I have this thing… If someone recommends a book to me, I will chose not to read it until the end of time (or until I forget about it.) Kris gives me grief about this… and rightfully so, but I think it has something to do with people just thinking they know what I’d like to read and what I look for in a book. I can’t tell you how many times people have recommended the Twilight series to me… and if they knew me at all, they’d know that fantasy/vampires/romance/etc are all the genres furthest away from my tastes. It just makes me crazy. So any time someone says that they have the book for me, I omit their opinion without hesitation.
However, I’m going to lift this banishment for a 48 hour period. I’ve got a leisurely summer ahead and I feel like I should prepare for the years of studying ahead by getting back into the ‘reading habit.’ So… for 48 hours, I’m going to be taking book recommendations from anyone and everyone. I’m going to choose 5 books from the presumably endless list for myself to read this summer. I’ll also post a review and analysis of the book as proof that I took these recommendations. And don’t worry, this project is much bigger than it seems, and much more important than anything else going on right now.
Here’s what you should suggest:
- Books that changed your life
- Books that you read over and over again
- Books that you can’t live without
- Books that create internal emotional conflict
Here’s what you should NOT suggest:
- Books from the above mentioned genres
- Books that you know I will hate
- Books that have pictures
- The Bible (the plan is to read this really big, somewhat important one alongside the others)
Good luck… and may the best books win.
-w
thanks for reading, please share!
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I have to include a few that may fall into the forbidden categories. Please peruse them before you slander my name in the men’s room at TGIFriday’s.
1. C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy. Amazing Christian theological themes running throughout.
2. Jitterbug perfume. Amazing love story and characters you’ll keep in your pocket for years to come.
3. Prayer by phillip yancey. I am currently being rocked by this and thought I would mention it. Not necessarily a ‘beach read’.
4. Irrisistible revolution.
5. Blue like jazz.
And for a fun rec’ for my friend, kristen: the time traveler’s wife. Awesome poolside book!!
1. Systematic theology, Wayne Grudem
2. Total Church, Steve Timmis
3. Desiring God, John Piper
4. Crazy Love, Francis Chan
5. Humility, C J Mahaney
Mere Christianity- C.S. Lewis
Took me awhile because it’s pretty dense, but it changed my life.
The Princess Bride- William Goldman
If you like the movie? You will love the book. Hilarious. I laughed out loud more than once. On a plane.
And I second the Blue Like Jazz recommendation. Great book. Through Painted Deserts is by Donald Miller also and it’s really good too. It’s a roadtrip memoir of sorts.
Oh! and Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
A classic and SUCH an easy read. I’ve loved it since high school. Lots of good quotes in there.
Ender’s Game – by Orson Scott Card. Disclaimer: Not technically fantasy but it’s close cousin sci-fi. It is a classic in the sci-fi world. Has great inner struggle, really makes you think about fate vs. choice in life.
The Once and Future King – T.H. White. The King Arthur story, really funny (the Lancelot/ Guinevere stuff is kinda a slog, but the rest is great).
The Tempest – Shakespeare. This one has it all. The last play he wrote before he died. Lots of good deep thoughts in there. Also there are many connections with Lost, freaky mysterious island anyone?
The Golden Compass – Philip Pullman. This one IS technically a fantasy so I understand if you choose not to pick this one, but it is a great story, inner character conflict, adventure, and would be a good one to read along side The Bible. Lots of cross references.
And I second The Princess Bride. Very funny.
Good Luck.
..The Irresistible Revolution (already mentioned) by Shane Claiborne changed my life. Also suggest Wide Awake by Erwin McManus. I don’t think I would suggest to you any of my most favorite fictional books, so I’ll stop there. However, I loved loved The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and it’s a classic.
See, I love you Wil because I think just like you.
As soon as I’m recommended something, I’m inclined not to explore it. For me, I just hate being told what to do. As a leader/manager, I have learned that you have to let people come up with their own ideas, and it is so true for me, too. Just ask David.
All that being said…
I too, could not be less interested in movies/stories/books/conversations/suggestions/thoughts, etc about fantasy, vampires, sci-fi, romance. So I wonder if we would like the same books. My most recent favorites:
1. Bitter is the New Black
2. Bright Lights, Big Ass
3. Such a Pretty Fat
1-3 are by Jen Lancaster. They are memoirs (three cheers for non-fiction!)…and her fourth, Pretty in Plaid, is just out. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
I also recently read Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsley and was quite charmed; fiction status notwithstanding.
Happy reading!
Unfortunatly, I don’t finish most of the books I start. But the only one I have actually finished is Mark Driscoll’s Radical Reformission. And it totally rocked my world/the way I approach ministry. And, from what I’m told, a pretty easy read.
I also have loved every bit that I HAVE read, but haven’t finished: Blessed Are the Uncool: Living Authentically in a World of Show by Paul Grant and of course Vintage Jesus AND Death By Love by Driscoll as well.
A great blog to follow for book recomendations/reviews is our youth Pastor Andrew Murch, who recently finished 10 books in 11 days!! http://spacecreated.blogspot.com/
HAPPY READING!!
(now if you want some good movies/shows to watch–come to me for that!
got some GREAT suggestions here… may need to lengthen my list to 10! Keep ‘em coming!
P.S. Who is the WORLD recommended you read Twilight?? Was she 12??
I DO have lots of Parenting/Marriage/Family books I have read cover to cover a FEW times…but I’m thinking you’re not wanting to read those QUITE yet!!?
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (you know it)
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb (seriously, an INSANELY fascinating and entertaining book)
On Writing by Stephen King
Currently reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
the great gatsby if I’m not too late. it is a classic for a reason. a short read but I’ve read it about a million times.
I know I missed the deadline. But I have to suggest my favorite book. It’s the bestbookintheworld: The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene
seriously, it’s amazing.
i’m excited for you to make a whole excel spreadsheet of all these titles/authors for me to pick me reading list from.
and yes, we both know, if you don’t make a spreadsheet, i will.