
14. The Summer We Got Saved - Maybe I should save this for summer?
15. The Good & Beautiful Community - The final book in the series by James Bryan Smith.
16. Radical by David Platt- Have this on my Kindle, started it just recently, will definitely finish.
17., 18., 19. Book Club Books - Run like a Girl is the choice for October. November was Lost in Shangri-La. Finally, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand for December.

Whew. That's plenty. Now, head over to Callapidder Days and see what everyone else is reading!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Derailed

I haven't been doing quite as much fiction reading lately. The result is a growing pile of library books. Because every time I go, I can't help but bring a few things home with me. But, I haven't been finishing anything to take back. (We did, however, watch the first 2 seasons of Veronica Mars, courtesy of the library...that cut into my reading time.)

Today, a couple books will go back without reading:
An Amish Love - was never in the mood for hokey.
Amaryllis in Blueberry - never did figure out what this one was about.

Just finished and ready to return:
The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther - this was September's book club pick. We read a book set in the Middle East last month (Son of Hamas) and I was a little slow to read this one, since the setting was similar. The book was good, though, just not a speedy read.

Still in the pile:
Divergent by Veronica Roth - I'm excited to read this one. It's very likely next up.
Call me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Bel Canto - by Ann Patchett - on my tbr list for a LONG time
Candle in the Darkness & Fire by Night by Lynn Austin
The Women by TC Boyle

Still reading:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
The Good and Beautiful Life by James Bryan Smith
Radical by David Platt - this one's on my Kindle

Recently purchased:
66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb

What are you reading? What do you want to read?