One thing I admire and slightly envy is the list of "smart people" books that I read about on other people's blogs. Maughry being the main one that does this. Bean you said you were reading some book that I have never heard of. The truth is I really do want to be a reader. I have thought up ways to become a good reader: 1.) pick a book I am interested in and 2.) read it. But that plan does not ever work. So now I am going to use a new strategy: 1.) pick a book someone else is interested in 2.) commit 30 minutes a day to reading it.
The last book that I read in ful was:
(Do not be alarmed: I read this book WAAY before Summer 2005 which is when I met Mr. M.)
I loved this book. The reason I loved this book is because I had been on so many terrible "going nowhere" dates that left me running to my cell phone every time the phone rang hoping it was "that guy" - but it usually was my mom calling to ask if he had called. Yuck - so glad I am not out there anymore. Today I would say that no-one should take this book TOO seriously because if you don't have common sense that screams at you "He just isn't into me because he isn't calling me, he isn't dating me, he is having sex with someone else etc." then maybe you just need an ego boost and some self respect. However, Greg Behrendt, one of the authors of this book, also co-wrote one of my favorite HBO television series: Sex and the City.
(Some of you may be rolling your eyes, but I know for a FACT there are some of my readers who know that "Sex and the City" is FABULOUS!Back to my original topic, while books like "He's Just Not That Into You" are entertaining, I feel that at this point in my life : 24.5 years old, married, working, schooling, etc. this book choice is unsuitable.
So my question is: Where do I begin to choose a grown-up book?
1.) I would like to learn about Christianity from a way less "Ten Steps to Being a Better Christian Woman" point-of-view
2.) I would like to learn more about current events/cultural issues.
3.) I do not like books that are 600 pages (yet) 200-300 pages gets me excited about reading.
WAIT...I did all this blogging about the fabulousness of Greg Behrendt and I just remembered that since I have been married to Mr. M I have read:
...AND LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK...Granted, I read this book about ten years after everyone else but none the less, I can say it was easy for me to follow, exciting to read, and made an impact on my spiritual growth.
So, I am looking for a list of suggestions from anyone with the knowledge that I loved "Blue Like Jazz" who would like to recommend some starter grown-up books. P.S. the books you recommend do not have to be classified "Christian/Spirituality".
Just throw a few favs. out there for me.
2 comments:
(I'm not so sure why you HAVE to read ... if you don't like reading, it's ok. Seriously).
But, if you really WANT to do this -
Mary and I have the same taste in fiction, so I agree with what she just said. I would add "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver, and it's sequel, "Pigs in Heaven."
I liked Donald Miller's sequel, "Searching for God Knows What," as well (if not better than) "Blue Like Jazz." I think that my only suggestion that hasn't already been mentioned.
And there's nothing wrong with plain old Scripture for spiritual growth. The only way I ever got seriously interested in reading Scripture was to read it as a story, rather than an assignment.
That's all I know ...
ssg
Hi Laura - Liz here. We haven't met yet, but I'm part of the HC crowd. For book recommendations, Barbara Kingsolver is hard to put down and Brennan Manning is also great. I just finished reading Into the Nevernight by Anne De Graaf. It is 400 pages (fairly close to your range) and I read it in just over 24 hours. I was SO captivated by this book I almost missed my subway stop one morning on the way to work!! I am not usually a big fan of Christian fiction, but this one I would put a huge stamp of approval on!! Mary's idea of sitting in a good book store and reading the first chapter of a few books is what I tend to do as well (though sometimes I end up spending a whole Friday night curled up in the chair at the bookstore like the dork I am!!) Let us know what you start out with and have fun!!!
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