Books

Books – I love them. I have piles on my nightstand, stacks on my desk, and too many on my bookshelves so my hubby tells me. 

“Do you really need another book?” he asks.

” Do you need air?” I answered with a glare.

I should own stock on Amazon.  And I will be truthful – I support our local library too. I borrow quite a few of the books from their shelves – share the love, right? 

I enjoy reading other people’s blogs about what they have read or are reading, so thought I would share a few with you this week.  Most of the following books I have read since the first of the year. Hopefully you will find a couple of new books to enjoy!

7 Books

The Gift for All People – Max Lucado

I love how Max Lucado writes – inspirational stories and powerful word images. This book is a collection of short devotional stories focusing on God’s gift of love and grace for all of us. My only disappointment is the book isn’t original – it is composed of stories taken from his earlier writings. When I realized that I felt a little cheated as a reader – so be warned ahead of time.  BUT this is still a nice addition to my bookshelf for that time when I need to share a short devotion before a meeting.

The Imitation of Christ – Classic Devotions in Today’s Language – compiled and edited by James N Watkins.

This is an updated version of a classic, but doesn’t lose even a tiny bit of its original inspiration. I love taking one chapter at a time to sit and absorb its wisdom. This new paraphrase honors the original text. Many of the words become my own prayers for that day and throughout the week. Well worth your read!

Where She Belongs – Johnnie Alexander

I had to include at least on fiction book in this list (for those who know me I am basically a 100% non fiction reader).  I love losing myself in a good story and Johnnie creates a great one here.  It is faith based but not an overly so – in your face type of Christian fiction. I loved the characters and being set in a wonderful state – OHIO – made it even more so. Such an enjoyable read.

Necessary Endings – Dr. Henry Cloud

  “Great is the art of the beginning but greater is the art of ending.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  This is an older book that discusses endings in our life – jobs, projects, relationships – in a positive light and the lessons we learned from them. Sometimes you just have to let go and say good-bye.  This book reminded me that life has its seasons and often we take things too personally. It offers advice for those difficult conversations, taking inventory where you are now and ideas for moving on. A thoughtful guide for those transitions we all face at one time or another. This is one of the books I borrowed from the library – I didn’t have a strong sense to purchase it after reading but will remember its words when experiencing an ending.

Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges – Amy Cuddy

Another library book that has lingered in my soul and affected my posture. Essentially her book is similar to her Ted Talk about power poses and how your body language shapes who you are. Very interesting to watch and once you watch/read her material I look for more “wonder women” out there and adopters of one of my favorite slogans – “fake it till you make it.” Or as she says, “Fake until you become it.” Amazing how practicing powerful postures for just two minutes change our mindset, stress levels and how we see ourselves. On a side note, her personal story is interesting and give hopes for people who go through a powerless time/experience.

[ted id=1569]

Nonsense – the power of not knowing – by Jamie Holmes.

Just got this book from the library so haven’t fully digested all the material in this book. Basically this book is about ambiguity – how we can manage contradictory sometime unpleasant uncertainity. We are wired to “fix” things – to figure out a solution or an action plan in a the fastest amount of time to get rid of feeling uncomfortable, but the reality is in life many times the struggle to find a best solution, not the first one we think of and lessons we learn by staying in a confusing fog can helps us more than a quick escape.  I think will be an interesting read.

Will It Fly? By Pat Flynn

This is an easy read, full of wisdom.  One of the best and fun exercises Pat shares – and if you don’t’ know Pat he generously shares a ton of knowledge with others – is called the Airport Test. Imagine you are waiting at an airport for your flight and meet up with a friend you haven’t seen for years.  “How are you? He/she asks.  You respond, “I’m terrific. I am at a very good place in my life right now.”  Think about what and why you would answer that way.  Describe what is going on in your family, health, business, faith, finances. For example you would imagine things like “I am the healthiest I have been in years; Each day I have energy to get done what I want to do; I am debt free, I am able to travel, I continue to do work I love and feel is meaningful.”  Interesting process, isn’t it?

Quite a few years ago I took a career class where we were to write out what our ideal job would be.  We were to use details and our imagination. I rediscovered that sheet of paper about ten years after that workshop and was quite surprised to see the job I was doing then was very similar to what I dreamed about ten years earlier.  There is a power to writing out our dreams.

 Books – I love them.

And how about one tiny mention of an 8th book?  My latest book is on breath prayers called Whispers – Being with God in Breath Prayers.  Many of you downloaded it last month when I gave it away for free on my birthday.  I hope it has blessed you and if you find time, I would love to have you leave a review on Amazon.  Thank you so much.

7 Quotes about Books

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

–Henry Ward Beecher

I cannot sleep unless I am surrounded by books.

–Jorge Luis Borges

To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.

 ~Chinese Saying

A house without books is like a room without windows.

~Heinrich Man

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

He fed his spirit with the bread of books.

~Edwin Markham

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

~Charles W. Eliot

What have you read lately?  Let’s share some recommendations with one another.