Books Books Books!

I love to read! I have been able to rekindle this love more in the last year or so since I have been a stay-at-home mom. I also joined a book club with a group of friends which has allowed me to read books that I wouldn't normally pick out. Although at times I probably read when I should be cleaning or cooking, I really think that God has used this time to bring books into my life that have allowed me to understand Him and His Word more.

Here is a list of books (the ones that I can remember) that I read in 2009:

1. Created to be his Help-Meet by Debi Pearl. I had the pleasure of reading this book with my sister-in-law, Emily. We would read a few chapters and then meet once every week or so to discuss. It was a wonderful way to grow closer to Emily as well as to really dig in to the book with our discussion times. Although there were some parts of the book that I didn't 100 % agree with (as with any book!) I think that this book helped me to better understand my role as a woman of God, as a mother, and as a wife. It definitely has some controversial stances; but I think that it has a lot to offer.

2. The Noticer by Andy Andrews. You can read about this book from a previous post by clicking here: http://morethanrubies1.blogspot.com/2009/11/people-pleaser.html. This was a quick read, but not my favorite.

3. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. You can read about this book from a previous post by clicking here: http://morethanrubies1.blogspot.com/2009/11/ragamuffin.html. This book really helped me to better understand God's Grace. I was really excited about this book when I wrote this post; however, after having a discussion with friends during a book club, we had some concerns with the book. We felt that, depending on where you are in your walk with the Lord, you may get some wrong impressions from this book. I do think it is good to read if you interested in a view of God's Grace.

4. Deadline by Randy Alcorn. This is a fictional Christian book. It touches on a lot of controversial topics such as abortion, the media's portrayal of Christianity, premarital sex, salvation, AIDS, and more. It also has a view of Heaven in the book. The author wrote a disclaimer at the end of the book explaining that he didn't feel that he had a divine inspirational moment or anything to give him this view of heaven, but rather that he had studied what the Bible says about heaven and the view of heaven in the book is what his imagination made up from what he understood from the Bible. It definitely made me think more about heaven and even desire to study more about it. This book was suspenseful and pretty easy to read.

5. The Shack by William P. Young. After hearing mixed reviews on this book, I wanted to read it to see what I thought about it. It was a pretty easy read. Some things in the book I didn't really think accurately portrayed what the Bible says, but it was still interesting. I think this is one of those fictional books that people can grasp on to when they really should be grasping on the what the Word says. I have heard some people say that this book really changed their view of what a relationship with the Lord looks like. That's fine but, in my opinion, unless the book directs you to study the Word and believe what it says first, then it may be more harmful to your faith than good. Just my opinion....

6. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. This book was hard for me to get into initially. The coarse language and graphic scenes also bugged me a bit; however, I ended up really liking it in the end. It was definitely interesting and made you think a lot. Some scenes brought me to tears!

7. The Bible. Definitely the most life changing book I read this year! :) I finally finished! I learned so much from reading the book that I have had my whole life but never read in its entirety until now. Some parts were challenging to get through, but I learned more than I could have ever imagined. It was amazing how some things that I had read many times touched me in a different way this time. I'm looking forward to reading it again this year. I highly recommend this book! :)

8. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer....Yes....I read the Twilight series. Definitely different from my typical read...but, I couldn't put them down! And yes, I saw the first two movies. Ah, never thought I would be into vampire anything. I just wish the last two movies would come out so I can get over this vampire stage of my life!

9. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

10. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

12. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

There are probably more books from 2009...but these are all I can think of right now.

Now for 2010: (I have already read a few this year!)

1. Rejoice by Karen Kingsbury. I had started The Redemption Series a few years back and never finished it. Karen Kingsbury's books are so quick and easy to read. Sometimes they annoy me a bit....but all in all they are good and they have great messages! This one was primarily about a child that nearly drowned to death in a pool and the family's struggles to deal with the situation.

2. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I love Nicholas Sparks books. I know that they are sappy love stories....and that is exactly why I like them! :) Sparks always has twists and turns that I never could think up. This one wasn't my favorite Nicholas Sparks book, but it was still an enjoyable read.

3. Reunion by Karen Kingsbury. The last book of The Redemption Series. Have your tissues handy! I cried a lot in this book. This book deals a lot with a mother who formerly had breast cancer getting cancer back ten years later. Goo! This touches close to home since my mom had breast cancer 6 years ago. Although her books are good, I am glad to be done with The Redemption Series.

Books I am currently reading or planning to read this year:

The Bible - currently reading
A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury (for Book Club) currently reading
Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado (for book club) currently reading
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp - currently reading
The Shack by William P Young (again for book club)
Facing your Giants by Max Lucado (book club)
The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg (book club)
Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman
Hinds Feet for High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
The Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss


So this was probably really boring....it's more for my benefit than yours! :) Feel free to give me suggestions of books....I'm always looking for something new!