I updated my Spring Reading Challenge list yesterday, indicating where I am in the list. I'd better be near the end since the end is soon! :)I am so happy to take part in these challenges, sponsored by Seasonal Soundings. It has inspired me to read books I've had on my shelf for awhile, as well as search out new titles.
I'm working on the list for the Summer Challenge. I almost always keep my reading light for this season of the year. This is when I pull my paperback books off my "to be read" shelf, with absolutely no guilt whatsoever. Although, I do remember years past when I spent my summers reading the thick classics. I just don't remember why.
I think it was Gordon MacDonald, in his book Ordering Your Private World, who said he does his deeper reading in the summer because as a pastor, that was his prime season for reading such. I would check on that but, unfortunately, it is in a box of books waiting the purchase of a new bookshelf! If you have never read it, drop what you are doing and purchase it now. Okay, you can wait until tomorrow but honest...it's probably in the top ten list of my all time favorite nonfiction books. I've gone through a couple paperback copies already.
The only books I know are going to show up on my Summer Challenge are three by Peter Mayle (ie: A Year in Provence) that have been sitting on my shelf way too long. They all look delightful. I think I'm finally going to read Galileo's Daughter, too. I may add one or two Barbara Pym books since I enjoyed Excellent Women so much. Otherwise, I have a couple weeks to make up my mind!
I always list what I'm currently reading on the sidebar. Usually it has three or four books as I always keep one or two devotional books going. I also always have one "deeper" book to read as well as one "lighter. I admit my mood has a great deal to do with what I'm reading, unless it is something I must read to prepare for our schoolwork. Sometimes there will be eight or nine listed because I brought home way too many books from the library but I'm trying to get through all of them! But in that, I know I am not alone....
5 comments:
Very inspirational post...I should follow your lead and get busy and read.
< I think it was Gordon MacDonald, in his book Ordering Your Private World, who said he does his deeper reading in the summer because as a pastor, that was his prime season for reading such. I would check on that but, unfortunately, it is in a box of books waiting the purchase of a new bookshelf! If you have never read it, drop what you are doing and purchase it now. >
I've been meaning to tell you that I found a copy of this in the used section of my local Christian bookstore and am almost done-I should finish it tonight. I highlighted in it quite a bit-yes, it was that good.
Tonight I found another one of his books-"Rebuilding Your Broken World" that I'm looking forward to reading when I finish "Ordering Your Private World."
Thanks for the recommendation. :)
joanna
*disclaimer*
I just started reading "Rebuilding Your Broken World" and I guess I didn't check it very thoroughly at the bookstore because it's for people who have become "broken" from their own wrong choices. Having health issues I never asked for disqualifies me from gleaning much out of this book.
I did a search for Gordon MacDonald and it's what I thought-he had an affair that became the basis of his "broken world." I also came across some criticism of "Ordering Your Private World" which opened my eyes wider to the red flags I had with some parts of the book. (The journaling part, for example, and his reading of Christian "mystics.") You have to be so careful in this day and age.
Anyway, all this to say, I did enjoy much of "Ordering" but I'm going to take back "Rebuilding" tomorrow, and possibly get rid of "Ordering" as well.
I don't know about you, Brenda, but for me, it's hard to get past the fact of his affair, which really taints the book now, in my opinion, and was happening around the time of the writing of "Ordering"-I believe within just a few years.
I will take away the good from the book-ordering my inner life so that my outer life can get more organized-and leave all the rest.
I'm afraid there is much to be left, especially from a man who didn't keep his wedding vows while writing books on taking care of your inner self. :(
Just my opinion.
Joanna
Very good idea o have a reading list. Just looked over yours and noticed you have finished At the back of the North Wind. I just finished reading that to my girls last year, they were 10 & 14 at the time, and even they could see the the real story.
I have also read recently a Pym, to myself, A Quartet in Autum. It really was written well, but a sad comentary of aging life. It relly made me think about my life right now and how it is run. hanks for all the encouragement and inspiration on your site. God bless.
Wendy
Hi Brenda, I've just found your lovely site from A Gracious Home and I noticed you mentioned Barbara Pym - a friend and I have recently been reading all her books and loving them! I especially enjoyed Jane and Prudence. It is a true depiction of English village life albeit one that is passing away (but transience is one of her favourite themes so that seems apposite somehow). Kate
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