Today my mom and I cleaned house, then we got out of the house for a bit.
I don't really know if I've ever mentioned this before, but my mom is so stinkin' awesome. She's my best friend.
So, naturally, what do best friends do? Well, we go places together, of course! So our adventure brought us to Barnes & Noble. We both grabbed a drink from Starbucks, picked out our books, and sat down. We conversed, laughed, smiled, enjoyed the people around us. We bonded.
Anyway, I'm sure the thing you're all most interested in is what I ended up sliding off the shelf, right?
Anyway, I'm sure the thing you're all most interested in is what I ended up sliding off the shelf, right?
Yes, I know what you're all thinking. I can hear it now.
"She hasn't read that yet? That books has been out for ages!"
"She probably just picked it up because it's being made into a movie that will be out in the fall."
And so on...
Well, not necessarily. I discovered Don Miller's work back at the end of 2009. A Million Miles In A Thousand Years was sent to me by my friend Breann. It blew my mind. Before I went away for the summer I wanted to pick up a few books. One that I thought would maybe help me while I was gone. It was a toss-up between Searching For God Knows What and Blue Like Jazz. Searching...won. I never read it over the summer because I never had time (I was crazy to even think that I would have time for that in the midst of chasing children around all day), but I did read it back in November. It was one of the most life changing books I ever read.
And so on...
Well, not necessarily. I discovered Don Miller's work back at the end of 2009. A Million Miles In A Thousand Years was sent to me by my friend Breann. It blew my mind. Before I went away for the summer I wanted to pick up a few books. One that I thought would maybe help me while I was gone. It was a toss-up between Searching For God Knows What and Blue Like Jazz. Searching...won. I never read it over the summer because I never had time (I was crazy to even think that I would have time for that in the midst of chasing children around all day), but I did read it back in November. It was one of the most life changing books I ever read.
When I told people I was a Don Miller fan, and they found out I read A Million Miles before Blue Like Jazz they were mind blown, and they didn't quite understand why. It's just how the coin landed I suppose, and I'm sure it landed that way for a reason. I'm excited to finally read Blue Like Jazz, and even more excited to see the movie when it is released. I told my Mom the whole journey that the movie has been on, and she thought it was the neatest thing. She even said to me while we were out that she would love to borrow his books. I don't mind. I'm delighted. (Another reason why my Mom is so awesome!)
What are you currently reading? Any good suggestions? (I'm taking a literature class right now and am finding a love for old stories. I'll gladly take those suggestions, too.)
We're watching Inception tonight. It was the best movie I watched last year and am so excited to see it again!
You know how I feel about this book choice. =) I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThis morning, I finished An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, because I've been reading a lot of heavier books and wanted a lighthearted YA story. And now I'll go back to serious minded stuff... Ragman and Other Cries of Faith by Walter Wangerin Jr. next!
Recommendations.... Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott is another "desert island" book. She's a bit good bit edgier than Don Miller (in content and colorful language :)) but she's a beautiful soul and a great writer and storyteller.
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. This is one of my favorite non-Narnia books by him.
For old stuff, Leo Tolstoy's novella The Death of Ivan Ilych changed me. I had to write a huge paper on it when I took the class you're in now, so I spent a ton of time with this one. It's a profound story about life, death, and forgiveness.
Oh! I started reading a book by Anne Lamott at the beginning of last year, but was scared away by the edginess of it. I was kind of wondering I was even allowed to read a book like that. ;-) I've heard so many good things about Traveling Mercies, though. I'll check it out. As well as the other suggestions. Thanks Jen! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have enjoyed and are enjoying Don Miller's books! I'm reading Searching for God Knows What and am looking forward to discussing it with you on JG's messageboards.
ReplyDeleteAs far as books in the queue...Lately, I've noticed how much fear I harbor (fear of rejection, fear of looking a fool, fear of never being able to play sports again, etc.) So, I'm looking for books that shed light on this fear, acknowledging its presence while whispering the truth that Christ has overcome. Do you have any suggestions?
Hmm...I'm not really sure. I had fears like that with my dancing. Because I'm 20 (almost 21), a lot of people look down on people who are my age who still dance. Especially since I'm technically a hip hop dancer now. Not only that, but I was a ballerina for 10 years, so I'm coming from this world where you never bent your legs, were graceful from head to toe, and looked put together all the time. Now, I dance on the streets (literally), and have had to just overcome my fear of thinking I look ridiculous when I am doing hip hop. My instructor (and friend) always says "If you think you look ridiculous, then you probably do." That was when I gave up caring what other people thought about me and just started doing it. I let go of the fear, and it's been the best thing I could have done for myself. I hope I sort of answered your question, even if I couldn't give a book suggestion. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response, Kaitlyn! Since reading the Harry Potter books, I've been thinking a lot about courage. I've noticed how much fear inhibits what I do. That's why I'm thinking about giving it up for Lent this year.
ReplyDeleteTotally understand... Anne isn't for everyone, and scared me a little the first time too! I don't always agree with her, but I love her style and the truth she weaves in her stories.
ReplyDeleteAnother good one I thought of is Picking Dandelions by Sarah Cunningham. It came out last year... she's not too well-known yet, but has a great blog and is sort of like a younger Anne Lamott without the f-bombs. :) I reviewed it on my blog last year (coughshamelessplugcough) Might want to check that one out too!
So I haven't read Blue Like Jazz either. I know, I know. I've been wanting to for ages. I feel like such a bad post-modern Christian. But time is in short supply, life is busy, all that jazz.
ReplyDeleteBUT I did by it the other day when I picked up a whole slew of used books. So I will get to it at some point.