Sink Reflections
Marla Cilley, 2002
Knowing God by Name: A Personal Encounter
Mary A. Kassian, 2008
This simple study (I've used it as an opening devotional) is so great,
I've just finished my second trip through the content. It's a great way to get to
know the names of God, as well as more deeply process what that means
for me as I try to know better the God whom I serve daily. If you're trying to purchase a copy, go through Lifeway (either a store or online), as it's only $11.95 for a new copy. People on the Amazon marketplace have some strange conception that a book still available is worth $90 on the second-hand market.
The Swan Thieves
Elizabeth Kostova, 2010
Kostova's first novel, The Historian,
was incredibly executed in its combination of history with its
suspenseful plot. I'm working my way through her follow-up, which
has been reviewed as very similar in style (and is, in my brief time with the book thus far).
The way in which Kostova weaves several seemingly separate stories
together is magnificent. Remembering the outcome of her first book, I
find myself examining each piece of narrative for clues as to what is
really happening as Dr. Marlow (psychiatrist) seeks to uncover the root
of his patient's madness (the near-mute artist, Robert Oliver), as
Kostova traverses the landscape of artists and styles that marked 19th
century French culture.
When God Writes Your Love Story
Eric and Leslie Ludy, 2009 (Expanded Edition)
The Princess and the Goblin
George MacDonald, 1872
The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ
Kelly Minter, 2011
No Other gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols
Kelly Minter, 2008
Water into Wine: Hope for the Miraculous in the Struggle of the Mundane
Kelly Minter, 2004
Chronicles of Avonlea
L.M. Montgomery, 1912
Emily of New Moon
L.M. Montgomery, 1923
Further Chronicles of Avonlea
L.M. Montgomery, 1920
The Story Girl
L.M. Montgomery, 1911
Spectacular Sins
John Piper, 2008
Chris and I read this on car trips, one chapter at a time -
because it generates some really great, purposive discussions. It's an
interesting (and short, which is unusual for Piper) examination of how
the great sins of people in the Bible were meant to display the greater
glory of God. It may be short, but it's deep. Super-deep.
Anna Karenina
Leo Tolstoy, 1877
Since Christopher has been listening to this in the car, I picked up a
copy for myself to read (since I both cannot process by listening and
I'm not with him most of the time that he's listening). Best $9 I've
spent in a long time.
The book
is long (750+ pages in the Barnes&Noble Classics version), but
it is easy to get swept up in the picture of
Russia that Tolstoy created - and even easier to be entranced by the
implications of cultural change and the march of progress. One of the
best narratives (whether intentional or not) of the idea that "desire
when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown
brings forth death" (James 1:15). Incredible.
One Thousand Gifts
Ann Voskamp, 2010
My beautiful sister-in-law, Elise, sent me this book. I assume that
means she has read it and suspected it would speak to my soul! I'm not
very far in, but it is already the cause of some stirrings in my heart -
a heart that has been somewhat dormant, bitter, and felt forgotten for
some time. I'm still adjusting to Voskamp's unique style (very similar to Madeleine L'Engle's Crosswicks journals, which are some of my favorite books - but still a very unique style that isn't found in much, so it takes readjustment). I'm also trying to get myself to look past the fact that the text is left aligned and not justified... but that's because I'm a huge dork.
